Masks were sold, laid his foot upon
one of them, and considering it awhile attentively, at last broke
out into this exclamation:--"Bless me!" says he, "what a handsome
face this is! What a pity it is that it should want brains!"

MORAL.

Beauty without sense is of little value. A fair outside is but a
poor substitute for inward worth.

FABLE CII.

THE CAT, THE COCK, AND THE YOUNG MOUSE.

[Illustration: THE FOX AND THE MASK.]

A YOUNG Mouse, that had seen very little of the world, came running,
one day, to his mother in great haste:--"Oh, mother!" said he, "I am
frightened almost to death! I have seen the most extraordinary
creature that ever was. He has a fierce, angry look, and struts
about on two legs; a strange piece of flesh grows on his head, and
another under his throat, as red as blood: he flapped his arms
against his sides, as if he intended to rise into the air; and
stretching out his head, he opened a sharp-pointed mouth so wide,
that I thought he was preparing to swallow me up: then he roared at
me so horribly, that I trembled in every joint, and was glad to run
home as fast as I could. If I had not been frightened away by this
terrible monster, I was just going to commence an acquaintance with
the prettiest creature you ever saw. She had a soft fur skin,
thicker than ours, and all beautifully streaked with black and grey;
with a modest look, and a demeanour so humble and courteous, that
methought I could have fallen in love with her. Then she had a fine,
long tail, which she waved about so prettily, and looked so
earnestly at me, that I do believe she was just going to speak to
me, when the horrid monster frightened me away."

"Ah, my dear child!" said the mother, "you have escaped being
devoured, but not by that monster you were so much afraid of;
which, in truth, was only a bird, and would have done you no
manner of harm. Whereas, the sweet creature, of whom you seem so
fond, was no other than a Cat; who, under that hypocritical
countenance, conceals the most inveterate hatred to all our race,
and subsists entirely by devouring Mice. Learn from this
incident, my dear, never, while you live, to rely on outward
appearances."

MORAL.

Beneath a fair, alluring guise,
A hidden danger often lies.

FABLE CIII.

THE MICE AND THE TRAP.

Once upon a time, the Mice saw a broiled rasher of bacon hanging
up in a very little room, the door of which being open, enticed
them