your past idleness, in favour of your noble honesty. A fault honestly owned is half amended, and this nymph shall reward you."

case.

Immediately Truth gave him a little Catechism, bound in silver, enamelled, a pocket Bible, with ruby clasps, and a small looking-glass, in a gold "In these books, my dear," said she, "you shall find constant directions from me, which, if you follow, will make you good, and great, and happy. If you never offend against me, I will be ready to assist you in all difficulties. If ever you should be tempted to offend me, look in this glass: if you see yourself in it your own natural figure, go on contentedly, and be sure you are under my protection; but if you see yourself in the form of a slave and a monster, greasy, ragged, loaded with chains, a double tongue hanging out of your mouth, and a pair of ass's ears on your head, tremble to think that you are got into the power of the wicked enchanter Falsehood; retract the lie you have told, stand still wherever you are, call out aloud for my assistance, and do not stir from the spot you are in till I come to help you." So saying, the bright form re-ascended her pedestal, and four others, who stood on each hand, being touched by the fairy wand, moved towards him.

The first was a young woman, clothed in a long white robe, perfectly neat and plain: she had fine flaxen hair, and blue eyes, which were fixed on the ground; a white veil shaded her face, and her co

lour went and came every minute. She advanced with a slow pace, and spoke, in a voice very low, but as sweet as the nightingale's:

"My name," said she, "is Modesty. I have no merit, but, perhaps, as you are so young, it may be in my power to be of some little use to you. Before you get to the top of this castle, you will see many strange things, and be bid to do many things, of which you do not understand the reason; but remember that you are very young, and know nothing, and that every body here is wiser than you : therefore, observe attentively all that you see, and do readily all that you are bid. As you have recommended yourself to Truth, we, her handmaids, are ready to give you all the assistance we can; and you will need it all.

"Above all things, fear Disgrace: it is a filthy puddle in the neighbourhood of this castle, whose stains are not easily wiped off. Those who run heedlessly or wilfully into it, after repeated warnings, grow in time so loathsome that nobody can endure them.

"There is an enchantress you will meet with, called Flattery, who will offer you a very pleasant cup: if you drink much of it your head will turn; and, while you fancy yourself a most accomplished person, she will touch you with her wicked wand, and immediately you will be metamorphosed into a butterfly, a squib, or a paper kite. But as, perhaps, you must taste her cup, take this nosegay of vio

lets; and, as you find your head a little giddy, smell to it, and you will be so refreshed, that she will have no power to hurt you. This little nosegay will defend you also against the magician Pride, who in a thousand shapes will try to introduce himself to you, and persuade you to go with him to a high rock, from whence he will either throw you down some frightful precipices, into the pool of Disgrace, or else change you into a lion, or a tiger, or a bear, or into such a huge dropsical figure, that every body shall hate to look upon you, and that you shall not be able to pass through the gates that lead to Happiness. When you suspect his coming, smell to your violets, and you will immediately see through his disguise, and, at the same time, they shall make you so little, he shall not see you; and, when you are in a crowd, smell to them again, and you shall pass through it without difficulty. I wish I had a better gift to bestow; but accept of my all."

Little George thanked her kindly, and stuck the nosegay in his bosom.

On the pedestal of the next figure was inscribed Natural Affection. Her countenance was sweet and engaging, her garment embroidered with storks, doves, and various pretty animals: she had bracelets on her arms, and fine rings on every finger every one was the gift of some beloved friend or relation. "My dear George," said she, "I love you for the sake of your parents: I have a thousand pretty gifts to bestow, and this particularly I will be of use to you." She then gave him a small

enamelled box, with pictures on every side. "When," said she, 66 you are in doubt how to behave, look upon the pictures. They are those of your parents, relations, and friends: being gifted by a fairy, you will see every figure in motion: and as your papa and mamma, your brothers and sisters seem affected by your behaviour; you will judge whether you are acting right or wrong. I am sure it is your desire always to give them pleasure, and not pain; to be an honour to them, and not a reproach."

The next image that spoke was entirely made of sugar, but a sugar as firm, and almost as clear as crystal. Her name was Good Temper. In her bosom, she had a nosegay of roses without thorns. She took our little friend by the hand, and seeing it scratched from a scuffle he had with his companions, she healed it with a touch; and gave him a small amethyst phial filled with honey and oil of a peculiar kind. "Touch your lips with this julep," said she, "every morning. Though the phial is small, it is inexhaustible, and you will never more be liable to harm from any idle quarrel, as you will never say any thing peevish or provoking; all your companions will love you; and your servants will think it a blessing to live with you."

One figure more remained, and the fairy had no sooner touched it, but down from her pedestal jumped sprightly Diligence. She was dressed like a huntress activity and nimbleness appeared in every limb. She sprang to George, clapped her hands on his shoulders, and immediately there ap

peared a couple of little wings. "These wings," said she, "will be of great use to you in ascending the steep steps you will have to go up, by and by: but all wings need frequent pluming; and these will lose all their virtue, if you do not keep them in order every day, by using the talisman I am going next to give you." This talisman was a golden spur. "This," said she, "whenever your wings are drooping, (as they will very often, when the old witch Laziness approaches, who would metamorphose you into a dormouse) you must run gently into your side, and they will be ready immediately to carry you out of her reach. I am sure, you have too much true courage to fear a little trifling pain, when it will be the means of gaining you every improvement. Good night, good night, my love, I see you are sleepy; but as soon as you awake in the morning, be sure to make use of your spur."

The good old fairy then led Henry and George into a little neat room, where they went to bed and slept till day-break, dreaming of all the agreeable things they had seen and heard. George did not awake till Henry was already up and dressed: but he awoke disturbed, and began to tell his friend his dreams. "I thought," said he, “that looking out of the window, I saw all my companions at play, and flew out to them directly, to show them those fine things that the statues had given me. Instead of admiring me, they fell upon me: one seized one fine thing, and another another, till poor I had nothing left but my wings. What vexed me too, in the scuffle my violets were scattered,