I judged from your remark about the diligence and industry of the high Parisian upper crust that it would have some point.

It sounds rather Aesopish. Talking snakes, one bad apple ruining it all. I'm not so sure.

To this belongs the Colin or Quail of New England and Partridge of the South […]

[T]hoſe that had forſaken hys father and taken part with him againſt his ſayde father, he ſeemed now ſo much to miſlike, that hee remoued them vtterly from his preſence, and contrariwiſe preferred ſuch as had continued faythful vnto his father in time of the troubles.