He who has no compassion in his breast, is unworthy the title of a man;
and the heart that feels no anguish at the misfortunes of others, nor a
desire to relieve those who groan under a load of sorrow, is destitute
of the very grounds and principles of virtue. The eye that has no tear
for the griefs of a friend, is also blind to its own interest; for the
burden of human affairs must be borne by some or other of us, and the
duty, as well as the common necessity of helping one another, ought
not to be shuffled off by the unworthy expression of “it is none of my
business:” for the business of society is more or less the business
of every man who lives in it; and he who permits his weak brother,
for want of timely assistance, to sink under a greater weight than he
is able to sustain, deserves to be punished for his cruelty, by being
obliged to bear the whole of his own distressing burdens himself.
The Fable also hints at the miseries which poor dumb useful animals
undergo, from the injudicious management or cruel treatment of those
under whose government they have the misfortune to fall. These kind
of “hogs in armour” ought to be taught by their own sufferings, the
benevolent text, that “A merciful man will be merciful to his beast.”
[Illustration] [Page 345]