 afforded some mirth, and met with general approbation, until some
mischievous wag hinted that the whole was a lampoon upon the friends of the
performer: an insinuation which was no sooner circulated, than those very people
who applauded it before, began to be alarmed, and even to fancy themselves
signified by the several figures of the piece.
    Among others, a worthy personage in years, who had served in the army with
reputation, being incensed at the supposed outrage, repaired to the lodgings of
the painter, and finding him at home, »Heark ye, Mr. Monkey, said he, I have a
good mind to convince you that tho' the bear has lost his teeth, he retains his
paws, and that he is not so drunk but he can perceive your impertinence -
'Sblood! sir, that toothless jaw is a damned scandalous libel - but, don't you
imagine me so chopfallen as not to be able to chew the cud of resentment.« -
Here he was interrupted by the arrival of a learned physician, who advancing to
the culprit with fury in his aspect, exclaimed, »Suppose the augmentation of the
ass's ears should prove the diminution of the baboon's - nay, seek not to
prevaricate, for by the beard of Æsculapius! there is not one hair in this
periwig that will not stand up in judgment to convict thee of personal abuse -
Do but observe, captain, how this pitiful little fellow has copied the very
curls - the colour, indeed, is different, but then the form and foretop are
quite similar.« - While he thus remonstrated in a strain of vociferation, a
venerable senator entered, and waddling up to the delinquent, »Jackanapes! cried
he, I will now let thee see, I can read something else than a news paper, and
that, without the help of spectacles - here is your own note of hand, sirrah,
for money which if I had not advanced, you yourself would have resembled an owl,
in not daring to shew your face by day, you ungrateful, slanderous knave!«
    In vain the astonished painter declared that he had no intention to give
offence, or to characterize particular persons: they affirmed the resemblance
was too palpable to be overlooked, they taxed him with insolence, malice, and
ingratitude; and their clamours being overheard by the public, the captain was a
bear, the doctor an ass, and the senator an owl to his dying day.
    Christian reader, I beseech thee, in the bowels of the Lord, remember this
example while thou art employed in
