e
on the ground of its being but a selection from the complete _Fables_ of
La Fontaine. It presents only those of which the great fabulist was
himself the originator. A selection of some sort being imperative there
seemed to be a simple and easy choice in the condition of absolute
originality; particularly as the older fables are given in another
volume of this series.

This translation (in which I gratefully acknowledge the assistance of my
friend Mrs. A.H. Beddoe) is neither "free" nor literal. It sometimes
amplifies a thought, much as a musician might amplify the harmonies upon
a master's figured bass. But even this is rarely done, and then only
with a view to the youthful reader's pleasure and profit. With that
view, further, the social and political introductions to the fables have
been omitted, as well as the scientific discourses and the allusions to
the unfortunate wars of Louis XIV. and other historical matters, all of
which would have neither meaning nor interest but for "grown-ups" of a
certain class.

F.C. TILNEY.

CONTENTS

PAGE

THE TWO MULES 13

THE HARE AND THE PARTRIDGE 15

THE GARDENER AND HIS LANDLORD 17

THE MAN AND HIS IMAGE 20

THE ANIMALS SICK OF THE PLAGUE 22

THE UNHAPPILY MARRIED MAN 25

THE RAT RETIRED FROM THE WORLD 27

THE MAIDEN 29

THE WISHES 31

THE DAIRY-WOMAN AND THE PAIL OF MILK 34

THE PRIEST AND THE CORPSE 36

THE MAN WHO RAN AFTER FORTUNE AND THE MAN WHO
WAITED FOR HER IN HIS BED 38

AN ANIMAL IN THE MOON 42

THE FORTUNE-TELLERS 44

THE COBBLER AND THE FINANCIER 47

THE POWER OF FABLE 50

THE DOG WHO CARRIED HIS MASTER'S DINNER 52

THYRSIS AND AMARANTH 54

THE RAT AND THE ELEPHANT 56

THE HOROSCOPE 57

JUPITER AND THE THUNDERBOL