,transcriber's note3 ,the use of a3 denotes the letter a_/,a with a diaeresis below4 ,i was unable to locate a utf#h equivalent4 ,original spelling has been retained1 my limited knowledge of ,,entoese left me with little choice4 ,,journeys ,,to ,,the ,,planet ,,mars ,,or ,,our ,,mission ,,to ,,ento ,,by ,,sara ,,weiss ,author of ,story of ,decimon ,huydas3 ,a ,romance of the ,planet ,mars ,,the ,,bradford ,,press #de ,,broadway ,,new ,,york ,copyright1 #aijc1 ,,by ,,sara ,,weiss ,,contents4 ,,chapter ,,page ,i4 ,interview with the ,evon-,thia #a ,,ii4 ,special ,features of ,mars #ad ,,iii4 ,ento1 and ,entoans #ce ,,iv4 ,descriptive ,features #ec ,v4 ,giordano ,bruno #gd ,,vi4 ,inidora and ,genessano #ajc ,,vii4 ,first ,approach to ,ento ,sensitives #acb ,,viii4 ,spiritualized ,man #aff ,,ix4 ,meeting with ,camarissa #agg ,x4 ,dr4 ,blank's ,lesson #bae ,,xi4 ,in the ,galarsa #bdi ,,xii4 ,europe and the ,far ,north #bhd ,,xiii4 ,ento's ,precious ,stones #cag ,,xiv4 ,dano and ,valloa3 #cgj ,,xv4 ,re-embodiment #chb ,,xvi4 ,concerning the ,eskimos #dcd ,,xvii4 ,culmination of the ,mission #dgc ,,explanatory ,,note4 ,in the ,ento language1 the accented ,a has the sound of a3h4 ,the horizontal line over ,e1 gives it the long sound of a4 ,the circumflex over and 1 closes them1 and in certain words ,i takes the sound of ,e4 ,thus1 ,info sta3 tiva3 ,znossa3a oovist is pronounced ,info sta3h teva3h ,znossa3a3 oovist4 ,in ,english this signifies1 ,to the care of the gods until we meet again1 and ,info oovist bears the same meaning as the ,french expression1 au revoir4 ,largely the ,ento language is a language of inferences1 it expresses far more than words indicate4 ,various movements of the hands convey subtle meanings1 adding to1 or detracting from apparently simple statements1 questions or replies4 ,tyl is ,ento for city2 y and being closed it is pronounced ,tilloo4 ,the interjection1 ,loha3 is ,ento for the ,english word1 hail2 a form of greeting1 as ,loha31 mano 7,hail1 friend67 and is pronounced ,lohowoo amano4 ,these are simple examples of a language not at all complex1 but replete with charming expressiveness4 ,,preface4 ,to all who may be concerned in an endeavor to acquire information relating to affairs beyond the range of physical vision we offer for consideration what may be regarded as an incredible narrative of journeys to1 and explorations of the ,planet known as ,mars1 and we entreat that you shall not pass unfriendly judgment upon that which may impress you as a merely imaginative composition1 but which1 in all sincerity1 is a statement of facts4 ,desiring to1 as far as practicable1 simplify the relation of this absolutely truthful narrative1 of a not unexampled undertaking1 ,i1 and others of the ,evon-thia1 have thought it well to present it in colloquial form1 as being more realistic than any other mode of expression1 and also we have thought it well1 that only a limited number of our numerous ,band shall present themselves as actors1 in what may appear a fanciful drama4 ,we are aware that we might offer certain special pleadings1 which1 in many minds1 would induce favorable consideration of the unvarnished relation of our varied experiences1 but we prefer to leave to the more or less enlightened seekers after truth1 such verdict as their inner perceptions may accord1 not only for the facts and philosophy involved in the narrative1 but also for the services of our intrepid conscientious and faithful instrument1 who1 during nearly two years1 devoted her time1 her energy and such ability1 as she alone of ,earth's sensitives1 at this period possesses1 for the accomplishment of an object which long has concerned the denizens of our and other spirit worlds1 an object for which wittingly she became re-embodied4 ,with occasional brief interruptions1 our journeys to the ,planet1 astronomically known as ,mars1 but to its inhabitants as ,ento1 which in the ,ento language signifies chosen1 or set apart1 extended from ,october #f1 #ahib1 to ,september #af1 #ahid4 ,during this period1 through a rather rare phase of mediumship1 which we term semi-automatism1 the objective1 or soul consciousness of our instrument was controlled to write certain observations and experiences1 but through various unavoidable conditions1 the record was somewhat imperfect1 fragmentary and altogether too voluminous for the purpose in view4 ,hence1 when after quite two years1 during which she gradually recovered from the devitalized condition1 to which her devotion to a most worthy object had reduced her1 she expressed her readiness to permit herself to pass under my control for the purpose of revising the manuscript1 the contents of which she was almost wholly ignorant1 ,i found myself a little dismayed over the magnitude of our mutual undertaking1 which ,i well knew would tax our endurance to the utmost1 and certainly1 only patient1 persistent endeavor on the part of our instrument1 and myself1 has resulted in what1 at the best1 we all consider a not very satisfactory rendition of experiences as unique as ever have occurred to one yet embodied in physical form4 ,so unique1 indeed1 that she shrinks from the probable1 nay1 the certain unpleasant criticism which the presentation of not new1 but unrecognized facts1 may elicit1 and it is only through the persistent entreaties of friends on both sides of life that finally she has decided to offer for publication the rather sketchy narrative of our journeys to ,ento4 ,possessing neither a natural1 nor a cultivated ability1 for a pictured presentation of form1 our spirit artist1 ,aaron ,poole1 has found it difficult to1 through her automatism1 represent even some of the simpler examples of the ,flora of your neighboring ,planet1 but ,i may assure you that1 though from an artistic standpoint1 they are somewhat crude1 they convey a fairly correct idea of the form and color1 of the species of plant life they represent4 ,also1 ,i may state that our mission to ,ento was undertaken for a specific purpose1 the record of its various features being a secondary affair1 but of sufficient importance to induce us to undertake the task1 which to all concerned1 has been purely a labor of love4 ,largely1 it has been written for the purpose of affording our ,earthians information which only through the mediation of discarnated spirits can be obtained4 ,to scientific inquiry1 in whatsoever direction1 there is a limit beyond which the physically embodied man cannot penetrate1 but to freed1 most exalted spirits from whom we receive instruction1 the depths of unthinkably boundless space are accessible4 ,to spirits less exalted as we are1 the planets of our solar system afford free fields of observation1 and in some far distant time you and we1 dear reader1 through loving service for ,humanity1 may find ourselves so purified1 through earnest investigation and lofty aspiration1 so learned1 so exalted1 that together we may journey beyond suns and worlds of which your photographers catch imprints1 as faint as smiles on the white faces of your dear dead4 ,and may we hope that in reading of our mission to ,ento1 you may find some expression of thought1 some lesson which may aid you in ascending the heights1 ever leading toward exalted states of being1 thus nearer to a realizing sense of the all pervading1 infinite spirit of an infinite universe4 ,we pray that it may be so4 ,to all who love their fellow man1 to all who love truth1 for truth's sake1 and who earnestly1 prayerfully seek for it wheresoever it may be found1 we dedicate this narrative of loving endeavor4 ,carl ,de ,l',ester1 ,counsellor and ,guide of one of the ,spirit ,bands1 in ,planetary language known as ,evon-thia 7for love's sake74 ,,journeys ,,to ,,the ,,planet ,,mars4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,interview ,,with ,,the ,,evon-,,thia4 ,de ,l',ester--,madame1 we greet you1 and rejoice to perceive that our last prolonged visit to ,luna has not proven detrimental to your health1 but hereafter we must endeavor to be more prudent4 ,now1 ,i pray you1 to attentively listen to what ,i may say to you4 ,during the years of your present re-embodiment1 for a definite purpose1 and toward a definite period1 certain ,spirits have occupied themselves in shaping the unfoldment of your ,mediumship1 the anticipated period has arrived1 and with blended emotions1 we1 your ,spirit friends1 question the momentous future1 which we trust contains the glorious fulfillment of a stupendous undertaking4 ,soon after your son ,bernard passed to our side of life1 we informed you that you no longer would be used for automatic writing1 but that later on your ,mediumship would be manifested through an altogether different expression4 ,we did not then1 and we do not now deem it advisable1 to more than refer to this change of phase1 considering it best that1 through your own experiences1 you shall grow into an understanding of what otherwise no one can make plain to your comprehension4 ,our paper on ,earth's ,satellite nears a conclusion2 indeed1 for the present1 in that direction1 to-day will end our investigations4 ,may we hope that your recent experiences have proven sufficiently interesting to have awakened in you a desire for a larger knowledge and a more comprehensive view of the wonders of ,starry ,space8 ,we are aware that in the minds of ,earth's thinkers there is a lively interest relating to a world of our ,solar ,system1 astronomically known as the ,planet ,mars4 ,we1 too1 are greatly interested in the same direction1 and it is our ardent desire that we may use you as a means through whom ,earth's peoples may obtain a closer acquaintance with the ,planet1 and through whom we may accomplish an aim very dear to our hearts4 ,we also are aware that your desire to acquire knowledge1 at even a sacrifice of personal ease1 and other allurements1 will induce you to regard our proposal with favor1 so ,i shall not urge you into hasty compliance with our wishes4 ,you carefully will consider the matter1 and we with some anxiety will await your decision4 ,now close your eyes1 tranquillize your thoughts1 and quickly we again will visit ,luna4 ,october #dth1 #ahib4 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 again we are with you1 and are delighted to find you fully recovered from your exhaustive experience of yesterday4 ,are we to felicitate ourselves upon your having favorably considered our proposal8 ,you hesitate2 yet in the past you have trusted yourself to our care and guidance4 ,surely you safely may trust us for the future4 ,medium--,if ,i seem to hesitate1 it is not that ,i fear trusting myself to your care1 but you are aware that this phase of ,mediumship is very devitalizing1 so you will understand that ,i a little shrink from incurring possible injury to my health4 ,then1 too1 if you may consider it advisable1 ,i should like to be informed concerning the proposed undertaking4 ,since my early youth ,i have greatly desired to study astronomy1 but always circumstances have prevented my gaining more than a very slight knowledge of this1 to me1 most wonderful of sciences1 so1 as in the undertaking some astronomical features are involved1 without further hesitation ,i accept your proposal to attempt to make use of my organism for what ,i feel assured is a wise and beneficent purpose4 ,de ,l',ester--,madame1 in our undertaking much is involved that will be unfolded as we progress toward its fulfillment4 ,aside from the principal object in view1 we desire1 and hope to give through you1 descriptive sketches of the geographical divisions1 geological formations1 fauna1 flora1 race characteristics1 social conditions1 religious beliefs and rites1 government1 educational methods1 arts1 sciences1 architecture1 mechanics and other features of the planet ,mars4 ,certainly we fully understand the devitalizing effect of your peculiar ,phase of ,mediumship1 and ,i will not conceal from you that your acceptance of our proposition may bring about possible undesirable consequences which we cannot foresee1 so again ,i say1 we will not urge you1 but should you comply with our wishes to have you accompany us in a series of journeys from ,earth1 to ,mars1 our gratification will be boundless1 and your experiences will be so unique that in any event you will find no cause for regret4 ,friends who are known to you1 and others with whom you will become acquainted1 will share with us the responsibilities and pleasures of the undertaking4 ,for the most part these persons are interested in such sciences and pursuits as engaged their attention while in physical form1 thus they are specially fitted for such purposes as they have been chosen to serve4 ,no1 madame1 we do not anticipate even a remote possibility of a fatal disaster to your physical existence2 but1 through exhaustion1 your health might receive injury1 so you will weigh the matter well before positively deciding to devote yourself to what ,i may assure you is a beneficent purpose4 ,should your decision meet our wishes1 after the first step shall have been taken we will expect you to be steadfast to the end4 ,we1 as well as yourself1 have duties and occupations1 and in the event of your positive acceptance of our proposition1 it will be necessary that we shall make certain arrangements for the successful inception and after-progress of our journeys and investigations4 ,you are not yet fully developed in your peculiar ,phase of ,mediumship1 and unfortunately you are extremely skeptical and over-cautious1 which renders you very positive1 and doubtless there will be occasions when it will be difficult to harmonize conditions2 still1 as you possess in an unusual degree the graces of patience1 perseverance and earnestness1 may we not expect that you will prove equal to such occasions as may occur8 ,indeed1 we feel assured that you will4 ,medium--,you know the conditions under which ,i consent to place myself at your service1 and in as far as my ability may serve1 ,i shall endeavor to meet your wishes4 ,de ,l',ester--,your conditions are perfectly reasonable1 and we promise you that we faithfully will observe them4 ,shall we then consider your decision as final8 ,medium--,yes2 and as ,i also shall have to arrange my affairs so as to place myself at your service1 ,i shall require a delay of two days4 ,on the #fth ,i shall be ready to accompany you4 ,de ,l',ester--,at what hour8 ,medium--,at #i ,a4,m4 ,de ,l',ester--,let it be so1 and remember that during the hours you may be with us you positively must secure yourself against intrusion4 ,this is imperative4 ,do you understand the necessity for this requirement8 ,medium--,i do1 and shall arrange for it4 ,de ,l',ester--,then on the #fth day of ,october1 #ahib1 our initial journey will occur4 ,until then1 adieu4 ,october #fth1 #ahib4 ,de ,l',ester--,good morning1 madame1 ,i am pleased to find you quite prepared for our journey ,starward4 ,accompanying me are ,george ,brooks1 an ,englishman1 whom ere now you should have known2 ,agassiz1 one of earth's noted naturalists1 and his close associate1 ,alexander ,von ,humboldt1 whose fame is not confined to ,europe4 ,allow me to make known to you these friends who are ,members of the ,band whom ,i have the honor of directing4 ,medium--,gentlemen1 ,i indeed am pleased to make your acquaintance4 ,agassiz--,madame1 our acquaintance is not of to-day1 and our mutual friendship dates further into the past than at present you are aware of4 ,through the immutable ,law of ,attraction1 humans are as links of an unbreakable chain1 and real friendships are as enduring as eternity4 ,von ,humboldt--,as no words of mine would add force to this statement1 ,i shall only say that ,i am1 and ever will be1 your friend ,alexander ,von ,humboldt4 ,george ,brooks--,and may ,i add that as all humans are akin ,i not only am your devoted friend1 but1 after a fashion1 am your brother ,george ,brooks4 ,de ,l',ester--,and it has been arranged that ,george shall assist you in your flights through space1 and that ,i shall take upon myself the responsibility of conducting our observations and investigations4 ,to each member of our ,band has been allotted some special duty1 thus no confusion can occur1 and from time to time ,spirits of our ,spheres1 and of other ,planetary ,spheres1 for certain purposes1 will join us4 ,when desirable1 further explanations will be offered you4 ,ere we begin our journeys to another world1 we will turn our thoughts toward the ,infinite ,one1 in whom we indeed live1 move and have our being4 ,earnestly1 humbly1 prayerfully1 we turn toward ,thee1 ,thou ,eternal1 ,infinite ,intelligence1 who art the ,all ,pervading1 ,all ,knowing ,energy1 controlling every atom of the ,universe4 ,ever ,thy children are seeking after truth4 ,ever they who blindly grope their ways through mortal existence1 unconsciously1 are striving to draw nearer to a realization that ,thou art4 ,oh1 ,thou ,dual1 yet indivisible ,one who art the ,all and in ,all1 as now we are entering upon a mission of loving endeavor1 with loftiest aspirations1 and with perfect trust we offer ourselves for loving service1 well knowing that in ,thee are the issues of all things1 and that ,thou wilt give ,thy angels charge concerning us4 ,amen and amen4 ,madame1 you now will close your eyes and endeavor to render yourself passive4 ,that is well4 ,now1 with utmost assurance1 rest upon ,george's outstretched arms4 ,have no fear4 ,remember our promise4 ,gently1 gently1 ,george4 ,upward1 upward now1 and outward on this wondrous magnetic current we glide4 ,swiftly as thought traverses space1 so swiftly we journey toward ,mars1 which1 like a great ruddy jewel1 enmeshed in gold1 gleams yonder in space4 ,now that we are nearing the ,planet1 we slowly will descend to such an altitude as will enable you to observe how varied is the scenery1 and how very similar it is to portions of our ,earth ,world4 ,a little lower1 ,george4 ,madame1 do you now see clearly8 ,and are you not at all alarmed8 ,medium--,i see quite distinctly1 and am not at all alarmed4 ,de ,l',ester--,truly you are a courageous woman4 ,through personal observation you will learn that the geological formations1 natural divisions1 atmospheric conditions and other features of ,mars are very similar to corresponding features of our own ,planet4 ,the same may be said of its fauna and flora1 which will surprise you by their familiar appearance4 ,we will remain at this altitude1 and as we pass slowly onward we desire that you shall closely observe such views as may be presented4 ,we do not at present wish to discuss them1 but should they suggest to you questions which may be relevant to our purpose ,i shall be pleased to attempt replies4 ,medium--,then may ,i ask which of the two ,planets1 ,earth and ,mars1 first came into existence8 ,and also ,i should like to know how ,planets are formed4 ,de ,l',ester--,so much is involved in your questions that ,i cannot now afford you a comprehensive reply4 ,so ,i may only say that we have been made to understand that ,suns are1 so to say1 magnetic stations or centres of magnetic energy1 and in so far as exalted spirits of highest spirit spheres can determine1 in their relative positions and functions1 they are eternal and unchangeable1 also1 they affirm that the elements1 not only of ,suns1 but of all bodies of infinite space1 are homogeneous4 ,that periods arrive when through magnetic attraction of elemental substances ,suns become surcharged and their pregnant energies exhibit inconceivable activity1 casting into space the extremely attenuated elemental substances of which worlds are made4 ,we1 as well as those ,wise ,ones1 are aware that during incalculable lapses of time1 ,infinite1 ,intelligent ,law brings order out of chaos and formless aggregations of atoms become observable bodies of incandescent matter4 ,that cycles upon cycles elapse1 during which cooling and condensation proceed1 and these gaseous bodies contract to the measurable dimensions of globes4 ,in this manner ,mars1 and much later ,earth came into the family of our ,solar ,system1 and in the course of time about either ,planet a crust was formed1 encompassing their super-heated masses4 ,numberless cycles added unrecognized years to the ages of the infant ,planets4 ,continuously their confined energies burst forth with tremendous force1 rending the gradually thickening crust and casting into space masses of incandescent matter1 some of which formed satellites of the ,planets4 ,others1 not projected with sufficient force1 were drawn back within the mass of such ,planet as had cast them forth4 ,no1 ,i do not mean to say that all satellites of ,planets have their origin in this manner1 and at another time ,i shall speak to you of this matter4 ,backward1 as the ages flew1 the surfaces of ,mars and ,earth were upheaved into mountain chains1 anon these were engulfed within fiery abysses whose measureless energies tumultuously threatened to burst asunder the entire surfaces of the young ,worlds4 ,but time flies on tireless wings1 and at last atmospheres for them become possible2 not beneficent atmospheres1 but such as heralded the possibilities of a later time1 when dew and rain would1 like blessings1 fall upon the hot bosoms of the new ,worlds4 ,the lapse of time from the beginning of the formation of a ,planet to a period when the crust has cooled and thickened sufficiently to have become somewhat stable1 when natural forces have made it possible for1 so to say1 the generation of an atmosphere1 is inconceivable1 and quite as inconceivable is the time that must elapse ere the cooling of the atmosphere and consequent condensation and deposition of moisture shall have made life conditions possible2 truly1 my friend1 only the ,infinite ,mind is equal to such a conception4 ,understand1 please1 that ,i am not indulging in mere speculation4 ,in a simplified and perspicuous manner ,i am trying to convey to you such facts as may furnish brief replies to your questions4 ,i wish you to learn that ,world building is not only a process of bygone ages1 but that far off in the depths of space innumerable ,worlds are now being formed1 just as this ,planet and ,earth have been formed4 ,as the primitive history of one corresponds with the primitive history of the other1 ,i shall say that in the earlier ages strange conditions prevailed4 ,geographically the surfaces of the two ,planets changed1 as change the forms in the kaleidoscope4 ,oceans and ,seas were being deposited1 and from their depths ,continents were upheaved1 only to disappear beneath unquiet billows1 leaving isolated ,islands or ,archipelagoes to mark their subsidence1 and from the heated waters dense vapors arose enveloping the new ,worlds as in winding sheets4 ,as it is not possible to compute the ages1 much less the years1 during which ,mars and ,earth passed through the various stages of evolvement1 up to the period when either ,planet became sufficiently cool and stable1 the waters of a suitable temperature and atmospheric conditions favorable to a degree that life in its earliest expression became possible1 necessarily ,i must remain silent in relation to that matter4 ,but in this connection ,i may say that the formative history of one ,planet is the formative history of all ,planets of all systems of ,worlds4 ,first1 a nebulous condition of substance1 which1 through natural activities or laws1 gradually contracts into measurable dimensions4 ,secondly1 a somewhat spherical1 gaseous body extending in all directions into space4 ,thirdly1 a positive1 individualized1 observable body in a highly incandescent state1 followed by such gradual evolvement as your geologists well understand4 ,in a fragmentary and simplified fashion ,i have as concisely as possible replied to your second question4 ,as to the first1 such authorities on our side of life as are known to be unquestionable1 declare that the ,planet ,mars is incalculably older than ,earth4 ,that during the ages when our globe was almost wholly incandescent1 ,mars' crust was measurably solid and cooled and its earliest life expressions were teeming in its tepid waters4 ,the interval elapsing between the earliest appearance of life on ,mars and the period when it became possible for the earliest life expressions to appear on our ,planet is not to be computed through years or through centuries of years1 the duration of such an interval is inconceivable4 ,we desire that you shall understand that we do not propose that this shall be an astronomical1 geological or other scientific work1 but in so far as we may be able to use your organism we shall touch upon such recognized sciences as may subserve our purposes of comparing degrees of knowledge attained to1 in the same direction by the peoples of two ,planets1 ,mars and ,earth4 ,medium--,i should like to know how the lowest life forms of a new ,planet originate1 where do they come from1 and what are they8 ,de ,l',ester--,truly a large question1 to which ,i must make a very brief reply4 ,your scientists declare that protozoa are the first1 consequently the lowest1 forms or expressions of life4 ,the statement to a degree is correct1 but as the life1 the active principle of the cell1 relatively is as great as the active principle of a universe1 one cannot accurately designate it as either high or low4 ,life1 the imponderable potentiality of the universe1 is a unit1 expressing itself in every atom1 in the formation of every cell1 floating in the tepid waters of new ,worlds4 ,it is as truly substance as is the cell brought into form through its intelligent activity4 ,it is the ,infinite1 ,intelligent ,energy1 permeating all that is4 ,it is the ,infinite ,spirit whose countless manifestations we recognize1 but whose nature is beyond the conception of angels or of archangels4 ,it is that which we term ,,god4 ,on all ,planets sufficiently evolved life expressions first appear in cell formations4 ,in these cells1 for which scientists have various names1 are all the potentialities necessary for the evolvement of all forms of animal and vegetable life4 ,through the ceaseless activity of ,infinite1 ,intelligent1 ,immutable ,law1 these germ cells1 step by step1 are evolved from lower to higher planes of expression1 and this is a truth1 the cells containing the potentialities of the human animal are unlike those containing the potentialities of the mere animal4 ,infinite ,intelligence makes no mistakes1 and in the primordial cells are all the possibilities of all specific orders of animal and vegetable life4 ,in every direction life expressions strive to advance on straight lines1 and however thwarted and baffled1 go forward with invincible1 intelligent energy toward definite ends4 ,but the subject is inexhaustible1 and we must for the present defer its further consideration4 ,we are now resting in space1 about one ,english mile above ,mars' surface4 ,freed spirits see where mortal vision perceives naught4 ,as you now are1 to a degree1 liberated from physical limitation1 you perceive that all your senses are enlarged and intensified1 and you will not find it difficult to carefully observe the view presenting itself1 and to describe what you may perceive4 ,medium--,i cannot realize that ,i am gazing on the planet ,mars1 for it is so strangely similar to our own far distant ,earth1 ,i see cities and towns1 some near by1 others in the dim distance4 ,there are ,lakes and streams of shining water and there are wide spreading plains over which ,i see some animals moving1 but ,i do not see them very distinctly4 ,directly beneath us are fields of waving grain and meadows green with verdure1 with here and there clusters of many bright hued flowers4 ,away off yonder ,i see what appears to be moving trains of railway cars1 but the motive power must be different from that in use on our railways1 for ,i do not see either steam or smoke1 and the locomotive is quite unlike any ,i have seen4 ,what direction is that8 ,south8 ,well1 far ,southward ,i see a considerable body of water1 and on it1 moving in all directions1 are large and small vessels1 some with sails1 others without any visible motive power4 ,but1 dear me1 what is that moving so swiftly through the air8 ,an air transport8 ,how very wonderful1 but ,i see neither sails1 balloons or any propelling power4 ,i wonder how they rise1 and what keeps them from falling8 ,george1 it is very impolite in you to laugh at me4 ,of course ,i am excited2 so would you be were you in my place4 ,oh1 that one over yonder town is slowly1 slowly dropping down1 and now it has landed on a great platform and passengers are alighting and others are entering1 as one might enter a railway car4 ,now it is ascending with a sort of undulatory movement1 dipping and rising like a bird in flight1 and now it has risen to quite a height1 and is going toward the ,south4 ,cannot we go nearer to one of the strange conveyances8 ,i am very curious to learn more about them4 ,how they are constructed1 and what their motive power is1 and what sustains them in the air1 and what--,george1 if you do not stop laughing at me you will let me fall4 ,de ,l',ester1 do tell me something about them4 ,de ,l',ester--,patience1 patience1 madame4 ,your curiosity is quite natural and commendable1 and in good time shall be gratified1 but as this is an experimental trip we do not think it prudent to hold you longer4 ,as you grow accustomed to unusual conditions gradually we will prolong our journeys1 but now we must return you to your ,earth home1 and if we may find you sufficiently vitalized1 to-morrow1 at the hour of #i4cj1 we again will come for you1 and we promise you that your experience of to-day is but the beginning of a series of the same1 which will greatly add not only to your pleasure1 but to the profit of many1 for whose benefit our journeys have been planned4 ,now1 ,earthward1 ,george4 ,yes1 the sensation of moving with such tremendous velocity is peculiar4 ,to move so swiftly as to experience a sensation of immobility is quite beyond the conception of mortals1 who cannot conceive the fact of an ever-present now in a spaceless universe4 ,here you are in your quiet room1 and none the worse for your starward journey4 ,now you are in your normal state and ,i have something to say to you4 ,for a reason that later on you will appreciate1 you are not to read what your conscious self has been made1 and will yet be made to write4 ,do you understand8 ,then at the conclusion of each journey put away whatever may have been written1 and in some coming time together we will read it1 and then you will comprehend why ,i make this request4 ,may divine and loving influences guide and guard you4 ,au revoir4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,special ,,features ,,of ,,mars4 ,de ,l',ester--,again we have the pleasure of greeting you and of observing your attempt to secure yourself from intrusion1 and we urge upon you the imperative necessity of continuing this precaution4 ,now1 assume a comfortable position4 ,how close your eyes and endeavor to compose your too active mind by joining us in harmonizing prayer4 ,eternal ,infinite ,intelligence6 ,eternal ,infinite ,energy1 we1 ,thy children1 desire to come into conscious relation with ,thee4 ,unto ,thee we offer our loving1 reverent adoration1 and ,thou wilt guide us in all our ways4 ,amen1 amen4 ,george1 for a little while1 we will move slowly1 so that madame may more clearly observe the scene below us4 ,to physical vision the ,earth's surface would appear somewhat depressed1 but to our spirit vision this illusion is not apparent4 ,to mortals1 at this altitude1 the atmosphere would be too rarefied and too cold to be endurable1 but1 as you perceive1 ,spirits sufficiently evolved1 are not subject to physical conditions4 ,how deep is ,earth's atmosphere8 ,he who estimates the depth of the oxygenated portion of ,earth's atmospheric envelope at ten ,english miles may safely add another half-mile1 and the entire depth of ,earth's atmosphere is so greatly in excess of what your scientists conceive it to be that on your account ,i a little hesitate to say that it runs into hundreds of miles1 and through the activities of natural forces ever it is deepening4 ,yes1 necessarily1 all inhabited ,planets possess oxygenated atmospheric envelopes1 but you are not to confound atmosphere with ether1 which fills all interstellar space1 and is substance1 but so refined as to be imperceptible to physical sense4 ,upon all the planets of our solar system1 our glowing1 radiant ,sun sheds its life-preserving beams4 ,its magnetic waves1 pouring across space1 quicken into activity latent energies1 thus making progress in all directions not only possible1 but inevitable4 ,mars1 being many millions of miles further away from the ,sun than is our ,planet necessarily it receives less direct solar heat4 ,on the other hand1 ,mars' atmosphere is such as to both receive and retain an amount of solar heat sufficient to render its climatic conditions very favorable for its various life expressions1 and being much older1 and hence1 in proportion to its bulk1 far more magnetic than ,earth1 its density1 as compared with that of ,earth1 much less1 its atmosphere rarer and lighter1 it follows that to a limited degree its climatic conditions vary from those of ,earth4 ,still1 as you will have opportunity to observe1 the temperature of its different zones is not greatly unlike that of the various corresponding zones of our own ,planet4 ,yes1 the panorama now below us is a reminder of many similar views on various portions of our far distant ,world1 which1 to our vision1 now appears as a rather diminutive1 luminous sphere in immensity of space4 ,certainly1 madame1 ask such questions as may occur to you1 to which1 as we slowly move onward1 ,i shall to the utmost of my ability reply4 ,no1 the depth and quality of a ,planet's atmosphere does not altogether depend upon the age of the ,planet4 ,with both its quantity and its qualities other factors are concerned4 ,were not this true1 ,mars' atmosphere1 relatively1 would be deeper than that of ,earth4 ,as a fact1 the depth of ,mars' oxygenated atmosphere is rather under half the depth of that of ,earth4 ,as to its qualities you already are informed4 ,yes1 equability of temperature characterizes the various regions of ,mars1 only at the equator1 and on either side for about seven hundred ,english miles1 can the temperature be considered high1 and even at the equator the heat is less torrid than in a corresponding latitude on our ,planet4 ,disintegration and attrition have so worn away ,mars' mountain ranges and other elevations that they offer slight diversions for its air currents4 ,through ethereal disturbances cyclonic storms occur1 but at rare intervals4 ,a noticeable peculiarity of ,mars' atmosphere1 which later will attract your observation1 is its extreme humidity1 which ancient ,mars spirits have told me increases as the ,planet ages4 ,even the polar regions are under the influence of this exceptionally humid condition1 and there1 during the year1 snow falls nearly continuously4 ,as spring approaches1 at the north pole vast accumulations of ice and snow begin to melt1 and as the season advances1 immense volumes of water threaten to inundate portions of the ,planet4 ,against such a calamity wise provision has been made1 but of this presently you will become better informed4 ,we near our destination1 and now1 gently descending1 we stand upon solid ground4 ,madame1 we salute you1 and welcome you to a land visited for the first time by a spirit yet embodied in the physical form4 ,the energetic and adventurous ,american is a born pioneer1 so it seems quite in keeping with your national tendency that you are here4 ,medium--,it may be quite in keeping with my nationality to be adventurous1 but ,i confess that at this moment ,i do not feel very courageous4 ,de ,l',ester--,fear not4 ,many times you shall come hither1 returning to ,earth safely4 ,you wish to know on what portion of ,mars we now are8 ,i can only reply in this manner3 ,relatively we are in about the same latitude and longitude as is ,st4 ,louis4 ,for purposes of comparison1 and for the instruction not only of yourself1 but of some who possibly may read these pages1 we have decided that it will be well to afford you a glimpse of ,mars' interior1 so you will stand beside me while ,i shall endeavor to direct your spirit perception1 and that you may more readily comprehend what ,i shall say ,i shall make use of such terms as our ,earth scientists have established4 ,in succession1 the ,azoic1 the ,silurian1 the ,devonian1 the ,carboniferous1 the ,reptilian1 the ,mammalian1 and the crowning ,age of ,man have carried ,mars and ,earth to their present states of evolution4 ,as we perceive1 the merging of one age into another was through such imperceptible degrees that it is not possible to note lines of demarcation1 yet we easily can trace the wondrous vestiges of the passing ages up to the appearance of the evolved human animal man1 of whom1 at another time1 ,i shall further inform you4 ,yes1 gold1 silver1 copper1 iron1 tin1 in short1 all the minerals with which ,earth abounds1 are equally abundant as constituents of ,mars1 and like our planet1 ,mars contains vast stores of mineral salts1 which in solution form nature's remedial springs4 ,naturally1 as cooling of the ,planet has proceeded1 the primitive stratum has deepened1 and as we perceive within its compass is a vast volume of highly heated matter1 which1 to a degree1 corresponds with the interior of the ,world upon which you so serenely dwell4 ,very true1 to one unaccustomed to such a view1 it appears amazing and awe-inspiring4 ,following the ,devonian age the dank atmosphere was laden with noxious gases1 and the fauna and flora of this ,planet attained to gigantic proportions4 ,this was the ,carboniferous age1 during which largely the coal fields were formed1 and ,i may say that during a corresponding age of ,earth like causes produced like effects4 ,all over this planet1 in various localities1 deposits of coal abound1 and through unnumbered centuries1 it served for the ,marsians the purposes of fuel and illumination4 ,now1 madame1 turn away your gaze from yonder fiery abysses and allow it to rest upon pleasanter views4 ,from the slight elevation on which we stand we gaze upon a very attractive scene4 ,stretching away into the distance are level plains1 sustaining luxuriant verdure and a wealth of grains and other vegetation4 ,the plains are dotted with towns and villages and animals of several kinds are grazing in the nearby inclosed fields4 ,a silvery haze veils the distant landscape1 partly revealing1 partly obscuring its exquisite beauty1 and in all directions the land is abloom with many-hued flowers1 each exhaling a fragrance all its own4 ,nature adorned as a queen demands her rightful measure of homage1 and thus we salute thee1 thou beauteous expression of the ,infinite ,good4 ,the ceaseless activities of nature accomplish manifold wonders1 and in the peculiar looking animals under the shade of yonder great trees we observe one that may surprise you4 ,madame1 we will draw nearer them4 ,at times ,i forget that your vision is not as far reaching as our own4 ,you will allow me to assist you4 ,do you now see them clearly8 ,yes8 ,then for a little we will pause here4 ,your amazement does not at all surprise us1 for indeed those creatures are strangely formed1 colored and clothed4 ,we desire that you shall attempt a description of that one standing apart from the others4 ,medium--,but where shall ,i begin8 ,with its head8 ,certainly that is its strongest1 strangest feature1 and it is formed very like the head of a giraffe1 but its enormous horns1 curved spirally1 extend upward1 and its ears are small and drooping4 ,no one on ,earth ever will believe me when ,i say that its large1 gentle eyes are placed1 one in the front1 the other in the back of its head1 yet truly they are there4 ,its neck is very like that of a horse1 but rather longer1 and its shoulders are much higher than its haunches4 ,it is covered with short1 reddish brown hair1 perhaps ,i should say wool1 for it is rough and crinkled1 and on the end of its tail1 which nearly touches the ground1 is a great tuft of long1 crinkled hair4 ,its mane is short1 thick and upright1 and both mane and tail are of a lighter tint of brown than is its body4 ,at its shoulders it is the height of an ordinary horse1 but its long neck and its great horns extending upward adds to its apparent height4 ,i cannot imagine a more grotesque looking animal4 ,i wonder what purpose it may serve8 ,george ,brooks--,i should say1 to illustrate that when nature sets about it she can turn out enigmas difficult of solution4 ,another reason for the existence of such queer-looking animals may be that nature intends them as a background on which to exhibit the good looking ones1 for grazing near yonder clump of shrubbery is an exceptionally handsome animal4 ,de ,l',ester--,george1 you may not be either a philosopher or scientist1 but certainly you are original4 ,madame1 will you also attempt a description of this animal8 ,medium--,i shall do my best1 and where ,i fail you will prompt me4 ,this animal reminds me of a horse1 but it is larger than any horse ,i ever have seen4 ,its head is well proportioned to the size of its body and is as delicately formed as the head of a deer4 ,its ears are erect1 pointed1 rather small and set closely to its head4 ,its eyes are large1 gentle and beautiful4 ,its neck is rather short1 but symmetrical1 and fringed with a long1 silken mane4 ,its legs are well proportioned and its hoofs are daintily formed and semi-transparent4 ,its tail1 almost sweeping the ground1 is covered with long hair the color of its mane1 which is a very dark brown1 and its body is clothed with hair of a lighter shade of brown1 rather1 ,i should say1 with shades of brown and white arranged in spots1 like those of a leopard4 ,i think it a very handsome animal4 ,is my description at all accurate8 ,de ,l',ester--,quite so2 and this animal is a ,lma31 and the other is a ,vetson4 ,as ,i already have intimated on this ,planet there are in its animal kingdom forms bearing striking resemblances to some existing on ,earth1 but owing to ,planetary conditions they are of a larger type than their kindred of our ,planet4 ,you are to remember that all life germs are homogeneous1 their varying expressions being the result of varying conditions4 ,thus throughout the myriad life expressions of different ,planets there are endless strong resemblances4 ,why not8 ,the conditions of the several ,planets of our ,solar ,system are not so utterly dissimilar as some of your learned persons declare them to be4 ,and mark what ,i shall say3 ,on ,earth's physical plane there are at this time re-embodied ones whose inherent qualities will within the next half-century enable them to give to ,earth's peoples undreamed of facts concerning other ,worlds4 ,facts which will necessitate a readjustment of accepted scientific conclusions4 ,yes1 necessarily1 resemblances between the fauna and flora of ,mars and ,earth are closer than between those of any other two ,planets of our ,solar ,system4 ,i say necessarily1 for the reason that like produces like1 and the conditions of ,mars and ,earth1 being more nearly similar than are the corresponding conditions of any of their ,planetary kindred1 it follows that their productions must keep pace with conditions4 ,another question8 ,certainly1 but ,i must make a brief reply4 ,throughout the animal and vegetable kingdoms of all inhabited ,planets structural divergences ever have marked the lines of evolution1 the human animal alone excepted4 ,true1 the human animal evolves through all the gradations of animal existence1 but unlike other animals1 he diverges neither to the right nor to the left4 ,his specific1 inherent energy impelling him ever onward1 ever upward and straight ahead4 ,man is the culmination not only of forces but of qualities which set him apart from all other physical existences4 ,he is the apex of intelligent direction1 the final1 expression of ,god in form1 not only on ,mars and ,earth1 but in the human everywhere4 ,we will now proceed1 observing as we move onward whatever may be instructive or interesting4 ,embowered in yonder grove of magnificent trees is a stately dwelling4 ,we will approach it more nearly1 we even may enter it1 for ,i doubt not1 madame1 we might find in it much that to you would be new and of interest4 ,from its dimensions and imposing style we may conclude that it is the home of persons of wealth and distinction4 ,for a little we will pause under the shade of these great trees1 which impart a sense of restfulness4 ,medium--,you speak of a sense of restfulness4 ,may ,i ask do spirits1 like mortals1 experience a sense of fatigue8 ,de ,l',ester--,what ,i mean by a sense of restfulness is a state of tranquillity1 through which a ,spirit comes into harmonious relations with its surroundings4 ,spirits do not become wearied as expressed by the word fatigue1 but upon entering the physical plane1 ,spirits1 to a certain extent1 take on the conditions with which they come in contact1 and they experience what may be termed a sense of unrest or inharmony1 and in exact proportion to the progress attained by ,spirits is this sense of unrest accentuated4 ,hence1 ,spirits of the higher spirit realms seldom enter the physical plane4 ,have ,i made the matter clear to your comprehension8 ,medium--,perfectly so4 ,de ,l',ester--,we now will look at this massive and really fine structure4 ,as it is a good example of the many imposing residences to be found throughout this ,north temperate region1 it shall serve as an object lesson for you1 madame1 and ,i shall take upon myself a description of its exterior4 ,a large structure of gray stone1 extending on either side of a central entrance for at least forty feet4 ,the entrance1 which is wide and lofty1 is approached by a fine flight of stone steps1 leading easily up to it4 ,artistic and elaborate sculpture frames in the doorway1 and on either side of the entrance are sculptured life-size forms in bas-relief4 ,their upturned eyes and upreaching hands lead one to conclude that they represent a guardian ,god and ,goddess4 ,the entire front is pierced by many large windows surrounded by wide bands of intricate sculptured designs4 ,story above story to the height of four1 the central portion of the building rises1 and on either side of it are wings1 two stories in height4 ,its entire front is beautified by traceries of delicate sculpture1 among which are groups of life forms of various kinds4 ,no doubt these forms hold certain meanings1 and we regret that our ,mars friends have not yet joined us1 as they might enlighten us in this direction4 ,we now will move around to the right4 ,ah1 here is a sort of annex and evidently devoted to pious purposes4 ,being a ,frenchman ,i would term it une ,temple1 and you1 madame1 would name it a ,chapel4 ,it appears to be an extension of the dwelling1 but really is quite a separate structure1 which later on we will examine4 ,as we perceive1 these spacious and comfortable apartments at the rear of the dwelling are occupied by the domestics4 ,as you1 madame1 are aware1 to most ,earth dwellers1 ,spirits are invisible2 to the ,marsians they are even less so1 so we safely may enter the dwelling to have a view of the interior1 but1 ,george1 you are to play no pranks to startle the occupants4 ,we will enter at the front4 ,what a beautiful interior4 ,this grand staircase1 rising from this central hall1 is fine enough for a royal palace4 ,evidently an able architect designed this dwelling1 and intelligent and cultivated persons occupy it4 ,how very quiet it is4 ,what is it1 ,george8 ,not a soul in the house8 ,better so1 for really this seems a sort of intrusion1 all the more so were the occupants at home4 ,now1 madame1 which part of the dwelling shall we first investigate8 ,ah1 we might have guessed that1 as you are such a devoted housewife4 ,to the kitchen then1 but ,i shall expect you to describe this apartment1 as really it is more than ,i am equal to4 ,medium--,i fear that ,i also am unequal to a description of it4 ,it appears to be better fitted for chemical experiments than for a kitchen4 ,what a large1 sunny1 airy room it is and what a variety of utensils4 ,i cannot even guess at the uses of many of them4 ,am ,i mistaken in supposing that these bowls and platters and some of these pretty vessels are of gold and silver8 ,no8 ,then those metals must be very plentiful1 or the owner of this residence very rich4 ,as sure as ,i live here is a weighing apparatus1 and in design not very unlike one ,i use in my own kitchen4 ,what are you saying1 ,george8 ,that one touch of nature makes worlds akin4 ,well1 while this is not a touch of nature1 it has a wonderfully homelike appearance4 ,and here is a cooking range1 but it is not designed for the use of coal1 wood or gas4 ,i wonder what kind of fuel these people use8 ,de ,l',ester1 can you enlighten me8 ,de ,l',ester--,since a very remote time the people of this ,planet have for heating1 lighting and as a motive power used electricity4 ,in this instance it is the heating agent4 ,medium--,and ,earth's peoples1 who regard themselves as highly evolved humans1 are only beginning to learn of the many uses to which it may be applied4 ,one cannot question the fact that the same metals used on ,earth are used on ,mars1 for here are vessels and utensils of gold1 silver1 iron1 copper1 tin1 and what looks like brass1 and of alloys new to me4 ,then here are vessels which ,i shall call porcelain1 and there are various other wares similar to some with which ,i am familiar4 ,i cannot find words to express my amazement at all this1 it seems so utterly incredible1 and yet ,i cannot question the evidence of my own senses4 ,a woman with a genius for cooking would be enchanted with this kitchen4 ,is the dining-room as well worth seeing8 ,de ,l',ester--,it may be1 but the family being absent1 to an extent it is dismantled1 so we prefer that you should not see it4 ,then1 too1 we have in mind a certain dining-hall which we purpose showing to you4 ,now we will look through the rooms at the front of the dwelling4 ,we will enter this one on the right4 ,what a superb apartment1 so spacious1 so sumptuously furnished4 ,art and luxurious appointments combined have produced charming effects4 ,here1 and elsewhere1 we anticipate the pleasure of showing you many evidences of the wealth and culture of the ,marsians4 ,before proceeding further we desire to inform you of something which1 for a reason1 until now1 we have withheld4 ,this ,planet1 known to ,earth's peoples as ,mars1 is1 by its inhabitants1 known as ,ento1 which1 in their language1 signifies ,,chosen1 or ,,set ,,apart4 ,they believe that as an expression of ,his love1 ,andmana1 the ,supreme ,one1 created ,ento1 and that when their home was prepared for their occupation ,he created ,his children1 who with other living things should manifest the power and greatness of ,his ,divinity4 ,in future we will speak of the ,planet as ,ento1 and of its peoples as ,entoans1 and during our journeyings and investigations you will learn that on ,ento there is a state of civilization and consequent culture quite in advance of that of our own immature ,planet4 ,observe now those paintings4 ,what marvellous creations they are4 ,and those sculptured forms1 so beautiful1 so true to nature4 ,only the mind of a genius and the hand of a master could have conceived and executed either of them4 ,here is a masterpiece4 ,i know not what title the artist may have given it4 ,i shall name it ,love's ,awakening4 ,it represents the sculptured form of a young girl just budding into womanhood4 ,how charming is the angelic expression of her upturned eyes and smiling lips4 ,the face1 no longer that of a child1 yet scarcely that of a woman1 is rarely beautiful4 ,she seems to be listening to ,love's first whisperings1 and almost one can fancy her lovely mouth tremulous4 ,so eloquent is the silence of her slightly parted lips1 that in expectant attention1 one listens for the faint murmurings of a soul awakened to the infinite possibilities of the passion1 which welds into a unit all things animate and inanimate4 ,observe that the drapery1 half concealing1 half revealing the exquisite form1 is as transparent as a mist wreath4 ,truly it is a marvellous expression of art4 ,these friends and ,i are not unused to the finest representations of art of many planets1 yet seldom have we seen a piece of sculpture equal this2 still less seldom have we seen one surpassing it in design1 or excellence of execution4 ,no1 madame1 the extent of this collection is not unusual1 for the ,entoans are liberal patrons of the arts4 ,but we will look further4 ,here1 on a grassy knoll1 is a group of three quite young boys1 their forms lightly clothed in loose garments1 which but partly conceal their rounded1 shapely limbs4 ,the middle1 and larger boy1 holds on his knees a book1 from which apparently he reads a stirring story1 to which the other boys listen with rapt attention1 their beautiful faces expressing liveliest emotion4 ,notwithstanding that this group does not strongly appeal to the imagination1 there is that which obliges one to feel that in it the sculptor has embodied much love and a reverence for art4 ,now we will learn what this draped recess may contain4 ,ah1 a descriptive composition1 and in tinted marble4 ,not an agreeable representation1 but an instructive reminder of a religious rite of happily bygone centuries4 ,before us is an altar1 on which lies the draped form of a young girl1 her eyes closed as though in sleep4 ,the loose robe drawn aside from her bosom reveals the contours of a maiden in the first blush of womanhood4 ,at her side1 holding in his upraised hand a long1 keen bladed knife1 which he is about to thrust into the heart of the unconscious victim1 stands an aged1 majestic looking ,priest1 his crimson robe in strong contrast to the white robed1 golden-haired girl1 who is to be sacrificed by knife and flames to an imaginary god or gods4 ,while one must admire the consummate art which so faithfully has represented this scene1 one shudderingly turns from it1 as being a horrible reminder of the many crimes and cruelties1 which in the name of ,religion1 have been1 and still are perpetrated4 ,madame1 it is a lamentable truth1 that incorrect conceptions of the attributes of the ,supreme ,one1 ever are allied to cruelty4 ,this statement applies not only to ,ento1 and ,earth1 but to all ,planets inhabited by humans4 ,it is only when man has become highly evolved1 that spirit1 the ego1 dominates the animal soul1 and ,god is apprehended as love1 not hate4 ,ancient ,ento spirits1 and others of comparatively modern times1 have informed us concerning their religious rites and customs1 which during the passing centuries have1 with the exception of the sacrificial rite1 remained almost unchanged4 ,they relate that the victims of that horrible rite generally were drugged into unconsciousness1 yet at times1 willing victims1 hoping thereby to appease the offended ,gods1 and thus avert some calamity1 went consciously1 courageously1 to their death4 ,though deploring the ignorant fanaticism of such an act1 one feels impelled to admire the heroic and generous nature of one willing to yield his or her life as a sacrifice for the real or fancied good of others4 ,in this adjoining recess is another composition1 scarcely less pathetic1 but devoid of the element of cruelty4 ,on a large malachite base is a stone altar1 on which lies the nearly nude body of a dead boy1 and over and about him is a mass of inflammable material1 bursting into flames4 ,thus in very ancient times the ,entoans disposed of their dead4 ,it is a very realistic representation of a custom of remote times1 and certainly is not the production of an artist of recent days4 ,yes1 incineration of their dead1 is with the ,entoans1 a universal custom but during many centuries it has been accomplished in a more scientific1 and less repellent manner4 ,you still express surprise1 that the ,entoans1 physically1 are formed as are we1 and the peoples of our ,planet4 ,my dear madame1 believe me1 when ,i reiterate1 that humans1 no matter of what ,planet1 are essentially the same4 ,disabuse your mind1 now1 and for all time1 of the idea1 that necessarily1 different ,planets must produce entirely different expressions of life4 ,one ,intelligent ,energy directs the universe1 and one universal ,law prevails4 ,should you visit ,venus1 ,jupiter1 or indeed any ,planet inhabited by humans1 you would find man1 only as you know him4 ,evolved1 it is true1 on some ,planets1 to a higher spiritual1 consequently to a more perfected physical plane1 and a more advanced state of civilization4 ,spiritualized humans are the expressions of spirit entities4 ,these spirit entities must act within their limitations1 and never1 never1 by any possibility1 does a spirit entity take possession of any other than the evolved human organism4 ,spirit knows no such negation as retrogression4 ,when man on any ,planet has evolved to a certain condition1 or degree1 he becomes a partially self-conscious soul1 and then he walks erect4 ,ages pass and he becomes a ,spiritualized ,being1 ,spiritualized through the incarnation in him of a ,spirit entity1 which enables him to fully recognize himself4 ,not until then1 is he evolved into the ,spiritualized ,,immortal--,,the ,,god ,,man1 as are all ,spiritualized ,,men everywhere4 ,nay1 you owe me no apology4 ,i quite understand your mental state1 and desire that you shall ask such questions as naturally must occur to you4 ,observe now the very beautiful hangings of this apartment4 ,they are of thick1 lustrous silk1 and their rich shades of crimson and gold form an excellent background for these superb paintings and marbles4 ,it is to be regretted that limited time and space will not admit of a more detailed description of the many works of art in this collection4 ,as it is1 we must content ourselves with glances here and there4 ,we think it advisable to notice this large painting1 which vividly illustrates another feature of the sacrificial observance4 ,it represents the interior of a richly ornate temple1 and on a raised space stands a number of ,priests and ,priestesses1 clothed in long1 flowing1 crimson and yellow garments4 ,with the exception of three ,priests1 who are brown haired1 blue eyed1 and fair skinned1 all are very dark hued4 ,the hair of the younger1 dark complexioned ,priests is very black1 and worn quite to their shoulders1 and that of the aged ones is as white as wool1 and worn in the same fashion4 ,around the heads of all are narrow fillets of gold1 binding back their flowing locks4 ,on these fillets1 directly over the forehead1 are golden suns1 the points of the rays tipped with yellow jewels--topazes1 ,i should say--and the centre of each sun is what appears to be a fine ruby1 encircled by topazes4 ,the ,priestesses are young1 dark skinned1 and dark eyed1 and their long black hair falls loosely toward their feet1 which are concealed by their crimson and yellow robes4 ,around their heads are fillets1 corresponding with those worn by the ,priests4 ,in the foreground are a number of youths and maidens1 and back of them a throng of men and women1 all with anxious1 terror stricken faces4 ,well may the eyes and faces of the assemblage be full of fear1 for some one's child will be selected as a sacrifice to their ,gods1 whose dwelling place is beyond the clouds which veil the portals of ,astranola31 lest impious1 inquiring eyes gazing upward1 may behold what mortals may not see1 and live4 ,this painting depicts a scene once of frequent occurrence1 but during four centuries past the horrible cruelty has not been practiced4 ,we now will pass into the adjoining apartment4 ,this appears to be a sort of lounging room1 in which form and color combined have produced some fine effects4 ,over the lofty corniced windows and doorways1 velvet-like1 crimson drapery falls in graceful folds4 ,luxurious divans line the cream tinted walls1 over which sprays of lovely1 dainty blossoms are scattered4 ,the floor is a mosaic of exquisite effects4 ,the field1 a rich cream color1 the designs1 graceful1 lifelike flower pieces1 united by trailing vines4 ,a deep border of aquatic plants1 grasses and vining lily blooms1 forms a fitting frame to the lovely floor picture1 over which very beautiful rugs are disposed4 ,this large and massive table1 so exquisitely carved1 and inlaid with rare colored woods1 in a design partly arabesque1 partly floral1 is indeed a thing of beauty1 but more beautiful still is this superb vase1 occupying its raised centre4 ,these portfolios of pictured illustrations we can only glance at4 ,yes1 in conception1 coloring1 and execution1 they are highly meritorious4 ,the same may be said of these handsomely bound volumes4 ,you had not thought to find books on ,ento8 ,why not1 madame8 ,do not you yet comprehend that the inherent attributes of the genus homo1 not only impels1 but inevitably compels him in one common direction8 ,this is a universal law1 and there is no escape from it4 ,as ,i already have declared1 its expression1 wherever demonstrated1 is essentially the same4 ,we doubt not that many things we shall show you on ,ento will surprise you1 more by their likeness than by their unlikeness1 to what may be found on our ,planet4 ,the entire ornamentation and appointments of this apartment are rather quiet in tone1 but le tout ensemble1 is very refined and beautiful4 ,george is so urgent to hasten our movements that ,i suspect he is up to some mischief4 ,yes1 yes1 we are coming4 ,george1 ,george1 you are incorrigible2 it is not surprising that madame is startled1 for this figure is wonderfully lifelike1 and what an odd conceit1 to use one of its long arms to hold back this heavy drapery4 ,medium--,really1 for a moment1 ,i thought it a living creature4 ,does it represent a human being8 ,it looks very like one4 ,de ,l',ester--,truly it does appear very human1 but it represents a species of ,ento anthropoid1 so intelligent1 that frequently it is trained for simple requirements1 mostly of a domestic nature4 ,as later on1 you will see living specimens of the same creature1 ,i shall not now describe it4 ,enough cannot be said of the fidelity with which the artificer has reproduced the form1 coloring1 and expression of the living animal4 ,of what metal is it made8 ,of a composition of copper and tin1 and if you choose1 you may call it bronze1 for that is what it is4 ,yes1 the enamelling is very fine1 the tinting is true to nature4 ,here is a collection of miniature paintings1 and be assured that these illustrations of ,ento female loveliness are not at all exaggerated4 ,some are types of the blonde1 blue eyed ,northern races1 others of the dark skinned1 lovely women of the ,orient1 with eyes as dark and liquid as quiet pools in shady nooks4 ,as you perceive1 all are arrayed in graceful flowing garments1 unlike the hideous robes worn by even the most highly civilized women of our ,planet4 ,ah1 what a gem6 ,we cannot pass this by unnoticed4 ,madame1 you will carefully observe this painting1 as some time you may have occasion to recall a memory of it4 ,in the foreground is a youth in the early flush of manhood1 whose shapely head is crowned with black hair waving down to his shoulders1 and bound away from his fine forehead by a jewelled silver fillet4 ,his smiling1 parted lips1 form a perfect ,cupid's bow1 and above them is a nose as straight and finely formed as ever graced the face of a ,grecian statue4 ,a robe of azure blue1 bordered with silver embroidery1 clothes his very tall1 graceful form1 and falls in artistic lines to his sandalled feet4 ,looped high on his left shoulder is a loose sleeve drapery1 caught into folds by a jewelled ornament1 indicating that this youth is of exalted rank4 ,bending slightly forward1 he smilingly listens to the words of a young girl1 reclining on a low couch1 who is costumed in a soft1 clinging1 white robe1 which scarcely conceals the outlines of a fragile but perfect form4 ,her golden hair1 which is caught back from her low1 wide1 white forehead1 by a silver fillet1 adorned with sapphires no bluer than her lovely eyes1 seems to have caught sunlight in its tresses1 as it falls in rippling masses over her shoulders and onto the floor1 where it lies in golden confusion1 on a rug of rich1 dark hued fur4 ,she is as fair as the youth is dark1 and in her beautiful face is the innocence and mirthfulness of the child1 with the promise1 too1 of a gracious womanhood4 ,remember these faces1 for one day you may see the originals4 ,how true it is that art expressions are the mute speech of genius1 and genius is but another name for inspiration4 ,it has been said back of the artist is art1 and back of art is that which men name ,god4 ,that is a fine expression of the unity of things4 ,george1 ,agassiz1 ,humboldt1 hasten here4 ,ah6 you too1 recognize1 this scene1 ,is not it an agreeable surprise8 ,madame1 ,i will explain4 ,this is a most exact representation of a locality these friends and ,i have visited4 ,rather recently we with some scientific and other persons were1 for a certain purpose1 making a tour of ,ento1 and while slowly journeying toward a distant portion of the planet we found ourselves passing over the spot illustrated by this painting4 ,it attracted our attention1 and descending1 we found it such a quiet1 tranquil spot that unanimously we named it the ,valley of ,repose4 ,with wonderful fidelity and consummate art the painter has reproduced the lovely scene4 ,stand here1 madame1 and ,i will attempt to describe it4 ,a spacious valley surrounded on three sides by gently rising uplands1 which in long gone ages were portions of a mountain range4 ,from a rocky formation in the upper end of the valley debouches a considerable volume of water1 forming this sparkling stream1 which empties itself into yonder pretty lake1 dotted with tiny islands4 ,those rather fragile looking bridges thrown from island to island form continuous passageways to either side of the valley4 ,the villages dotting the rim of the lake1 and those white structures on the larger islands1 to one's imagination suggest flocks of white plumaged water fowl nestling amid the luxuriant greenery4 ,boats laden with the products of labor4 ,crews intent upon landing their crafts4 ,other boats carrying pleasure seekers1 who call to passing friends1 fill up the animated picture4 ,gazing with admiring eyes upon the lovely scene1 we tarried awhile under these great trees laden with sweet scented blooms4 ,you may like to know that this valley is in the ,north ,temperate ,zone1 in latitude and longitude corresponding nearly to that of the northern central portion of your ,state of ,tennessee4 ,being sheltered by the uplands1 the climate is very genial1 and the loamy soil produces grains1 vegetables and fruits in great abundance4 ,continually artists frequent this valley to sketch its beauties1 and the painter of this picture1 who signs himself as ,lafon ,thdossa31 has literally transferred the lake and its surroundings to his canvas4 ,it seems as though we have met face to face a well known friend4 ,my dear madame1 do not vex yourself that we cannot use your organism for all purposes4 ,were we engaged in a purely scientific work it would be altogether necessary that we should have a ,sensitive through whom we might express technicalities pertaining to matters under investigation or discussion4 ,all along we have fully understood your limitations1 as well as your extremely skeptical and cautious nature1 and we well know that should we attempt to express through you statistics1 technicalities1 latitude1 longitude1 and other matters your nearly morbid dread of making mistakes would render you so positive that we could not use you at all4 ,at present we are quite satisfied with what we can accomplish through you1 and we anticipate a time when you shall have so developed that we shall be able to use you for ends you little dream of4 ,so we pray you to fret no more that you are not equal to our wishes1 for you quite satisfy our requirements4 ,we must not hold you longer to-day4 ,gradually you are adjusting yourself to present conditions and ere long we may lengthen our visits to this ,planet1 but now at once you must be returned to your ,earth home4 ,there are indications that the occupants of this residence are about to return to it1 so endeavor to hold yourself in readiness1 for we may come for you at an unusual hour4 ,now1 ,george1 ,earthward4 ,not another question1 madame4 ,we must not allow you to become exhausted4 ,safely arrived1 and some one is knocking at your door4 ,may loving angels have you in their keeping4 ,au revoir4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,ento1 ,,and ,,entoans4 ,de ,l',ester--,to our faithful comrade we tender our greetings1 and an apology for our early appearance4 ,you will arrange quickly for our departure1 for the family have returned1 and we desire to visit them ere day dawn on ,ento4 ,madame1 you have not locked the rear door of the room1 and some one might disturb you1 which would not be well for you4 ,now you are comfortably seated1 and will endeavor to tranquillize your disturbed equilibrium4 ,we feared that our somewhat abrupt entre might startle you4 ,george1 ,i think that madame may find herself sufficiently sustained1 through simply resting on your extended arm4 ,you are rapidly growing stronger1 madame1 and accustomed1 too1 to the peculiar conditions of your unusual phase of ,mediumship1 and we anticipate that soon you will overcome the timidity you at times experience4 ,now you are quieted1 and we at once may begin our journey4 ,upward now1 and outward4 ,you are at ease1 madame8 ,that is well4 ,yonder is the ,planet ,venus1 regal1 beautiful ,queen of the ,earth-night4 ,and in the northwest is the grand constellation known to you as ,the ,great ,dipper--whose family of worlds1 like ,ento1 and ,earth1 pursue their law compelling ways4 ,four of them are peopled with humans1 far in advance of those of either ,earth or ,ento4 ,in every direction are myriads of ,worlds1 inhabited by human beings in various stages of evolvement4 ,throughout limitless space are ,suns and ,systems of worlds1 varying in bulk1 and of diverse conditions1 yet through intelligently directed energy1 each shining wonder traverses pathless space1 in conformity with unvarying law4 ,in striving to conceive an idea of the universe1 one is overwhelmed by its boundless immensity4 ,only ,infinite ,intelligence can compass a thought so far beyond the limit of the finite mind4 ,we near the residence1 and now will descend4 ,yes1 near the fountain1 ,george4 ,madame1 you perceive that there are lights in portions of the house4 ,with the ,entoans it is a universal custom to keep lights burning during the night4 ,later on1 you will learn their reason for doing this4 ,there are no developed clairvoyants in this family2 of that we have assured ourselves4 ,in what manner8 ,well1 previous to coming for you we investigated their condition4 ,we now will enter the home1 so that you1 madame1 may obtain a general view of the apartments and their occupants1 on the second floor4 ,the front room to the left1 ,george1 and you1 madame1 will please describe whatever may attract your attention4 ,medium--,this is a large1 almost square room1 elegantly1 yet rather scantily furnished2 that is1 it is not overfurnished4 ,the ceiling is lofty1 of the tint of old ivory1 and decorated in a delicate design of wreaths and sprays of foliage and flowers4 ,the walls also are ivory tinted1 but of a deeper shade than the ceiling1 and are decorated in designs harmonizing with those of the ceiling4 ,on the highly polished floor1 which is of some light1 rose colored wood1 are fine ,oriental looking rugs1 and there is a very handsome divan1 and some richly upholstered chairs1 and a large1 beautifully carved wood table1 and a massive dressing bureau1 which is built into the wall1 and on it are many pretty toilet articles1 some of which have a very familiar appearance4 ,near the one lofty1 wide1 front window1 in an ornamental tub1 is a large growing plant1 which looks like some species of palm1 but is unlike any palm ,i know of4 ,it bears an enormous truss of lovely scarlet flowers1 which give out a fragrance resembling that of the hyacinth4 ,i am pleased that it is to be included in the illustrations of ,ento's flora4 ,illustration3 ,,ruvacc,a3 ,,plimos ,de ,l',ester--,it is not related to the palm family4 ,observe carefully the forms of both calyx and flower1 and you will consider its ,ento name1 ,ruvacca3 plimos1 quite appropriate4 ,you may name it trumpet flower4 ,now1 madame1 you will proceed4 ,medium--,how shall ,i describe the sleeping occupant of this beautiful couch8 ,i am at a loss for words that might do justice to this revelation of ,ento female loveliness4 ,allow me to be silent1 ,de ,l',ester1 while you1 who are more competent than am ,i1 shall attempt the impossible4 ,de ,l',ester--,as you will1 madame1 though ,i confess to an unwillingness1 to attempt through words to convey an idea of the appearance of this extremely beautiful woman4 ,the invasion of the privacy of her apartment1 to you1 seems an impertinence4 ,but that you may learn many things pertaining to the ,entoans1 we must use means at our command1 so ,i think we may be pardoned for this intrusion4 ,the woman sleeping upon this shell shaped couch is young1 and indeed tall1 and divinely fair4 ,below a wide1 shapely forehead1 shaded by flossy curls1 long1 silken lashes fringe white eyelids concealing large1 luminous blue eyes4 ,a profusion of golden brown hair lies in curling1 waving masses1 over snowy pillow1 and bare1 blue veined1 white throat4 ,her complexion is as fair and rosy as pink rose petals1 for this is not one of ,ento's dark skinned beauties1 but one of a ,northland race4 ,in her sleep she dreams and smiles1 her slightly parted lips revealing a hint of two rows of pearls1 in keeping with this shell shaped couch1 so closely inlaid with pearl that one can imagine it the former abode of some great ocean creature and the white fleecy covering of its present occupant the foam of storm tossed waters4 ,fair dreamer1 may you long experience joyous awakenings to happy days and happier years6 ,we now will pass to the apartment across the hallway4 ,the dimensions of this chamber are the same as those of the one we have but now left1 and the decorations and furnishing is much the same1 the noticeable exception being this low1 broad couch1 of some fine wood1 artistically inlaid with a variety of colored woods in a floral design4 ,its corners are held by heavy1 ornamental silver clasps1 which add much to its sumptuous beauty4 ,lying on it in a profound sleep1 is a man of apparently middle age1 and though quite dark skinned1 he is extremely handsome4 ,he is very tall1 and finely formed1 as are all of his race1 and in his quiet face one reads dignity of character1 and gentleness4 ,through his black1 silken1 curling beard one perceives that he has finely curved lips1 and that his black1 abundant curling hair graces an admirably statuesque head1 neck and shoulders4 ,yes1 all ,entoans have abundant hair4 ,their head covering1 which seldom is worn1 is not of a kind to destroy the growth of their hair4 ,this man is a fine specimen of a race known as the ,hovana31 and doubtless were he awake1 and clear-seeing1 he would find himself greatly surprised1 if not alarmed1 on perceiving a group of strange appearing persons gazing upon him so intently4 ,adieu1 monsieur1 and should we again meet1 may it be under more favorable conditions for a mutual acquaintance4 ,a bath and dressing room adjoins this apartment1 which now we will examine4 ,quite a large1 and well appointed room1 with floor of very beautiful marble1 its whiteness relieved by veinings of gray and pale rose color4 ,from the floor to half the height of the room the walls are of silver richly wrought in festoons of vines and flowers of various kinds1 all suggesting aquatic growths4 ,thence1 to the slightly curved ceiling1 the walls are of highly polished wood1 of a deep rose color4 ,the ceiling1 too1 is of wood1 of a paler shade of rose1 and is carved in exquisite floral designs4 ,the bath is of snowy marble1 lined with burnished silver1 which curves over1 forming a broad rim4 ,the outer surface of the bath is chiselled into a composition of aquatic plants and grasses1 which are very artistic and effective4 ,here is a large onyx dressing table1 on which are various toilet accessories of admirable designs and workmanship4 ,truly1 ,necessity is the mother of invention1 and the necessities of humans1 everywhere1 lead to very similar results1 hence these familiar looking objects4 ,i recall that during my ,earth life ,i imagined that if any of the ,planets might be the abodes of intelligent life forms owing to varying conditions1 necessarily such forms1 and their requirements1 must altogether differ from those of ,earth1 and ,i assure you that one of the greatest1 and most pleasing surprises awaiting my renewed acquaintance with the spirit side of life was the realization1 that not only was the genus homo of other worlds essentially like myself in appearance1 but that their characteristics1 pursuits and requirements were very like my own1 and that the ,spirits of all ,planetary spirit worlds recognized their common origin1 and universal relationship4 ,your mental state is similar to what mine was1 hence you find it difficult to realize the universal homogeneity of substance1 which under like1 or similar conditions1 must manifest itself1 in harmony with intelligent1 universal laws4 ,i am aware1 that as factors1 or potentialities1 forces and qualities1 known as gravity1 attraction1 repulsion1 density1 volume1 distance from ,solar influences1 position of ,planets1 etc41 are to scientific minds the pivotal points upon which certain results must of necessity turn1 and largely they are correct4 ,but while drawing conclusions from real or apparent facts scientific minds seldom consider the one all-powerful factor1 ,the ,infinite1 ,intelligent energy1 the adjuster of causes and effects into a harmonious whole4 ,but really at present we have not time for either scientific or philosophic dissertations1 and ,i must conclude this digression into which your remark has beguiled me by saying that on ,ento you will find the same humans1 with the same requirements1 as may be found on numberless ,planets4 ,everywhere the man creature evolves along fixed lines1 and sooner or later this hairy-headed person requires combs1 brushes1 mirrors and other appliances with which to enhance his charms or to contribute to his comfort1 his well-being or his vanity1 consequently here are veritable combs1 brushes and mirrors1 and here1 too1 is a familiar looking cleansing preparation4 ,you may doubt it1 madame1 but ,i swear it is soap1 and a very excellent soap it is4 ,it is delicately scented1 too1 which may indicate that my lord and his lady are somewhat dainty in their requirements4 ,you may know that on our ,planet1 in various localities1 there are deposits of a saponaceous character4 ,such deposits exist not only on ,earth1 but on ,ento and other ,planets1 which affords another bit of evidence that worlds are akin4 ,these bath appliances are quite admirable4 ,overhead are faucets with spraying attachments for both hot and cold water1 and here1 at the foot of the bath1 are silver faucets for the same1 and from these yawning mouths of silver nondescript heads both cold and hot water pours into this great silver bowl4 ,but we cannot devote more time to this room4 ,certainly1 for a country house1 one scarcely would expect such luxurious appointments4 ,this door opens into the sleeping apartments of the wife of the slumbering gentleman4 ,shall we enter it1 madame8 ,you are silent4 ,i have observed that curiosity is not your ruling trait4 ,ah1 ,i see4 ,you think that we gentlemen should not intrude upon the privacy of the lady4 ,then1 that you may acquire certain information1 ,i suggest that you shall go alone1 and in the hallway we will await your return4 ,medium--,well1 here ,i am1 and will relate what ,i have seen and heard4 ,asleep on a couch very like that on which the gentleman lies is a large and very beautiful woman with a most charming expression of countenance4 ,her complexion is rather dark1 but much fairer than that of her husband1 and her hair is very black and luxuriant1 flowing loosely over the pillow and down on to the floor4 ,never have ,i seen hair so abundant or so beautiful1 and she has such lovely arms and hands4 ,on tables and on the side shelves of a magnificent dresser are beautiful toilet articles and the loveliest jewel caskets4 ,of what are the caskets made8 ,dear me1 ,i cannot say1 but ,i should think of gold and silver4 ,one looks like gold filagree set with different colored stones forming flower sprays1 and one appears to be of silver closely incrusted with diamonds and rubies in a peculiar pattern4 ,another is a rather large shell clasped with some kind of metal hinges1 the edge of the upper half set closely with large1 lovely pink pearls1 which ,i should think might be worth a fortune4 ,there are several other caskets1 but ,i did not observe them closely4 ,clothing of beautiful texture and exquisite coloring hangs in closets and other receptacles4 ,there are robes of what ,i should call ,grecian style4 ,some are of a plain weave1 others are brocaded in admirable designs4 ,some are of silken texture1 others are of wool or silk and wool4 ,some are undecorated1 but almost all of them are trimmed around the neck1 sleeves and hems with borders of very beautiful embroidery of gold1 silver or in colored silks1 imitating foliage and flowers or in arabesque designs1 some of them set thickly with small jewels of several kinds4 ,they are the most beautiful garments ,i ever have seen4 ,close by the lady's couch is a smaller one1 on which lies the dearest1 loveliest child4 ,she appears to be about four years old and is very large for that age4 ,i felt inclined to kiss the darling1 but feared that ,i might awaken her1 so stood intently looking at her1 when suddenly she stirred and opened her eyes in a startled manner1 crying ,omma31 ,omma34 ,instantly ,i retreated behind the window drapery and peered through4 ,the mother arose in haste and knelt beside the child1 murmuring as she caressed her1 ,omma3 estro1 ,omma3 estro1 gentolna34 ,emenola3 grand1 emenissema grand4 ,that is all ,i can remember of what she said1 but soon the child fell asleep1 the mother stole softly to her couch and ,i came away4 ,i hope1 monsieur1 that ,i have satisfied your curiosity4 ,de ,l',ester--,madame1 your complaisance overwhelms me4 ,my curiosity4 ,truly ,i do not find myself equal to an expression of my appreciation of your effort on my behalf1 and can only bow my acknowledgment4 ,may ,i ask if you looked into the apartment adjoining the one you visited8 ,george informs us that in it is a younger and handsomer woman than the one you have described4 ,medium--,i only glanced at a very youthful and handsome girl who was asleep on a couch4 ,although ,i realize that these persons are unaware of our presence1 ,i cannot avoid an unpleasant consciousness that we are taking advantage of their unconscious state4 ,of course ,i know that idle curiosity has nothing to do with it1 and that you all are doing your utmost to assist in my ,ento education1 for which you have my thanks4 ,george1 how do you know that there is a young and handsome woman in that room8 ,i shall have to report you to ,inez4 ,george--,while looking through the house ,i came to her room1 merely glancing in as you did4 ,inez has too much confidence in her other self to listen to an ill report of him2 then1 too1 madame but jests4 ,while looking through this spacious dwelling and into its history1 ,i have learned that it is modelled in a style antedating what we will term ,ento's modern architecture4 ,this style was in high favor four centuries ago1 ,ento time and for suburban and country residences is yet much favored4 ,it was designed for the requirements of a large family and has served its purpose during several generations and still is so substantial that its massive walls may shelter generations yet to come4 ,at present1 only the first and second floors are occupied or furnished4 ,from the conversation of the domestics ,i also have learned that the proprietor is a distinguished ,government ,official1 who1 with his family1 resides in the ,capitol and that occasionally he and they come here for recreation and to look after his estate4 ,it may surprise you1 my sister1 to learn that all the lands of ,ento are held in trust by the government1 only the improvements of an estate are owned by the proprietors4 ,later on we will have occasion to further inform you concerning this regulation4 ,in the ,istoira is a sort of genealogical record of this family and ,de ,l',ester suggests that1 as our time is limited1 it will be well to at once go there4 ,de ,l',ester--,we will enter by way of this inner doorway1 and for a moment we will pause here4 ,as you may not correctly estimate the dimensions of this ,istoira1 ,i will inform you1 madame1 that its depth1 including the sanctuary1 is about one hundred and twenty feet2 its width about sixty feet4 ,these private ,istoiras are attached to the residences of all large country estates and are used1 not only for religious purposes1 but for placing of memorial records1 and as depositories of the ashes of the dead4 ,as you perceive1 the seats are placed only along the sides1 and facing us is a beautiful altar1 back of which falls heavy drapery concealing from view the sanctuary4 ,in this subdued light the white1 very ornately sculptured marble altar gleams like masses of snow flowers4 ,in contrast to its whiteness here are some red and yellow blooms so recently laid on it that the atmosphere is laden with their sweet fragrance4 ,all over the planet at high noon and at the moment of the disappearance of ,andmana3's shining abode in the numerous ,temples and ,istoiras religious observances occur4 ,at high noon1 on occasions1 animals are sacrificed and offerings of value are laid on altars4 ,at the evening service only grains1 fruits and flowers1 the sacred red and yellow tsoina and valseta blooms are offered4 ,soon1 we believe1 sacrifices involving animal life will be known no more on ,ento4 ,illustration3 ,,isoina ,medium--,de ,l',ester1 pardon me for interrupting you4 ,you have informed me that the ,entoans1 as a whole1 are more highly civilized than are the peoples of our planet4 ,why1 then1 do they still practice these superstitious observances8 ,de ,l',ester--,superstition1 madame1 is a feature of all religions4 ,the ,entoans who offer to ,andmana31 or the ,deific ,ones1 an animal as an atonement for wrong