134 BOASTING.

his long tail, and then groaned, and finally
spoke outright. “It seems to me, sir,” said
the honest creature, “ that you use me very
ill, particularly as I belong to a race of great
antiquity, and one that has»been honoured
above all four-footed beasts ris

« Why, how is that? said the man.

“¢ How is that? indeed |” said the ass. “if
you had read the Bible as much as you
ought to have done, you would remember
that it was one of my ancestors which con-
versed with a prophet, and stood in the pre-
sence of an angel on a certain occasion.
This is an honour which belongs exclusively
to the ass family, of which I am one, and
therefore it seems meet that you should treat
me with proper respect.”

«Well done!” said the countryman ;
«well done! poor brute. This is ever the
way. It seems to be with asses as with
men: when one has no merit of his own,
he always boasts of the dignity of his family,
or the virtues of his ancestors. For my part,
I know of nothing that sinks a beast or 4
man lower, than to see him attempt to cover
up his own vices, oF weakness, or folly, by