have agreed to part by consent, and the
different journeys they this morning took, I suppose, was with an intent
of final separation.

'That grandeur and happiness do not always go together (as Mrs. Wilson
observed to you) is seen by this story, which I was the more willing
to tell you, as it was a proper introduction to a fable I have been
collecting together from others, for your use. You know that all my
endeavours to make you good, are only intended to make you happy; and
if you thoroughly reflect upon the truth of this maxim, which I so often
endeavour to inculcate, you will doubtless reap no small advantage from
it.'

Here Mrs. Teachum ceased speaking, and, giving Miss Jenny Peace a paper,
she bid her read it aloud; which she did, and it contained the following
fable:






In ancient days, there was a great contention amongst the birds, which,
from his own perfections, and peculiar advantages, had the strongest
title to happiness; and at last they agreed to refer the decision of the
debate to the eagle.

A day was appointed for their meeting; the eagle took his seat, and the
birds all attended to give in their several pleas.

First spoke the parrot. Her voice so dearly resembling human speech, and
which enabled her to converse with such a superior race, she doubted not
(she said) would have its just weight with the eagle, and engage him to
grant a decree in her favour; and to this plea she also added, that she
dwelt in a fine cage adorned with gold, and was fed every day by the
hands a fair lady.

'And pray, Mrs. Poll,' said the eagle, 'how comes it, since you fare so
sumptuously, that you are so lean and meagre, and seem scarcely able
to exert that voice you thus make your boast of?' 'Alas!' replied
the parrot, 'poor Poll's lady has kept her bed almost this week; the
servants have all forgot to feed me; and I am almost starved.' 'Pray
observe,' said the eagle, 'the folly of such pride! Had you been able to
have conversed only with your own kind, you would have fared in common
with them; but it is to this vaunted imitation of the human voice, that
you owe your confinement, and consequently (though living in a golden
cage) your dependence upon the will and memory of others, even for
common necessary food.'

Thus reproved, the parrot, with shame