doing1 or to perhaps appease an angry ,god or ,goddess1 are no more superstitious than the ,christian who believes in the vicarious atonement of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 whom he regards as an embodiment of ,god4 ,in the early ages of man's evolvement 7,i speak of man of any ,planet7 he gropes his way with uncomprehending senses until a period arrives when he becomes a spiritualized being4 ,then he looks about him4 ,effects present themselves to his wondering1 fearful gaze1 and more or less clearly he perceives them1 but as yet he is too immature to associate effects with causes of which he has no conception4 ,gradually he becomes conscious that back of effects there appears to be an intelligent cause or causes1 and in accordance with the degree of his spiritual unfoldment he invests this cause or causes with beneficent or maleficent qualities1 frequently with both4 ,in time his unfolding ideas become more distinctive1 and from them he evolves two personalities1 one good1 the other evil4 ,the former he reverently adores1 the latter he regards with fear and disfavor1 yet with a certain respectful consideration4 ,the human ages and ever intuitively he seeks after truth4 ,in his uncertainty he looks this way and that1 gathering as he goes fancies which1 by and by1 he formulates into facts1 and these fanciful facts keep pace with his growth1 and a period arrives when he establishes a religion which is a concretion of inherited tendencies conjoined to such legendary and other myths as may have come his way4 ,further along his larger unfoldment obliges him to discard beliefs which do not fit into his wider views which are the logical consequences of his wider experiences1 and in his unrest he grows desperate or indifferent as to what may or may not be true4 ,you are aware that at this time among ,earth's peoples many are in this unhappy state of mind1 and that1 what is little less deplorable1 multitudes are held in the bonds of ecclesiastical legends and dogmas which ever obscure the truth1 and superstition ever is where truth is not4 ,but the ,god-,man is coming2 he will break his bonds asunder1 ,and go marching through the ages1 his gaze turned toward the blue2 ,where the ,angel hosts1 in tones as of reverberating thunder1 ,sing hosannahs to ,the ,highest1 who alone is true4 ,to the ,entoans ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 is absolutely perfect1 yet his perfection admits of righteous anger against his willfully offending children whom ,he1 for their own good1 chastises until1 realizing their culpability1 they make atonement for their sinfulness4 ,in bygone times the atonement for sin against their ,creator demanded human sacrifice1 or1 perhaps an offering of their most valued possessions1 against which no one dared offer a protest4 ,gods and ,goddesses who are ,andmana3's ,ministers and ,messengers1 ,he created less perfect than ,himself1 and to appease their anger or to secure their favor sacrifices and offerings without number have been1 and are1 laid upon the altars of ,temples and ,istoiras4 ,illustration3 ,,vals,t,a3 ,certainly such beliefs are very childish1 very superstitious1 but childhood conceives of childish fancies1 and man on ,ento and on ,earth1 spiritually1 is yet in swaddling clothes4 ,beyond the limits of his present unfoldment his infinite possibilities are as little understood as are abstruse utterances by a lisping child1 but intuitively1 within his being1 he perceives godlike attributes1 and ever he is impelled toward higher spiritual unfoldment1 which is but another expression for what is termed civilization4 ,on ,ento1 as on ,earth1 the ,priesthood stem the tide of human progress4 ,always the ,priesthood are conservative1 holding tenaciously to old traditions1 rites and ceremonies1 and1 as a rule1 they are sincere in their professions1 for it is a fact that through their constant affirmations of the tenets of their various faiths they become so self-psychologized as to be unable to perceive beyond their established views4 ,never are the ,priesthood in advance of the people4 ,it is only when the multitudes demand larger views of truth that they yield to the necessity of moving forward1 and always under protest4 ,yes1 certainly1 to be religious is a natural impulse2 natural1 because man is a spiritualized being1 the expression of ,infinite ,intelligence and ,infinite ,energy in form4 ,you will allow me to repeat that notwithstanding certain features1 the ,entoans as a whole are more highly evolved spiritually1 hence more highly civilized1 than are the peoples of ,earth4 ,in the arts1 their attainments are productive of most excellent results4 ,as much may be said of the sciences1 in which1 with two notable exceptions1 of which presently we shall speak1 they are far more learned than are ,earth's scientists4 ,but they are dominated and restricted by their ,holy ,writings1 which declare that ,audmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 ever has been1 and ever will be4 ,that in a remote time he said1 ,i no longer will dwell alone and in silence4 ,so1 out of himself he created ,astranola31 a beautiful realm beyond the clouds4 ,a realm ever abloom with loveliest flowers and watered by flowing streams as sweet as nectar4 ,a realm where deep darkness never comes and its dim twilight is irradiated by the innumerable lamps of the ,deific ,ones1 which ,ento's children may behold gleaming in the quiet night sky4 ,a realm where storms1 sickness and death are unknown and where the air is filled with sweetest perfumes and the land is bathed by dews which fall like clouds of silvery mist4 ,a realm where birds of wonderfully beautiful plumage fill the air with melodious songs1 and where no noisome thing exists4 ,when the creation of ,astranola3 was completed ,andmana3 contemplated the expression of ,his will and was satisfied4 ,then he spoke into existence ,gods and ,goddesses1 who should dwell in this realm and who should be his ,ministers and ,messengers1 and then he created ,ento1 which1 in the beginning1 was as beautiful as the children of ,his love whom ,he also spoke into existence and for whom he declared ,ento should be a home for evermore4 ,through his ,messengers he gave to them a revelation of ,his will1 which instructed them as to their duties toward their ,creator1 toward his ,messengers1 toward each other1 and toward all living creatures whom ,he had created for their uses and pleasure4 ,and it was specially enjoined upon them that no eye should ever attempt to penetrate the cloud veil falling between them and the abode of the dwellers in ,astranola34 ,should any one presume to disobey this commandment1 swift vengeance would be visited upon the offender4 ,to a people entertaining no conception of a continuity of existence and to whom death is an ever present terror1 curiosity is not a powerful enough incentive to induce the ,entoans to risk their chiefest treasure1 life1 or to bring upon them and theirs the wrath of the offended deities of ,astranola34 ,thus1 as a science1 astronomy is unknown to the ,entoans4 ,the ,holy ,writings do not forbid an investigation into1 or even allude to1 ,ento's physical constitution1 but for cogent reasons the learned ,priesthood ever have opposed themselves to whatever might remotely imperil their cherished dogmas4 ,thus it occurs that1 while many scholars possess a minute knowledge of the science of mineralogy1 geology as a science finds small favor4 ,no1 nowhere in the ,holy ,writings is there even a suggestion of human or other living sacrifice4 ,it was not until after a fanatical and powerful ,priesthood became the sole interpreters of the mysteries of religion that ,andmana31 through a revelation of ,his will1 demanded human sacrifice as a test of obedience or as an atonement for sin4 ,at another time ,i may inform you further in relation to the ,ento ,scriptures1 which embody not only the revelation of ,andmana3's will and the fanciful story of ,ento's creation1 but also much of the history of ancient times4 ,how far back do the ,ento ,scriptures date8 ,we have been informed that unquestionably this supposed revelation occurred nearly fifty centuries ago4 ,yes1 ,ento time4 ,the age of the ,planet no ,entoan either in or out of the physical body assumes to know4 ,soon we shall have with us some learned ,ento ,spirits1 who1 we doubt not1 will gladly afford us exact information upon this and other subjects of interest4 ,no further questions at present1 madame1 for time flies and soon we must return you to ,earth4 ,the ,sun held aloft in the hand of the statue surmounting the altar is emblematic of ,andmana3's supposed abode1 and this really fine mosaic1 representing sun rays radiating from the circular altar1 also is an emblem of the same4 ,observe1 now1 this central marble shaft1 which rises nearly to the domed roof4 ,both base and capital are sculptured masses of grains1 fruits and flowers4 ,the surface of the shaft is divided into sections on which are engraved names and brief records of departed ,entoans4 ,above each legend is a head in bas-relief1 and so well executed are these images of the dead that one can easily determine as to age and characteristics of the originals4 ,through such knowledge of their written language as ,i possess ,i shall attempt to gain some information relating to these people of a bygone day4 ,muyolos ,kalaf and ,feniston ,inisella were ancestor and ancestress to ,inisellna4 ,their sculptured faces indicate that they were handsome and intellectual persons and that all lived to a good old age4 ,here it is stated that the original of this admirable bust was one ,hyten ,dmos1 who was sire to ,endoifan ,inivos1 who became the mother of ,rosilla1 who in time gave birth to ,stivon ,izamma1 which also was the name of his sire1 who was greatgrandsire to ,silvano ,izam1 the present proprietor of the residence we have been viewing4 ,engraved on this shaft is quite a family history1 but we shall find matters of greater interest to enlist our attention4 ,this edifice in itself is both ,istoira3 and ,fa3va3 a croidas1 where the ashes of the departed are deposited1 and in those sealed1 ornamental receptacles are the incinerated remains of past generations4 ,observe the many sculptured forms on this and on the opposite wall4 ,here is a face1 hoary with age1 but with a fine1 majestic expression1 and here are others of the midday of life1 representing splendid types of the human4 ,here are faces of youths and maidens as entrancing as dreams of love4 ,of children1 too1 angelic in their beauty and innocence of expression4 ,ah1 me6 ,were mortal life the end of all1 better to not have been born into it4 ,think of all that these sculptured faces stand for4 ,smiling infants1 youths and maidens and mature men and women1 who loved with intensest devotion and who passed to their spirit world without either hope or expectation of reunion4 ,all1 all lived and loved1 joyed and sorrowed and when death came hopeless despair came also4 ,how could it have been otherwise8 ,to live1 to love1 to die1 and then--nothing4 ,this was their belief and is yet the belief of the entire peoples of ,ento1 whom it holds in a state of hopeless despair1 of measureless anguish4 ,medium--,have the ,entoans never believed in a continuity of existence8 ,de ,l',ester--,we have learned that previous to the establishment of the national religion1 which largely was based upon their legendary ,holy ,writings1 there were those who entertained vague theories relating to it1 so vague indeed that they do not appear to have influenced those who formulated the ,ento religion4 ,you have been informed that planetary influences are controlling factors1 accelerating or retarding the spiritual unfoldment of humans of whatever ,planet4 ,the influences dominating the ,entoans ever have tended toward a positive mental materialism1 but their spirituality has conserved and exalted them1 thus enabling them to submissively yield to the will of their ,creator4 ,then1 too1 there is that in the human which impels him to submit to the inevitable4 ,in agony unspeakable he may for a time rebel1 but in the end he submits4 ,thus it has been with the peoples of this ,planet4 ,they have hopelessly1 despairingly submitted to what they have considered inevitable4 ,but for them a brighter day is dawning1 and is near at hand2 the darkness of a hopeless belief ere long will pass away1 for bright rays from their spirit realms are irradiating their inner consciousness and death1 the dread messenger who ever stands between them and happiness1 soon will be known as the angel who will open for them the gateway into a continuous1 glorious existence4 ,to their soul consciousness there is yet no visible sign of the coming religious revolution1 yet events are so shaping themselves that you shall see this prediction verified2 not only see it1 but you will aid in bringing it to pass4 ,ere long you will better understand my meaning2 at present it would not be well to say more in this direction4 ,we might with pleasure and advantage remain here for another hour1 but you are somewhat exhausted1 and we must act prudently1 else we may find occasion for regret4 ,george alone will attend you on your ,earthward journey4 ,special duties elsewhere demand our immediate attention4 ,to-morrow at the appointed time we will come for you4 ,no1 madame1 we will not again return to this locality4 ,adieu4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,descriptive ,,features4 ,de ,l',ester--,with pleasure we salute you1 and we are gratified to find you awaiting us4 ,but before starting on our journey ,i must again insist that you shall protect yourself against interruption4 ,yes1 ,i see how you are situated1 but the fact remains that it is harmful to you to be disturbed4 ,yesterday1 while you were with us1 some one attempted to enter your apartments4 ,the locked doors prevented the intrusion but you were so disturbed that it was all we could do to keep control of you4 ,it is not well that you shall be suddenly called back to your physical body4 ,it injures you1 and is a great disappointment to your comrades4 ,cannot you take further precaution against intrusion8 ,medium--,i do not see that ,i can4 ,i fully realize that it harms me to be disturbed1 but at times ,i cannot prevent it4 ,de ,l',ester--,well1 what cannot be cured must be endured1 but we shall hope that you may be left in peace to-day4 ,your sister ,inez accompanies us1 and desires to speak to you4 ,inez--,dear sister ,sara1 ,i bear greetings to you from many loved and loving ones1 who1 with delight and boundless interest1 watch the progress of our mission of loving endeavor to which you and many other devoted ones are for its accomplishment applying such talents and energy as are at your and their command4 ,but our ,counsellor and guide grows restive1 and we must not delay our journey4 ,de ,l',ester--,now1 madame1 we are ready for our flight to ,ento4 ,compose your too active soul forces and trust yourself unreservedly to our care4 ,george1 we are a little late1 so will make a hasty passage4 ,upward now and outward4 ,more swiftly than the lightning's flash cleaves the sky we are borne on this wondrous magnetic ocean which knows no shore but is as boundless as the universe and changeless as ,god4 ,in grandest1 sweetest cadences ever its magical undulations are murmuring1 ,glory to the ,highest6 ,glory to the ,highest6 and angel choirs innumerable join the glad pan1 ,glory to the ,highest6 ,glory to the ,highest6 ,ah1 madame1 little do or can mortals know of the wonderful existence on our side of life1 and in some not very far away time you again will enter the marvellous spirit realms1 which language is too poor to describe1 and we1 with our dear ones who watch and wait for you will meet and greet you on the threshold of two worlds1 the spiritual and the physical4 ,yes1 madame1 we are nearing ,ento4 ,lower1 lower1 ,george4 ,that is well4 ,we will move slowly1 so that we may closely observe such scenes as may come into view4 ,we now are about #a1djj miles north of the equator1 and below us is a mountain range of no great altitude4 ,the height of its loftiest peak is not over #c1jjj feet4 ,those rugged heights are but the vestiges of snow-capped1 cloud-piercing giants of bygone ages4 ,yes1 in that shaded cleft is some snow1 and to mortal sense the air here would appear quite cool4 ,lower still1 ,george4 ,madame1 look downward now1 for beneath us is the deepest canyon on ,ento1 but in either area or depth it is not to be compared with many such formations on our ,planet4 ,george1 we will alight near the margin of the stream4 ,medium--,what a quiet1 solitary spot4 ,de ,l',ester--,it is indeed a quiet1 solitary spot4 ,here is a scant growth of grass amid which are some tufts of flowering plants and on yonder rocky elevation are some low-growing shrubs and stunted trees4 ,from its base upward the mountain's side is worn into deep fissures1 partly screened from view by shrubs and several species of conifera4 ,there is no sight or sound of bird or bee or of any living thing4 ,from the rocky ledges tiny rivulets of sparkling water trickle downward1 finding their ways to the level and into this limpid stream4 ,from yonder cleft in the mountain side a volume of water gushes with such energy that as it strikes the ledge lower down it is dashed into silvery spray whose myriad drops fall into the deep1 dark pool whose over-flow is tributary to this stream1 which flows southward1 then eastward1 finding entrance into an underground channel at the base of the mountain1 where it too curves outward1 thence debouching on the further side1 where it is joined by other streams1 all flowing into a small but pretty lake1 which later on you shall see4 ,madame1 you are silent4 ,does the quiet of this solitary spot oppress you8 ,medium--,friends1 ,i feel absolutely dazed4 ,i had thought to find everything on ,ento altogether unlike anything on ,earth1 yet here is water and there are tufts of star-shaped white and pink flowers very like some ,i have seen on ,earth4 ,then see those pretty purple flowers1 so closely resembling violets1 and on that elevation and up the mountain's side are shrubs1 trees and vegetation so very similar to growth on our own ,planet that you will pardon me for saying that not only am ,i surprised1 but in a sense am disappointed4 ,no1 ,george1 ,i did not imagine that ,i should find either people or trees growing upside down1 but ,i did imagine that surely there must exist more striking dissimilarities between the life expressions of this ,planet and our own4 ,such speculations relating to it as ,i have become aware of have led me to expect something very different from what thus far ,i have observed on ,ento4 ,von ,humboldt--,madame1 with your and our ,counsellor and guide's permission1 ,i shall say that since ,i have been not of ,earth1 ,i have journeyed far and have looked closely into nature as expressed on many habitable ,planets1 and ,i have learned that everywhere ,infinite1 ,intelligent ,energy is manifested in strikingly similar ways4 ,you have been told that the homogeneity of matter is universal4 ,that the qualities of metals of all ,planets are exactly the same and that the constituents of water never anywhere vary1 neither do the crystallized forms of either ever vary4 ,so it should not surprise you to find here water quite as palatable as the sparkling beverage of our ,earth-world4 ,of course their relative positions to1 and their distances from central ,suns1 occasion differences in the bodies of ,planets1 particularly as to their density2 then1 too1 in accordance with conditions1 atmospheres vary as to being rarefied or dense1 humid or dry and so on1 but life germs of fauna and flora ever are the same1 and given like or similar ,planetary conditions their expressions will present more or less close resemblances4 ,yes1 environments occasion differences1 but environments are the results of ,planetary conditions4 ,but that is too comprehensive a question for present consideration4 ,at another time we may recur to it4 ,the physical and atmospheric conditions of ,ento and ,earth being so much alike1 naturally their ,fauna and ,flora must present mutual likenesses4 ,as for chemical affinities and their unvarying expressions1 they are universal4 ,as has been said to you the universe is indeed a unit4 ,everywhere ,infinite1 ,intelligent ,energy seeks to express itself not only in harmony and beauty1 but along the same lines1 and ever toward a state of perfection1 beyond the highest conception of ,spirit or mortal1 for who can conceive an idea of that which is known by many names1 but whom you name ,god8 ,from my own observation and through association with spirits of advanced spheres whose mission1 like my own1 is ,planetary research1 ,i can say with assurance that among the life expressions of all sufficiently evolved ,planets there is what may be termed a universal homogeneity1 for while there are dissimilarities there are equally close resemblances which may be expressed as unity in variety4 ,as to man on ,ento1 ,earth and other ,planets1 we find our brethren so like ourselves that1 logically1 we all must claim the same origin4 ,yes1 madame1 ,i do assure you that in limitless space there are myriads of worlds1 varying as to bulk1 density1 and atmospheric conditions1 but in other respects so like ,ento and ,earth as to present fauna and flora very similar to those of either ,planet4 ,they are peopled by humans like ourselves1 in various stages of evolvement1 and all1 like the peoples of ,ento and ,earth1 are engaged in the endeavor to solve the problem of eternal progress4 ,between those on the lowest and those on the loftiest heights of progress on different ,planets1 the intermediate stages represent man in all degrees of evolvement4 ,on some ,planets ,i have visited1 man1--the human animal1 slowly1 through ages1--has pursued his certain way1 toward the period in which he is destined to become a ,spiritualized being1 and now the hairy1 unshapely limbed creature who scarcely walks erect1 with face full enough of the mystery of existence to startle one1 approaches nearly the line of demarcation between the human animal and the ,spirit man4 ,on other ,planets1 compared with man on either ,ento1 or ,earth1 the spiritualized human is as a god4 ,if what ,i have said may suffice as replies to your questions and remarks1 or may in some measure reconcile you to the close resemblances between features of ,ento and ,earth1 ,i shall account myself more than fortunate4 ,de ,l',ester--,thanks1 ,von ,humboldt1 for your timely remarks1 which we hope may lessen madame's regret at finding ,ento so like our own beloved ,planet1 and its human denizens so like ourselves1--with but one head1 two arms1 and as many legs4 ,madame1 ,i but jest that ,i may bring a smile to your perplexed face4 ,since ,i have accomplished that ,i feel that ,i may hope for pardon4 ,aside from affording you a general idea of the varied formations and scenery of ,ento1 we have a special purpose in bringing you to this spot4 ,we desire that you now shall closely observe these rose-colored1 lily-shaped blooms1 whose long slender stems springing from tufts of dark green1 glossy foliage are crowned with a profusion of the pretty1 dainty flowers4 ,as they will be used for one of our illustrations1 ,i will give their ,ento name--which is ,loisa3 yan1 in your language water gems or jewel4 ,these compact masses of prettily leafed plants with their numerous white1 star-like blooms are named ,oina3 mista34 ,oina3 signifying lamp and mista31 snow4 ,you will remember that to the ,entoans the shining points in space are the lamps of ,astranola31 hence ,oina3 mista31 or snow lamp4 ,yes1 these purplish blue flowers1 almost hidden by abundant foliage1 in form1 color and fragrance are very like ,earth's wild violets4 ,entoans know it as ,loisa3 infen1 but you may name it1 ,water drinker1 for that is as near the significance of its ,ento name as ,i can arrive at4 ,loisa3 yan1 oina3 mista31 and loisa3 infen1 always are found growing in marshy places1 or by the margin of flowing streams4 ,illustration3 ,,loisa ,,infuen ,now we will learn what yonder elevation may offer4 ,no1 it is not an isolated mass4 ,do not you perceive that on the further side it connects with the mountain of which1 doubtless1 it is a small spur8 ,i have said that in bringing you here we have had a special purpose in view4 ,in this pretty1 flowering plant our purpose stands revealed4 ,yes1 this is ,the ,hinifro enora34 ,the yellow wonder which requires so little soil or moisture as to be practically independent of either4 ,when1 nearly two years ago1 through your automatism1 ,poole created a copy of it1 promising to sometime on another ,planet show it to you growing and in bloom1 you smiled rather incredulously4 ,as we have fulfilled that promise1 so shall all else that we have promised you come to pass4 ,these densely foliaged trees are known as ,oona3mosa3 tla34 ,in your language this would signify burr-berry4 ,they seldom grow to a greater height than thirty feet4 ,yes1 they do resemble chestnut trees1 but the burrs contain berries1 not nuts1 and they now are fully ripened4 ,certainly it could not harm you to taste the fruit1 but through its extreme acidity and astringency it is very unpalatable4 ,we now will examine these pretty shrubs whose dark green1 glossy foliage renders them quite attractive4 ,the fruit has a luscious appearance but is unfit for human food4 ,its ,ento name is ,gfon litza31 which ,i shall translate into ,bitter sweet4 ,once ,inez was curious enough to taste this fruit and very much to her discomfiture4 ,as you are aware1 your sister was a still born child1 consequently her mortal education has been acquired under such difficulties as you1 in your present state1 little comprehend4 ,being of an inquiring turn of mind she investigates for herself1 at times gaining information at some cost1 which makes it all the more valuable4 ,inez--,de ,l',ester1 ,i owe you thanks for regarding my overweening curiosity so leniently4 ,i confess that ,i am of a very inquiring turn of mind1 but since largely through this means ,i acquire necessary mortal experiences which1 through my premature return to the spirit side1 were denied me1 ,i feel assured that your forbearance will condone what may amount to a fault4 ,de ,l',ester--,inez1 dear friend1 ,i did not mean that my brusquerie should occasion you even a passing thought4 ,pardon me if ,i may have caused you a suggestion of pain4 ,inez--,pardon is not a word that should pass between two such close friends as are we4 ,there1 ,i offer you my hand with my heart in it and thus the fancied wound is healed4 ,medium--,de ,l',ester1 ,george1 what a strange looking animal is emerging from that cleft in the mountain4 ,what an ungainly1 ugly creature and what vicious looking eyes it has4 ,de ,l',ester--,really1 the creature is as much a surprise to us as to you4 ,as none of us have seen its like on ,ento1 we must conclude that it belongs to a nearly extinct species4 ,that it is of the marsupial family is apparent4 ,its structural formation1 hair and other characteristics are those of your ,american opossum1 but its size is much greater than that of those creatures4 ,i should say that it is quite two feet in height1 four in length1 and its weight not under one hundred pounds4 ,as it comes this way sniffing1 grunting and rooting under the leaves for the fallen fruit of the ,oonamosa tla31 it impresses one with the idea that it is an ill-tempered1 pugnacious animal4 ,when our ,ento spirit friends join us we may learn its name1 habits and so on4 ,illustration3 ,,hinifro ,,enor,a3 ,although we twice have visited this canyon we have not1 until now1 seen in it an animal or bird of any kind1 but we have been informed that during the mid-summer season of this latitude a species of water-fowl comes here for breeding purposes1 but that as soon as their young are able to fly they migrate to other regions4 ,we know that very recently they were here in considerable numbers1 now not one remains4 ,earlier in the summer the canyon produces a harvest of wild grains1 and those low growing shrubs bear an abundance of fruit which affords them subsistence4 ,madame1 you perceive that the mountain curves toward the east2 now look quite to our left and you will observe a rift in it extending southward4 ,once when ,george with these and other friends were examining this region they discovered an opening in the rift1 leading into a cavernous formation which they consider worthy of observation4 ,as neither ,inez nor ,i have yet seen it1 we will share with you whatever of interest it may offer4 ,george1 you and ,inez will lead the way1 and ,i shall have the pleasure of assisting madame4 ,yes1 the entrance is somewhat forbidding4 ,we will remain here while ,george lights up the interior4 ,how8 ,through the ignition of elemental substances4 ,sooner or later all ,spirits learn the laws of chemical affinities4 ,it is a simple matter1 the production of molecular combustion4 ,we now will proceed4 ,this rather low and narrow passage widens as we descend1 and now terminates in this vast chamber1 which truly is wondrously beautiful4 ,stalactites depending from the lofty ceiling meet upspringing stalagmites1 forming seemingly endless rows of columns1 united by snowy arches so singularly perfect in their outlines as to present a spectacle strangely1 weirdly1 marvellously lovely4 ,in this soft radiance columns1 arches1 and walls appear as though incrusted with countless1 many colored jewels1 whose splendor might bedim the rarest1 costliest gems worn by ,ento's or ,earth's rulers4 ,we now will approach more nearly yonder grotesque formations1 which certainly are very remarkable4 ,sufficiently so to suggest a sermon on what some learned persons might term unintelligent energy in unintelligent matter4 ,be not alarmed1 friends1 though in these peculiar formations there are many sermons of a nature to arouse earnest inquiry2 at present ,i am not in a mood for sermonizing but ,i must say that they positively are startlingly strange4 ,one readily can imagine them animal forms of some far away age whom suddenly death stilled into immobility1 leaving to pitiful nature the kindly office of enveloping them in snowy winding sheets4 ,in this spacious niche is another group1 apparently composed of the forms of a man1 two females and the torso of a child1 all so admirable in outline1 pose and drapery as to suggest the skill of an able sculptor4 ,it1 indeed1 would require uncommon artistic ability to surpass1 or even equal the grace of this snowy group4 ,here is another formation still more wonderful than those we have been observing4 ,george1 you have done well to hold in reserve this masterpiece of nature4 ,it really is marvellous4 ,it is as though some weary mortal of a past age laid down to rest1 ,death coming this way blew upon him his icy breath and froze him into perpetual silence1 then gently enshrouding him in purest whiteness passed on1 leaving him to the peacefulness of endless sleep4 ,how many years have elapsed since nature began these strangely beautiful formations8 ,who can say8 ,not ,i1 madame4 ,such a lapse of time is inconceivable4 ,but we know that here1 during an unrealizable length of time1 from dripping water charged with lime1 atom has been added to atom and thus the stupendous wonder has grown1 grown in darkness1 and silence1 and never have any but ,spirit eyes gazed with admiring awe upon the splendor and loveliness of this scene which naught but ,infinite1 ,intelligent activity could create4 ,on no other ,planet have we found formations of this nature excelling these1 seldom have we seen them equaled4 ,those arched openings invite us into other divisions of this underground fairyland4 ,we will enter this chamber on our right4 ,these formations differ somewhat from those we have seen1 but are quite as beautiful4 ,see how those great stalagmites1 singly and in groups1 unite themselves with the white loveliness of descending stalactites1 all apparently forming a gateway to a veritable garden of snow trees and vegetation1 the drooping branches laden with blossoms and fruit1 forbidden fruit1 we may conclude1 as between it and ourselves there is a swiftly flowing stream4 ,what do ,i think of the ,biblical legend concerning ,adam and ,eve8 ,madame1 my opinion is1 that had the mythical garden been as beautiful as this the commendably inquisitive ,eve would have been content with the prescribed diet and the amiable ,adam would1 to this day1 be promenading under the ,edenic trees4 ,one is tempted to linger in this strangely beautiful spot1 but we must pass on4 ,we pointed out to you that the stream traversing the canyon entered an opening1 at the northern base of the mountain2 it is the same stream now rushing by us toward an exit at the southern side of the mountain1 thence into the lake of which we have spoken4 ,we now will cross it to glance through other portions of the cavern1 some of which1 ,george says1 are not greatly unlike those we already have explored4 ,medium--,although ,i have not seen them1 ,i know that on our ,planet there are formations similar to these2 may ,i ask are such formations features of all ,planets you have visited8 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 of all ,planets sufficiently aged4 ,do not you remember that on our moon we once showed you a cavern similar to1 but not nearly so extensive as this that contained stalactites and stalagmites too1 but of rather diminutive proportions8 ,you also may remember that we demonstrated to your satisfaction that there was a time when ,luna was capable of and did sustain many life expressions of both fauna and flora1 but that now the internal heat of the little ,planet is so nearly exhausted that but a limited number of peculiar life expressions survive the rigor of its extremely low temperature8 ,the history of a planet may be likened to that of a human4 ,in the case of the ,planet1 birth1 growth1 maturity1 with a gradual but unceasing withdrawal of vitalizing heat and energy1 which finally must culminate in the extinction of all its life forms1 aye1 of even the cohesive energy which has so long held it in form1 followed by inevitable disintegration of its atoms which are the building material of new worlds4 ,the parallel history of the human includes birth1 growth1 maturity1 then gradual withdrawal of vital energy1 during which the heart beats respond less vigorously to the crimson current which flows more and more sluggishly and the history draws near its conclusion4 ,the extremities grow colder1 colder1 animation dies out of the expressive features1 the eyes grow dim and sightless1 pulseless1 breathless1 lies the mortal body1 but it is not dead4 ,no1 no1 there is no death4 ,life is in every atom of the universe and the disintegrated particles of the physical body afford material for new life expressions1 while the freed ,ego1 the ever conscious1 cohesive1 vitalizing spirit force which held the mortal body in form assumes other and higher relations and thus revolves the wheel of evolution whose circumference is the universe1 whose centre is ,god4 ,madame1 you are so given to asking questions and ,i to loquacity that we too much delay our progress4 ,your pardon1 friends1 for having kept you waiting4 ,now we will move on4 ,yes1 it would be rather difficult for even a diminutive mortal to penetrate this passage which now widens and grows loftier1 and now we have reached the last of the series of caverns4 ,gradually we have been descending and now are far below the level of the entrance and on the brink of a deep and narrow chasm4 ,no occasion for alarm1 madame1 but to reassure you we will join hands4 ,inez1 you will take your sister's right hand1 giving your right hand to ,humboldt4 ,i will hold your left hand1 madame1 and ,agassiz1 with ,george1 will precede us4 ,george1 you will be good enough to light us down the abyss4 ,yes1 it is a tremendous chasm1 but here we stand1 safe and sound1 and you perceive that there was no danger4 ,it is too much to expect that1 while you yet are on the physical plane you will wholly free yourself from apprehension4 ,indeed1 we have experienced some misgiving as to the amount of courage you might exhibit on occasions to which1 during your mortal existence1 you must be unaccustomed4 ,george1 as you are acquainted with this uncanny locality1 ,i desire that ,i now may stand aside while you shall act as guide and ,i suggest that you shall say to madame something relating to our mission4 ,your discretion will limit your statements4 ,george--,you1 madame1 have been informed that certain ,spirits being aware that you possessed such qualities as gave promise of a peculiar phase of mediumship1 suited to a special purpose1 have since your birth1 been endeavoring to prepare you for it4 ,with measureless patience and loving care they have guarded and guided you1 sometimes by straight1 ofttimes through devious ways1 but ever toward a definite end4 ,finally it became possible to control you for our purpose and ,i1 with ,von ,humboldt1 ,darwin1 ,agassiz1 ,bulwer ,lytton1 ,giordano ,bruno and others of our band traversed ,ento1 with the purpose of arranging a programme against the time when we should have you with us4 ,as unfavoring events may oblige us to accommodate our movements to such circumstances as may occur1 we do not anticipate that our programme will1 in its entirety1 be carried to its conclusion1 but to that end we all will do our utmost1 and we feel assured that ,divine influences will aid us in our mission which1 as yet1 you but slightly comprehend1 but which in time will unfold itself4 ,one purpose we have in view is to show you much that will be of interest to you1 through whom we hope to bring to the peoples of our ,planet the positive knowledge that the neighboring world1 about which they are so curious1 has much in common with ,earth4 ,yes1 it is matter for regret1 that much concerning our journeys and mission must be left unsaid and that necessarily the written account of our experiences must be somewhat sketchy1 otherwise it would be too voluminous for the average reader's patient perusal4 ,through some ,ento spirits we learned of the existence of these great caverns and of a very unique spectacle which1 presently1 we will observe4 ,this one is much larger than any of those we have examined and1 as you perceive1 it contains no formation to break its immensity4 ,we are about eleven miles distant from the outer entrance and quite one thousand feet below its level4 ,a half mile further on will reveal the cause of this continuous vibration and the tumultuous detonations which resemble the discharge of artillery4 ,thanks to our spirit condition1 we are invulnerable to the condition existing here1 else we would not dare to approach the fiery horror we are nearing4 ,the roaring of ocean's storm-tossed waves is as nothing to the sounds breaking upon the stillness of these cavernous depths2 but fear not1 madame1 for with safety you may1 with us1 approach a scene so grand1 so appalling that you are not likely to ever forget it4 ,we now are in another great cavern whose floor slopes abruptly to this precipitous elevation and1 standing on its edge1 we look down upon a very hell of tumultuous flames4 ,yes1 lacking a stirring feature or two1 it easily might hold its own against ,dante's ,inferno4 ,look1 now1 away toward the left where is bursting forth a huge column of flame4 ,up1 up1 toward the vaulted roof it climbs1 twisting1 curving1 writhing like a gigantic serpent2 now it slowly sinks downward and is engulfed4 ,now in the distance a storm is raging4 ,see how the fiery billows are rising2 higher1 higher1 leaping and curving their angry crests they madly rush toward us as though they would overwhelm us and as they burst against this precipice1 involuntarily one shrinks back from their hot1 mephitic breath4 ,observe that pyramidal fountain near the centre4 ,is not it grandly1 wonderfully beautiful8 ,see how it forms itself into a rose shape1 while from its heart numerous jets shoot upward4 ,a moment and it is gone and all over the surface of the fiery lake myriad fantastic shapes of many hued flames are glowing1 scintillating and projecting themselves toward the lofty roof1 forming a magnificent pyrotechnic display4 ,the noise is indeed deafening and the ever changing spectacle so awe inspiring that words cannot adequately describe its terrible1 but wondrous beauty4 ,truly1 silence is at times golden4 ,medium--,still1 ,i should like some one to break the silence by an explanation of this1 to me1 strange phenomenon4 ,is it volcanic8 ,von ,humboldt--,one does not desire to long remain in proximity to this underground conflagration1 for1 madame1 that is what it is4 ,not for one moment could a mortal live in this mephitic atmosphere4 ,as you perceive even ,spirits are1 to a degree1 sensitive to it4 ,as we return toward the upper world ,i shall briefly explain to you the origin of the truly wonderful spectacle4 ,we have reached the cavern at the bottom of the chasm and if it may please you1 friends1 we will pause here while ,i shall attempt to satisfy ,madame's laudable curiosity4 ,all over ,ento in certain localities1 are deposits of the various coals of sulphur1 of naphtha1 of natural gas1 and of such mineral formations as are found on other ,planets1 and since remote times coal1 naphtha1 natural and manufactured gases as fuel and for lighting were universally used4 ,then came a knowledge of applied electricity1 and with this knowledge a disinclination for the old1 cumbrous methods of heating and lighting1 and ere long1 save in rural localities1 electricity became almost the sole illuminant and heating energy1 and coal as fuel fell into disuse2 but for certain uses1 to a limited extent1 it yet is mined4 ,the region in which1 for a period equaling nearly twenty years of your time this conflagration has been raging1 contained vast stores of bituminous coal1 sulphur and naphtha4 ,through some mischance a colliery became ignited1 and ere the danger became apparent1 the fire was inextinguishable4 ,a large area has been burned out1 extending to the southern base of the mountain where the fire burst into the immense cavern which holds1 as in a basin1 the terrific1 raging1 incandescent volume of heterogeneous matter4 ,as the coal deposit extends no further than the base of the mountain and other inflammable materials involved finally must become exhausted1 we may conclude that at no very distant time the conflagration will die out4 ,soon an opportunity will be afforded you for observing the devastation it has wrought elsewhere4 ,madame1 you owe me no thanks4 ,it is both my duty and my pleasure to contribute what ,i may to the interest of our undertaking4 ,medium--,may ,i ask if you still are interested in such researches as engaged your attention while in earth life8 ,von ,humboldt--,madame1 the bent of mind which1 during earth life1 has impelled mortals in certain directions or toward special pursuits1 is an inherent part of each individual4 ,entering upon an advanced plane of existence ,i found myself possessed of the same inclinations and traits as formerly characterized me4 ,the same may be said of our friends1 ,agassiz1 ,darwin1 ,bulwer ,lytton1 ,bruno and others of this ,band4 ,the chemist1 the mathematician1 the geologist1 the naturalist1 the astronomer1 the mystic each is true to his inherent traits or tendencies4 ,when freed from the ills and cares incident to mortal existence1 with quickened senses and desires1 with enlarged abilities and the universe an open book in which all who strive for attainment may learn to read the wondrous story written by ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy1 strange1 indeed1 would it be did not these and all aspiring ,spirits in time acquire a larger knowledge of such arts1 sciences or pursuits as dominated their lives on the physical plane4 ,in contradistinction one must use such terms as ,spirit1 mortal1 spiritual1 physical and others4 ,yet1 substantially1 they all are states of being4 ,spirit1 per se1 as we understand it1 is the vitalizing1 unchanging principle which expresses the infinite1 intelligent1 indestructible1 unvarying1 all pervading energy and in every atom of the universe this indivisible spirit is manifested4 ,as without substantiality there can be no existence or state of being1 conclusively1 spirit is substantial and all entities or individualized expressions of substance hold within them the spiritualized potentiality of evolution or growth4 ,and1 as in each individualized expression of substance there is a quality which may be termed plasticity1 it follows that through inheritance and environment entities evolve in various directions1 thus manifesting the scientific1 the artistic and other tendencies4 ,yes1 the spirit body is as substantial as is the physical body1 but of a finer expression of substance4 ,you now are apart from your physical body1 yet you are conscious that your spirit body is substantial1 and where there is consciousness there is being1 which is but another name for spirit4 ,i may add that there is not an atom of the universe that is not1 in a certain sense1 conscious1 hence1 in a certain sense1 individualized and intelligent4 ,i am aware1 madame1 that ,i have answered your questions in a superficial manner2 at present ,i cannot do otherwise4 ,our chemist is ready to light our way to the outer world and you will allow me to assist you4 ,as we proceed1 ,i shall1 with your permission1 relate a past personal experience4 ,age and infirmity came to me as it comes to many1 and the hour of my departure from earth life drew near4 ,for a time ,i had lain apparently unconscious1 though really ,i was fully alive to all that was transpiring about me1 and gradually1 yet with a certain suddenness1 ,i experienced a most peculiar sensation4 ,i felt as though ,i were ascending what seemed to be a rift between walls of adamant4 ,darkness so profound ,i never before had experienced and1 in some perplexity1 ,i reached out my hands and groped blindly1 hoping to touch something that might indicate my whereabouts2 but in vain4 ,the sensation of being between two walls continued and ,i felt myself ascending1 ever ascending4 ,i do not recall that ,i experienced a sense of alarm1 but in an indolent fashion ,i queried as to what the peculiar sensation might mean4 ,certainly1 ,i did not associate it with the change called death4 ,suddenly1 as we now come into the sunlight1 ,i emerged into a soft radiance1 indescribably1 gloriously beautiful1 and in great surprise ,i looked about me1 seeing nothing but the soft radiance which wrapped me about as with a garment4 ,great as was my surprise1 ,i at once began to wonder where ,i was and as to what had occurred to me4 ,was ,i dreaming8 ,was ,i delirious8 ,no1 ,i was fully awake and in possession of all my senses4 ,yet something unusual had occurred4 ,surely ,i had not died4 ,no1 that could not be1 for here1 ,i said1 is my body1 and ,i am as alive as a man can be4 ,perceiving that ,i could move about through the bewildering1 unaccountable radiance1 ,i began to investigate my surroundings which1 imperceptibly1 had assumed an air of strangeness4 ,imagine1 if you can1 my amazement when1 after a little1 ,i found myself standing near my old1 worn body over which friends were tenderly bending1 closing its wide open1 dim eyes1 smoothing its scant locks1 and otherwise preparing it for its last resting place4 ,as spellbound ,i gazed upon the pitiful scene1 ,i felt1 rather than saw1 some one near me4 ,turning1 ,i1 in great surprise beheld a company of radiant beings1 who called to me in joyous tones3 ,alexander6 ,alexander6 ,we have come to meet and greet you2 come with us1 come away from this ,sorrowful ,star#a to our glorious spirit realms4 ,in a moment ,i recognized dear1 long-lost friends of my youth4 ,in a moment ,i was in the embraces of my parents1 no longer aged1 but glowing with life1 with love1 with the beauty of immortals4 ,there were my nearest and dearest ones1 each vieing with the others in joyous congratulations upon my having been freed from ,earth life4 ,all1 all with loving embraces and tenderest speech1 drew me away from my mortal home to the realms of immortals1 the realms which know neither death or hopeless partings4 ,has this reminiscence wearied you8 ,no8 ,then ,i shall not regret having related it4 ,you1 and all mortals1 must pass through the change called death4 ,when this change shall come to you the memory of this recital may aid you in your ascent from the physical to the spiritual plane of being4 ,de ,l',ester--,dear friend1 you are silent4 ,nay1 you need not tell me why4 ,i read your thoughts1 as you might read an open book4 ,true1 the change called death must come to you1 as it must come to all mortals1 yet dread it not1 for so frail is the tie between your real self and your physical body that almost ere your physical eyes shall be closed as in sleep1 your spirit eyes will open to undreamed of glories4 ,now make your adieux1 for we must not hold you with us longer4 ,george1 ,i shall accompany you and this somewhat wearied comrade to her home1 where approaching night is already enfolding her physical body with darkening shadows4 ,across space with the speed of thought we have journeyed4 ,and now commending you to the care of angelic guardians1 whose watchful love ever protects you4 ,au revoir4 ,,footnotes3 ,footnote #a3 ,spirit name for ,earth1 ,the ,sorrowful ,star4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,giordano ,,bruno4 ,de ,l',ester--,good morning1 madame4 ,it gladdens us to find you quite recovered from the exhaustion of yesterday and in such a cheerful mood1 and ready for our journey to ,ento1 which only for a few moments will we delay4 ,yes1 we propose returning to the locality of our visit of yesterday1 from whence we shall prosecute our quest for further experiences4 ,how long shall we hold you with us to-day8 ,for at least three1 possibly four hours4 ,all will depend upon your endurance1 and may loving angels strengthen and sustain you1 for only through your instrumentality can we hope to attain the fulfillment of the emprise so ardently desired by countless hosts of many spirit worlds4 ,now1 away for ,ento4 ,our swift movement no longer disturbs you8 ,no8 ,we knew that soon you would adjust yourself to it4 ,george1 we will descend to the rift in the mountain4 ,you recognize the spot1 madame8 ,yes1 that is the entrance to the cavern1 and our way lies through this rugged1 fern-clad rift to the further side of the mountain4 ,the convulsion which rent it asunder must have been a terrific one4 ,how long ago did it occur8 ,it is our opinion1 madame1 that it may have occurred at about the period during which our planet was assuming recognizable form1 which was so long ago as to be not a matter of years1 but of ages4 ,illustration3 ,,oina ,,mista ,as we proceed1 the rift narrows into this gloomy defile1 overhung by insecure-looking crags1 from which1 we emerge into the sunlight4 ,what a beautiful spot is this niche in the southern slope of the mountain6 ,it is a veritable flower garden4 ,indeed1 madame1 ,i wish you might bear to your ,earth home some of these lovely1 fragrant1 white star flowers4 ,yes1 they are a variety of ,oina3 mista34 ,the tiny stream trickling from the mountain's side provides necessary moisture1 and the sun so warms the sheltered nook that the growth of the plants is very luxuriant4 ,these star-like blooms are fitting emblems of the spirit group of which you and ,inez are members4 ,what do ,i mean8 ,why1 have not you been told that in our spirit realms1 as in the spirit realms of all worlds1 the law of affinity1 holds ,spirits in different groups1 which are designated by different names8 ,both you and ,inez belong to the group known as ,star ,angels4 ,onerous as is your present mission1 on your return to the spirit side it will be no less so1 for the ,star ,angels are the teachers of the ,spirits who wander in darkness in the ,earth spirit sphere1 multitudes of whom scarcely1 if at all1 realize that they have left the physical body1 and ever are hovering about the places where formerly they existed4 ,not alone to those whose mortal lives were passed amid vice and squalor and wretchedness2 not alone to those who were the very undertow of the murky tide of human degradation and misery2 not alone to these do the ,star ,angels minister4 ,there are myriads of men and women who have passed1 and continually are passing1 to the spirit side of life1 who have dwelt in luxurious homes1 surrounded by all the splendors and delights their selfish1 perverted natures craved2 having1 during their ,earthly existence1 chosen spiritual darkness rather than light1 they reap as they have sowed1 and in sorrow and bitter anguish gather up their sheaves of tares4 ,to such unhappy ones the ,star ,angels also minister4 ,in the ,earth spirit sphere licentiousness1 selfishness1 uncharitableness1 envy1 cruelty and all the baser animal passions are the chains which hold the ,spirit in bondage4 ,separation from the physical body makes no change in the status of the physically disembodied ,spirit4 ,it goes to its own place1 and cannot go elsewhere1 until it has earned advancement to a higher plane4 ,madame1 ,i should like to make my replies as endless as your questions1 but this mutual pleasure must be deferred4 ,we will now move toward what has aptly been named ,moentos hoa3 falados1 for1 truly1 it is a desolate valley1 made so through the conflagration to which ,humboldt has alluded4 ,we will pause on this elevation1 underneath which is the remarkable spectacle we recently observed4 ,the roaring1 rumbling1 hissing sounds and constant vibration of this spot are rather disquieting1 but as they can work us no injury we need not hasten our departure4 ,in this region during the winter season there is a heavy snowfall as spring advances1 the snow rapidly melts1 rains add to the volume of water which pour down the mountain side and into those fissures from which gases and smoke are issuing4 ,the water coming in contact with the fire raging deep down beneath the surface1 tremendous explosions occur1 casting out such quantities of ashes that1 as you perceive1 the entire valley is covered as with a parti-colored mantle4 ,vegetation there is none1 and living creatures shun the pestilent locality4 ,previous to the conflagration the valley afforded sustenance for a large number of agriculturists and others engaged in various occupations4 ,at the further end of the valley we yet perceive vestiges of the wrecked homes and industries of a busy community4 ,on our right the mountain spur separates this valley from another of about the same conformation and area4 ,we will now pass on to it4 ,george1 you will allow me to assist your sister4 ,as you see1 madame1 the summit of this mountain spur is nearly level4 ,its eastern side1 which forms the western boundary of the ,valley of ,desolation1 is somewhat abrupt1 while on the west it gently slopes toward the picturesque and lovely valley at its foot4 ,as this spot affords a fine view of what we desire that you shall observe we will for a little remain here4 ,nearly two centuries of ,earth time have elapsed since this valley became a solitude4 ,the climate is temperate and salubrious1 the soil prolific1 and water abundant1 yet no ,entoan could be induced to attempt to dwell in this ill-fated locality4 ,from ,ento spirits we have learned the story of the horror which led to its abandonment4 ,as briefly as possible ,i shall relate it4 ,while in the canyon you were told that its converging streams1 through an underground channel1 flowed into a lake1 which later on you should see4 ,behold the sparkling waters of the canyon1 the swiftly flowing stream of the cavern gushing forth nearly at our feet4 ,observe that several mountain rivulets add to its volume1 which empties itself into yonder tranquil1 oval sheet of water1 which1 like a great mirror framed in emeralds reflects in its depths the sapphire sky1 and white1 ever-changing forms of fleecy clouds4 ,previous to its abandonment the valley1 which is about seventeen ,english miles in length1 and half as many in width1 was for the most part devoted to the cultivation of grains and fruits4 ,for the convenience of those dwelling on either side it became necessary to bridge the little river4 ,those substantial piers of stone and iron1 attest to the dimension and stability of the structure of nearly two centuries ago4 ,where the river empties into the lake was another and more imposing bridge1 and there we perceive a number of great white piers1 like ghostly sentinels1 keeping watch over the ruins of a once populous city1 extending from the bridge to far along the eastern and western shores of the lake4 ,the name of the city was ,ptsa3a3 ,tyl4 ,in your language ,ptsa3a3 signifies pearl4 ,hence1 ,ptsa3a3 ,tyl signifies ,city of ,pearls1 so named because of certain pearl-bearing mollusks inhabiting the lake and river4 ,in ,ptsa3a3 ,tyl were magnificent temples and institutions of learning1 and its private residences1 were surpassingly beautiful4 ,its various industries flourished and prosperity smiled upon a cultivated and opulent community4 ,suddenly an ominous oppressiveness weighted the atmosphere1 and1 nature aghast1 was as silent as death4 ,then from toward the south came a seismic wave1 the ground trembled1 heaved and burst asunder into yawning fissures1 towering temples crashed to the ground in fragments1 and public buildings and private dwellings were shaken from their foundations in ruinous masses4 ,fire added to the horror of the catastrophe and no one attempted to stay the conflagration4 ,terror-stricken1 all who survived the sudden disaster strove to escape from the deadly peril to a place of safety4 ,at intervals1 during two days and nights1 the appalling shocks continued1 and it was estimated that fully one-third of the population of ,ptsa3a3 ,tyl1 and the valley perished outright1 or died from injuries1 terror and exposure4 ,after the subsidence of the seismic disturbances the survivors returned to look after their dead1 and1 peradventure1 to find some remnants of their belongings2 but so effectually had fire and destructive elements done their work1 that but few of their dead were recovered1 and only the ruins of their beautiful city remained4 ,ever since that dread visitation1 at intervals in this locality slight seismic shocks have occurred1 and no one has been found adventurous enough to attempt to dwell in it4 ,previous to this destructive event1 this valley was one of the most desirable spots on this portion of the planet4 ,sheltered as it is by the mountain1 its mean temperature is considerably higher than that of other regions of the same latitude1 and being thoroughly cultivated it produced certain grains1 fruits and vegetables in unusual abundance4 ,nature1 left to her own devices1 has perpetuated some grains1 fruits and vegetables1 but the harvests are gathered by wild creatures1 who1 being undisturbed1 have increased prodigiously4 ,the air is vocal with the notes of many birds1 some of gay1 others of modest plumage1 and trees and undergrowth are alive with small animals1 whose chatterings are to you unfamiliar4 ,underlying the valley and the outlying region are coal fields1 reservoirs of naphtha1 and deposits of various kinds1 exactly corresponding with those of our ,planet1 and in this mountain range are immense stores of gold1 silver and other minerals4 ,elsewhere these minerals are mined or otherwise procured1 but this locality will remain undisturbed for as long as occasional slight seismic disturbances occur or those ruins serve as reminders of the terrible catastrophe which destroyed ,ptsa3a3 ,tyl4 ,to the ,entoans life is the chiefest consideration1 and no inducement is strong enough to tempt them to risk losing it4 ,could our daring ,earth men voyage between our ,planet and ,ento1 how quickly would this solitude be overrun with a gold mad multitude4 ,come here1 they some time may1 but1 heigh-ho1 they will then care not at all for all the gold in the universe4 ,medium--,do the peoples of ,ento and of other ,planets consider gold and silver more precious than other metals8 ,de ,l',ester--,we have visited many ,planets peopled by humans1 and wherever we have found them sufficiently evolved to be able to distinguish the qualities of things1 we also have found gold and silver taking precedence of all other metals4 ,the ,ento name of gold is ,vybo1 which in your language might mean either glittering1 shining or brilliant4 ,on this ,planet gold is almost the only currency1 and you will have an opportunity for observing that it is coined in flat1 oblong pieces of varying weights4 ,on the largest coin is what may be termed the national emblem1 a hand holding a full blown ,rodel4 ,on other pieces are characters or symbols denoting their values4 ,the ,ento name for silver is ,rytza31 and as currency1 it relatively holds about the same value as copper holds in the estimation of your nation4 ,indeed1 with the ,entoans1 copper is little less valuable than silver1 but for ornamentation and the finer uses they prefer gold and silver to any other metals4 ,repeatedly you have been told that the components of all ,planets are the same4 ,from unquestionable sources the truth has come to us that the formulas of the ,divine ,chemist never vary4 ,thus ,ento1 ,earth and other planets1 in proportion with their bulk and density1 contain a due amount of each universal component4 ,on this ,planet during past ages1 attrition and disintegration have been releasing the precious metals so that they are easily procurable1 and this has led to their application to common uses4 ,you say that you find it difficult to adjust yourself to a belief in or1 rather1 to a realization of the homogeneity of matter4 ,that is not to be wondered at4 ,old beliefs which1 as a rule1 are old superstitions1 cling to one with great tenacity4 ,nevertheless1 it is a fact1 and a comprehension of it will enable you to adjust yourself to other facts1 one of which is that the ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy compels each and every atom to assume its orderly relation to all other atoms4 ,further1 that indeed1 atoms are embryotic universes1 each atom containing within itself all the properties which anywhere exist1 and any one atom may form the nucleus about which other atoms may congregate1 until a world is in process of formation4 ,but such was not the formative process which brought this ,planet and our distant ,world into recognition as members of our ,solar ,system4 ,to reply intelligibly to your questions is one thing1 to do so satisfactorily is another affair4 ,at least ,i may hope that ,i have not shocked you4 ,no6 ,then on some other occasion ,i may feel emboldened to recur to this subject4 ,now1 one more look at the tranquil lake still mirroring in its limpid water fleecy clouds and sapphire sky4 ,one more look at this lovely valley so luxuriantly clothed with grasses1 flowering plants1 shrubs1 trees and blossoming vines1 and we will flit to yonder distant mountain peak4 ,allow me the pleasure of aiding you4 ,ah1 what a pleasing view6 ,madame1 you will kindly attempt a description of it4 ,medium--,to the best of my poor descriptive ability ,i shall try to meet your wishes4 ,extending westward are plains reaching further than my sense of vision4 ,from the base of the mountain1 southward1 the surface of the land is broken into shallow1 valley-like depressions1 covered with luxuriant vegetation4 ,to the left is a forest of gigantic trees1 and in the distance and toward the south ,i see houses and cultivated lands and some animals grazing4 ,thanks1 ,george1 ,i do not care to approach them more nearly1 ,i see them quite distinctly1 and they closely resemble one of the animals already described4 ,i mean the one so like a horse1 but they are smaller1 and they are altogether white1 excepting their black1 short1 erect manes and long black tails4 ,de ,l',ester--,they are a smaller variety of the same animal1 and they and their larger relatives1 are at times used for such purposes as the peoples of our planet use the horse4 ,they are designated as ,lma3 ,zon1 and their services as draught animals are but seldom required1 the ,entoans regarding them more as a luxury than as a necessity4 ,the animal near yonder clump of shrubbery is a cross between the ,lma3 ,zon and another animal known as the ,algo4 ,yes1 it is a graceful and handsome creature1 its marked peculiarities are its coat of long1 silken brown hair and its very erect appearance1 the result of its shoulders being a trifle higher than its haunches4 ,otherwise it closely resembles the ,lma3 ,zon4 ,george will now assist you downward to the level4 ,george--,ever at your service1 my sister4 ,gently gliding toward the plain1 ,in my arms ,i safely hold you2 ,downward1 downward1 once again1 ,here we are on terra firma4 ,i take it for granted that you all admire my poetry4 ,de ,l',ester--,your doggerel1 rather4 ,george--,unadulterated envy prompted that ungracious remark4 ,alas6 how often genius excites jealousy or goes unrecognized save by superior minds4 ,but ,i am magnanimous and ,i forgive you4 ,a poet can afford to be generous to one less gifted than himself4 ,it really appears as though you all are more interested in this browsing ,algo than in my inspired utterances4 ,i shall console myself with the reflection that as time is endless ,i can afford to wait for appreciation4 ,in the meantime1 shall we follow the course of this sparkling rivulet1 which further on loses itself in a marshy tract8 ,de ,l',ester1 as you are more familiar with the flora of ,ento than am ,i1 ,i shall now be silent4 ,a poet should not be expected to know everything4 ,illustration3 ,,lois,a3 ,,mican,a3 ,de ,l',ester--,your modesty1 ,george1 is only a little less admirable than your poetry4 ,what more can ,i say8 ,you perceive1 madame1 that ,spirits1 as well as mortals1 at times indulge in a bit of nonsense4 ,ah6 you recognize these tufts of pretty flowers4 ,yes1 it is the vining water lily1 which our artist friend1 ,poole1 drew for you two years ago4 ,see how bees are extracting sweets from its pink chalices1 which are quite as fragrant as the flower you name tuberose4 ,you have been informed that the ,ento word ,loisa3 stands for our words water1 lake1 pond1 reservoir1 stream and so on1 and that the ,rodel is the representative of the ,ento lily family4 ,loisa3 mcana3 is a diminutive relative of the true ,rodel1 and1 with the ,entoans1 who are flower lovers1 it is a universal favorite4 ,in your language1 mcana3 would mean angular1 crooked1 curved and twisted1 and you will pronounce it ,mcana3h4 ,this variety of the ,rodel always is found by the margins of streams or in marshy localities4 ,its long1 slender1 crooked leaf and flower stalks convey the impression of a vining tendency1 hence its name4 ,see how the rivulet is bordered with this and other blooming plants whose white1 red1 blue and yellow tints present an endless array of floral beauties4 ,yes1 several of them have been drawn for you by ,poole and ,jared ,james4 ,i believe you and ,jared had a slight unpleasantness over one of his drawings4 ,he is a very right minded person1 but does not take kindly to interference with his plans4 ,as we move along you may observe that the rivulet is widening and losing itself in yonder great marshy tract1 and if you will look toward our left you will see something that may surprise you4 ,certainly1 we may go nearer4 ,yes1 this is the same gorgeous1 carmine hued1 many petaled1 golden centred ,water ,queen1 so faithfully reproduced for you by ,aaron ,poole4 ,you may recall that at the time it was drawn we promised to some time show you the growing plant4 ,poised on their long1 slender flower stalks and stirred by the breeze1 the stately beauties bow this way and that1 as though in gracious acknowledgment of the homage of the myriad blooms growing luxuriantly all over the marsh and filling the air with their sweet perfume4 ,the queen1 though holding her head so loftily1 has only her beauty to commend her4 ,such odor as she exhales is very objectionable1 and her train of many slender stemmed leaves falling about her feet and onto the limpid pool which serves her majesty for a looking glass1 are covered with a viscid exudation1 and woe to such insects as may alight on their treacherous surface4 ,her royal highness is known as ,loisa3 ,gentolissima4 ,in these nearby1 showy masses of bloom you will recognize the ,water ,princess4 ,considering the difficulties in the way1 ,poole certainly very fairly reproduced those two plants4 ,you may observe that the ,princess differs from the ,queen in having shorter1 thicker flower stalks1 smaller leaves1 fewer petals of a paler carmine1 and her pistils and stamens are of a brownish tint4 ,this near relative of the queen is ,loisa3 ,gentolana34 ,your ,english words1 lady1 friend1 gentle1 loving1 kind1 beloved and the like1 in the ,ento language is represented by the word ,gentola34 ,the affixes ana31 ana3a31 issima1 issima3a31 ena31 na3a3 and others add to the word gender1 number1 dignity1 distinction1 tenderness and so on4 ,frequently one or more of these or other affixes are used as diminutives4 ,you will remember this1 as the word is a common one and used in varying senses4 ,medium--,you speak of this or that as being known to the ,entoans by such or such a name4 ,am ,i to understand that all ,entoans speak the same language8 ,illustration3 ,,lois,a3 ,,gentolissim,a3 ,de ,l',ester--,strictly speaking1 the ,entoans have but one language1 which is spoken by all educated persons1 but among what you might term the common people of different ,provinces there are dialects and provincialisms1 but not of a very marked character4 ,yes1 all the peoples of ,ento are1 to a greater or lesser degree1 educated4 ,nowhere on the planet does a condition approaching barbarism exist4 ,in every community there are industrial and other schools1 which the youthful ,entoans are obliged to attend2 thus all become fitted for such occupations as they may choose4 ,ere long two friends from ,ento's spirit spheres1 who at times serve with our ,band1 will join us4 ,they are more competent to afford you special information relating to ,ento educational matters than are we4 ,medium--,allow me to remark that1 having all my life heard of but one ,heaven1 it seems strange to hear you speak of other heavens or spheres1 as belonging to other ,planets4 ,de ,l',ester--,doubtless it may appear strange to you4 ,for myself1 upon entering our spirit world1 one of my great surprises was to meet ,spirits from other ,planetary spirit spheres who had come into our realms on voyages of discovery or to make acquaintance with us and our ways4 ,no1 only very advanced spirits can journey unaided beyond their own spirit spheres4 ,those less advanced1 by which ,i mean less spiritualized1 may1 when assisted1 visit other planets and their spirit spheres4 ,yes1 all ,planets inhabited by the spiritualized human are surrounded by their own spirit spheres4 ,your beloved and loving son implores us to allow him to accompany his dear mother on these journeys1 and1 through earnest endeavor he progresses so rapidly that we purpose attempting soon to bring him with us4 ,nearly five of earth's fleeting years have greatly added to ,bernard's spiritual growth and strength4 ,earth life with its temptations1 its defeats and victories1 now appear to him as a troubled1 vanishing dream1 dreamer and dream alike sorrowful4 ,heredity1 overlapping tendencies of previous embodiments and environments1 largely1 are the influences which act as character builders4 ,bernard's really fine1 generous nature on one hand served him as armor against foes without and within1 on the other hand it rendered him vulnerable to assaults to which impetuous youth ever is subjected4 ,but he builded as well as he could4 ,so do all4 ,every one rough hews his own character and1 through the ,divinity who shapes all ends1 eventually all learn to build according to the perfect law of love4 ,yes1 we are aware that ,bernard has made you acquainted with his experiences and progress1 and be assured that all that loving service can offer is aiding him in his highest aspirations4 ,we have not yet informed you that a dear friend1 a member of our ,band1 is to meet us here1 and at any moment he may arrive4 ,no1 you have not yet met him1 but--,ah1 here he comes6 ,hail6 hail6 and a welcome from all4 ,madame1 this is ,giordano ,bruno1 of whom ,i doubt not you have some knowledge4 ,we are delighted that you are to have the pleasure of a mutual acquaintance4 ,bruno--,madame1 ,i kiss your hand and shall be honored if ,i may place you among my closest friends4 ,medium--,i assure you that ,i appreciate the kindness which prompts you to meet me in such a friendly fashion4 ,de ,l',ester--,according to prearrangements1 our friend and comrade1 ,bruno1 has come to take an active part in our plans4 ,he and ,george1 having made a study of certain features of our programme will1 from time to time1 lead our movements4 ,i now shall give way to one whom we all delight to honor4 ,bruno--,i am charmed1 madame1 that henceforth ,i shall have a place in the ,band of which you are the valued instrument4 ,since my entrance into our spirit world1 ,i have experienced much pleasure in visiting this and other ,planets1 but seldom have ,i desired to return to our own sorrowful ,star4 ,memories of the terrible1 woeful torture that freed me from my physical body have disinclined me to look upon the land of my birth4 ,ah1 how often recollections of that sorrowful time force themselves upon my consciousness4 ,never have ,i been able to forget the hour when1 rather than renounce what ,i knew to be a truth1 ,i yielded up my mortal existence4 ,but ,giordino ,bruno lives4 ,aye1 despite the ignorance and cruelty of men who1 in the name of the gentle1 loving ,nazarene condemned him to an ignominious death2 he lives and knows as many of earth's learned ones now know1 that worlds do revolve4 ,aye1 that systems of worlds as infinite in number1 as the universe is infinite in extension1 pursue their appointed ways through space1 proclaiming as they fly3 ,god is ,infinite1 ,god is ,law1 ,god is ,truth1 ,god is ,all4 ,despite ,papal excommunication and condemnation to eternal torment1 ,giordino ,bruno lives in a realm so surpassingly fair that even tongue of archangel cannot declare the glory thereof4 ,madame1 will you bear from me a message to the peoples of your native land8 ,yes8 ,then ,i thank you4 ,children of earth's most favored land--children of ,america1 ,i1 ,giordino ,bruno1 once a citizen of sun-kissed ,italy1 greet you4 ,rejoice unceasingly that freedom of thought and speech are yours4 ,guard jealously this priceless blessing which through centuries of bloodshed1 torturing flames and agony unspeakable has become your heritage4 ,glorious indeed are your ,united ,states of ,america1 blest beyond expression in being as a ,city of refuge to the oppressed of other nations4 ,not yet1 ,heaven born one1 have you outgrown your years of infancy and1 though yet with uncertain steps you totter and waver1 ever your generous hands are extended toward the helpless1 ever your loving heart is pitiful for those who drink of the overflowing cup of human misery4 ,ever your eyes are brimful of compassionate tears for the unfortunates beyond ocean's watery wastes to whom your voice is as the voice of an angel crying3 ,come to us6 come to us6 and share with us our bounteous store4 ,come to us and be free as we are free4 ,i greet you1 child ,republic4 ,thou1 indeed1 art the brightest jewel in earth's diadem of nations4 ,freedom is thy most precious possession2 lest selfish greed and love of power may seek to wrest it from thee1 wear it next thy heart4 ,swear by all that to you is sacred1 that neither political nor religious intolerance shall find foothold upon your soil4 ,let your unalterable declaration be3 ,liberty of conscience1 liberty of speech for all2 license for no one4 ,cherish in your heart of hearts a love of justice1 of forbearance1 of toleration1 of that charity which neither thinketh nor doeth evil1 but permit no faction or ,religion to interfere with your liberty of righteous action4 ,insidiously1 aristocratic ideas are striving to cross the threshold of your ,temple of ,equality4 ,guard well its doorways4 ,sacrilegious hands are seeking to smirch the records of your courts of justice2 let your vengeance fall swiftly upon the offenders4 ,on the fair face of your ,goddess of ,liberty there is a troubled frown2 beware lest she turn from you in anger4 ,spotless is her snowy robe1 children of earth's greatest ,republic4 ,see to it4 ,see to it that in the coming years you shall not stain it with your heart's best blood4 ,may the angels who watch over the destinies of nations be strong enough to guide through the perilous future your ,ship of ,state1 which1 through calm and storm steers toward an unknown shore4 ,amen6 ,amen6 ,madame1 our spirit realms are deeply interested1 not only in the progress of the ,united ,states of ,north ,america1 but of the entire continent4 ,it is a matter for regret that your people do not more fully realize that they are an object lesson for all the other nations of ,earth4 ,the heart-beats of your ,republic send a vitalizing current through all the peoples of our planet4 ,how all-important then1 that this life current shall flow unpolluted to the hearts and brains of all nations4 ,madame1 through your kindly attention to my words you have made me your debtor1 but ,i feel assured that if these friends can bear with me1 ,i may ask as much of your courtesy4 ,now1 with your permission1 we propose conferring on you a new name4 ,in madame there is no comradeship4 ,medium you do not fancy4 ,sara is somewhat familiar4 ,gentola31 an ,ento name1 we consider very appropriate4 ,will you allow us to know you by this name1 whose significance you understand8 ,yes8 ,then with ,love and ,truth as sponsors1 you shall be to us ,gentola34 ,george--,congratulations are in order4 ,with tenderest1 truest affection1 ,i offer mine4 ,de ,l',ester--,as all are children of ,the ,one1 ,i offer a brother's love and devotion4 ,agassiz--,de ,l',ester's sentiment is also mine4 ,humboldt--,and mine1 too1 our friend1 our sister4 ,inez--,and mine1 for my sister by birth and for love's sake4 ,gentola--,friends1 this is a strange christening1 and for a time1 ,i fancy that my new name will to me seem equally strange4 ,i promise you that ,i shall strive to be all that it signifies4 ,bruno--,we chose the name because we know that it indicates your nature1 which is in tune with all that is best in the human4 ,now1 ,gentola31 what ,i have to say is in line with the pursuits of our friends1 ,agassiz and ,von ,humboldt1 consequently1 quite aside from the science which engages me4 ,but1 having1 with ,george1 and other friends1 explored this portion of ,ento it is thought that ,i am qualified to offer you such information as may be pertinent to the present stage of our mission4 ,on ,ento during a remote age1 there existed certain amphibious creatures so enormously large and unwieldy that only through their prodigious strength could they have coped with other fierce1 active1 gigantic forms of that early time4 ,scarcely can one realize their size1 their uncouth forms or their extreme ferocity1 which impelled them to a continuous warfare against not only their own kind1 but against other species equally huge and aggressive4 ,as has been said1 ,spirits1 on our side of life1 sufficiently progressed1 can and do visit ,planets1 not only of our ,solar ,system1 but of other systems of worlds1 and now1 as at all times1 there are ,planets of our and other systems evolved to a degree analogous to that of ,ento1 during the age in which these and similar creatures existed4 ,through observation of conditions obtaining on such ,planets1 we arrive at a conception of the appalling conditions that must have existed on ,ento during the ,reptilian ,age1 when the steaming waters teemed with countless life forms and on unstable shores huge creatures fought to the death1 filling the hot1 moisture-laden atmosphere with their savage cries1 roarings and hissings4 ,cunning1 sagacity1 instinct1 call it what we may1 is an accumulated unfoldment of innate ability expressed as the sum of inherited experiences2 hence1 on ,ento1 in that age1 the cunningest1 the strongest1 the most active and tenacious of certain species survived the many calamitous occurrences which swept out of existence myriad reptilian creatures4 ,yes1 modified through environments1 even yet pigmy representatives of ancient1 huge ancestors inhabit the watery divisions of ,ento4 ,previous to the spiritualized man epoch there was an enormous production and destruction of life forms1 and in time ,ento became a vast repository of fossilized remains4 ,time1 climatic changes and other causes so contributed to their destruction that only petrified specimens of the larger and later reptiles are occasionally discovered4 ,how long ago did the earliest ,ento humans appear8 ,gentola31 the germinal man of ,ento appeared when the first life cells swarmed in the warm waters of the young ,planet4 ,but the evolved human1 the ,spiritualized ,man1 became conscious of himself long after the great creatures of the ,reptilian ,age had of necessity yielded place to no less huge quadrupeds1 who were more highly evolved expressions of life4 ,when one speaks of an event as having occurred some hundreds of thousands of years gone1 in the mind of an uninformed auditor it is likely to occasion a sense of incredulity4 ,but ,i safely may say that the lapse of time which merged the ,reptilian into the ,mammalian ,age1 during which came to the evolved human animal his crowning glory1 a spiritualized1 conscious existence1 if measured by years1 might be compared with the countless sands upon the seashore4 ,now we must recur to the matter under consideration4 ,as you perceive1 this division of the plain extends from the base of the mountain to the verge of this extensive morass1 which rests in a basin-shaped formation of limestone4 ,the plain itself is the result of ages of attrition and disintegration of the foothills of the mountain chain1 and the morass is the result of many centuries of accumulated remains of vegetable growths and dbris washed from mountain and plain into the basin of what once was one of a chain of fresh water lakes4 ,its southern rim is a rather narrow ledge of limestone1 once of considerable elevation1 but now a mere barrier between the morass and a much lower level4 ,prior to the filling up of the lake it extended westward quite thirty ,english miles1 where it connected with a series of smaller lakes leading into a great fresh water lake known to the ,entoans as ,loisa3 ,bascama31 of which later on you will learn more4 ,for the double purpose of draining the morass1 thus rendering it tillable1 and also that the mountain streams flowing into it may be used for irrigation of the lands southward at the foot of the ledge1 a great basin is being excavated1 into which they will be led4 ,already the ledge has been pierced to afford them egress4 ,at a depth of about eighty feet the excavators unearthed some petrifications of remote life forms4 ,one of a prodigious size1 has1 among the learned ones1 occasioned excited interest4 ,savants from all over the ,planet are hastening to examine the fossils1 especially the larger one1 and to no doubt talk learnedly of those relics of bygone ages4 ,when1 very recently1 ,george and ,i visited the spot we learned that the large petrifaction is the well preserved skeleton of an amphibian quite sixty feet in length4 ,how came it there8 ,one can only conjecture as to that4 ,certainly there was a time when the temperature of this latitude was much higher than at present1 and the waters of the entire chain of lakes teemed with forms of life now extinct4 ,it is quite as certain that the enormous spring floods so increased the volume of the lakes that their waters then poured over the ledge1 which was loftier than it now is4 ,it is not so certain as to how the amphibian came to find lodgment at the base of the ledge4 ,perhaps1 in fleeing from a foe it rushed over the ledge1 or having through some mischance lost its life1 its body may have been swept over it1 thus adding its skeleton to an already large accumulation of similar structures4 ,george and ,i observed a number of learned men and women eagerly examining and discussing the probabilities and possibilities relating to the great fossil1 which is but slightly mutilated and is to be removed to some museum4 ,as we looked and listened we were somewhat amused by the remarks of some of the assemblage who evidently were quite sincere in their statements4 ,one studious looking man mildly declared that the ,holy writings clearly intimated that in the beginning ,andmana3 created from within ,himself all things4 ,another man warmly disputed this declaration on the basis that ,andmana3 being perfect1 could not out of his own ,personality have created creatures so monstrous1 so hideous as was this and many others4 ,no1 clearly it was through a misunderstanding of the ,holy writings that such an illogical conclusion could be arrived at4 ,then a person of great dignity of mien gave his opinion1 which1 evidently1 he considered final1 that in the beginning1 after ,andmana3 created ,astranola3 and ,his messengers1 ,he created ,ento4 ,having prepared homes suited to their needs ,he created all living creatures4 ,some ,he found unsuited to ,his pleasure2 such ,he destroyed1 as is evidenced in these fossilized structures1 which1 for the most part1 find no correspondence in creatures now existing4 ,having perfected ,his designs1 ,he1 out of ,himself1 created ,his children who perpetually should dwell on ,ento4 ,then1 with conviction1 he exclaimed3 ,andmana31 through ,his ,messengers1 who dwell in the best realms of ,astranola31 revealed to ,his children the origin of all things1 all of which is contained in the ,holy writings1 and ,i call ,his ,messengers to witness that ,i1 ,klofa3 ,irdomyn1 am not so impious as to question ,his divine words4 ,no one seemed inclined to dispute with this expounder of mysteries and with a self-satisfied air he resumed his critical examination of the ancient fossil4 ,to be told that in nearly all directions the ,entoans are further advanced than are the peoples of ,earth1 and in a breath to bring you face to face with their extremely circumscribed and absurd religious ideas and beliefs1 out of which have grown equally circumscribed and absurd notions relating to certain scientific matters1 naturally1 may occasion you to hesitate as to your acceptance of other statements