the books torn, the pictures spoiled, the glass broke, and the julep spilled; so that they were never the better, though I was so much the worse. Well, I took to my wings however, and thought I might as easily fly in as out, and then the good fairy would give me more pretty things. But no such matter: the windows were shut; the doors were barred and bolted; owls and bats flew about my head, geese hissed at me, asses brayed at me, monkies chattered in my ears, and I fell down nobody knows whither."

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"Be thankful," said Henry, "that it was only a dream here are all your pretty things safe;" and so saying, he gently touched his side, like a true friend, with the spur, and up jumped little George all alive and merry. He read in his books: he with pleasure saw his own honest face in the glass of Truth he observed, with delight, the pictures of his friends and relations all smiling upon him. While he was thus employed, in stepped a soberlooking man, leaning on a staff. My young friends," said he, "I am sent to conduct you through the noble apartments of this castle." fine conductor, indeed!" said little George, who had unfortunately forgot both his violets and his phial; "your crutch, honest man, will keep up rarely with my wings." "Your wings, youngster," replied Application (for that was his name) "will be of little service, unless I lend you a staff to rest upon, which, wherever you set it down, will make your footing sure." This speech was unheeded by little George, who, already upon the wing, fluttered

"A

away. Henry soon overtook him, having quite as good pinions, though he did not boast of them; but stayed first to bring with him the staff, the phial, and the nosegay, against his friend should need them. Little George was now trying to mount up a steep stair-case, which he saw multitudes of his own age ascending: very eagerly he stretched his wings, whose painted plumage glittered in the sun-beams, and very often just reached the top: but he was greatly surprised to find that he always slid back again, as if he had stood upon a slope of ice; so that hundreds and hundreds had got through the folding doors above, while he was still but at the bottom. He cried for vexation: gave hard names to the boys that got before him, and was laughed at by them in return. The box of pictures gave him no comfort, for there he saw his father frowning, and his mother looking unhappy. At this minute, friendly Henry came to his relief, aud giving him the violets, the phial, and the staff, "Make use of these," said he, "and you will easily get up with them who are now before you. Observe, that they have every one of them just such a staff, and that, notwithstanding their wings, they can rise but one step at a time." George, who had now touched his lips with the phial, thanked him very kindly, and they mounted several steps, hand in hand: on some were inscribed, Propria quæ maribus; on others As in præsenti, and various other magic verses; which, they just rested long enough on every step to read; and as they ascended, the steps grew easier and easier. George, however, was a little out of breath, and more than

once wished himself out of the castle: yet he was delighted to find himself almost overtaking the foremost, who had some of them loitered by the way.

And now he entered into an apartment, more magnificent than any he had ever seen. Thousands of rooms opened, one beyond another, furnished with all the elegance of taste: from every one of these were delightful prospects: but then, for a long while, he had not leisure to attend to the strange varieties of rich and uncommon furniture, exciting his curiosity every minute. One long gallery was hung with paintings, so exquisitely fine, that every figure seemed alive and some of them actually spoke, and amused him with a thousand agreeable stories. Here he saw all the metamorphoses of the heathen gods, the adventures of Æneas, and a number of other things that I have not time to describe. A young damisel attended him, dressed in a gown made of feathers more gay than the rainbow: she had wings upon her head: she gave him the most delicious sweetmeats, and he drank out of a sparkling cup the pleasantest liquor imaginable. This light dish did not quite satisfy a hungry stomach: so that George was not very sorry when, passed through the gallery of Fiction, his fair conductress Poetry consigned him over to the care of a good hospitable old man, in the next apartment, whose table was already covered with wholesome and substantial food. This apartment, called the Saloon of History, was by no means so gay as the former; but deserved examination better. The walls were covered with marble,

adorned with the finest basso relievos, statues, and bustos, of every celebrated hero and legislator, which struck the observing eye with veneration. The master of the feast was extremely good natured and communicative, and ready to answer every question that George's curiosity prompted him to ask. He commended him for his love of Truth, and toasted her health, as his own patroness: but as the old gentleman was sometimes a little prolix in his stories, our young traveller amused himself, every now and then, with looking over his treasures. Surveying the box of pictures, he could not help wishing for a nearer sight of the friends they represented. A window, that stood open just by him, and overlooked a delightful play- field, reminded him of his wings: but the recollection of his frightful dream prevented him from attempting an escape.

At this minute, the fairy Instruction appeared, with a smiling look. "I know your thoughts, my dear," said she, " and am willing to allow you every reasonable indulgence. I have, in my service, a number of little winged beings, whose business it is to convey my young friends, from time to time, to their beloved homes. In order to your returning safely, accept this key: you must be sure to rub it every morning, that it may not grow rusty; else the characters that are engraved upon it will disappear. If your key is kept bright, you need only read the inscription aloud, and, without difficulty you will return to this very apartment, and be entitled to an honourable reception: but if the key should grow rusty, beware of a disgraceful fall.

Let your dream warn you to take care of your precious gifts, and to make a due use of them."

She had scarcely done speaking, before there was a general voice of joy heard through the whole apartment," the holydays are come, the holydays are come:" and immediately a number of little cherubims appeared in the air, crowned with garlands, and away with them flew little George; but unluckily, in his haste, left both the staff and the spur behind him. Indeed at this minute they were needless.

His friends were all ready to receive him with affectionate joy. They commended his improvements, and listened with delight to his account of the surprising things he had seen, and rejoiced in the marks of favour he had received from excellent and powerful fairies. He played about all day with his companions, and every thing was thought of that could best divert him. In the midst of these amusements, the poor key was in a few days forgot: nor did he recollect it, till one day he saw Henry sitting under a tree, and very diligently brightening up his own. "Stupid boy," said giddy George, "what do you sit moping there for? Come and play." "So I will presently," said Henry, "but I must not neglect the means of returning honourably to the good fairy." Hang the old fairy," cried George: "besides, my key will keep bright enough, I warrant it, without all this ado." However, looking at the key, he found it brown with rust; and sadly his arm ached witli the vain endeavour of

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