166 VANITY. .

vanity of the kingfisher, he drew up his gun,
and shot him. As he went to pick up
the fallen bird,. he made the following
reflections: '

“ This silly kingfisher is like a person who
is vain of his dress or his outward beauty.
His skin, when stuffed with tow, is just as
valuable as when the bird’s flesh and bones,
and life, are in it; his outside is all there is
of him. But themodest mocking-bird is
~ ike a person who contributes to our pleasure
or our instruction, and relies upon the good
he does to others for his standing among
mankind. How contemptible is pride; how
amiable and attractive is modesty united with
merit !”

The Fox and Raven.

A raven was once sitting upon a tree with

a nice bit of cheese in his mouth” A fox,
being hungry, approached near to the raven
‘with the design of getting the bit of cheese,
if he could. “ So he began to speak as
follows : > a
‘ jood morning, Mr. Raven ' How fine,

-