talking over our fairy tale, and I begin to wonder that it amused me so much, since I knew all the time it could not be true."

"It was very pretty though," interrupted Julia, whose vivid imagination rendered her more full of such reading than her sister.

"What was it?" asked Mrs. Maxwell.

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Oh, I could not tell you the whole story, mother," replied Julia eagerly, as she became excited by the recollection, "for it was too long to remember all of it."

"Perhaps Mary can," said Mrs. Maxwell.

"Come, tell if you can, Mary," said Julia, laughing. "Mother wants to hear the sound of your voice I know she says I suppose, for you always speak ten words to your one."

Mrs. Maxwell smiled, as she replied, "You must own, however, Julia, that two thirds of the talking is generally done by you."

"It is not always my fault, mother, for Mary often makes me speak for her and myself too. She wants me to tell this story now, but I will be listener to-day come what will, and you can tell Edward in your next letter, mother, that I am learning to be silent."

"He will be glad to hear it," said Mrs. Maxwell. 66 "I will certainly send him word, if you

make any progress, and will tell him too, that Mary is learning to talk, if she will give any evidence of it."

"Julia can tell a story better than I can," said Mary, mildly, "and that is the reason why I always like to hear her."

"Suppose you try this time, however," said her mother," and first, what was your fairy tale called ?"

"The WATER OF LIFE," replied Mary.

"And what was this Water of Life good for?" asked her mother.

"Oh! it was very wonderful!" interrupted Julia, eagerly, but she hesitated as she caught her mother's eye, and marked her meaning smile. "Edward would say, I did not improve very fast, I know, but there is nothing like trying, so go on, dear Mary."

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"Once upon a time," said Mary, as all stories begin, there lived an old king, who had three sons. After a long while, this king was taken sick, and his children began to fear that he would die. As they were all very fond of their father, the prospect distressed them very much, and one day they were mourning together over his danger, when he told them, that far away in a distant country there was a fountain of fresh pure water, called the

'Water of Life,' which had the wonderful power of restoring the sick to health, and of changing the most odious face into a beautiful one. Now the three princes had a young cousin, who was very sensible and graceful, but whose face was exceedingly ugly; and when they heard of this water, they determined to set out in search of it, that, if possible, they might have the pleasure of making their father well, and rendering their cousin (whom they all loved) beautiful. Away therefore they all started, and pursued their journey together, till they came to a place where three roads met. Here, while they were hesitating, a deformed dwarf appeared to them, and asked them what they were looking for?' The two elder princes would not give him any answer, but the youngest replied immediately, that they wished to find the Water of Life,' but did not know which road to take. You must pursue the one on your right,' said the dwarf, and turned away. But when he had gone, the eldest brother declared he would take the road on the left, which led up a steep hill, where he saw many people crowding towards a bright temple, which shone on the top. The second prince resolved to take the middle road, which seemed broad and pleasant, shaded by dark green trees, and adorned with many flowers-but the youngest

determined to follow the dwarf's advice, and accordingly took the right hand road, though its entrance was strait and narrow. It did not appear quite as inviting at first as the one his second brother had taken, but the young prince found as he went on, it became more agreeable, and he pursued his direct and onward way with a cheerful hope, and a happy heart.

"The eldest, as he journeyed onward, found the hill becoming even steeper than it had appeared at first, and many an unexpected obstacle opposed his progress; while wearied with the glare of the noonday sun, he longed for some cool and quiet resting place-but in vain. Occasionally as he thought of the pleasant and inviting path his second brother had chosen, he felt tempted to envy him his road, and at times was almost inclined to turn back and pursue it with him. But then he thought of the obstacles he had already overcome, and fixing his eye on the glittering summit of the hill, persuaded himself that a temple so bright and gorgeous, would very probably be found on the road to the Water of Life. As to his youngest brother, the path he had selected appeared so utterly uninviting, and was so entirely secluded from his notice, that he never gave it a thought, except to wonder that a noble and gallant prince should ever dream of

choosing such a course, or hope to find so narrow and untrodden a path, terminate as he wished. And thus thinking, he pressed onwards with unwearied energy, though the obstacles which opposed his career seemed constantly to increase rather than diminish.

"The second brother too went onwards, and for a while was in raptures with the path he had selected. He looked upwards to the steep hill his eldest brother was ascending, and smiled to think of the vain effort he was making. As to such a troublesome and disagreeable road leading to the object of our search, I do not believe it,' thought he; it is far more likely this happy path will conduct me safe to my journey's end. The stream, they tell me, will not only give beauty and health, but happiness also, it is therefore extremely probable the road conducting to it should be a fair and pleasant one.' And most certainly did he find it delightful for a while. The sky above was bright and beautiful, the trees around him afforded a cool shade, and before he had gone very far a gentle rivulet was seen winding its way amid the wood, while its soft murmur fell pleasingly on his ear. Birds of glittering plumage darted by, fruits of most inviting appearance, and most delicious taste, hung from every bough, and flowers of the richest hues