Moral Tales
Fables often have a hidden meaning. The story may contain veiled advice to the powerful ruler, they may teach common sense, demonstrating how foolish behaviour is harmful or they may show how the cunning can triumph over the strong. The early works in this section were prescribed by adults as a source of moral instruction for the young. Included are examples of early fables by famous French 18th century poets Jean de la Fontaine and Jean-François Marmontel and Charles Perrault's translation of the stories in Latin written by Italian poet Faerno Gabriello.
Contes moraux, the frontispiece and title page.
Les sept péchés capitaux, the frontispiece and title page.
Tongues in trees, the frontispiece and title page.
The foolish fox, the cover.
Cents fables choisies des anciens auteurs mises en vers latins, the frontispiece and title page.
Cents fables choisies des anciens auteurs mises en vers latins, pages 106 and 107.
Fables by John Gay, opened at Fable XX, pages 54 and 55.
Fables de La Fontaine. no. 1., 6ème série, the cover.
The big book of fables, The fox and the grapes, pages 104 and 105.
La Fontaine : fables choisies pour les enfants, le renard et le bouc, pages 24 and 25.