we have made and others yet to follow4 ,realizing this1 we consider it advisable to offer an explanation of a seeming paradox4 ,through the process of unfoldment1 spiritualized humans grow into clearer1 higher conceptions of personality4 ,through ages of ignorance and savagery intuitively they grope their ways toward truth1 which1 like a beacon light1 beckons them onward and upward1 and slowly1 but surely1 their consciousness grows and unfolds as lotus blooms grow and unfold from ooze and darkness into sunlight4 ,thus1 through ages the ,entoans evolved into a recognition of self as personality1 but not as spirit1 for ,andmana31 being to them a ,material ,personality1 naturally1 they could not conceive of aught more sublimated than their ,creator4 ,still their unrecognized spiritual forces inevitably urged them forward1 and in their history a period arrived when to a degree1 society became organized1 and about certain centres congregated those most learned in such sciences and arts as had resulted from ages of evolution4 ,as yet the masses were almost wholly uneducated1 consequently their ideas relating to social obligations and other niceties of civilization were extremely crude4 ,wars between different nations were continually waged1 and of necessity1 the weaker succumbed to the stronger4 ,selfish1 ambitious1 cruel and successful leaders grew arrogant1 and the people were impoverished and enslaved and such civilization as existed seemed threatened with extinction4 ,it is a fact that under adverse conditions1 humanity degenerates more rapidly than under favoring conditions it is capable of progression4 ,were this truth generally recognized1 it might act as a deterrent against the reckless1 criminally foolish conduct of nations who rush into wars as though they were a pleasurable pastime1 rather than a damning process for the breeding of generations of preordained murderers1 suicides1 thieves and prostitutes--the inevitable results of inherited tendencies4 ,the ,entoans1 being no exception to a universal rule1 were in a deplorable condition1 when a memorable epoch arrived which ushered into mortal existence a man fitted for his arduous mission4 ,a man wise and humane beyond any one of his time4 ,a man of high courage1 firm will1 a fine sense of justice and a wonderful ability for controlling other men4 ,about him he gathered not only an immense army of soldiery1 but all who cared for their own safety and the welfare of the people1 hastened to join him in his efforts to bring about a better state of affairs4 ,in an incredibly brief time he subdued the vicious oppressors of the people4 ,forced warring elements into peaceful subjection4 ,established in the fullest sense1 a centralized government1 based upon equitable principles4 ,autocratic1 certainly it was1 but with the peculiar feature that rulers and people should he amenable to the same laws4 ,when through peace and prosperity the peoples of the ,planet were brought into harmonious relations with each other and with their newly found freedom from oppression and dissension1 ,zoifan ,ouidas1 their deliverer and ,supreme ,ruler announced that through a shining messenger1 ,andmana3 had communicated to him certain instructions relating to ,his now obedient children4 ,a congress of ,ento's learned and pious ones having been convened1 ,zoifan ,ouidas made known the revelation he had received which constituted a basis for what was to be accepted as the ,holy writings4 ,to this revelation was added such beliefs and legends as appeared reasonable and desirable1 and from these writings a creed was formulated and a ritual established4 ,to this day the creed remains unchanged1 but from time to time the ritual has been added to or modified to suit the views or aims of an all-powerful priesthood4 ,since the establishment of their national religion1 centuries have been added to centuries4 ,steadily the generations of ,entoans have been evolving1 and were it not that an unyielding ecclesiasticism has held them in spiritual bondage1 this closing of their fiftieth century of peace and equal rights for all would find them not only with knowledge of all the arts1 but of all the sciences known to the people of our planet1 and their faces on which pathos1 sorrow and despair are written in every line would be beaming with the priceless consciousness of a continuity of existence which ere now should have been a possession of the plane of their unfoldment4 ,to a degree you now may comprehend the paradoxical situation1 and ,i trust that what ,i have related1 may serve to explain other incongruities which from time to time may attract your attention4 ,de ,l',ester--,george1 with an excited air1 is returning from the excavation4 ,what so perturbs you1 mon ami8 ,george--,hasten1 friends1 hasten4 ,a professor is about to hold an autopsy over the remains of the ancient amphibian1 and ,i fancy it will be an edifying occasion4 ,de ,l',ester--,we immediately will accompany you4 ,you with ,inez and our friends will lead the way4 ,gentola31 allow me to aid you4 ,direct your gaze southward1 and toward the right4 ,yes1 quite a large assemblage which will afford you an opportunity of seeing some of the eminent personages of ,ento1 scientists1 writers and others4 ,we need not approach nearer4 ,gentola31 attend closely to what the very modest and intellectual appearing ,professor may say4 ,i shall translate it word for word4 ,professor--,i have been requested to express an opinion as to what order of life this fossilized structure may represent4 ,also as to the probable date of its existence4 ,speaking with exactitude1 this creature was1 like its diminutive descendants of the present1 at home on the land1 or in the waters of ,ento's lakes and rivers of temperate and warmer climes4 ,i need only allude to a fact that is well understood that all this order of life1 of which in ancient times there was a greater variety than now exists1 belongs to the ,acrocustno ingo-lavion 7amphibious flesh-eaters74 ,of the probable date of the creature's existence ,i hesitate to speak4 ,in these days many men and women of learning and research find themselves in a state of unrest and indecision4 ,on one hand science demonstrates what appears to be facts4 ,on the other hand these apparent facts are opposed by the declarations of our ,holy writings4 ,to state the matter briefly through ancient records we learn that nearly two hundred centuries have elapsed since the ,creation of our beloved ,ento4 ,our ,holy writings declare the same1 and also make mention of and describe huge forms of life similar to1 if not exactly like this as having been of the first created creatures who long previous to the establishment of our ,holy religion had become extinct4 ,how shall ,i proceed8 ,step by step scientific research has led us backward1 and now we face the indisputable fact that in this fossilized structure1 and the formations about it is positive evidence that the creation of ,ento dates incalculably further back than two hundred centuries4 ,friends1 how shall we reconcile the positive statements of our ,holy writings1 with this equally positive statement in stone8 ,may the gods be merciful1 for1 alas1 ,i see no way out of the dilemma1 and ,i refuse to further incur the wrath of ,andmana3's messengers4 ,bruno--,this person is in a fair way to get himself into trouble4 ,as we read the thoughts of the assemblage we learn that were some of them as outspoken as this professor he would not find himself alone in his skepticism4 ,as it is a craven fear of their gods and the priesthood seals their lips1 and as the professor with a troubled face turns away1 they regard him with an air of disapproval4 ,in the reports these scribes are writing many learned terms will be used1 many learned opinions expressed1 and doubtless many learned lies will be told1 all for the glory of ,andmana31 to whom it is believed ,his messengers will bear an account of these proceedings4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 you will attempt a description of this scene4 ,you need not hesitate4 ,where you may fail we will prompt you4 ,gentola3--,extending eastward and westward ,i see a not very broad ledge of limestone rock4 ,on its southern side it is so perpendicular and its surface is so smooth that it presents the effect of well executed masonry4 ,i cannot estimate the distance from where the petrifactions lie on a broad shelf-like projection to the top of the ledge1 or from the projection to the bottom of the excavation4 ,de ,l',ester--,from the projection to the top of the ledge is quite one hundred feet1 but at the time of the creature's misadventure the altitude of the ledge must have been considerably greater4 ,from the projection to the bottom of the excavation the distance is1 ,i should say1 about eighty feet4 ,gentola--,on the south side of the ledge an immense excavation is being made4 ,on the north side the morass is on a level with the top of the ledge1 but on the south side the ground slopes rather abruptly to a plain which appears to greatly need irrigation4 ,aside from the large and very perfect petrifaction there are numerous smaller ones which do not appear to interest the investigators4 ,indeed they are in a very fragmentary state1 and ,i suspect that my description is of the same character4 ,i see a large number of men at work in the excavation4 ,some are engaged in lining the sides with huge cut stones1 which are mechanically lifted and laid with much precision1 some kind of cement being used to fill the interstices4 ,other men attend the working of scoops1 which take up great quantities of soil1 which is hoisted to the top of the excavation and dumped into receptacles which run swiftly on a tramway to the plain where it is thrown out1 the empty receptacles returning on another track4 ,nearly all of the labor is done by machinery1 but ,i cannot say what the motive power may be4 ,de ,l',ester--,electricity furnishes the motive power1 not only for those machines1 but as you will have occasion to observe for nearly all mechanical purposes of the ,entoans4 ,gentola--,one noticeable feature of this scene is the behavior of those laborers who move about so quietly and speak in such a polite and gentle fashion4 ,the work proceeds very expeditiously1 yet no one seems in haste1 or exhibits the least excitement or impatience4 ,how very tall those dark skinned men are1 and they are so erect and finely proportioned4 ,yes1 notwithstanding their lustrous bronze complexions they certainly are handsome men4 ,their long1 black1 wavy hair1 large dark eyes1 regular features and very intelligent expression is in strong contrast with the fair complexioned1 brown or blond haired1 gray or blue eyed1 and smaller men who are working on the tramways4 ,all1 both dark or fair1 wear their hair to their shoulders1 parted in the middle or on one side1 pushed well back from the forehead and held in place by what appears to be fillets of silver4 ,all wear shapely1 half loose garments1 reaching to the knees1 and the lower limbs are clothed in loose fitting--well1 as ,i do not know the ,ento name1 ,i shall say trowsers4 ,de ,l',ester--,the ,ento name for the upper garment is lenivo4 ,for the trowsers1 as nearly as ,i can pronounce it1 the ,ento name is birrsch4 ,and for the foot covering1 which you perceive is a very nicely formed shoe1 not of leather1 but of a manufactured material1 the name is--no1 not fettos1 but pfettos4 ,we now will move to the tented space1 and in a general way1 but briefly1 you will further describe the appearance of those men and women who are engaged in quiet discussion over fragments of the smaller fossils4 ,gentola--,both men and women of the dark skinned race are exceedingly tall4 ,the men are very handsome1 very distinguished looking1 with a dignity of bearing quite devoid of ostentation4 ,the women are very beautiful1 very graceful1 very gentle1 and quiet1 and with such fine1 intelligent expression1 that ,i cannot find words to express my sense of their superiority to any women ,i ever have seen4 ,i do not quite so much admire the fair skinned men and women who are more slightly built1 but who are taller and stouter than any earth race that ,i know of1 and certainly they are in appearance very admirable4 ,bruno1 were you sufficiently tall1 you might claim kindred with some of those handsome1 olive skinned men and women1 who are but slightly darker than yourself4 ,they appear to represent one race1 the bronze complexioned ones another1 the fair skinned men and women an entirely different race4 ,it seems odd that the men1 as well as the women1 wear their hair long and flowing4 ,the hair of the men to their shoulders1 that of the women quite below their waists1 and all wear fillets of various kinds4 ,i must say that ,i think the effect very pretty4 ,as for the garments of both sexes1 they seem to me simply perfection1 not at all voluminous1 but loose1 graceful and of textures so admirable as to weave and coloring that seldom have ,i seen fabrics so beautiful4 ,de ,l',ester--,you have mentioned the fillets worn by both sexes4 ,the metals1 the width1 form and settings of the fillets indicate the official positions and occupations of the wearers4 ,not alone are they worn for convenience or as ornaments1 but also as badges of certain distinctions1 for which all are urged to strive4 ,class distinctions in the sense of caste do not exist1 and all are incited to a spirit of emulation in the direction of meritorious achievements1 which are considered the only real distinctions4 ,from the laborer yonder to the ,supreme ,ruler1 all men and women strive to attain to the utmost of their capabilities4 ,the cut1 color1 ornamentation and other features of apparel also indicate the position and occupation of the wearer4 ,as our mission progresses you will have opportunities of further observing such matters4 ,no1 for decorative purposes the ,entoans do not wear head coverings4 ,they too much prize their beautiful1 abundant hair to risk such abominations as hats and bonnets4 ,then1 too1 their taste is too finely cultivated to admit of personal disfigurement4 ,gentola--,i commend both their judgment and taste1 and ,i wish ,i might understand what those learned persons are saying4 ,the scene itself ,i shall not soon forget4 ,it is worth the experiences of an ordinary lifetime4 ,de ,l',ester--,these friends and ,i possess a general knowledge of the language1 but of scientific technicalities we know next to nothing4 ,if we did both time and space are too limited to devote ourselves to their consideration4 ,not another word4 ,we have held you long enough4 ,one momentary1 comprehensive glance at the scene and then ,earthward4 ,george and ,inez will bear you swiftly to your quiet home4 ,au revoir4 ,george--,safe you are in your own room1 and some one desires to enter4 ,it is your friend1 ,mrs4 ,s----le1 who always brings you flowers4 ,may divine and loving influences abide with you until we again come for you4 ,adieu4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,inidora ,,and ,,genessano4 ,de ,l',ester--,like musical chords touched by unskilled fingers are your thoughts1 ,gentola34 ,for some minutes we have watched your hurried preparations for our journey and it is evident that1 though your spiritual aspirations reach out toward highest ideals1 material duties equally claim your attention4 ,yours is a harmonious combination of the ,mary and ,martha natures4 ,martha1 now1 will please close her eyes1 fold her active1 capable hands and rest while ,mary shall accompany us starward4 ,we too1 wish that it might be possible for you in your fully conscious moments to recall the memory of events1 scenes and other matters pertaining to our journeys4 ,as you cannot1 that which your soul self will be made to write must serve as a record of your experiences while absent from your body4 ,and when under my supervision you will1 for publication rewrite the record1 you will vividly realize all that has or will occur during our mission4 ,you now are in a tranquil state and we will be off4 ,george1 we are ready4 ,ah1 how grand1 how exhilarating is the movement of this inconceivably swift magnetic current1 bearing us on its glowing1 undulating bosom toward our destination1 which we are nearing4 ,lower1 lower1 ,george4 ,look downward now1 ,gentola31 for we are over the morass4 ,we perceive that the learned visitors have departed and that the great fossil is being carefully prepared for removal4 ,the ledge is being further pierced to afford a passage for the waters of the morass1 and the excavation is nearly completed4 ,some time we again will pass this way to observe the result of the skill and labor expended in accomplishing so considerable an undertaking4 ,this being an agricultural region1 the irrigating reservoir will greatly add to its fertility4 ,we now will move southward for about fifty miles1 and you will observe how thickly populated is the region over which we shall pass and that the inhabitants enjoy a degree of the comforts and luxuries of life found only among a highly civilized1 consequently prosperous1 people4 ,observe too1 the fine architectural effects1 the well tilled fields and roadways as smooth and level as floors4 ,and let me tell you1 fine roadways always indicate an advanced civilization4 ,you are surprised at the paucity of animal life1 but if you will consider that but few ,entoans are flesh eaters1 that but a limited number of milch animals1 known as ,vochas1 are required2 that agricultural machinery and most vehicles are propelled by electrical appliances1 you will perceive the reasons why animals are not more in evidence4 ,however1 on portions of the ,planet there are herds of animals known as ,angossa1 which are bred solely for their wool4 ,by but one race1 who are flesh eaters1 are they used as food4 ,having reached the southern limit of this cultivated plain1 we now will turn eastward4 ,yes1 owing to porosity of the soil throughout this region irrigation is prevalent4 ,now that we are about to lose sight of the mountain range1 it occurs to me that ,i have neglected to acquaint you with its name1 which is ,keneto alista4 ,the exact significance of ,keneto ,i cannot find in your language1 but the shades of meaning would include giantlike1 enormous1 immense and the like4 ,alista is the ,ento word for mountain4 ,from northeast to southwest its length is about two hundred miles1 and for the most part it lies almost parallel with the equator4 ,its greatest elevation is but little more than #f1jjj feet above sea level1 and among mountain ranges north of the equator it takes first rank4 ,we now approach a region whose natural water supply is quite exceptional and the inhabitants equally so4 ,to say why would but mar your interest in what may come under your observation4 ,we now will descend to yonder slight elevation1 and you1 ,gentola31 will speak of whatever to you may appear noteworthy4 ,gentola--,all about us is a level country1 luxuriantly clothed with grains1 grasses1 flowers1 shrubs and groves of great forest trees4 ,here and there are gray stone buildings1 some quite large1 others smaller--apparently outbuildings4 ,at a distance are a few animals like some we have seen elsewhere4 ,in front of us is a large meadow on which the grass grows luxuriantly and at its further side1 in a grove of great trees1 is a rather large gray stone building with smaller ones nearby4 ,from that direction a man and woman come toward us2 both are taller than any persons ,i have seen on ,ento4 ,really1 they are gigantic in stature and well proportioned4 ,they are dark skinned1 black haired and black eyed1 and in their faces is an expression of gentleness and simplicity which renders them quite attractive4 ,both are clothed in loose garments of what appears to be a coarse1 brown woolen cloth4 ,the upper garment of the man falls a little below his knees and he wears what you term birrsch 7trowsers7 of the same cloth1 and pfettaa 7shoes7 of what seems to be leather1 or a material very like it4 ,his heavy black locks are held back by a really pretty filagree1 silver fillet1 which is wider in front than at the sides or back of the head4 ,the rather loose fitting upper garment of the woman falls nearly to her feet1 which are incased in shoes similar to those worn by the man4 ,the distinguishing feature of her very simple costume is the queer head ornament she wears4 ,it is very like a gilt bird cage without top or bottom4 ,the lower band fits closely about her head and her long1 black hair is drawn upward through the cage1 falling over the upper band and down onto her shoulders in a heavy fringe4 ,sheltered1 as though under a canopy1 she walks behind the man1 and both seem to be searching in the grass for something4 ,carefully parting the grass with his hands1 the man eagerly hastens forward1 snatching at some creature running away from him4 ,now he springs forward and seizes--ugh1 it is a large serpent1 and he with one stroke of a large knife severs it in pieces4 ,the woman laughs delightedly1 and pats him on the back1 but evidently the hunt is not ended1 for ,giant resumes his search in the tall grass1 and ,giantess follows timidly4 ,now he waves her back1 and with a great leap he has caught another serpent1 which he also decapitates and casts from him4 ,you may laugh at me if you like1 but ,i am not fond of snakes4 ,an inherited aversion8 ,perhaps so1 and a very positive one4 ,from their exultant exclamations1 it is apparent that ,giant and ,giantess are greatly elated over the destruction of the serpents4 ,de ,l',ester1 do you understand what ,giant is saying8 ,de ,l',ester--,he says ,hildian1 ,gandlana3a3 salno rana3v cominista3 testo4 ,ino d lana34 ,ah1 viamon dla3 testo1 landisto osten vi1 ona3 pra3-o ,gentola34 ,this is not pure ,ento1 but a dialect of this race4 ,i can only attempt a very free translation of what he has said4 ,hildian is the woman's name1 and he says1 ,the bad serpents are killed1 and ,i am glad4 ,ah1 they are dead1 and can no more harm thee1 dear4 ,listen1 ,giantess calls some one4 ,giantess--,ouaa3men istan6 ,ouaa3men istan6 ,gandlana31 fanist testo4 ,de ,l',ester--,in answer to her reassuring call1 ,that surely the serpents are dead1 two boys and a girl are bounding across the meadow1 and as they rush to their mother's arms1 they fill the air with their excited exclamations and inquiries4 ,now ,giant swings the girl to his shoulder1 and like a conquering hero1 leads the way toward the dwelling4 ,the boys cling to the mother's gown1 and all follow the father who relates to the delighted children the story of his prowess4 ,we will follow them to the dwelling1 which is a fair example of the homes of this giant race4 ,all their dwellings are built of stone1 and though simply constructed1 are well suited to their requirements4 ,the average height of this pastoral race is quite eight feet and they are symmetrically proportioned4 ,they are affectionate1 gentle1 industrious1 devoted to their families1 and in their way1 intensely religious4 ,they are the ,kento ,sovanallo1 which ,i shall translate as meaning giant flesh eaters4 ,they never intermarry with other races1 and what they now are as a race they have been for as far back as their history reaches4 ,they cultivate only such grains1 fruits and vegetables as their needs require1 their chief sustenance and possession being animals1 which are herded in the surrounding luxuriant grass lands4 ,these animals are unlike any we have shown you1 later we will afford you an opportunity of seeing them4 ,the region occupied by this race is about two hundred miles long by one hundred and fifty in width1 and its southern border approaches equatorial lands4 ,you now will describe the exterior of this dwelling4 ,gentola--,it is built of a grayish stone1 the surface rather rough1 but the stones are very accurately fitted and cemented4 ,it is two stories high and of ample width1 and there are a number of windows filled in with what looks like glass4 ,some stone steps lead up to the front door and a flight of stone steps at the north side of the house leads up to the roof1 which slopes a little from front to rear4 ,around the roof is a low balustrade1 and spread all over it are several kinds of fruits drying in the warm sunshine4 ,i think that is all ,i can say of the exterior4 ,as ,i do not possess fine descriptive ability ,i fear that ,i fail to convey adequate ideas of things4 ,de ,l',ester--,you are too modest4 ,true1 your style is not ornate1 but you possess the greater virtues of conscientiousness and conciseness4 ,we now will enter and learn what of interest the interior of the dwelling may offer4 ,this hallway1 running the depth of the house1 divides it equally1 and in the front room on our left1 on a couch covered with skins1 lies ,giant1 talking excitedly with ,giantess4 ,i gather from their conversation that in this region the presence of venomous serpents is very uncommon1 but that there are harmless varieties1 which these flesh eating giants consider delicacies4 ,no1 they are true serpents1 and not allied to the eel1 which on ,ento has some close kindred1 known as ,chifa4 ,we now will look into the room across the hallway4 ,ah1 this is the sanctum sanctorum1 the invariable feature of all rural ,ento dwellings1 not pretentious enough to afford an ,istoira4 ,on the draped altar are fruits and flowers and the floor is covered by a really handsome rug4 ,these gentle1 simple minded folk are faithful observers of the all pervading religion1 and their spiritual conceptions are on a level with those of their teachers1 the priesthood1 who regard ,andmana3 and ,gods and ,goddesses as personalities who are to be adored1 or appeased1 as occasions may require4 ,with great sincerity they fulfill their religious obligations and peacefully await whatever of good or ill may come to them4 ,ah1 ,giant1 ,giantess and the children have left the house and are wending their way toward the forest4 ,during their absence we will look through the dwelling4 ,in this and the adjoining sleeping room are couches1 tables1 chairs1 some garments and nothing more4 ,we now will ascend the stairway to learn what may be on the upper floor4 ,as is the custom of this race1 the upper floor is used for storage purposes1 and here are grains1 fruits and nuts in abundance4 ,you will describe the contents of some of these receptacles4 ,gentola--,here are two varieties of berries1 and were ,i on earth ,i should say that they are raspberries and blackberries4 ,taste them8 ,shall ,i8 ,they are slightly acidulous and well flavored1 but do not taste like either raspberries or blackberries4 ,these pretty scarlet berries look like very large cranberries4 ,de ,l',ester--,do not taste them2 they are not berries1 but what you may term ,ento ,capsicum4 ,gentola--,thanks for your warning4 ,i have a sort of mania for tasting things1 so1 if you do not object1 ,i shall taste this grapelike fruit4 ,it is delicious1 quite like fine raisins4 ,i am especially fond of grapes1 so1 if in the dim future ,i must again become re-embodied1 this fine fruit might induce in me a desire to be reborn on ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester1 that reminds me of a question ,i have wished to ask4 ,after the change called death can spirits choose their homes8 ,yes1 ,i mean the locality and their manner of living4 ,de ,l',ester--,time and opportunity permitting1 ,i always am pleased to reply to your questions4 ,as both are limited ,i must reply briefly4 ,spirits1 while yet in the physical body1 in a sense earn their homes1 or places1 they must occupy on our side of life1 and also in a sense they have a choice as to the place of their abode1 but the choice must be made while on the physical plane4 ,as you have learned1 spirits are entities1 individualized personalities1 requiring homes1 associations and pursuits4 ,according as life on the physical plane has been elevated1 pure1 loving1 true1 or the reverse1 so are spirit homes and pursuits beautiful and supremely enjoyable1 or lamentably wretched4 ,all newly-freed spirits gravitate to the sphere and condition for which their degree of evolvement has fitted them1 there to remain until they have progressed to a more exalted state of being4 ,do all spirits progress8 ,most assuredly4 ,evolution is not confined to the physical plane4 ,progress1 everywhere1 is continuous4 ,yes1 spirits1 who through countless trials and experiences have earned the exalted position of teachers1 lovingly1 patiently labor to aid all unevolved freed spirits to outgrow conditions which1 like soiled garments1 cling to those of the lower or ,earth spirit sphere4 ,seldom does a newly-freed spirit gravitate to the higher realms4 ,only exalted spirits1 who1 for some special purpose1 have become re-embodied1 do1 when freed from the physical body1 return to their former place of abode1 or1 perhaps1 to a higher sphere4 ,the legend of ,jacob's ladder1 on which angels descended and ascended into heaven1 is a fitting symbol of the spirit's progress4 ,ever descending angel teachers reach downward to those walking in darkness on both the mortal and the spirit side of life1 instructing1 inspiring1 encouraging and strengthening them1 until emerging from the shadows of sense1 their quickened vision perceives the descending angels of love1 and with eager1 outreaching hands and trembling feet1 they strive to climb the ladder of eternal progress1 finding on each round the home1 the place1 the plane suited to the degree of their advancement4 ,have ,i made myself understood8 ,gentola--,yes1 as far as ,i am fitted to comprehend such an abstruse matter4 ,another question occurs to me4 ,you have said that certain ,ento and other planetary spirits visit ,earth's spirit spheres4 ,can they also come to our planet1 as you and other spirits come8 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 after they have learned how to accommodate themselves to ,earth's conditions4 ,some ,ento friends who are learning this strange process soon will be able to visit you in your own home4 ,not another question1 ,i beg4 ,we have already consumed too much time4 ,george--,if you are ready to descend from celestial to terrestrial affairs1 come to the adjoining room1 ,gentola31 and tell us what you think of its contents4 ,gentola--,what do ,i think of its contents8 ,well1 ,i think that if these ears are not corn they are surprisingly like it1 and in this round receptacle is a white grain very like1 though considerably larger than grains of rice4 ,and here is a small1 round1 black grain of which evidently this dark meal is a product4 ,i wonder if ,giantess makes bread of it8 ,what a noise6 ,what is it1 ,de ,l',ester8 ,de ,l',ester--,as there is nothing more of note here1 we will learn what occasions the disturbance4 ,ah1 it is the family returning1 and what a spectacle6 ,giant holding at arm's length a reptile which writhes and coils about his arm1 and now1 playfully1 he thrusts it toward the children1 who are in an ecstasy of excitement and delight4 ,giantess does not appear to have an aversion for snakes1 for see1 she takes from her spouse the harmless ophidian1 allowing it to coil about her arms and holding it so that the children may toy with it4 ,now she brings it into the house1 and very unceremoniously cuts off its head1 skins it1 cuts it in pieces1 which she tosses into a large cooking vessel1 adds some seasoning1 covers the vessel and suspends it over the fire1 which ,giant has kindled in the great stone fireplace4 ,now she puts into a broad1 deep pan1 some of the dark colored meal we have seen on the upper floor1 adds milk until the pan is two-thirds full of a thin batter1 and1 with the addition of some honey and a quantity of yellow sliced fruit1 we have before us a pudding which1 if not to the queen's taste1 is quite to the taste of our ,giant friends4 ,yes1 generally1 the ,entoans use cooking stoves of various kinds1 but these ,souvanallos appear content with a more primitive method4 ,the brazier over which the pudding is boiling and bubbling is something of a compromise between a fireplace and a stove4 ,as you have learned that the ,entoans have both milch animals and bees1 you no longer are surprised that they have both milk and honey4 ,they also have sugar as excellent as you have on ,earth4 ,have you observed the animal lying under the projection near the fireplace8 ,what a short-legged1 long-bodied creature it is1 and as spotted as a leopard1 which1 but for its short legs1 it closely resembles4 ,now it yawns1 stretches itself1 and follows ,giantess about1 purring and rubbing itself against her garments1 and as she stoops and smooths its glossy fur in a caressing tone she murmurs3 ,fenta31 ,fenta31 ,invo ,gandlana31 casto seffila3 dissima34 ,gandlana3 essin a3 tuno1 espen dro4 ,what does she say8 ,what ,i have learned of the ,ento language ,i have learned correctly1 so find it difficult to translate this dialect4 ,the sense of what she says is about this3 ,fenta31 ,fenta31 you shall have some of the serpent broth4 ,the serpent will soon be cooked4 ,fenta3 appears to understand his mistress's hospitable intention and he has taken a position where he can keep an eye on the odorous mess4 ,animals generally can perceive spirits4 ,approach ,fenta31 ,gentola34 ,he snarls and shrinks from you as though affrighted1 and ,giantess seems greatly surprised at the behavior of her pet4 ,now touch her hands4 ,she regards one hand1 now the other1 evidently puzzled over the peculiar sensation4 ,touch both her hands and face4 ,she cries out in alarm1 looking about her fearfully4 ,again touch her face4 ,she flies to ,giant and clings to him1 crying1 ,gandlana31 oina3 dos a3 correnda31 espen va3o a3 tosa3 testo4 ,she tells him that the serpent's life is not gone1 that it or something has touched her4 ,valiantly ,giant lifts the cover from the cooking vessel and critically inspects the contents4 ,with evident satisfaction he reassuringly says3 ,gandlana31 a3 testo1 espen eno nya3n dro4 ,giantess1 as though doubting his assertion1 that not only is the serpent dead but well cooked1 timidly approaches and takes a rather furtive look at the bubbling mess4 ,apparently satisfied that no harm can come from that quarter1 she excitedly relates her experience1 to which ,giant listens sympathizingly but evidently incredulously4 ,not so ,fenta31 who has crawled under the projection and is regarding us with strong disfavor1 but is keeping a sharp outlook for the promised savory stew4 ,as ,giantess1 with nervous apprehensive glances1 stirs some meal into the mess the escaping odor fills the room and ,giant says approvingly3 ,es fya3n msa31 and ,fenta3 quite agrees with his master1 that the odor is good1 so tempting1 indeed1 that he seems inclined to crawl out of his lair1 but seeing such uncanny folk about1 he draws back4 ,on the long table across the front of the room ,giantess places plates1 spoons and drinking cups4 ,into a large deep platter she ladles the stew and carries it steaming to the table4 ,the pudding follows and the luncheon is ready4 ,giant places some seats1 while from the rear doorway ,giantess calls1 ,ferra3nd1 ,tda31 ,listano1 and the children rush into the house and to their seats at the table4 ,the mother serves the father and them bountifully and ,fenta1 reassured by the coaxing invitation of his mistress and the children1 goes shyly to the generous platter of stew placed for him near his mistress's feet4 ,this meal is an appetizer for a more substantial one later in the day1 and as two of our ,ento friends are to join us here we may witness it1 not that it is likely to be of particular interest1 but it is a part of our plan to show you various features of ,ento life4 ,while awaiting the arrival of our friends we will further observe this family4 ,gentola--,what an incongruity there is between the stature of these children and their apparent ages4 ,the boys are nearly as tall as any of you gentlemen1 and the girl is nearly the height of a medium-sized woman4 ,i wonder how old they may be8 ,de ,l',ester--,i should say that their respective ages are about eight1 ten and twelve years4 ,the luncheon is ended and the family are repairing to the sanctuary4 ,the father with a boy on either side of him1 the mother with the girl by her side1 stand before the altar with bowed heads and outreaching hands4 ,reverently the father returns thanks1 the mother and children repeating after him3 ,andmana31 ,andmana31 ,omi felist1 ,gandlanos ino testo4 ,omi felist onda3 ino omi msa3 fer-ja31 ,oira3h1 ,oira3h1 ,oira3h4 ,the sense of this is3 ,supreme ,one1 ,supreme ,one4 ,we offer thanks that the venomous serpents are dead1 and again we offer thanks for the good one we have eaten4 ,oira3h means praise1 thanks1 it is so1 and the like4 ,the children return to their play4 ,giant reclines on the couch1 ,giantess busies herself with household affairs1 and ,fenta has retreated to his lair1 from whence he suspiciously but rather drowsily watches our movements4 ,we now will go out under the trees to await the coming of our friends4 ,the ,souvanallos occupy a position midway between ,ento's most advanced races and several isolated communities of people who are little more than semi-civilized1 yet who are far from a condition of barbarism4 ,they1 like nearly all the ,entoans1 through a reverential regard for life1 abstain from eating the flesh of animals1 yet1 rather illogically1 all eat fishes of various kinds4 ,the ,souvanallos alone raise herds of angossa for food and for their wool1 which they exchange for such commodities as they require1 in this manner procuring textile fabrics1 household furniture and utensils1 agricultural implements1 ornaments for personal adornment and so on4 ,in no sense are they artisans4 ,their dwellings and other structures are erected by men of other lands1 and such materials as are not procurable at home are brought by air or other transportation from elsewhere4 ,their priests are of their own race1 they having been from early youth trained and educated for the office4 ,they instruct the people in religion1 in government1 and in educational branches1 officiate at marriages1 at funerals1 and adjust any differences between neighbors4 ,being a truthful1 virtuous1 generous and loving people1 differences seldom occur to mar the serenity of their lives4 ,again the family go toward the forest1 and yonder are our ,ento spirit friends1 ,inidora3 and ,genessano1 who are calling to us a greeting4 ,genessano--,loha31 ,loha31 manos4 ,itsu fon ipsoien8 ,de ,l',ester--,we impatiently have awaited your coming and truly you are welcome4 ,but while we exchange greetings we must remember that one whom you never have met is with us4 ,gentola31 as these ,ento spirits do not understand your language1 or you theirs1 it will be both my duty and pleasure to interpret for you and them4 ,inidora31 ,genessano1 this is our missionary1 ,gentola31 of whom you have heard and of whom we all expect so much4 ,genessano--,my brother ,inidora3 and ,i gratefully appreciate your efforts on behalf of our people and we pray you accept our homage and the earnest desire of our hearts that we may come to be numbered among your friends4 ,strangely do we come together1 ,gentola3 mana31 you from a distant planet1 we from our spirit realms4 ,appropriate indeed is your new name1 for well beloved are you by your dearest ones and your many friends on the spirit side who also give to my brother and me a place in their affection4 ,drawn by varied duties and inclinations1 we have visited other planets and their spirit realms1 and1 although we have visited ,earth's spirit realms1 we as yet have not visited your planet1 and only twice1 since passing hence1 have we returned to our beloved ,ento4 ,on this1 our third return1 we find ourselves amid scenes once familiar but now so changed that we are as strangers in a strange land4 ,through tender ties or weighty interests1 often spirits are drawn to their former abodes1 but ,inidora3 and ,i1 being1 save for some distant kindred1 the last of our race1 have felt no attraction on ,ento strong enough to draw us away from dearer ties4 ,you1 perhaps1 are aware that we now return for a special purpose1 and may the ,supreme ,one aid us all in our loving endeavor4 ,this my brother ,inidora3 will speak for himself4 ,inidora--,i am happy in being a member of this group of earnest1 loving spirits4 ,gentola3 mana31 you are devoting yourself to a grander1 a loftier mission than you have yet been made to understand4 ,myriad spirits of many planetary spirit realms eagerly1 anxiously1 hopefully watch its progress4 ,from star to star a message has been heralded1 summoning angel hosts to unite with us in a mighty effort to tear asunder the dense veil of materialism which so long has blinded the eyes of ,ento's despairing ones4 ,to come in the might of their love and wisdom1 that they may strengthen our hands and make firm our footsteps1 while we strive to bring to the children of ,ento a knowledge of continuous existence4 ,in answer to this message1 angel hosts are combining their forces to aid us in the momentous hour which swiftly approaches4 ,in that hour your spirit senses will be so unfolded that then you will comprehend what now you but dimly perceive4 ,and may divinest influences aid us in this1 as in all righteous undertakings4 ,gentola--,i well know that ,i do not understand the supreme aim of what you and these friends are pleased to term our mission4 ,it is my nature to trust all1 or not at all1 so1 implicitly1 ,i trust you and them1 believing that whatever information may1 for the time1 be withheld from me1 will be for a kind and wise purpose4 ,at present ,i am more interested in what you may tell me of yourself and brother than in what may be the special object of bringing me to ,ento4 ,inidora--,our friends approving1 it will afford me pleasure to make ,genessano and myself better known to you4 ,i regret that ,i do not know your language or you mine but1 through our kind interpreter1 ,de ,l',ester1 we may arrive at a mutual understanding4 ,we are sons of ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 a former governor of the province of ,ond1 and of ,camarissa31 his wife4 ,my brother1 ,genessano1 is but two years younger than myself1 and since his birth seldom have we been separated4 ,since passing to our spirit world1 at times certain duties have sent us far apart1 but ever our mutual affection hastens our return to each other's presence4 ,how long have we been on the spirit side8 ,nearly four centuries of our time4 ,i passed from my physical body first and almost suddenly1 and the memory of that hour saddens me even now4 ,as the nearness of approaching death grew into dread certainty1 my brother and ,i frantically clung to each other1 our despair that we were about to part to meet no more1 finding expression in grievous sobs and moans4 ,even while ,genessano held me in his arms1 our voices blending in entreaties that ,andmana3 might stay the coming of ,phra 7death7 the cruel messenger1 my spirit departed from the physical body and ,i was received by our dear parents and friends to be borne into our spirit realms and to my own place4 ,i find no words to express my overwhelming surprise and joy when ,i at last realized that ,i still lived1 that my adored parents held me to their hearts in rapture unspeakable2 that dreaded death was but a birth into a higher life4 ,aye1 life1 life1 life forevermore4 ,then very soon we joyfully realized that ere long our beloved one1 our ,genessano1 would be with us4 ,yes1 surely he would be with us1 who would watch and wait for him4 ,often the memory of that wondrous time comes to me and so fills me with ecstatic exultation1 that had ,i at my command the combined voices of all the angelic hosts ,i would strive to fill the universe with the amazing1 the priceless message1 life is continuous1 life is continuous1 for spirit is indestructible and unchanging1 as is ,god1 who is spirit1 and all that is is an expression of the ,one ,divine ,being4 ,we waited and watched for the release of this dear brother1 our ,genessano1 for we were aware that his despair that he was left alone and that never again would he behold the forms and faces of his beloved ones was fast sapping his vital force and that soon his breaking heart would be stilled and he would be with us4 ,i was not yet strong enough to go to him1 but our beloved parents ministered to him1 and when he was freed they bore him to his beautiful spirit home1 where ,i awaited him4 ,oh1 the rapture of that moment1 when again ,i gazed upon the dear1 familiar face and form of my brother1 and the still greater rapture1 when his slowly unclosing eyes rested upon our adored parents1 then1 in indescribable bewilderment upon me4 ,not yet could he realize the wonder that had occurred4 ,as though he were dreaming1 he murmured3 ,i--ah--,i thought ,i--was dying1 ,i thought--,inidora31 my brother ,inidora3--leaned over me1 and my--,but ,i dream--,i only--dream4 ,i shall see him no more--no more4 ,i stooped and kissed his lips1 and he smiled1 again murmuring1 ,i dream--,i dream4 ,again ,i kissed him1 crying to him our old time greeting1 ,loha1 loha1 ,genessano4 ,in extreme amazement and perturbation1 and with widely-opened1 affrighted eyes1 he gazed into the faces of our parents1 and then into mine1 and as he gazed his wonder grew1 but not his comprehension of the marvellous change which had come to him4 ,tremblingly1 incoherently1 he cried1 ,father1 mother1 ,inidora3--oh1 pitiful ,gods1 deceive me not4 ,do ,i yet live8 ,have not ,i died8 ,phra1 ,phra1 come quickly and end this dream1 which bewilders me with its alluring unreality1 which---- ,again1 in joyous tones ,i cried1 ,loha1 ,genassano1 loha1 and into his dear eyes grew an expression of recognition and of joy so unspeakable that1 as he reached toward us his trembling hands1 no words fell from his lips1 but on his radiant face was the smile of one arisen from the depths of despair to the very heights of supremest bliss4 ,then came to him the full realization that we his dearest ones were embracing him1 that our tears and laughter1 our endearing words1 were a joyous1 a blessed reality4 ,ah1 ,gentola31 you who have ever known that life is continuous1 can little comprehend the depth of the unutterable despair of a people ardent in their loving1 constant in their affection1 but without even a thought that life may not end with death of the body4 ,but the hour is coming1 quickly coming1 when1 through a knowledge of the glorious truth of a conscious continuity of existence1 the shadows ever brooding over the lives of our people shall forever flee away4 ,if ,i have spoken at too great length ,i pray you pardon me4 ,could you speak the planetary language1 which1 in your present but partly freed state1 you do not remember1 we would not be obliged to tax the patience of our comrades4 ,as it is ,i find myself at a disadvantage and must beg ,de ,l',ester's forbearance4 ,de ,l',ester--,make no apologies1 ,i am at your and ,gentola3's service4 ,as we shall await the return of the family1 ,i suggest that you shall relate to us whatever you may know concerning this gigantic race4 ,inidora--,with pleasure4 ,long previous to1 and during the life of our father1 ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 this region was a portion of the ,province of ,ond1 of which1 as these friends are aware1 my father was rha3 7governor74 ,later it became1 and at this time is1 the southernmost region of the ,province of ,esvenmo4 ,while yet it was a portion of the ,province of ,ond1 our father resolved to visit it1 and in such ways as might appear best1 add to the well being of its inhabitants1 of whom little was known4 ,calling together a number of learned persons1 artisans and laborers1 he prepared for the journey4 ,with the eager curiosity of a boy ,i begged for and received from my ever indulgent parents permission to accompany the expedition1 which1 in an uneventful manner1 soon arrived at our destination4 ,we found the country well watered and fertile1 and its inhabitants1 the ,kento ,sovanallo1 a gentle1 hospitable and industrious race1 owning great herds of animals1 and cultivating some land1 but not to the extent or so well as they do now4 ,they occupied rather rudely constructed wooden houses1 which imperfectly protected them from inclement weather1 and their clothing was as rude as their dwellings4 ,as it was for the purpose of teaching ,souvanallos better modes of living that our father had come to them1 he had brought cloths and stores of various materials which he thought might become useful4 ,artisans and laborers soon throughout the country erected stone dwellings and constructed furniture suited to the simple needs of the people4 ,the women were taught to design and make garments of a better fashion than they wore1 and to prepare food according to more highly civilized ideas4 ,more thorough communication was established between the singularly isolated race and the different provincial governments1 and for the elevation of the people schools were more perfectly organized1 in which religious instruction1 an understanding of the laws1 industrial arts and educational branches should be taught4 ,without exception the people were found eager and fairly apt in receiving instruction1 and while witnessing the result of his expenditure of time and means our dear father felt himself highly gratified and more than repaid4 ,when1 after the lapse of more than half a year he turned his face homeward1 he experienced profound satisfaction in the assurance that he had sowed good seed in a prolific soil4 ,once1 previous to our passing into our spirit world1 ,genessano and ,i1 impelled by both interest and curiosity1 visited this region4 ,great was our surprise and pleasure to learn of the rapid progress made by this race4 ,truly our father had sowed his seed in a prolific soil4 ,up to the time of his coming among them they rarely had come in contact with their highly civilized neighbors1 only1 indeed1 when their necessities obliged them to barter their wool and pelts for such commodities as their simple tastes and wants required4 ,after the lapse of but a few years we found them occupying comfortable1 and in many instances1 well appointed homes1 their newly acquired liking for the luxuries of their neighbors having accelerated their progress in many directions4 ,previous to the visit of our father only rude vehicles drawn by animals were used for draught and other purposes2 now we found well made roadways1 modern carriages and well tilled fields1 yielding grains1 vegetables and fruits in abundance4 ,clothing of a finer texture had replaced the former coarse and badly fashioned garments1 and the people were earnestly striving for education1 and the niceties of polite conduct generally were observed4 ,through various sources we have learned that still they are a wholly pastoral people4 ,nowhere throughout their country is there a city1 town or village4 ,there are depots where ,air transports deliver and receive freight and travellers1 but about these depots there are only the necessary officials and assistants4 ,as an illustration of the average condition of this race this family has been selected4 ,there are others of larger means and finer culture1 others still of smaller means who are refined and well informed4 ,of all it may be said that they are good citizens1 and the good citizen must be a man of many virtues4 ,de ,l',ester--,the family are returning1 and in a very hilarious mood4 ,across the meadow a party of three men and two women also come this way4 ,giantess waves them a welcome and calls1 ,sist1 manos1 sist1 and they quicken their steps4 ,gentola31 have you ever seen an antelope8 ,yes8 ,well1 ,giant carries in his arms a very similar creature4 ,its large1 beautiful eyes are full of alarm1 and it bleats and struggles to escape1 but ,giant is not a sensitive person1 and its bleatings and struggles do not appeal to him1 for while ,giantess and the visitors exchange greetings1 he coolly cuts its throat and dexterously removes its skin4 ,the ladies have retired to the house1 leaving the gentlemen to the society of ,giant1 who proceeds to dress the slain rimoh1 meanwhile exchanging with them views upon the topics of the day1 which indicates that though they live somewhat apart from the world they are interested and informed as to its movements4 ,poor rimoh is in readiness for the attention of the cook1 and ,giant1 escorted by his friends1 bears him to the waiting ,hildian1 who smilingly approves of the appearance of his remains1 which she quickly dismembers and places in a large cooking vessel1 adds a quantity of vegetables1 seasoning and water1 covers the vessel closely and suspends it over the fire4 ,now1 with quite an air1 she prepares a pudding4 ,we will hope that the family and guests may possess good digestive power1 for what with sweets1 spices1 fruits and other ingredients1 it promises to be a rich and savory compound4 ,giant fills the brazier with glowing coals1 on which ,giantess deposits the capacious vessel containing the pudding1 and having gotten this important feature of the feast off her mind1 she busily arranges the table and supervises a beverage which ,giant is brewing1 the guests looking on with evident interest and approval4 ,there are juices of fruits1 honey and spices1 over which he pours boiling water1 closing the lid of the great jug to prevent the escape of the spice-laden steam4 ,the combined odors of the stew1 the pudding and the fragrant beverage are so alluring that ,fenta31 who1 on our entrance prudently retired to his lair1 cautiously crawls out but keeps close to his mistress1 regarding us with evident distrust and aversion4 ,gentola31 you were wondering if these people use bread4 ,in this high heaped platter of small1 nice-looking loaves is a reply to your query4 ,giantess is preparing a batter of meal and milk1 which she pours into the stew1 stirs it about and removes it from the fire4 ,with a large fork she lifts the meat on to a huge platter and ladles the gravy over it4 ,into another platter she ladles the vegetables and bears to the table the steaming viands4 ,the pudding being done to a turn is placed in the centre of the feast1 flanked by bowls of honey and confections of fruits1 and now ,giantess politely and very cordially says3 ,emntos1 rimoh ouman d rana3 dos lito1 passen tento voss4 ,in your language1 ,gentola31 the sense of the invitation would be3 ,friends1 rimoh and we wish you to partake of our hospitality4 ,giant sits at one end1 ,giantess at the other end of the table4 ,the guest of honor is the white-haired1 white-bearded giant at ,giantess's left side1 the remaining guests occupying the side of the table on her right4 ,the children1 who have quietly entered1 sit on the opposite side4 ,all being seated1 ,giant fills the drinking cups and ,giantess serves the meal1 which evidently meets with flattering appreciation4 ,fenta3 has not been neglected1 and1 as he carefully finishes the remains of a bountiful supply of stew1 he regards us apprehensively1 and retreats under the table4 ,leaving these kindly disposed1 gentle humans to the enjoyment of the good things1 they regard as having been specially provided for them by ,andmana31 the ,creator of all things1 we will bid them adieu4 ,gentola31 ,george and ,inez will bear you to your ,earth home and we will attend to a duty demanding our presence elsewhere4 ,but our loving thoughts will keep us in touch with you until we shall meet again4 ,george--,come1 sister1 rest your hands on our shoulders4 ,you require less assistance than formerly4 ,as you are but slightly exhausted we need not hasten4 ,how do we move through space8 ,that ,i cannot demonstrate to your present understanding4 ,no words can convey to you that which is outside your sense of realization4 ,not until you shall again become a wholly freed spirit will your consciousness compass this and other marvels4 ,so rest satisfied and await such knowledge as in the nature of events must ere long come to you4 ,no1 ,i do not mean in a month or a year1 but after your work shall be ended4 ,inez1 dear1 we will pause for a little4 ,yonder1 ,gentola31 is our planet4 ,see how its luminous envelope pulses and palpitates as though imprisoning the throbbing heart of some living thing4 ,imagine some of your learned astronomers1 with one or more of your great telescopes1 out here in space2 do you not think that through their observations they might arrive at some surprising conclusions8 ,were you less sensitive to possible scientific criticism1 ,bruno and others might use your organism for a grand purpose1 and we are hoping that you may gain sufficient confidence in yourself and spirit friends to allow them to give through you some facts now only guessed at4 ,can you realize that beyond that luminous veil is your home8 ,it is not surprising that you cannot1 for ,i1 whose quickened senses are more acute than your own1 can scarcely realize that once on the swiftly flying globe ,i1 too1 dwelt4 ,where8 ,in ,england1 on an estate near the banks of the ,thames4 ,heretofore no opportunity has favored my acquainting you with the story of my ,earth life4 ,now ,i will briefly relate it4 ,for services rendered their sovereign some of my ancestors were rewarded with wealth and distinction4 ,thus the members of our family were regarded as eminently respectable ,commoners4 ,my father1 who was in the army1 was engaged in the ,war of the ,revolution4 ,at its close he returned from ,america to ,england and soon afterwards suddenly passed to the spirit side1 leaving my dear mother a young and handsome widow4 ,some years later1 when ,i was nearly sixteen years old1 she became the wife of a titled gentleman1 and in less than one year she1 too1 passed to the spirit world1 leaving me to the care of my stepfather1 a kind and honorable man4 ,a year later1 with a party of youths ,i went boating on the river ,thames4 ,some of the lads1 in a mischievous mood1 began rocking the boat from side to side1 the remonstrances of the more prudent ones only serving to render them more reckless4 ,one more heedless than the others1 stood up and shouting1 ,here we go1 gave such an impetus to the rocking boat that it was capsized and all were thrown into the water4 ,some of the party could swim1 and thus saved themselves and assisted others to the shore4 ,i had nearly reached it when ,i discovered that the lad who had caused the catastrophe was drowning1 and ,i turned about to rescue him4 ,twice he had gone under1 and as he again came to the surface ,i seized him by his hair1 hoping to sustain him and myself until assistance should arrive4 ,in his frantic struggling he caught me about the neck1 and ,i being too exhausted to release myself1 we both were drowned4 ,my quickly freed spirit was by its own gravity borne to a realm suited to my condition1 and there my dear parents immediately found me and with loving ministrations assisted my recovery from the terror of my sudden change from ,earth life to the spirit world4 ,subsequently1 they also assisted me in my efforts to complete my mortal education1 which as you are aware1 is a requisite of spiritual growth4 ,i shall pass over the time intervening between my entrance into the world of spirits and the coming of your infant sister1 ,inez4 ,being my soul mate1 my dear mother brought her into our home1 where she has ever remained4 ,when your and ,inez's mother came to our side of life she of course1 claimed her daughter4 ,inez1 with a joyful recognition of their relationship1 and with the natural love of a child for its mother1 was drawn hither and thither1 but in the end the law of affinity was recognized by both mother and child1 as eventually it became recognized by all spirits1 and ,inez remained with me4 ,now you know who ,i am1 and how it is that ,i am your brother1 ,george ,brooke4 ,yes1 that is ,earth's satellite1 the little planet ,luna1 and it occurs to me that from our vantage ground we behold what no astronomer or other mortal has ever seen or ever will see through the medium of mortal vision4 ,desolate and well nigh inanimate it indeed is1 and in coming time1 atom by atom1 its disintegrated particles will be attracted to other combinations of matter1 and ages hence a period must arrive when its shadowy valleys1 its frozen waters1 its toppling crags and cavernous depths will no longer afford a spectacle for the learned or the curious4 ,it is the purpose of our ,band to some time afford you another series of visits to ,luna1 so you will pardon me for declining to now approach it more nearly4 ,gentola--,it is ,i who should apologize for having made the request1 but ,i so dimly recall what was shown me1 that ,i am curious to again observe the peculiar features of ,earth's satellite4 ,may ,i ask if your ,band always journeys together8 ,george--,always1 unless one or more may be detailed for some special duty or mission4 ,yes1 together1 we repeatedly have visited ,venus1 scintillating yonder like a great diamond on the bosom of space4 ,willingly ,i would tell you of the grandly beautiful planet1 but as ,i am aware that our ,band has under advisement certain plans relating to it1 in which it is desired that you shall participate1 ,i do not consider it advisable to further speak of it4 ,my dear sister1 your mortal existence will yet be so prolonged that you will take many starward journeys with us4 ,has it occurred to you that this is ,january #dth1 #ahic8 ,no8 ,it would be well that all mortals should cease setting up milestones along the roadway of life4 ,on our side of life there is only the ever present now4 ,why8 ,because1 to a degree1 spirits realize what mortal mind cannot grasp1 the meaning of ,eternity4 ,gentola--,have spirits a knowledge of how long ago ,venus or any of yonder shining worlds came into existence as worlds8 ,george--,not the slightest4 ,why1 my sister1 the immensity of time that has elapsed since ,venus or any of the planets of our ,solar ,system came into our galaxy of worlds is inconceivable1 yet1 compared with eternity1 their birth was as of yesterday4 ,when ,i said that spirits 7and ,i do not mean all spirits7 to a degree realize the meaning of eternity1 ,i do not wish you to understand that any spirit has a conception or realization of the duration of eternity4 ,yes1 ,i know how flippantly mortals1 who have no conception of either1 prate of ,god1 of time and of eternity1 yet that is less remarkable than the stupendous egotism inducing mortals to believe that the ,infinite ,spirit of an ,infinite ,universe became incarnated in the body of a finite human creature1 that thus to the humans of one small planet 7which is but one of a countless number of inhabited planets7 certain benefits might be secured and yet once ,i regarded any other religious belief as sacrilegious4 ,what a puerile conception of ,infinity1 but one on a level with the evolvement of those entertaining it1 and spirits constantly enter the world of realities who must outgrow this and other mistaken conceptions and in numerous instances a long time elapses before they yield to the evidences of their experiences4 ,but1 on both the mortal and spiritual planes of life evolution goes steadily1 invincibly forward1 and inevitably all grow into a clearer comprehension of truth4 ,gentola--,as we need not hasten our1 or1 rather1 my return to ,earth1 ,i should like you to tell me how spirits define time1 space and spirit4 ,george--,that which never had a beginning1 and can never have an ending1 may be denominated ,eternity or infinite duration of time1 and what is termed time as a separation of periods for the purpose of making definite statements1 or for marking definite occurrences4 ,understand1 ,i now am considering your question from a mortal1 not a spirit standpoint1 for1 on the spirit side1 we are not conscious1 in the sense that mortals are conscious1 of the divisions of time4 ,as neither time or space are dimensional1 they can have no real existence or recognition1 so we do not assume to define that which is not4 ,for purposes of convenience1 conscious mortal mind takes cognizance of phenomena1 but the subconscious self1 the ,ego1 recognizes only realities1 hence1 unlike mortal mind 7which is the intelligent human animal soul71 bears no relation to the phenomena of so termed time and space4 ,thus1 from a spirit view1 neither time or space are definable4 ,neither can angel or archangel define spirit1 yet all spirits progressed beyond the first1 or ,earth sphere1 are conscious of their spirit being4 ,we are taught by those of higher spheres1 and our own experiences teach the same truth1 that every progressive step affords the high reward of a clearer consciousness that all spirit entities are the expressions of the ,one ,infinite ,spirit1 and are one and inseparable from their origin4 ,hence1 is not it reasonable to assume that if all spirits in or apart from physical bodies are inseparable parts of the ,infinite ,spirit1 vicarious atonement for sin1 which is a misnomer for undevelopment1 is an uncalled for proceeding4 ,gentola--,i rejoice to say that ,i have outgrown that belief1 but ,i endured years of agony of mind while passing through the process4 ,but1 ,george1 do the peoples of other planets entertain religious beliefs similar to those of ,christians1 ,hindus and others of ,earth's peoples8 ,george--,none of the peoples of planets we have visited entertain a belief corresponding with the dogmas involving the incarnation and crucifixion of ,god4 ,human sacrifices are a concomitant of religious superstitions of the crude civilizations or dominant ecclesiasticisms of many planets4 ,animal sacrifices of a less cruel1 hence of a more advanced state1 offerings of grains1 fruits1 flowers and objects of value1 of a still higher spiritual unfoldment1 while devotional aspirations and a desire to benefit others1 indicate a tendency toward rational views of the possible attributes of the ,infinite ,good4 ,all spiritualized humans are of necessity religious1 and all adore such gods as the degrees of their evolvement fashion4 ,our ,earth peoples have fashioned gods suited to their various immature conceptions1 and for the selfish purpose of having their real or fancied wants supplied4 ,all the divinities of all religions are the exact indicators of the spiritual status of their worshippers1 and as the peoples unfold higher spirituality they will oblige their gods to keep pace with them4 ,so will it continue to be and in some coming age ,earth's peoples will have so evolved as to recognize but one ,god--the ,infinite1 ,all ,pervading ,spirit1 in whom all things live1 move and have their being4 ,yes1 truly1 the ,entoans in nearly all ways are more highly evolved than are our ,earth peoples1 and when the bonds of ecclesiasticism and superstitious beliefs1 shall have been broken they will emerge from spiritual darkness into light1 casting from them forever the shackles which have held them in slavery to a dreary1 deadening materialism4 ,gentola--,if ,i should pass to the spirit side1 would that interfere with what you all term our mission8 ,george--,it would prolong the night of ,ento's spiritual darkness4 ,our and other spirit ,bands have been1 and now are1 endeavoring to prepare sensitives for this and similar missions1 but as yet we can only use you for this special work4 ,we find you fitted for it quite beyond our hopes and expectations1 and now feel assured of entire success4 ,success that means life for death1 joy for sorrow1 to the present and coming generations of ,ento4 ,not yet1 my sister1 will you come to our side of life1 not until your work shall be finished4 ,we have journeyed so leisurely that night shadows are falling over your city of ,st4 ,louis4 ,now we will descend1 and in good time1 for your husband is rapping at your door4 ,a hasty good-bye until we again come for you4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,first ,,approach ,,to ,,ento ,,sensitives ,de ,l',ester--,good-morning1 ,gentola34 ,our satisfaction over the departure of your early visitor quite equals your own4 ,you have forgotten to lower the shades over the south window1 and soon the sun will be shining through the blinds4 ,sit in the armchair1 it is more restful than this armless one4 ,now1 render yourself passive4 ,that is well4 ,as we are late1 we will swiftly and directly pass to the country of the ,sovanallo4 ,yes1 that is ,giant's dwelling and we now are moving directly southward4 ,from this low altitude we have a fine view of the country1 and we desire that you shall speak of whatever may to you appear noticeable4 ,gentola--,in all directions there are extensive plains1 with here and there forests heavily timbered with enormously large trees and undergrowths of shrubbery4 ,toward the west are numbers of small lakes or1 perhaps1 they may be reservoirs connecting with each other through channels on which are small boats passing to and fro4 ,far eastward is a river1 flowing southward1 and it is the only flowing water within range of my vision4 ,the entire region is dotted with residences and other structures4 ,some are very like the one occupied by ,giant and his family1 others are more pretentious and picturesque and all are surrounded by orchards1 gardens and cultivated fields1 in which are many men busily engaged4 ,i see1 too1 immense herds of grazing animals which are quite unlike any you yet have shown me4 ,de ,l',ester--,george1 we will alight near the herds toward our left1 and you1 ,gentola31 will describe the creatures4 ,gentola--,what gentle looking1 pretty animals they are4 ,they are twice as large as our domestic sheep1 and from their heads to the tips of their short tails they are covered with a close growth of long waved1 silken wool4 ,some herds are white1 some brown1 others of a light reddish1 brown1 and their hornless heads1 large pointed1 erect ears1 and large wide open eyes1 give them such a surprised expression that it really is amusing4 ,even to their cloven hoofs1 they resemble1 but are handsomer animals than sheep4 ,de ,l',ester--,your description is accurate4 ,yes1 the creatures1 naturally1 are hornless2 that is why they are known as the ,angossa4 ,having already informed you as to their uses1 we will not devote further time to them4 ,those bodies of water are1 for the most part1 reservoirs for the retention of the spring over-flow of the river you have seen in the distance4 ,indeed1 all are reservoirs1 though formerly some of them were diminutive lakes which have been enlarged4 ,along the entire length of the river at intervals its banks are pierced by channels through which its surplusage is conveyed into reservoirs to be used for irrigation and other purposes4 ,inidora3 informs us that previous to his father's visit to these people their methods of irrigation were very imperfect1 but quickly they were taught a better system4 ,apart from general irrigation1 which is a necessary process on this leveled planet1 you have been informed that there is what is termed the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system2 as we journey toward the equator we will cross the northern half of this ,system1 which is about #a1djj miles wide1 and at present nearly #e1jjj in length4 ,the central waterways traverse the equatorial and temperate regions1 and in time the system will1 through connections with natural water divisions1 encircle the entire ,planet4 ,during the time allotted to our mission it will not be practicable to visit the entire planet1 so only such portions and features of it as may best subserve our purpose will be shown you4 ,throughout the north and south temperate regions the lands1 wherever practicable1 are cultivated1 and densely populated by highly civilized and cultured people4 ,further northward and southward1 even within the frigid zones1 and under most unpromising conditions1 the lands are well occupied by educated and refined races1 who1 possessing a knowledge of natural forces1 do not so much accommodate themselves to their environments as that they1 to a degree1 oblige their environments to yield to their requirements4 ,they are not at all nomads1 but the vicissitudes and exigencies of many centuries of warfare with nature's pitiless and at times unconquerable forces has developed in them a migratory tendency1 hence during the long winter season1 through the agency of air and other transportation1 they in large numbers flit to other climes1 returning in the spring to their homes and occupations4 ,these races are most interesting and some time you shall visit them4 ,we now will move southward4 ,the plateau over which we now are passing is the southern boundary of ,esvenemo1 and a vestige of a once great mountain chain extending in a southwesterly direction and forming the northern boundary of ,indoloisa31 which is one of ,ento's largest salt seas4 ,is not this a beautiful country8 ,certainly you have seen nothing surpassing it4 ,gentola--,truly1 ,i have not1 and ,i wish that ,i may be able to retain a memory of the wonderfully beautiful land which seems a very paradise4 ,there are fields cultivated like gardens1 and gardens amid which are fountains and statuary1 and there are groves and groups of gigantic trees4 ,the finest1 ,i think1 are those great ,bda3s trees1 whose feathery foliage is ever in tremulous motion4 ,there are reservoirs like miniature lakes1 and all are bordered by small1 pretty structures1 with statuary1 trees1 shrubbery and blooming plants1 and all are surrounded by wide paved roadways1 over which people in motor vehicles or on foot are passing1 and overhead air transports1 like huge humming birds1 are rushing in all directions4 ,what an amazing1 bewildering scene6 ,i cannot conceive of even spirit realms being lovelier than this enchanting view4 ,de ,l',ester--,of its kind it is very attractive2 but you will be shown other views much finer4 ,you have mentioned the tremulous motion of the foliage of ,bda3s trees4 ,they are so named because of the tremulousness of their leaves4 ,we now will move slowly onward4 ,as you perceive1 the scenes vary1 but everywhere are indications of high intelligence1 luxury and refined tastes4 ,george1 again we will pause for a little4 ,what do you now see8 ,gentola--,what do ,i see8 ,i cannot say4 ,the scene is so unlike anything ,i ever have beheld that ,i cannot even attempt to describe it4 ,de ,l',ester--,we have reached the northern limit of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 and are #gjj miles from the equator4 ,within the limits of this system1 the civilization of ,ento manifests its highest expression in sciences1 arts1 literature1 mechanics and all that constitutes a very advanced social condition4 ,as we move onward we perceive two parallel waterways running diagonally across the equator1 and they at greater or lesser intervals are intersected by smaller1 but navigable1 waterways4 ,those lofty structures are the stations containing the machinery through which the waterways and irrigating system is controlled4 ,to such perfection has hydraulic and civil engineering been brought1 and so adequate are the receiving reservoirs that little if any difficulty is experienced in regulating the water supply of ,ento4 ,as we already have intimated1 owing to ,ento's excessively humid atmosphere and rather high temperature1 as spring approaches and advances1 the vast accumulations of ice and snow at the ,north ,pole1 and throughout the ,arctic1 ,antarctic1 frigid and temperate regions1 melt with phenomenal rapidity1 and water courses1 lakes1 rivers1 canals1 and waterways are filled to overflowing4 ,were it not that the soil to a great depth is as porous and absorbent as a sponge1 even ,ento's advanced methods would inadequately cope with its annual floods4 ,the generally cloudless skies might lead you to suppose that necessarily rains must be of rare occurrence2 quite the contrary1 throughout the irrigated equatorial belt and temperate regions you will have occasion to observe sudden1 frequent1 heavy showers1 but the porous soil so quickly absorbs them that they serve merely as additions to irrigation4 ,previous to the introduction of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 the entire equatorial regions largely were arid and unproductive2 but as the great and beneficent work progressed1 and the soil was supplied with life giving streams1 vegetation was quickened into immediate growth1 and gradually the then very infrequent rains came to be of common occurrence1 and the lands of the progressing ,system prolific to a high degree4 ,inidora3 now will speak of matters which ,i doubt not will be interesting to all4 ,inidora--,ere ,i attempt to continue the conversation ,i propose that we shall pass directly to the height overlooking the ,city ,camarissa34 ,with your approval1 friends1 ,i will lead the way4 ,ah1 here is a pretty vine covered arbor1 in which we may rest while ,i shall endeavor to entertain you4 ,the imposing edifice so grandly crowning this portion of the height marks the site of ,genessano's and my ancestral home1 of which at another time ,i may further speak4 ,as an introduction to other themes ,i shall presume to speak of matters relating to personal history4 ,this eminence was in a remote age1 a lofty spur of the mountain range1 a vestige of which we crossed on our journey hither1 and for centuries its levelled summit was beautified by the residences of the governors of this ,province of ,ond1 and by other structures quite as admirable4 ,after the death of our parents1 my brother and ,i resolved to carry into execution a work contemplated by them1 and left to us as a sacred trust4 ,in pursuance of this resolve we decided that our home which had sheltered so many generations of our kindred should be demolished1 and the height lowered to afford a suitable site for an institution which should be of lasting benefit to many generations of ,ento's sons and daughters1 and a fitting monument to perpetuate the memory of our beloved parents4 ,we lived to see our work only well begun2 but in yonder stately edifice we find our plans and desires embodied4 ,it is an institution devoted to science1 art1 and other educational purposes of a most comprehensive nature1 and is what our parents contemplated that it should be1 the best equipped and richly endowed ,galaresa3 of ,ento4 ,after the death of his father1 our father became hereditary governor of this ,province of ,ond1 and it was he who conceived and carried into execution the plan of the ,irrigating ,system4 ,the ,waterways were an afterthought1 the result indeed of obvious necessity4 ,you will make a distinction between the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 and the imperfect methods of irrigation1 which for many centuries previous to its introduction prevailed over a large portion of the arable lands of ,ento1 and which1 owing to adverse conditions ever were unsatisfactory4 ,the new and improved method revolutionized the old practices1 and our father lived to witness the successful inception and assured progress of an undertaking which promised perpetual prosperity to the children of ,ento1 then with a mind at peace with himself and all men1 he followed our dear mother1 the ,lady ,camarissa31 into our world of spirits4 ,the great and beautiful city covering the slope1 and spreading far eastward1 northward and southward1 is named ,camarissa31 in honor and memory of our mother4 ,it is at the head of what is termed the ,great ,central ,waterway1 and as you perceive it is intersected by canals1 on which small boats carrying passengers1 or laden with various wares1 pass to all parts of the city4 ,over intersections of the canals are light1 beautifully constructed bridges1 affording passageways for pedestrians and vehicles of various kinds4 ,yonder huge vessel coming into view is one of many coming or going on the ,central ,waterway4 ,electricity is the motive power urging it swiftly forward4 ,our friends inform me that on your planet1 electrical appliances are only coming into general use4 ,on ,ento1 during many centuries of our time this force has been so well understood that aside from vibratory and atmospheric forces it has1 as a motive power1 nearly superseded all other applied energies4 ,now the vessel approaches the calloisa3 7landing7 and draws alongside4 ,while the busy crew attend to their duties the numerous passengers disembark and greetings and embraces are exchanged with friends awaiting them4 ,now a number of men1 women and children also are disembarking and under guidance of an official of the ,galaresa3 they are coming this way4 ,it is apparent that they all are natives of a ,southland town1 known as ,kyf4 ,they will attend courses of special instruction in the ,galaresa31 and1 when qualified1 will return to their own people to serve as teachers in industrial and other vocations4 ,this is a custom which has long existed on ,ento4 ,you perceive1 ,gentola31 that they are fair skinned1 blue or brown eyed1 brown haired1 of medium height and of a more vivacious manner than are our darker complexioned peoples4 ,yes1 they will reside in the ,galaresa3 until sufficiently educated to assume the duties of instructors4 ,what did ,i mean by medium height8 ,why1 that they are not so tall as are ,genessano and myself1 whose altitude is above seven ,english feet4 ,looking downward over this terraced slope1 with its many statues1 fountains1 and stately and beautifully picturesque dwellings1 embowered amid trees and flower laden vines1 it is difficult to realize that once near this spot was our home4 ,all is changed1 but1 as the improvement is as great as the change1 my brother and ,i experience no regret4 ,at the time of our passing into our spirit world this beautiful city was scarcely a promise of what it long has been1 one of ,ento's finest and most populous cities4 ,the imposing structures crowning the height to the north and south are devoted to educational and beneficent purposes1 and all1 in their several ways1 are very admirable1 but through personal reasons my brother and ,i are more interested in yonder ,galarsa3 than in other institutions1 and we feel assured that within its walls we all shall find much that will be pleasing and instructive4 ,if it may please you1 friends1 we will turn our steps in that direction4 ,nowhere on ,ento is there a more beautiful or imposing edifice than is this great ,galarsa34 ,the grand flights of steps leading up to the spacious porticos1 with their golden domed roofs1 supported by many lofty1 massive1 flower crowned columns1 present a most harmonious and pleasing effect4 ,the group surmounting the roof of the central portico represents the forms of eminent ,entoans4 ,in the admirable statue at the front of the portico is a faithful representation of our father ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 as he appeared during the middle years of his mortal existence4 ,he was1 and is a man of noble and gracious mien1 with features as harmoniously beautiful as a musical chord1 and though of unusually lofty stature1 he is so finely molded as to leave nothing further to be desired4 ,as you may perceive my brother ,genessano closely resembles our father1 and in spirit they are two entities1 with one thought4 ,nay1 my brother1 ,i do not overrate you1 for like our father you are an embodiment of all the virtues and graces4 ,this ,galarsa31 having been built nearly four ,ento centuries ago1 its architecture is unlike that of the more modern style of some of the structures to the north and south1 but to my taste it compares more than favorably with either of them4 ,the rotunda1 which we now are entering1 ,de ,l',ester will be good enough to describe4 ,de ,l',ester--,from foundation to apex its height is quite two hundred feet1 its diameter little less than half its height4 ,looking upward we perceive that the upper portion1 including the domed roof1 is filled in with glass of a soft opalescent tint1 through which the sun's rays fall with a pleasing radiance4 ,as we cannot avail ourselves of the lifting apparatus we will1 like mortals1 try the experience of ascending the staircase1 which winds and climbs upward around the walls to the landings1 opening into balconies1 until this topmost one is reached1 and as it encircles the dome it affords a comprehensive view of the landscape4 ,yes1 the view is really fine4 ,far westward and southward extends the waters of yonder inland sea1 which is but little less than the largest salt sea of ,ento4 ,so tranquil are its waters that scarcely a ripple disturbs its sparkling surface4 ,what a number of small boats are gliding hither and thither4 ,some of the occupants appear to be on pleasure bent1 and the western breeze bears to us musical notes of stringed instruments4 ,the great vessels coming1 going or lying by the piers1 extending far outward from the eastern shore1 are of the same class as those traversing the waterways and large bodies of water with which they connect4 ,they are most scientifically and stanchly built1 and as on ,ento's waters dangerous gales seldom occur1 and their motive power is electric1 they rarely are exposed to the destructive forces of storms1 or of fire4 ,then1 too1 ,ento's ethereal signal system is so perfect that collisions never occur4 ,indeed1 by the ,entoans accidents are regarded as little less than crimes4 ,life is considered so sacred1 and death so deplorable that all possible precautions are taken to preserve the one1 and ward off the other4 ,inidora31 you will kindly resume4 ,inidora--,genessano and ,i remember seeing the same kind of vessels plying between this and other ports4 ,at that time ,indoloisa3's eastern shore was further away1 and with surprise we note how its waters have encroached upon the land4 ,i am informed that in your tongue ,indoloisa3 would be quiet or tranquil water4 ,compared with other large bodies of water it is tranquil1 yet ,i have seen it very tempestuous indeed4 ,yonder massive sea wall is being constructed for the purpose of arresting its aggressive waters1 which have bitten deeply into its eastern and northern shores4 ,de ,l',ester says that some of your astronomers have decided that the surface of ,ento is about equally divided between land and water4 ,in a sense1 this is true1 but its natural divisions of water fall far short of occupying one-half of its surface4 ,considered as a whole1 the made areas fully equal one-third of the natural water areas of our planet4 ,at other times we may call your attention to this matter1 so for the present we will pass it by4 ,indoloisa3 is a very salt body of water1 but during the season of floods its volume being enormously increased1 it1 of course1 is less so4 ,were it a fresh water sea long ago the plateau would have been pierced to form a connection between it and the ,central ,waterway4 ,as it is1 it is included in the ,system1 interchange of transportation being as you perceive1 effected by means of both air transportation and