be traced in the later and complete edition, the latter shows a considerable improvement upon the work of his " 'prentice hand." The complete work was published, as we have said, in 1841. It appeared in an expensive and sumptuous form, and was adorned with the French artist Grandville's illustrations—which had first appeared only two years previously in the Paris edition of La Fontaine's Fables, published by Fournier Ainé. The book was well received both in America and England, and four other editions were speedily called for. The sixth edition, published in 1843, was a slightly expurgated one, designed for schools. The expurgation, however, almost wholly consisted of the omission bodily of five of the fables, whose places were, as Mr. Wright stated in his preface, filled by six original fables of his own. From his "Notice" affixed to this sixth edition, it seems evident that he by no means relished the task, usually a hateful one, of expurgating his author. Having, however, been urged to the task by "criticisms both friendly and unfriendly" (as he says) he did it; and did it wisely, because sparingly. But in his prefatory words he in a measure protests. He says:- "In this age, distinguished for almost everything more than sincerity, there are some people who would seem too delicate and refined to read their Bibles.' And he concludes with the appeal,-" But the unsophisticated lovers of nature, who have not had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the French. language, I have no doubt will thank me for interpreting to them these honest and truthful fictions of the frank old JEAN, and will beg me to proceed no farther in the work of expurgation." The first of the substituted fables of the sixth edition-The Fly and the Game, given below-may also be viewed as a protest to the same purpose. As a specimen of Mr. Wright's powers at once as an original poet and an original fabulist, we here print (for the first time in b England, we believe) the substituted fables of his sixth edition. We may add, that they appeared in lieu of the following five fables as given in Mr. Wright's complete edition—and in the present edition :-The Bitch and her Friend, The Mountain in Labour, The Young Widow, The Women and the Secret, and, The Husband, the Wife, and the Thief. It should also be borne in mind that these original fables were inserted in an edition professedly meant for schools rather than for the general public. THE FLY AND THE GAME. A KNIGHT of powder-horn and shot Who loved, as well was understood, So sweet they were, and delicate, But now there came-could luck be worse?- A bulky fly, with solemn buzz, And smelt, as an inspector does, This bird and that, and said the meat- But here his words I won't repeat Was anything but fit to eat. 'Ah!' cried the lady, 'there's a fly I never knew to tell a lie; His coat, you see, is bottle-green; THE DOG AND CAT. A DOG and cat, messmates for life, Which came to scratching, growls, and snaps, A neighbour dog once chanced to call Just at the outset of their brawl, And, thinking Tray was cross and cruel, And who are you to interfere?' It seems, in spite of all his snarling, These treasures if you can but find, The other will but cost a look. But O, of this, I pray, beware!— You who may choose the tempting share,→ Too eager fishing for the pitcher May ruin that which is far richer.' Out ran the boys, their gifts to draw: That richer gift to all is free. Be only as that water true, And then the whole belongs to you." That truth itself was worth so much, Thus much they learn'd, I take for granted,And that was what their father wanted :— If truth for wealth we sacrifice, We throw away the richer prize. PARTY STRIFE. AMONG the beasts a feud arose. And in his stead the beasts elected, A sort of king pro tem.,— Through burrow, den, and herd. Till many a beast high-mettled Or, possibly, had bled. The fox, as one might well suppose, At last above his rival rose, But, truth to say, his reign was bootless, Of honour being rather fruitless. All prudent beasts began to see The wise of head, the swift of hoof, |