doom, but these are arraigned at every table, in every tavern, and at such variety of judicatures; there will be as great variety of sentences, only they concur in this one, that he is a hypocrite, and then what complacency, what triumph have they in such a discovery. There is not half so much epicurism in any of their more studied luxuries, no spectacle affords them so much pleasure, as a bleeding fame thus lying at their mercy. I shall conclude this section of my work with another of Æsop's fables. THE ASS AND THE LAP-DOG. It is a strong and tenable position, And call'd, my friends,-the Lapdog, and the Ass. There was a gentleman of good renown, Black nos'd, like spaniel dogs, that pleas'd a king, Whom he permitted to enjoy himself G And could afford himself indulgencies, There was a smart alcove, with a veranda, To shade his eyes from day's too strong effulgencies, While up his lap, the little dog would creep, 1 And there, like dormouse, he repos'd; To wag his tail, And treat his master with a sharp bow vow. But not unmark'd by him upon the grass, Whose heart the canker, envy, thence devours. At length, he sought a neighbouring pond, and there, He all his features, and his face inspected; why surely, I'm as fair, As that mean, little, noisy, capering dog, Of my deep bray, that wakes the echoes round; The creature on his knees; And when he licks his face, But when he barks, and makes his odious din, And cries, go, get out of my way thou brute! Well, I'm resolv'd, I too will strive to please I'll go upon a different plan, And try upon myself to draw The love and praise that short-legg'd elf Has, hitherto, attracted to himself." So said, so done, and the next time, 'tis said, His master came to seek his bower's green shade, The donkey would not let him pass, But such a caper gave upon the grass; Heels overhead, That full of dread, The good old gentleman made a swift retreat, And too alarm'd to speak, ran to his seat; For bit by fly, call'd gad, He thought the tumbling brute was grown quite mad; And he thought so still more, When setting up his bray or roar, The donkey, mimic-like, Held up his foot, less form'd to coax, than strike; And little made like tiny dogs to tap. Then, rushing on his wond'ring master, In short, could never lapdog, poodle, monkey, O! what caresses and what melody! "Will! Thomas! come this moment, or I'm slain." But harder soon his plight, His hand each servant raises, And stead of kind caress and grateful praises, Midst grooms, and men, and boys, to raise a faction, IS CHIEFLY UNSUCCESSFUL COMPETITION. RECAPITULATION:-That ministers of the gospel are, like other men, exposed to the danger of competition, and should therefore watch. That they should also set their faces against mischievous gossip. That philanthropists, who are often in competition at public meetings and committees, should also be on their guard. Lastly, by one of Esop's fables, I illustrate the power of unsuccessful competition. من CHAPTER VIII. ON DETRACTION. detract WHAT is detraction? According to the derivation of the word, it means to draw or take from, alias to depreciate. The province of detraction is to lessen the merit of persons, objects, and things, by severe comments, by finding fault, by ridicule, and by mimickry; relating degrading anecdotes of those whom he wishes to lower. Detraction is of two kinds, it may be acted as well as spoken. I shall begin with the latter species, and endeavour to describe its varieties. I endeavoured in my former chapter to prove that general and particular competition were, consciously or unconsciously, the principal and most pernicious source of detraction, and I shall try to show, in some of the following pages, in what manner a detracting spirit endeavours to effect its purposes. Though detraction is one of the most powerful rulers in society, it does not affect the pomp of a sovereign; it has no levées or gala days, but it delights quite as much in the privacy of a tête-à-tête, in the domestic circle of a large family, or even more, perhaps, than in an as |