soitzna3 7tramways74 ,we now will descend1 but before proceeding further ,de ,l',ester has something to say to you4 ,de ,l',ester--,i indeed have something to say to you1 and am somewhat at a loss how to word it4 ,from time to time we have intimated to you that our purpose in bringing you to ,ento1 is that we may use you as an instrument through whom we hope to accomplish a certain mission1 trusting that its gradual unfoldment might induce in you a willing acquiescence with our desires until now we have deferred acquainting you with our entire purposes4 ,be assured1 ,gentola31 that your personal safety and welfare is to us as sacred as is our mission1 and we pray you to trust yourself unreservedly to our care and guidance4 ,gentola--,i confess that you startle me1 but as ,i already have said1 it is my nature to trust all1 or not at all1 and ,i hope that the success of this mission may be as unbounded as is my faith in you all4 ,de ,l',ester--,then understand that in the lecture hall we now are entering an important step is to be taken1 and now we will attempt it4 ,on yonder slightly raised platform are several scholarly1 dignified1 fine looking professors1 one of whom has just ceased addressing the youths and maidens about the hall4 ,with their spiritual and mental states we have made ourselves acquainted1 and we know that three of those youths are highly sensitive4 ,as a subject for our first experiment we have chosen the handsome1 grave looking youth1 clothed in dark blue4 ,remain where you are1 we will approach and address him4 ,you perceive that he is not aware of our presence4 ,now you1 who are not so etherealized as ourselves1 will stand by his side1 repeating to him what ,i shall say to you4 ,gentola--,commista3 estand1 ,ento lisson8 ,de ,l',ester--,he starts1 looks about him in great surprise1 and involuntarily replies1 ,rvol antissa31 ,ento mana34 ,professors and students stare at him inquiringly4 ,gentola--,indoloisa31 esto a3 fond1 comprano gardo1 von non ista paro mano4 ,ga3-fon vos tran ista3 ,gandlana34 ,gandlanos inos esta3 companista3 rmond4 ,illo mano1 ,illo4 ,de ,l',ester--,trembling and amazed he springs to his feet1 crying1 ,who speaks to me8 ,who speaks to me8 ,this youth1 ,lta ,verronadas1 is both clairvoyant and clairaudient1 but cannot yet perceive wholly freed spirits4 ,neither does he quite clearly perceive you1 but he is developing rapidly1 and soon will both see and hear in a manner that will greatly surprise himself and others4 ,you wish to know what you said to him1 and the sense of his replies8 ,you asked1 ,how are you1 ,ento lad8 ,he replied1 ,very well1 ,ento friend4 ,you remarked1 ,indoloisa3 oversteps its bounds4 ,like some huge serpent it stealthily crawls onward4 ,serpents are treacherous4 ,remember1 friend1 remember4 ,the commotion is disturbing conditions4 ,quickly approach the student clothed in purple4 ,he is ,dano ,andlsa1 son of ,prince ,basto ,andlsa1 and is destined to be one of the chief instruments for the spiritual enlightenment of ,ento's sorrowful peoples4 ,he is so highly sensitive that already he perceives your presence1 and glances about in an inquiring and perplexed manner4 ,touch his head with the tips of your fingers4 ,now he sees you1 and oblivious of his surroundings1 he tremblingly exclaims3 ,emana tsa3 istan ta3 fan val8 ,efon foist lana3 dosa34 ,gentola--,emano1 ,ento nouista3 ma3 vilo4 ,efon para3 nos oirand ltza kiaf ztos antista4 ,de ,l',ester--,confusion reigns4 ,the professors imagine that ,lta and ,dano have been attacked by sudden illness1 and with much solicitude they question the youths1 who are greatly agitated1 and who are gently advised to walk in the open air until they regain composure4 ,what did ,dano say8 ,he asked1 ,from whence come you1 friend8 ,then he regarded you very earnestly1 and remarked1 ,i do not recognize you4 ,you replied1 ,friend1 ,ento is not my home1 ,i am of another world than this4 ,later on1 ,gentola31 you and these youths will know each other better1 for both ,lta and ,dano are instruments chosen to assist in the accomplishment of our mission1 and the result of this experiment gives us assurance of a degree of success we scarcely have dared to anticipate4 ,at present conditions are too disturbed to attempt further experiments4 ,observe this large assemblage of students1 for they fairly represent the various races of ,ento4 ,sitting somewhat apart from the others1 and near yonder great vase of flowers1 there is a golden-haired1 blue-eyed1 fair-skinned son of a race dwelling in a ,northland1 known as ,quend4 ,his name is ,favon ,myssonda1 and he also is both clairvoyant and clairaudient4 ,the average stature of the ,quends is a trifle less than that of the darker races of ,ento4 ,they are a very symmetrically formed and handsome race1 and they excel in intellectual and artistic pursuits4 ,their women are exceedingly gracious and graceful1 and are known as ,rudvos ,quenda3a34 7,beautiful ,quend women47 ,as far back as their history can be traced1 this race has guarded its purity of lineage1 permitting no intermarriage with other races4 ,genessano has related to us a characteristic event which occurred during his mortal existence4 ,adjoining ,quend ,province on the east is the province named ,zand4 ,the ,zands are also a fair-skinned race1 who for many centuries have been noted as manufacturers of rich textile fabrics4 ,a ,quend woman1 and a ,zand gentleman1 both persons of distinction1 loved and desired to wed4 ,this the ,quend custom utterly forbade4 ,in this strait the lovers appealed to the ,supreme ,ruler1 ,tyvon ,oiranza31 but it was not within his province to interfere in a domestic affair4 ,being more ardent than prudent1 the lovers resolved to defy consequences1 and the lady fled with1 and wedded the man of her choice4 ,the ,quends demanded her restoration to her own family4 ,this the ,zands refused1 and a bitter strife ensued1 during which the husband and some others were killed1 or injured1 and the lady was recovered and consigned to perpetual seclusion4 ,this affair put an end to exploits of this nature1 and up to this time the ,quends remain an unmixed race4 ,dano and ,lta are returning1 but their nervous1 disturbed manner indicates that they have not quite regained composure4 ,it is not desirable that they shall still sense our presence1 so we will draw further away from them4 ,to all ,entoans this is a memorable day1 for it is the anniversary of the birth of one of the most noted personages of comparatively modern times1 and as it will be observed by all connected with the ,galarsa3 you will be afforded the privilege of seeing male and female representatives of the various races of ,ento4 ,the great hall is filling to repletion with youths1 maidens and their relatives and friends1 and professors and teachers are crowding the spacious rostrum4 ,one of the professors is about to address the quiet1 attentive assemblage4 ,you also will be attentive1 while to the best of my ability ,i shall attempt to translate into your language1 what he may say4 ,professor--,children of the ,supreme ,one1 through whose will you and all things have come into existence1 it is my privilege and my pleasure to address you this day upon a theme ever dear to the hearts of the children of ,ento4 ,you are of various races1 and your diverse surroundings have to a degree engendered in your minds a diversity of ideas1 still1 ,i doubt not that all present yield ready obedience to the will of ,andmana31 whose laws control all things4 ,although our ,holy ,religion permits a certain freedom of thought and action1 it is of paramount importance that the unformed minds of our youths and maidens shall be trained to think and act aright4 ,to this end all instruction should tend1 and all examples of right living should serve as incentives for righteous endeavor4 ,in the beginning it pleased ,andmana3 that his children should be unlearned1 beyond what might be necessary for self preservation and for their happiness1 well knowing that knowledge acquired through laborious and painful experiences would be to them as valued treasures earned at great cost4 ,since remotest times these treasures have been accumulating1 until now1 we1 who are the inheritors of all the past1 are rich1 not only in knowledge1 but in memories of noble deeds of great and admirable men and women4 ,on this commemorative occasion ,i shall attempt to repeat the story of one whose name ever will be set above and apart from all other names4 ,it is the story of one whose deeds ever will call forth the loving homage due to an illustrious benefactor of ,ento's children4 ,it is the story of one of the greatest men of any time4 ,to him not only do we owe the prosperity of our beautiful lands1 but to ,genessano ,allis ,immo and his most admirable wife1 the ,lady ,camarissa31 we also owe our love and gratitude for the creation of this1 the greatest of ,ento's institutions4 ,true1 ere even its foundations were laid1 they were in the voiceless silence1 but it was through their wise and generous munificence that means were provided wherewith their two sons1 ,inidora3 and ,genessano1 might carry into effect their wishes1 thus perpetuating the memory of their beloved parents and conferring upon the children of ,ento an inestimable benefit4 ,genessano ,allis ,immo's greatest achievement1 which1 as ,i have said1 will set him above and apart from the renowned ones of the past1 present and future1 was his conception and execution of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system4 ,it is a subject of history that many ,ryzo-enteva3a3 7centuries7 preceding the period in which ,genessano ,allis ,immo's father1 ,apsidon ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 was governor of this province1 ,ond 7which then1 as now1 extended from the western shore of ,indoloisa3 to the eastern shore of ,gandlana3 ,loisa3 and northward and southward from ,bascama3 ,loisa3 to ,ta3imon71 not only this province1 but the provinces of the entire central regions had1 through the action of natural forces1 grown more and more arid and unproductive1 and that gradually1 in despair of a betterment of their condition1 multitudes had deserted homes and country for more hospitable regions4 ,eventually it became lamentably apparent that if the lands could not in some way be retrieved1 at no very distant time the central regions must become entirely depopulated4 ,the peoples who still tenaciously clung to homes and country1 having1 through no fault of their own1 grown impoverished and unable to longer passively silently endure the hopeless situation1 became not only discontented but to an extent rebellious against the ruling powers1 ascribing to them lack of wisdom as well as lack of interest in the general welfare4 ,at this critical juncture ,apsidon ,genessano ,allis ,immo passed into the silence1 and his son ,genessano ,allis ,immo became hereditary governor of ,ond4 ,at the very outset of his official career1 two grave matters confronted him4 ,gradually1 during the past centuries in ,indoloisa3's basin had been deposited the disintegrated substances of the lessening mountain range and the wreckage of other parts carried into it by the annual floods4 ,as its bed raised1 its waters encroached upon the lands to the west and south and ,genessano ,allis ,immo realized that this disastrous and alarming condition must be remedied4 ,the other and more momentous matter was the ever increasing aridity of the lands of the central regions4 ,genessano1 the wise one1 rose equal to these perplexing conditions4 ,hastening to the capitol1 he conferred with the supreme ruler1 ,tyvon ,oiranza1 and his ,council of ,state1 who1 being impressed not only with the necessity for immediate and vigorous action1 but by his comprehensive grasp of the very serious situation1 at once issued a proclamation to the ,rha3s 7governors7 of all the provinces1 eminent engineers and other learned ones to immediately repair to the capitol in order that1 if possible1 their united wisdom and knowledge might find a solution of existing calamities4 ,the congress being convened1 ,genessano ,allis ,immo addressed the assemblage4 ,on this occasion it is not fitting to give more than the substance of his oration4 ,amid profound silence and strained attention he said3 ,our gracious and ,supreme ,ruler has called to this congress those upon whom he relies1 as being devoted to the interest of the peoples of our beloved ,ento4 ,upon your combined wisdom and knowledge he also relies1 as being the foundation upon which he hopes to build for the future prosperity and happiness of our children and their descendants4 ,to the ,rha3s of the several provinces of ,ento ,i1 your co-worker1 offer a loving greeting4 ,to you1 the learned ones of ,ento1 ,i proffer my profoundest consideration4 ,to you all it is known that ,indoloisa3's waters encroach upon the lands along its western and southern shores4 ,from an inconvenience this condition has grown into a menace4 ,what shall be done to avert it8 ,we rely upon your united wisdom and skill to find a remedy4 ,it is1 alas1 a woful1 an overwhelming fact that gradually natural agencies have changed the surface of ,ento1 more especially the surface of the central regions1 until now the soil is so arid and unproductive that poverty and consequent discontent of the peoples is leading to their depopulation4 ,is it possible for science1 aided by self sacrifice1 by unlimited means1 by unremitting labor1 to restore the vanquished fertility of the lands of the vast1 desolated area8 ,it is my thought by day1 my dream of the night1 as to how the glory1 beauty and prosperity of past times may be restored to them4 ,we know that ere long we must go into the silence1 but ,andmana3 will create1 and others of his children will reap that which we shall sow4 ,teach us1 ye wise and learned ones1 that we may sow to be remembered as benefactors and not as foolish and unkind ones who have gone into the silence leaving a heritage of barren fields1 of poverty and wretchedness4 ,genessano ,allis ,immo then laid before the congress his plans for deepening and confining the waters of ,indoloisa3 and also for the reclamation of the lands of the central regions4 ,at first both plans were considered impracticable1 but1 after much thought and careful calculation1 the ,supreme ,ruler and the entire ,assemblage came to regard them favorably4 ,the very necessities of the situation created in their minds and in the minds of the people a sort of enthusiasm and ere long the gigantic undertaking was inaugurated4 ,thus far the results have been beneficent beyond all expectation4 ,of that all are aware1 but of the inevitable difficulties and discouragements attached to the earlier years of what1 at the best1 was considered a stupendous experiment1 we can form no estimate4 ,true1 the people1 understanding that upon its success depended their well being and that of their posterity1 gave willing co-operation1 but so many difficulties and exigencies occurred that many times ,genessano's firm will and loving heart well nigh failed him4 ,then it was that his spouse1 the amiable and lovely ,camarissa31 stood unswervingly by his side4 ,it is related that during this critical and trying period she gathered about her many women of lofty station1 of youth and loveliness1 and that she and they made it their duty to go among the laborers1 bearing to them cordials and palatable viands and so cheering and encouraging them by their sympathy and gracious presence that the work progressed with such astonishing rapidity that at the end of mos elipsa3a 7three years7 the waters of the great storage reservoirs and of ,bascama3 ,loisa31 flowed southward1 irrigating a considerable area of arid land1 which burst into verdure and bloom as though newly touched by ,andmana3's creative hands4 ,this demonstration so quickened the enthusiasm of all concerned that thereafter discouragements and uncertainty had not to be combated4 ,in planning the irrigating system1 ,genessana ,allis ,immo did not include possible waterways1 much less our great system of waterways1 but as the work progressed the necessity for providing further storage for the annual over-flow became apparent1 and it was ,genessano ,allis ,immo's comprehensive mind that conceived the idea of turning to advantage that which at first seemed a deplorable requirement4 ,the idea once conceived1 its utility was quickly perceived and with great determination and vigor the added enterprise was quickly under way4 ,that it has been and ever will be of incalculable service and profit to ,ento is obvious4 ,toward the close of the seventh year 7ofen elipsa3a37 the ,irrigating and ,central ,waterways ,system reached ,gandlana ,loisa31 thence eastward through the province of ,wya3mo and onward the work has continuously been prosecuted4 ,ere ,genessano ,allis ,immo passed into the silence1 as the results of his grandly conceived and executed plans he beheld fertile fields yielding rich abundance and growing communities of industrious1 contented people surrounding themselves with the luxuries and refinements of prosperous conditions4 ,he lived to realize that even as a child nestles in the arms of its mother1 so would the thirsty lands of his beloved ,ento nestle in the encircling embrace of the life giving element4 ,he lived to behold the infant city ,camarissa3 smiling downward upon the sparkling waters of the ,central ,waterway1 with its many outreaching arms4 ,he lived to see great vessels traversing the waterway between ,camarissa3 and ,gandlana3 ,loisa34 ,he lived to see his adored wife1 the ,lady ,camarissa31 whose virtues and beauty were themes for poets1 painters and sculptors1 pass into the dread silence1 while over her beloved form rained his and their two sons' woful tears4 ,he yet lived to see the basin of ,indoloisa3 greatly deepened and confined by strong embankments and stronger walls4 ,he lived until he arranged for the erection of this1 the greatest of ,ento's ,galarsa3s1 then with the quiet resignation of one who has wisely and lovingly fulfilled the will of ,andmana31 he too was no more4 ,passing into the silence he left his two young sons to perpetuate his and their mother's name and honors4 ,as ,rha3 7governor7 of ,ond1 ,inidora31 the elder son1 emulated the virtuous example of his revered father1 and ,genessano1 the younger son1 who in resemblance and characteristics was very like his father was his brother's inseparable companion4 ,it is related of them that the life of one seemed inseparably involved in the existence of the other4 ,as two vigorous saplings growing side by side1 their leafy boughs so interlaced as to cast but one shadow1 so were the lives of the two youths interblended4 ,the thought of one was the thought of both4 ,the desire of either one found fullest response in the heart of the other4 ,it was the will of ,andmana3 that ,inidora3 while yet in early manhood should cease to exist4 ,his brother ,genessano1 bereaved and inconsolable1 unable to endure the despair of knowing that no more should he behold the dear face and form of the brother he loved so well1 that nevermore should he hear the voice that was to him as sweetest music1 also soon passed into the silence from whence1 alas1 cometh no faintest whisper of our lost1 our beloved dead4 ,being the last representatives of their direct family line1 and dying unwedded1 the title and office of governor reverted to the general government1 whose ,supreme ,ruler was ,vestamon ,oiranza31 whose father1 ,tyvon ,vestamon ,oiranza31 had recently passed into the silence4 ,this great ,galarsa3 was only well begun when the deaths of ,inidora3 and ,genessano left to others the completion of their parents' and their own plans4 ,those who took up the work which death had obliged them to lay down1 took it up lovingly1 reverently1 not as a burdensome task1 but as a great and precious trust1 whose faithfulest fulfillment should be reckoned no higher than a simple duty to the memory of the generous dead4 ,ah me1 were life continuous with what gracious approval might they not regard this grand institution which1 like the radiant beams of ,andmana3's glorious abode1 blesses all alike8 ,to us the memory of ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 of the ,lady ,camarissa3 and their two sons has been handed down through song and story4 ,on yonder flower wreathed pedestals their sculptured images form lovely groups4 ,seldom1 if ever1 has ,andmana3 given to ,ento four such adorable children4 ,alas1 that such admirable beings should have forever perished4 ,alas1 that there is no perpetuity of existence4 ,were it possible for father1 mother and sons to revisit their former domain1 and this institution dedicated to their memory1 would not it enhance their happiness to learn how far reaching is the blessing which their beneficence has conferred upon the sons and daughters of ,ento8 ,on this memorial day let us resolve to strive to profit by the example of these illustrious ones1 and though we may not hope to attain to the greatness of their exalted characters1 in some degree we may merit the benediction of their wise and generous munificence4 ,it is written that the mighty gods are immortal1 and may not ,andmana3 in some blest abode still continue the existence of those whose lives were so nearly ,deific8 ,only ,andmana3 knoweth4 ,our sacred writings contain no revelation relating to such momentous questions1 neither have our priesthood2 whose lives are most virtuous and exalted1 any knowledge concerning a possible continuity of existence1 and to our despairing importunings the mighty gods make no reply4 ,but this we do know1 that the good and evil deeds of men are as seed sown broadcast4 ,has good seed been sowed8 ,then shall golden sheaves of a bounteous harvest be gathered4 ,have noxious seeds been cast upon the bosom of the wind to be wafted into the highways and byways8 ,then shall the unwise sower gather his harvest in weariness and sorrow4 ,dear youths and maidens1 and you of maturer years1 on this commemorative occasion it will be well that we shall begin anew to sow the seeds of righteous conduct1 of loving thoughts1 of generous deeds1 of helpful care for all who need our best service1 for are not we all the children of ,andmana31 the ,creator of all that is8 ,then when we1 too1 shall pass into the silence1 may we leave in the minds and hearts of those who may succeed us1 memories as sweet as the fragrance of these rodel blooms1 which now we will lay upon ,andmana3's altar1 in recognition and remembrance of ,his love for having given to ,ento those who surely were ,his most admirable children4 ,de ,l',ester--,were it not so touching1 it might be amusing to watch the faces of ,inidora3 and ,genessano1 but so worshipful is their love for their parents that they1 like the assemblage1 accord to them the fullest measure of their admiring homage4 ,how1 as those dignified1 gentle mannered professors1 followed by students and visitors from many lands1 reverently go toward the ,istoira3 to lay their flower offering upon the altar dedicated to ,andmana3 and ,his ,messengers1 the ,deific ones1 one is filled with wonder that despite the hopeless creed of these people1 their faces wear an expression of serene composure4 ,gentola--,yes1 their faces do wear a look of serenity1 but to my mind they also wear an expression of profound pathos4 ,their faces also express much intelligence1 refinement and spirituality4 ,though when one realizes that they have no conception of the indestructible ego1 the latter terms seems misapplied4 ,those wonderfully beautiful1 gentle1 graceful and gracious youths and maidens are quite unlike the vivacious1 self-assured young people of some portions of our planet4 ,if the lesson of to-day has in their hearts found as full a response as it has found in my own1 the professor will not have spoken in vain4 ,what a grand thing it is to have lived to such splendid purpose as have ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 the ,lady ,camarissa31 and these1 their sons4 ,de ,l',ester--,truly so1 and grander still that they continue to exist1 and that through their lofty spirituality they exert over the minds of the ,entoans an incalculable influence4 ,we now also will proceed to the ,istoira34 ,yes1 it is a pleasing ceremony4 ,scarcely less white than the marble altar are the fragrant rodel blooms laid on it by students and visitors1 as they reverently salute the stately statue of ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 crowning its summit4 ,this ceremony closes the observances of the present hour1 and the assemblage is quietly dispersing4 ,in the hall we will await their return4 ,you have observed that a gentle seriousness is a marked characteristic of all the ,entoans you have seen1 and ,i will add that pathos is the minor chord of their being ever moaning out an appeal for that light whose radiance alone can pierce the veil between mortal consciousness and the spirit side of life4 ,gentola--,inidora31 the more ,i see of your people the greater is my surprise that in certain directions their knowledge is so limited4 ,for instance1 it seems very strange that such intelligent1 and as ,i have been informed1 such learned persons1 as many of them are1 have not1 despite all obstacles1 some accurate knowledge of the science of astronomy4 ,inidora--,civilization and its expressions are not always along straight or even lines4 ,thus1 a people1 in certain directions1 may have evolved to a lofty plane1 while1 through the retarding influences of special environments1 they1 in other directions1 may have progressed so slowly as to have for a time remained practically inert4 ,this condition applies to the ,entoans1 who1 though spiritually and intellectually1 highly evolved1 have been for a time1 and yet are1 through the retarding influences of special mental environments1 in a state of spiritual inertia4 ,through ancient records and yet more ancient ,ento spirits we have learned that centuries previous to the establishment of our national religion1 the arts and sciences had attained a high degree of excellence1 and that among the different races were various phases of religious beliefs1 with universal tolerance of the same4 ,that among the learned ones were some who asserted that ,ento was but one of many worlds1 and that through means of certain instruments these persons attempted to prove their sacrilegious theories4 ,but at the time of the establishment of the national religion all these wild and reprehensible fancies were set aside as unholy and as tending to invalidate the statements of the ,sacred ,writings4 ,from what our friend ,bruno and some ancient spirits of your spirit spheres have related to me it appears that on your planet in a very remote period civilization was in a very advanced state and that a people known as the ,chaldeans were learned in astronomy1 chemistry and other sciences and also were wonderful seers4 ,that one ,aromanes calculated the procession of the equinoxes and the occurrences of eclipses4 ,sosthene1 another ,chaldean1 with whom ,i am personally acquainted1 calculated very accurately the distances of the planets of our solar system from the ,sun and their revolutions about it4 ,yet many centuries later1 through religious intolerance1 our dear friend ,bruno was burned to death for like assertions4 ,thus you perceive that the ,entoans are not exceptional in not having evolved equally in all directions4 ,even after the establishment of our national religion1 from time to time1 daring and irreverent seekers after knowledge attempted to teach the people strange doctrines1 subversive of established beliefs4 ,one declared that the shining points in space were worlds like ,ento and that ,andmana3 having created them he perhaps also had peopled them as he had peopled ,ento4 ,and1 heresy of heresies1 one ,sivonadas more than hinted that the children of ,ento had evolved from lower life forms4 ,such pernicious teachings could not be tolerated1 and effective means were used to efface them4 ,an instance illustrative of attempts to break up the shackles of ecclesiasticism ,i will at another time relate to you4 ,to you the religious beliefs of the ,entoans appear extremely superstitious1 as indeed they largely are1 yet1 if ,i may draw a conclusion from what ,i have learned relating to the many faiths of ,earth's peoples1 ,i do not perceive that they have1 as a whole1 come into a truer conception of the ,infinite ,one who is the sum total of all spirituality than have the peoples of this and many other planets4 ,religious creeds and observances1 albeit the expressions of states of civilization1 to an extent retroact as restraints1 if not actual barriers to progress1 and rarely are the spiritual impulses of a people forceful enough to divert into new channels the extreme conservatism of established religions4 ,thus1 though during later centuries the spiritual impulses of the ,entoans have been greatly intensified1 they tenaciously have clung to their hopeless beliefs as being the only known channel through which their spiritual energy might find expression4 ,like children learning to walk alone1 they have not dared to let go of one support while no other has been within reach4 ,believing absolutely that ,ento and all pertaining to it are special creations of ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 whose glorious abode is in ,diafon voiha 7the ,sun71 whose beams are effulgent and life giving because they are reflections of ,his majesty and power1 and that beyond the screen of the fleecy clouds is ,astranola31 where dwell ,his messengers1 who note and bear to ,him a record of the thoughts and deeds of ,his children4 ,believing that ,phra 7death7 the dread ,god1 surely will destroy those who may be sacrilegious enough to question the statements of the ,sacred ,writings1 or who may attempt to peer into the dwelling place of the ,gods1 or to search into forbidding mysteries4 ,believing that life1 the jewel beyond price1 is prolonged through strict obedience to the commands of ,andmana31 which1 through ,his messengers have from time to time been revealed to the priesthood1 who are the chosen custodians of all truth2 believing all this1 and more1 the ,entoans are not likely to forsake old beliefs until they are shown the way to a truer1 happier faith4 ,that spiritually1 they are prepared to accept a happier1 more rational faith1 is beyond question1 and that the time and means are at hand for this glorious consummation we do not for a moment doubt4 ,de ,l',ester--,from what ,inidora3 has said you may infer that he does not regard civilization as a result of religious concepts4 ,neither do we1 for1 through observation and experience1 we have learned that it is despite religious concepts1 which invariably are more or less erroneous1 that the spirituality innate in the spiritualized human1 impels the forward progress of civilization1 which means clearer recognition of truth1 hence a clearer1 higher conception of the all pervading ,infinite ,spirit4 ,spirit1 recognized or unrecognized1 is the positive1 potential1 intelligent force of the universe1 whose energies ceaselessly1 unerringly turn the wheels of evolution4 ,so called decadence of civilizations is but the recouping of spiritual forces adjusting themselves to changing conditions4 ,all man inhabited planets necessarily pass through similar experiences4 ,like the alternate flowing and ebbing of ocean's tides are the advancements and retrogressions of civilizations1 both being a fulfilling of natural law1 whose infinite1 intelligent1 forceful activities are known by many names4 ,from very advanced ancient spirits of ,ento and ,earth we have learned of civilizations of both planets adorned by arts1 sciences and social conditions of a high order1 but of an antiquity so remote that1 compared with them1 the civilization of their time was more than crude1 and the revelations of their ,yohoida3s and ,tsfa3len 7teachers of the divine mysteries7 of ,ento and those of the alchemists1 astrologers and astronomers of ,earth were as echoes of a dead past4 ,yes1 it is a truth that there is nothing new under the sun4 ,that which becomes perceptible to human consciousness is new only in the sense that it is a special presentation and recognition of that which always has existed4 ,it is quite as true that all life forms of all inhabited planets invariably evolve from involved conditions1 that is they evolve from the unseen into the perceptible1 which is the symbol of the real1 and all ever are evolving into higher expression4 ,certainly no thought or act 7which is thought expressed7 is ever lost1 and though peoples of remotest times have left no written history or other record of their day1 the impressions of their thoughts and deeds unquestionably are an active force in the present4 ,spirit force is the one and only force1 and the spiritualized force of humanity is cumulative1 hence each succeeding generation becomes heir to the accumulated energies of their predecessors4 ,i am aware that the records of extinct races and nations may appear to contradict this statement1 nevertheless it is correct4 ,thus it occurs that ,ento's peoples inherit a tremendous spiritual force1 and the bonds of ecclesiasticism once severed1 eagerly they will turn from the old to accept the new faith1 and the very heavens will resound with their pans of joy and praise to the ,supreme ,one1 who1 in answer to their ceaseless prayers1 has at last vouchsafed them the priceless boon of an assurance of a continuity of life4 ,ah1 professors and students are reassembling1 and for the present your questionings and our replies must cease4 ,the very distinguished looking person robed in white and maroon is about to address the young people4 ,be attentive1 ,gentola31 for ,i shall attempt to translate into your language what he may say4 ,professor--,dear youths and maidens1 in further commemoration of the virtues and deeds of the illustrious dead1 to whom we1 and all ,entoans1 owe so great a debt of reverential love1 we have decided that on this occasion it will not be amiss to deviate from our usual order of exercises4 ,thus1 in addressing you1 ,i shall venture to touch upon subjects hitherto considered too abstruse for immature minds4 ,in these enlightened days it is thought that the education of the young should be of a more comprehensive nature2 that1 although a positive knowledge of facts is an imperative requirement1 it is well that youthful minds shall also consider speculative theories1 so that they may readily judge between truth and untruth4 ,until recently it has been thought not only unwise but irreverent to discuss the many theories1 doctrines and unscrupulous declarations of illy regulated persons1 who1 through all times1 have sought to mislead the people through calling in question the authenticity of statements of the ,sacred ,writings4 ,but of late a growing belief of observant1 thoughtful minds is that that which is true is indestructible1 and that the intelligence of the people is quickened through comparing the spurious with the genuine4 ,believing that these propositions are irrefutable ,i have carefully prepared a paper which ,i anticipate will both interest and instruct you4 ,at least it will inform you of some of the strange and erroneous1 though possibly sincere1 ideas which1 from time to time1 have occupied the attention1 not only of the ignorant and credulous1 but also the attention of some miscalled scientists4 ,to you all it is well known that ,genessano ,allis ,immo and his family ever were faithful observers of the teachings and rites of our ,holy ,religion4 ,also you are aware that when the body of the ,lady ,camarissa3 was incinerated it was made known to the people that no ashes remained1 and that when the body of her adored husband was consumed the same strange mystery occurred4 ,by many it was and is believed that because of the sublime purity and nobility of their stainless lives they were1 by the ,deific ,ones1 borne to ,astranola34 ,but it is not for us to attempt to learn the secrets of the gods1 to whom our reverent thoughts are ever due4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 stand near the youth in purple4 ,he is ,prince ,dano1 and presently you will speak to him4 ,professor--,you will now honor me with your attention while ,i shall read the result of some recent researches into records written in a language of ancient times4 ,it is related by ,tsohta that during the ofen ryzo entevah 7seventh century7 succeeding the establishment of our holy religion1 ,znano ,yoda3s1 a very learned man1 but of a perverse nature1 who feared neither ,andmana3 or the vengeance of the gods1 sought to gain a knowledge of forbidden things4 ,through the aid of some strange device he professed that he had learned the mystery of the realms of ,astranola31 which he blasphemously averred had no existence1 and that neither did ,andmana3 dwell in ,diafon voiha3 7the ,sun71 but was an ever active1 all pervading1 intelligent1 unknowable personality or principle4 ,that there were neither gods nor goddesses4 ,he also dared to declare1 and what was1 if possible1 more sacrilegious1 that ,andmana3 had not created ,ento1 which was in a sense self-created4 ,with utmost seriousness he declared that in man was an essence which was his life1 and that at death of the body this essence1 which was intelligent1 took form and somewhere continued to exist4 ,that these essences1 not the gods1 peopled space1 and that1 under certain conditions1 he had even seen these essences in form1 had conversed with them1 had been touched by them1 and1 most incredible of all1 he claimed to have recognized in certain forms1 friends and loved ones who had gone into the silence4 ,of course these assertions were the ravings of one of lost mind or the hallucination of one who irreverently sought to gain knowledge of things known only to the ,deific ,ones4 ,we who continually mourn for our loved ones who have gone into the silence1 whither1 reluctantly1 our footsteps also tend1 can well understand that ,znano ,yoda3 may have been bereft of his dearest ones and in his despair became so disturbed in mind as to really have thought the vagaries of a diseased imagination were realities4 ,it is well known that similar cases have been and are treated in our retreats for mental illness4 ,certainly no man mentally whole would have dared to be so impious as was he1 and only one of unbalanced senses could have imagined a thing so strangely preposterous as that the life essence continued to exist after the form which had contained it had been wholly consumed and whose ashes---- ,de ,l',ester--,now1 ,gentola31 speak to ,prince ,dano4 ,gentola--,emano1 ,ento noan ista3 par ten4 ,efon analos esto para3 com bano ,earth4 ,andmana3 esti com ban los tissima34 ,de ,l',ester--,springing to his feet in great excitement1 he cries aloud3 ,znano ,yodas1 esta3 prva34 ,znano ,yodas1 esto prva34 ,emanos1 ,emanos1 ,efon vala3 genista3 tima4 ,ah1 camano fan tsi non ista3 valo8 ,camano fan tsi non ista3 valo8 ,de ,l',ester--,touch him on his face and hands4 ,that will do4 ,trembling and amazed1 swooning almost1 he staggers and falls into the arms of his alarmed friends4 ,the startled professors endeavor to quiet the excited students who are crowding about them1 eagerly questioning them as to the cause of ,prince ,dano's strange seizure4 ,all heard him cry out3 ,znano ,yodas spoke truly1 ,znano ,yodas spoke truly4 ,friends1 friends1 ,i see a form4 ,ah1 cannot you see it8 ,cannot you also see it8 ,professors and students alike are greatly disturbed4 ,really1 ,i am sorry for the professor1 whose paper is thought to have had an effect quite contrary to his anticipations4 ,his mind is so full of misgivings as to the propriety of having called attention to such an unusual subject that he declines1 though urgently pressed1 to further pursue it4 ,what a commotion4 ,dano quietly1 but strenuously1 asserts that he did see a form1 the form of a strange appearing woman who was clothed in shining garments4 ,he also declares that she touched him on his face and hands and that she said1 ,friend1 ,ento is not my home4 ,i come from another world called ,earth4 ,truly1 ,andmana3 is everywhere4 ,he expresses the hope and earnest desire that he may again see the ,earth woman1 and he shall not be disappointed4 ,znano ,yodas at least has one convert to his belief4 ,as yet we only can convey the consciousness of these sensitives' detached sentences1 but soon they will grow accustomed to the new and strange experience1 and will learn to remain passive1 hence receptive4 ,gentola--,have not ,i1 elsewhere1 seen this ,prince ,dano8 ,de ,l',ester--,in the dwelling we first visited ,i called your attention to the portraits of a youth and maiden4 ,dano is the original of the portrait of the youth4 ,gentola--,ah1 yes1 ,i recall the circumstance4 ,the portrait is very like the young man1 who possesses a very fine and exceedingly handsome face and form4 ,de ,l',ester--,we have held you overlong to-day1 and having for the present no further designs upon ,dano or others we will now return you to your physical form4 ,gentola--,may ,i ask if you have considered my request for an absence of some weeks from home8 ,de ,l',ester--,we have1 and very regretfully we acquiesce in your desire for rest and a visit to your ,world's ,fair4 ,of course we are aware that your journeys to ,ento exhaust your vitality1 but constantly we have guarded you with utmost care1 and thus far the result is so encouraging that it leads us to hope and expect that you will return home renewed in health and with a willingness to fulfill your promise to us4 ,gentola--,when ,i return home ,i shall gladly place myself at your disposal4 ,must ,i immediately return to ,earth8 ,i should like to hear the next speaker1 who appears to be greatly agitated4 ,de ,l',ester--,we do not consider it safe to hold you longer4 ,you shall be informed as to what may further occur or be said that may indicate that the present state of involution is likely to be superseded by a marked evolution of the religious thought of the ,entoans4 ,how1 with the promise that during your absence from home we will1 as far as we may1 guard and guide you in all your ways1 we will consign you to the care of ,george and ,inez1 who will bear you safely to your soul self1 your objective personality1 which1 in a semi-conscious state1 awaits your return4 ,now1 make your adieux to these friends and then we all may say au revoir4 ,george--,not one question1 my sister4 ,always we are inclined to hold you with us too long4 ,you are surprised that the shadows of night already are brooding over your city1 and that here in your quiet room twilight has deepened into darkness4 ,gentola--,george1 ,inez1 bear my loving greetings to all our dear ones4 ,good-bye1 good-bye4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,spiritualized ,,man4 ,de ,l',ester--,again you are at home1 and we1 your ever faithful friends are here to greet and congratulate you on your improved health4 ,gentola--,and ,i with greater pleasure than ,i can express reciprocate your friendly greeting4 ,yes1 during my visit ,i was on several occasions conscious of your presence1 once especially so4 ,de ,l',ester--,that was when you questioned your architect escort as to the dimensions of the rotunda of the building you were observing4 ,mentally you were comparing it with the rotunda of the ,galarsa34 ,gentola--,that was the time to which ,i have alluded4 ,i knew you were touching my head1 and once ,i knew that you and ,george were walking beside me4 ,de ,l',ester--,indeed we did not at any time leave you unattended4 ,we never do4 ,you have such a genius for falling and other mishaps1 that ever we are on guard to if possible avert them4 ,no1 we will not go to ,ento to-day1 but with your permission we will talk with you4 ,gentola--,i shall be only too happy to have you do so4 ,may ,i ask for your opinion of our ,world's ,fair8 ,did it at all interest you8 ,de ,l',ester--,truly1 we all feel a degree of pleasure and pride in such an exposition of the achievements of ,earth's peoples4 ,it was a grand result of ages of evolution1 and a fine illustration of the history of their progress4 ,should we say that largely the marvellous exhibit was the reflex of activities of the spirit side of life1 you scarcely would credit the assertion1 nevertheless it is true4 ,all spirits submerged in mortals1 subconsciously are en rapport with the spirit spheres1 and when the subjective and objective consciousness are fully en rapport1 they establish a medium1 through which very advanced spirits of exalted spheres can convey into visible expression the results of their wisdom and attainments4 ,but this is a topic we cannot now consider4 ,we observed that you were greatly interested in the parliament of religions1 and the various ethical and other congresses4 ,could the audiences have seen the multitudes of spirits who listened1 applauding or disapproving1 they would have been astounded4 ,myriads of ,earthbound spirits were there1 and spirits too from the higher spheres1 not only of our own planet1 but of others1 and all were deeply interested in the proceedings4 ,if it be true that in a multitude of counsellors there is wisdom1 at the parliament that somewhat rare jewel should have shone resplendent4 ,the numerous representatives of ,earth's leading faiths1 each vieing with the others in presentations of their claims1 as possessors of truth1 afforded a stirring spectacle4 ,we also observed your lively interest in the ,orientals and their expositions of their various faiths1 which are more truly spiritual than are some of more modern times4 ,you have come to understand that a people may believe an erroneous doctrine1 yet be a spiritualized people4 ,what they may accept as truth is not so momentous as is their manner of living it4 ,the spirit of the ,golden ,rule is found not only in all the great religions of ,earth's peoples1 but in all the religions of all peoples everywhere1 and if those who profess a belief in it practice it they are not far from the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,yes1 positive beliefs in this or that do1 to a degree1 influence conduct1 and it is quite as true that beliefs are the results of heredity and environment1 which are most forceful mediums for the perpetuation of good and evil1 characteristics of human good and evil being terms expressive of states of development4 ,truth is ,god1 perfectly expressed1 and truth may be likened to light which1 falling through color1 takes on the hue of the medium through which it falls1 but is light still4 ,so truth though discolored by its passage through the medium of ,hindu1 ,buddhist1 ,confucian1 ,christian1 and other imperfect faiths1 is truth still1 and ever its radiance steadfastly shines for the guidance of humanity4 ,gentola--,you have mentioned my interest in the ,orientals4 ,i assure you that when ,i first saw ,swami ,vivekananda and other ,orientals enter the great hall1 ,i was quite startled4 ,it seemed to me that at some time somewhere ,i had known them1 or people like them1 and ,i found myself trembling from a sort of shock or surprise4 ,to this day ,i cannot account for the peculiar sensation4 ,de ,l',ester--,do not try to account for it2 later on you may be able to do so4 ,gentola--,doubtless you are aware that among scientists of our planet there is much speculation as to a possible missing link between the earliest humans and the most highly evolved animal forms preceding them4 ,while observing at the parliament the representatives of various races it occurred to me that between them and their animal progenitors there may have been a variety of missing links4 ,humboldt--,gentola31 ,i fear that you have not well remembered some lessons we have endeavored to convey to you4 ,in the so termed chain of human evolution1 no link is missing4 ,the expression is misleading1 and altogether unscientific4 ,in a chain no one link is an outgrowth of another link4 ,it is an individual1 special1 observable creation of the artisan1 but from the earliest physical expression of the human to the period when the ,earth man became a ,spiritualized ,being1 the degrees or stages of his unfoldment were so indistinct1 so slightly emphasized as to have been imperceptible1 save by the ,infinite ,one4 ,gentola--,do you know at what stage of his evolvement1 and how the ,earth man became spiritualized8 ,humboldt--,you have been informed that apart from the physical plane the term time has no significance4 ,when we freed spirits think of eternity we think of that which had no beginning and can have no ending4 ,when we think of the universe1 we think of that which is dimensionless1 and when ,i say that always throughout the dimensionless universe1 new worlds have been1 and are coming into existence1 and that dead worlds have been1 and are undergoing disintegration1 ,i but state accepted facts4 ,always1 when new worlds become fitted for it1 they receive that which ,earth's scientists have not yet discerned--the quickening potentiality1 the life impulse1 which is the ,divine ,energy pervading the universe4 ,in their tepid waters the first life expressions of the vegetable1 of the animal1 and of the human animal are manifested4 ,on our planet1 as on other planets1 quickened protoplasmic1 human germs passed through all the gradations incident to their onward1 upward1 ceaseless progress toward a period when as hairy creatures with low retreating foreheads1 protruding jaws1 repulsive features1 and unshapely limbs1 upon which they scarcely stood erect1 they instinctively drew themselves apart from all other life forms4 ,no1 in no sense were they related to anthropoids2 animals they were1 but human animals1 with faculties so specialized as to place them above all other creatures4 ,ages elapsed1 and when sufficiently evolved1 they became spiritualized4 ,how8 ,as you cannot yet accept a belief in re-embodiment1 you may not accept my statement and the added testimony of these friends1 that in the spirit spheres of inhabited planets of our ,solar ,system and of other systems of worlds1 there are myriads of ,spirits1 of low planes of development1 who1 through the ministrations of those known in the ,spirit ,worlds as ,angels of the ,visitation1 are conveyed to such human creatures as ,i have spoken of1 and through their organisms they are re-embodied1 and become reborn as their spiritualized children4 ,and that was how the first spiritualized humans appeared on ,earth1 and how they appeared on other planets prepared to receive them4 ,could ,i not read your thoughts1 your perplexed expression would assure me that another question is on your lips4 ,gentola--,yes1 that is so4 ,i am wondering where the first spirits ever embodied came from4 ,humboldt--,my dear madame1 when we shall have learned when the first world came into existence1 we also may learn where the first embodied spirits came from4 ,concerning these propositions1 my ignorance compels silence4 ,on what authority do ,i make the statement relating to the spiritualization of the human animal8 ,upon such authority or proofs as ,i have accumulated through visiting worlds in various stages of evolvement4 ,worlds yet too young to receive in their waters the first influx of life germs4 ,worlds in whose tepid waters1 protoplasmic cells1 the wombs containing the germs of all life forms are teeming4 ,worlds which have evolved vegetable and animal forms so huge1 so grotesque as to be appalling4 ,worlds on which the human animal is on the verge of becoming spiritualized4 ,worlds where having become a spiritualized conscious being1 man is looking about him in fear and amazement4 ,worlds where man has evolved varying degrees of civilization1 and yet other worlds1 where the peoples1 compared with those of ,ento or ,earth1 are as gods4 ,gentola--,you will pardon me1 sir1 if my question may have seemed to involve a doubt as to the correctness of your statements4 ,no such thought was in my mind4 ,on the contrary1 ,i so implicitly believe what you have said1 that ,i realize that ,i am as an atom of a boundless universe4 ,bruno--,but relatively the atom is as great as the universe4 ,you have been told that an atom is a universe in embryo1 for in it are all possible qualities1 and in it are all the activities of ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy4 ,so were you no greater than an atom1 you yet would be a necessary factor of ,infinity4 ,gentola--,i do not question the truth of your statement1 which humbles rather than exalts my estimate of my own personality4 ,bruno--,he1 who was the divinest man of any of ,earth's saviors1 counselled his disciples to be as humble as little children1 that thus they might be great in the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 and you will learn that the further you progress in an understanding of the ,infinity of ,god1 ,who is the all1 and in all the more will you desire to humbly adore the ,divine ,spirit of the atom and the universe4 ,gentola--,i realize that ,i know so little4 ,that ,i only am approaching the threshold of the temple of knowledge4 ,you1 on the spirit side1 better than ,i1 comprehend the limitations of mortals1 so you will not wonder that ,i grow impatient1 because of my slow progress in a spiritual direction2 but with you1 dear friends1 to aid and instruct me ,i shall hope to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth4 ,de ,l',ester--,courage1 ,gentola31 remember that ever the stream must flow onward to the sea4 ,so if in your present incarnation you cannot attain to loftiest heights the law of eternal progress will oblige you to unfold the divinity within you4 ,neither you nor we will ever find a halting place on this endless journey1 which is ever onward1 ever upward toward the unattainable perfection of ,infinite ,spirit1 ,intelligence1 ,energy and ,love4 ,but we have grown too serious1 and will talk of lighter matters4 ,with curiosity and amusement we regarded your perplexity1 upon viewing for the first time the beautiful white city4 ,you were quite bewildered by the oddly familiar appearance of the architecture1 decorative1 and other features of the buildings1 bridges1 statuary1 and so on4 ,le tout ensemble reminded you of scenes you could not at once localize4 ,gentola--,yes1 really ,i was for the moment rather bewildered4 ,i thought that ,i must have dreamed of a similar scene1 then it came to me that on ,ento ,i had beheld that of which the ,white ,city reminded me4 ,did not you all think it beautiful8 ,de ,l',ester--,very1 and we now promise you that some day we will show you a greater and far more beautiful ,white ,city1 than that ephemeral one on the shore of ,lake ,michigan4 ,gentola--,i shall try to remember your promise4 ,may ,i ask where are ,inidora3 and ,genessano8 ,de ,l',ester--,since your last visit to ,ento a dread catastrophe has occurred1 and they and other ,ento spirits have been1 and yet are engaged in aiding sufferers1 both in and out of the physical body4 ,they were to meet us here1 and we expect them at any moment4 ,to-day is the #bith of ,october1 #ahic4 ,when will it suit your convenience to accompany us to ,ento8 ,we hope that you may name an early day4 ,gentola--,you cannot be more anxious than am ,i to resume our journeys4 ,on ,november #ast ,i shall be ready4 ,ah1 here are ,inidora3 and ,genessano4 ,you are most welcome4 ,i have been inquiring about you1 and with regret have learned that some calamity has befallen ,ento4 ,inidora--,i can say for my brother and myself that we are delighted to again meet you1 and doubly glad that soon you with our ,band will resume the duties of our mission to our sorrowful people4 ,yes1 truly1 a dread calamity has befallen the inhabitants of a densely populated region in a locality1 corresponding1 ,de ,l',ester says1 to about the latitude and longitude of ,berlin1 in ,germany4 ,it is regrettable that fear of ridicule1 in case of mistakes1 renders you too positive to be able to record some scientific matters4 ,believe that ,i do not mean to chide you4 ,you do your best1 and we are satisfied with your efforts4 ,nearly two centuries of your time have elapsed since ,ento has been subjected to a destructive earthquake4 ,occasionally1 in various localities1 slight seismic disturbances have occurred1 but not since the destruction of ,petucy has there been a serious convulsion4 ,corresponding with your morning of the #bfth of ,september1 peculiar and alarming rumblings and tremors of the underground attracted the attention of the people on the southern confines of the ,province of ,dyrin4 ,at intervals during two days and a night these disturbances occurred1 and in affright many of the more timorous or prudent fled to other parts for safety2 but thousands remained1 praying to ,andmana3 and the ,deific ones for protection4 ,their priests offered the propitiatory animal sacrifices and the temple altars were laden with offerings of the most precious things2 but alas1 ,andmana3 and the dwellers in ,astranola3 were deaf to all entreaty4 ,on the evening of the second day ,diafon voiha3 7the ,sun71 enshrouded in a mantle of lurid clouds1 from which angry gleams emanated1 sank from view below the faintly outlined horizon1 and for a space deathlike stillness reigned1 and in mute terror the people waited4 ,but not for long1 for suddenly tremors1 faint at first1 but quickly increasing in violence seemed to shake the very foundations of ,ento4 ,temples and other great structures tottered1 then fell in shapeless ruins1 and smaller edifices and private residences were utterly demolished4 ,so appalling were the convulsions that the affrighted1 frenzied people ran hither and thither1 seeking to save their own and the lives of their dear ones2 but many were crushed under falling buildings1 and thus passed from death to unlooked-for life in our spirit realms4 ,in one locality1 suddenly a great fissure opened1 and as suddenly closed1 engulfing almost an entire village4 ,then the disturbance subsided1 and on the following morning the rising glory of ,diafon voiha3 gleamed athwart a pitiable spectacle4 ,homes destroyed4 ,great public structures fallen4 ,the living seeking the dead1 and rescuing the injured1 and to our spirit vision spirits releasing themselves from their crushed physical bodies were some of the features of the deplorable event4 ,of course1 our duty1 as well as our sympathy1 has impelled us to assist them1 and we have been engaged in the work of restoring to full consciousness the many bewildered ones1 who scarcely can be made to realize the marvel1 the joy of continued existence4 ,so touching has the experience been that many times my eyes have filled with tears4 ,other ,ento spirits are engaged in the incomplete work1 for as you are aware1 some newly freed spirits1 especially those who suddenly pass to the spirit side1 remain unconscious1 not only for days1 but for prolonged periods4 ,no1 the spirit spheres of different planets are not alike1 for all correspond with the conditions of such planets as they surround4 ,yet in a sense the conditions of all spirit spheres are so in harmony with each other that spirits sufficiently progressed1 and who have learned the laws involved in these conditions1 can visit any ,spirit ,sphere of any planet4 ,yes1 ,i recall that once during my childhood a considerable seismic disturbance occurred under1 and adjacent to the plateau on which was our home1 and that the alarmed people hastened to offer sacrifices1 and ,andmana3 spared his offending children4 ,the ,band approving1 you may be shown the scene of the late catastrophe4 ,at present the conditions are so harrowing that it would not be wise to subject you to them4 ,the local and neighboring crematories1 not being equal to the incineration of the dead1 many of the mutilated bodies have been taken elsewhere4 ,the cries and lamentations of the living that no more shall they behold the forms of their dear ones is pitiable in the extreme4 ,oh1 that the time may quickly arrive when ,ento's despairing people may learn that their sorrowful belief in utter annihilation is false4 ,that continuity of existence is a glorious reality4 ,gentola--,with all my heart ,i pray that it may be so1 and if ,i1 in the slightest degree1 may be made to further the fulfillment of your desire1 ,i shall rejoice that ,i have not lived in vain4 ,genessano--,emana3 7friend71 no one lives in vain4 ,from the least developed to the highest evolvement of the human of any planet1 all are fulfilling the ,infinite1 ,intelligent1 ,divine ,will4 ,all are portions of the waves of human progress1 and no one can go forward without directly or indirectly aiding his weaker1 consequently less highly evolved brother4 ,in the spirit worlds1 so well understood is this law that sooner or later all spirits desire re-embodiment1 that thus they may not only aid mortals less evolved than themselves1 but that in so doing they also may advance their own spiritual evolvement4 ,yes1 it would appear that in this desire there is an element of selfishness4 ,not so4 ,it simply is the fulfilling of a law of the ,all ,wise1 ,infinite ,one1 whom you name ,god4 ,both ,inidora3 and ,i long for the time when we shall be fitted to return to mortal existence4 ,would we prefer re-embodiment on ,ento8 ,i cannot say that our inclination is not in that direction1 still the feeling scarcely amounts to a preference4 ,then we well know that the ,angels of the ,visitation will choose birthplaces best suited1 not only to our further evolvement1 but where we may aid others in their progress4 ,many spirits strongly desire to be reborn on the planet of their last re-embodiment1 and conditions favoring1 they may do so4 ,spirits from the higher spheres1 reborn on any planet1 as saviors1 leaders1 prophets1 or teachers1 may or may not have been former inhabitants of such planet4 ,through the law of fitness all re-embodiments are controlled4 ,you1 mana31 largely because you cannot recall the past1 cannot yet accept a belief in re-embodiment2 but when you shall have returned to the spirit side you again will recognize its beneficence1 just as in time all spirits recognize that ,infinite ,intelligence1 ,love and ,justice give to all1 that which is for their greatest good4 ,de ,l',ester--,we now will leave you4 ,on the morning of ,november #ast we will come for you1 and you will not forget to take the usual precautions against being disturbed4 ,i may mention that on your next visit to ,ento1 you will have the pleasure of meeting the ,lady ,camarissa31 mother of ,inidora3 and ,genessano4 ,she will meet us at ,camarissa34 ,until then1 adieu4 ,october #bith1 #ahic4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,meeting ,,with ,,camarissa4 ,de ,l',ester--,we salute you1 and are gratified to find you prepared for our flight to ,ento4 ,as ,inidora31 ,genessano1 and their mother await us at ,camarissa3 we will journey quickly4 ,george1 allow your sister to merely rest on your arm2 thus she will grow stronger and more self-reliant4 ,yonder is ruddy ,ento1 glowing and palpitating like the heart of some living creature4 ,now glance backward at our own distant planet4 ,yes1 its radiant envelope differs in color from that of ,ento4 ,what occasions the difference in the atmospheric coloring of the two planets8 ,qualities of atmosphere1 reflection and refraction4 ,yes1 it is difficult to realize that on our ,earth world myriads of creatures1 humans and animals each in accordance with their inherent qualities are reaching out toward the light which lighteth1 not only every man that cometh into the world1 but which shines for the ,earth worm as well as for the angel4 ,you think that a very comprehensive statement8 ,so it is2 but is not the ,infinite1 ,omni-present ,spirit in the atom as well as in the universe8 ,aye1 and spirit is the one light1 and there is no other4 ,the beautiful city ,camarissa3 lies below us1 and we will now descend to our friends who await us in the arbor4 ,genessano--,loha3 mentos4 ,we have been watching and welcoming your approach4 ,gentola31 allow me the pleasure of making known to you our dear1 our honored mother4 ,camarissa--,at last ,i meet you1 of whom ,i so often have heard4 ,you have given my sons a place in your regard1 may ,i hope to also be so favored8 ,gentola--,it is ,i who am the favored one1 and ,i shall esteem it a privilege and a pleasure to number you among my friends4 ,your sons have promised a relation from your own lips1 of events occurring during your mortal existence2 so aside from the pleasure of mutual acquaintance with much interest ,i have looked forward to your coming4 ,camarissa--,to recall events of my mortal existence will be like recalling a not very well remembered dream4 ,it may surprise you to learn that not since my dear sons entered our spirit world1 nearly four centuries ago1 have ,i visited ,ento's physical plane4 ,to explain why ,i have not1 would not suit the present occasion4 ,i perceive that since last my eyes gazed upon the once familiar face of ,ento1 marvellous changes have occurred2 not the least noticeable is the educational institution erected near the site of my former home4 ,long ere our departure into the world of spirits1 my dear husband1 ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 and ,i were engrossed with the anticipation of at some not far future time rearing a great ,galarsa31 which should not only serve to perpetuate our memory1 but also should serve the nobler purpose of educating future generations in science1 art1 industries1 and gentle modes of living4 ,other important interests so occupied our time and attention that the fulfillment of our cherished plan was delayed and the years passed1 and still we found no time to devote to the achievement of a work so dear to our hearts4 ,at last a period arrived when we felt that we might arrange for the erection of the ,galarsa31 but suddenly and most unexpectedly ,i passed into our spirit world1 and ere long my husband followed me4 ,age and most arduous duties had brought him quite beyond the years of middle life1 but a still vigorous manhood gave promise of many years of usefulness2 but so stricken was he that ,i who had so long worked by his side1 who had been to him as the heart of his heart1 the life of his life1 sharing with him the joys and sorrows of our mutual existence1 that ,i1 his adored wife and the mother of our two sons had forever gone from his sight1 that he had not courage to long survive so great a calamity4 ,realizing that he too was about to pass in to the silence1 calmly he arranged his affairs1 and instructed our dear sons as to his wishes4 ,then with the fortitude of a just man he yielded to the inevitable1 and passed1 not into the silence1 but into a glorious spirit realm1 where ,i awaited him4 ,soon our beloved sons1 one by one1 came to us2 but ere they came1 they had well begun the work which their father had delegated to them as a sacred trust1 but which was to be left for other faithful hands to complete4 ,now1 as ,i gaze on yonder grandly beautiful structure ,i am grateful that the ,infinite ,one1 who directs the ways of his children1 has made of me and mine instruments for the good of others4 ,since passing into our spirit world my husband and ,i have been informed as to events and affairs occurring on ,ento1 and our satisfaction over the beneficent results of the introduction of the irrigating and waterways system1 which obviously is of incalculable benefit to ,ento1 is inexpressible4 ,changes which impress me with a sense of strangeness relate to this plateau which1 as ,i remember it1 was considerably loftier than now1 and where in former times was an abrupt declivity1 is now a gentle incline eastward to the level of the waterway4 ,i perceive too that the massive seawall1 built during the lives of my husband and myself has disappeared beneath the waves of ,indoloisa31 whose waters have greatly encroached upon the land4 ,at the time of my departure from ,ento1 between ,indoloisa3's eastern shore and the western face of this plateau1 there was a broad stretch of land1 many dwellings and other structures4 ,now ,i perceive that they and the great stone piers and seawall have disappeared beneath the restless waves which have so encroached upon the land as to threaten to wholly engulf it4 ,none too soon is yonder massive barrier being constructed as a protection against further destruction of the greatly narrowed shoreland4 ,as ,i look about me ,i find it difficult to realize the many changes which have occurred since ,i1 a proud and happy wife1 came to the home of my adorable and adored husband4 ,the winged years fled away1 and our two sons came to enhance our felicity4 ,other years added their days to those of the past1 and troublous forebodings1 like creeping shadows drew nearer1 ever nearer4 ,as you already are aware of the deplorable conditions at that time prevailing throughout nearly all of ,ento's central regions1 you will understand that finally the situation became alarming1 and one day1 hand in hand1 my husband and ,i walked to the margin of the declivity1 which abruptly fell away to the plain1 and as we gazed afar eastward over the dry and arid lands our eyes filled with tears1 and our hearts were sorely troubled4 ,imperceptibly1 but gradually1 the fleeting years1 nay1 ,i should say ages1 had brought about a condition of such extreme aridity that the lands refused to longer yield sustenance to the people1 whose minds became filled with despair1 and a sense of enmity against those in authority over the ,provinces of the central regions4 ,like children deprived of proper nourishment they grew fretful1 rebellious and unreasoning1 demanding relief where more than temporary relief was unattainable4 ,for years my husband and ,i had vainly1 incessantly striven to alleviate the general distress and consequent discontent of the people of our province1 and now in silence we stood thinking1 thinking4 ,presently my husband1 sighing heavily1 said1 ,camarissa31 my dearest one1 ,i fear that my days are well nigh ended4 ,the want and despair of the people weighs so heavily upon me1 that ,i stagger1 and grow faint under the burden4 ,i know of no means by which we may afford them prosperity and happiness4 ,have the pitiful ,gods put into your mind any thought that may serve to direct our future course8 ,after some hesitation ,i replied1 ,lord of my life and love of my heart1 ,i know not if in my slumber some ,god may have spoken to me1 but ,i have had a singular1 and what your wisdom may deem a foolish dream4 ,shall ,i relate it to you8 ,smiling tenderly and sadly1 he said1 ,perchance in our extremity1 ,andmana3 may have sent a messenger to whisper to your sleeping senses4 ,tell me your dream4 ,at least it will serve to occupy the passing moments4 ,i then related that while ,i slumbered ,i dreamed that standing by his side1 just as we then were standing1 we looked far eastward1 and from the base of the plateau1 abounding streams flowed in that direction1 while at intervals other waters flowed from the north and from the south1 and borne on the bosom of a great waterway1 huge vessels laden with people and the products of many lands passed to and fro1 and that like some great bird with wide spreading wings1 a beautiful city seemed as though brooding upon the shining waters4 ,it was a grandly beautiful scene1 and the wonder of it still remains in my memory4 ,heart of my heart1 ,i said1 ,i have told you my dream4 ,how shall it be interpreted8 ,silently1 but with earnest attention my husband had listened to the recital of my dream1 and as ,i proceeded1 his flushing face1 beaming eyes1 and hurried breathing gave evidence of intense emotion4 ,clasping me to his heart he cried1 ,surely1 ,andmana31 through ,his messenger has spoken to you1 showing us a possible means whereby our unproductive lands may be reclaimed1 and the impoverished peoples rescued from their present lamentable state4 ,camarissa31 my dearest1 we will strive to understand the full meaning of the message1 and may ,andmana3 and the pitiful gods aid us in our loving endeavor4 ,days and nights of closest consideration1 of closest calculation as to adaptation of means to ends followed4 ,so absorbed were we with the tremendous problem which so suddenly had presented itself that we scarcely ate or slept4 ,at length greatly wearied ,i one day threw myself on my couch and slumbered4 ,again the scene of my dream was before me1 but some years seemed to have elapsed since first ,i had gazed upon it4 ,how my vision was very far reaching1 and ,i beheld fruitful lands richly clothed with verdure4 ,cities1 towns and villages adorned the landscape4 ,want and discontent had disappeared1 and prosperity like a gracious ruler smiled upon the people4 ,from overhead the fleecy clouds dropped into the chalices of myriad1 many-hued blooms1 their sparkling treasures4 ,among the spreading tree branches sweet throated birds sang their love notes4 ,everywhere the shining waters gave drink to the thirsty lands1 and everywhere all things seemed to be breathing praise and thankfulness to ,andmana31 their creator4 ,after awaking1 my dream remained a vivid1 pleasant memory1 but fearing that my husband might think me grown fanciful1 ,i shrank from speaking of it2 but as our thoughts and experiences ever were mutually shared1 ,i at length made my dream known to him4 ,as before1 he considered it a message given not only for our guidance1 but also for our encouragement4 ,ah1 heart of my heart1 he said1 your dreams may yet become realities2 and my thoughts grew full of hope and eager anticipation of some great good which might come to the suffering people4 ,very soon afterwards1 my husband proposed that we should go to the capitol to lay before the supreme ruler1 ,tyvon ,oiranza31 our plans whereby we hoped to at least reclaim a portion of our unfruitful lands1 and thus rescue the people from their pitiable condition4 ,but ,i entreated that ,i might remain at home with our children1 and he went alone4 ,with the result of his interview with ,tyvon ,oiranza31 you already are acquainted4 ,before the conclusion of our mortal existence the vast enterprise had progressed far beyond our original plans and most sanguine hopes1 and my dear husband and ,i passed to our spirit world1 fully assured that1 even as the arms of the loving mother encircle her child1 so in coming time would the beneficent system encircle ,ento's entire central regions4 ,ere meeting you1 ,gentola31 ,i with my sons surveyed the length and breadth of the system1 and my gratification that the great work goes forward toward completion is beyond expression4 ,my joy too1 that the time approaches nearly when ,ento's sorrowful peoples shall rejoice in the knowledge that life is continuous1 is boundless4 ,to you who are devoting toward its accomplishment your time and very life force will come your reward4 ,that ,i may not by one hour retard the glorious mission ,i shall for the present leave you1 but not for long2 for ,i shall1 from time to time1 give myself the pleasure of meeting you and these friends1 and also of witnessing the progress of the children of ,ento out of darkness into the light of spiritual knowledge4 ,de ,l',ester1 ,i owe you more than thanks for your patient attempt to translate into ,gentola3's language my poorly expressed words1 which have at least made us better acquainted with each other4 ,with loving thoughts for all1 ,i regretfully hid you ,info oovist 7adieu74 ,de ,l',ester--,we now will proceed to the ,galarsa34 ,ah1 seated under yonder vineclad arbor are two of our student friends1 ,prince ,dano and the ,quend youth1 ,favon4 ,they very earnestly are discussing some topic which may interest us4 ,we will draw nearer4 ,dano--,favon1 you are quite mistaken in your conclusions4 ,only yesterday ,i had a demonstration of this not at all understood law4 ,after classes ,i as usual retired to my apartment where ,i amused myself by sketching whatever for the moment caught my imagination4 ,now it was a fragment of a half-remembered scene1 anon it was a dream face or some grotesque fancy1 and thus in an idle fashion ,i whiled away the moments4 ,presently1 in some unremembered manner and through what means ,i know not1 ,i seemed to drift into an unknown country where1 through some unrecognized agency1 ,i moved from one locality to another beholding unfamiliar scenes1 while beings of surpassing beauty greeted me exchanging with me such kindly courtesies as one stranger offers to another4 ,amazed1 ,i asked myself can it be that the gods have transported me to ,astranola3 that ,i may behold the glories of their blest abode8 ,although ,i felt exceedingly curious as to how ,i had arrived in this strange country1 it did not occur to me to question any one2 but as ,i stood musing over my perplexing position ,i was amazed to see approaching me one whom in my childhood ,i had known well1 and whose surprise appeared to equal my own1 as with extended hand he hastened toward me1 exclaiming3 ,dano1 ,dano1 son of my dearest friend1 ,basto ,andlsa31 ,i give you a loving welcome to our world of living ones1 our world so beautiful1 so glorious4 ,for the moment ,i seemed too shocked1 too overwhelmed to reply1 then collecting my senses1 ,i evasively answered3 ,my father often recalls the memory of ,iklos ,myta31 and mourns that no more shall he behold your beloved form or feel the warm clasp of your ever generous hands4 ,then ,i cried3 ,has not death claimed you8 ,do you indeed live here in ,astranola38 ,i remember the lamentations of your family and friends over your dead body and urned ashes1 and ,i doubt the seeming evidence of my confused senses4 ,tell me truly1 do ,i behold ,iklos ,myta38 ,do ,i hear the well-remembered voice of my father's honored1 well beloved friend8 ,surely1 surely1 ,i dream or my mind wanders1 and ,i grow afraid1 ,i grow afraid1 ,i tremblingly cried4 ,taking my hands in his own he gently1 soothingly said3 ,dano1 ,dano1 dear youth1 be not alarmed1 calm your agitation1 and listen to what ,i shall say4 ,as all of ,ento's children have been taught1 so was ,i taught that only for ,andmana3 and his messengers was immortality possible4 ,that when breath1 the life of the body ceased1 endless silence was the fate of all4 ,ah me1 ,i yet remember the bitter1 hopeless anguish that filled my mind1 my heart1 my days1 when death came and ,i was bereft of my dear ones4 ,i only recall such sorrowful memories that you may be reminded that the belief that death ends all of existence still holds in bondage the heavy hearted children of ,ento2 and that you may be assured that this dread belief is untrue let your visions wander over the marvellously beautiful scenes of this world1 which far exceed aught that you may behold on ,ento1 and over these multitudes of happy men1 women and children who once lived1 loved and labored and then passed into this world of living ones1 and who1 with myself are taught that through earnest striving to fulfill the law of love we all shall attain to other realms far exceeding this in the glory of their inexpressible beauty1 and a happiness so exalted that ,i can neither comprehend or realize it4 ,he further said that when death has stilled the activities of the body the living principle1 the real self1 invisible to limited physical vision continues a conscious1 individualized existence in realms suited to the requirements of the changed condition of the self4 ,this1 dear ,dano1 he said1 is not ,astranola31 the fabled abode of fabulous gods2 it is but one of the realms surrounding ,ento1 as its petals surround the heart of the rodel4 ,with profound attention ,i listened to this strange speech which so moved me that ,i cried3 ,oh1 ,iklos ,myta31 tell me1 ,i implore you1 will my dear ones1 will ,i1 continue to exist after passing into the silence8 ,releasing my hands1 he1 with a dignity1 a majesty and a tenderness of manner inexpressible1 said3 ,there is but ,one ,infinite1 ,eternal1 ,intelligent ,life ,principle1 and all things are partakers of it and cannot cease to exist4 ,your body and the bodies of all creatures must return to the elements from whence they originated2 but the self1 the indestructible principle1 will continue to exist in the world of the immortals1 and to the children of ,ento this glorious truth shortly will be revealed4 ,throughout our realms of the living ones there is one thought1 one resolve1 one expectation1 that but little longer shall darkness and despair1 like evil birds1 brood over your lives1 turning your smiles into weeping1 your joys into hopeless sorrow4 ,in this grand work ,i1 alas1 have no part4 ,not yet have ,i grown strong enough to enter the repellent atmosphere surrounding ,ento's peoples2 but in higher realms there are those who are as gods1 and they long have been striving1 through such means as they command1 to penetrate this atmosphere2 and to all who dwell in highest or lowest realms the glad tidings have been heralded that soon the children of ,ento will emerge from the shadows of their cheerless beliefs into the light of a joyous truth4 ,i am not fully informed as to how this glorious event is to be brought about4 ,i only know that the means will be equal to the desired end and ,i and all await with eager anticipation the consummation of our dearest wishes4 ,dano1 you now will return to ,ento1 but remember that surely you will again come to this realm of living ones1 and ,i1 ,iklos ,myta3 will be but one of many friends and loving ones who will give you greeting4 ,suddenly ,i awakened and found myself still seated by the table1 pencil in hand1 and strangest of all this strange experience1 as ,i slept and dreamed1 ,i had written all1 and more than ,i have related4 ,in what manner can you account for this unusual dream1 if dream it was8 ,faveon--,my dear ,dano1 ,i shall not attempt to account for your singular dream further than that ,i presume that your waking thoughts and imaginings were so impressed upon your mind that during sleep they assumed familiar shapes1 one of which appeared to utter unheard of mysteries4 ,i pray you1 put away further indulgence in such misleading fancies which may harmfully excite your too emotional nature4 ,through our ,holy ,writings we are taught1 and all experience confirms the fact1 that only ,andmana3's ,messengers dwell above yonder fleecy1 floating clouds1 which1 like a mistlike veil hide the glory of their shining faces1 which1 as we know1 sometimes irradiates the sky reminding ,ento's children that their sleepless eyes ever observe our good or evil deeds4 ,always has it been and always must it be that when the breath of life ceases the dead go into perpetual silence4 ,ah me1 scarcely do we learn to live1 to love1 to enjoy1 ere death tears us from the embraces of our loved ones1 and naught is left us save a handful of ashes to be cherished1 to be ceaselessly wept over4 ,dano--,think me not impious that ,i question why ,andmana3 has so decreed that a life full of good deeds1 of noble aims and achievements1 shall end as ends the life of the animal2 shall suddenly1 in the full tide of a glorious career1 cease to live and be no more4 ,that we now exist1 and are conscious of the fact1 is to my mind1 as great a marvel as that1 in some unimagined state1 we may continue a conscious existence4 ,aye1 a conscious existence in which to unfold our highest abilities4 ,you are aware1 ,favon1 that ,i am betrothed to ,valloa31 daughter and only child of our supreme ruler1 ,omanos ,fnha31 whose wife1 ,slona31 died in giving birth to their only child4 ,emerging into womanhood1 ,valloa3 displays such beauty of character1 such elegance of manner1 such loveliness of face and form1 such intelligence and vivacity1 that she enthralls me beyond expression1 and ,i love her with adoring tenderness4 ,when ,i think of the possibility of death approaching this charming1 this adorable woman1 stilling the breath of her life1 closing her luminous eyes and ending the music of her gentle speech1 ,i am filled with unutterable anguish4 ,oh1 ,favon1 if ,i sin1 may ,andmana3 forgive1 but to me it seems cruel that he permits the dread ,messenger ,phra to take our all without making us1 his children1 some recompense for the agony of bereavement1 for the sorrowful certainty1 that we1 and our dear dead shall meet no more4 ,faveon--,dano1 ,dano1 you shock and alarm me4 ,no longer am ,i surprised that your waking thoughts fill your sleep with strange1 if not with impious1 dreams4 ,i implore you to restrain your thoughts1 your vivid imagination1 lest some harm come to you4 ,you well know that your ideas are contrary to the teachings of our sacred priesthood1 who are the expounders of our ,holy ,writings1 which declare that in the beginning ,andmana31 through ,his love for ,his ignorant children instructed the gods to commune with them1 that thus they might gain knowledge1 but as they grew wise they also grew so arrogant and impious that they sought to wrest from the gods the secrets pertaining to sacred things4 ,then ,andmana3 wrathfully forbade ,his ,messengers to hold further communion with ,his sinful children4 ,in the beginning there was no death1 but for their sins ,andmana3 decreed that henceforth death should serve as a constant reminder that the ,creator is greater than the created4 ,we being the created cannot1 without sin1 question ,andmana3's laws1 hence1 dear ,dano1 we should not only willingly submit to the will of our ,creator1 but as obedient children1 we should humbly revere the hand that smites us4 ,death having come to the children of ,ento because of their impious desire to obtain a knowledge of sacred mysteries1 it does not appear reasonable that even you1 our beloved prince1 may have been admitted into ,astranola31 and the ,holy ,writings mention no other realm of living ones4 ,to my mind1 your dream partakes of the nature of the hallucination which recently possessed you in the lecture hall4 ,you then insisted1 and still insist1 that a foreign-looking woman spoke to you1 and even touched you1 yet no one save our fanciful friend1 ,lta ,verronadas1 imagined that they saw or heard aught4 ,certainly1 it was nothing more than the effect of a too highly excited imagination1 to which1 ,i confess1 ,i1 too1 occasionally am a victim4 ,it appears that ,lta is becoming subject to these annoying seizures1 and his friends are somewhat anxious for his health1 which really appears excellent4 ,if my very practical remarks have served to becloud your usually serene countenance1 you will forgive me1 and may ,andmana3 forgive if ,i1 too1 am sometimes filled with fear and bitter regret that inevitably death is drawing near1 that even in my youth ,i may pass into oblivion4 ,were it not impious1 gladly would ,i welcome a belief in a possibility of a continuity of existence4 ,alas1 we have no hope1 or slightest indication1 that after death has seized the breath of our life1 