Instruction-There are a great many good books which instruct us in our duty, particularly the Biblo; but there are also many bad books, which teach people to be wicked; and there are numbers of foolish ones, that serve only to divert the mind without doing any good at all: these should be carefully avoided; for those who have but little time for reading, should employ that little well; and those who are not capable of judging for themselves what books are proper, should ask advice of those who are good judges. Bad books. are as dangerous as bad company, for they will corrupt the mind at least as much.

Many of these books are written on purpose to make people discontented with the King and Government, that they may be ready to join in riots; but every one who is persuaded by them finds to his cost, that he had better have kept true to his King, and been contented under the Govern ment. All the bloodshed which there has been in France and other places, has been occasioned, in a great measure, by bad books, which have turned people's heads, so that they could not tell right from wrong, when at the same time they fancied themselves the wisest people in the world But no people can be reckoned truly wise but those who fear God and honour the King, and who do unto all men as they would they should do unto them.

Questions.What books should not be read? [Ans. Badi books.] Are not those bad books which set people against. the King and Government? [Ans. Yes.] Which is best, to live in peace and quietness with your neighbours, or to join in riots and mobs? [Ans. To live peaceably.] Are those people friends to the poor who would set thein upon mischief? [Ans. No.] Whom should we fear? [Ans. God.] Whom should we honour? [Ans. The King.] What should we do to all men? [dns. As we would they should do to us.]

INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE FABLES IN THE CHARITY-SCHOOL SPELLING-BOOK, PART II.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE TEACHER.

These Fables may be read occasionally to such children as cannot read themselves; or the Questions alone put to those who are able to read the Fables.

Instruction. By a Fable is meant a fictitious story, intended to shew, by Similitudes, how amiable goodness is, and how hateful vice. In Fables good and bad people are sometimes represented under the similitude of beasts, birds, &c. A Fox is usually put for one who has wit and parts, but is very sly and deceitful. A Lion, for one who is of a generous temper. An Ass for a stupid fellow, &c. Therefore when you read fables, do not suppose you are reading of real foxes, &c. but of fox-like men, or lion-like men, &c.

In like manner, when a husbandman, a farmer, a shepherd's boy, &c. are brought into a fable, you are not to suppose them any particular persons, but imaginary characters, meant to represent all people who have the same virtues or vices as those in the fable are represented to have.

When you read a Fable take particular notice of the Moral, for that shews what the Fable is intended to teach:

Questions.What is meant by a fable? [Ans. A fictitious story.] What kind of a man is a fox usually put for? [Ans. A sly deceitful one.] What sort of a person is a lion usually put for? [Ans. A generous one.] What is an ass usually put for? [Ans. A stupid one.] Are you to think when you are reading fables that you are reading of real foxes, lions, &c,? [Ans. No.]

FABLE I.

The Ass, the Ape, and the Mole.

The Ass found fault that she had no horns, and the Ape that she had no tail: "Hold your peace," said the Mole, and say no more, for you are both blessed with eyes, which I am not, and yet I am content, for I have what belongs to my nature. An Ass has no need of horns, nor an Ape of a tail; nor do I as a Mole want eyes."

MORAL.-Most people think their own state the worst in the world; but if they would reflect properly, they would find that in general they might be happy in it, if they would be contented, and keep from wishing to change lots with others.

Instruction.In this fable the Ass and Ape represent two murmuring discontented people; the Mole one who has good sense enough to be sensible of the blessings he enjoys.

The Moral instructs us to learn from this fable to be contented with our own condition in life, and not to desire those things which God has seen fit to deny us.

Questions-Which had you rather be like, the Ass and the Ape, or like the Mole? [Ans. The Mole.] Never, then in the course of your life presume to murmur against Providence, as those do who are discontented with their condition.

FABLE II.

The Dog and the Shadow.

A Dog crossing a little river with a piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his own shadow in the water, and took it for another dog that was carrying another piece of flesh; being very greedy, he snapt at the shadow, and by that nieans dropt the meat from his mouth, which sunk to the bottom, and was quite lost.

MORAL. He that catches at more than belongs to him, justly deserves to lose what he has,

Instruction. The dog in this fable represents a greedy person, who cares for nobody but himself; his losing the flesh when he snapt at the shadow, shews that such an one is a loser in the end.

