reproached Xanthus with treating them contemptuously, by permitting his servant to stand at the gate and salute them with the opprobrious epithet of dogs. Upon which Aesop was called, and asked how he dared to affront the gentlemen. Aesop replied to his master; "Did you not tell me that none but philosophers should be admitted?"-"And what are these?" said Xanthus; "do they not merit that character?" "By no means," answered Aesop; "for when they came to the gate I demanded of them, what stirs the dog, and but one among them all gave me a proper answer." Hereupon all agreed that Aesop had acted strictly as his master had commanded him.
The Only Wise Man
Aesop was commanded by his Master, who designed to entertain the philosophers and orators, to stand at the gate and admit none but wise men. At the appointed time several came to the gate, requesting admittance. Aesop put this question to them all; "What stirs the dog?" At which they were much offended, supposing he meant to give them that appellation. At last one came who made this reply to his question; "His ears and his tail." Aesop, satisfied with the answer, admitted him, and conducted him to his master, saying there was only one philosopher who had desired admittance. The day following, when they met at the schools, they