we and our beloved ones ever shall meet again4 ,so1 my friend1 it will be well for us to strive to be thinkers and workers1 not dreamers of dreams which have no foundation in realities4 ,your heavy sigh finds an echo in my own heart1 and ,i fear that my face like your own tells the secret of our sorrowful thoughts1 so the signal for our return to study comes in good time to end this profitless conversation4 ,de ,l',ester--,you perceive1 ,gentola31 that a spiritual force is agitating the minds of some of ,ento's people4 ,all through the centuries of their established religion there have been minds more or less illumined by gleams of ,spirit ,inspiration1 but necessarily they have been so faint1 so uncertain1 so quickly repressed as to have made but slight impression upon the masses of the people4 ,always the priesthood of ,ento have been an impregnable barrier between the darkness of superstition and the light of ,inspiration4 ,that generally they have been1 and are sincere1 we do not question4 ,sincere1 or otherwise1 everywhere and always the priesthood move forward only when the spiritual unfolding of a people obliges them to yield to an irresistible pressure4 ,largely it was through the spiritual growth of the people that1 some centuries ago1 ,ento's priesthood were obliged to discontinue human sacrifices1 and it is through their further spiritual evolvement that the densely positive barrier which ever has enfolded them at length is yielding to forces from the spirit worlds4 ,we rejoice that now1 as never before1 spirits from ,ento's and other spirit worlds can penetrate and come en rapport with the consciousness of many of the people4 ,true we cannot1 as you can1 approach them directly1 but soon conditions will become changed and we too1 will be able to communicate with many sensitives4 ,we have shown you that all organisms throw off certain emanations1 the condition of the organism determining the quality of the emanation4 ,in their activities these emanations are either centrifugal or centripetal4 ,the centrifugal or positive being forceful1 the centripetal1 or negative being passive1 but1 if ,i may use a paradoxical term1 energetically passive1 and they form about inhabited planets like1 or similar to1 ,ento and ,earth1 a spiritualized atmosphere1 which1 to freed spirits1 is as palpable as is a stone wall to physical touch4 ,the positive atmosphere enveloping the peoples of ,ento is very repellent2 but you1 who are yet connected with a physical body1 are not so etherealized as we are1 hence we can use you as a means of communication with persons upon whom we can make no impression4 ,no1 this spiritualized envelope is not what some of ,earth's people term the astral sphere1 but it is a constituent of the first or so-called astral sphere1 within whose limits abide spirits not sufficiently evolved to gravitate to a higher plane of being4 ,in a sense such spirits are confined within the limits suited to their several conditions4 ,confined1 not through the arbitrary sentence of a just or an unjust judge1 but through an inevitable process of ,natural ,law1 which is ,god's ,law4 ,around all planets inhabited by ,spiritualized humans and other organisms1 the first ,spirit ,sphere1 so to say1 materializes4 ,as ages pass and humanity evolves to higher ,spiritual ,planes other and in all directions greater1 grander spheres1 suited to the requirements of more highly evolved beings are formed1 each succeeding sphere surpassing the preceding one4 ,gentola--,do you know if there is a limit to the number of spirit spheres surrounding any or all inhabited planets8 ,de ,l',ester--,i know there is no limit to the questions you can ask1 and for the present ,i must end our conversation by saying that we know of no planet having more than seven spirit spheres1 and by the time you or we shall have arrived at the highest1 ,ento and ,earth will have been added to the list of dead worlds1 and we may have become archangels4 ,gentola--,please allow me to ask one more question4 ,am ,i to understand that there is a law compelling spirits to abide in certain spirit spheres8 ,de ,l',ester--,spirits freed from the physical body1 each according to his or her evolvement inevitably go to their own place1 the only place they are fitted for4 ,no spirit can long remain in a sphere with whose vibrations he or she is not in harmony4 ,spirits from the higher may1 and do1 enter the lower spheres1 but1 speaking from experience1 not with pleasurable sensations4 ,you once were adventurous enough to descend to the lowest level of one of the deepest mines on your continent4 ,you may recall the sense of oppression and difficulty of breathing which nearly overcame you4 ,well1 that is the best illustration ,i can offer of the sensations experienced by spirits of higher spheres who1 for instance1 enter our ,earth's ,first or ,spirit ,sphere4 ,why1 then1 do we return to mortal environments8 ,oh1 my friend1 you yet must learn many sad lessons4 ,you1 whose destined work is to serve as a teacher to spirits in darkness1 will find the answer to your query4 ,you will learn1 as we are learning1 that only through loving1 unselfish service for those more needy than ourselves do we find the stepping-stones by which we shall ascend to the heights where are the exalted ones1 who1 through self-sacrifice and deepest self-abasement1 have attained knowledge and bliss unspeakable4 ,it is they who inspire us to strive for a like beatific state of being4 ,it occurs to me that of one feature relating to emanations ,i have not informed you4 ,i have stated that all organisms throw off certain emanations1 hence animal emanations are constituents of all ,first ,spirit ,spheres4 ,after physical death the myriad forms of animal1 indeed of all organized forms of life1 for a time continue to exist within the limits of the ,first ,sphere4 ,then1 through the activity of natural law they in a sense become reincarnated1 but not on the same plane of existence as before1 but a step higher1 and always in a species of their own order4 ,that is to say1 the soul of the horse never reappears in the form of an ox1 or the soul of the ox in the form of the dog1 and so on4 ,no expression of life is ever lost4 ,thus the endless movement of evolution is continuous1 and the bird of prey swooping down upon the finned beauty of lake or stream is quite oblivious of the fact that he desires to dine off a distant relative of whose family he is a highly evolved representative4 ,genessano--,with interest ,i have heard ,de ,l',ester's lesson1 and it reminds me of an experience of ,inidora3's and my own4 ,when we passed to the spirit side we were not sufficiently evolved to continuously exist in a sphere higher than ,ento's first ,spirit ,sphere1 and for more than half a century of earnest striving1 assisted by the loving devotion of our parents and dear friends who were more highly evolved than were we1 we were dwellers on the threshold of our second ,spirit ,sphere4 ,during this period of instruction and progress our condition was far more agreeable than that of mortals1 but through brief visits to other spheres1 we soon learned that the degree of happiness we were enjoying was but a promise of a more exalted state1 and naturally we aspired1 not only to greater joys1 but to higher attainments1 through which we might find closer association with our adored parents4 ,no1 this period of instruction and progress did not appear to pass slowly4 ,you do not yet realize that to freed spirits time and space are mere terms possessing neither value or significance4 ,with us is only an ever present now4 ,the terms past and future involve an idea of a beginning and an ending1 and1 as our friend ,humboldt has stated1 we cannot conceive of either a beginning or ending of what is termed time or a limit outside of which is nothing4 ,no spirit of highest spirit spheres claims to have a realization of either time or space or a conception of the ,infinite ,one1 who ever has been1 is1 and ever must be the dimensionless1 unthinkable all4 ,de ,l',ester--,to-day we will see and hear what may transpire in the classrooms4 ,first we will observe what we may designate as an astronomical lesson4 ,the apparatus which the young1 intellectual looking instructor is arranging is unlike anything you have seen1 and ,i imagine that the lesson will be quite as unique as the apparatus4 ,i shall not attempt to give you more than a mere synopsis of it4 ,now he calls the attention of the class to the well known fact that ,ento is not a perfectly globular body1 but a somewhat elongated sphere1 deeply depressed at its extremities and revolving in space as ,andmana3 in the beginning decreed1 that thus life giving beams of his abode might vivify all portions of the home of his children4 ,he alludes to the ,sacred ,writings1 which declare that in a very remote time ,andmana3 revealed to certain holy men an account of the creation of ,ento and of the living creatures who came into existence through the exercise of ,his ,will1 and that later1 when ,ento was prepared for their reception1 ,he created ,his children1 who should dwell upon it1 and be the recipients of ,his bounteous provision for their happiness4 ,evidently this ,instructor has no knowledge of the revolution of ,ento around the ,sun1 for he talks of the marvel of atmospheric pressure holding ,ento in position and also supporting the fair regions of ,astranola31 beyond which is the shining abode of ,andmana31 which1 with its foundations1 fill all outer space4 ,it would not serve a useful purpose to further speak of his lecture to his deeply attentive pupils1 but it will please us if you will attempt a brief description of this scene4 ,gentola--,around a massive table1 on which is an object suggesting a globe1 a number of boys and girls are assembled4 ,the globe1 if it may be so called1 is quite elongated1 and1 as you have said its ends are deeply depressed4 ,in the centre of the depressions are pivots which rest in sockets in the ends of two upright supports4 ,the surface of the globe is divided into spaces by metal bands suggesting latitude and longitude4 ,midway between the extremities of the globe is a broad band with three narrower ones on either side of it4 ,extending from the central band at intervals are seven metal rods tipped with what appears to be diamond stars4 ,now the ,instructor attaches to the ends of the two protruding pivots flexible wires covered thickly with some dark substance4 ,the globe begins to revolve and now its velocity is so great that the star tipped rods appear to form a luminous1 iridescent band about it1 but ,i do not perceive what force makes it revolve4 ,how beautiful it now appears4 ,all the bands are luminous1 and ,i now see that they are incrusted with different colored small jewels1 and there is a soft singing sound1 like the notes of some musical instrument4 ,i do not understand where the sound comes from1 and ,i cannot describe the scene intelligibly4 ,bruno--,be at peace1 ,gentola34 ,we have neither anticipated or desired that you should more than offer your impressions of the scene and of this object which the ,entoans believe represents the form of this planet4 ,the seven diamond stars symbolize the seven divisions of ,astranola31 but the ,entoans do not venture to conjecture as to what the abode of ,andmana3 or those of their deities may be like4 ,presently we will show you a marvellous piece of mechanism which is an embodiment of vibratory energy4 ,these wires form a connection between it and this globe1 and through its measureless energy this and all the mechanical apparatus of the great ,galarsa3 may be set in motion4 ,on ,ento1 for many purposes1 vibratory energy has superseded electrical energy1 yet1 in a sense1 vibratory energy is an expression of electrical force1 which is the basic principle of all energy4 ,it permeates every atom of the universe1 and its expressions are so manifold that1 though its presence may not be apparent1 its ever present energy is a fact4 ,ento is but one of many planets whose inhabitants understand and apply both electrical and vibratory energy1 and1 ere long1 in the advancement of civilization on our own planet1 it will become a tremendous factor4 ,the ,ento name for this object is esploina31 and it conveys the ,ento idea of latitude1 longitude1 the equator and zones4 ,the colored outlines indicate the natural divisions of land and water1 which1 as you perceive1 are not nearly equal4 ,the revolution of the planet on its axis is recognized as producing day and night1 but the idea of a very pronounced concavity at its extremities1 or1 as we would say1 at its poles is1 of course1 a conjectured absurdity4 ,how did such an erroneous idea originate8 ,inidora3 says that in the ,sacred ,writings there are intimations of the form of the planet1 and it would be a bold adventurer who would dare to dispute such infallible authority4 ,i grow impatient for the ushering in of the coming revelation when this grand civilization shall leap to the level of its evolution4 ,and it is coming1 it is quickly coming4 ,even these youths and maidens shall share in the splendor of ,ento's religious freedom1 which1 like a radiant sun1 shall dissipate the shadows of its long ,spiritual night4 ,when that long-hoped-for period shall have arrived1 and ,ento's peoples shall dare to investigate in all directions1 they soon will arrive at correct conclusions concerning two sciences which to them are as unread books4 ,of astronomy they are ignorant1 of geology nearly so1 their religious beliefs deterring them from arriving at logical conclusions1 lest they might incur the displeasure of ,andmana3 and ,his ,messengers4 ,you may recall the ,professor's dilemma over the fossilized saurian1 and in the record of the rocks they yet will learn equally startling lessons4 ,yes1 we are informed as to all important affairs of ,earth1 and we are aware that daring minds contemplate the possibility of establishing communication between ,earth and ,ento4 ,altogether a futile idea1 as you now must perceive4 ,why1 the ,entoans do not even dream of the existence of a world other than their own4 ,inidora31 is not this true8 ,inidora--,quite true4 ,ento's ,sacred ,writings1 which are believed to be infallible1 make no mention of ,andmana3 having created any other world than ,ento1 but historians have written that antecedent to the establishment of ,ento's ,religion there was a powerful nation south of the equator which was in a very advanced state of civilization4 ,this nation was known as the ,avalano nation4 ,znon ,avados1 one of their learned men1 who at this time is a ,teacher in one of our ,spirit ,realms1 declares that he and other scientists of his time demonstrated to their entire satisfaction that ,ento was but one of many similar worlds4 ,they also made other astronomical discoveries1 all of which they made known to the people4 ,unfortunately1 this nation grew very rich and consequently very corrupt1 and an inevitable decadence came upon them4 ,their civilization lapsed into chaotic conditions1 their learned ones passed away1 and thus to the ,entoans a knowledge of facts was lost1 which1 when again presented1 they will be prepared to accept4 ,bruno--,already you have learned that in many directions ,ento's scientific discoveries equal or surpass those of our own ,planet4 ,that art1 in its various expressions1 has attained surpassing excellence4 ,that the luxuries and refinements of living are within the reach of all4 ,that constant and untiring effort is being put forth to elevate the entire peoples4 ,and that want and crime are so nearly minimized as to seldom demand attention4 ,thus the soil is prepared to receive the seed which soon will be sowed1 and which surely will yield a bounteous harvest4 ,ah1 the demonstration is concluded and the ,instructor is about to address the class4 ,instructor--,this lesson demonstrates that as a cherished child rests upon the bosom of its mother1 so ,ento1 beloved of ,andmana31 rests upon the bosom of space4 ,afar off1 in ,diafon ,evoiha31 is the glorious abode of ,him who is the ,creator of all things4 ,when we1 ,his children1 have done well ,he smiles1 and ,diafon ,evoiha31 golden and glowing1 sheds its life-giving beams over our beautiful world4 ,he smiles and fruits and grains multiply1 that ,his children may have sustenance4 ,he smiles1 and bd1 bloom and verdure cover as with a mantle the home of all ,his creatures1 for are not all living things precious in the sight of their ,creator8 ,from the lowest to the highest expression of ,his love all find their allotted places4 ,all act in accordance with ,his ,divine ,will4 ,this esploina3 not only conveys a correct idea of the form of ,ento1 but also it illustrates how we are encompassed by the abodes of ,andmana3's ,messengers1 whose ever-watchful eyes discern our inmost thoughts1 our most secret acts4 ,even as the ,divine ,ones guard the ,sacred ,mysteries may we1 ,o ,andmana31 guard ourselves against wayward thoughts and unhallowed desires and may we ever reverently adore ,thee that ,thou didst create this ,world so fair and a people so blest as are the children of ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,leaving this ,instructor and his pupils to a discussion of their odd mixture of science and religion1 we will ascend to the second floor4 ,yes1 truly their religious beliefs dominate the lives of the ,entoans4 ,fear of consequences1 quite as much as love of ,andmana3 and ,his messengers1 occasions in them a constant watchfulness4 ,genessano has related a droll occurrence which illustrates this very point4 ,once1 in his childhood1 a falling meteorite attracted his attention1 and he ran to his parents shouting3 ,a god has fallen out of bed6 a god has fallen out of bed and broken his lamp4 ,both father and mother were horrified at his irreverent exclamation1 and in terror1 lest harm might befall their thoughtless lad1 they hastened with him to the ,istoira3 to lay upon the altar a propitiatory offering4 ,gentola--,genessano1 you will pardon me for saying that the contrast between the advanced civilization and the peculiar religious beliefs of your people still surprises me4 ,that they are intellectual and generally highly cultivated is very apparent1 and it seems remarkable that they yield obedience to a creed so utterly at variance with common sense4 ,have they never believed in a continuity of existence8 ,have they never had clearer conceptions relating to the ego than they now have8 ,genessano--,since passing to our spirit world we have learned that long previous to ,ento's ancient written history1 which antedated the ,sacred ,writings1 there were those who1 through many embodiments1 on various planets1 retained overlapping1 partial consciousness of previous states of existence4 ,through this consciousness1 which is a feature of so-called intuitive perception1 such persons more or less clearly realize the indestructibility of the ego1 hence the continuity of perhaps conscious existence4 ,but1 through natural causes too complex for present consideration to the consciousness of the masses of ,ento1 no idea of a continuity of existence ever has occurred4 ,when through repeated embodiments and attendant experiences humans of any planet have evolved to a certain plane1 conditions being propitious1 they unfold ,intuitive perception1 or more correctly ,soul consciousness4 ,evolvement and unfoldment proceeding the ,soul faculties tend to become dominant1 and the ,human seeks to discover the causes of phenomena4 ,he theorizes1 he analyzes1 he dogmatizes1 and grows presumptuous1 and if unwisely1 he ignores his inner consciousness1 the real spirit self1 he is likely to stultify himself1 and conclude that there is no other than a physical existence1 and no intelligence higher than his own4 ,conditions favoring1 soul consciousness may become en rapport with the inner or spirit consciousness1 and despite intellectual materialism1 which ever clamors for dominion1 the human may evolve a recognition of ,spirit1 hence a realization of the ,one ,all pervading ,spirit known to you as ,god4 ,though their history cannot be traced back to their earliest appearance on our planet1 we know that inevitably the ,entoans1 like the humans of other planets1 have passed through all the phrases incident to the onward and upward progress of humanity4 ,since the establishment of the national religion1 and consequent ecclesiastical oppression and repression1 which ever have been so absolute that they have not dared to think for themselves1 their ,soul consciousness has found expression in ceaseless prayers that death may not seize upon their lives1 or those of their dear ones4 ,as the bud1 infolding flower and fruit1 is quickened by the breath of spring1 so ,ento's peoples will be spiritually quickened by the effulgence of the coming revelation1 and then they joyfully will claim their birthright of ever increasing happiness and life eternal4 ,de ,l',ester desires me to relate something ,i once read in an ancient record now stored in the ,library of this ,galarsa34 ,it states that immediately succeeding the ,establishment of the national religion certain fanatics held peculiar beliefs4 ,they asserted that ,andmana3 had spoken to them1 assuring them that they were possessed of an ,essence1 or ,principle1 which was the life of the body1 and that this ,essence1 or life ,principle1 after death of the body continued a conscious1 happy existence in a world unseeable by physical eyes4 ,they also asserted that ,andmana3 revealed to them ,laws which commanded them to refrain from all evil conduct4 ,to love one another4 ,to act justly1 and to be merciful to all living things4 ,other ,laws relate to the duties of parents1 of children1 of those in authority1 and so on4 ,certainly they were of a character indicating a ,law ,giver of a high order of intelligence4 ,the record further states that this fanatical sect for a time increased prodigiously1 but persecution and other causes finally led to its extinction4 ,another historian relates that during the third century of the ,established ,religion one ,mro ,kalmon invented an instrument through which he daringly and impiously gazed toward ,astranola34 ,he not only declared that ,astranola3 did not exist1 but that there were other worlds than ,ento4 ,he went so far as to declare that these worlds moved through space1 and he even made drawings and calculations relating to these fanciful ,worlds1 which misled many into a belief in his reprehensible teachings4 ,not content with filling the minds of people with these vain imaginings he also hinted that these newly discovered worlds might be peopled as was ,ento4 ,so eager is humanity to indulge in new fancies that ere long he made many converts1 and the ,sacred ,faith was seriously menaced4 ,word of ,mro ,kalmon's proceedings was brought to the ,supreme ,ruler ,mostn ,stoiva31 who directed that he be admonished to cease teaching fancies so pernicious1 so sacrilegious1 so devoid of intelligence4 ,he was admonished1 but being either very perverse or very much in earnest1 he continued to teach his senseless ideas4 ,gentle admonitions failing to correct his heterodox opinions1 severer measures were exercised1 but still he held to what he pretended to1 or did believe1 and it became necessary to offer him as a ,sacrifice to appease the righteous wrath of ,andmana34 ,the historian also relates that as he was about to be ,sacrificed1 suddenly the sky became overcast with threatening clouds1 and partial darkness reigned1 but that at the moment that the priestly knife reached the heart of the blasphemous ,mro ,kalmon1 ,andmana3 smiled1 and ,diafon ,evoiha3's golden beams gladdened the hearts of the assembled multitude4 ,and thus1 adds the historian1 was demonstrated the truth of our ,holy ,religion4 ,at this time ,mro ,kalmon is a re-embodied spirit1 and amid the galaxy of your inspired1 scientific minds he shines as a star of the first magnitude4 ,nay1 ,gentola31 it would not be wise to divulge the present name of the re-embodied ,mro ,kalmon2 but from this recital you will perceive that notwithstanding opposing influences at various periods1 light from ,inspired minds has striven to dissipate the spiritual darkness overshadowing the lives of the ,entoans4 ,yes1 ,mro ,kalmon was a sensitive1 as he now is4 ,de ,l',ester--,in this well lighted and well appointed room ,dano1 ,favon1 and others are engaged in microscopical studies4 ,we desire1 ,gentola31 that you shall become en rapport with ,dano1 but so absorbed is he in his investigation that we doubt if you will succeed4 ,we will wait for a less positive condition of the youth's mind4 ,in the meantime you will please attempt a description of this scene4 ,gentola--,seated around a long table are five young men1 and two dark skinned1 handsome girls in the bloom of early womanhood4 ,on the table are instruments of a kind1 quite unlike any ,i ever have seen1 through which all are intently gazing4 ,all are taking notes1 and making drawings1 and a most animated conversation is being carried on1 in which the young women take part4 ,you say that those instruments are microscopes1 but they are quite unlike any microscopes ,i have ever seen4 ,there are five convex lenses1 one above the other1 but slightly apart1 and they are suspended between two slender rods1 a few inches in length4 ,above each microscope a tiny1 blindingly brilliant light is suspended1 above which is a reflector which seems to focalize the light and reflect it downward through the lenses1 onto some odd looking object4 ,you say it is the eye of some small animal8 ,oh1 ,i never could have imagined that the eye is so complex1 so wonderfully beautiful4 ,yes1 ,i now see it very clearly4 ,through the glasses it appears greatly enlarged4 ,describe it8 ,no1 indeed1 ,i am not so presumptuous as to attempt it4 ,you clever ones should describe things of which ,i am quite ignorant4 ,de ,l',ester--,you have said all that we really have desired you to say4 ,should a competent person give a technical description of these instruments1 and object under investigation1 your caution would take alarm1 and you would become too positive for our purposes1 one of which is to inform the peoples of our planet that the ,entoans are very like themselves1 and that their methods of acquiring knowledge are somewhat similar to those of the neighbors who are so curious about them4 ,gentola--,now that ,i better understand your motive in asking me to describe various things ,i shall feel less sensitive over my incompetence1 and you may rest assured that after this microscopic observation ,i shall set a higher value on my own eyes4 ,de ,l',ester--,i thought you might1 and it is high time you should1 for you not only use1 but you abuse your eyes4 ,the controversy over the lesson grows very animated4 ,be attentive1 and ,i will interpret what may be said4 ,faveon--,nitana1 both you and ,dano certainly are mistaken in your conclusions4 ,our ,sacred ,writings distinctly declare that ,andmana3 is ,infinite in all ,his attributes4 ,that ,he creates and destroys as ,he ,wills1 but nowhere is it written that ,he modifies any creature in order to fit it to changed conditions4 ,to my mind it savors of impiety to question the accepted interpretation given our ,sacred ,writings by our scarcely less ,sacred ,priesthood4 ,dano--,i do not doubt but that ,andmana3 is ,infinite in all ,his attributes1 and ,i do not question but that ,he creates in accordance with ,his own purposes1 but ,i do not believe that any one living creature is a special act of ,his creative ,will1 but that through ,his fixed purposes or ,laws1 which are a part of ,himself1 all things come into existence4 ,if each living creature is a special act of ,his creative power1 logically one must infer that all creatures are perfect expressions of ,his ,will4 ,yet it is an indisputable fact that if animals of any species are for a prolonged period kept in darkness1 their organs of vision will become modified to fit them for their environment4 ,i cannot but think that our ,priesthood misinterpret the meanings of portions of our ,sacred ,writings1 and that they are prone to cling too closely to ancient interpretations4 ,may ,andmana3's ,messengers understand that ,i do not desire to offer my immature ideas as infallible truths1 and ,i pray that they may direct my ever questioning thoughts4 ,nitana--,ever our scientific investigations oppose themselves to the teachings of our ,holy ,religion1 occasioning in our minds unrest and dissatisfaction with our conditions4 ,though our devoted ,priests continually admonish us against an indulgence in profane imaginings1 our truant thoughts go far astray1 and we grow bewildered and afraid lest the justly offended gods may visit upon us dire punishment4 ,even while we strive to learn the complex meanings of life1 we are shrinking from death1 and crying to ,andmana3's messengers to bear to ,him our unceasing prayers for release from the dread ,god ,phra 7death71 whose dark form overshadows all our days4 ,scientific research has reached a limit where boldest and most earnest minds pause uncertain and appalled4 ,they cannot turn backward1 and they dare not go forward4 ,oh1 that ,andmana3 may as in ancient times hearken to the prayers of ,his sorrowful children1 and grant to them a clearer understanding of truth4 ,faveon--,nitana1 it is not we alone whose minds are full of unrest1 for alas1 the people too are questioning and doubting1 and none too firmly are the priesthood opposing themselves to the further advance of skepticism4 ,i fear that we too indulge in too free thought and speech1 and are becoming dreamers rather than thinkers4 ,dano1 your example is contagious4 ,i pray that ,i may not find myself also dreaming strange dreams1 or yielding to baseless imaginings4 ,dano--,and yet it may come to pass4 ,truly1 it has not been through my desire that recent strange experiences have come to me4 ,may the ,gods pardon my presumption1 if ,i sometimes dare to hope that they in their own way may1 through me1 convey some new ,revelation of ,andmana3's love for ,his sorrowful children1 whose entreaties for release from death1 ever are the burden of their prayers4 ,if ,mylta1 ,vrian1 and you1 dear friends1 may not consider me of lost mind1 or altogether given to preposterous fancies1 at least ,i may amuse you by a recital of what you may regard as merely a dream4 ,to ,favon ,i have related a former experience1 and his incredulous smile assures me that he yet remembers it4 ,yesterday after classes ,i laid on my couch to meditate and rest4 ,i did not at all feel inclined to sleep1 but soon a semi-conscious state stole over my senses4 ,at the moment my gaze was resting on a great cluster of tmos blooms sent me by ,valloa31 my betrothed1 to whom my tenderest thoughts1 like bright plumaged song birds1 were flying4 ,presently the tmos blooms were blurred from my sight by a shining vaporous cloud1 from which emerged a female form1 so wondrously lovely that ,i was overawed and amazed4 ,the form was tall1 and of proportions suited to the form of a ,goddess4 ,over her shoulders her hair fell like a golden mist1 and her eyes blue as the azure floor of ,astranola31 gazed tenderly1 smilingly into mine4 ,rodels1 floating on ,naro's gleaming waters are not whiter than was her face1 which shone with an indescribably strange1 luminous glow4 ,floating rather than walking toward me she extended her hands1 and in a voice so gentle1 so tender1 so mellifluous that it yet lingers in my memory like strains of sweetest music1 she said1 ,dano1 ,dano1 my brother1 do not you recognize your sister ,onta38 ,i am not dead1 ,i live1 and love you1 my brother ,dano4 ,it was but my physical body that died4 ,i1 the real ,onta31 am as alive as when hand in hand we strayed by ,naro's waters4 ,dano1 believe that ,i am ,onta31 for ,i shall again and again come to teach you the mystery of life after death of the body4 ,happily you possess clear seeing vision1 which perceives the real1 ,immortal ,self1 and you are to be a ,teacher of our people1 who through you will attain to a higher conception of divine things4 ,already you begin to apprehend the oncoming glory of a ,new ,revelation1 which will bring to the heavy hearted children of ,ento gladness immeasurable4 ,fear not1 my brother1 your message of joy will not fall upon deaf ears1 for the way is being prepared1 and the invisible ones1 who possess the strength and wisdom of the fabled gods1 will not fail you in your hour of greatest need4 ,i know that already they have spoken to you through one of another ,world1 and soon your vision will grow so strong and clear that you will be able to perceive them1 as you now for the first time perceive me4 ,i can remain no longer1 but soon will come again1 she said1 and as she came she went4 ,as ,i dreamed ,i seemed to weep for joy that my beloved ,onta3 still lived1 and as she ceased speaking ,i strove to clasp her to my heart1 but she eluded me1 and ere ,i more than realized her presence she vanished from my sight1 and ,i sprang to my feet1 not in fear1 but in a state of trepidation indescribable4 ,mylta--,but1 ,dano1 do you believe that you really saw your sister ,onta31 or do you consider it all a vivid dream8 ,of course1 as your sister has long been in the ,silence1 it could have been naught else than a dream4 ,favon1 be quiet4 ,yes1 ,i am excited4 ,oh1 how ,i should like to have such a dream2 and only think1 if it really might be true6 ,it is so dreadful to die1 to leave all that one loves1 and more dreadful still to lose one's loved ones1 knowing that the utmost one can do is to mourn until we too shall pass into the ,silence4 ,ah1 my ,vrian1 our tears will not ward off---- ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 quickly draw near to ,dano4 ,touch his head with your finger tips4 ,that will suffice4 ,drowsily he leans back in his chair1 and passes his hands over his forehead and eyes4 ,now in a startled manner he whispers1 ,onta31 ,onta32 nay1 it is not ,onta34 ,onta3 has golden hair1 and this woman's hair is dark hued1 and she is of a strange race4 ,ah1 ,i now see her clearly1 and it is the same woman who twice has appeared to me4 ,speak1 ,i pray you1 that ,i may know who you are1 and why you come to me4 ,de ,l',ester--,follow closely my dictation4 ,gentola--,though ,i am not of ,ento ,i have been named ,gentola34 ,twice ,i have been made to speak to you1 and now ,i shall say that which you are to remember for it relates to gravest interests4 ,i have come from a world closely resembling ,ento4 ,it is far away in space1 and by its inhabitants it is known as ,earth4 ,i have been brought to you by persons who once lived on either ,earth or ,ento1 but death of their physical bodies having freed the imperishable1 intelligent ,principle1 they are known as ,spirits and may go from ,world to ,world4 ,i1 too1 am a spirit1 but1 like yourself1 am yet connected with a physical body1 to which ,i shall soon return4 ,through the activity of a wonderful natural sense you are enabled to perceive me and to hear my words2 and later on1 when your ,spirit senses shall have grown clearer1 you also will see and hear ,spirits who are wholly freed from the physical body4 ,already you have perceived freed ,spirits and your quickened senses are unfolding1 as unfolds a flower4 ,two of the ,spirits accompanying me are of ,ento's ,spirit ,world4 ,during their mortal lives they were known as ,inidora31 and ,genessano1 sons of ,genessano ,allis ,immo and of his ,wife ,camarissa31 who long have existed in a ,world invisible to your mortal vision1 but which is as real as is ,ento4 ,as ,i am unacquainted with your language ,i speak from dictation of a ,spirit who1 from time to time1 will reveal to you truths which will bring to you and to your people joys unspeakable4 ,this spirit bids me say to you that in boundless space there are countless ,worlds inhabited by beings like yourself4 ,that all are ,andmana3's children1 and all1 like yourself1 are immortal4 ,that when1 through death of the body1 their spirits become freed1 they continue to exist in worlds' far more beautiful than ,ento1 whose peoples now are on the eve of a revelation which1 to them1 will be as the dawning of a day of supremest joy4 ,but for you1 dear youth1 will come a sorrow so overwhelming1 a grief so poignant1 that it will well nigh rend you from your body4 ,but courage1 courage1 sufficient for your days will be your strength4 ,you have chosen and are being prepared to give to your despairing peoples a message so glorious that its ,divine effulgence will dissipate the shadows of the hopeless beliefs which so long have held them in ,spiritual bondage4 ,already in the minds of many of your people there is a sense of unrest and discontent with old beliefs and forms of worship4 ,it is a premonition of wonderful events which ere long will occur1 for spirits of ,ento's and other ,spirit ,worlds have combined their forces to awaken the inner consciousness of your peoples1 and they feel the quickening impulse but are unaware of its significance4 ,many are prepared to receive the glad tidings that existence is continuous1 and when this knowledge shall have been revealed to them quickly they will emerge from the depths of perpetual sorrow into the radiance of a consciousness of immortality4 ,you would know the nature of the sorrow that is to come into your life8 ,i shrink from saying that it has become necessary to inform you that your betrothed1 ,valloa3 ,fnha31 slowly but surely is releasing herself from her frail physical body4 ,slowly but surely1 like some sweet flower of an untimely season1 she droops and fades away1 and ere long she will be your ,spirit1 not your ,mortal ,bride4 ,her father does not realize that her days are nearly ended or even that she is really ill1 else ere now he would have called you home4 ,you are to await his or your father's summons1 and you are not to speak of this or of aught ,i have said to you4 ,soon again ,i shall be with you to further reveal to you that which concerns yourself and others1 and now1 ,info oovist4 ,de ,l',ester--,favon1 ,nitana and the others are greatly amazed and alarmed at ,dano's strange condition1 but as he breathes and moves they know that he has not swooned1 so silently they await his awakening1 and now he is arousing from his partially submerged state4 ,he is so highly sensitive that while en rapport with you he is almost wholly conscious and fully remembers all that you have said to him1 and though as yet he does not comprehend his condition1 in time he will do so4 ,it is to be regretted that such a heavy sorrow must fall into his young life1 but when finally he shall realize that his adored ,valloa3 will not be forever lost to him1 with his sorrow will be blended joy inexpressible4 ,dano--,have ,i again been dreaming8 ,surely it was more than a dream4 ,heard you no one speaking8 ,saw you no form1 dear friends8 ,yet truly ,i again have seen a fair-skinned1 dark-haired woman1 clothed in strange1 shining garments1 who has spoken to me of marvellous things4 ,if what she has said may be true1 ere long into my life will come a heavy sorrow and a great joy4 ,but ,andmana3 alone knoweth all secret things4 ,through ,his love ,he created me and patiently ,i shall await whatever of good or ill ,he may send to me4 ,you1 my friends1 will pardon me if ,i cannot now relate what this woman1 who calls herself ,gentola31 has said to me4 ,faveon--,dano1 ,i pray you compose yourself4 ,no1 we heard nothing1 saw nothing1 but ,i confess that ,i so sympathized with your abnormal condition that for a moment ,i experienced a most peculiar sensation4 ,i seemed to feel some invisible presence near me1 but soon ,i realized that it was the merest foolish fancy1 and quickly ,i aroused myself to a sense of my surroundings4 ,vrian1 sweet cousin ,vrian1 your pallor betrays your perturbation1 and ,mylta3's humid eyes evince a lively sympathy if not a positive belief in ,dano's hallucinations4 ,come1 friends1 we will walk abroad and soon these baseless1 idle fancies to which1 ,i fear1 we all are inclined1 will be dispelled4 ,nay1 ,dano1 you shall not be left to yourself to brood and dream4 ,too close study and a natural inclination toward ,mysticism are misleading you1 and we1 your devoted fellow students1 will be doing less than our duty if we do not endeavor to induce you to yield to lighter1 pleasanter veins of thought4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 to you this demonstration is little more than curious4 ,to estimate its meaning and value you would have to realize what we and many other spirits long have been striving to bring about4 ,this we cannot now make plain to you1 for could you fully realize its significance it would so overwhelm you as to unfit you for the work you alone can accomplish4 ,this much ,i may say1 that now as never before we feel assured of the success of our mission4 ,favon felt not only your presence but also the wave of ,magnetism we passed over him4 ,he is very sensitive1 and when the time of his enlightenment shall have arrived he no longer will imagine that ,dano is afflicted with morbid fancies1 for he too shall stand as an ,inspired ,teacher of his own people4 ,in the adjoining class room other students are engaged in ,microscopic examination of ,crytogamic growths4 ,for a short time we will observe them4 ,we perceive that the specimens are of various species found in moist localities1 or in ponds or other sluggish waters4 ,that their sporules1 wafted by winds or through the agency of aquatic fowls1 are borne from one locality to another4 ,that some are known to be inimical to health1 even to life1 but that science has found means to oppose and render ineffectual their virulence4 ,yonder dark-skinned intellectual maiden is strongly inclined to skepticism4 ,not perceiving the utility of these growths she contracts her pretty brows1 and1 after some moments of inconclusive thought1 she turns her large1 luminous1 questioning eyes on the stately ,professor who stands near her1 regarding her attentively1 and says3 ,professor ,doiko1 will you inform us as to why ,andmana3 has created these1 so far as science has discovered1 worse than useless growths1 and also the parasites which infest the bodies of ,his children1 and of all creatures8 ,professor ,doiko--,our purpose is to study the structure and habits of these growths1 not to question the purpose of their ,creator4 ,when we shall have grown wise enough doubtless we will understand the mystery of many things which now are obscure4 ,as to parasites which infest the bodies of living organisms science regards some of them not as enemies1 but as scavengers of refuse1 which1 when not speedily removed1 generate diseases of various kinds4 ,through our lack of knowledge we count as foes many forms of life which probably1 in time1 we will come to regard as friends4 ,andmana31 ,creator of all things1 makes no mistakes4 ,it is ,his children who err in questioning the results of ,his infallible wisdom4 ,de ,l',ester--,the maiden looks rather discomfited than convinced4 ,to the quiet girl on her left1 in a low tone she earnestly says3 ,one is ever asking questions to which our learned ones give but half replies4 ,always within me something cries out for a fuller knowledge of things4 ,if ,i question our ,instructors or our ,priests1 or if ,i search written authorities1 the answer is ever the same1 ',andmana3 knoweth1 ,andmana3 doeth according to ,his will1' and our ,priests say that we sin when we question the meanings of mysteries4 ,tonne1 what is that within us which ever is impelling us to search into forbidden things8 ,tonene--,could ,i answer your query1 ,cassa1 ,i should perhaps be wiser than our ,instructors4 ,i know not why you are so perversely inclined1 but ,i think it may be well for you to defer to the opinions of those who at least are far more learned than are we4 ,cassa--,but1 ,tonne1 it is said that ,prince ,dano believes that we are more than we appear to be2 that when the body dies the breath of life does not die2 that the real self is invisible1 but that it possesses intelligence and memory and speaks and moves about4 ,i cannot quite remember what else it can do4 ,what perplexes me is1 how can the breath of life speak and move about without a body8 ,i know not how ,prince ,dano explains that4 ,we all know that he is wise and learned beyond his years1 and there are those who regard him as one whom ,andmana3 has specially endowed1 but others fear that overmuch study and thought render him visionary4 ,tonene--,any one hearing this inconsequent conversation would probably consider us as visionary as is ,prince ,dano1 and we will serve ourselves better by attending to our lessons4 ,de ,l',ester--,in ,cassa's somewhat rash remarks we find further evidence of the unrest stirring the minds of the people1 and it augurs well for the success of our ,mission when1 despite their fears1 even youthful minds are questioning old beliefs4 ,should we attempt further notice of the students and studies of this class room it would oblige us to exceed our purpose1 which is to simply record sketches of people and things4 ,you will bear in mind that in calling your attention to apparently trivial matters we do so that you may perceive that ideas and pursuits of the ,entoans are noticeably like those of ,earth's peoples4 ,again we are holding you too long and must immediately return you to ,earth4 ,three days hence we will come for you4 ,george and ,bruno will attend you4 ,until we all meet again1 ,info oovist4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,dr4 ,,blank',s ,,lesson4 ,de ,l',ester--,notwithstanding that1 logically1 neither time or space are realities1 we1 very illogically1 have found ourselves somewhat impatient with your visitors1 whose prolonged stay has delayed us a full hour4 ,ah that is well4 ,always secure yourself against sudden recall4 ,we are ready1 ,george4 ,yes1 to-day ,earth's outer atmosphere is very tranquil4 ,you will find ,ento's even more so4 ,george1 we will pass directly to the ,galarsa34 ,gentola31 an hour hence a friend will meet us there4 ,no1 you are not acquainted with the gentleman1 but you have heard of him as a guide of your very dear friend1 ,mrs4 ,s----le1 to whom he writes and for whom he makes slate drawings4 ,she1 for a sufficient reason1 has not given you his name4 ,should ,i do so ,i should violate his and her expressed wishes4 ,on this occasion he will be known as ,doctor ,blank4 ,yes1 we have journeyed quickly4 ,in seven minutes to a second4 ,we will now proceed to the class room adjoining the one we visited three days ago4 ,genessano--,gentola31 you perceive that you and we pass through what mortals term solid substances without experiencing any resistance4 ,i recall that after my release from my physical body ,i thought it one of my strangest experiences of my new state of existence1 and for a time ,i could not realize that ,i could pass through a wall or other substance as easily as through an open door4 ,newly freed spirits ever are greatly surprised upon finding themselves possessed of this ability4 ,indeed1 ,spirits of low planes of evolvement rarely realize that in order to enter a dwelling they need not await the opening of a door or window4 ,gentola--,i have observed and thought of it1 but always there is so much that is marvellous in this new experience that ,i have not found opportunity to speak of it4 ,now ,i shall be pleased if some one will explain the matter4 ,de ,l',ester--,all so termed solids are composed of extremely minute particles of substance4 ,resolve the molecule into its most attenuated state and atoms result4 ,all energy is atomic1 hence substantial4 ,expressions of energy known as attraction1 cohesion1 gravity and others1 are embraced within what your learned ones term ,magnetism1 and were it possible to comprehend what this term implies and involves1 it might be possible to comprehend the ,infinite4 ,atoms contain all qualities1 and not only the atoms filling all space1 but those composing so termed solids are each surrounded by an aura all its own4 ,in ,planetary language this aura is known as ,r1 which signifies ,spiritualized ,substance4 ,it is a quality of all things everywhere1 and is so sublimated as to be incomparable to aught else4 ,yes1 your learned ones admit the separateness of the molecule and the atom1 but they fail to recognize the ,spiritual quality of either4 ,the ,spirit body is1 so to say1 organized from the atomic aura of the physical body1 its density depending upon the quality of the aura4 ,the ,spirit body of one on the very lowest sensual plane necessarily is dense and gross2 hence1 ,spirits possessing such bodies find it difficult1 perhaps impossible1 to pass through walls or closed doors4 ,were your mortal existence on a low plane we could not use you for our present purpose2 were it on a still more advanced plane both you and we would not occasionally be at cross purposes4 ,it is not a flattering statement1 but it is a fact1 and you will not misunderstand me4 ,gentola--,not in the least4 ,i am very sensible of my imperfections1 and am full of regret that my entire life has not been devoted to highest aims and pursuits4 ,i am only a little reconciled to my own shortcomings through believing that ,i shall have endless time in which to amend them4 ,de ,l',ester--,so you will1 and though we may not hasten the passing years1 we all may improve each moment of that which possesses neither beginning or ending4 ,oh1 yes1 many persons are given to flippant mention of eternity and perfection4 ,only the ,infinite can comprehend the one or possess the other1 but through constant striving all may attain to loftiest heights of ,spiritual unfoldment4 ,yes1 through constant striving for higher unfoldment1 both physically embodied and freed ,spirits grow wiser1 purer and stronger4 ,spirit bodies being organized from atomic aura1 it follows that if the aura be sufficiently pure1 even as wind may pass through the meshes of a gossamer web1 so may the sublimated atoms of ,spirit bodies penetrate any aggregation of grosser atoms4 ,gentola--,at what period of a child's physical existence is its ,spirit body fully formed8 ,de ,l',ester--,from the moment of conception the formation of the ,spirit body begins1 but not until the midway period of gestation does the ,spirit body assume a distinctive outline4 ,from this period onward the ,law of ,being compels the atoms composing the ,spirit body to arrange themselves in accordance with the ,divine plan of organization4 ,at seven months' gestation the ,spirit body of a child is fully formed4 ,yes1 the qualities of both the physical and ,spirit bodies of children largely depend upon parental conditions4 ,so1 also1 if conditions are of a high order1 children begin their mortal life journey well prepared for inevitable exigencies4 ,if1 unfortunately1 conditions are of a low order1 they must encounter mortal experiences handicapped from the moment of conception4 ,yes1 this ,law would seem to work an injustice to myriads of humans born under untoward conditions1 but1 to quote ,professor ,doiko1 ,andmana31 creator and preserver1 makes no mistakes4 ,when humanity evolves sufficiently to realize the vital importance of conditions and the certain transmission of hereditary traits1 children become well born and in time the peoples of all ,planets do evolve to an understanding and observance of this1 the most important law of the ever ascending planes of evolution4 ,what becomes of children prematurely born8 ,as the doctor has not yet arrived ,i may briefly reply that the souls of infants prematurely expelled from the matrix1 are by appointed ,spirits borne to a ,realm in which are conditions specially adapted to their requirements and development1 where1 at the full period of gestation1 they1 in a sense are born into conscious existence4 ,thenceforward until maturity1 guardian ,spirits continuously conduct them to the physical plane1 where they are placed en rapport with their parents or with such conditions as are required for their growth and development1 bodily1 mentally1 and to a degree ,spiritually4 ,should the parents1 especially the mother1 have passed to the ,spirit side1 the child will be brought into contact with the family life of persons as nearly related as possible to its parents4 ,generally such children are attended by the ,spirit ,mother or one with a strong mother nature4 ,it is a ,law that children born prematurely or who otherwise have passed to the ,spirit side1 must become acquainted with mortal experiences2 thus the unseen members of many families outnumber the recognized sons and daughters4 ,on the ,spirit side are countless numbers of women who1 in their last re-embodiment1 did not fulfill the ,law of their being2 gladly they become guardians of children requiring a mother's care and love4 ,especially do such ,spirits charge themselves with the care of waifs prematurely expelled from the matrix by ignorant1 thoughtless or heartless mothers1 who1 on passing to the spirit side1 are confronted by the unlooked for evidence of their ignorant or criminal folly4 ,yes1 children prematurely born as the result of accident or of other unavoidable conditions1 are subject to the same laws that govern children purposely thrust into the ,spirit ,world4 ,you are aware that your sister ,emma was prematurely born1 consequently1 her form is rather diminutive and of a substance so refined as to remind one of that of a pure white lily4 ,yes1 truly1 it was ,emma who came to ,mynheer ,weiss and you at ,mrs4 ,drake's seance4 ,we were not surprised that ,mrs4 ,drake thought her a girl of about twelve years4 ,yes1 it was she who knelt at the knees of ,mrs4 ,s----r1 and who afterward partially materialized her form4 ,we assisted her to our utmost1 but much to her disappointment and our own1 she did not quite succeed4 ,she is very devoted to your son1 who jocularly terms her the ,infant ,phenomenon4 ,in form1 features and traits she resembles your and her gentle1 gracious1 loving mother4 ,yes1 so far as we have learned1 the law of generation on other planets is the same as that of ,ento and ,earth4 ,indeed the male and female principles appear to be so universal that all advanced ,spirits firmly believe in even the duality of the ,infinite ,spirit4 ,yes1 it requires very robust faith to enable any one to realize the possibility of a mother bearing a child whose father is too etherealized to wear a physical body4 ,my imagination is unequal to such a concept4 ,ah1 here is our friend the doctor4 ,you are most welcome4 ,as you all have exchanged greetings1 ,i now shall have the pleasure of presenting you to our medium1 ,gentola34 ,dr4 ,blank--,madame1 it pleases me to meet and greet you4 ,at the request of our mutual friend1 ,mrs4 ,s----le1 ,i have obtained permission to join for an hour these mutual friends and you who are engaged in a mission of loving endeavor which ,i pray may bear fullest fruition4 ,if ,i also may receive your gracious permission to1 for an hour1 join your ,band ,i shall feel more at ease4 ,gentola--,truly1 ,i am more than pleased to have you with us1 if but for an hour4 ,dr4 ,blank--,you will not ,i trust esteem me churlish because ,i1 for a well considered reason1 desire that ,i may be known to you and to those who may peruse these pages1 as ,dr4 ,blank8 ,you will not8 ,i thank you4 ,as ,i am something of a chemist1 ,de ,l',ester desires me to reply to such questions as may arise relating to the lesson engaging this class of students4 ,so1 madame1 ,i am at your service4 ,gentola--,i perceive that the students are being taught as to the properties and effects of poisons4 ,as ,i am wholly unlearned in the science of chemistry1 ,i am not prepared to ask questions concerning the lesson1 but1 if you may not consider the question absurd1 ,i should like to ask if poisons have any effect upon the spirit1 either in or apart from the physical body4 ,dr4 ,blank--,here1 madame1 are a collection of mineral poisons1 here a collection of vegetable poisons1 and here again an assortment of animal poisons4 ,some are in the form of powders1 others in the form of liquids4 ,all are labelled poison1 yet strictly speaking there are no poisons4 ,the law of affinity1 which is one expression of magnetism1 rules the domains of attraction and of repulsion4 ,that like attracts like is an axiom1 and the inspired ,hahnemann caught a ray of truth when he perceived that similia similibus curanter4 ,i must not allow myself to offer a dissertation on this point1 but ,i may say that chemical affinities are qualities inherent in all substances and in all organisms4 ,equilibrium of chemical affinities means health2 the reverse means disease4 ,remember that in all atoms are all possible qualities1 and that any one aggregation of atoms contains exactly the same proportion of these qualities as are in any other equal aggregation of atoms4 ,it may come about that in a physical organism1 through the energies of attraction and affinity1 an undue amount of a certain quality may become preponderant2 a condition of repulsion ensues1 and if extremely violent it may occasion dissolution of such organism4 ,by certain of your learned ones1 so termed poisonous effects are fairly well understood1 the involved principles less so4 ,the foregoing remarks are preliminary to a more direct reply to your question1 the importance of which cannot be overestimated4 ,you are aware that ,spirits possess tangible bodies4 ,tangibility implies substantiality1 and substance is a more or less close impact of finer or coarser atoms4 ,the seminal substances and all ovaria are aggregations of atoms1 to a degree impressed by the personality of such creatures as may possess them4 ,we will imagine a father addicted to drunkenness1 or continually under the influence of narcotics4 ,in such case the seminal substance being impressed or impregnated by alcoholic or narcotic atoms1 the germ of a new being must1 from the moment of conception1 possess a bias toward alcoholism or narcotism4 ,the mother may be of a superior type of woman1 but1 through association with the father of her unborn child1 her mental emotions1 which are substantial1 are reflected or impressed upon its organism1 and if she is not strong enough spiritually to equalize the influences of her environment1 she almost certainly will give birth to a being accursed1 poisoned1 if you will1 through the vicious habit of its father4 ,during the period of gestation such unfortunates form not only the atomic physical body1 but also the atomic spiritualized soul body1 and every atom of the new being has1 through attraction and affinity become1 so to say1 imbued with a tendency toward an indulgence in so termed alcoholic or other poison4 ,we have glanced at the effect upon the physical plane and when1 sooner or later1 the victim must pass to the spirit side1 then1 alas1 the laws of attraction and of affinity impel the impregnated atoms of the spiritualized soul body to gravitate to their own kind4 ,truly1 the child of a drunken father or of an opium-eating mother is as surely poisoned as is one who swallows prussic acid1 and the father or mother who indulges in alcoholics or in narcotics commits a damnable offense against their children1 against humanity and against themselves1 for inevitably they and their offspring enter the spirit world clothed with bodies so atomically poisoned1 so out of equilibrium that they are tortured through a constant1 insatiable desire for a gratification of their abnormal propensities4 ,a desire which personally they cannot gratify and which to a degree they must outgrow before they can advance one step onward and upward4 ,this overpowering desire for the gratification of abnormal propensities leads many spirits to strive to influence unwary ones to indulge in intoxicants1 in narcotics and to commit various offences against decency and against the interests of society1 and ,i regret to say that very frequently they succeed not only to their own1 but to the detriment of their victims4 ,yes1 certainly1 in time all ,spirits outgrow the evil tendencies of their physical existence1 but if mortals could realize that during this process1 a century aye1 in many instances centuries1 may elapse ere the progressed spirit can endure the white light of higher realms1 surely they would strive to avoid so calamitous an experience4 ,but ,i must hasten4 ,as ,i have intimated1 when some one quality or qualities preponderates over some other quality or qualities of an organism1 non equilibrium ensues1 and thus persons become ill1 poisoned1 so to say1 through partaking of certain foods or liquids4 ,one may become ill1 poisoned1 through inhaling the perfume of a flower which to another may afford exquisite enjoyment4 ,another may become ill1 poisoned through the aura of an animal whom another will unharmed fondly caress4 ,thus1 the fact is apparent that poisons1 per se1 do not exist1 but that under certain conditions all qualities are inimical to physical existence4 ,gentola--,as you are aware1 doctor1 many persons with impunity consume alcoholics and narcotics sufficient in quantity to kill one unaccustomed to their use4 ,how do you account for it8 ,dr4 ,blank--,persons addicted to the constant use of these so-called poisons1 gradually become abnormal4 ,the atoms composing their organisms have1 so to say1 become saturated to a degree that will not admit of the further entertainment of the qualities offered4 ,just as a fully-saturated sponge1 though plunged into an ocean1 would reject another drop of water4 ,we have drifted somewhat apart from our starting point1 and ,i regret to perceive that the lesson has disturbed your serenity1 but ,i feel assured that you desire that humanity may come to realize that in all things cause and effect go hand in hand4 ,that both in and apart from the physical body1 all are their own jury and judge4 ,that mortal life is the preparatory school in which all learn their lessons well or ill1 and that on the spirit1 as on the physical side1 the school of experience knows no vacation4 ,from what ,i have said you will understand that the effects of some so termed poisons are far reaching4 ,i may add that every emotion of the mind1 food1 drink1 the dyes in textile fabrics1 especially for clothing1 in fact the atoms composing all substances1 more or less affect the physical1 consequently the spiritualized soul body4 ,in some persons a certain color or colors produces either exhilaration or depression4 ,they may not be conscious of the cause1 though very conscious of the effect4 ,your strong dislike for wholly black garments is an indication that you should not wear them4 ,sensitives never should wear colors darker than the red corpuscles of their blood4 ,azure blue1 yellow1 rose red1 very light shades of purple and a certain light shade of green are the colors suited to your temperament4 ,always1 advantageously1 you may wear white4 ,i simply have touched upon some points which1 with your and your friends' permission1 ,i may at another time elaborate4 ,in chemistry ,i am well enough versed to perceive that this is a splendidly equipped laboratory and ,i learn from his remarks that the stately ,professor is a competent ,instructor4 ,during my mortal existence ,i regarded myself1 and was considered1 an authority in the science of chemistry1 but ,i have learned that1 compared with ,ento chemists1 ,i was a mere tyro4 ,they1 through a larger knowledge of the wondrous science1 have made of the elements tractable servants whose energies are tireless2 whose adaptability is limitless4 ,madame1 the allotted hour has quickly flown4 ,my promise to our mutual friend is fulfilled and with measureless hopes and fervent wishes for the success of your most worthy efforts on behalf of the mission1 ,i must bid you and these friends adieu4 ,gentola--,adieu1 and believe that ,i greatly appreciate the thoughtful kindness of our mutual friend1 at whose request you have afforded me another strange and useful lesson4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 at present we will look no further through the ,galarsa31 but will turn our attention to the zological department of this very comprehensive institution4 ,this great corridor1 lined with admirable statuary1 gleaming whitely through a luxuriance of palmlike growths and blooming plants1 conducts us to this broad flight of steps leading downward to the ,rinvoh 7aquarium7 of which this spacious and imposing landing affords a fine view4 ,you will attempt a description of some of its features4 ,gentola--,extending eastward and a little northward ,i see a small lake divided into two sections by--and also surrounded by--a massive stone wall the top of which serves as a promenade on which many persons are passing to and fro4 ,what appears to be heavy metal netting divides the lake into numerous compartments and there are lightly constructed bridges from which attendants are casting food to creatures in the water4 ,a portion of the lake is roofed over by a substantial wire netting1 and in many of the compartments are luxurious growths of aquatic plants4 ,the lake extends a little further north than the northern wall of the ,galarsa31 and bordering its northern extremity and around on its western side ,i see a grove of great trees and shrubbery1 amid which are large and smaller structures and also numbers of men1 women and children1 who are passing from one building to another4 ,in front and toward our right1 basking in the vertical rays of the sun1 is a huge creature of familiar1 if not pleasing1 appearance4 ,do you know its ,ento name8 ,de ,l',ester--,were the repulsive creature a denizen of earth we might with propriety call it an alligator4 ,its ,ento name is ,inadillo1 which ,i shall translate as scaly armored4 ,it differs from the alligator of our planet in having larger and very protuberant eyes1 a shorter and more bulky head1 a larger body and webbed legs4 ,it is quite as much at home on land as in the water1 but is a very sluggish creature and of a species nearly extinct4 ,the lakes1 for there are two1 are wholly artificial4 ,one is supplied by fresh artesian water1 the other with salt water from nearby ,indoloisa31 and in their many compartments are specimens of ,ento's various amphibious creatures and fishes4 ,now look into the adjoining wire-covered tank4 ,ah6 you shrink back from the hideous creature moving its sinuous length through the limpid water4 ,yes1 it is a veritable sea serpent1 and it has been in this ,rinvoh for about fifty years of our time4 ,when captured in ,tsoivan ,cryfimo1 it was about one-third its present length which is quite eighty feet4 ,extending backward from its neck are large webbed appendages with which it swiftly propels itself through the water4 ,when angered or excited those folds at the back of its broad1 flat head are erected and projected forward over its vicious looking eyes1 which glow and scintillate in a most alarming manner4 ,george is endeavoring to arouse his snakeship and1 evidently1 is succeeding4 ,see how he arches his long1 slender neck1 turning his ugly hooded head this way and that in quest of his disturber4 ,naturally1 he does not find his enemy1 and now with hisses of fear or defiance he rushes away1 lashing the water into a line of white foam4 ,now he has reached the further limit of the lake and is quieting down4 ,george1 we echo your requiescat in pace1 for ,gandlana3 rushing like a comet through the water is not a pleasing object4 ,from reliable authority we know that this serpent is the last of his species4 ,in ,ento's inland seas there are creatures of allied species1 but in comparison with yonder great serpent1 now gently rocking himself on the bosom of the tranquil lake1 they are quite insignificant4 ,if ,gandlana3 has not quite fascinated you1 you will please turn your attention toward this ungainly object which appears to be intent upon baking itself in the hot sunbeams4 ,george--,i say1 ,gentola31 if we could drop this fellow through space and he should arrive--say1 in ,st4 ,louis--what do you suppose he would be taken for8 ,gentola--,soup1 ,i suspect4 ,george--,ah1 thanks4 ,and what1 may ,i ask1 do you imagine the soupmakers would name him8 ,gentola--,without doubt they would think him a turtle4 ,de ,l',ester--,certainly they would1 for he differs very slightly from the large sea tortoises of our planet4 ,you understand1 ,gentola31 that we are not showing you these creatures for the mere purpose of gratifying a curious interest1 but that you may through personal observation1 note the striking resemblance of many of ,ento's to many of ,earth's life forms1 and ,i pray you to observe closely1 so that in coming time you may remember the object lessons we are presenting to your notice4 ,i wish to reiterate that advanced ,spirits of ,planets of our1 and of other ,solar ,systems1 unite in declaring that everywhere life expressions are alike or very similar4 ,that dissimilarities through environments pertain more to bulk and density than to form4 ,as we move along you perceive that these compartments are occupied by a great variety of fishes4 ,some of huge proportions and voracious enough to devour their attendants2 others as dainty as ever tickled palate of an epicure1 and others still too minute and pretty to serve a nicer purpose than to flash their scales of gold or of silver within the crystal walls of an aquarium4 ,in the bass or treble notes of the croakers who hide amid the shade and coolness of those aquatic plants and grasses1 is an indication that frogs of various species are quite at home with the eel-like creatures gliding through the water4 ,with both pleasure and profit we might devote more time to this department1 but only a glance here and there is possible1 otherwise our observations would fill a tome4 ,we now will pass to the ,acclinum 7the zological section71 where ,genessano and another ,ento ,spirit friend will join us4 ,here at the entrance is an individual who regards us with both curiosity and disfavor4 ,did not the strong bars of his cage interfere he might attempt to resent our gazing at him4 ,that he more or less clearly perceives us is quite apparent1 and it is quite as apparent that he does not admire us4 ,he1 like many animals1 possesses the ability to see what is hidden from the majority of humans4 ,no1 neither clairvoyance or clairaudience are in any sense spiritual gifts4 ,they1 so to say1 are qualities of the personalities of all highly organized creatures1 as the human1 the anthropoid1 the horse1 dog and some other animals4 ,these qualities constitute an inner perceptivity of the animal soul1 by some of your thinkers designated as conscious mind or objective self4 ,they are independent of physical visuality and are controlled through vibratory activity4 ,you question as to how it is possible for the law of vibration to affect the senses4 ,i answer that truly1 ,nature knows no vacuum1 that the atom is everywhere and mind is as much substance as is the body of this forbidding looking creature in whom we see a representative of a species of anthropoid named ,bomz himm1 which in your language would signify manlike tree climber4 ,grasping with his great hands the strong bars of his cage1 he gazes at us as though fascinated1 affording us a rather disturbing spectacle4 ,his height1 his anatomical structure1 his intelligent expression and pose1 is painfully suggestive of a low type of the human1 to whom in no sense is he allied4 ,george1 he does not regard your friendly advances with favor1 he shrinks away from you1 but his deeply set gleaming eyes1 drawn lips1 and gnashing teeth1 indicate a disposition to defend his rights4 ,if you feel poetically inclined in this adjoining compartment1 is a subject for lachrymose verse4 ,bomz's mate evidently is in a very despondent condition2 her long1 coarse hair falls over her low1 retreating forehead2 her face is buried in her great hands1 and she is a picture of utter dejection4 ,pining perhaps for her home and friends in some tropical jungle1 or for orphaned children1 bereft of a mother's tender care1 or who knows but that she bemoans a forsaken lover1 or---- ,george--,since you have grown so sentimental ,i shall not be surprised to soon find my occupation gone4 ,all ,i ask is that you shall wear your laurels as modestly as ever ,i have worn mine4 ,de ,l',ester--,with your illustrious example ever present ,i shall endeavor to emulate your exalted virtues4 ,in the meantime1 ,madame ,bomza1 aroused from her melancholy mood1 appears to take a lively interest in ,monsieur ,bomz who utters peculiar sounds1 pounds his hands against the bars and probably is informing her of the proximity of strange1 sinister looking beings4 ,that she now perceives us is evinced by her alarmed manner1 whimpering cries and poundings on the bars of her cage which have attracted the attention of a keeper who hastens in this direction4 ,yonder1 too1 are our friends hastening to join us4 ,loha1 ,loha manos1 you are as welcome as you are prompt in keeping your appointment4 ,ha3-,mofih1 the favor of your presence with us is esteemed at its full value4 ,genessano--,gentola3 mana31 one is with us who has not been so long in our spirit world as have ,inidora3 and ,i1 consequently he possesses personal knowledge of events transpiring on ,ento during recent times4 ,like my brother and myself1 he does not at all understand your language1 and as a means of communication with you he must avail himself of ,de ,l',ester's kind assistance4 ,it is my privilege and pleasure to make known to you1 ,ha3-,mofih ,ada3ssi1 whom we all hold in our hearts as a dearly beloved and valued friend4 ,gentola--,i regret that ,i cannot converse with you directly1 but through this kind interpreter we shall become acquainted and ,i shall hope to find myself no less in your favor than are these our mutual friends4 ,ha-,moufih--,gracious lady1 ,i salute you and owe you thanks that you receive me so courteously4 ,i too regret that we cannot more readily exchange converse1 but doubtless a degree of patient persistence will suffice to make us mutually understood4 ,in accordance with a prearranged plan ,i shall undertake a relation of some events which may serve to illustrate certain points4 ,to do so will oblige me to be more prominently personal than ,i could wish1 but you and our friends will excuse my using such means as may seem best fitted for the accomplishment of a desired end4 ,at the time of my birth my father1 ,ha3-,mofih ,ada3ssi1 was governor of the ,province of ,ond4 ,i being the first born of my parents was given the name of my father4 ,you may not have been informed that on ,ento nearly always the first born son takes the name of the father as the first born daughter takes the name of the mother4 ,i am aware that with much of ,ento's history of the past four centuries you are acquainted1 so for the most part ,i shall confine myself to a relation of events occurring within the years of my mortal existence1 and of those following my departure into ,ento's ,spirit ,world1 where quickly ,i learned the law of return into mortal conditions1 and thus through observation and association with recently freed spirits ,i have kept myself informed as to many things relating to ,ento's peoples and affairs to which ,i may find it expedient to refer4 ,during my youth ,i attended several ,institutions of learning1 but the greater part of my education ,i received in this ,galarsa3 of ,camarissa31 and when my parents considered me sufficiently advanced in age and in my studies1 ,i1 with other youths under the care of a guardian1 were permitted to travel through foreign countries1 observing the peoples1 their customs and attainments with such other features as might afford us a general knowledge of ,ento4 ,an exhaustive investigation of natural history possessing for me an absorbing interest1 on my return home ,i besought and obtained permission of my parents to1 in my own way1 pursue the engrossing study which during the remainder of my mortal existence largely occupied my time and attention4 ,at this moment it occurs to me that to avoid confusion of mind it may be well for me to use your standard of time4 ,also to state that ,i date my birth at a time corresponding to about the middle of your seventeenth century1 hence am an ,entoan of a comparatively modern time4 ,ere ,i began my journeyings a quarter of a century of my youth had elapsed1 and the close of another twenty-five years found me still a wanderer over the lands of ,ento4 ,during all these years my restless mind and untiring investigations led me to an exploration not only of easily accessible climes1 but also of the planet's frozen extremities4 ,doubtless you have become informed that air transports traverse the entire planet1 and that wherever necessary or desirable1 stations for the convenience of travel and commerce long have been established4 ,thus favored ,i pursued my travels until1 save for one extensive equatorial region far westward of ,indoloisa31 of which presently ,i shall speak1 ,i had traversed the entire surface of ,ento4 ,my absences from ,camarissa3 were of longer or shorter duration1 but the love of my pursuit so grew upon me that only affection for my aging parents drew me to the arms ever ready to welcome me4 ,early in my fifty-second year my mother passed to our ,spirit ,world4 ,my father1 grief stricken and aged beyond a century1 quickly followed her1 as1 ,i then believed1 into endless silence1 but as ,i how know1 into realms inconceivably glorious4 ,thus ,i became hereditary governor of ,ond4 ,much against the wishes of my parents ,i had not married1 my pursuit affording me little time or inclination for the society of women4 ,then1 too1 early in my youth ,i had observed that the most poignant sorrows had their roots in human affection2 that those who loved least1 sorrowed least4 ,with pitying eyes and a pained heart ,i had often had occasion to sympathize with those whose light of life went out1 when death tore from their clinging arms their dearest ones1 and ,i fully realized that should ,i allow myself the ecstasy of loving an adorable woman ,i should only be courting for her or for myself eventual despair4 ,so ,i did not marry4 ,on becoming governor of ,ond ,i learned that the duties of my office and other affairs left me insufficient leisure to care for the valuable collections of many years1 and ,i resolved to add them to the already priceless treasures of the ,syffond 7museum7 of the ,acclinum 7zological department7 and the ,rinvoh 7aquarium74 ,during my wanderings ,i had from time to time become possessed of strange creatures1 some living1 some dead4 ,the water serpent1 which ,i learn you already have seen1 was captured in ,tsoivan ,cryfimo1 which is one of a series of salt lakes1 or1 as ,de ,l',ester terms them1 inland salt seas1 nearly on the opposite side of ,ento4 ,at the time of his capture ,gandlana3 was about one-third his present size and ,i had been governor of ,ond for quite forty years4 ,three years later ,i passed to our ,spirit ,world1 and my paternal uncle1 ,unda3 ,gamonda31 became my successor1 but only for a period of twelve years1 when he followed me1 and his son1 ,unda3 ,gamonda31 became and at this time is governor of the ,province of ,ond4 ,thus you may perceive that ,gandlana3 is not in his early youth4 ,how long he may yet survive as the last of his species no one can say4 ,unda3 ,gamonda3 is a learned and most admirable man1 under whose administration this ,province is most prosperous4 ,under his fostering care manufactures1 arts1 sciences and industries are afforded every possible opportunity for favorable progress1 and those engaged in the cultivation of the wonderfully productive irrigated lands which occupy the entire ,province of ,ond ever find him more than willing to further their interests4 ,he is an artist1 too1 of excellent ability1 and on yonder ornate pedestal symbolizing ,commerce and ,agriculture is a statue1 the work of his dexterous mind and hands1 which is admirable enough to command attention and high praise4 ,in the poise of the noble head1 in the expression of the intellectual and extremely handsome face and in the majestic pose of the stately form1 true genius has found fine expression4 ,unda3 ,gamonda31 artist and kinsman in saluting this symbolic marble ,i salute thee1 and in the world of spirits one day ,i shall meet thee face to face4 ,you are aware that the ,entoans have no knowledge or even hope of a continuity of life1 so you may believe that when in our ,spirit ,world ,i became conscious of the stupendous1 the glorious1 fact that ,i still existed1 and that my dearly beloved ones who had preceded me were embracing and greeting me1 ,i was overwhelmed with amazement and a joy so profound that for a time ,i found no utterance4 ,oh1 the wondrous delight of finding myself young and strong1 with all my faculties enlarged1 and yet the greater delight of realizing the presence of those over whose ashes ,i had shed many bitter tears4 ,i was as one intoxicated4 ,i rushed hither and thither1 eager to behold the strange1 beautiful ,world of ,spirits4 ,i took no thought of the past or of ,ento4 ,i lived1 ,i lived1 and the unlooked for joy of it for a time rendered me oblivious of the memories of mortal existence1 but ere long they revived1 enkindling a desire to visit scenes which were still dear to me4 ,under instruction of friends soon ,i learned to accomplish my desire1 and since then it has been my duty as well as my pleasure to frequently revisit ,ento4 ,thus ,i have kept in touch with such events and conditions as concern its peoples4 ,i shall now speak of a past which also in a measure will involve mention of more recent times4 ,about ten years prior to my demise a party of adventurous hunters journeyed to a far northern region known as ,tsomana34 ,it lies well within the ,arctic ,circle1 where in certain localities1 are great mining interests and a dense population4 ,well equipped for their purpose these hunters journeyed by air transport to one of the mining centres1 thence by other means they sought the habitat of a species of animals of a very fierce and courageous nature4 ,de ,l',ester and others have informed me that on your planet there is no weapon even remotely resembling our yar-testo1 which is an electric instrument of deadly power4 ,with it some of the animals were slain and several of their young captured and brought to this ,acclinum1 where1 in apartments sufficiently cooled1 they grew to maturity1 and since then largely the ,acclinums of other countries have been supplied from their increase4 ,perhaps you may not have been told that through various natural causes animal life on ,ento is not very abundant1 more especially domestic animal life4 ,the animals of whom ,i have spoken are known as gowhya31 and if it may please you to enter their abode you now may do so4 ,gentola--,am ,i dreaming1 or have ,i suddenly dropped into an ,earth cavern8 ,surely those are bears or animals very like them4 ,now that ,i look more closely the resemblance is not quite so striking4 ,describe them8 ,i will try4 ,they are larger than any bears ,i have seen4 ,their limbs are long and so are their bodies1 which are not very bulky4 ,their heads are large in proportion to their bodies1 and their necks are longer and more slender than are the necks of our polar or other bears4 ,their long1 drooping ears and deeply set eyes give them a peculiarly sinister expression1 and with their enormous1 savage looking jaws and huge feet1 armed with long1 sharp claws1 they look as though they in an instant might tear one to bits4 ,george--,gentola31 come here4 ,see these cubs1 they are not at all repulsive in appearance4 ,gentola--,oh1 the queer looking little creatures4 ,how soft and pretty their brown hair is4 ,it seems a pity that they must grow to be such big1 savage1 shaggy haired1 ugly animals as are their parents4 ,de ,l',ester--,in appearance and characteristics these animals are enough like our polar bears to claim close kinship with them4 ,they are hibernating animals1 as are some others of ,ento1 but their present environments are not conducive to that habit1 and it is growing less and less marked4 ,if your curiosity is satisfied we will look elsewhere4 ,our dear friend ,ha3-,mofih's visit with us will be so brief that we must take advantage of its every moment4 ,ha-,moufih--,friends1 ,i regret that ,i can remain with you for only a limited time4 ,i1 ,gentola31 am in our ,spirit ,world a teacher of natural history1 but for a purpose have been assigned for this duty which affords me much pleasure4 ,on my return to my pupils we will visit and investigate a planet on which ,de ,l',ester was once re-embodied4 ,where is it8 ,in the constellation known to you as the ,great ,dipper4 ,the planet is in the angle between the handle and the cup4 ,no1 neither these friends nor ,i are sufficiently progressed to journey beyond certain limits4 ,yes1 it is a great pleasure to visit other planets with my pupils who like myself ever are eager to observe1 to compare or to demonstrate and then to return to our own place to dear friends1 and to further study4 ,because of my limited stay with this ,band you have been turned aside from observation of the ,comina3 daa3 7class rooms71 but later that will be resumed4 ,you have seen ,bomz himm1 one of the largest of the ,a-,mistaa3 7anthropoids74 ,now you will see one of the most remarkable members of the ,a-,mista3 family of this or of any planet we have visited4 ,we desire that you shall describe it4 ,gentola--,stretched along on a thick limb of a low1 wide spreading tree is a creature so very human in appearance as to be unpleasant to look at1 at least it is to me4 ,it is as tall almost as am ,i1 and that is five and a half feet4 ,its body1 hands and feet are extremely like those of a human2 were its head equally so ,i should feel rather abashed to be standing here staring at the sleeping creature4 ,its arms clasping the limb on which it lies1 are quite shapely1 its legs less so4 ,now it opens its large1 expressive eyes1 raises its head and evidently is observing us4 ,its head1 in proportion to its body1 is rather small1 the forehead narrow1 low and retreating4 ,falling over its forehead and eyes is a white1 silky fringe1 which is in strong contrast with its very dark gray covering of short1 coarse hair4 ,to me its oddest feature is its long1 white beard1 falling over its breast4 ,as ,george approaches it it grows alarmed and now it scrambles feet foremost to the ground1 and on its hands and feet rushes away in long leaps4 ,really1 it is so like a human that it is revolting4 ,ha-,moufih--,kyn-nyna3o 7tree dweller7 is what the ,entoans name this species of anthropoid4 ,structurally this tailless animal is very like the earlier human forms of young planets4 ,its most marked unlikeness to them is in its head and face4 ,there1 ages ago1 as is evinced