Questions-What kind of person does the dog in this fable represent? [dns. A greedy person.] What does the moral say. he justly deserves who catches at more than belongs to him? [Ans. To lose what he has.]

FABLE III.
The Proud Frog.

An Ox grazing in a meadow, chanced to be seen by a Frog. At first the little creature stared at the great beast with astonishment; but after a while she took it in her head to try to swell herself out to the same size: so she puffed and blowed, and strained and strained till she burst herself.

MORAL-A person who strives to live equal with one of greater fortune than himself, is sure to share the fate of the Frog in the fable.

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Instruction. The moral to this fable sufficiently explains it I make no doubt but that you understand the Ox to mean a person of large estate, and the Frog one in a humble condition of life.

Questions-Don't you think frogs may be happy as frogs, though they cannot become oxen? [Ans. Yes.] Don't you think the poor may be happy in their stations as well as the rioh? [Ans. Yes.] Should any one try to live beyond bis

means? [Ans. No.] What will they do if they buy fine clothes, or any thing else that they cannot afford? {zins. Ruin themselves.]

FABLE IV. ...

The Viper and the File.

A Viper entering a smith's shop, looked up and down for something to eat; and finding a File, began to gnaw it greedily. The File told him very gruffly, that he had best be quiet, and let him alone,. for that he would get nothing by nibbing at one who upon occasion could bite iron and steel.

MORAL. This fable cautions us not to try to hurt any one, as we cannot tell what he may be able to do in return. Instruction. The Viper in this table represents one of those spiteful kind of people who have a delight in hurting others; the File represents one who has power to punish the other. Spiteful people often meet with files that make them repent their wicked attempts.

Questions-What caution does the moral point out in the fable? [Ans. That spiteful people are punished.]

FABLE V.

The Fox and the Goat,

A Fox having tumbled by chance into a well, had been contriving a long while how to get out, but to no purpose; at last a Goat came to the place, and Reynard called out,

Ah, neighbour, won't you step down to me? You can't think what good water there is." Though the Goat was not thirsty, yet for the sake of good liquor he leapt in; and the Fox taking advantage of his horns, nimbly leapt out, leaving the foolish Goat at the bottom of the well, to shift for himself.

MORAL. This fable teaches us to consider well who it is that advises us before we follow his advice.

instruction.--The Fox here represents a sly deceitful person who tries to get himself out of a bad scrape by drawing : another into it; the Goat one who, for the sake of liquor, will run all hazards. Many a foolish fellow has been left to pay the reckoning at a public house by a sly fox of his acquaintance, and many a silly boy and girl have been totally ruined by one who enticed them into the paths of vice under the expectation of pleasure and profit.

Questions What does the moral say this fable teaches? [Ans. To be upon our guard against deceitful people.]M

FABLE VI.

The Countryman and the Snake.

A Countryman in a hard frost found a Snake under a hedge almost frozen to death with cold. Out of pity he carried it home, and laid it upon the hearth near his fire. In a short time, being revived, the Snake raised itself, and flew first at his friend's wife, then at his children, and last at the Countryman himself; but the good man caught him, and flung him out of doors again, saying, at the same time, Ungrateful wretch! is this the return you make for my saving your life? Go and starve, as you deserve to do.”

MORAL. This fable shews how hateful ingratitude is. Those people who return evil for good provoke their benefactors to cast them off.

Instruction. Instead of a bird or a beast we have in this fable a Countryman; but you are not to suppose this Countryman to signify one particular man who carries a Snoke home, but any generous benefactor who meets with an ungrateful return. The Snake represents any one who has not a proper sense of the favours bestowed upon him, but is so wicked as to injure his benefactor. There are too many such people in the world; even boys and girls sometimes turn against their benefactors, but they are always punished for it in the end.

Questions. Are there people in the world wicked enough to be ungrateful to their benefactors [Ans. Yes.] What 'do they provoke their benefactors to do at last? [Ans. To cut them off.] Is not ingratitude a very wicked thing? [Ans. Yes.]

FABLE VII.

The Ass in the Lion's Skin.

An Ass, finding the skin of a Lion, put it on, and going into the woods, thought to pass for one of those noble beasts; but they perceived his long ears peeping out, which made them guess who he was; and as soon as he opened his mouth, they knew by his braying that he was no better than an Ass, and treated him as a foolish Ass for his false pretences.

MORAL.--This fable may be applied to those persons in low stations who dress themselves out in such kind of clothes