come. The ass succeeded better, and reached the
road; but after looking about and finding his master missing, he once
more made his way through the drift, and then, placing himself in a
position which enabled the old hawker to catch hold of his tail, the
faithful beast dragged him safely out.

Never despise the help offered by a humble friend. We are all apt to
over-estimate our own strength and wisdom.

THE MUSICAL ASS.

We have no less an authority than Dr Franklin to prove that donkeys
enjoy music.

The mistress of a chateau in France where he visited had an excellent
voice, and every time she began to sing, a donkey belonging to the
establishment invariably came near the window, and listened with the
greatest attention. One day, during the performance of a piece of music
which apparently pleased it more than any it had previously heard, the
animal, quitting its usual post outside the window, unceremoniously
entered the room, and, to exhibit its satisfaction, began to bray with
all its might.

I need scarcely hint, after you have read this story, that you will act
wisely in keeping your proper place. You may be esteemed wonderfully
clever in the nursery, or even at school; but when you appear among
strangers at home, or go out visiting, wait till you are invited to
exhibit your talents, or you may be considered as audacious a donkey as
was the musical ass.

I think I have told you anecdotes enough to show that donkeys are not
such stupid creatures as is generally supposed; and I am very sure that,
if they were better treated, their character would rise much in public
estimation.

CHAPTER FIVE.

ELEPHANTS.

We have, I think, sufficient evidence to prove that elephants are more
sagacious, and possessed of greater reasoning power, than any other
animals. They seem, indeed, to have many of the feelings of human
beings. In spite of their size, what activity do they exhibit! what
wonderful judgment! How cautious they are in all their proceedings!
How great is their love of regularity and good order! So gentle, too,
are many of them, that the youngest infant might be safely entrusted to
their keeping; and yet, if insulted or annoyed by a grown-up person, the
same animal might hurl him to the ground with a blow of his trunk, or
crush him with his ponderous feet. I will tell you a few of the
numerous stories I have heard about these wonderful creatures.

THE ELEPHANT IN A WELL.

While the British