in fossil remains1 development came to a conclusion4 ,at no great distance from ,indoloisa3's western shore its waters encompass an island of considerable area1 which is clothed with gigantic trees and luxuriant vegetation4 ,this island is inhabited by a peculiar people who for many centuries have led most peaceful1 uneventful1 secluded lives4 ,for the most part their priests are their teachers1 not only of religion1 but of such educational branches as are not sufficiently advanced to come within courses of instruction of educational institutions4 ,the island is very salubrious and so prolific of grains1 fruits and fine woods1 that air and water transportation are in constant demand for carrying to other parts these and other products4 ,in the interior of the island the kyn-nyna3o find their habitations in the gigantic bda3s tree tops1 where their young are born and reared with watchful care1 their human neighbors regarding them with a sort of veneration4 ,never wilfully are their homes disturbed1 and only by order of the supreme authorities is any one permitted to capture and remove one or more of the creatures4 ,then it is done under protest of the islanders1 who consider them their especial possession4 ,they do not breed in or long survive captivity1 yet when placed anywhere away from the island they never attempt to escape4 ,darwin1 your great naturalist and my friend1 pronounces the kyn-nyna3o a marvel of structural formation1 but like myself1 he considers the line of demarcation between them and the human as being sharply and unmistakably defined4 ,in this ,acclinum are representatives of all the existing animals of ,ento1 but for lack of time we can only glance at some of them as we pass along4 ,those small animals racing across the sward and through the branches of the trees are of the ,a-,mista3 family1 and in some localities they so multiply as to become pests4 ,they are very cunning creatures who are given to forming themselves into multitudinous bands1 and with a unanimity denoting an understanding of the situation1 they swoop down on fields of grains and fruits1 eating their fill and deftly carrying off all that their hands will hold4 ,yonder are two of the little creatures engaged in conversation4 ,one chatters and gesticulates1 the other emits some faint1 listless sounds4 ,now the chatterer grows excited and angry1 and the other shows its sharp1 white teeth and breaks away a little1 followed by the aggressor1 who strikes out with one hand1 now with the other1 dodging return blows as it scrambles to the ground followed by the other1 and now they are joined by a number of their friends and foes1 who are all scratching1 screaming1 biting and altogether behaving in a most unruly manner4 ,gentola--,certainly they are very amusing1 droll looking little animals4 ,their round1 upright ears1 small1 round heads and impish faces give them the appearance of aged dwarfs4 ,see how they wrap their long tails around the tree branches and swing to and fro like so many pendulums4 ,yes1 ,george1 ,i should like one for a pet1 and really it seems strange that ,i cannot carry anything back to ,earth4 ,this body of mine appears to be as substantial as my physical body1 and often ,i forget that ,i am millions of miles away from it4 ,george--,after you shall have again become a fully freed ,spirit you soon will lose all sense of having possessed a physical body1 from which1 as you are aware1 your spiritualized soul body differs only in being composed of more sublimated substance4 ,ha-,moufih--,pardon my interrupting you1 but we must attend to more commonplace matters4 ,here is an animal nearly allied to bomz and bomza4 ,one of the peculiarities of this species is that always they build their homes near fresh water in which they delight to pass much of their time4 ,they are known as the frilvodii 7housekeepers7 from the fact that their habitations in the loftiest trees are constructed on a special plan and are kept with much neatness4 ,observe how this one picks up particles from the floor1 thrusting them outward through the bars of his cage4 ,he is a much handsomer animal than is bomz and the expression of his eyes is remarkably amiable and intelligent4 ,a keeper is entering the cage and frilvodii rushes at him and embraces him1 rubs his face against the man's breast1 emitting soft1 plaintive murmurings suggestive of pleasure and affection4 ,now he discovers something in the keeper's hand and playfully but earnestly wrestles for its possession1 the keeper tantalizingly holding it out of his reach4 ,frilvodii is a cunning fellow and while he pettishly goes into a corner of the cage and covers his face with his hands he peers between his long fingers at the amused keeper who shows him a luscious scarlet etza3 7a sweet1 pulpy fruit resembling an orange71 coaxingly entreating him to come for it4 ,finding his blandishments of no avail the keeper tosses to him the fruit which he deftly catches in his hands and proceeds to eat it with evident satisfaction and much daintiness4 ,during my early wanderings ,i captured a young male of this species and sent him to my parents1 who made much of him and he grew to be a general favorite4 ,his intelligence and affection were indeed remarkable and he was permitted to roam at will through our residence and grounds1 playing with children1 who taught him to carry things and to accompany them in their rambles and frolics4 ,what most delighted the creature was to be arrayed in garments such as the children wore4 ,on such occasions his pride and satisfaction knew no bounds4 ,once1 while decked out in some cast-off finery something angered him and in his fury he rolled over and over in a pool of water1 and when he came to his senses he found himself very much bedraggled and the children laughing in derision at his forlorn appearance4 ,seeming to realize his ludicrous plight1 he tore off every shred of his garments and with an air of intense mortification1 fled to his own domicile4 ,for some time he refused to be adorned1 but finally his vanity got the better of his ill humor and again he strutted about decked in gorgeous habiliments4 ,poor ,dho2 a host of his friends sincerely mourned over his unlooked for1 his untimely end4 ,climbing to the topmost branches of a lofty tree for fruit he attempted to carry some down to the waiting children1 lost his footing and falling to the ground was instantly killed4 ,gentola--,it seems to me that ,i have seen an animal like this1 but ,i do not recall when or where4 ,de ,l',ester--,we have been expecting you to see the resemblance between this living creature and his metallic representative in the mansion we looked through during an early visit to ,ento4 ,gentola--,ah1 ,i now remember4 ,ha-,moufih--,we now will proceed to the ,rinvoh 7aquarium7 where1 under a wire-covered space you will see some creatures which ever are the marvel of ,ento's naturalists and ornithologists4 ,the habitat of the progenitors of these singular birds1 perhaps ,i should say water fowl1 now so serenely floating on the bosom of the little lake1 is far westward of ,indoloisa31 and is a considerable body of salt water which1 until quite recently1 was so out of the route of general travel as to be little known to modern ,entoans4 ,yes1 once the entire region between it and ,indoloisa3 was densely populated1 but during many centuries preceding my birth it1 like other unirrigated equatorial regions1 was too arid for occupation and few cared to traverse its wastes4 ,the wings of those great creatures have an expanse of from twelve to fourteen feet1 which1 with the broad1 strong membrane connecting wings with thighs affords a tremendous lifting power1 enabling them to rise with marvellous velocity to a great height4 ,when in flight their long tail feathers spread like a huge fan1 not only augmenting the rapidity of their flight but steadying it4 ,observe their feline heads1 which1 like their short1 thick necks1 are covered with feathers so minute as to resemble hair4 ,instead of bills they have protuberant mouths lined with a bony structure in which are embedded short1 sharp teeth with which they can1 as once ,i learned to my cost1 inflict severe injury1 though really they are of a gentle nature1 as is evinced in their large1 mild1 fearless1 inquiring eyes4 ,when fully grown1 from tip of mouth to tip of tail1 they are about eight feet long4 ,their great plumed wings and tails and their heads so feline in form and appearance suggest the idea of composite creatures1 partaking of the characteristics of both bird and animal1 and when in flight they present an imposing but most uncanny appearance4 ,only the males have mottled plumage2 the females uniformly are of a dull brown color4 ,as ,i have stated1 west of ,indoloisa3 is an extensive region which1 for many centuries1 has been a desert waste1 which has been shunned and left to the forces of the hot winds1 ever blowing its loose sands in blinding1 stifling clouds over its levelled surface4 ,recently air transports passed over this forbidding waste1 but at the time of which ,i shall speak1 practically it was nearly an unknown land4 ,prior to the death of my parents ,i1 with some scientific friends1 some students and attendants1 were1 for the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of reclaiming some portions of the waste lands1 exploring the desert1 which1 to our inquiring minds1 offered many attractions4 ,leisurely we had journeyed from southward to northward1 but we were very weary1 as were our milch and burthen bearing animals1 who were panting from fatigue and the excessive heat4 ,overhead the azure sky was like a great canopy in which the glowing sun with slanting beams gave promise of the longed for coolness of the approaching evening4 ,suddenly1 high overhead appeared a large1 shadowy form1 flying with exceeding swiftness4 ,as it flew farther away our gaze followed it with eager curiosity1 for in our indistinct view of it we recognized that it was a bird quite unknown to us4 ,when it had almost disappeared from our view it turned about and with incredible velocity came toward us1 curiosity seemingly impelling it to a closer scrutiny of our party4 ,when nearly overhead1 in ever narrowing circles it dropped lower and lower until it was no more than two hundred feet or so above us4 ,a strange bird1 cried some4 ,a winged animal1 cried others4 ,a monster1 was the final verdict of all4 ,as it gazed at us curiously and apparently without apprehension1 we1 agape1 stood as though spellbound4 ,with much astonishment we observed that apparently it had become motionless above us1 and we distinctly heard a humming sound with rising and falling inflections which we supposed were vocal notes1 but later we learned that the sounds were occasioned by the rapid vibrations of a peculiar wing attachment4 ,for a short time the creature remained intently regarding us1 then swiftly1 in ever widening circles1 it rose to a great height and again flew westward4 ,with the enthusiasm of one whose bent of mind mainly is in one direction ,i at once resolved to search for the habitat of our strange visitor4 ,of the islands of ,indoloisa3's waters and of its boundaries southward and northward we possessed accurate knowledge4 ,with its immediate western shore lands we also were acquainted1 but of the desert extending far westward we knew comparatively little4 ,after counselling together we decided to proceed northward until we should reach an irrigated region1 where we would rest1 supply ourselves with food and possibly with some information relating to our strange visitor4 ,four days' travel brought us to the northern limit of the desert and to a pastoral people inhabiting the irrigated productive lands extending along its arid border4 ,from them we learned that only very recently had any one beheld the great birds1 whose lofty flight precluded more than an indistinct view of them4 ,that it was thought that they made their home near ,loisa3 ,rmsa3 7,rmsa31 a goddess71 which with burthen bearing animals we might reach in about six days4 ,that ,loisa3 ,rmsa3 was a body of fresh water we knew and that its northern shore was waste and uninhabited we also knew1 so1 with some misgiving1 but with determination to succeed in our quest we left our hospitable entertainers and travelled westward along the northern limit of the desert1 gathering such information as might serve our purpose of a coming time4 ,so impatient were we to reach ,loisa3 ,rmsa3 that we travelled early and late and the afternoon of the sixth day brought us to its northern shore1 where its sparkling waters sharply indent the sandy waste4 ,it is a matter of regret to your friends1 and ,i doubt not to yourself1 that an attempt to impress upon your memory anything of a technical nature immediately arouses your cautiousness and renders you so positive as to be unreceptive4 ,no1 ,i shall not vex you by attempting to urge you to give the latitude and longitude of localities4 ,gentola--,do not1 please1 for ,i so fear mistakes that ,i cannot risk making them4 ,i do indeed regret that ,i possess such an inconvenient mental trait1 for ,i have found it so much in my own way that ,i do not find fault with my ,spirit friends for objecting to it4 ,george--,never mind1 ,gentola31 we are glad enough to take you as you are and thankful that you are no more objectionable4 ,ha-,moufih--,you understand ,george's badinage1 and you also understand that ,i do not mean to chide you4 ,on the contrary ,i am surprised and delighted with your docile and matter-of-fact manner of accommodating yourself to an experience that well might overwhelm you4 ,loisa3 ,rmsa3 is about one hundred and forty miles long and nearly one-third as wide4 ,on the west its waters wash the base of a low1 picturesque mountain range named ,diafa3-avina3 7many hued71 which1 from northward to southward extends the entire length of the lake1 thence curving eastward it grades itself into inconsiderable hills1 which at length are lost in an irrigated fertile plain4 ,your friends contemplate showing you ,loisa3 ,rmsa31 but ,i shall not have the pleasure of accompanying you4 ,for seven days we remained on its northern shore where nearby was some herbage for our animals1 and constantly we were on the lookout for the great birds4 ,each succeeding day brought us only disappointment1 yet did not lessen our ardor or determination to find them4 ,then1 slowly1 for three days we journeyed along the eastern shore when again we encamped amid a broken1 fertile space of considerable extent4 ,here we found herbage and wild fruits in abundance1 and such numbers and variety of birds that the air was vocal with their notes4 ,water fowls1 too1 of various kinds made of the rocky locality a breeding ground and the contents of their nests afforded a welcome addition to our food supply4 ,during out first day in our new camp my eyes continually scanned the sky and the surface of the lake but the sun disappeared beyond the mountain1 and the shadows of night1 lighted by ,entola3 and ,ementola3 7,ento's moons7 brooded over the quiet water of ,loisa3 ,rmsa34 ,scarcely had twilight deepened into darkness when our ears were assailed by murmuring musical sounds interspersed with harsh grating cries and sharp hisses1 and by the dim moon light we perceived huge1 shadowy forms1 slowly descending to the quiet surface of the lake where they remained silent and apparently motionless4 ,the night waned1 and earliest dawn illuminated a scene so weirdly strange that our hearts beat with unwonted celerity4 ,high up in the quiet air1 so high1 indeed that they appeared like mere shadows1 ten of the great birds with wide-spreading wings sailed in circles or were as motionless as the stars1 which yet were shining dimly4 ,so startling1 so unusual was the spectacle that our attendants were quite alarmed2 even our animals grew restless1 crowding together in evident terror4 ,as dawn brightened into day and the sun arose above the horizon the creatures slowly and with the same peculiar humming sound1 descended to the bosom of the lake where1 for a time1 they were rocked by the undulating waves1 then1 in a body1 they arose to a great height and flew westward4 ,during fourteen days they came at nightfall and in the morning disappeared1 always in the same direction from which we inferred that elsewhere1 while the females were brooding or rearing their young the male birds made of the shallow waters of the eastern shore of ,rmsa31 a night resort2 so1 patiently we awaited developments4 ,so fearless were the creatures that frequently they swam ashore1 walking leisurely along its margin and eyeing us with amusing curiosity1 but when we attempted to approach them they hissed sharply1 and1 stepping into the water1 swam away4 ,we might have killed or captured the great fearless creatures1 but such an ignominious act was far from our thoughts4 ,it seemed little less than a crime to disturb their serene confidence in their security1 so while we closely observed their habits we were careful to neither molest or alarm them4 ,at nightfall of the fifteenth day among the creatures1 for a time there was an unusual commotion1 followed by profound stillness4 ,at earliest dawn there was the usual rush of wings and upward flight of shadowy forms1 and when the light grew strong enough to see objects clearly the sight that greeted our eyes filled us with amazed delight4 ,leisurely moving on the bosom of the lake were seven great birds of a dull brown color and of the same species as those sailing overhead4 ,each female was accompanied by one or two young birds about as large as a--,ah1 ,de ,l',ester1 to what shall ,i compare them8 ,a duck8 ,what a droll word4 ,later we learned that on the mountainous1 western shore of ,loisa3 ,rmsa3 the young had come into existence from whence on the broad backs of their mothers1 who now solicitously were caring for them1 they had been borne hither4 ,at once we set about arranging for the conveyance of some of the young to ,camarissa34 ,as we were provided with water tight receptacles in which to place them1 it only remained for us to learn how the little creatures were nourished4 ,this we quickly observed was accomplished through their mothers feeding them small fishes1 or larger ones torn in bits by their strong teeth and webbed talons4 ,all things being in readiness we launched our portable boat1 and easily captured three pairs of the pretty struggling creatures4 ,to our surprise the parents offered but slight opposition1 and quietly followed their progeny quite to the shore1 then turned and swam away4 ,early in the dawn of the following day we began our return journey to ,camarissa34 ,that we might remain within easy reach of fresh water and live fishes we travelled southward along the eastern shore of the lake4 ,five days brought us to its southern extremity1 and at the close of two days' further travel in a southeasterly direction1 we arrived at an air transport and ,tuzamo ,station1 and quickly thereafter we and our captives were in ,camarissa34 ,not all of them1 however1 for two had succumbed to the vicissitudes of the journey4 ,this great wire-covered compartment afforded the survivors conditions suited to their requirements1 and although the young creatures were very delicate1 one male and two females survived1 and during after years their offspring so increased in numbers that several pairs have been presented to other ,rinvohs4 ,they are known as gariffo tsvon 7bird of the cloudgod1 ,tsvon74 ,no1 they are neither long lived or of a migratory habit1 and previous to our unlooked for discovery of them they were thought to be an extinct species1 and strangely enough1 within a few years afterward1 not one in a wild state survived4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 again we are holding you too long1 and at once must return you to ,earth4 ,it might be wise to defer for a few days your next visit to ,ento1 but as ,ha3-,mofih soon must leave us1 we greatly desire that you shall be with us to-morrow4 ,if we find you unequal to the journey1 we will not risk your safety4 ,previous to coming to you we propose that ,ha3-,mofih shall attempt a short visit to ,earth1 so we will not be with you until two o'clock ,p4,m4 ,now1 ,george and ,inez will convey you to your home where you must rest1 rest1 rest1 and where ministering loving ones will strengthen you4 ,info oovist4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,in ,,the ,,galaresa4 ,de ,l',ester--,comment vous portez vous1 ,madame ,gentola34 ,ha3-,mofih is with us and awaits your greeting4 ,gentola--,ento friend1 ,i cannot find words with which to express my surprise and pleasure that you are here4 ,ha-,moufih--,your kindly welcome assures me that you do not consider my presence an intrusion4 ,yes1 since passing to our ,spirit ,world ,i have visited many ,planets1 inhabited1 or1 as yet1 uninhabited by humans1 but1 until now1 neither my inclinations or duties have brought me to ,earth4 ,now that ,i have had a cursory view of the natural divisions of your planet1 of its scenery1 its peoples and the expressions of their spiritual and intellectual growth1 ,i perceive that in their characteristics the ,entoans and ,earthians are very much alike4 ,upon visiting planets other than their own1 spirits of a scientific turn experience great surprise at the striking resemblances existing between all planets approaching a like degree of evolvement4 ,really1 bulk1 density and atmospheric conditions constitute the most noticeable differences4 ,yes1 through our own observation and that of ,spirits far more exalted than are we1 we are convinced that everywhere the human1 the ,god man1 is expressed in the same form4 ,i too regret that for the present ,i can devote no more time to observation of all that pertains to ,earth1 but1 like the swiftly flowing waters of a stream1 the days glide by1 and ere many years shall have elapsed you again will be a freed spirit1 and then we both may become better acquainted with your ,earth-,world1 of which you know comparatively little4 ,but ,i detain you1 and ,de ,l',ester grows impatient to be off4 ,with your and ,george's permission1 ,i will assist you4 ,yes1 the view is indeed grand4 ,it is well that mortals have no conception of what awaits those who have fulfilled the laws of their being1 otherwise their physical existence would be unbearable4 ,i have been told that you greatly regret your inability to remember all that occurs during your absence from your physical body4 ,were it possible for you to fully retain such memories you would become unfitted for the performance of the duties of your daily life4 ,i also have been informed of the vicissitudes of your present embodiment4 ,of how you have combated seen and unseen difficulties4 ,of what your spirit friends have had to overcome in turning aside your aspirations in directions that would have unfitted you for this mission for which you were brought into the mortal plane4 ,unwittingly you have been building better than you have dreamed of4 ,sometimes in joy1 sometimes in sorrow1 yet ever you have been building the conditions of a higher1 a more comprehensive existence4 ,yes1 we near our destination and our friends have preceded us to the ,rinvoh4 ,ah1 how the memories of this scene hold me as by the links of an unbroken chain4 ,so intimately was my mortal existence connected with all relating to this great ,galarsa3 that1 as ,i gaze upon the stately structure adorned by most artistic statues1 beautiful fountains1 groups of towering ,bdas trees1 an endless variety of blooming plants1 the ,acclinum 7zological department71 the ,rinvoh 7aquarium7 and other admirable features1 all forming a most comprehensive educational system1 memory recalls bygone years when ,i believed1 as all ,entoans still believe1 that the present existence was all of life and that to fulfill to the utmost all righteous obligations and duties should be the chief pleasure of the life graciously bestowed upon ,his children by ,andmana31 the ,all ,wise1 the ,loving ,creator of all things4 ,this rule of righteous living requires no amendment2 but1 alas1 obligations and duties fulfilled do not fill the measure of human happiness2 one also must possess assurance of a to-morrow with all its possibilities4 ,the present1 which offers no promise of a joyous to-morrow1 is as a night with no promise of the dawn2 and thus it is with the ,entoans1 who cherish neither expectation nor hope of the joyous to-morrow of continuous existence4 ,that they may deserve the favor of ,andmana3 and ,his all ,seeing ,messengers their every thought and act is in accordance with the teachings of the ,holy ,writings which1 indeed1 contain many exalted precepts1 but no intimation of continuous existence4 ,de ,l',ester1 you are most patient in your endeavor to convey to ,gentola3 a sense of what ,i wish she might directly understand4 ,i shall regret if ,i may weary both you and her4 ,de ,l',ester--,be assured that we are interested1 not wearied1 auditors4 ,gentola3 says that she will look forward to the time when she will be free to journey with you from world to world and1 like you1 be able to retain memories of all the wonders of ,spirit existence4 ,ha-,moufih--,knowing that the desire will bring its fruition--its joyous to-morrow--we contentedly will await its certain coming4 ,we now will join our waiting friends4 ,ah1 ,george1 ,i see that you are observing an old acquaintance of mine1 but ,i doubt if he will inspire in you a spirit of poesy4 ,is he not a pompous1 self-conceited looking for creature8 ,gentola31 you will kindly attempt a description of this impersonation of arrogance4 ,gentola--,i fear that my ability is inadequate to a description of the creature4 ,he is nearly twice as large as an ostrich and his legs are so long and stout that he appears to be walking on tall stilts4 ,his feet are webbed and of surprising length and breadth1 as well they need be to support such a huge body4 ,in proportion to his size his head is rather small4 ,it abruptly rounds up from his long and very broad bill1 and is surmounted by a large tuft of beautiful1 snowy1 drooping feathers4 ,his neck is extremely long1 slender and very erect and1 like his body1 is covered with an iridescent admixture of black1 green1 purple and bronze plumage4 ,his wing and tail feathers are long1 abundant and1 like his plumed crest1 snow white4 ,as for his large1 staring eyes1 they are the coldest1 haughtiest1 disdainfulest eyes ,i ever have beheld4 ,as he majestically struts away he is the impersonation of an aristocratic1 an ineffable swell4 ,really1 his airs are most amusing1 and certainly he is a very handsome bird4 ,ha-,moufih--,so he is1 and1 notwithstanding the cold1 supercilious expression of his eyes1 he has a not unamiable disposition1 though ,i must say that his virtues are of a rather negative character4 ,i caught him in his very early youth and he is the sole survivor of four of his kind4 ,when ,i brought him here from his semi-tropical home1 ,i did not anticipate that he would outlive me1 but he has and looks as though he may survive for years to come4 ,this species of bird is known as ,vlna3-kymos 7crowned majesty71 and they are found in but two localities4 ,only when desired for some ,rinvoh do the authorities now permit them to be disturbed4 ,in habit they are semi-aquatic1 and they build their nests on the margin of bodies of fresh water4 ,two years previous to my passing to our spirit world a strong desire for exploration overcame me and1 with a scientific friend1 some attendants and necessary supplies1 we took passage on an air transport to a station on nearly the further side of ,ento1 but in a latitude approaching the ,temperate zone4 ,there we procured some burthen bearing animals and in an aimless fashion began a journey which would terminate when my appetite for wandering should become satiated4 ,the charm of feeling myself free from cares1 which never were to my liking1 delighted me and for nearly two days we leisurely wandered along the shore of a considerable fresh water lake known as ,loisa3 a3 ltynos 7lake of rushes71 so shallow1 so limpid1 that when rowing in our portable boat1 we plainly saw fishes1 large and small1 darting hither and thither through its greatest depths1 which were thickly grown with rushes1 rodels and other aquatic plants4 ,along the shore large trees and a close undergrowth of shrubs rendered our progress rather tedious1 but as we were in no haste we and our animals enjoyed the shade and coolness of the forest1 which like a wall of living verdure1 encompassed the lake4 ,toward evening of the third day we came upon a small1 cleared place on the margin of the lake and an unexpected scene which quite upset our gravity4 ,in the shallow water of the shore line amid a luxuriant growth of grasses1 rushes and weeds1 was a huge nest built of sticks1 stones1 grasses and clay and1 with a leg on either side1 the body of a large and consequential looking bird rested on its summit4 ,evidently he was on guard duty and did not enjoy it4 ,his attitude and preoccupied manner were sufficiently droll to cause us to burst into laughter4 ,the unusual sound alarmed him1 but courageous and faithful to his charge he stanchly remained on the nest1 loudly calling to his mate who1 at a distance1 was feeding among the rank growths of the shallows4 ,instantly1 with shrill cries and hisses1 half flying1 half running1 she rushed to the defense of her possessions4 ,our attendants drew further away1 but that we might observe the creatures1 my friend and ,i secreted ourselves amid the underbrush4 ,the two birds held a hurried consultation2 then the female shaking her beautiful plumage dry1 with one leg on either side of the nest brooded over its contents while the male bird in stately but watchful fashion promenaded in the margin of the lake1 now and anon unbending his dignity that he might snatch from the water some unwary fish or other creature4 ,i was not unacquainted with this species of water fowl1 but at that time our ,rinvoh did not possess them1 and as then there were no restrictions against our doing so we resolved to await the appearance of the young brood which we would transport to ,camarissa34 ,the brooding time being well advanced1 on the morning of the third day of our waiting the birds exhibited much excitement1 shaking themselves and uttering low cries1 while1 gazing into the nest from whence came a sound of continuous chirping4 ,the parent birds were most devoted in their attention to their young2 one or the other continually bringing them food and not for a moment were they left alone4 ,on the morning of the third day of their advent1 with her bill the mother lifted them one by one from the nest1 dropping six downy little beauties into the shallow water1 where they paddled about in apparent enjoyment4 ,at sunset she carefully deposited them in the nest1 hovering over them while her mate quietly1 but alertly1 watched by her side4 ,the young birds grew prodigiously and in a few days were able to care for themselves and were no longer returned to the nest1 but1 with the parent birds rested in the margin of the lake4 ,when old enough to be removed with safety1 at nightfall ,i cautiously approached them and with a large net captured the entire brood4 ,the frightened parents fled away in the darkness but soon they returned and finding their young gone their cries of distress resounded through the night4 ,their grief so appealed to my sensibilities that in the morning ,i returned to them two of the captives1 over whom there was great rejoicing4 ,in a commodious water receptacle the four young birds were conveyed to ,camarissa3 and placed in this ,rinvoh4 ,later on ,i gave to the ,rinvoh of ,dao a pair of them4 ,the mate of this lonely widower lived until three years ago1 and now her prepared body graces a space in the ,syffond4 ,the incidents ,i have been relating may appear to you somewhat trivial2 they are intended to serve the purpose of acquainting you with certain life forms and conditions of ,ento1 thus enabling you to draw comparisons between what may come under your notice on this planet and such forms and conditions as you may have knowledge of on your own4 ,after a glance at the creatures occupying compartments on the further side ,i shall regretfully leave you4 ,here are shell covered reptiles which ,agassiz says are very like some of your salt water reptiles4 ,this unhandsome creature1 sluggishly lying in the shallow water of its capacious tank1 is nearly one-third as broad as it is long1 and its length is quite twenty feet4 ,the large brown and white scales covering its body are erectile1 as are the smaller ones on its long1 slender neck to which its long1 narrow head and vicious looking eyes give a serpentlike appearance4 ,now1 as it moves into deeper water1 one sees the dull orange color of its belly4 ,its tail1 with which it partly propels itself through the water1 opens and closes like a folding fan2 see how it curves under1 then is projected outward with much force1 impelling the creature onward4 ,you perceive that in swimming it also uses its short1 sinewy legs and webbed feet4 ,it is strictly a water reptile1 never venturing into shallower water than that of the tank4 ,it is known as ,pylo-akdon 7scaly armored71 and is a species of reptile nearly extinct4 ,here are other water creatures which1 in structure and form1 are said to closely resemble life forms of ,earth4 ,on other planets ,i have seen very similar forms4 ,of course only a limited number of ,ento's various aquatic creatures find homes in the different compartments of this ,rinvoh1 but they represent both the rarest and the commonest species4 ,the collections of the ,acclinum and ,syffond8 7museum7 are very comprehensive1 the latter containing a representation of life forms of the remote past and of more modern times4 ,in the ,acclinum the collection of fossils is very curious1 but as you will be shown all that may be considered necessary for the purpose in view1 ,i need not particularize4 ,gentola31 the moment has arrived when1 for the present1 ,i must leave you and these friends4 ,it would delight me could ,i remain with you and them until the consummation of this mission1 but it cannot be4 ,may the ,divine ,spirit of all that is unfold in us a fuller consciousness that only through earnest endeavor can we attain to higher ,spiritual planes of being4 ,emanos1 ,info oovist4 ,de ,l',ester--,we now will proceed to the arbor where a learned ,ento spirit1 ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 will join us4 ,he is a kinsman of ,inidora3 and ,genessano1 and once was a teacher of languages in this ,galarsa31 but as we have requested him to relate to you some of his personal history ,i shall not further anticipate what1 ,i doubt not1 will interest you4 ,ah1 he awaits us4 ,loha3 loha31 ,zenesta34 ,you are most welcome and ,i most happy in making known to you one whom you have expressed a desire to meet4 ,gentola--,sir1 ,i trust that ,i may not be so unfortunate as to cause you to regret your desire4 ,zenesta ,hao--,long have we of our ,spirit ,world heard of you as of one who1 in the fullness of time1 would aid in conveying to the ,entoans an assurance of continuous existence4 ,i offer to you the homage due to one who lovingly yields time1 strength and an indulgence of personal aims for the welfare of others1 and may the time quickly arrive when1 through this mission1 the darkness of certain conditions may be dispelled from the minds of the children of ,ento4 ,you have been informed of their pitiable despair which ever grows more unbearable2 it is the logical1 natural result of the advanced spirituality of the masses1 in whom every sense and emotion have become exalted4 ,in them the love element is so spiritualized that when death takes from them their dearest ones they do not mourn as do those of grosser natures4 ,they reach after them with a longing1 agonizing1 persistent1 hopeless grief1 only conceivable by those whose ,being is on an exalted ,spiritual and intellectual plane4 ,i know not your language perfectly1 but when ,i may find myself at a loss these dear friends will supply my needs4 ,i am here1 not only through my own desire1 but at the request of this ,band1 who believe that ,i may serve a certain beneficent purpose4 ,during many years of my mortal existence ,i was a ,professor of ,languages in this ,galarsa32 thus ,i am as a link connecting the past with the present and1 if ,i may add to the interest of your experiences and of this mission1 ,i also will add to my own happiness4 ,friends1 you will lead the way1 and ,gentola3 and ,i will follow4 ,ah1 how memory recalls the years passed in this ,galarsa34 ,years so full of mingled joys and sorrows4 ,certainly1 if my mortal experiences may seem of value to you1 ,i shall be greatly pleased4 ,in my early youth ,i came here as a student1 my mind filled with eager1 glowing anticipations1 and here ,i remained until ,i was fitted to graduate with honor to myself and credit to those whose patient labors and excellent ability had won my loving reverence and lasting regard4 ,following my graduation ,i was offered the distinction of a professorship in the department of ancient and modern languages2 ,i accepted the honor and entered upon a career which terminated only when mortal existence gave way to that which was a step higher on the ever ascending rounds of evolution4 ,four years elapsed and ,i had won some renown as an instructor and what1 to me1 was my heart's dearest desire--the love of the woman whom ,i adored and who was1 through the years of our wedded life1 the heart of my heart4 ,children as comely and as sweet as rodel buds came to us1 but ever as their mother and ,i with fond solicitude watched these buds maturing and bursting into bloom1 we looked into each other's eyes and saw sombre shadows lurking there4 ,intelligent1 generous hearted1 our children grew to maturity4 ,our sons were all that our fond hearts could desire4 ,our daughters were as lovable and as lovely as their mother4 ,i could desire for them no greater excellence4 ,i then was in the full vigor of manhood1 my wife in the full maturity of comeliness and of many virtues4 ,our children were growing learned and accomplished in such directions as their abilities and inclinations led them4 ,no perceptible danger threatened us or them4 ,no cloud of evil portent rose above the horizon of our sky1 yet ever in our minds and hearts the shadows lurked1 for we knew1 we well knew1 that ever unseen an implacable foe drew nearer1 nearer1 and that inevitably1 one by one1 we must pass into the silence4 ,we who shared each joy or sorrow1 we who so loved that when apart time was robbed of half its value4 ,ah1 me6 ,ere long a fatal hour arrived and now after the lapse of years and the inexpressible happiness that has come to us1 ,i find myself shrinking from the memory of it4 ,one day a party of youths went pleasuring on ,indoloisa3's treacherous water and our three sons were with them4 ,with the heedlessness of youth they permitted the wind to waft their boat far out on its restless bosom4 ,suddenly the wind became violent1 the boat was capsized1 then engulfed in the tempestuous waves and ere assistance reached them nearly all of the party were drowned4 ,two of them were our sons ,liefton and ,clermond4 ,a year later our remaining son1 ,faladon1 lost his life in a vain endeavor to save the life of a comrade who1 recklessly leaning far over the guard of a rising air transport1 lost his balance and ,faladon1 who stood near at hand1 attempted to seize him1 but the sudden strain was greater than his strength1 and both he and his friend were dashed to death4 ,these repeated disasters were more than my dear wife could endure1 and within a year her urned ashes were placed beside those of our three sons4 ,in my heart was desolation and anguish unspeakable1 but1 for the sake of our dear daughters1 ,i strove to cheerfully bear my awful burthen of sorrow and to1 as far as possible1 brighten the darkness which overshadowed their young lives4 ,they would not marry and we three bereft ones walked as in one pathway1 and thus ,i reached a period of age equal to seventy of your years4 ,then1 as though death again remembered us1 our youngest daughter was stricken with a fatal illness and ere we reckoned it serious the breath of her life had ceased4 ,our eldest and last child survived until ,i had aged to ninety-two years2 then1 with scarcely more than a sigh1 her worn heart ceased to beat and ,i was left alone--aged1 sorrow stricken and without desire for a continuance of a life which no longer held for me either charm or hope4 ,mechanically ,i fulfilled the duties of a position which had brought me the consideration of many worthier than myself1 but1 alas1 no power could bring back my dear dead or give me peace4 ,laden with a heavy burthen of sorrow1 the years passed tardily1 and among a youthful generation whose tastes1 occupations and aims had quite outgrown my own1 ,i walked almost alone4 ,the friends of my youth and of later years had passed into the silence1 or had sought other lands as dwelling places1 and ,i no longer cared for new friends4 ,in my home there were those who ever were kindly attentive to my simple wants1 but my utter loneliness no one could alleviate4 ,in the midst of a multitude ,i was as one lost1 as one whom death had forgotten and at last ,i longed for oblivion4 ,ninety-eight years brought me to a hot1 languorous day1 and the humid air was laden with the fragrance of flowers1 glowing amid the surrounding greenery1 or in riotous luxuriance1 climbing over walls1 trellises and windows4 ,i had come from the ,galarsa31 and ere entering my home ,i1 for a little1 gazed on the quiet1 lovely scene4 ,presently a sense of drowsiness stole over me and ,i entered my residence and laid down to rest1 perchance to sleep4 ,for a moment ,i experienced a peculiar sensation2 then suddenly ,i slept and as suddenly awakened to perceive standing near me with a smile on her lips1 a wondrously beautiful woman1 whose face and form seemed strangely familiar4 ,in great surprise and unaccountable awe ,i gazed upon her2 then1 breathlessly1 ,i cried1 ,who art thou1 oh vision of a dead past8 ,art thou a ,goddess in the guise of my beloved1 my lost ,armna38 ,speak1 ,i implore thee1 ere ,i die of anguish4 ,smilingly she drew nearer to me4 ,gently she stooped and clasped me in her arms4 ,tenderly she murmured1 ,zenesta31 knowest thou not ,armna31 thy wife1 the mother of our children1 who wait nearby to greet and embrace thee8 ,my beloved1 thou didst but sleep a moment1 to awaken and find thy dearest ones4 ,nay1 shrink not from me2 ,i am not dead and thou dost not dream1 she said4 ,here are our children who will bear thee hence to the world of living ones1 where is neither death or sorrowful separations1 but where1 with us1 thou shalt learn of the immortality of the life essence and of joys beyond aught thou hast conception of4 ,the joy and wonder of this was so great that ,i seemed to swoon1 and1 when again consciousness came to my senses ,i found myself in a beautiful home1 surrounded by many dear ones and friends of my youth and later years1 who welcomed me to the world of living ones4 ,and wonder of marvellous wonders1 my aged body had fallen away from me and ,i stood amid our three stately sons as young as were they4 ,as ,i looked into the faces of those whom ,i had thought dead and forever gone into the ,silence1 ,i could not utter one word4 ,my wife and our beauteous daughters1 all with their dear arms about me1 whispered words of explanation and of assurance that ,i did not dream4 ,then our dear girls1 ,armna3 and ,irmian1 gathered loveliest flowers and showered them over me and their mother4 ,they led me through the beautiful white structure they said was our home and still1 while countless questions surged through my mind1 ,i was so overwhelmed by contending emotions that ,i only could mutely turn from one to another4 ,finally ,i was made to comprehend the wondrous1 unlooked for change which had come to me while ,i slept4 ,birth1 not death1 having opened the gateway of the new phase of life1 gladly1 reverently1 ,i took up the threads of the tangled web and woof of a past condition1 and gladly1 reverently1 in an existence of illimitable opportunities1 ,i have striven to weave a fabric adorned with loving thoughts1 loving words1 and loving service4 ,i beg your indulgence for this lengthy reminiscence of a bygone time4 ,gentola--,sir1 you owe me no apology for your relation of that which has more than interested me4 ,through death ,i1 too1 have lost many dear ones1 and only that ,i know that we shall meet again1 ,i should be in as deep despair as were you1 as are the peoples of ,ento4 ,your sad recital has added to my desire to lend my poor aid toward bringing to your peoples the priceless knowledge of continuous existence4 ,may ,i ask how long you have been in your spirit world8 ,zenesta ,hao--,according to your computation of time1 ,i passed from ,ento's physical realm nearly eighty years ago4 ,yes1 since then1 but not very recently1 ,i have visited ,ento1 but only when duty has impelled me to do so4 ,you may know that on entering the atmosphere1 or aura surrounding the scenes of their mortal existence1 ,spirits experience mortal sensations1 and unless duty requires1 or attractions are exceedingly powerful1 spirits progressed beyond the first1 or physical sphere1 do not care to undergo the discomfort of return4 ,somewhat to my regret it has not fallen within my sphere of duties to be engaged in the work of this mission1 but through my own desire and the solicitations of the members of this ,band1 for a time ,i shall be with you and them4 ,rather recently ,i have become acquainted with some of these friends1 but my first meeting with ,de ,l',ester and ,giordano ,bruno occurred soon after ,i entered our ,spirit ,world1 which1 of course1 was previous to your present re-embodiment1 but not previous to your having been chosen as a possible ,instrument for the furtherance of this mission4 ,you may have been informed that this is but one of many missions1 for many purposes1 in many worlds2 that this one may prove successful it is necessary to use as an intermediary one still connected with the physical body4 ,yes1 through our own experiences and those of spirits of other ,planetary ,spirit ,worlds1 we have learned that generally sensitives can be approached directly1 but on ,ento conditions are so positive that although spirits can aid in developing in those who are highly sensitive such phases as are most prominent1 they cannot become directly en rapport with them1 so cannot control them4 ,oh no1 this is but one of many attempts to reveal to the ,entoans the truth of continuous existence1 but never before have conditions been so favorable as they now are4 ,the culmination of certain events1 which must exert a tremendous influence in assuring the success of this ,mission1 draws very near1 and countless hosts of ,ento's1 ,earth's and of other ,spirit ,worlds1 watch the movement with deepest interest and ardent longing for the dawning of a glorious day for a people who long have lived and died in a hopeless faith4 ,gentola--,while ,i am deeply interested in their spiritual condition1 ,i should like to know more of the social condition of the ,entoans4 ,zenesta ,hao--,within certain limits the government of ,ento is absolute1 and the ,supreme ,rulers never exercise a power exceeding these limits4 ,neither do they permit any infringement of the laws1 which are simple1 direct1 forceful and just4 ,in the ,supreme ,ruler is vested the privilege of appointing such ,counsellors and other officials as may be necessary for the proper administration of laws enacted for the general welfare1 and being the representative of such laws1 it is his or her bounden duty to see to it that they shall be strictly observed4 ,by the ,entoans it is considered no more a duty than a privilege to be of one mind in their obedience to both civil and religious enactments4 ,nominally1 ever since the establishment of the national religion1 the ,supreme ,rulers have been its chief representatives1 but through the following centuries1 gradually1 an ever arrogant ,priesthood assumed claims to certain prerogatives1 which grew into such oppressive abuses that eventually the people1 unable to longer endure1 rebelled1 and the priesthood were obliged to abolish the horrible rite of human sacrifice4 ,yes1 this occurred during a rather recent century4 ,since then the ,entoans have grown1 or rather they have outgrown the rigidity of old beliefs1 still they have but one religion4 ,if at times certain restless minds have dared to question the statements of the ,sacred ,writings1 or impiously have indulged in new and vain theories they have been silenced4 ,ever ,ento's ,supreme ,rulers have set an example of entire obedience to the ,priestly interpretation of the ,sacred ,writings1 and as they have believed so have the people believed4 ,should ,omanos ,fnha31 ,ento's present chief representative1 arrive at a belief in a continuity of existence1 generally1 the ,priesthood will oppose such a radical innovation1 but with the tide in the minds and hearts of the people setting in that direction1 they will be obliged to yield1 indeed many of them will gladly yield1 for ,priests1 like other people1 love and sorrow4 ,gentola--,but how will so great a change of religious belief be received by the less enlightened peoples8 ,may it not occasion strife1 or even war8 ,zenesta ,hao--,oh1 no4 ,that is not possible4 ,ento's peoples are too highly evolved to indulge in violent recrimination1 which inevitably must result in harm to all concerned4 ,war is purely barbaric1 and on ,ento there are no really barbaric peoples4 ,there are those who are somewhat primitive in their ideas and modes of living1 but they are far too civilized to think of murdering their neighbors4 ,largely1 such peoples are engaged in agricultural pursuits1 and not being constantly in touch with the finest expressions of civilization1 they1 to a degree1 lack its nicest distinctions of speech1 manner1 dress and so on1 but innately they are just1 truthful1 generous and humane peoples1 possessing the essential principles of true civilization4 ,oh1 yes1 the ,entoans are very human1 and at times differences of opinion relating to commercial1 social1 scientific or other matters arise1 but ,governors and ,advisory ,councils of the various ,provinces1 being arbitrators of provincial affairs1 such trifling difficulties are readily adjusted4 ,it is an ,ento axiom that he who injures or condemns his neighbor injures and condemns himself4 ,so universally is this axiom accepted that seldom is it disregarded4 ,gentola--,with deepest attention ,i have listened to what you have said1 and ,i feel that ,i better understand not only the motive for but the conditions relating to this undertaking1 which1 through my increasing interest in all concerning it1 renders it a little difficult for me to patiently await the unfolding of events4 ,de ,l',ester--,the unfolding of events soon will oblige us to further enlighten you as to our plans4 ,necessarily1 we have been somewhat reticent so that gradually you might become prepared for your part in a drama upon which ,spirit ,worlds are anxiously gazing4 ,ere long you1 with our entire ,band1 will repair to ,dao1 the capital of ,ento1 where dwells ,omanos ,fnha31 ,osy ,hn1 whose only child1 ,slona3 ,valloa31 slowly but surely1 is releasing herself from her physical body4 ,the hour of her departure into ,ento's ,spirit ,realms cannot long be deferred1 then a united and supreme effort will be made to open the way for the incoming of the new revelation1 but ere the arrival of that hour much must yet be accomplished4 ,a highly spiritualized man is ,omanos ,fnha31 who reverently obeys what he has been taught to regard as ,andmana3's ,divine ,law4 ,ento never has been favored with a ,supreme ,ruler of broader views1 of kinder heart1 or of a finer sense of justice4 ,i believe that you are aware that translated into your language ,osy ,hn is ,supreme or ,sovereign ,ruler4 ,early in ,omanos ,fnha3's wedded life his adored wife1 ,slona3 ,valloa31 passed to our spirit world1 leaving as his chiefest consolation an infant daughter who bears her mother's name4 ,she is the original of the portrait you saw in the first dwelling you visited on ,ento4 ,yes1 the young girl reclining on a couch while ,prince ,dano stands near smiling on her4 ,she has grown a most beautiful and admirable woman1 but is as frail as the phantom-like blossoms of the roina3 draping yonder marble statue4 ,her father idolizes the fair girl1 and she returns his devotion with tenderest affection4 ,of late into his mind has stolen a chilling dread1 for1 despite all that his love can suggest or science can accomplish to increase her strength1 she grows weaker and more fragile4 ,she is1 as you are aware1 affianced to ,prince ,dano1 and ere long he will be summoned to ,dao1 where his parents reside4 ,ere now this would have occurred1 but ,omanos ,fnha3 shrinks from admitting to himself that ,valloa3 is in a perilous state4 ,that gradually1 but surely1 she is being overshadowed by the invisible terror1 the dread god ,phra 7death74 ,still he lays on the temple altar votive offerings1 praying that the pitiful gods may restore her1 and the days pass and the end draws near4 ,i tell you this1 that you may to an extent understand the present situation at ,dao4 ,in the adjoining studio is ,prince ,dano1 and other art students4 ,we will enter and observe them and their work4 ,dano1 as he leans against a column1 regarding a dainty piece of statuary1 upon which evidently he has been working1 wears an expression of care and preoccupation4 ,yonder is a group engaged in drawing from the nude1 the model a lad as symmetrical1 as beautiful as one of their fabled ,gods4 ,further away other youths and maidens draw from still life1 and here is a large class engaged in modelling heads and other objects from a plastic material1 and beyond ,dano1 two girls and several youths are attempting to release from marble forms more or less attractive4 ,what a spacious studio1 and each department so perfectly equipped4 ,those carved panels1 separating the sky lights of the lofty ceiling1 are of exquisite design and execution1 and the arrangement of the shades and draperies is very admirable4 ,the ,drawing ,instructor is about to address his class1 and ,dano draws near to listen4 ,we will do the same4 ,instructor--,i desire to impress upon your minds that each element of art is as perfect as is art in its finest1 fullest expression2 hence1 to slight the minutest detail is to slight the whole4 ,in the straight line are all the elements of highest art4 ,the curve itself is a succession of minute straight lines which also are capable of expressing light1 shade1 form and color1 for are not colors the results of light impinging upon various arrangements of the straight line8 ,in the admirable work of ,prince ,dano which very appropriately he names a dream child1 we behold an example of the value of the straight line4 ,the curves of the upraised arms and dainty limbs4 ,the modelling of the beautiful head and exquisite face4 ,even the dreamy expression of the half-closed eyes1 all are the results of--but you are inattentive--and disturbed--why1 ,dano1 dear youth1 are you ill8 ,a cup of water1 ,lta4 ,i believe there is no occasion for alarm1 he only has swooned and shortly will revive4 ,thanks1 ,lta1 ,i will bathe his face which1 doubtless1 will arouse him4 ,leta--,professor1 ,i pray you to desist4 ,he is subject to such attacks1 and soon will return to consciousness4 ,it is ,doctor ,vyonda3's opinion that he overtaxes his strength1 and---- ,de ,l',ester--,zenesta31 he is so thoroughly submerged that ,i believe you safely may attempt to possess his organism4 ,gentola31 do not move2 the circle must remain unbroken1 or ,zenesta3 cannot hold him4 ,be courageous1 be firm1 ,zenesta34 ,ah6 that is well done4 ,dano--,friends1 ,i who address you am not ,dano2 ,i am ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 once a teacher of languages in this ,galarsa31 but now a denizen of the world of living ones4 ,know that what you term the breath of life is your real1 intelligent self4 ,this self or personality is an expressed portion of the ,thon ,eyama3 ,yanos 7,infinite ,intelligent ,energy71 which in man finds its highest representation and1 consequently1 is as indestructible as ,andmana3 7,god74 ,friends1 ,i pray you to hear me silently and patiently4 ,once ,i was as you now are1 and to me my wife ,armna31 bore sons and daughters4 ,their urned ashes with their mother's and my own1 may be found in the ,istoira3 ,lmah 7,temple of the dead74 ,like you1 ,i sorrowed for my dear dead4 ,like you ,i knew not that in a world surpassingly fair1 ,i should continue to exist in a state of inexpressible happiness4 ,but finally death released my real self from my worn body1 and to my unutterable amazement and delight ,i found myself possessed of what ,i shall term a spirit body1 far more admirable than the one ,i had during my mortal existence inhabited4 ,i also found myself possessed of enlarged capabilities1 and of a sense of freedom indescribable4 ,and1 oh joy of joys1 in my new life ,i found all my dear ones whom ,i had not hoped to ever find again4 ,learn1 dear friends1 that death of the physical body does not mean death of the ,self4 ,learn that continuity of existence is a law of the ,thon ,eyama3 ,yanos 7the ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy74 ,learn that surrounding this ,ento world1 invisible to physical vision are realms so glorious that language cannot describe them1 and that at death of your bodies1 in them your immortal selves will find all that loving hearts and highest aspirations can desire4 ,oh1 my friends1 no longer walk with downcast eyes4 ,no longer despair because you have been taught to believe that your loved ones and yourselves will go into the ,silence1 and be no more4 ,children of ,ento1 lift up your hearts and rejoice1 for so surely as you now exist1 so surely will you continue to live1 to love1 and to learn lessons of ,divinest ,wisdom in a radiant world not subject to mortal conditions4 ,dano1 your ,prince and fellow student1 is one chosen as an instrument1 through whom soon will be given to you a wonderful revelation1 which will make of sorrowful ,ento a world of hopeful1 happy men and women4 ,dano does not dream4 ,through his inner senses1 which are the senses of the ,self1 he discerns ,spiritual things1 and you too1 ,lta3 ,verona3da3s1 are on the verge of enlarged spiritual perception1 and in the swiftly approaching days you will stand by his side1 a teacher of a new faith4 ,now ,i will depart1 and the ,self of ,dano will repossess his body1 but ere ,i go hence with loving thoughts for all1 and with loving memories for this ,institution in which ,i passed my youth1 and ended my mortal usefulness1 ,i1 ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 say to all1 ,info oovist4 ,de ,l',ester--,well done1 well done1 ,zenesta34 ,i had not thought it possible for any fully freed one to so entirely possess the youth4 ,but ,gentola3 having paved the way you did so admirably4 ,do not you think so8 ,zenesta ,hao--,i congratulate both ,dano and myself that we have safely concluded this experiment1 which nothing would induce me to repeat4 ,he became so entirely submerged that had ,i retained possession a moment longer1 he certainly would have become freed1 and ,i--well1 you all know what the consequence would have been4 ,i understand ,de ,l',ester4 ,you are no more at fault than am ,i1 but we must not again permit our zeal to get the better of our discretion4 ,leta--,professor1 this is not the first time ,i have seen ,dano in this strange condition1 and almost ,i am persuaded that while he slumbers1 some god communes with him4 ,may not it be that ,andmana3 has taken pity on ,his sorrowful children1 and that at ,his command ,his ,messengers are using ,dano as an instrument through whom to convey to us the knowledge that indeed existence is continuous8 ,ah1 he moves1 and his color is returning1 but his slumber is very prolonged4 ,oh1 that we soon may come to understand this mystery1 if mystery it may be4 ,instructor--,i am amazed beyond expression by this strange occurrence4 ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 do not we all know of his great learning1 of his deep researches into ancient languages and records8 ,what can this mean8 ,what report shall ,i make of it to our superiors8 ,lta31 raise his head a little4 ,he now appears to be in a quiet slumber1 still it may be well to call ,doctor ,vyonda34 ,hasten1 ,rfa31 to call ,doctor ,vyonda3 to come to ,dano4 ,oh1 that it might be true1 this story of continuous existence4 ,have not ,i lost a noble son1 who was your fellow student8 ,a beloved daughter1 too1 with whose life her mother's life and mine were bound as with one chord4 ,alas1 alas1 sorrow leads one to reach out after visionary nothings4 ,ah1 he is awakening4 ,why1 ,dano1 apparently you have been slumbering1 and really we have been a little disquieted1 in fact so disconcerted as to scarcely know what course to pursue4 ,you are not ill8 ,speak if you can1 and set our fears at rest4 ,the cup of water1 ,lta34 ,ah1 now you are quite restored4 ,dano--,friends1 ,i regret that ,i have occasioned you some anxious moments4 ,no1 ,i am not ill1 and ,i cannot explain these sudden attacks of unconsciousness4 ,i only am aware that ,i have been in a deep slumber1 which came upon me so suddenly that ,i could not avoid it4 ,perhaps ,i should obey ,doctor ,vyonda31 and for a time cease pursuing my beloved studies4 ,leta--,dano1 can it be that you are unaware that while you slumbered1 you spoke to us strange1 and in a measure unintelligible words8 ,with permission of our ,instructor ,i will relate to you what you have said4 ,dano--,lta31 your narrative fills me with dismay4 ,surely you are not jesting4 ,your serious face assures me that you are not4 ,may ,andmana3 forgive if unwittingly ,i have spoken lightly of sacred matters4 ,lately ,i have been subjected to what ,doctor ,vyonda3 terms self-induced hallucinations4 ,but ,i am not conscious of inducing them1 and certainly ,i do not desire to indulge in such folly4 ,i would not err1 ,i would not sin1 yet during these seizures ,i give utterance to expressions which are not in accord with our ,sacred ,writings4 ,i pray the pitiful gods that ,i may not be held accountable for these unconscious utterances4 ,de ,l',ester--,two ,professors and a ,physician are hastening this way4 ,professor--,my dear ,dano1 we have been quite alarmed to learn that again you have been attacked with faintness1 and rejoice that you are recovering4 ,here is our good ,doctor ,vyonda31 who speedily will restore you4 ,dr4 ,vyonda--,certainly1 certainly4 ,it is nothing serious4 ,really there is no occasion for alarm4 ,such attacks are quite common4 ,the high temperature of the season1 and too close application to study superinduces such seizures4 ,dano1 you must relax a little of your ardent pursuit of knowledge4 ,you must indulge in lighter veins of thought4 ,youth is the age for enjoyment1 innocent enjoyment of course1 and for acquiring knowledge1 but with1 moderation1 my dear ,dano1 with due moderation4 ,your eyes are yet a trifle heavy4 ,allow me to administer this agreeable potion1 which will dispel this sensation of lassitude4 ,on retiring1 you will take this palatable powder1 which will insure quiet sleep4 ,no visions1 no hallucinations will disturb your repose1 and in the morning we will counsel together as to the best course to be pursued4 ,but no more study to-day1 ,dano1 you understand1 no more---- ,de ,l',ester--,quickly1 quickly1 ,gentola34 ,he is not fully aroused from his entrancement1 and his spiritual perception is very exalted4 ,follow my dictation4 ,dr4 ,vyonda--,he again is relapsing into unconsciousness4 ,order a litter at once1 and have him conveyed to his apartment4 ,really this seizure is inexplicable1 but ,i doubt not will yield to---- ,dano--,doctor ,vyonda31 ,i am told to request you to quietly remain where you are4 ,dr4 ,vyonda--,this is most perplexing1 most perplexing4 ,apparently he is unconscious1 yet he bids me to quietly remain where ,i am4 ,no4 ,no4 ,not just now4 ,we will wait a little4 ,put the litter further away4 ,give him more air4 ,gentola--,dano1 ,i am ,gentola34 ,this name has been given me by some persons who understand your language4 ,i have told you that ,i come from a world named ,earth1 which is so far away in space that to ,entoans it appears as a brightly shining point in the night sky4 ,try to understand that the vital1 animating principle controlling all the activities of your physical body1 is the immortal ,self1 the real ,dano4 ,aside from certain of your ,priests1 but few ,entoans are so highly sensitive as are you1 who soon readily will perceive wholly freed ,spirits4 ,because that ,i still am connected with my physical body you see1 hear1 and feel the touch of my real ,self1 the ,spirit woman4 ,for the reason that your ,spirit consciousness1 which is self perception1 is highly evolved1 you are thus favored4 ,this is no dream1 no hallucination of an overtaxed mind4 ,i am as real as are you4 ,so are the wholly freed spirits who bear me from ,earth to ,ento4 ,so was your sister ,onta31 who has appeared to you1 but who1 until you are further prepared1 will not again attempt to do so4 ,in time you will be made to comprehend the laws involved in spirit return1 but at present ,i cannot explain them4 ,the ,spirits with whom ,i am associated1 and hosts of ,spirits1 of ,spirit ,spheres1 of other ,spirit ,worlds1 have combined their forces in a supreme endeavor to release the peoples of ,ento from the hopeless religious beliefs1 which long have held them in a state of such pitiful despair that as ,i gaze on their almost smileless faces1 my heart throbs with sympathy for their perpetual sorrow4 ,dano1 fear not1 but rejoice that you have been chosen as a message bearer to them4 ,rejoice that through your instrumentality light from your spirit world soon will dissipate the shadows enshrouding the lives of your peoples4 ,the hour draws very near when ,omanos ,fnha3's fair daughter1 your affianced bride1 must pass into your ,spirit ,world4 ,only now does ,valloa3's father realize that her days may be drawing to a close1 and through fear and grief he is well nigh crazed4 ,daily in the ,temple ,zim he sacrifices to ,andmana31 imploring with agonizing moans and tears that his precious ,valloa3 shall not be taken from him into the dread silence of death1 but still she fades1 as fade the lovely1 fragrant rodels on ,bascama's limpid water4 ,vainly your father1 ,basto ,andlsa31 endeavors to allay ,omanos ,fnha3's fears1 to assuage his grief1 for at last he and your mother perceive ,valloa3's perilous state1 and they propose to immediately call you home1 hoping1 as does ,omanos ,fnha31 that your presence may arouse and aid the drooping girl to prolong1 if not to recover her waning life4 ,it is indeed pitiful to see the light dying out of her beautiful azure eyes1 and the bloom fading from her lovely young face1 which grows as pallid as roina3 blooms4 ,as her physical strength declines ,valloa3's vision grows more ,spiritualized1 and as through a thin veil she sees the spirit forms of her mother and of other dear ones1 who whisper to her unfolding ,spirit senses words of loving cheer for her1 for her stricken father1 and for you1 dear youth4 ,she fancies that she dreams1 and when smilingly she relates to her father the loving ,messages from the dream-world he is filled with consternation lest her mind is being lost1 and in the privacy of his own apartments he prostrates himself1 crying to ,andmana31 and to the mighty gods to suffer her to live1 or if that may not he1 to take her in her perfection into ,astranola34 ,i am made to tell you this1 that in a measure you may be prepared for the ordeal awaiting you1 and to urge upon you to be strong and courageous1 for you will require both strength and courage to sustain you4 ,even now a swift ,messenger comes from ,omanos ,fnha31 bearing a letter from your father1 so hasten to prepare for your journey to ,dao4 ,to these persons who gaze on you in breathless expectation of they know not what speak of what ,i have been made to say to you1 for ,i know that when you shall have regained control of yourself you will imagine that you have had a fanciful vivid dream4 ,remember that ,i charge you to speak of what ,i have said to you4 ,and now ,i am bidden to say ,info oovist4 ,illustration3 ,,roina ,dr4 ,vyonda--,ah1 he is reviving1 his pulsations are quickening1 and his color returning4 ,this seizure is peculiar1 very peculiar4 ,such long continued unconsciousness indicates a low state of vital energy4 ,professor ,dalmaon1 with your approval1 ,i shall at once advise his father that he for a time must have entire mental rest and change of scene1 which will assist in his recovery from his present devitalized state4 ,why1 my dear ,dano1 you have been quite unconscious of the anxious interest which for a few moments has disturbed our minds4 ,but as ,i have said1 it is nothing serious1 nothing really uncommon1 quite a natural result of continued mental strain1 and you must rest1 ,dano1 for a time1 you really must rest and recuperate4 ,do you now feel quite yourself8 ,dano--,friends1 ,i wish to say something that will surely try your belief in my sanity1 but if your kindness may permit you to listen to what ,i desire to relate you will make me your grateful debtor4 ,doctor1 ,i believe that ,i am quite myself1 but after ,i shall have related my story ,i shall not find fault should you all question my opinion4 ,while you have thought me unconscious ,i have been as fully conscious as yourselves1 but unable to move1 or to unclose my eyes1 or to utter a sound4 ,yet in some strange manner ,i have seemed to see for the fourth time a fair skinned1 dark haired1 strange woman enveloped in shining garments1 who says that she is from a world known in her language1 as ,earth1 which is so far away in space1 that to us it appears as a shining point in the night sky4 ,she says that her ,ento name1 ,gentola31 has been given her by some who understand our language1 which she does not4 ,that she speaks from dictation of those who do understand it1 and she has told me of something so sorrowful that for the present ,i shall not speak of it4 ,she declares that through me a new religious revelation is about to be given to the children of ,ento4 ,but as ,andmana3 only speaks through the great ,god ,tymonas to the most high ,priest1 this declaration cannot be true4 ,she also has said what is altogether improbable1 that from our ,supreme ,ruler comes a swift ,messenger bearing a letter from my father1 who desires that ,i shall at once return to ,dao1 and that ,i shall make immediate preparation for the journey4 ,do not ,i pray you1 gaze upon me with so much concern4 ,i realize that this peculiar experience is the result of too much abstinence from youthful pleasures for which ,i care but little1 and of over close application to study1 for which ,i perhaps care too much4 ,doctor ,vyonda31 ,i promise you that this unpleasant experience will cause me to mend my ways1 not so much for my own1 as for the sake of those who love me4 ,very true1 doctor1 very true1 but since life is so full of sorrow1 since the certainty of the approach of death so overshadows even youth's brightest days that ever our smiles are drowned in tears1 life to me ever grows more valueless4 ,oh1 that ,andmana31 whose power is infinite1 may make these dreams of mine prophecies of a reality so glorious that scarcely dare ,i think1 much less speak of it4 ,gentle friends1 ,i pray you pardon me for having caused you some moments of anxiety4 ,make yourselves my debtors1 and ,i shall be as patient with you as your affectionate kindness prompts you to be patient with my vagaries4 ,instructor--,ever youth cherishes baseless hopes1 dreams and illusions4 ,age alone knows the tranquillity of the inevitable4 ,although the midday of my life is gone1 dreams wearing the semblance of realities come to me from the ,region of ,nowhere1 then drift into the ,realm of ,shadows4 ,no one is wise enough to account for the illusions of sleep1 those phantasms emerging from the unknown and vanishing like mist wreaths from ,indoloisa3's waters4 ,i pray that it may not be accounted a sin that to me has come the thought that these dreams may be shadows of somewhere realities4 ,that while we slumber our senses may perceive what our waking vision is too imperfect to discover4 ,who can say as to what may be in the regions of ,astranola38 ,is not it written that to the ,lady ,camarissa31 wife of ,genessano ,allis ,immo1 came a vision which so impressed her husband that it led to the introduction of the vast ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 which has made our waste lands so fruitful and prosperous8 ,from whence came this vision8 ,no one can certainly say1 but ,andmana31 who knoweth ,his own ways1 may have chosen the ,lady ,camarissa3 as ,his ,instrument1 through whom ,he spoke to ,genessano ,allis ,immo4 ,and1 friends1 may not the woman of ,dano's dream be an ,instrument through whom he may be given a new revelation of ,andmana3's love for ,his sorrowful children8 ,do not we all know that when ,andmana31 through the great ,god ,tymonas declared to the ,most ,high ,priest ,moukara that no more should unwilling human sacrifice be offered1 ,he also declared that in some coming time another ,revelation of ,his love for ,his children might be vouchsafed8 ,andmana31 ,creator and ,preserver1 may if ,he so wills1 perpetuate that which is the essential part1 the life of every animated creature4 ,adoringly and reverently ,i implore that ,he may take pity on ,his children1 the children of ,his love1 and grant us the ardent desire of our hearts that we may not pass into perpetual ,silence1 but that in some unknown region1 we1 with our beloved ones may continue to exist forevermore4 ,so strangely have our lessons been interrupted that but little has been accomplished4 ,however1 every incident of life teaches some lesson1 and we to-day have received an exemplification that in its expressions it is many sided1 and that at times it affords us glimpses of what may be beyond what we now know of4 ,urvan1 ,i advise that you shall remodel this foot1 which is not quite up to your usual excellence4 ,lta1 this hand so delicately1 so perfectly modelled indicates true artistic sense4 ,veradon1 your execution is almost beyond criticism4 ,kiaf ,rvana31 our greatest sculptor of either ancient or modern times1 taught that the hand was the most expressive member of the body4 ,that by its form1 markings and movements1 it afforded a true indication of the character and emotions of the possessor4 ,as the hands of no two persons are exactly alike1 there is in their expression an infinite variety which1 to the observing student1 may afford infinite opportunities4 ,dano1 we rejoice that you appear quite recovered from your very peculiar seizure1 and ,i pray that you may heed ,doctor ,vyonda3's advice1 for1 truly of late1 you have been over studious4 ,surely you do not attach any importance to the dream prophecy of your speedy departure for ,dao8 ,that you may wholly dismiss it from your thoughts ,i suggest that we all shall repair to the gymnasium1 where vigorous exercise may restore us to our usual serenity4 ,doctor1 will not you and our honored ,professors favor us with your company8 ,dr4 ,vyonda--,certainly1 for a little ,i shall attend this imprudent youth4 ,come1 ,dano1 no more illusions1 no more melancholy4 ,look on the bright side of life2 yes1 yes1 on the bright side of life4 ,leave to age the shadows2 walk in the sunshine while you may4 ,come1 gentlemen1 we can do ourselves no better service than to look on while these young people take the exercise we older ones used to so enjoy4 ,ah1 me1 age is very inconvenient1 very inconvenient indeed4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 from what the doctor and ,art ,instructor have said you may infer that the ,entoans are very like some of our beloved ,earth folk who consider everything outside their everyday experiences as illusions of diseased imaginations4 ,certainly1 ,soul consciousness1 which should not be confounded with ,spirit consciousness1 is subject to illusions2 thus one should be patient with sensitives who1 at times1 unknowingly misrepresent ,spirit phenomena4 ,only minds capable of earnest1 critical1 patient fairness should attempt to test the truth or falsity of unusual occult occurrences4 ,but the ,messenger from ,dao is about to arrive1 and we will proceed to the gymnasium that we may observe how the doctor and professors may receive the fulfillment of the prophecy4 ,these wide and lofty passageways lead to various ,departments of the ,galarsa31 but into many of them we cannot at present even glance4 ,at the head of this grand staircase is a department we later on will visit4 ,now we will enter the gymnasium and you1 ,gentola31 will briefly describe whatever may attract your observation4 ,gentola--,knowing so little of gymnasiums of our own planet ,i fear that ,i may not intelligibly describe this one4 ,the apartment itself is immensely large and the domed ceiling very lofty4 ,there are many large windows and they and the ceiling or roof are filled in with what appears to be opalescent glass set in metal frames4 ,depending from the roof are swings and ropes and various contrivances of whose uses ,i am quite ignorant4 ,attached to some of the ropes are huge balls of apparently an elastic material1 which ,dano and the other youths are so vigorously striking that they bound away1 only to return again for further punishment which they are capable of resenting1 for one has struck yonder youth a staggering blow4 ,that dark-skinned boy climbs that rope with the agility of a monkey1 and yonder handsome blonde youth1 hand over hand1 climbs another rope depending from the very apex of the roof and now he comes down head foremost1 and--oh--,i thought he was about to fall1 but he has turned a somersault and landed on his feet on a--ah1 ,i see4 ,that part of the floor is covered with spiral springs over which is a padding of some elastic material similar to curled hair2 no1 it is some sort of fibrous stuff and over it1 stretched tightly1 is a covering resembling rubber sheeting1 which is so elastic that the gymnasts bound from it like so many rubber balls4 ,many of the appliances ,i have no knowledge of1 but there are horizontal bars on which some of the youths are exercising with what appears to me utter recklessness4 ,see that young giant swinging1 swinging from that suspended bar1 and there he goes through the air1 catching another bar1 and1 oh my1 ,i do not like to see that4 ,i suppose that if he should fall that net would catch him1 but it looks dangerous4 ,now he sits on the bar swinging to and fro1 and now he drops and catches the bar1 and now1 with a great leap1 he has caught a rope and is descending head foremost4 ,i do not understand why any one takes pleasure in such risky performances4 ,if ,i say that those young men are practising with ,indian clubs will ,i be greatly mistaken8 ,how gracefully they handle the clubs and they1 like their classmates1 may be called handsome2 but1 somehow1 ,i do not grow accustomed to the extraordinary size of the ,entoans4 ,why those dark-skinned youths1 including ,dano1 appear gigantic and the lighter hued youths1 compared with you gentlemen also are giants4 ,the doctor and professors are looking on with apparent enjoyment and interest1 especially commending ,dano's energetic movements1 but--ah1 see1 an attendant is presenting to the white-bearded ,professor a letter4 ,as he glances over its contents he pales visibly1 and is greatly disturbed4 ,in a low tone he says1 ,friends1 ,i have received a letter from ,basto ,andlsa34 ,now he calls to ,dano4 ,professor--,dano1 ,dano1 ,i would speak with you4 ,this moment a message from your honored father has arrived4 ,you will listen while ,i shall read what concerns all here4 ,to the renowned ,professor ,byra3don ,ova3dos and his honored co-workers of the ,galarsa3 of ,camarissa31 in the ,province of ,ond ,i1 ,basto ,andlsa31 send loving greeting4 ,your sorrowful regret will equal my own when you learn that our beloved ,supreme ,ruler1 ,omanos ,fnha31 grieves sorely over the continued ill health of his daughter1 the lovely and amiable ,princess ,valloa31 who slowly but1 it is feared1 surely declines toward the ending of her young life4 ,she craves the presence of her affianced1 my son1 ,dano1 whom ,i hasten to summon to ,dao4 ,you1 through all reasonable means1 will facilitate his departure on the special transport awaiting him4 ,your kind heart and good judgment will guide you in breaking to my son this painful news which otherwise might assail him with too sudden force4 ,with profoundest regard ,i honor myself by being your friend1 ,basto ,andulesa4 ,dano1 dear youth1 strive to compose yourself4 ,alas1 how strangely true were the words of your prophecy4 ,andmana31 thy ways are incomprehensible4 ,we implore ,thee to aid us to understand the lessons ,thou art offering to us1 but which1 in our ignorance1 we fail to comprehend4 ,dano1 our loving sympathy is with ,omanos ,fnha31 your parents and you1 our beloved ,prince and pupil4 ,hasten to prepare for your departure and we will arrange for your comfort and speedy conveyance to ,dao1 where1 we will pray the pitiful gods1 you may find your beloved ,valloa3 recovering her precious life4 ,gentola--,poor ,dano1 ,i feel so sorry for him4 ,that ,professor should not have announced the dreadful news so abruptly4 ,a woman would have known better4 ,these ,entoans are a peculiar people4 ,i do not mean that ,i do not admire them1 for indeed1 ,i do4 ,they are so sympathetic1 so ingenuous that ,i could wish that our ,earth folk might be like them4 ,de ,l',ester--,they are some centuries older than our disingenuous ,earth folk2 consequently1 have grown honest4 ,gentola--,do you think our ,earth folk will ever grow equally honest8 ,de ,l',ester--,it is to be hoped that they may4 ,certainly1 if our fair planet may continue to hospitably entertain them for an indefinite length of time they may improve their ways of thinking and1 as a man thinketh1 so is the man4 ,george--,dano will journey by ,special ,transport4 ,shall we see him off8 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 and then ,gentola3 must embark on our air transport which will bear her across millions of miles in less time than ,dano will journey to ,dao4 ,aye1 in less time than will be consumed in his passage between the ,galarsa3 and the station4 ,he has made his adieux and is entering a ,motor conveyance4 ,we will precede him and his friends4 ,gentola--,i wonder if our ,earth folk will ever have such carriages8 ,one1 two1 three1 four1 five1 six1 seven passengers in it1 and it moves off so silently1 so swiftly that it must be a pleasure to ride in it4 ,what beautifully paved streets1 and how perfectly clean they are4 ,oh1 dear1 ,i keep thinking of ,dano4 ,i wish ,i might comfort him4 ,i do not understand why there need be such misery of one kind and another4 ,if ,i were---- ,de ,l',ester--,pardon me for interrupting you1 but here is the station and the conveyance approaches4 ,ah1 ,dr4 ,vyonda3 will accompany ,dano who1 as you have remarked1 seems dazed4 ,here is the special transport and a luxurious one it is4 ,no1 we cannot accompany the sorrowful youth4 ,we have much to show to your inquiring eyes before you shall be taken to the capitol4 ,then1 too1 affairs are not in readiness for our presence there1 but1 ere long1 they will be4 ,the ,transport is rising and ,dano and the doctor are waving adieux to their friends4 ,to you we offer a like courtesy4 ,george and ,inez will again assist you back to ,earth4 ,one week hence we will come for you4 ,in the meantime1 that you may renew your vital energy1 live as much as possible in the open air4 ,info oovist4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,europe ,,and ,,the ,,far ,,north4 ,de ,l',ester--,this is the seventh day since we have had the pleasure of greeting you4 ,we are a little early but1 as we have in store a joyful surprise for you1 you will not chide us for our haste4 ,why1 how sad you are4 ,ah1 ,i understand4 ,it is four years to-day since your son1 ,bernard1 passed to our side of life4 ,we have informed you that1 aside from other motives1 the stimulus of a strong desire to be all that your mother love wishes him to be has impelled him to strive for rapid progress1 and that his urgent entreaties to allow him to accompany you on these journeys had won our consent4 ,yes1 he soon will be with us2 but now close your eyes and be passive4 ,that is well1 and--here is your surprise4 ,gentola--,oh1 my boy1 my boy1 my own dear boy6 ,is it indeed my boy1 ,bernard8 ,bernard--,dear mother4 ,dear1 darling mother4 ,yes1 it is ,i4 ,do not ,i look as ,i used to look8 ,do you see me clearly8 ,am ,i indeed so greatly changed8 ,why1 mother1 on entering the ,spirit ,world every one changes in appearance4 ,and you think ,i look younger than when ,i was on ,earth and more spiritualized8 ,i am glad if you see that for1 mother1 dear1 as you well know1 during my mortal existence ,i was not a spiritually minded man4 ,i1 foolishly1 and against your loving entreaties1 lived on a very material plane1 and when ,i passed to the spirit side ,i went to the place or condition ,i was fitted for--the home ,i had earned4 ,do not cry1 mother1 please do not cry1 for that bitter1 but necessary1 experience is a lesson of the past4 ,yes1 mother1 from soon after ,i passed to the ,spirit side until now1 ,i often have been with you and have so regretted that1 while ,i could see and talk with you1 you could not see me4 ,on that morning when ,i kissed you good-bye how little either of us thought that we would in the mortal body1 see each other no more4 ,mother1 you know ,i was such a strong man and death seemed so far off that ,i did not think it possible that it could1 for many1 many years1 come to me4 ,when ,i found myself in the ,spirit ,world1 grief and dismay so filled my soul that ,i cried and prayed that ,i might return to mortal existence1 if only for a little while so that1 as far as possible1 ,i might undo some thoughtless acts which1 for the first time1 ,i saw in their true light4 ,to add to my despair your grief over my unlooked for death was so agonizing1 that it was feared that you might pass from your physical body which1 accidentally1 had been more seriously injured than you or any one realized4 ,during the first three days of my new existence ,i1 with others