A serpent, unless he feeds on serpents, does not become a dragon. It need hardly be mentioned, that the dragon was fabled by the ancients, as a ferocious and destructive beast, and as the head of that class of animals. The adage intimates that kings only become great potentates by destroying neighbouring princes, invading and conquering their territories, as the vast strength of lions, tigers, and other beasts of prey, is supported by the destruction of animals of less bulk and power, and as men rarely acquire enormous fortunes, but by injuring and oppressing other.