A PHILOSOPHER witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, of which the crew and passengers were all drowned. —-
He inveighed against the injustice of Providence, which would for the sake of one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent persons to perish. —-
As he was indulging in these reflections, he found himself surrounded by a whole army of Ants, near whose nest he was standing. —-
One of them climbed up and stung him, and he immediately trampled them all to death with his foot. —-
Mercury presented himself, and striking the Philosopher with his wand, said, “And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of Providence, who hast thyself in a similar manner treated these poor Ants?’