of your dearest ones1 watched for the change that might come to you4 ,mother dear1 the aid you received from the ,spirit ,side was what kept you here to do the work you now are engaged in4 ,on the fourth day the crisis was passed and you know what followed4 ,yes1 because of your devitalized state1 we were deterred from further communion with you4 ,for myself1 under the loving care and instruction of dear friends1 ,i soon came to understand that the change called death was a rebirth into a higher life and that1 through earnest endeavor1 ,i might progress out of conditions that held me where ,i was4 ,i learned that on entering the ,spirit ,world1 one finds themselves the result of all the successes and failures of all their past1 including their last embodiment4 ,for such successes as ,i found to my credit1 ,i was thankful4 ,for my failures1 through loving service for mortals and ,spirits1 ,i have been1 and am striving to pay my indebtedness4 ,i also have learned that earned progress is a righteous law and that only through its fulfillment can any one grow in grace and such knowledge of truth as may further their ,spiritual unfoldment4 ,from time to time you have entreated me to inform you as to my condition on the ,spirit ,side and always1 for a reason1 ,i have evaded a reply1 but now that ,i have risen far above the shadows of the ,earth sphere1 ,i am rejoiced to be able to quiet your anxious thoughts and fears4 ,no1 dear mother1 ,i do not now desire to return to ,earth life4 ,since ,i have risen above the shadows ,i am very happy and exultant in my freedom from physical conditions4 ,then1 mother dear1 you know that it will not be very long before you and other dear ones will come to the glorious ,spirit ,world1 and until then we will be waiting and watching for you and them4 ,but1 dear friends1 we are forgetting that we are delaying the journey to ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,dear lad1 no apology is required4 ,yours and your mother's joy but adds to our pleasure4 ,yes1 you shall journey by her side1 and such assistance as you may need gladly will be offered4 ,gentola31 we will not immediately pass to ,ento4 ,that you may be better prepared to compare certain of ,ento's with some of ,earth's divisions1 we will direct our course across the ,atlantic ,ocean to ,england1 of which1 with her immediate possessions we will take a hasty survey4 ,also we will glance at ,france1 ,italy1 ,germany1 ,russia and ,siberia1 and1 if we may find it expedient1 we may pass over that dimensionless point termed the ,north ,pole1 where reigns perpetual winter and unbroken silence1 save when crashing avalanches of ice and snow break the somber stillness1 or when ethereal disturbances occasion tempestuous storms to rush and roar across the frozen1 desolate wastes of the extreme north4 ,yes1 we are aware that at this time some daring and ambitious men are determined to reach the ,north ,pole1 and their heroic enterprise deserves a richer reward than they will obtain4 ,no1 ,i do not mean to say that no one in the physical body will ever reach the ,north ,pole1 for1 in time1 it will be accomplished4 ,spirits1 scientifically trained1 are engaged in impressing ,earth minds who steadily are progressing in a knowledge of electrical forces and appliances1 while other scientific minds whose attention is directed towards solving the problem of arial navigation are becoming more and more nearly en rapport with spirits who are aiding them1 and at no very distant time ,air ,transports will traverse ,earth's arial passageways with the same ease and security that ,air ,transports pass over ,ento's ,north and ,south ,polar regions4 ,now we must be off4 ,george1 that is well arranged though1 really1 ,bernard will require but slight assistance4 ,gentola31 below us is ,new ,york city and harbor4 ,we have come this way that you may form an idea of the number of vessels passing between the eastern seaboard and ,europe4 ,truly1 ,liberty does enlighten the world1 and license1 which so often masquerades in the garments of the famed goddess1 plunges nations into crime and barbarism4 ,yonder symbolic statue accentuates the fact1 that at least one aspiring mind comprehends the divine idea of freedom4 ,what an immense number and variety of vessels are moving in all directions1 and what an immense number and variety of vessels rest on the bed of this vast ocean2 while over them and the pallid hosts who are entombed beneath its waters1 white crested billows moan a perpetual requiem4 ,its bed is indeed a vast cemetery on which1 side by side1 lie noble and ignoble1 rich and poor1 friend and foe1 for death1 the reaper1 makes no distinction4 ,the tares are garnered with the wheat4 ,we are approaching ,england1 the marvellous4 ,england the heroic1 the masterful1 but never the magnanimous4 ,the lion well typifies her people who are courageous1 aggressive1 persistent and1 where her interests are involved1 politic in an extreme degree4 ,ever with unclosed eyes1 with but half sheathed claws1 the lion waits and watches1 waits and watches4 ,so wait1 so watch1 thou guardian of ,europe's1 aye1 of the ,world's peace1 and seldom may thy vigilance be disturbed4 ,you have expressed a desire to see the ,thames ,river4 ,below us is the noisome stream1 and this is the great city of ,london4 ,observe it closely so that you may compare it with a certain city you will see on ,ento4 ,a city not so extensive or so populous1 but far more beautiful4 ,yonder1 toward the east1 is ,st4 ,paul's with its great dome and crucifix crowned spire2 and that is ,bow ,church and facing us is old ,st4 ,paul's1 with its spire reaching some hundreds of feet into the rather smoky atmosphere4 ,yes1 it is a somber but also an impressive structure4 ,that rather squat looking building is the ,bank of ,england4 ,no1 it is not an imposing edifice4 ,yes1 that is the famously infamous ,tower1 where so many unfortunates have found time to consider the vanity of ambition1 the insecurity of royal or of popular favor1 and of other unstable quantities4 ,no1 this really fine ,shaft does not compare favorably with those you have seen in ,camarissa34 ,you wish to see ,buckingham ,palace8 ,then look at the structure facing us4 ,and you are disappointed8 ,yet it is quite a grand structure4 ,ah1 ,i see1 you are comparing its architecture with that you have seen on ,ento4 ,i confess ,i anticipated hearing expressions of disappointment1 so am not surprised4 ,yes1 ,i promise you that1 after the inauguration of our mission if you may so desire1 we will bring you here and1 at your leisure1 you may observe whatever may interest you4 ,george1 we now will hastily pass over ,england's rural-districts1 then we will move northward4 ,yes1 the landscape views are indeed fine4 ,nature1 in her tranquil moods1 ever is charming4 ,beneath us is bonnie ,scotland1 with her many lakes and heathery heights4 ,yonder is ,loch ,lomond and is not it a lovely sheet of water8 ,but1 to my mind1 not more so than others of ,scotland's many lakes4 ,no1 we cannot now devote time to seeing cities2 it is the geography of the countries we are passing over that we wish you to observe4 ,george1 we will devote a few moments to an observation of the ,isle of ,man4 ,gentola31 on our side there are ,spirits who remember a time when the ocean was many fathoms deep above its slowly rising surface4 ,that is the island1 and it appears a rather precarious abiding place4 ,some time ,i may tell you of its origin1 which differs from the accepted scientific view4 ,now you may salute the ,emerald ,isle1 the birthland of your nearest ancestors1 who were of ,scotch blood4 ,you have desired to see ,lough ,neagh1 near which your father was born4 ,its rippling water is beneath us now4 ,of ,ireland's lakes1 mountains1 holy wells and fairy lore doubtless your father has told you many strange stories1 but the strangely tragic story of wrong and oppression for which ,ireland furnishes a piteous theme is as yet1 unwritten4 ,yes1 this southern portion of the island is very picturesque and broken2 the same may be said of the inhabitants4 ,no1 we will not visit ,wales4 ,from ,ireland we will pass directly to ,france and to ,paris which1 as has been aptly said1 is ,france4 ,is not it a very beautiful city8 ,during my ,earth life ,i regarded it as being so perfect as to be changeless1 but now as ,i gaze upon it1 ,i see but few vestiges of nearly three hundred years ago4 ,oh1 ,paris1 ,paris1 thou aggregation of opulence and squalor2 of much that is admirable and more that is detestable2 aye1 of all that is good1 bad or indifferent in human nature2 since first ,i knew thee in thy beauty1 luxury and arrogance1 thou hast grown superb1 but while decking thyself with costliest raiment and priceless jewels1 thy feet tread in the mire of debauchery4 ,in thy hands thou bearest a crucifix yet in thy heart thou art a wanton4 ,with one breath thou chantest ,laus ,deo1 with the next thy lips are smirched with ribald song4 ,oh beautiful1 oh pitiable ,paris6 ,through whose broad or narrow ways pass unseen angels of mercy1 who continually are striving to raise the thoughts and aspirations of thy sensuous people above the insensate follies of vicious tendencies4 ,not yet1 not yet1 but in a coming time the tribulations of thy people will turn them away from the spell of thy enchantments1 and with clearer eyes and purer aspirations they will seek the heights of ,spiritual progress4 ,beloved ,france1 land of my birth1 home of my childhood1 youth and manhood1 ,i look backward through the years and ,i behold thee regnant in power1 or tossed as a shuttlecock in the hands of thy foes4 ,then ,i behold thee dancing gaily on the brink of a precipice and1 as ,i gaze1 out of the shadows emerges the dread ,reign of ,terror1 which stained thy garments with the best blood of thy children4 ,still ,i gaze1 and out of the blackness of thy despair a strong hand1 guided by indomitable will1 and measureless ambition1 rescues thee from the abyss into which thy mad and ignorant folly hath plunged thee1 and then a new day1 whose effulgent glory blinds the eyes of other nations1 dawns for thee4 ,again deep shadows eclipse the effulgence of thy glory1 whose beams gleam fitfully through some troublous years1 and thus amid brightness and shadows the centuries have flown1 and again1 though in their hearts they spurn the plebeians whom they have chosen as rulers1 thy children cry1 ,liberty1 ,equality1 ,fraternity1 and the fateful years go by4 ,liberty and equality are the finest jewels in the crown of any nation1 but alas1 it is the few1 and not the many1 who are able to estimate them at their full value4 ,now reluctantly my gaze turns toward ,alsace and ,lorraine1 who1 like two orphaned children are obliged to carry water on both shoulders1 yet no one dares to lift their burthens1 or to restore them to their own4 ,with sorrowful sympathy ,i have watched their changeful history1 and the end is not yet4 ,an ,alsatian born am ,i1 and though it is nearer three than two centuries since ,i passed to the ,spirit ,side1 my heart clings to the land of my birth and ,i dream of a time that may1 nay1 will1 arrive1 when ,france1 regenerated and with garments undefiled1 shall take her rightful place amid the galaxy of ,earth's greatest nations4 ,southward now to ,italy1 the land of music1 of art1 of sunshine and of flowers4 ,as we gaze upon the verdure clad slopes1 the smiling valleys and upon the cities whose storied greatness reaches backward into classic times1 ,i recall that one has written1 ,oh1 ,italy1 thou art in one the glory and the shame of ,christianity1 for while upon the pages of thy history are names heroic1 thy garments are stained with the best blood that hath flowed in the veins of thy children4 ,alas6 that through thy ignorant zeal thou1 in a bygone time1 didst torture those whom thou shouldst have worn upon thy bosom as jewels beyond price4 ,tortured them1 too1 in the name of the genuine ,teacher of a religion of peace and good will toward all men4 ,gentola31 two members of our band1 ,galileo and ,giordano ,bruno1 attest to the horrible cruelties and crimes which1 in their days1 were1 in the name of religion1 perpetrated upon helpless men and women4 ,no1 ,spirits do not forget2 but ere they can progress they must and do forgive4 ,although at this time a humane1 wise and liberal minded man is ,king of ,italy1 there is a power under his throne that chafes and schemes to overturn it but1 happily comprehensive ideas are illumining the minds of his people who stand as a bulwark between it and those who1 for their own selfish1 ambitious and unrighteous ends seek its destruction4 ,yes1 all religious systems are beset with fanaticism and always fanatics are1 in some sense1 dangerous4 ,then1 too1 to what lengths will not ambitious self-seeking1 lead mortals1 even blinding them to every principle which ennobles and elevates humanity4 ,on your account we regret that our time is too limited to admit of sightseeing1 but we will slowly pass over ,rome so that you may gain a general idea of the appearance of the antiquated one who1 despite her powdered and patched wrinkles1 still dreams that she again will be mistress of the world's destinies2 that her voice is as the voice of ,god and that her outreaching arms will yet embrace spiritually1 if not temporally1 all the nations of the ,earth4 ,germany next claims our attention4 ,below us is ,berlin1 where dwells the young ,emperor whose highest ambition is to act as arbitrator for all ,europe4 ,naturally aristocratic and domineering1 his tendency is to override all obstacles4 ,he cannot tolerate advice1 much less coercion4 ,he is angered easily1 yet with a kindly word is pacified4 ,he is quick to take offense1 and as quickly he forgives4 ,when he conceives that the glory of ,germany or his personal honor are called in question in his demand for redress he is adamantine4 ,at an hour's notice he is ready to appeal to arms1 yet he is moved to pity by a cry of distress4 ,in this scion of a stern1 as well as gentle ancestry1 ambition1 arrogance1 courage1 integrity and a large admixture of the love element1 serves to form a most unique character4 ,yes1 ,berlin is an imposing city1 but in it1 as in all large aggregations of humanity on our planet1 luxury and squalor are such near neighbors that the songs and laughter of the fortunate do not drown the moans of the wretched4 ,we now are crossing the border line between ,germany and ,russia4 ,over what a vast area the autocratic ,czar holds sway4 ,does it not seem marvellous that to one man millions of people yield more or less willing obedience8 ,yet marvellous only when one loses sight of the fact1 that in all manifestations of nature2 or1 if it may please you better1 of ,god1 necessarily there is a central1 dominant principle4 ,among the millions of this great empire are many who are the ,czar's equal1 and others who1 in the sense that makes a man worthier than his fellows1 are his superiors4 ,yet these millions of humans are subject to him1 because that in his rank is involved all the principles that the government of ,russia stands for1 and all governments require a figure-head1 be it emperor1 king or president4 ,the ,czar is a man of fine intelligence1 of an affectionate and generous nature1 but he is so hedged in by pride of birth1 by love of power and the precedents of usages that he possesses but a scant understanding of the needs of the diverse races who people his dominions4 ,yes1 he1 like most of ,earth's rulers1 walks on the verge of a precipice over which1 at any moment1 some ruthless hand may topple him4 ,no nation of ,earth has yet outgrown the naturally turbulent animal element which1 in the human1 ever is snapping and snarling1 and it is only when humanity has evolved beyond it that an observance of the ,golden ,rule becomes possible4 ,earth's peoples not having evolved to the height of such a possibility1 rulers must needs be guarded by steel and served by slaves1 both rulers and slaves being held in bondage through fear of consequences4 ,no1 ,i do not recall that ,i ever have cared for the ephemeral distinctions of mortality's brief days4 ,we near ,st4 ,petersburg1 an extensive and populous city1 which1 like the country1 is covered with snow4 ,yes1 the cold is very severe1 and rivers and lakes are bound in icy fetters4 ,never mind1 the time is not very far distant when you shall be free to not only visit the city1 but you even may unceremoniously call on the royal family4 ,now we are crossing the ,ural ,mountains1 and in a moment we will be passing over ,siberia4 ,one is tempted to moralize over those exiled from home and country to this far northern land4 ,ah me6 ,what tragedies have been enacted1 what crimes committed against humanity1 perpetrated1 too1 in the name of justice1 who is not so blind that she will not some time reckon with the perpetrators4 ,since starting on our journey but little more than an hour has elapsed1 and--yes1 we have reached the ,north pole of our planet4 ,for certain mentalities there is a charm in attempting difficult undertakings1 and serious obstacles but spur them on to greater enthusiasm1 to higher endeavor4 ,to ordinary mortals the awful wastes of ice and snow over which we have passed would be utterly appalling1 but for some the scene would possess a sort of enchantment4 ,so courageous explorers will continue to seek for this point1 and many valuable lives will yet be lost in the attainment of a nearly futile object4 ,yes1 ambition and curiosity are forceful and apparently necessary incentives of human endeavor4 ,now gaze downward and as far as your vision may extend and describe the not at all pleasing view4 ,gentola--,how shall ,i describe the wonderful spectacle so terrible1 yet so weirdly fascinating4 ,overhead the clouds are heavy and threatening1 and a shadowy darkness as deep as twilight prevails1 and in the partial light there is a peculiarly luminous quality as though the atmosphere might be laden with diamond dust1 on which light from somewhere is falling4 ,de ,l',ester1 do you know what occasions the singularly beautiful radiance8 ,de ,l',ester--,this luminosity is the effect of the magnetic aura emanating from the polar centre4 ,no1 ,i do not mean magnetic centre1 but polar centre4 ,under certain conditions it produces or creates what is known as ,aurora borealis4 ,yes1 ,i mean that there are certain planetary activities which create magnetic storms1 and when such disturbances occur our northern earth sky presents a more or less beautiful display of what1 by many1 are termed northern lights4 ,gentola--,were ,i in my physical body would ,i perceive this luminous appearance1 and is it at all times luminous8 ,de ,l',ester--,you and very many1 but not all persons in the physical body would be able to perceive the magnetic aura1 particularly when1 as at present1 it is very pronounced4 ,you forget that ,i already have said that the emanation is continuous1 which is the same as saying that it is at all times luminous to those who can perceive it4 ,please resume1 for we soon must hasten to ,ento4 ,gentola--,i cannot find words adequate to a description of this scene which is so peculiar that it overwhelms me4 ,the loveliness of color1 radiating and pulsating through the atmosphere like some living thing1 is so marvellous that one can imagine its pulsations are the heart throbs of the planet4 ,as far as my vision reaches ,i see no land1 no water1 no living thing1 and everywhere it looks as though great waves of a tempestuous sea had climbed toward the sky and suddenly were frozen into immobility4 ,amid the swirl and commotion of the elements1 avalanches of ice and snow are crashing downward from the crests of snow mountains1 whose peaks tower toward the clouds4 ,to my mind it is not only a sublime but an awful scene4 ,i should think one might go mad if obliged to long remain amid such desolation and such tremendous sights and sounds4 ,but1 ,de ,l',ester1 once you mentioned the existence of a former open ,polar ,sea4 ,will you tell me of it8 ,de ,l',ester--,as you please1 madame1 though but in a few words4 ,at another time a member of the ,band will speak of it at length4 ,our planet has experienced two ,glacial periods4 ,previous to the first period there was at the then ,north ,pole an unfrozen1 but very limited sea4 ,twice through the activities of natural laws a slight tilting of our planet has occurred4 ,during its existence1 again and again the same catastrophe must repeat itself4 ,always accumulations of ice and snow at the ,north ,pole preponderate over the same at the ,south ,pole4 ,the centre of gravity seeking an equilibrium1 necessitates a changed position of the planet1 which will account for the finding of tropical vestiges so very far north4 ,some of ,earth's scientists very naturally have concluded that the glacial drift forced these vestiges to their present position1 but through eminent scientists on our side of life we know that this is a mistaken idea4 ,were it possible for mortals to search under these tremendous accumulations of ice and snow1 they would find the fauna and flora of a tropical region1 and what would be more startling1 the well preserved remains of very primitive humans and somewhat of their belongings4 ,during our too brief hours of camaraderie1 it is not practicable to note all that comes under our observation1 but be assured that much that cannot be written you1 more or less vividly will remember as food for thought through coming years of your mortal existence4 ,now take a last survey of the dreary expanse below us1 to which you will not say good-bye1 but au revoir1 for1 doubtless after you shall have been freed from the physical plane of being1 under more favorable conditions you will revisit this scene of which you now have but a limited view4 ,and now1 mes amis1 off for ,ento4 ,gentola31 recently you inquired of ,genessano if the ,entoans composed poetry and he replied yes1 but his modesty forbade his saying that previous to passing to the ,spirit ,world he had attempted versification4 ,we have prevailed upon him to recall some sad lines which we deem apropos to the object of our mission1 and as on this ever wondrous magnetic current we speed toward ,ento1 he will recite them and ,i1 to the best of my ability1 will translate them into your language4 ,an ocean whose waves reach ,eternity's shore1 ,rolls silently on2 not a sound is heard ,of the wrecks that go down in its depths profound1 ,to rest on its bed and are heard of no more4 ,oh1 ,ento1 thy children so loved1 so deplored1 ,ever fade from our sight never more to return1 ,and in measureless anguish we cry unto ,thee3 ,spare1 spare us our dear ones1 ,andmana1 dread ,lord4 ,around us are falling1 like leaves from the trees1 ,our loved ones1 our friends whose forms are so dear ,that we wear them as jewels enshrined in our hearts1 ,and yield them to ,death1 so ,andmana decrees4 ,oh1 pitiful gods6 ,andmana implore4 ,to succor ,his children who lie at ,his feet1 ,and cry in their anguish and deep despair3 ,give lack to our arms our loved ones once more4 ,de ,l',ester--,as ,i have done my best1 ,i shall not apologize for my unmeritorious translation of ,genessano's meritorious poem1 which voices the ceaseless cry of ,ento's sorrowful peoples4 ,gentola--,genessano1 my friend1 so worshipful is my love for my dearest ones1 that ,i understand the emotion impelling you to give expression to this wail of despair4 ,when this dear boy1 journeying by my side1 passed into the world of spirits1 only my knowledge of a continuity of conscious existence sustained me under my sudden bereavement1 so ,i rejoice that the time draws near when the peoples of ,ento may come into a knowledge of this consoling truth4 ,genessano--,oh1 ,ento6 beloved ,ento6 ,i too1 rejoice that ere long the shadows which have so obscured thy spiritual radiance shall drift away from thee1 even as under the golden beams of ,diafon-evoiha the mists of dawn drift from off thy fair face4 ,hail to thee6 ,hail to thee ,ento1 thou beauteous world of the starry realms of space6 ,with exultant heart ,i gaze on thee1 for soon in thy spirit realms the glad words will be heralded that the day of thy rejoicing has come2 that henceforth the eyes of thy downcast children shall be filled with the light of a joy divine1 the joy of knowing that death of the physical body releases into a higher life--the immortal self4 ,only those who have loved1 lost and sorrowed for the dear ones gone into endless silence can comprehend the joy that pervades my ,being as ,i realize the ineffable gladness that soon will fill the hearts of the peoples of ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 you perceive how enthused we all are over1 ,i may say1 the certainty of the success of our mission1 which is ours only in the sense that we are assisting others who1 like ourselves1 are interested in the righteous undertaking4 ,yes1 all greatly beneficent enterprises for the uplifting of humanity of any planet originate in the spirit realms4 ,you are aware that on our planet all persons are not equally receptive1 which is the same as saying that they are not equally sensitive4 ,the same is true of the peoples of other planets4 ,the law of ,being is universal1 but1 through heredity1 which is the sum of preceding existences1 also through the influences of social and other conditions always1 among all peoples1 there are individuals apparently ahead of their time4 ,not through their own desire1 but through conditions1 to which ,i have alluded1 the most dominant being ecclesiastical repression4 ,as a whole1 the ,entoans are very positive1 but among the ascetic priesthood are individuals so sensitive that1 like ,dano1 ,lta and others1 they are impelled to manifest it4 ,these are they who apparently are ahead of their time2 in reality they are the forerunners of spiritual upheavals1 not of to-day1 perhaps not of to-morrow1 but of a time that surely will come4 ,largely through their ardently affectionate nature the ,entoans are growing approachable4 ,love and sorrow are retorts in which are consumed the dross of human passions1 beliefs and prejudices4 ,thus1 through their love and their sorrow1 their souls are unfolding for the reception of spiritual influences and the perception of spirit presences4 ,we have so loitered that ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 who awaits us yonder at the ,galarsa31 well may have grown impatient4 ,loha3 emano1 ,loha34 ,zenesta ,hao--,friends1 you are late4 ,what has so delayed you8 ,de ,l',ester--,we fear that we may have taxed your amiability and patience1 but1 after consideration1 we decided to afford ,gentola3 a view of certain of earth's regions with which she was unacquainted1 so that she might compare them with regions of a corresponding latitude and longitude of ,ento4 ,the youth who accompanies us is the son of ,gentola31 who four years ago passed into our spirit world and this is his first visit to ,ento4 ,bernard1 dear boy1 this is our esteemed ,ento friend1 ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 once a ,professor of ,languages in this ,galarsa34 ,bernard--,sir1 ,i am happy in making your acquaintance1 and deeply grateful that these dear friends have allowed me to accompany my mother to your planet4 ,zenesta ,hao--,inidora31 ,genessano and ,i1 as representatives of our people1 with much good will offer the son of ,gentola3 a cordial welcome to ,ento4 ,bernard--,for which you and they have my thanks4 ,zenesta ,hao--,friends1 previous to my coming here1 ,i visited the invalid at ,da3o4 ,dano's arrival has stimulated ,valloa3's life forces1 and a ray of hope lights up ,omanas ,fnha3's despairing heart4 ,it is but the fitful burning of the expiring flame and the young creature can survive but for a brief time4 ,as the union between herself and her physical body weakens1 she grows more spiritualized and sensitive2 so also does ,prince ,dano1 who does not deceive himself with false hopes of ,valloa3's recovery1 and both gladly are growing into a clearer understanding of the wondrous truth that life is continuous4 ,with timorous joy they whisper of a time when they may be reunited to part no more1 but it is pitiful to listen to their murmured words of love1 of sorrow and of the newly born hope which yet is too marvellous to be fully realized4 ,with tears in my eyes and tenderest pity in my heart ,i turned from them1 for ,i remembered1 aye1 ,i remembered when my beloved ,armena3's life went out and left me desolate and despairing4 ,de ,l',ester--,for your report which partakes of both joy and sorrow1 we thank you1 and we will so shape our movements as to meet all emergencies4 ,gentola31 you are aware that early in the present century there lived a man of ,scotch birth named ,hugh ,miller1 who was so orthodox that he found himself unequal to the feat of balancing the ,bible in one scale1 and the results of his geological investigations in the other4 ,despairingly he abandoned the futile attempt1 and suddenly crossed over the ,scottish border into a world1 not of effects1 but of causes4 ,come forward1 sir1 and afford me the pleasure of introducing to you our intrepid medium ,gentola34 ,hugh ,miller--,madame1 this is a strange meeting between one who was1 and one who yet is an inhabitant of our ,earth plane1 where once ,i earnestly1 anxiously1 prayerfully strove to go toward the light4 ,during my investigations evidences1 which ,i could neither dispute or explain away1 so perplexed me that ,i fell into a vortex of doubt and dismay that whirled me into the world of spirits4 ,i perceive that you do not know my story4 ,i pray you acquaint yourself with it4 ,while in the physical body the study of geology was with me a positive passion1 and when in the world of spirits ,i recovered from my temporary aberration of mind1 gladly and naturally ,i continued my favorite pursuit4 ,yes1 madame1 ,i was greatly surprised1 ,i may say overwhelmed1 when upon regaining full consciousness ,i found the spirit world so unlike all my preconceived notions1 but as real1 as substantial1 as the old red sandstone which had so perplexed and upset all my ideas concerning the creation of our world4 ,i had been taught and did believe that in six days ,god created the heavens and the earth1 and all that was therein1 but geology told another story4 ,it related that the ,earth had not been created1 but that through ages and ages it had evolved from cosmic matter into a measurable world1 which through other ages had become fitted for the abode of myriad life forms4 ,as a thoroughly orthodox believer my very ,soul revolted against these evidences of nature1 and finally under blows of a small hammer upon a leaf of ,god's revelation in stone my reason reeled1 and ,i---- ,but no more retrospection4 ,friends1 ,i am at your service1 and shall be happy if in the least ,i may add to your profit or your pleasure4 ,ah1 this is the geological department which is very complete1 very comprehensive4 ,what a vast apartment and so beautifully arranged and kept4 ,madame1 observe those supporting columns2 are they not in style nearly ,corinthian8 ,to you it may appear a somewhat startling fact1 but when understood it is not4 ,the so-termed ,primary colors are an expression of a universal natural law1 and form is equally so4 ,as water1 in freezing1 inevitably forms certain crystallized shapes1 so in the human mind1 inevitably1 form assumes certain curves1 lines and dimensions4 ,these friends will bear witness that not only on ,ento and ,earth1 but on other inhabited planets we have found the ,arch1 with its ,keystone1 and columns of the various orders employed in architecture here and on our ,planet4 ,you observe that this great apartment is divided into several departments4 ,in this one is a fine collection of fossils which1 for lack of time1 we must pass by4 ,de ,l',ester says that we shall only glance at this wonderfully complete display of gems which ever are dear to the heart of a woman4 ,now here---- ,de ,l',ester--,friends1 for a little while we will defer the examination of the gems4 ,nearby an ,instructor is addressing a ,class of students who may afford us opportunity for an experiment4 ,instructor--,for as in it there is much that cannot be accounted for1 geology affords room for speculation 7and ,i regret to say for irreverent expression71 not found in any other science4 ,our ,sacred ,writings declare that out of substances within ,himself ,andmana3 created ,ento and all living creatures1 into whom ,he breathed the breath of life and to whom ,he gave the power of procreation4 ,that at death of the body the breath of life returns to ,him1 and again and again is breathed into the newly born4 ,one of our most learned men1 ,ziro ,emyda3s1 estimates the circumference of ,ento as being koida3s ferma3 itsaa3 fonit von soynas 7little less than #ab1jjj miles74 ,no mind can realize the immensity of ,andmana31 ,who out of ,his personality1 created ,ento and all things4 ,ziro ,emyda3s intimates that after the creation of ,ento1 ,andmana3 did not at once create all living things1 but his deductions are somewhat illogical and by some are thought to be impious4 ,his statement he terms the ,theory of ,stratification1 and it is so specious that ,i hesitate to quote from it4 ,generally it is admitted that the science of geology demonstrates that the formation of ,ento is stratified1 and that each stratum presents an appearance peculiar to itself4 ,for instance1 here is a stone from the third stratum which largely is composed of a variety of minute shells4 ,here are others from the fourth and fifth strata1 each varying from the others in their composition1 and the same may he said of the strata nearer the surface4 ,phrysos1 you who1 to an extent1 favor ,ziro ,emyda3s's theory1 dare you give utterance to what these stones indicate8 ,phrysos--,may the gods prevent my uttering aught that may oppose the truth4 ,at times the thought enters my mind that possibly our ,priesthood may not fully comprehend the meanings of certain words of our ,sacred ,writings4 ,ziro ,emyda3s questions the infallibility of their interpretations4 ,he declares that ,andmana3 alone is infallible1 and that ,gods and men are but ,his ,instruments through whom ,he works ,his will4 ,that the ,priesthood have called him to account for what they term his lack of reverence for ,sacred things has not deterred him from firmly adhering to his declarations1 and ,i confess that while my immature mind does not wholly grasp the presentation of his ,theory1 ,i greatly admire his courage and no one1 ,i believe1 questions his sincerity4 ,i am but a beginner in this fascinating study1 but already ,i realize that one must closely adhere to established theories else one easily may drift into unauthorized and dangerous speculations1 but ,i1 no more than yourself1 question the infallibility of the ,sacred ,writings1 and yet---- ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 place the tips of your fingers near his head1 now speak to him4 ,phrysos--,and yet--and--yet--friends1 ,i seem to hear a voice--it speaks to--speaks to me1 and ,i feel--a strange--sensation stealing--over--me4 ,i--,i---- ,de ,l',ester--,now place your hands over his eyes4 ,ah1 how readily he yields4 ,instructor--,what ails you1 ,phrysos8 ,why1 ,i believe he is falling into a swoon4 ,phrysos6 ,phrysos6 ,trissa31 hasten for a cup of water4 ,raise a window1 ,avilla the air may be too close4 ,de ,l',ester--,rapidly but distinctly follow my dictation4 ,gentola--,i am one who already hath spoken to thy friend1 ,prince ,dano1 of a new and glorious ,revelation which very soon will be given to the peoples of ,ento4 ,thou hearest my voice but seest not my form standing near thee1 even as thou shalt stand near ,dano as a ,priest of the new ,revelation4 ,i am ,gentola34 ,remember and fear not4 ,instructor--,thanks1 ,trissa34 ,it was but a momentary faintness1 probably occasioned by the oppressive atmosphere4 ,why1 ,phrysos1 really we thought you were about to swoon2 you whose boast is that you never have known a moment's illness4 ,was it the closeness of the atmosphere that occasioned the attack8 ,phrysos--,i cannot say what occasioned it4 ,i fancied ,i heard a voice coming from some one or somewhere1 and ,i grew faint4 ,no1 ,i was not unconscious1 but could not open my eyes or reply to your inquiries4 ,it must have been occasioned by the closeness of the atmosphere4 ,you will excuse me and ,i will walk about1 and in a few moments ,i shall recover myself4 ,evylon--,to what strange days have we come4 ,phrysos1 one of our athletes2 ,phrysos1 one of our brightest and closest students1 attacked much as was ,prince ,dano4 ,yes1 ,i was in the art studio when ,dano became unconscious1 and when he was revived he spoke strange words which surprised and shocked all who heard them4 ,but1 evidently1 ,phrysos was not unconscious1 for his countenance expressed great surprise and lively emotion4 ,he says that he seemed to hear a voice1 but we heard no sound4 ,i pray the ,gods that no such attack may seize any of us4 ,de ,l',ester--,touch this youth's hands4 ,first the right1 now the left hand4 ,see how he stares and rubs one over the other4 ,touch them again4 ,greatly excited he springs to his feet1 exclaiming1 ,something has touched me6 ,touched me twice on my hands6 ,no1 ,i see nothing that could have caused the sensation4 ,i fear that my sympathy for ,phrysos has rendered me imaginative4 ,i1 too1 pray you excuse me and soon ,i shall walk off all morbid fancies4 ,instructor--,as our lesson is concluded we will join you4 ,you do well not to yield to what you very properly term morbid fancies4 ,it is well understood that one mind can affect another mind1 and then the question arises1 what is mind8 ,fra3tos1 one of our most learned and brilliant thinkers1 declares that---- ,de ,l',ester--,we cannot afford time to learn what ,fra3tos declares1 probably that mind is matter in an active state4 ,gentola31 we are delighted that you can so successfully approach ,ento ,sensitives4 ,one other of those students could have been made to sense your presence1 but we must not permit our enthusiasm to get the better of our judgment1 else a panic might occur4 ,genessano1 you have reason to be hopeful for the success of our ,mission for1 evidently1 the ,spiritualized faculties of many of your people are highly evolved4 ,genessano--,oh1 that the hour may swiftly arrive which shall usher in the dawn of the brightest day that ever has come to ,ento4 ,a day that will mark an epoch of gladness in the history of a sorrowful people4 ,before proceeding with our investigations1 you desire to know the result of my very recent visit to ,da3o4 ,as ,zenesta3 has said1 ,dano's arrival momentarily has stimulated ,valloa3's life forces1 but she fades away as fades a rodel broken from its stem4 ,as gradually she releases herself from her physical body her inner vision grows clearer and she reaches out and greets the dear ones who have preceded her into our spirit realms4 ,slona3 ,valloa31 the golden haired1 died in giving birth to ,valloa34 ,she was the wife of ,omanos ,fnha3's youth1 and no one has taken her place in his affection or by his side4 ,while mourning his irreparable loss1 ever his chiefest solace has been the golden haired1 blue eyed child who now is the image of her mother4 ,in the hour of his approaching bereavement ,omanos ,fnha3 will1 when convinced of its truth1 gladly embrace a faith that shall give assurance of a reunion with those whom he holds dearer than all else4 ,basto ,andlsa31 his nearest kinsman and closest friend1 in all possible ways sustains him4 ,in character they are much alike and both are wise1 loving and spiritualized men4 ,to them ,valloa3 smilingly but earnestly1 insists upon the reality of her visions1 and the ,messages her mother1 ,slona31 sends to her husband and the ,andlsa3s4 ,and thus the days and nights pass1 and the way is being prepared against the time when the lovely girl shall be borne from them into higher ,realms4 ,de ,l',ester--,dear friend1 your report favors our ,mission1 but how pitiful it is1 and geology is an interesting science1 but as we are humans1 the affairs of humans lie nearer our hearts and ,i confess that my sympathy for ,dano1 ,valloa31 and the grief stricken father1 is greater than my interest in all the ,sciences of all the ,planets in the ,universe4 ,gentola31 you are surprised and our friends smile at my impulsive utterances1 but they understand1 as you do not1 that with longing unspeakable1 ,i look forward to the hour when my own shall return to me4 ,ever ,i am waiting and watching for an angel of love and mercy1 who strives to lift out of degradation and wretchedness mortals whose ignorance and debaucheries drag them down into darkness4 ,her present embodiment has placed us far apart1 but duties fulfilled are converging our ways and ere long1 face to face1 we again will gaze into each other's eyes and read there the assurance of our ,eternal ,union4 ,it should not so surprise you to learn that in the spiritual marriage two entities1 male and female1 form an inseparable whole1 and that there is no other real union possible1 all others being temporary1 yet not necessarily on the merely animal plane4 ,when1 to a certain point1 we shall have completed our present undertaking1 we hope that you may be induced to listen to talks on this and other subjects1 for the more clearly you understand ,spiritual ,laws1 the better you will be prepared to enter the ,spirit ,world4 ,as our ,scotch friend is accustomed to our erratic ways ,i need not apologize for so abruptly interrupting him4 ,hugh ,miller--,certainly not4 ,indeed ,i have been so interested in what has transpired that1 for the time1 ,i quite lost sight of the occasion of our coming here4 ,madame1 you will observe that here1 arranged in orderly sequence1 are fragments of the various stratifications of the several ages of this ,planet which exactly correspond with those1 not only of ,earth1 but of all planets sufficiently evolved to have become fully stratified4 ,perhaps you have been informed that in matter there is a universality of homogeneity1 and that vibration1 attraction1 cohesion and gravity are the observable expressions of ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy1 the one law controlling all things that live1 move and have ,being4 ,in a general way1 the ,entoans recognize this ,law1 also in a general way1 they recognize the structure of their ,planet1 but in certain of their conclusions they are quite mistaken4 ,when one takes into account their religious beliefs and their consequent lack of knowledge of astronomical and geological facts1 it is not surprising that some of their conclusions are altogether erroneous4 ,happily the new ,revelation will dissipate their fears of ,andmana3 and ,his ,messengers1 and with their wonderful mathematical and mechanical ability1 soon they will construct such aids to physical vision as will fill the minds of their ,star-gazers with amazement4 ,owing to its exceedingly level surface1 during the spring this planet becomes inundated and engineering skill of a high order long has been required to not only obviate disasters1 but to provide storage for water which later on furnishes a necessary but inadequate supply for the requirements of the peoples4 ,to in a measure meet this demand1 wells of enormous depth are bored and from them volumes of sweet1 cool1 refreshing water gush forth4 ,through the agency of these borings many geological facts have been forced upon the attention of the learned and through other agencies these facts have been confirmed4 ,but always religious beliefs have stood as barriers between fact and fancy1 and thus the science of geology is but partially comprehended1 much less are its conclusions admitted4 ,here are specimens of various coals whose properties are the same as those of ,earth4 ,and here are specimens of peat or bog fuel4 ,embedded in this block of peat is a piece of wood closely resembling oak1 and here is another in which is embedded wood much like the beech4 ,in this compartment are specimens of gold-bearing quartz1 and here are nuggets of free gold and a receptacle filled with grains of gold2 and here are samples of scale gold which are nearly pure4 ,here1 too1 is an exhibit of ,ento's various silver ores4 ,observe these peculiar formations which resemble skeins of silver threads1 snarled inextricably4 ,in these compartments is an effective arrangement of specimens of all minerals not accounted precious1 as copper1 iron1 tin1 zinc1 lead1 in short all minerals of our ,planet are represented here4 ,to spirits sufficiently advanced1 two facts are evident4 ,one is the universal homogeneity of what you term matter4 ,the other is the universality of a ,law whose activities everywhere are the same1 but ,i do not mean to say that everywhere the results are the same for1 of course1 environments and conditions modify results2 but where1 as on ,ento and ,earth1 environments and conditions so nearly correspond1 necessarily1 results must at least bear a general resemblance4 ,we now will pass to the adjoining apartment where an aged custodian is poring over an ancient looking volume1 which is one of many ancient volumes stored in this ,galarsa34 ,what a quaint but pleasing figure he presents4 ,his long white hair waving over his shoulders forms a fitting setting for his dark-hued1 intellectual and refined face1 and the blue gemmed silver fillet confining his hair harmonizes with his loose1 graceful1 dark blue robe falling quite to his feet4 ,despite his hoary locks and aged appearance1 to my mind he is a very handsome man4 ,the volume he so earnestly endeavors to read is quite unknown to me4 ,perhaps ,zenesta3 may be acquainted with it4 ,zenesta ,hao--,let me see4 ,ah1 yes1 this was the language of a race known as the ,da3hlo1 who occupied the ,province of ,da3hlo which1 some thirty centuries ago1 bordered on ,indoloisa3's southern shore4 ,they were highly civilized and1 like the ,quends of to-day1 did not intermarry with other races4 ,the province was not then infertile1 and through their manufacturing industries1 one of which was the production of rich silken stuffs1 they became the most opulent race of ,ento4 ,then gradually arrived the not infrequent sequence4 ,the very rich grew arrogantly selfish1 and the masses with unperceiving senses yielded their rights and fell into idleness and consequent poverty which bred discontent1 and soon discontent merged into turbulence and almost suddenly they turned upon their despoilers and in an incredibly brief time such devastation occurred that cities1 towns and villages and country places were little less than ruins4 ,the ,governor of the ,province appears to have been a timorous1 incapable man who1 realizing that he could not control the frenzied people1 appealed for aid to the ,supreme ,euler1 ,imra ,ilvoita3s1 who was a wise1 just and thoroughgoing man1 who quickly adjusted affairs by renaming the ,province ,zil-,ammon1 and obliging those whose selfish greed had led to the riotous proceedings1 to make reparation to the wronged people and also to remove elsewhere4 ,these vigorous measures must have been an effective object lesson1 for never since has a like event occurred4 ,the volume further relates that through the encouragement of ,imra ,ilvoita3s1 people from other ,provinces emigrated to ,zil-,ammon and thus the exclusiveness of the ,da3hlo race was broken up1 but the ,province never regained its former prosperity4 ,at that time there was a lack of systematic irrigation and the central regions were steadily growing so infertile that long previous to the birth of ,inidora3 and ,genessano the ,province of ,zil-,ammon was little less than a desert4 ,only within two ,ento centuries has an attempt been made to reclaim this waste country4 ,this volume1 which once ,i translated into the present ,ento tongue1 is a history of the extinct race of ,da3,hlo2 from its pages ,i have culled the fragment ,i have related4 ,i should like to assist this gentleman in his effort to read the volume1 but ,i fear he might be greatly alarmed could he even perceive me looking over his shoulder4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 you now understand the process4 ,try to lightly touch his hands4 ,it is more than amusing to note the haste with which he deposits the volume on the table and turns his hands this way and that in an endeavor to learn what has occasioned the singular sensation4 ,touch him again1 but only on his left hand4 ,there1 that will do4 ,we do not desire to alarm him4 ,he is quite startled and looks about questioningly1 but as he perceives nothing out of the common he picks up the volume murmuring1 ,ah me1 age is burthened with infirmities and strange fancies1 and ,i grow old1 old1 and the dread ,silence draws very near4 ,again he lays the volume down and with a pathetic1 troubled expression1 paces back and forth4 ,too bad to have so disturbed him1 and we beg his pardon4 ,hugh ,miller--,madame1 will you now observe this department1 which contains examples of all the precious stones of ,ento4 ,gentola--,i have been thinking of how beautiful all this is4 ,the great apartment itself is exquisitely finished in various beautifully colored woods so richly1 yet so daintily carved1 that they match the loveliness of the ,mosaic floor1 which seems too fine for common use4 ,these crystalline compartments1 too1 with their velvety linings and fine mouldings1 containing this great collection of cut and uncut1 set1 and unset jewels1 forms a spectacle beyond my ability to describe4 ,in this first compartment are many gems of various tints of green1 and how very beautiful they are4 ,are they not emeralds8 ,hugh ,miller--,yes1 and they are very large and very fine gems4 ,i am informed that ,officials of a certain ,rank wear emeralds as ,insignia of their special dignity4 ,for instance1 the fillets worn by ,zenesta31 ,inidora3 and ,genessano1 are only worn by ,governors of ,provinces4 ,oh1 yes1 all who choose may wear the gems as ornaments1 but only the fillets worn by governors are set in this peculiar style4 ,no1 the ,supreme ,ruler does not wear a ,crown4 ,his golden fillet of a certain width1 richly ornamented with diamonds and sapphires1 is the ,badge of his high ,office4 ,as fillet gems1 ,princes and ,princesses wear diamonds and rubies4 ,other persons of distinction wear their fillets variously gemmed4 ,yes1 the fillet1 its gems and style of setting1 always denotes the ,station of the wearer1 in which there is no suggestion of caste or special privilege4 ,but of this and other matters1 you later on will learn more4 ,by the ,entoans diamonds are not regarded as being more valuable than are some other gems4 ,inidora3 will offer you an explanation of the matter4 ,inidora--,the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system starting at ,camarissa31 passes eastward until it emerges into ,gandlana3 ,loisa34 ,the great work being completed to its western shore1 immediately its eastern shore became a centre of ceaseless activity4 ,ere the lapse of many days a diamond deposit was discovered1 which induced such a state of excitement that1 for a time1 work on the ,system was abandoned4 ,in their eagerness to secure the gems1 laborers set aside all other considerations and ,i well remember that such numbers of stones were found that dealers in the gems were threatened with financial ruin4 ,quickly the situation grew so serious that a ,general ,council was convened1 which resulted in our ,supreme ,ruler issuing an edict to the effect that all diamonds found in that locality should be the property of the government2 that they should be sold at their value1 and that the proceeds should be used toward defraying the cost of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 which1 as all persons knew1 was for the general good4 ,this ended the excitement and thereafter the work of the system proceeded uninterruptedly4 ,during many years the ,government worked the diamond deposit1 and the accruing revenue greatly assisted in furthering the interests of the ,system4 ,a time arrived when the deposit became exhausted1 but that was after our parents1 my brother and ,i had passed into our ,spirit ,realms4 ,never since the finding of such numbers of the gems have they1 as previously1 been valued beyond what you name the emerald1 the ruby and some other fine gems4 ,gentola--,i never have much cared to possess jewels1 but this display is so very beautiful that ,i cannot find words to express my admiration of it4 ,diamonds1 diamonds1 diamonds--glowing and scintillating like stars1 and what a range of coloring they possess--blue1 rose1 yellow and various other hues1 and all so beautiful4 ,do you think1 sir1 that on our ,planet there are diamonds comparable in size1 purity and coloring with these8 ,hugh ,miller--,yes1 in size1 purity and coloring1 our planet possesses diamonds equal to the finest of these4 ,why not8 ,the constituents of the two planets being exactly alike and conditions sufficiently similar1 naturally the same causes that produced the crystallization of these beautiful gems1 would be operative in the formation of the diamond and other gems of our planet4 ,yes1 the diamond is pure carbon1 and to my mind it is the most attractive of gems4 ,we will now pass to the next compartment4 ,gentola--,oh1 how lovely1 how very1 very lovely4 ,i am sure that those are rubies1 and to my taste they are far more beautiful than diamonds4 ,what a variety of shades of color--some pale to deep rose1 from deepest rose to blood red and in their hearts is a glint of fire that makes them seem alive4 ,i never have seen a ruby so large or so brilliant as that beautifully cut1 unset stone on the white velvet cushion4 ,how ,i should like to hold it in my hand4 ,de ,l',ester--,you may attempt it4 ,gentola--,ah1 ,i cannot lift it4 ,why is it that ,i cannot8 ,i feel quite as substantial as when in my physical body1 yet ,i cannot lift even that diminutive stone1 which is no more than an inch in diameter4 ,de ,l',ester--,your physical body has an affinity for matter on the physical plane4 ,your ,spirit body has an affinity only for that which is ,spiritual4 ,diamonds1 rubies1 indeed1 all things are composites of matter and vitalizing spirit4 ,at present1 you attract only the spirit of things1 but as you are not strong enough1 we will form a battery1 which will assist you to accomplish your desire4 ,friends1 you will aid us4 ,now place your left hand on mine1 your right hand under the stone and strongly desire that you shall hold in it the ,spirit of the ruby4 ,try again1 concentrate your will power1 and--ah1 that is well4 ,now slowly withdraw your hand1 and lo1 in your palm is the glowing ,spirit of the rose hued gem1 which in a moment must be returned to its home4 ,gentola--,this is a marvellous lesson4 ,now ,i better comprehend what you term the ,spirit of things4 ,how wondrously lovely is this glowing1 palpitating ,spirit gem4 ,why1 really1 it appears to possess life4 ,oh1 must ,i so soon return it8 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 unless you would have its now lustreless home quickly vanish into imperceptible atoms4 ,touch with your finger tips the material stone4 ,now we will break the circle1 and you will have an illustration of the ,law of ,affinity4 ,observe that as the ,spirit is being absorbed the material stone is regaining its glowing beauty1 and now it is as it was before its ,spirit ,self was attracted by ,spirit on a higher plane of ,being4 ,our experiment concluded1 and your vital energy well nigh exhausted1 we must return you to your material home4 ,that we may intelligently direct our future movements1 we now will visit ,valloa31 and ,george1 ,inez and your loving lad will accompany you ,earthward4 ,if possible1 to-morrow at nine o'clock1 be in readiness for our journey4 ,au revoir4 ,bernard--,oh1 mother1 ,i am so happy to be near you and to know that to you ,i am as real as when in ,earth life you tried to impress ,spiritual truths upon my very material mind4 ,never mind1 mother1 the ,law of ,self atonement is a righteous law1 and having emerged from the shadows of earthly conditions to me the light is all the more glorious4 ,seeing with clearer eyes1 earnestly ,i desire and strive to grow in grace and in a knowledge of all truths4 ,mother1 is not this a strange experience8 ,gentola--,very strange1 my dear2 so much so1 that often ,i imagine that ,i must have been dreaming strange dreams4 ,while1 as now1 ,i am apart from my physical body1 it seems as real as is my daily home life1 but were it not that ,i have been made to keep a record of these journeys1 ,i would retain no realizing sense of them4 ,how quickly we have journeyed1 and until to-morrow ,i must lose sight of you dear ones4 ,bernard--,while you yet can see me1 kiss me1 mother1 dear4 ,george--,and kiss us1 too1 dear sister4 ,good-bye until to-morrow4 ,january #abth1 #ahid4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,ento',s ,,precious ,,stones4 ,bernard--,good-morning1 mother1 dear4 ,gentola--,good-morning1 my son1 a thousand kisses for my dear boy4 ,de ,l',ester--,we1 too1 greet you1 and regret that mentally you are so disturbed4 ,pray console yourself2 affairs seldom go so awry that they cannot be righted4 ,soon yours will be so adjusted that you will not be subjected to interruptions1 which are harmful to you and vexatious to us4 ,your west window is not sufficiently shaded4 ,be pleased to arrange it4 ,now try to tranquillize yourself4 ,join with us in ,invocation to the ,one who is the ,spirit of ,harmony2 thus we also will grow harmonious4 ,infinite1 ,divine ,intelligence of the ,universe1 we1 the children of ,thy ,love1 aspire to grow into a more conscious realization that we are1 because that ,thou art4 ,as step by step1 we strive to climb the ever ascending heights of progress1 ,thou art our support4 ,when1 through our weakness and lack of wisdom we go astray1 ,thou leadest us into straight paths4 ,ever are we reaching toward ,thee1 who art our ,father and our ,mother1 and ,thou givest ,thy ,angels charge concerning us4 ,so will it ever be1 and lovingly we adore ,thee1 in ,whom ever we will abide4 ,amen1 amen4 ,george1 we are ready4 ,nay1 dear lad1 you will require all your strength1 for we are late and must journey quickly1 but you shall remain by your mother's side4 ,gentola31 previous to these visits to ,ento you could not have conceived an idea of the rapidity with which we are traversing space4 ,gentola--,no1 and ,i cannot yet realize it4 ,we must be moving with the velocity of lightning1 still ,i perceive but a slight sensation of motion4 ,it seems as though we are nearly stationary1 while space glides away from us4 ,as ,i grow accustomed to this sensation1 ,i1 too1 at times lose consciousness of time and space4 ,de ,l',ester--,to fully freed spirits this sensation is even less emphasized4 ,this leads me to mention that1 upon becoming wholly freed1 ,spirits1 as a rule1 are not for a time able to recall vivid memories of their mortal existence4 ,upon attempting to manifest through some ,sensitive almost invariably they are asked1 ,what is your name8 ,where did you live8 ,when did you die8 ,the ,spirit endeavors to place himself or herself en rapport with physical conditions involving time and space1 and becomes too bewildered to give a correct reply4 ,should some other ,spirit be present1 as is usual1 the bewildered one may be instructed as to how to make a proper statement4 ,those who have made a study of the spiritual philosophy and phenomena possess some understanding of the process of communication between the two worlds1 and though both their premises and conclusions may be faulty1 such knowledge as they may have acquired will1 when they exchange the physical for the spiritual1 serve them well4 ,not only will it prepare them for the surprises in store for them1 but also for a more intelligent and intelligible return into the conditions of their mortal existence4 ,gently1 gently ,george1 we must not forget that neither your sister or ,bernard are as strong as some time they will be4 ,there are our friends awaiting us4 ,loha1 mentos4 ,ah1 ,zenesta31 you are ever punctual1 and you1 ,humboldt and ,bruno1 shame us for our late arrival4 ,it seems very ungallant to say that ,gentola3 belated us4 ,gentola--,nevertheless it is true1 and ,i beg your indulgence4 ,i am learning that things temporal are likely to conflict with things spiritual1 and this morning ,i have had an unpleasant demonstration of the fact4 ,however1 ,i believe that it was less my fault than my misfortune to be unprepared at the appointed time4 ,de ,l',ester--,as we1 the jury1 are in possession of the facts1 we unanimously pronounce you not guilty1 and now we will proceed to the department we visited yesterday4 ,here is the venerable antiquary still patiently poring over the story of the ,da3-,hlos4 ,zenesta--,i sympathize with the earnest1 gentle looking man1 for ,i recall having passed many days and sleepless nights in similar undertakings4 ,for many minds there is a peculiar fascination in striving to translate an unknown language4 ,i well remember what delight it once afforded me1 and the charm of it yet clings to me4 ,but here is our geologist who will afford you further instruction in relation to these gems4 ,hugh ,miller--,madame1 we first will observe this magnificent collection of sapphires which are so varied in their hues1 so large and beautifully cut that they challenge our highest admiration4 ,gentola--,they are indeed wonderfully beautiful gems4 ,it is a delight to only look at them4 ,you say that oriental rubies are a species of sapphire4 ,why1 ,i supposed that all sapphires were blue4 ,and this1 you say1 is an oriental amethyst1 which also is of the sapphire family4 ,i fear that you think me1 as indeed ,i am1 very ignorant in this direction4 ,hugh ,miller--,my dear madame1 we do not expect you to be learned as to the varieties or qualities of these collections of gems2 ,i am only concerned in instructing you for a purpose4 ,the blue varieties are the true sapphires1 as they alone possess both quality and color4 ,they bear to both the oriental amethyst and ruby the same relation that the true white diamond bears to stones off color4 ,gentola--,pardon me if ,i am interrupting you4 ,here is a gem--that one resting on the white cushion--that is so large1 so radiantly beautiful1 that one can imagine it of ,celestial origin4 ,is it not a true sapphire8 ,yes8 ,ah1 ,i thought so2 it possesses such a living radiance4 ,since ,i have learned that gems are both ,spirit and matter1 ,i shall admire them all the more4 ,how very lovely those rainbow-hued gems are2 are they not opals8 ,hugh ,miller--,yes1 they are opals1 in whose depths the ,spirit of the gem glows like fire4 ,some persons regard these gems as uncanny4 ,some time ,i will tell you something uncanny concerning them4 ,no1 not now2 it would be unwise4 ,a sober-minded scientist would declare that it is through the arrangement of the silicious matter largely composing these gems that the iridescent effects are produced4 ,such an assertion would be but part of a fact4 ,spirit is infinite in its modes of expression1 and were it withdrawn from those gems1 bits of flint would be quite as valuable as those glowing1 scintillating jewels1 which are lovely enough to adorn the ,crown of an ,empress4 ,now1 madame1 what do you suppose these green gems are8 ,emeralds8 ,no1 they are beryls2 and these are aqua marines2 they are of the same family1 the aqua marines being the transparent variety4 ,yes1 both are pretty stones4 ,in this adjoining compartment is an admirable collection of--but perhaps you know what they are4 ,gentola--,from their color ,i should think that they are topazes4 ,i do not greatly admire yellow jewels4 ,hugh ,miller--,do not make the mistake of thinking that all topazes are yellow1 for there are other colors of the same gem1 but the pellucid yellow stone is considered the most desirable variety4 ,these are garnets1 and are fine specimens of the stone4 ,here are deep red ones holding in their hearts imprisoned flames and yellow stones like bits of sunshine4 ,and here are green1 brown and black varieties1 all more or less attractive and useful for various purposes4 ,the next compartment contains carbuncles and some of them are beautiful enough to grace a coronet4 ,yes1 there is a resemblance between the carbuncle and the red garnet1 but their qualities are dissimilar4 ,you have been shown this collection of jewels as a demonstration of their existence on this planet1 and be assured that the ,entoans1 like our ,earth peoples1 regard them with high favor4 ,for lack of time we cannot critically examine this wonderfully fine and comprehensive collection of stones and minerals1 whose exact counterparts are portions of ,earth's treasures4 ,you express surprise that this enormously valuable collection is not better protected against evil-minded persons4 ,perhaps ,inidora3 or ,genessano may enlighten us as to that and other features pertaining to this department4 ,inidora--,previous to the death of our father1 he made known to my brother and me that he possessed a large and valuable collection of jewels which were the accumulations of generations of both his and our mother's ancestry1 and that some of them1 through certain associations1 were especially prized4 ,the ruby which ,gentola3 held in her palm belonged to our dear mother1 who received it as a bridal gift from her mother1 and it was worn sometimes on the arm or bosom1 but generally as a brow ornament4 ,our maternal grandparents possessed a remarkably fine collection of gems1 which1 at their death1 our dear mother1 who was their only child1 inherited1 and as with our father gem collecting was a passion1 and as he also had inherited many rarely fine gems1 it came about that at his death my brother and ,i found ourselves possessed of these joint accumulations of ,ento's most beautiful and valuable jewels4 ,as neither my brother or ,i desired to marry1 we entered into an agreement concerning them that was mutually satisfactory4 ,i need not more than refer to the desires and plans of our parents to found at ,camarissa3 a great ,galarsa3 which should be of lasting benefit to the children of ,ento4 ,but ,i may say that our minds were as one in our desire to carry out their wishes1 and that we might speedily accomplish our purpose1 we resolved that our vast inheritance should be devoted to accomplishing the object so near our hearts4 ,as we were young and inexperienced1 we counselled with our ,supreme ,ruler1 ,tyvon ,oiranza31 who was a man of most generous views1 and he encouraged and aided us in various ways4 ,so with the enthusiasm of youth and with ample means at our command1 we began to prepare for the inception of our work1 and soon1 to our boundless joy1 we saw our cherished plans taking form4 ,as the massive walls began to rise1 our hearts were filled with exultation and as the great structure assumed proportions and the various outer departments began to environ it1 we grew so excited1 so absorbed1 that we scarcely ate or slept4 ,day and night we counselled together and planned for the glory and usefulness of the ,institution which for all time should stand as a reminder of our honored and adored parents4 ,as though it were but yesterday1 ,i recall the last conversation between my brother and myself relating to this ,galarsa34 ,the day had been sultry and the darkening clouds gave intimation of a storm1 but in our eagerness to hasten the work we had labored until the day was nearly ended1 and as we slowly walked toward our nearby home1 the lurid ,sun was dropping below the further shore of ,indoloisa3's quiet waters4 ,suddenly ,genessano passed an arm about my shoulders1 and in a voice tremulous from emotion1 said1 ,inidora31 what if death should come to one or both of us ere our work shall be completed8 ,may ,andmana3 preserve us1 for what should ,i do shouldst thou be taken and ,i left8 ,should ,i be taken1 thy wisdom would suffice for thy needs1 but ,i1 alas6 ,i dare not further speak of it4 ,as we gazed into each others' startled faces tears filled our eyes1 and sadly1 silently1 we entered our home1 the dread shadow of ,phra 7death7 falling over our hearts like a pall4 ,but ,i strove to be courageous1 and at once set about arranging our affairs so that should ,phra1 at an untimely hour1 claim me1 ,genessano would understand my wishes which ,i well knew he would make his own4 ,ere long ,genessano was left to execute our mutual wishes which he did with faithfulness and zeal4 ,heavy hearted he labored until death claimed him1 and to others was left the fulfillment of our plans4 ,that they did so faithfully and efficiently no one can question4 ,concerning the security of the gems1 ,i have only to say that the ,galarsa3 and all pertaining to it belongs to the peoples of ,ento and they are not so foolish or so evil minded as to despoil their own possessions4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 the time allotted for this series of object lessons has expired1 and to the ,galarsa3 and our friend the antiquary who is tranquilly dozing1 we will say au revoir4 ,we now will view ,camarissa31 so that you may form an idea of its extent1 its architecture and other features4 ,observe this slope largely is devoted to detached private residences1 and that the wide1 beautifully paved streets intersect at right angles4 ,at each intersection is a statue or group of statuary1 or a fountain1 or column1 or other ornamental feature4 ,this group of heroic size represents ,genessano ,allis ,immo and his wife1 through whom this great city honors itself by bearing her name4 ,these statues are faithful representations of two of the most admirable spirits ,i ever have met4 ,yes1 ,genessano is very like his father1 and ,inidora3 resembles his mother1 who is a marvellously lovely woman4 ,from the slopes eastward the city extends about ten ,english miles1 but from its northern to its southern limit is quite twenty ,english miles4 ,being the head of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 naturally a large population has centred here and it is1 with the exception of one other1 the most populous and wealthy city of ,ento4 ,the population is about one million seven hundred thousand1 and it is the greatest manufacturing and commercial city on the ,planet4 ,beneficent1 indeed1 was the conception and execution of the ,system which has recovered for the uses of the people lands which long ago would have become deserts4 ,the system now extends more than four thousand miles1 and rapidly is progressing toward encircling the planet4 ,on our planet the undertaking would not be considered feasible1 but with the means at command of the ,entoans1 it is not now regarded as extraordinary4 ,with them the science of engineering in all its expressions is far in advance of what is known of it on ,earth4 ,then1 too1 they so well understand the energies of electricity and vibration that1 if they desired1 they might shatter their planet into fragments4 ,looking along the waterway we see lofty columns whose massive bases are of stone1 but the columns are of a metal known to the ,entoans as ,flaen4 ,it is very light and very ductile4 ,as yet it is unknown on ,earth4 ,the elements do not corrode it1 and it is a non-conductor of electricity1 which renders it suitable for this and some other purposes4 ,those columns are used as electric light towers1 and so high is the illuminating power that it well nigh turns night into day4 ,electricity as an illuminant and for all possible purposes is so cheaply procured as to be within the means of all requiring its use4 ,throughout the irrigated belt and on most portions of ,ento there are ,stations where thoroughly trained persons attend to the production and distribution of electric currents1 and so valued is life that accidents are of very rare occurrence4 ,were we not obliged to hasten our movements1 we would take you through some of those stately as well as through some of those less pretentious residences4 ,as you perceive there are no mean or squalid homes4 ,nowhere on ,ento are there impoverished persons1 and everywhere there is cleanliness1 comfort and more or less of the elegancies of culture4 ,ento has progressed beyond the crime of privileged classes1 those generators of debauchery and poverty4 ,industry is made obligatory upon all able to work and few1 excepting the very aged1 are unable to labor4 ,right living engenders health and aside from their dread of death which depresses them mentally1 consequently physically1 the ,entoans live righteously and enjoy length of days4 ,no1 there are no jails1 penitentiaries1 or almshouses4 ,those whom age1 accident1 disease or other causes have rendered helpless1 are cared for1 not as paupers1 but as hapless children of ,andmana3 for whom it is a pleasure and a duty to provide4 ,alcohol in its various forms is a commercial commodity1 but drunkenness is forbidden and unknown4 ,chastity is universal4 ,polygamous relations do not exist4 ,official corruption or betrayal of a trust are reckoned as heinous crimes against society1 and no one seems inclined to sin in either direction4 ,have ,i answered all your questions8 ,gentola--,yes1 all that occur to me at this time1 and while paying close attention to your replies ,i have been gazing at this great and beautiful city and those wonderful ,air ,transports1 rising like huge birds1 then moving away so steadily1 so noiselessly1 save for that singing sound which is rather agreeable4 ,i am curious to see their mechanism1 but first allow me to see more of ,camarissa34 ,when all those great light towers are ablaze1 from this elevation the view must be magnificent4 ,you have said that some time ,i should see ,ento by night4 ,pray do not forget your promise4 ,with all my heart ,i wish that some of our ,earth architects might see some of those grandly beautiful temples and public buildings4 ,i miss one feature of our temple architecture1 which is the spire1 but ,i consider those great shining domes with their delicate ornamentation1 far more beautiful4 ,what flower lovers the ,entoans must be4 ,wherever we have gone there is such an exquisite display of blooms that constantly ,i am wishing that ,i might carry some of them home with me1 and really it seems odd that ,i cannot4 ,see that great vessel coming so swiftly along the waterway and what a swarm of smaller ones go darting along the street canals4 ,de ,l',ester1 how are they propelled8 ,de ,l',ester--,by an electric appliance4 ,on ,ento an understanding of the science of mechanics is far in advance of the same on ,earth4 ,you may have observed that in persons who have lost or never have possessed the sense of sight1 there is an abnormal development of other senses1 for nature ever is striving to maintain an equilibrium4 ,thus1 the ,entoans1 whose religious beliefs have for so long stood as an impassable barrier between them and an understanding of certain sciences1 notably of astronomy and to a degree of geology1 have developed in other directions4 ,you have expressed a desire for a closer view of the ,air ,transports1 so we will visit yonder ,station4 ,i will assist you4 ,look downward now4 ,is not ,camarissa3 a wonderfully beautiful city8 ,ah me1 it will be a long time before ,earth will possess a city so free from the blemishes of poverty and degradation4 ,the architecture1 the statues1 fountains and other features form such a harmonious and charming picture that one is constrained to admire the genius and culture of a people capable of presenting such fine effects4 ,i have said that the ,entoans make small use of more than two motive powers4 ,i must correct that statement1 for1 to a very considerable extent1 for certain purposes1 they also use compressed and liquefied air4 ,we now will descend to the ,station4 ,none of our present party are learned as to electrical appliances1 but we may enlighten you a little4 ,one of a line of ,transports is about to rise1 and it is laden with passengers and merchandise4 ,stored electricity is the motive power of this and of most ,air ,transports1 but all are provided with ,generators1 to if necessary1 increase the supply4 ,it is not advisable to attempt a detailed description of the form and dimensions of this ,transport1 which is one of average size1 but ,i shall call your attention to its principal features4 ,you perceive that underneath and running its entire length is a cylindrical shaft of the metal known as ,flaen4 ,around it1 arranged spirally1 are huge ,flaen fans1 which are set in motion by the swift revolutions of the screw like cylinder4 ,at the rear is a fan shaped ,flaen structure1 which presently you will see revolving with tremendous velocity4 ,across the front is this great horizontal ,flaen rod1 which is held in place by strong metal sockets1 in which it revolves4 ,the ends or arms of the rod1 extending on either side1 are surrounded by ,vossala3a3 7climbers74 ,when the ,transport rises you will better understand this part of its mechanism4 ,all ,transports are cigar shaped1 so that they may offer slight resistance to the atmosphere and when they alight1 those compressed air cylinders prevent concussion4 ,the doorways are being closed4 ,from the windows the passengers call ,info ,oovista3a3 7adieus7 and now the ,transport is about to rise4 ,now the fan encircled1 cylindrical shaft and the arms of the ,vossala3a3 begin to revolve1 the climbers1 like great wings1 open out and the ,transport1 with long sweeping undulations rises1 rises1 and at an altitude of a thousand or more feet1 goes eastward4 ,to at all understand the construction of these truly wonderful ,air ,carriers one must be versed in both mechanics and electrical engineering1 and we are not learned in either of them4 ,do not make the mistake of thinking that ,spirits know everything2 we know only what we have learned1 and we are and ever will be students in a school which never graduates its pupils4 ,another transport is about to rise and we will be invisible passengers4 ,all aboard1 friends4 ,now we rise for a hundred feet or so2 now we dip a little2 again we rise1 and with an undulating movement we have ascended far above ,camarissa31 which sits among the shining waters and under the silvery mist veiling1 but not concealing its beauties4 ,genessano--,gentola31 let me ask you to turn your gaze toward the ,galarsa34 ,is not it a grandly beautiful structure8 ,and even at this distance1 you may perceive the majestic form and benignant face of my father smiling us a farewell4 ,gentola--,it is indeed grandly beautiful4 ,its lofty1 cream-tinted walls surmounted by those magnificent statues1 and its great1 shining dome towering toward the blue sky1 present a most charming spectacle4 ,i clearly perceive the statue of your father1 whose majestic form and benignant face will retain a place in my memories of ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,the leaves of the climbers and the fans of the cylindrical shaft are revolving with tremendous velocity1 and the ,transport is moving through the air1 nearly a hundred miles an hour2 yet one perceives only a slight vibration4 ,the entire mechanism is under perfect control of the engineer and his assistants1 and not for a moment do they relax their alert attention to their duties4 ,the passengers1 who appear quite at their ease1 converse or gaze from the windows at the widespread panorama4 ,we will repair to the rear platform1 which will afford us a finer view4 ,no1 accidents scarcely ever occur to these arial conveyances4 ,gentola--,how marvellous this all is4 ,this swiftly moving ,transport1 like a great bird flying through the air1 and yonder wonderful ,system of ,irrigation and ,waterways on which vessels great and small are passing in all directions4 ,at night1 when those great light towers illumine cities1 towns and country1 the scene must be enchanting4 ,two features of ,ento strike me forcibly4 ,one is the universally apparent prosperity of its peoples1 the other is the architecture of cities1 towns and country places4 ,even the country houses are picturesque and very pretty4 ,i do not recall that ,i have seen one squalid1 mean dwelling4 ,i shall not soon forget the first time ,i stood in the ,court of ,honor of the ,white ,city of our ,world's ,fair4 ,it looked so familiar1 so like some scenes that some time1 somewhere1 ,i had beheld1 that a sense of bewilderment came over me1 and for a time ,i thought that ,i must have dreamed of some similar scene4 ,then you1 ,de ,l',ester1 spoke to me1 and ,i recalled that on ,ento ,i had beheld structures and scenes similar to1 but far more beautiful than those presented by the ,court of ,honor4 ,no1 ,i do not as distinctly remember these ,ento experiences as ,i remember some dreams which really sometimes come true4 ,bruno--,by some persons dreams are regarded as the reflex of incidents and impressions of waking hours1 and frequently they are the result of more or less related and distorted images1 which from time to time are impressed upon the ,animal ,soul1 or so termed objective consciousness4 ,but there are dreams and dreams4 ,a genius1 so called1 is a ,sensitive whose waking dreams are the conceptions of exalted ,spirit minds1 reflected or projected upon his or her aura1 which1 like a mirror1 receives the impression and in turn reflects it upon the brain of the ,sensitive4 ,to the great poet ,sensitive come the words and rhythm of songs which stir the hearts of the world4 ,to the great sculptor comes a waking dream of beauty1 and from marble he releases a form so flawless that through centuries it commands the adoring admiration of artistic souls4 ,to the great painter comes a conception of enchanting scenes or of forms and faces whose witchery enthralls all beholders4 ,to the great architect1 the true builder1 come ideals so exalted that neither human intelligence or human hands have yet executed them4 ,ask the great architect and builder of your time1 if he has even once succeeded in embodying his highest ideal of his art1 and ,i do not hesitate in saying that he will answer no1 no4 ,be assured that all so called geniuses are ,sensitives1 whose births were not of yesterday1 for to spirit there is neither beginning or ending4 ,ento's fine architecture is the result of impressions received not only from exalted ,ento ,spirits1 but also from ,spirits of other ,planetary ,spirit ,realms4 ,as there can be but ,one ,mind in the ,universe1 all its expressions must vibrate in harmony with either its major or its minor chords2 thus1 the architects1 designers and other artists who spoke into form and color1 your beautiful ,white ,city1 were as truly inspired as were some of olden times1 who declared1 ,thus saith the ,lord4 ,de ,l',ester--,below us is ,gandlana3's shining waters1 extending from north to south1 a little more than one hundred miles4 ,from its western to its eastern shore its length is quite sixty miles4 ,you perceive that its outline is nearly oval1 and that at intervals its shores are dotted with towns and villages1 whose inhabitants are engaged in the various pursuits of well conducted communities4 ,in the larger towns are manufacturing and commercial interests1 but residents of the villages are engaged in cultivating the surrounding lands4 ,for the convenience of transportation and for the retention of the yearly over-flow1 ,ento's lakes and rivers have been greatly enlarged2 thus1 the depth of ,gandlana3 ,loisa3 nearly equals that of ,indoloisa34 ,ento's atmosphere being extremely humid1 and the rain and snowfall of both the northern and southern hemispheres being very heavy1 since time immemorial it has been necessary to provide means of protection against the annual inundation1 which comes and goes with phenomenal rapidity4 ,all over the cultivated portions of the planet are artificial lakes of considerable extent1 which really are storage receptacles1 at times1 of much needed water4 ,what were the principal causes leading to the aridity of the ,equatorial lands8 ,we have informed you that largely it was through the levelling of the planet1 which led to extreme porosity of the soil4 ,but another factor contributed to the calamity4 ,previous to and for centuries after the establishment of the national religion1 the ,entoans were so unwise as to1 for various purposes1 denude the equatorial forests4 ,in time they perceived their error1 and during later centuries they have been endeavoring to restore them1 thereby increasing the rainfall and oxygenating the impoverished atmosphere4 ,yes1 we know that ages ago the equatorial regions were traversed by mountain ranges that now are mere vestiges of their once lofty grandeur1 and where now are desert lands1 were lakes and abounding water courses4 ,once ,gandlana3 ,loisa3 was one of a series of great fresh water lakes1 extending far toward the northeast1 but for many an ,ento century previous to the inception of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system it had been an ever lessening and isolated lake4 ,since then it has been greatly deepened4 ,naturally1 the equatorial lands have suffered from the levelling process to a greater degree than have the lands of the temperate and colder regions4 ,the temperature of the equatorial regions being high1 induces rapid evaporation1 and the soil to a great depth being very porous1 it so quickly absorbs water that the flood of to-day is the drought of to-morrow4 ,thus the necessity of water storage is apparent4 ,beneath us is the eastern shore of ,gandlana3 ,loisa31 which marks the boundary line between the ,provinces of ,ond and of ,wya3mo4 ,camarissa31 the capital city of ,ond1 is a little south of the equatorial line1 which at this moment we have crossed1 and now the ,transport is descending to the large town on the lake shore4 ,down1 down1 we are dropping4 ,how carefully the descent is regulated1 and with what precision the ,transport alights upon the platform4 ,gentola31 observe the passengers as they descend from the transport4 ,gentola--,that is what ,i am doing4 ,that magisterial looking personage1 wearing a white robe1 bordered with purple1 has exceedingly fine eyes1 so large1 so brilliant1 so full of expression4 ,and that swarthy gentleman1 robed in dark blue1 with gold embroidered collar and sleeves1 is a very striking figure4 ,what a number of passengers there are4 ,some are very dark complexioned1 others less so1 and here are two men and a woman1 who are blue eyed1 very fair complexioned1 and they have the loveliest blonde hair1 waving quite to their shoulders4 ,i must say that of all the ,entoans ,i have seen1 not one could be called ill-favored1 and very few less than handsome4 ,then their sincere and gentle expression1 their nobility of carriage and pensive gravity of manner inspire me with both admiration and sympathy1 especially so1 since ,i have come to