FAVOURITE FABLES 13

FABLE - XI.

THE DIAMOND AND THE LOADSTONE.

A Dtamonp, of great beauty and lustre, observing, not
only many other gems of a lower class ranged together with
himself in the same cabinet, but a Loadstone likewise placed not
far from him, began to question the latter how he came there,
and what pretensions he had to be ranked among the precious
stones; he, who appeared to be no better than a mere flint,
a sorry, coarse, rusty-looking pebble, without any the least
shining quality to advance him to such an honour; and con-
cluded with desiring him to keep his distance, and pay a
proper respect to his superiors.

“JT find,’ said the Loadstone, ‘‘ you judge by external
appearances, and condemn without due examination ; but I
will not act so ungenerously by you. Iam willing to allow
you your due praise: you are a pretty bauble; I am mightily
delighted to see you glitter and sparkle; I look upon you
with pleasure and surprise ; but I must be convinced you are
of some sort of use before I acknowledge that you have any
real merit, or treat you with that respect which you seem to
demand. With regard to myself, I confess my deficiency in