Page:Short stories for little folks, or, Little tales calculated to excite juvenile minds to the love and practice of virtue.pdf/9

(9) efforts to eſcape from him. Sometimes he collected a number of them together, and cruſhed them at once to death; glorying, like many a celebrated hero, in the devaſtation he committed. His brother remonſtrated with him, in vain, on this barbarous conduct. He could not perſuade him to believe that flies are capable of pain, and have a right, no leſs than ourſelves, to life, liberty, and enjoyment. The ſigns of agony, which when tormented, they expreſs by the quick and various contortions of their bodies, he neither underſtood nor would attend to.

Alexis had a microſcope; and he deſired Jacobus, one day, to examine a moſt beautiful and ſurpriſing animal. Mark, ſaid he, how it is ſtudded from head to tail with black and ſilver, and its body all over beſet with the moſt curious briſtles! The head contains a pair of lively eyes, encircled with ſilver hairs; and the trunk conſiſts of two parts, which fold over each other. The whole body is ornamented with plums and decorations, which ſurpaſs all the luxuries of dreſs, in the courts of the greateſt princes. Jacobus was pleaſed and aſtoniſhed with what he ſaw, and impatient to know the name and properties of this wonderful animal. It was withdrawn from the magnifier; and when offered to his naked eye, proved to be a poor fly which had been the victim of his wanton cruelty.