understand their hopeless religious belief4 ,yes1 ,i greatly admire the clothing worn by both men and women4 ,the ,robes worn by those gentlemen add much to the grace and dignity of their appearance1 but the ,robes worn by the women1 to my mind1 are still more admirable4 ,they are not so voluminous as to conceal the outlines of the form1 and at the waist line they are loosely confined by beautiful girdles of various designs and materials4 ,as to fabrics1 style of cut1 and ornamentation1 there is much diversity1 but all are more or less attractive1 and certainly they must be comfortable4 ,no1 ,i have not on ,ento seen one shabbily clothed person1 which is more than ,i can say of our planet1 for among the many millions of earth there are multitudes of poor1 degraded1 wretched beings1 whose poverty1 misery and rags are a continual protest against the selfish inhumanity of those of higher estate4 ,it seems strange that although the peoples of our planet for the most part believe in a continuity of existence1 they live as though the present existence is the end of all4 ,each man's hand is against his brother1 and among nations the struggle for place and power drenches our world with blood and our prisons1 almshouses1 asylums for the insane are filled with criminals and other unfortunates4 ,compared with the gentle1 civilized1 unbelieving ,entoans1 we are uncivilized1 believing savages4 ,i no longer wonder that to the ,spirit ,worlds our ,planet is known as the ,sorrowful ,star4 ,de ,l',ester--,patience1 patience1 ,gentola34 ,although the contrast between ,ento's and ,earth's social conditions is very marked1 evolution means progress1 and slowly1 but surely1 the peoples of our planet are emerging into higher conceptions of truth4 ,inevitably1 a period will arrive when the surface of ,earth will have become as level as is the surface of ,ento4 ,just so surely a period will arrive when the unequal social conditions of ,earth will be a thing of the past1 and there will be a universal recognition of the rights of all4 ,what is it1 ,genessano8 ,genessano--,i wish ,gentola3 to observe the person who1 at this moment1 is ascending the steps of the ,transport4 ,he is a ,priest of the ,inner ,sanctuary of the ,temple ,zim4 ,one of those with whom the ,gods commune4 ,one whom we would term a ,sensitive4 ,accompanying him are several ,novices1 who have not yet made ,vows of ,consecration4 ,i recall days of long ago1 when as youths1 ,inidora3 and ,i knelt before ,priests of this ,order1 receiving from them instruction relating to our religion4 ,to us they then appeared too holy to share the common fate of ,andmana3's other children4 ,indeed1 outside of their ,order1 no one ever learns of their death4 ,they disappear and no one questions as to what has become of them4 ,knowing this1 our boyish imagination invested them not only with uncommon sanctity1 but1 as did our parents1 with a certain mystery4 ,you have become aware that usually ,spirits can read the thoughts of mortals1 and thus ,i can say that1 as a rule the priesthood of ,ento1 especially the ,sensitive ,priests1 serve sincerely their conception of the ,infinite ,one4 ,it may interest you to learn that the ,ento name of this order is ,oim vosten-da3 fanlista31 which in your language1 ,de ,l',ester says1 would mean consecrated to the mystery4 ,it is true that they are consecrated to a mystery which they wholly misunderstand4 ,being ,sensitives1 they commune with ,spirits on a level with or possibly above the level of their own spiritual evolvement1 who still cling to and encourage them in an observance of the old superstitions4 ,for the reason that a peculiar qualification is requisite1 the number of ,priests admitted into this ,order is quite limited4 ,of course1 we understand that the qualification is the ,sensitive condition4 ,de ,l',ester--,friends1 as the ,transport is about to rise1 we will embark4 ,george1 ,george1 you are incorrigible4 ,gentola31 if you lend yourself to participation in his mischievous pranks you will demoralize those staid ,entoans4 ,by your touches on his face and hands1 you have so disconcerted that ,official that he has quite forgotten the dignity of his position4 ,it is amusing to see him turning this way and that1 in a vain quest for the person who has taken such uncourteous liberties4 ,gentola31 with all your gravity you1 too1 are inclined for a bit of fun4 ,gentola--,it is the old story3 ,george did tempt me and ,i weakly yielded4 ,that ,official looked so serene and so very dignified that ,i felt a strong desire to startle him4 ,his expression of dismay as he looked at his hands and rubbed his face and found no one near him1 who could have touched him1 was most laughable4 ,he still looks disturbed and thoughtful4 ,if he could hear me1 ,i would ask his pardon4 ,george--,upon my word1 ,i think he might hear you4 ,i perceived that he is a very sensitive person1 else ,i should not have asked you to touch him4 ,shall we test him1 ,de ,l',ester8 ,de ,l',ester--,not now4 ,the ,transport is rising and we must not delay our journey4 ,we will remain on the balcony1 so that ,gentola3 and ,bernard may view the country4 ,we still are passing in a direction north of east1 and across the ,province of ,wya3mo1 which is more extensive than is ,ond4 ,you perceive that the surface of the country grows a trifle more rugged1 and now we are passing over the diamond bearing locality1 spoken of by ,inidora34 ,though unlearned in the sciences of civil and hydraulic engineering1 one realizes the wonderful skill through which this vast area of irrigation and navigation is controlled1 so that even during the season of floods1 no disasters occur4 ,the elevation we are crossing is a vestige of an ancient mountain range4 ,not seriously interfering with the ,system1 it was because of its picturesqueness1 left undisturbed4 ,its length is about one hundred miles and at intervals there are natural rifts through which this ,waterway and canals have been carried4 ,later you will observe that ,ento's ,waterways are double2 that is1 there is the ,waterway proper and its ,feeder1 which at times furnishes such supplies of water as may be needed to keep the main ,waterway at a proper depth4 ,yes1 the ,feeder is for small vessels navigable1 but as you will see a large portion of the ,system1 you will better understand this matter4 ,you perceive that the height is clothed with verdure and dotted with residences1 istoira3s and other structures4 ,how prolific this region is1 yet not so very long ago it was nearly a desert4 ,now its large population obtains from its rich lands not only ample sustenance for themselves1 but great quantities of grains1 vegetables and fruits are exported to other localities4 ,all manner of tropical fruits are grown1 and ,i can assure you that some varieties are very like some fruits grown in our own tropical countries4 ,i know your fear of ridicule through making such statements4 ,do not concern yourself4 ,your astronomers and other scientists of less than half a century hence1 will have obtained information concerning ,ento that now they do not even dream of4 ,our journey of to-day embraces a portion of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 which is continuous toward the east4 ,i have mentioned that the system is about #a1djj ,english miles wide1 and that at this time it is more than #d1jjj miles long4 ,understand that ,i now am speaking of the system embracing the equatorial desert lands1 and other arid lands adjacent1 for1 as you will have occasion to observe1 irrigation is general all over the arable portions of the planet1 and ,i do not wish to have you confound the general with the special ,system1 which is a most scientific work and quite apart from ordinary methods of irrigation4 ,the waterway which now is beneath us1 runs in a straight line to ,loisa3 ,taimon1 which we are nearing4 ,on its shores are many towns1 villages and a not very extensive city1 named ,glnoyas 7crescent shaped74 ,there is another city--but of that ,i shall not now speak4 ,a feature of ,ento is that wherever there is a body or stream of fresh water1 there the people congregate4 ,thus1 around ,taimon there is a dense population1 many of whom farm the rich and fertile lands beneath us4 ,next to death1 the ,entoans dread isolation and darkness4 ,by a residence in cities1 towns and villages they escape both4 ,gentola--,why is it that to-day we have seen no animals8 ,de ,l',ester--,for the reason that ,ento's orientals seldom1 if ever1 eat meat4 ,for other purposes they do not require animals4 ,no1 there are no positive religious restrictions relating to the eating of meat1 but orientals do not seem to care for it1 and then nearly all ,entoans shrink from taking life1 even of animals4 ,climatic conditions on this1 as on other planets1 exercise a strong influence in the selection of human foods4 ,in the colder regions an oleaginous diet is necessary4 ,in temperate climes this requirement is less marked1 and in oriental countries generally there is a positive aversion for animal food4 ,aside from climatic influences there is another factor to be recognized4 ,as humans evolve beyond the influence of the animal plane1 they grow less inclined to kill that they may eat4 ,this is a universal1 though generally unrecognized law4 ,in earlier ages1 the ,entoans1 to a greater extent than now1 were meat eaters1 and at present1 in colder climes1 the people consume larger quantities of various fishes1 which rather illogically1 they scarcely regard as meat4 ,as air transports bear to them the products of all lands1 they do so from choice4 ,yonder is ,taimon1 the beautiful1 reflecting in its placid depths1 fleecy clouds and sapphire sky4 ,that it might serve as part of the ,system centuries ago1 it1 like ,gandlana3 ,loisa31 was greatly deepened2 otherwise the huge vessels traversing the waterways could not ride on their waters4 ,on your first visit to ,ento you saw in the distance something resembling railway cars4 ,you now may have a closer view of ,ento's ,tuzamos1 for yonder is a long train drawing into a station1 nearby the ,transport ,station to which we are descending4 ,those tramway carriages traverse a large portion of the ,planet1 the motive power being electric4 ,we will not await the landing of the transport1 but will proceed to the ,tuzamo ,station1 where doubtless we shall find matters of interest to you two voyagers4 ,first1 we will visit this telegraphic station where dispatches are being sent to and received from all portions of the ,planet4 ,we are not learned in this marvel of atmospheric telegraphy1 which is the system generally in use on ,ento4 ,by means of this delicate mechanism1 which appears so simple1 but is so complex1 messages instantaneously reach any designated point4 ,the clumsier method of ground currents1 still to a limited extent1 connects rural ,istoira3s with ,temples4 ,not for many centuries have wires been used4 ,ground currents superseded that system1 which in turn has been set aside by the atmospheric system4 ,we have informed you that the entire public service of ,ento is under the supervision and control of the general government1 which holds all officials and employes to a strict account of their several duties4 ,the general government not only controls1 but also owns1 the ,tuzamo ,system1 the ,transport ,system1 the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 the ,telegraphic and other ,systems in which the interests of all the peoples are concerned4 ,the lands1 too1 are owned by the general government1 and no proprietor occupies more than a specified acreage1 which in no case exceeds the needs of his or her household4 ,on occupied lands there is a rental1 or taxation1 which is so slight as to be far from oppressive1 and the revenues derived from this and other sources are used for the support of the general government1 and for the prosecution of enterprises for the general good4 ,always1 residences and other improvements1 belong to the proprietor and may be sold or transferred4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 although this spacious ,station and all pertaining to it is new to you and to me1 and those people of various races are1 in size1 dress and other peculiarities1 somewhat unlike our earth people1 still there is such a strong1 general resemblance to them and to this scene that ,i scarcely can realize that ,i am on another ,planet4 ,then1 look at those ,tuzamos1 are not they in appearance1 very like our ,railway ,cars8 ,de ,l',ester--,certainly1 their construction is similar to that of our railway cars1 but if you will observe closely you will perceive that they present several striking differences4 ,for instance1 the driving wheels are enormously large1 and there are three sets of truck wheels1 the middle set running in the groove of the central rail1 and the rails are not in sections1 all being firmly welded into continuity1 which greatly adds to their permanence and to the safety of those connected with the ,tuzamo service1 or who travel in those elegantly appointed carriages4 ,genessano1 can you inform us as to when ,tuzamos first came into use on ,ento8 ,genessano--,i am not quite certain1 but ,inidora3 may know4 ,inidora31 ino intessa3 varo mya3 ,tuzamos inga fosd8 ,inidora--,at the time of the ,establishment of the ,national ,religion they were known1 for in the ,sacred ,writings they are referred to1 and not as though they then were a modern invention4 ,i recall that during my mortal existence ,i saw pictured representations of those ancient conveyances1 which were quite unlike these admirably constructed and artistically finished carriages4 ,george--,i have been looking about the city and if you are through with your observation of the ,tuzamos1 ,i can promise ,gentola3 and ,bernard a view of something that may interest them4 ,de ,l',ester--,come1 friends1 and learn what our enterprising ,englishman has discovered4 ,gentola31 allow me to assist you4 ,ah1 a temple1 and how beautiful it is4 ,in form it is perfectly circular1 with great flights of steps surrounding about two-thirds of its circumference4 ,it is built of white marble1 and from base to dome its walls are so covered with intricate and delicate sculpture that it presents the appearance of beautiful filmy lace4 ,george1 this will interest more than ,gentola3 and ,bernard1 for this is the first time that ,inidora31 ,genessano or ,i have seen this somewhat noted ,temple ,soya3von ,telissa34 7,name of ,andmana3's cup bearer47 ,gentola31 you will attempt a description of its interior1 but as you are not apt at estimating dimensions1 ,i will say that its diameter is about one hundred and twenty feet1 and that its height from the floor to the apex of the dome is quite one hundred feet4 ,you now will proceed4 ,gentola--,though it is not so spacious or so magnificent as some of the temples of ,camarissa31 to my mind it is the most beautiful temple ,i ever have seen4 ,the walls are marvels of decoration in tinted woods1 paintings and sculpture1 which ,i cannot attempt to describe4 ,the seats are arranged as in an amphitheater1 thus affording a full view of the altar1 which is in the centre of the temple and directly under the dome4 ,the altar of pure white marble is circular in form1 and it rises tier above tier to a height1 ,i should say1 of thirty feet1 and is surmounted by a wonderfully lovely life-size female figure1 whose marble lips are parted by a smile of adorable sweetness4 ,the three tiers are supported by flower-wreathed marble columns and male and female forms1 their drapery falling about them in such filmy folds that it seems as though a breath of air might stir it4 ,each tier of the altar is sculptured in designs of grains1 fruits and flowers1 so delicate1 so exquisite1 that one scarcely can believe it the work of mortals4 ,on the lower tier are great golden bowls filled with grains and fruits1 and the air is perfumed with the fragrance of flowers1 whose yellow and crimson blooms are in vivid contrast with the snowy altar and its adornments4 ,the floor is a mosaic1 realistically representing the azure sky1 and radiating from the base of the altar of sun rays in shades of red and yellow4 ,the temple is lighted through the great crystal dome1 whose blended sun-rays1 falling downward onto the whiteness of the altar1 produce an indescribably beautiful and peculiar effect4 ,over the temple entrances are inscriptions which you1 ,zenesta31 will be kind enough to translate into my language4 ,zenesta ,hao--,i shall do so with pleasure4 ,over the eastern entrance is inscribed1 ,to ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 ,who giveth life and all that is4 ,over the northern entrance ,i read1 ,divine ,messengers of ,andmana31 we implore you to bear to ,him our ceaseless supplications for prolonged life4 ,over the southern entrance is a prayer which is the keynote of all ,ento prayers4 ,sorrowfully1 but submissively1 we yield ourselves to ,thy decrees1 oh ,thou ,who at ,thy pleasure createst and destroyest4 ,gentola31 you have come to realize that love of life is the dominant desire of my people1 and ,i who remember the desolation which death brought into my own mortal existence can well understand their ever increasing dread of the certain approach of the unseen1 relentless ,god ,phra 7death74 ,observe that the western doorway opens into a lofty and wide hallway1 leading to the residence of the high priest and his attendant ,priests and ,priestesses4 ,it now is on the stroke of the noon hour1 and in all the temples of ,ento prayers and offerings will be made to ,andmana3 and ,his ,messengers4 ,you now will resume your descriptive remarks4 ,gentola--,in the gallery over the western doorway male and female voices1 accompanied by the low tones of a vohoida3 7resembles a pipe organ7 chant softly and continuously4 ,now the wide doors slide into the wall1 and six boys clothed in red garments enter1 bearing golden bowls filled with grain4 ,they are followed by six girls clothed in yellow1 who bear golden trays of various fruits4 ,ranging themselves around the altar1 these children place upon it the bowls of grain and trays of fruit1 and retire backward a short distance4 ,now six youths and as many maidens approach2 the youths bear vases of red1 the maidens1 vases of yellow blooms1 which also are placed on the altar1 and all retire to near where the children with an expectant air are standing4 ,quietly the worshippers have entered1 and the chanting of the singers and the strains of the vohoida3 have grown so mournfully pathetic that ,i cannot refrain from tears4 ,now the music swells into fuller tones1 and with stately tread a majestic looking ,priest advances through the western doorway4 ,he is clothed in a rich silken red robe1 and around his head1 holding back from his forehead his dark1 abundant1 waved hair is a gold fillet ornamented with red jewels4 ,over his forehead the fillet supports a ,sun of red and yellow jewels which are dazzling in their splendor4 ,in his left hand he carries a long golden rod tipped with a ,sun of red and yellow jewels4 ,as he approaches the altar the people rise1 and with bowed heads stand motionless4 ,attending him are priests and priestesses robed in red and yellow1 wearing gold fillets adorned with red and yellow jewelled ,suns which gleam against their dusky hair4 ,now the high priest raises the ,sun tipped rod toward the dome4 ,the attendant ,priests and ,priestesses with uplifted hands bend low before the altar4 ,the people still stand with bowed heads1 and the vohoida3 seems to be murmuring a wordless prayer as he passes around the altar1 touching with the rod each bowl and vase4 ,having made the circuit of the altar he bends low toward the east1 the north1 the south1 and the west1 and now1 with upturned face1 he extends his hands toward the sun crowned dome1 and his lips utter words that ,i do not understand4 ,now as he turns toward the altar his dark hued face glowing with religious fervor1 his luminous eyes shining with the brightness of the jewelled ,sun above his forehead1 his majestic form towering above the low bending worshippers1 one might imagine him a veritable ,god4 ,zenesta31 ,i beg of you to conclude the description of this scene4 ,zenesta ,hao--,the sun is at its meridian1 and its glowing radiance1 falling through the red and gold of the dome1 glorifies the snowy altar and the high priest1 who with upraised arms reverently intones a prayer4 ,high ,priest--,andmana31 onos zeloisa3 noifen finos endessa3 raos ta3 valo1 myen quandesta34 ,raos ta3 flen1 tsensen toivan oomii4 ,neffan imha3 vamnya3 dista3 oimen4 ,endemissa3 kenoita3 lotas talita3 ,neffan doya3 tman gamina3s ,dia3a34 ,ra34 ,ra34 ,ra34 ,zenesta ,hao--,the midday service is concluded1 and to the tremulous tones of the vohoida3 and the low chanting of the ,singers1 the ,high ,priest followed by his attendants and the offering bearers1 retires through the western entrance4 ,silently the worshippers have dispersed1 and we are the sole occupants of the temple4 ,rendered into your language this is the sense of the ,high ,priest's closing prayer3 ,andmana31 we beseech ,thee to accept our humble offering and our reverent adoration1 and we implore ,thee to bestow upon us ,thy most precious gift1 lengthened life4 ,in this instance ,ra3 signifies so be it4 ,gentola--,inidora31 ,i should think that this service would remind you of bygone days4 ,inidora--,truly1 it does1 for my brother and ,i1 with children of families attached to our parents' estate1 were offering bearers of our home ,istoira31 of which our father's brother ,foras ,immo1 was ,priest4 ,it was the ardent wish of our ,uncle1 ,foras ,immo1 that ,genessano should enter the priesthood1 but my brother did not favor the idea1 so it was abandoned4 ,on our estate were a number of families whose co-operative labor afforded them more than an ample subsistence1 and ,genessano and ,i1 with their children1 who were to us as brothers and sisters1 attended the estate school1 over which1 for as long as his short life lasted1 our beloved ,uncle ,foras presided4 ,de ,l',ester informs me that on your planet strange social distinctions prevail4 ,that employer and employed occupy different social levels4 ,since all are the children of the same creative power1 how can that be8 ,gentola--,for the reason that our people are yet very immature2 they do not1 as a rule1 act justly2 thus1 there are various grades of society whose members may be worthy or the reverse4 ,i regret to say that1 on ,earth1 frequently the accident of birth or the inheritance or accumulation of wealth1 confers upon very unworthy persons high social distinction and power4 ,i should like to know how this state of affairs compares with social conditions of ,ento4 ,zenesta ,hao--,as ,de ,l',ester desires that ,i shall reply to your query1 ,i shall say that with all ,entoans merit is the measure of men and women4 ,i have learned that on your planet official position confers honor and dignity upon an incumbent4 ,on ,ento it is the character and conduct of the incumbent that confers honor and dignity upon the office4 ,on ,ento official position is regarded as a trust1 and woe be to the man or woman weak or wicked enough to betray it4 ,i may safely say that not within many centuries have men or women been base enough to1 through official misconduct1 forever set themselves apart as something to be shunned by right minded people4 ,i also have learned that on your ,planet all persons are not equal before the laws of your various national governments4 ,on ,ento1 from the ,supreme ,ruler to the humblest citizen1 all possess equal rights and all are held amenable to the written and unwritten laws and customs1 recognized as being standards of right conduct4 ,it is true that ,ento's ,supreme ,rulers1 in a sense1 are autocratic1 their decisions confirming or annulling any law or usage deemed unsuited to conditions or times2 but1 whatever the laws may be1 their observance applies to ruler and citizen with equal force4 ,of course1 this state of society has not always existed2 indeed1 ,ento's historical records relate that1 during many centuries preceding the establishment of the ,national ,religion1 between nations whose rulers were cruel1 ambitious men or women1 there was continuous warfare1 and thus the peoples were urged on to mutual destruction4 ,finally1 one ,foras ,ah-,h1 of a far north land1 gathered about him an immense army1 with which he subdued all opposition and established absolute law and order4 ,as he proceeded in his mission1 the common people hailed him as their deliverer1 as one sent by ,andmana3 to rescue them from extermination1 but it took quite ten ,ento years to allay all disorder and to establish the government under one ,supreme ,ruler4 ,thereafter1 from time to time1 insurrections occurred1 but ere long unruly persons came to understand that the laws were for all1 and that all must obey them4 ,the reign of ,foras ,ah-,h was one of continuous effort for the rights of all peoples1 and he lived to see the ,entoans united under one ruler1 and at his death his eldest son1 ,foras ,ah-,h1 succeeded him as ,supreme ,ruler4 ,emulating his father's admirable example1 he established more firmly such laws and usages as were found to subserve the highest interests of the entire peoples4 ,from that period onward1 the ,entoans1 under the protection and control of a firm but beneficent government1 have continuously unfolded in their conceptions of all that pertains to the welfare of humanity1 until in these days the expressions of their civilization give promise of a grand future4 ,not yet have they conceived an idea of the impersonality of the ,infinite ,spirit4 ,not yet have they learned the inestimable fact of their own immortality4 ,but in thy time and way1 oh ,thou ,infinitely ,supreme ,one1 ,thou wilt bring them into a knowledge of the grandest of all truths1 the continuity of life4 ,friends1 if ,i have spoken at too great length1 you will pardon me4 ,one thought so easily leads to another1 and old memories1 like ghostly shades1 so clamor for recognition1 that they1 not ,i1 must make my apology4 ,illustration3 ,,erinc,a3 ,,mican,a3 ,de ,l',ester--,make no excuses for having made us your debtors1 but here is ,george1 every line of his face suggesting that he has discovered something of interest4 ,george--,i cannot say that ,i have made a discovery1 but nearby is something that will interest ,gentola3 and ,bernard4 ,de ,l',ester--,lead the way and we will follow4 ,ah1 a fountain and the temple garden and conservatories4 ,gentola31 more than two years ago ,aaron ,poole drew for you a flowering vine he named ,enrica2 look about you and learn if it may be one of this great variety of shrubs1 plants and vines4 ,gentola--,it is indeed2 the moment we came here ,i noticed it draping that trellis and climbing up yonder wall4 ,with its luxuriant foliage and profusion of pink blossoms1 how very pretty it is4 ,poole did not tell me that it was an ,ento vine1 and when ,i questioned him he only said1 ,it is not of this ,planet4 ,de ,l',ester--,that is just like him4 ,i fancy that he thought to some time surprise you by showing you the original4 ,george--,he has promised to meet us here1 for indeed it was here that he sketched the ,enrica vine which afterward he drew for ,gentola34 ,always he is so prompt in his engagements that ,i am surprised that he has not yet arrived4 ,while awaiting his coming we may look at this pretty fountain4 ,the central figure of the group1 holding aloft the cluster of rodels 7the national flower7 is very fine1 indeed the entire composition of male and female figures is admirable4 ,that sun illumined jet of water1 thrown high into the air1 thence felling downward envelops the group as with a shining veil4 ,gentola31 ,bernard1 come and look into this basin4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 as sure as anything these are gold and silver fishes4 ,do not they exactly resemble those you have on ,earth8 ,yes1 they are larger1 and their tails and fins are oddly shaped2 otherwise the resemblance is very close4 ,de ,l',ester--,loha1 loha1 mano ,poole4 ,for some time ,george has been fretting and fuming over your late arrival2 now he is so occupied as to be oblivious of your presence4 ,aaron ,poole--,i greet you all1 and ,i beg a thousand pardons for having kept you waiting4 ,george--,aaron1 ,i shall no longer hold you up to admiring worlds as a model of punctuality4 ,you are a full hour late4 ,aaron ,poole--,allow me to greet ,gentola31 then ,i shall explain my delay4 ,gentola31 ,i rejoice that at last we meet face to face4 ,although for nearly ten years we have held frequent converse1 and your face has grown as familiar to me as is my own1 only now you see me4 ,gentola--,i am equally rejoiced that ,i can see you4 ,ever since ,i have known you and some other spirit friends1 ,i have been curious as to your and their appearance4 ,i have thought of you and of them as one thinks of physical personalities4 ,yet in some way ,i have formed nearly correct ideas of your and their forms and features4 ,but ,i must say that you are taller than ,i had thought you might be4 ,aaron ,poole--,my height is six feet and one inch1 and that is nearly the height of a particular friend of yours who has been permitted to accompany me on this visit to ,ento4 ,this way1 my blond ,apollo4 ,gentola--,well of all the wonders of this wonderful experience1 this to me is the most surprising4 ,will ,cox1 you dear1 dear boy4 ,oh1 ,i am so glad to see you4 ,so1 so glad1 and to think that after all these years1 we meet on the ,planet ,mars--,i mean on the ,planet ,ento4 ,george1 do be quiet2 ,i shall cry if ,i wish to4 ,will1 you dear boy1 you are handsomer than you were in ,earth life4 ,oh1 ,i wish your mother could see you1 your mother who so adored you1 and who never ceases to mourn for you4 ,while ,i laugh and cry1 do tell me something of yourself4 ,why1 ,will1 you1 too1 are crying4 ,don't do that4 ,i was so surprised that ,i--,i forgot myself2 but ,i won't cry any more1 and you shall smile too4 ,there1 that is like yourself4 ,william ,cox--,my dearest friend1 let me call you ,lady ,sara1 as ,i once did4 ,i am so overjoyed to meet you1 so glad1 so thankful to the ,divine ,spirit that we both have learned that life is continuous4 ,when at the home of ,mr4 ,wicks we were about to part to meet no more on ,earth1 you said1 ,oh1 ,will1 promise me that if you die before ,i do1 and shall continue to exist1 and can return to this world1 that you will come to me to tell me if there is another life than this1 how little ,i knew of what would come to me and to you1 too1 dear ,lady ,sara4 ,when ,i passed to the ,spirit side and to my own place1 almost my first ,earth memory was of my promise to you1 and for your sake1 and that you might be better able to comfort my dear1 sorrowing mother1 ,i1 with the assistance of kind spirit friends1 strove to reach your consciousness1 and when1 after two years1 we succeeded1 ,i wept for very joy4 ,i should so like to talk with you indefinitely1 but ,i must not abuse the special privilege of this visit to you4 ,then1 too1 ,i am one of a ,band of ,spirits to whom has been assigned the accomplishment of a certain mission1 and my leave of absence must not exceed the time specified4 ,be assured1 dear friend1 that ,i never lose sight of you4 ,your sorrows have been my own1 and when ,bernard passed to our side of life1 and your condition was so critical that we feared that you1 too1 might come before this ,mission should be accomplished1 your friend ,will was one of many who sustained you with our strength until you regained composure and a degree of health4 ,i have learned that these friends have given you a new and ,i must say an appropriate name1 but for the sake of old times and memories1 to me you are ,lady ,sara1 and when the hour of your coming to the ,spirit side shall arrive1 ,i will be one of many loving friends to meet and greet you4 ,some day my dear mother and other dear ones may learn of this meeting1 and she and they will know that ,i love them always4 ,now kiss me good-bye until we shall meet where not even a thin veil hides beloved faces from the gaze of lovelit eyes4 ,gentola--,good-bye1 ,will1 good-bye1 and watch out for me1 for the years are falling away like beads off a broken string1 and it will not be long before ,i shall come to the ,world of ,spirits4 ,until then ,i may not again see your face1 but ,i will not forget1 no1 ,i will not forget4 ,aaron ,poole--,it was a little unfair to take you so by surprise1 but ,will1 dear fellow1 insisted upon it4 ,he was curious to learn if you would recognize him4 ,you will be glad to know that he is very aspiring and ever ready to lend a helping hand1 and that his progress is all that those who love him could desire4 ,illustration3 ,,floitza ,now ,i shall tell you why my coming was so delayed4 ,you all are aware that ,i have been on the ,spirit ,side nearly thirty years1 and that at the time of my passing over ,i was a little under thirty years old4 ,within a few following years1 my dear parents also passed to the ,spirit ,side1 my four brothers and two sisters1 all younger than myself1 surviving them4 ,suddenly1 this morning1 my eldest brother also came4 ,leaving him in the care of our parents and other loving ones1 ,i have hastened here1 but desire to as quickly as possible return to assist in restoring him to consciousness4 ,gentola31 you may not know that those who suddenly pass from the physical body require special treatment for restoration to a consciousness of their changed condition4 ,the occasion of his sudden passing over was arterial suffusion of the brain1 which almost instantaneously released him4 ,gentola31 the special reason for my coming at this time is that we may select from this fine collection of plants a subject or two for illustration4 ,you no doubt have recognized the ,enrica vine4 ,i had thought to have the pleasure of showing it to you1 but1 as ,de ,l',ester would say1 ,l'homme propose1 et ,dieu dispose1 which perhaps is as true as many other aphorisms4 ,now we will look about for a subject or two4 ,gentola--,here is a pretty vine laden with pink blooms4 ,is it too delicate for our purpose8 ,aaron ,poole--,rather so2 still ,i will sketch it4 ,its name is ,ilsoimen galistan 7bride of morning74 ,as it is difficult to control we must select simple if less beautiful forms4 ,here is a flowering shrub1 the ,floitza1 that ,i will venture to sketch4 ,it is attractive1 and its foliage and blooms are not at all complex in structure4 ,yes1 those are varieties of the same shrub1 pink1 purple1 blue and white4 ,we will attempt the blue variety4 ,now we will look through the conservatories and you shall select the next subject4 ,gentola--,dear me1 there is such an endless variety1 and all so pretty that ,i cannot decide2 were it not so difficult to control me1 ,i should select this lovely crimson flower1 but the foliage is so extremely delicate that it is not to be thought of4 ,george1 you have mentioned a certain plant that ,i should like to see2 then ,i will decide4 ,ah1 that is indeed a very attractive plant2 looks as though it might be of the cactus family4 ,aaron1 what do you think of it8 ,is it too complex for my poor ability8 ,aaron ,poole--,i cannot quite determine1 but we will try it4 ,i shall have to ask one of our ,ento friends to give us the name of this plant4 ,inidora31 as you are something of a botanist1 you may enlighten us4 ,inidora--,it is ,ilno bersa34 ,zenesta3 says that in ,gentola3's language it would be hairy crawler4 ,the habit of the plant is to crawl over rocks or any like support1 though here it is trained over both a rockery and a low trellis4 ,aaron ,poole--,this hairy crawler is ,ilno bersa31 and the vine with its wealth of pink blooms is ,ilsoimen4 ,the shrub is the blue ,floitza1 a pretty name for a pretty shrub4 ,with these three sketches for the present we will content ourselves4 ,now ,i must leave you1 but as soon as my dear brother shall have regained consciousness and grown somewhat accustomed to his changed condition1 ,i shall be free to again be with you4 ,gentola31 while all your dear ones are deeply interested in this ,mission1 they long for its culmination1 so that you may find leisure to receive them1 for they1 perhaps more than yourself1 miss their former frequent communion with you4 ,with pleasure ,i shall bear to them your loving message4 ,now1 mes amis1 au revoir4 ,illustration3 ,,hnobersa ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 these great conservatories1 devoted to the special cultivation of these red and yellow blooms1 furnishes the temple flower offerings1 which1 with the crystal ,sun of the dome1 the mosaic ,sun radiating from the altar1 and the red and yellow robes and ornaments of the ,high ,priest and his assistants1 symbolize the imaginary abode of ,andmana34 ,now1 ,george1 we will rise and move slowly around ,taimon1 thus affording ,gentola3 and ,bernard a view of the scenery and architecture of the many towns and villages beautifying its shores4 ,gentola31 again we have for you a surprise and the fulfillment of a promise1 which we anticipate will add to your enjoyment of your visits to ,ento4 ,bernard1 dear boy1 you are only strong enough to sustain yourself4 ,allow ,george to assist your mother4 ,is not it pleasure enough to journey by her side8 ,ah1 fond hearts1 ,i understand1 ,i understand4 ,gentola--,i am sure that you do4 ,never mind1 dear lad1 ,i will take the will for the deed4 ,do not rise higher1 friends1 else ,i shall not see so clearly as you all do4 ,what lovely views4 ,certainly the architecture of those towns and villages is very beautiful4 ,yonder is a long train of ,tuzamos rushing across the country1 and see those huge vessels crossing the lake in all directions and coming and going on the ,waterway4 ,to me those ,waterways are a source of continual wonderment4 ,how were they excavated8 ,how have the ,entoans found courage1 endurance or means to accomplish such gigantic works8 ,de ,l',ester--,to show you the process of excavation1 which is so excellent as to not require extraordinary courage or endurance1 will be the most satisfactory reply to your first two questions2 as for the means required1 the general government attends to that4 ,i promise you that1 a little later on1 you shall observe the construction of a ,waterway4 ,gentola--,i shall not forget to remind you of your promise4 ,yonder is another pretty town1 and there are one1 two1 three circular temples1 and again it occurs to me that nowhere have ,i seen a spire4 ,de ,l',ester--,the tall1 pointed spire is not a feature of ,ento architecture4 ,on our planet its origin dates back to a period when humanity was on a low animal plane4 ,yes1 the architecture of ,ento is exceedingly ornate2 exteriorly1 to my mind1 it is used to excess1 while interiorly1 sculpture1 carvings and mosaics produce wonderfully rich and beautiful effects4 ,in some of the public edifices and sumptuous private residences which you yet will see there are mosaics so exceedingly fine that nowhere have we seen anything of the kind surpassing them4 ,on certain edifices you have observed lofty towers of excellent design4 ,they are not merely architectural features1 but are towers of observation4 ,not skyward1 oh1 no1 but for horizontal distances4 ,you have been informed that their religion prohibits the ,entoans from attempting to learn aught concerning ,astranola31 the imaginary realm beyond the clouds1 wherein dwells their revered and feared ,gods and ,goddesses1 so their telescopes1 which are of great excellence1 are used only for field purposes2 that is1 for observation of the annual floods and the like4 ,but soon the radiance of their ,spirit ,world will penetrate their consciousness1 and advanced ,spirits will be able to disabuse their minds of their fallacious beliefs relating to the here and the hereafter1 and ere long1 aided by enlarged telescopes1 their learned ones will be gazing upon the wonder of myriad worlds1 moving in stately grandeur through measureless space4 ,extending from northward to southward is an elevation covered with great forest trees1 undergrowth and vegetation4 ,it is another mountain vestige1 and once the waters of ,loisa3 ,ta3imon bathed its rocky base1 but now a level stretch of some miles lies between it and the lake4 ,look now far along the plateau toward the north1 and tell us what you see4 ,gentola--,afar off ,i see a great city1 extending from the lake shore across the plain1 up the slope1 across the plateau1 down its further side1 and--that is as far as my vision reaches4 ,de ,l',ester--,we will draw nearer4 ,now what do you see8 ,gentola--,i see a city so extensive1 so marvellously beautiful1 that ,i am almost persuaded that you have brought me into some spirit realm4 ,never have ,i seen anything so grandly1 so magnificently beautiful as yonder white and gold city1 and this is the fulfillment of your promise to some time1 somewhere1 show me a city surpassing any city of ,earth4 ,to1 if possible1 enhance its beauty1 nature has luxuriantly draped sculptured walls and loftiest towers with wreaths of flower-laden vines1 amid which are bees and birds innumerable1 all adding their beauty to the enchantment of the scene4 ,the streets are of great width and paved as smoothly as floors4 ,there are no small1 mean-looking houses1 no evidences of poverty or degradation4 ,with all my heart ,i wish that this city might be exhibited to our ,earth peoples as an example of what humanity may attain to4 ,the streets are alive with people1 and motor and tramway carriages are passing in all directions1 yet there is very little noise and no apparent confusion4 ,i should like to know why those tramway carriages are so noiseless4 ,de ,l',ester--,i only can say that they are so scientifically constructed that ,i cannot explain their mechanism4 ,the tramway rails are welded into unbroken lines1 which1 at short intervals1 rest on cushions of an elastic substance very like caoutchouc1 which prevents noisy jolting and jarring4 ,then1 too1 the speed of all manner of vehicles is carefully timed and regulated4 ,unlike the immature peoples of our own immature ,planet1 the ,entoans are exceedingly careful of their own and the lives and rights of others4 ,you perceive that all street intersections are spanned by elegantly constructed bridges1 over which people and vehicles pass slowly and safely4 ,no1 the ,entoans are not indolent1 but they are too wise to rush toward the undesired end of their existence4 ,indeed1 every possible precaution against injury or death is observed4 ,no1 owing to the annual inundation1 underground transit is not feasible4 ,yes1 of course1 the construction and maintenance of such public utilities is costly1 but as ,ento has no wars1 the governmental revenues are amply sufficient for all necessary purposes4 ,now we will descend to the lawn of yonder white golden-domed residence of the governor of this ,province of ,wya3mo1 whose capital is the white and gold city ,kltymo ,tyl1 which1 in the ,english language would be ,elevated ,city4 ,it is the largest1 and to my mind1 the most beautiful city of ,ento4 ,facing us is the governor's residence4 ,to the right are the official departments4 ,to the left is a spacious structure devoted to such amusements as ,entoans indulge in4 ,yes1 they dance1 but in a rather serious fashion4 ,the movements of the various dances are slow1 graceful1 stately and rhythmically in harmony with the musical measures1 with which their forms1 more than their feet1 keep time4 ,yes1 the drama1 too1 finds its place among the amusements of the people1 but its purpose is to instruct as well as to amuse4 ,i scarcely know how to characterize the plays4 ,certainly1 they are not tragic1 neither do they represent the serio-comic4 ,i should say that they are more nearly on the plane of high comedy1 and ,earth's pleasure loving peoples would consider them very tame4 ,i can say for them that1 in composition and representation1 they are models of purity and of art4 ,this is one of ,ento's finest official residences1 and in every niche and angle of its massive walls are sculptured forms of divinities or of distinguished ,entoans1 so finely executed as to command one's profound admiration4 ,a grand flight of steps leads up to the spacious portico1 whose lofty roof is supported by massive fluted marble columns1 whose capitals are a strong reminder of the ,corinthian capital4 ,observe this imposing entrance1 whose rose tinted doors are framed in rose tinted woods1 so highly1 so exquisitely colored1 that their beauty is but slightly enhanced by these very artistic carvings4 ,we will now enter and afford you and ,bernard a view of the interior of the dwelling4 ,this wide and deep hallway1 with its broad staircase1 leading upward to a second floor1 thence to other floors and the domed roof1 is very admirable4 ,it is a composition of rose marble1 onyx1 carved1 rose colored woods and mosaics so exquisitely beautiful1 as to be incomparably artistic4 ,it is well that the dainty blooms1 child faces and lovely arabesques of the floor are protected by these fine rugs4 ,evidently the staircases are more for ornamentation than for use1 for at the further end of the hallway is an elegantly appointed elevator1 into which1 at this moment1 a stately looking gentleman is stepping4 ,he is ,darraon ,olva3s1 ,governor of ,wya3mo1 and as uninvited guests we will proceed to the dining hall of his excellency's residence4 ,to do so we will pass through this panelled vestibule1 whose ornamentation of inlaid fruits and flower designs1 is indeed very fine4 ,the light filtering through the large rose and opalescent crystal window irradiates it with a softened glow which is a fitting prelude to the rich coloring of the apartment beyond this sumptuous silken drapery4 ,stand here1 ,gentola31 and attempt a short description of this immense1 elliptically formed room and its appurtenances4 ,gentola--,where shall ,i begin8 ,with the floor8 ,well1 to my taste1 it presents the most beautiful mosaic work ,i yet have seen4 ,it is so exceedingly lovely that it seems a profanation to step on it4 ,the field is opal tinted1 and the border is very broad and rich1 but not at all highly colored4 ,from among its foliage and flowers1 vines and delicately hued blossoms trail all over the field1 and they are so realistic that they seem to be growing there4 ,at equal distances around the walls of the great room are wide panels of a wood resembling mahogany1 but tinted a dull rose color4 ,in the centre of each wide panel is a narrow fluted one of a lighter shade of rose colored wood1 and all are carried up the walls and across the curved ceiling1 where they meet under large rosettes of rose colored woods4 ,in the centre of each rosette is a lighting apparatus1 which is not at all like a chandelier1 and which ,i am not competent to describe4 ,i can only say that it is a combination of gold filigree work and many rose tinted crystal lilies inclosed in a gauzelike network of some transparent material4 ,de ,l',ester--,you might add that when the electric light is turned on1 the network forms a sort of halo about the flowers1 whose pale rose tints lend a softened and beautiful effect1 and ,i will add1 that1 in the near future1 one of your inspired ones will invent a very similar electric appliance4 ,gentola--,where the panels curve between the walls and ceiling there are great carved clusters of flowers and foliage1 of woods of various colors and the shadings are so fine that the compositions are very beautiful and lifelike4 ,between the panels1 the walls are opalescent1 and are adorned with paintings and handsome shelf-like projections1 on which are the loveliest vases1 statuettes and other bric-a-brac4 ,at the west end of the room are two wide and lofty windows1 over which falls exquisite lace and rich rose colored silken draperies1 the borders ornamented with gold embroidery4 ,between the windows is an immense buffet1 built into the wall1 which appears to be a combination of carved and inlaid woods1 of precious metals and jewels4 ,on its highly ornamental shelves are various wares1 very like some of the fine wares we have on our planet1 and there are goblets and other vessels of crystal that shine with the brilliancy of diamonds4 ,some pieces are set with jewels of various colors1 and they are exceedingly pretty4 ,through the crystalline doors of its compartments ,i see vessels of gold1 of silver and of a metal that appears to be enamelled in tints of pale1 lustrous green4 ,the latter are ornamented with stones of a deeper tint of green1 and they are so beautiful that ,i should like to have one of them4 ,as for the shapes of these many lovely things1 ,i am surprised that they are so like the forms of ,earth's china1 glass and other wares4 ,de ,l',ester--,recall a lecture you heard in the ,galarsa31 in which it was stated that not only is art long1 but that form in its manifold expressions is universal4 ,it is the manifestation of a natural law1 and in accordance with the degree of their evolvement1 everywhere1 not only humans1 but all orders of life express it in finer or cruder fashion4 ,gentola--,i believe that it is true1 for through my limited observation of our moon1 and my larger observation of ,ento's and ,earth's forms1 whether natural or mechanical1 ,i have found startling resemblances2 frequently exact likenesses of the forms of either planet4 ,to return to a further description of the buffet4 ,its table of pearl tinted onyx1 veined with palest green1 is bordered by a luxuriant vine1 whose leaves are composed of minute green stones1 so shaded as to present a very natural effect4 ,the vine and tendrils also are of stones1 representing their brown and green tints4 ,the large1 purple clusters of fruit are of amethysts or similar stones4 ,genessano says1 that the vine is a talissa3 fena31 but ,i should say1 it is a veritable grape vine4 ,anyway1 it is very pretty1 and its purple fruit suggests a question4 ,do the ,entoans make wine and other intoxicants8 ,de ,l',ester--,these ,ento friends1 ,inidora31 ,genessano and ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 say that1 since time immemorial the ,entoans have used fermented and distilled liquors1 but never as intoxicants1 their ,sacred ,writings forbidding the abuse of any of ,andmana3's gifts to ,his children4 ,no1 although of a wine drinking race1 ,i never during my mortal existence1 experienced a sense of intoxication4 ,did mortals understand that drunkenness is not alone a benumbing of the senses1 a more or less pronounced anaesthesia1 but that gradually it occasions a separation between the ego and the animal soul or conscious self1 and that continued excesses lead to a wider separateness1 a final domination of the animal soul1 and that when dissolution occurs1 the alcoholized spirit body has become a fit tenement for its wretched occupant1 in fear and horror they would recoil from a peril so deadly4 ,these friends will verify my statement that on no other planet have we observed such a strong tendency toward drunkenness as exists on ,earth4 ,why is this so8 ,briefly then1 the activities of heredity never fail1 and some dominant primitive races of ,earth1 having looked upon wine when it was red1 transmitted the vicious tendency to their descendants1 and they in turn to after generations unnumbered4 ,certainly1 it is true that1 what are termed acquired tastes for this or that1 are nearly1 if not always based upon hereditary tendencies4 ,now1 pray proceed4 ,gentola--,against the walls are many chairs of beautifully carved1 rose tinted wood4 ,the seats are not upholstered1 but are of a highly polished1 very pale rose tinted wood1 and oddly enough they are held or rather they hang on pretty golden brackets projecting from the walls4 ,there is no dining table or even one small one4 ,on what is food served8 ,de ,l',ester--,wait a little and you shall learn4 ,in the meantime we will enter an adjoining room used for the storage of table and other appointments1 which doubtless we will find attractive4 ,you will please mention such as may interest you4 ,gentola--,how very beautiful4 ,what a wonderful collection4 ,gold1 silver1 crystal and other lovely wares in endless profusion4 ,evidently many of them are for decorative purposes4 ,such a collection is enough to make one covetous4 ,imagine me landing in my own home with one of these magnificent vases in my arms4 ,not for a moment would any one believe that it came from the planet known to them as ,mars4 ,neither would ,i believe it were ,i some one else4 ,again1 ,i cannot refrain from a sense of surprise that ,i find here plates1 pitchers1 bowls1 cups and saucers and all that constitutes an elaborate table service4 ,and here are goblets1 and a great variety of drinking glasses and other pieces of glassware1 of such beautiful shapes and of such exceeding brilliancy that it is superior to any cut glass ,i ever have seen4 ,de ,l',ester--,zenesta3 says that in a province immediately south of ,ond is a deposit of a peculiar sand especially adapted to the manufacture of this fine glass4 ,although diligently sought for1 nowhere else has a like deposit been discovered2 hence1 this ware is highly prized4 ,observe this elaborate centre piece of gold1 crystal and precious stones4 ,it is a great1 four handled bowl with a small1 beautiful vase on either handle4 ,the bowl is for fruit1 the vases for flowers4 ,as your question relating to the serving of food is about to be answered1 we will stand in this doorway1 which1 you perceive1 is slightly above the level of the dining hall floor4 ,observe that nearly the entire length of the floor is in two equal divisions1 so nicely adjusted as not to be perceptible4 ,now they separate1 and noiselessly are drawn under this and the opposite apartments1 and from below rises a sumptuously appointed table laden with viands of most tempting appearance4 ,thus is your question answered4 ,observe that the floor on which the table rests is of highly polished1 deeply tinted1 rose colored wood1 which exactly fits into the space left vacant by the withdrawal of the mosaic floor4 ,yes1 in most fine ,ento dwellings dining halls for special occasions are arranged in this manner4 ,in ordinary dwellings dining room floors are stationary1 as is the floor of the adjoining family dining room4 ,now a very important looking person enters1 takes a critical survey of the table1 touches a button in the wall1 and a number of attendants enter and quietly detach the seats from the walls and place them about the table4 ,there are twenty covers1 and evidently the repast is more of a luncheon than a dinner4 ,observe the floral decorations4 ,a centre piece1 quite as beautiful as the one we have been admiring1 is filled with golden hued fruit and sweet scented1 creamy blooms1 and at either end of the table are lovely vases filled with clusters of the same fragrant blossoms4 ,though the food is generous in quantity and variety1 the table is not overladen4 ,there are breads of various kinds with dainty dishes of fruits and confections nice enough to tempt an epicure1 but you will observe that there are no meats1 save fishes1 which are prepared as a salad4 ,inidora31 what is the name of this luscious looking fruit8 ,inidora--,oonda3 we name it4 ,it is agreeably acidulous1 of an aromatic flavor and grows only in tropical and in semi-tropical countries4 ,gentola3 may recall that in the vicinity of ,camarissa3 and somewhat further northward there are many extensive plantations of low1 wide spreading trees1 wearing dark green1 glossy foliage4 ,those were oonda3s lota3s 7oonda3s trees7 and these are their fruit and fragrant1 lovely blooms4 ,nay1 you owe me no thanks4 ,gentola--,i hear a sound as of sweet1 low toned bells1 and voices of persons coming nearer and nearer2 and now they are entering preceded by a very tall1 extremely handsome youth of bronze complexion1 fine features1 large1 dark1 brilliant eyes1 blue-black1 waving hair1 held back by a gemmed fillet1 and white teeth gleaming between his parted scarlet lips4 ,as he approaches1 bearing aloft a golden tray heaped high with oonda3 blooms1 he presents a picture of uncommon beauty4 ,there are nine men and as many women1 the latter clothed so beautifully in loose1 graceful1 white silken1 gold embroidered robes that1 henceforth1 ,i shall detest the dress with which ,i have been accustomed to torment and disfigure myself4 ,the important looking person seats the guests1 and the youth crowns each one with a chaplet of oonda3 blossoms4 ,but two seats1 one at either end of the table1 are still vacant4 ,again the sweet toned bells are sounding4 ,the guests rise1 and with a most graceful movement of their hands1 salute a stately1 handsome man and a very lovely woman1 who with gracious smiles and graceful salutations1 approach and take the vacant seats1 and the guests resume theirs4 ,now the youth approaches the host and hostess1 tendering them chaplets of oonda3 blossoms1 which they receive and retain in their hands4 ,inidora3 will be kind enough to continue the description which to me grows somewhat unintelligible4 ,inidora--,as a recognition of ,andmana3's gift of this golden fruit to his children the annual feast of the oonda3 is observed by all ,entoans4 ,oonda3 in your language would mean divine1 and as it is the favorite fruit of the dwellers in ,astranola31 it is thought to be appropriately named4 ,those who have this moment entered are the governor of ,wya3mo1 ,darraon ,olva3s and his wife1 the ,lady ,nonia34 ,now the governor rises1 and bearing aloft his chaplet1 he approaches his wife and places it on her head1 fervently praying3 ,andmana31 ,creator and ,giver of all good gifts even as ,i crown ,thy child with oonda3 blooms1 so crown ,thou her with the priceless blessing of a long and happy life2 and the guests respond1 ,ra31 ra31 ra34 ,now he kneels by the side of his wife1 and as she places her chaplet on his head1 with trembling lips she implores ,andmana3 to prolong the days of her beloved1 and that they may be as full of the fragrance of noble deeds as are oonda3 blooms full of the perfume of ,andmana3's breath1 and again the guests respond1 ,ra31 ra31 ra34 ,de ,l',ester--,we regret that we cannot devote further time to observation of this attractive festival1 but affairs relating to our mission grow more pressing than you are aware of1 and we must hasten our movements4 ,we now will ascend to the upper floors4 ,yes1 the decorations and furnishings of these spacious apartments are of the best art productions of ,ento1 and certainly they are beyond unfavorable criticism4 ,you have learned that ,ento's textile fabrics are surpassingly excellent2 so you are not surprised at the beauty of designs1 coloring and quality of these draperies1 rugs1 upholstery and other appurtenances of this elegantly appointed residence4 ,yes1 in most ,ento residences1 large or small1 somewhat sumptuous furnishings are the rule1 rather than exception4 ,in arts and manufactures the ,entoans have progressed beyond the tawdry and mean1 and all who so desire1 may1 at small cost1 gratify cultivated tastes4 ,we now will go out on the balcony1 ,george4 ,yes1 the dome balcony4 ,do not you think that ,vil ,tyl 7,white ,city7 would be as appropriate a name for this city as it was for your ,world's ,fair ,city8 ,and now that we have fulfilled our promise1 may we hope that you are not disappointed8 ,gentola--,dear friends1 the fulfillment of your promise exceeds my anticipations1 and as ,i gaze in all directions ,i am filled with wonder and admiration for this extensive1 this grandly beautiful ,white and ,gold ,city4 ,the absence of all indications of poverty is in itself a charm1 and it appears so immaculately clean and so new1 that one might imagine it the creation of a very recent time4 ,genessano--,on the contrary1 previous to the inception of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 it was a city of importance1 and as now1 the capital of ,wya3mo4 ,at the time that the proposed irrigating system was under consideration the then governor of ,wya3mo was one of its most enthusiastic supporters and later an indefatigable worker who lived to see the ,system assume unlooked for proportions and incalculable beneficence4 ,his successors followed his fine example1 and a time arrived when the ,irrigated ,belt touched ,kltymo's limit on the north1 and you perceive that now it penetrates quite into the ,system4 ,during later centuries the population has so increased as to necessitate encroachment upon the agricultural lands northward1 and now in that direction the city's suburb is parallel with the northern shore of ,ta3imon4 ,kltymo ,tyl is favored beyond any city of our planet1 for though it is within the equatorial zone1 it is far enough northward to possess a moderately temperate and most salubrious climate4 ,then northward1 ,lake ,ta3imon and the great ,waterway affords an outlet for shipping1 passing not only in that1 but in all directions1 and ,chyl ,ooltma3h1 rising in the far north1 runs southward1 pouring its immense volumes into the ,system1 thus affording highways for vessels of the largest size4 ,in the distance1 and toward the northeast1 is ,lake ,kom-tlesa3 7lake of ,springs7 another considerable body of fresh water1 and if you will look in that direction you will perceive that1 through a continuation of the ,waterway1 it communicates with ,ta3imon1 and that on its placid bosom vessels great and small are passing to and fro4 ,later1 through observation1 you will learn that the ,waterways with their attendant feeders1 directly or indirectly connect with nearly all the freshwater lakes and rivers of our ,planet1 and that all within certain degrees of latitude are embraced by the system4 ,thus1 ,kltymo ,tyl has at its doors extensive water transportation1 added to which ,tza3mos and air ,transports bring it into ready communication with all portions of the planet1 from whence it receives all manner of products4 ,in turn ,kltymo ,tyl exports immense quantities of manufactured goods and art wares1 but its principal distinction is its great art school and library1 to which come students from all over ,ento4 ,i1 like yourselves1 am enchanted with the beauty of this white and gold city1 which to me suggests a great white bird1 its body resting on the broad plateau1 the tip of one snowy wing touching ,ta3imon1 the other spreading toward the lovely valley ,insa3l1 and the neck and head gracefully curving downward over the northern slope of the plateau1 to drink of the shining1 vivifying waters of the beneficent ,system4 ,bernard1 have you naught to say of this great city8 ,bernard--,yes1 aside from cities of our ,spirit ,world1 ,i have seen none to compare with it4 ,as my dear mother has said1 the beauty of its architecture1 its exceeding cleanliness and absence of poverty are its most attractive features1 and ,i quite agree with her4 ,but1 ,genessano1 you did not complete your simile2 you forgot to give your bird a tail4 ,genessano--,you are very right2 ,i did forget4 ,well1 for my tailless bird ,i shall from among yonder gleaming1 golden domes and snowy towers1 whose symmetrical beauty is heightened by a southern background of fleecy clouds and azure sky1 gather plumage as fine as that of alzoyta3s1 the sacred bird of ,astranola31 whose wide-spreading wings over-shadow death's darkened realm4 ,gentola--,i beg that you will not take offense at my boy's inconsiderate speech4 ,during his ,earth life always he saw the droll side of things1 and in that direction ,i do not find him changed4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 ,i meant no offense2 so ,genessano could take none4 ,genessano--,that is as true as truth4 ,bernard and ,i are as two opposing mirrors1 each reflecting images upon the other's face2 thus one never misunderstands the other's motives1 and ,bernard's ever are kind4 ,let this fraternal embrace assure you of our mutual good will4 ,de ,l',ester--,we will rise to the upper balcony1 from which we will command a still more extensive view of the city and its suburbs1 and you1 ,gentola31 will give expression to whatever may impress you4 ,gentola--,to me the extent of this city is surprising4 ,eastward its limit is beyond my power of vision4 ,southward domes1 turrets and lofty columns lose themselves amid the mists of the horizon4 ,northward1 for mile after mile1 on the level2 thence down the sloping plateau and across the far reaching plain1 the white and gold wonder spreads itself4 ,in that direction1 in the middle of some of the wide streets1 are canals1 on which small boats1 carrying passengers or freight1 are passing to and fro4 ,at intervals the canals are spanned by handsome bridges1 over which a variety of vehicles are passing4 ,toward the southwest ,ta3imon1 which you say is nearly twenty miles away1 mirrors in its waters the great warehouses and manufactories which line its shores4 ,it occurs to me to ask why chimneys are not features of ,ento architecture4 ,even those great structures have none4 ,inidora--,many centuries previous to my existence on ,ento electrical appliances had come into such general use that in all cities1 towns1 villages and pretentious country places1 they almost were the sole agencies for heating1 lighting1 culinary and other purposes1 and yet some families of the ,sovannallos and of another race far southward1 still adhere to ancient domestic usages4 ,certainly they are the only ,entoans who persist in using fireplaces and chimneys1 which no longer are features of ,ento architecture4 ,de ,l',ester--,northward and southward1 along the level of the plateau1 and eastward and westward1 toward ,insa3l-,valley and ,lake ,ta3imon1 there are many stupendously tall and massive towers1 whose average height is about one thousand feet1 and whose bases seem substantial enough to support ,ento's satellites4 ,the skill and daring involved in their construction is both admirable and surprising4 ,in their interiors are elevators which carry to the height of their summits persons and things connected with their service4 ,they are used for a system of electric lighting1 and also as watch towers during the annual floods and on their summits are as fine observation telescopes as we have seen4 ,yes1 when those great towers are lighted1 night is well nigh turned into day4 ,how little the peoples of our planet yet comprehend what may be1 and ere long will be1 accomplished through the agency of electricity1 whose civilizing power is illimitable4 ,i should like to inform you as to one of its achievements1 and at another time will do so4 ,you are exhausted1 and we must hold you no longer4 ,we will not come for you to-morrow morning1 but at two o'clock in the afternoon4 ,earlier we will be at ,da3o to meet friends who are interested in our mission4 ,yes1 friends from ,ento's and other planetary ,spirit ,worlds4 ,be patient2 the time is near when you will see them as you see us4 ,for yet a little while ,spirit forces will hold ,valloa3 in her physical form1 for it would not be well should she pass to the ,spirit side before all things are in readiness for the culmination of our mission4 ,friends1 ,george1 ,bernard and ,i will bear ,gentola3 safely to her home2 then ,i must go elsewhere1 but to-morrow we all will meet at ,da3o4 ,gentola31 rest your right hand on ,george's shoulder4 ,bernard1 place your right arm about your mother and your left hand on my shoulder1 and now for the ,sorrowful star1 toward which this mighty magnetic current bears us with the velocity of thought1 and here in your quiet room1 where twilight shadows have fallen1 we leave you until the morrow4 ,bernard1 make your adieu1 for before she may be disturbed1 ,i desire to see your mother recover herself4 ,ah1 that is well4 ,yes1 we still are here1 and pleased that you so readily have regained your usual condition4 ,as we have held you overlong to-day1 ,i pray you1 rest1 rest1 rest4 ,now au revoir4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,dano ,,and ,,valloa4 ,de ,l',ester--,exactly two o'clock1 and you are awaiting us1 so at once we will be off4 ,only ,george and ,i have come for you4 ,bernard and our friends will meet us at ,kltymo ,tyl4 ,now1 be at rest4 ,ready1 ,george4 ,no1 mortals can have no realization of the rapidity with which wholly freed spirits are able to move4 ,you1 who to a degree are freed1 do not realize it4 ,gentola--,no1 ,i do not4 ,always1 to me1 we appear to be stationary1 while all else is falling away from us4 ,now1 as we near ,ento1 it seems to be rushing toward us1 and now ,i perceive its divisions of land and water1 and yonder is ,kltymo ,tyl1 and on yonder great tower our friends and my dear boy are watching and waiting for us4 ,a greeting for you all1 dear friends1 and for you1 too1 my dear lad4 ,yes1 from afar off ,i saw you waving your hand to me1 you dear1 dear boy4 ,george--,while ,de ,l',ester shall relate to you something that certainly will interest you1 ,inez and ,i will make a hurried visit to ,da3o1 but ere he shall have concluded his narration we again will be with you4 ,de ,l',ester--,we find that1 until our mission shall have culminated1 we must defer visiting certain localities of peculiar interest1 and as some untoward event might1 during your mortal existence1 prevent your gaining through personal observation1 information concerning them1 we have decided that ,i shall endeavor to acquaint you with some of their features4 ,far within ,ento's ,arctic and ,antarctic regions there are lands which1 during a large part of the year1 are covered with ice and snow4 ,still farther northward and southward and at the poles such intense cold perpetually prevails that the land surfaces are uninhabitable4 ,in these regions are vast deposits of precious and other ores1 and to gain access to them many difficulties had to be surmounted4 ,i say had to be surmounted2 for1 during many centuries1 mining within the ,arctic and ,antarctic ,circles has been a settled industry4 ,in remote times1 as at present1 throughout ,ento's ,torrid and ,temperate ,zones1 the mining industry has progressed northward1 and to a lesser degree southward1 and so gradual have been its movements that1 almost imperceptibly1 it has penetrated polar lands1 and mainly through the agency of electrical appliances has the achievement been made possible4 ,you have been informed that more than fifty ,ento centuries ago1 the ,entoans understood electrical engineering and many electrical appliances1 and that then1 as now1 ,tza3mos and air ,transports were used as common carriers1 but1 of course1 they were less perfect than those of to-day4 ,still1 they served the requirements of their time1 which were less exacting than the requirements of to-day4 ,but you have not known that1 quite within ,ento's ,arctic and ,antarctic ,circles1 there are large underground communities of men1 women and children1 whose occupations1 almost solely1 are connected with the mining industry4 ,naturally1 one might infer that the disadvantages of their environments would be both discouraging and depressing4 ,not so4 ,through the agency of electricity their underworlds are brilliantly lighted and where necessary comfortably warmed1 and it enables them to keep in constant touch with the outer world which1 at any time1 they may visit1 and from whence they may command such luxuries and comforts as they may desire4 ,lines of ,tza3mos penetrate far northward and southward1 and where they cannot go air ,transports can and do go4 ,thus these communities are not at all isolated1 and they go and come where and when they will4 ,some time1 if you may so desire1 you shall visit some of them1 and ,i may assure you that you will find them very interesting4 ,yes1 all mines are owned by the general government1 and the remuneration of those engaged in them is so liberal1 so equitable1 as to assure to them prosperity and contentment4 ,at the entrances of the various great mines are enormously lofty light towers1 whose several floors are devoted to educational and other purposes4 ,in the schools some of ,ento's foremost scientists of the past and of the present day have been taught electric and hydraulic engineering1 geology1 mineralogy and other specialties4 ,other floors are for living rooms1 nurseries1 hospitals and the inevitable ,istoira34 ,the several departments are attractively finished and furnished1 and are quite as desirable as are well appointed dwellings of milder climes4 ,on the summits of these lofty towers are immense electric lights which are to navigators of space what beacon lights are to mariners of seas4 ,to air voyagers they afford cheering assurance of their whereabouts and of hospitable entertainment2 for1 at all mining centres1 are air ,transport ,stations for the accommodation of travellers and for shipping purposes4 ,frequently1 in ,arctic and ,antarctic regions1 terrific snow storms occur1 and were it not for the far reaching tower lights1 air pilots would not be able to find ,transport landings1 which ever are kept in readiness for their arrival4 ,yes1 the mines are located in mountainous regions1 for as the poles are approached the planet's surface is very rugged and mountainous1 and as on all stable planets the more nearly the poles are approached the vaster are the mineral deposits4 ,yes1 the same law applies to ,earth1 and were ,i not somewhat opposed to prophesying1 ,i might say that within ten years the insatiable gold worshippers of our planet will set up their altars in localities nearly as frigid as are ,ento's northern and southern mining regions4 ,much more in this direction ,i might relate1 but we anticipate that later on we may afford you views of what ,i have given you a mere idea4 ,ah1 here are ,george and ,inez4 ,george--,i fear that we may have abused our leave of absence2 if so ,i can only say that we have been so engrossed as to not note the passing moments4 ,since our visit of the early morning her ,spirit attendants have succeeded in temporarily stimulating her vital energy1 but ere long they will have to yield to the inevitable1 and ,valloa31 the golden haired1 will be borne to ,ento's ,spirit ,world4 ,evidently she realizes that death1 the dread terror1 is drawing near and it is touching to see her young1 lovely face wearing a smile while her faintly throbbing heart is full of anguish at thought of leaving her adored father and ,dano1 her betrothed4 ,inez1 my dear one1 will you tell our sister about the dying girl8 ,inez--,words cannot describe the pathos of the scene4 ,since witnessing it my heart is burthened with measureless sympathy for mortal sorrow4 ,by one side of ,valloa3's couch sat her father1 his woful face betraying his consuming grief and anxiety4 ,by the other side knelt ,dano1 his rapt gaze wearing the expression of one who sees with clear eyes4 ,so emaciated1 so wan is ,valloa3's lovely face that it is as snow amid the wealth of her golden1 flowing hair4 ,as we looked and listened she turned to her father with encouraging words1 then she smiled into his and her lover's eyes1 and said1 ,dearest ones1 pray do not regard me so wistfully4 ,i am growing stronger2 soon ,i shall be well2 and they1 to hide from her their despair1 smiled back at her1 assuring her of their confidence in her speedy recovery4 ,about her were ,ministering ,spirits who1 to their utmost were sustaining her physical energy1 and for a moment ,i stood near her and ,dano1 who with a startled look1 turned toward me1 and quickly ,i moved away4 ,he grows very sensitive1 and ,valloa3's ,spirit vision is so clear that as she recedes from the mortal condition1 in exceeding bewilderment she gazes into the thinly veiled ,spirit ,world1 whose glory fills her soul with ecstasy4 ,i now am satisfied that our ,band have acted wisely in not taking you into the presence of the dying girl1 for assuredly your easily aroused sympathy would endanger your safety4 ,de ,l',ester--,which we dare not trifle with1 as in it is involved the success or failure of our ,mission4 ,this1 you perceive1 is the loftiest tower of the city4 ,it is a signal tower1 and through this telescope1 which is one of its scientific features1 it commands a view of the immense distances of this levelled portion of the planet4 ,gaze now over the city and express your impression of the view4 ,gentola--,beautiful1 wondrously beautiful6 ,toward the east the city gently inclines downward1 and across ,insa3l ,valley1 merging itself into the country1 which is so closely dotted with white dwellings and ,istoira3s1 gleaming amid the green of lawns1 orchards and lofty bda3s and other forest trees1 that one cannot say where the city ends and the country begins4 ,southward the plateau rises gradually in broad terraces1 on which are white and gold structures like stately palaces1 amid blooming gardens and the feathery foliage of bda3s trees4 ,some are less spacious1 but scarcely less attractive in the beauty of their architecture and surroundings4 ,there are open squares lined with palatial white and gold residences and other structures whose great domes and towers look down upon fountains so lovely as to defy my descriptive ability4 ,upward and upward the terraces rise until against the background of the deep blue sky the southern portion of the city appears as a dim1 mist-veiled1 never-to-be-forgotten1 magnificently lovely picture4 ,i cannot imagine a scene more beautiful2 no1 not even in ,celestial ,worlds4 ,seeing this wonderful city and learning to what heights humanity may attain arouses within me a hope for the future of our own sorrowful planet4 ,de ,l',ester--,alas and alas1 that many1 many centuries must elapse ere your hope shall bear fruition4 ,development of the peoples of a planet1 as a whole1 is not a matter of centuries1 but of ages4 ,centuries come and go1 and only ,infinite ,intelligence can discern that all along the line one step has been taken4 ,like the rising and falling of ocean's unquiet waves1 now amid mad tempests1 dashing their white crests toward the sky1 anon with gentle undulations laving the sand strewn shore1 so amid storm and calm1 the peoples of planets slowly1 but surely1 evolve toward higher planes of being4 ,wars1 with their lamentable features1 are the upheavals of the animal impulses of crude civilizations1 and ,earth's peoples are far from being civilized4 ,all over our planet civil corruption and social1 selfish greed and ambition for place and power are eating into the very vitals of society1 hence of governments1 and if ,spirit agencies cannot sway the minds of some who may serve as ,saviors1 the poverty and agony of the masses in time will produce a state of delirium1 in which the sense of accountability will be lost2 then woe be to those who1 through standing on the shoulders of their defrauded and oppressed brethren1 have climbed to high places4 ,man is in one1 angel and animal1 and ever as the angel strives for ascendency1 the animal snarls and shows its teeth1 and you may believe me that1 were it not that ,spirits of highest ,realms control illumined minds of ,earth1 who serve as restraining influences in the consciousness of the masses1 a chaotic state of society quickly would ensue4 ,apparently1 it is a provision of ,divine ,law that the wise and strong shall aid the unwise and weak2 that the higher shall reach down to uplift the lowly1 and those who fail to fulfill this righteous law thereby so lessen their ,spiritual estate that1 in the world of equitable adjustments1 they find themselves in a state of poverty undreamed of by mortal man4 ,yes1 even as the peoples of ,earth agonize in the throes of evolution1 so in past ages have the ,entoans agonized2 so1 to a degree1 do they yet agonize1 for though they are more highly evolved than are the peoples of our planet1 they1 as ,i have once said1 are yet in their swaddling clothes4 ,yes1 ages elapsed ere they evolved from savagery to a civilization which made it possible for their ideals to assume form and expression in the construction of this wonderful and beautiful city4 ,wonderful not only in its architecture1 but in its many fine expressions of science1 of art1 of social amenities and usages1 and other admirable features of an advanced evolution1 which has carried from the past into the living present such lessons of wisdom as have been learned in the school of experience4 ,the school whose pupils never play truant and who ever are learning their lessons well or ill1 and who1 perforce of natural law1 must advance onward toward clearer1 higher views of the meaning of life1 of love1 of ,god in humanity4 ,now again look southward4 ,is not it a vision to enrapture the soul of an artist or a lover of the beautiful8 ,see how temples1 domes and light towers lose themselves in the cloudlike1 luminous haze which the slanting sun rays glorify into an indescribable loveliness4 ,toward the lovely valley ,insa3l the shadows of declining day are falling over the whiteness of the city and over domed temples and light towers4 ,afar1 gray and empurpled mist wreaths are rising and veiling the pallid beauty of fountain groups1 whose silvery treasures1 thrown high into the quiet air1 are tinted by the glory of the setting sun1 which gleams athwart ,ta3imon1 over which1 like dream phantoms1 vessels great and small are noiselessly gliding4 ,lower1 lower sinks the red disk of the solar king1 and fleecy clouds1 catching the reflection of his last beams1 put on their robes of crimson and gold1 and like angels in flight1 drift across the deepening azure of the sky4 ,george1 we now will ascend1 but not to a great height1 for soon the light towers will be ablaze1 and you1 ,gentola3 and ,bernard1 will witness a spectacle you will not soon forget4 ,look downward now4 ,shadows are brooding over the great city1 and save for the musical tones of the temple bells every sound is hushed1 but wait a little and the scene will change4 ,ah1 you are startled1 as well you may be4 ,is not the transformation marvellous8 ,is not the scene grandly1 weirdly beautiful8 ,below us is the wide-spreading city1 whose lofty electric light towers suddenly have turned night into day1 and southward1 where the terraced plateau attains its greatest elevation1 is the great light tower on whose summit is an immense golden and crimson crystal ,symbol of ,andmana3's abode1 and as the afterglow of its radiance fades from the sky1 suddenly the ,sacred ,symbol will blaze into the splendor of its amazing beauty4 ,now1 from every temple1 the music of chiming bells floats upward and the atmosphere is vibrant with their rhythmic notes4 ,with expectant gaze1 all eyes are turned toward the ,symbol of their ,religion1 and now flashing upon the bosom of night behold the glowing1 scintillating1 radiant wonder4 ,simultaneously from every lip bursts forth a prayer1 which ,i will translate into your language4 ,andmana31 ,creator and ,preserver1 even as the shadows of night wrap us about1 so may ,thy ,love infold us while we sleep1 and may ,thy ,messengers1 who read our inmost thoughts1 bear to ,thee the fervent adoration of ,thy loving but ever sorrowful children4 ,oirah1 oirah1 oirah4 7,so be it47 ,in low1 plaintive tones the chiming bells accompany the intoned prayer1 and every face is uplifted toward the great glowing ,sun1 whose dazzling radiance penetrates the dense fog enveloping the city as with a snowy mantle4 ,gentola--,ever since you promised me that some time ,i should at night behold some portion of ,ento1 ,i have tried to imagine how it might appear1 but never have ,i imagined a scene so grand1 so beautiful1 so marvellously strange as this4 ,oh1 that the peoples of our planet might1 if but for a moment1 behold this illustration of the possibilities inherent in humanity1 for surely it would stimulate them to higher endeavor1 to emulate the attainments of the ,entoans1 whose peace1 prosperity1 learning1 culture1 refinement and kindliness is in strong contrast with the turmoil1 poverty1 selfishness and lack of real friendliness prevalent among the masses of our rightly named ,sorrowful ,star4 ,yes1 ,i know that the ,entoans are sorrowful1 but it is not of a nature that debases them1 and ,i hope and pray that soon it may give way to measureless joy4 ,de ,l',ester--,so hope1 so pray all who are engaged in this ,mission4 ,gentola--,as ,i listen to the chiming of the temple bells ,i do not distinguish one discordant note1 and all ring in perfect unison4 ,i should like to know how this is accomplished8 ,inidora--,all ,ento temples possess chimes of bells1 and all the chimes of each city are tuned to the same key note4 ,they are electrically connected1 and by means of electrical mechanism all are simultaneously rung4 ,our people have stated times of worship1 which are at sunrise1 at midday and at sunset1 and when in a few moments yonder radiant ,symbol of ,ento's faith shall be extinguished1 again the waiting people will implore ,divine protection through the night1 and the chiming bells again will ring their plaintive ,oirah1 oirah1 oirah4 7,amen or be it so47 ,yes1 in cities and towns and country places the same religious ceremonies are observed4 ,at sunrise the blessing of ,andmana3 and the protection of the ,divine ,ones who dwell in ,astranola3 are invoked4 ,at midday all ,sacrifices and ,offerings of value are laid upon the altar4 ,at sunset in temples flowers alone are laid upon the altar1 and the ,high ,priest invokes for his people the protection of ,andmana3's ,messengers4 ,no1 it is only in ,kltymo1 ,da3o1 ,camarissa3 and two other cities of ,ento that there are such ,symbols as we now are gazing upon4 ,but see1 the glory of its beauty is paling and--now it has disappeared4 ,again the chiming bells fill the air with melody4 ,again from every lip ascends a prayer for protection through the darkness of night4 ,gradually the melody dies into silence1 and through the deepening twilight and the soft radiance of its many light towers1 ,kltymo ,tyl gleams in pallid whiteness1 in phantom-like loveliness4 ,quietly1 tranquilly1 the people are returning to their homes4 ,no sounds of traffic or of labor break the stillness of the great white and gold city1 but from soiva3s 7parks7 and ilofn mna3a3 7amusement gardens7 strains of sweet music float upward and thither1 presently1 men1 women and children will wend their ways4 ,and thus1 ,kltymo ,tyl1 queen city of my beloved ,ento1 we leave thee1 and as our faces turn away from thee1 our backward1 lingering glances stray over thy peerless loveliness1 and we regretfully murmur ,info oovist4 ,gentola--,dear friends1 so strange1 so enchanting are some of the experiences that you are affording me that ,i am at a loss to express either my emotions or my boundless gratitude4 ,oh1 if only ,i might remember all that ,i see1 all that occurs4 ,why is it that1 after ,i have regained full consciousness1 ,i can no more recall these experiences than ,i can recall a dimly remembered dream8 ,de ,l',ester--,cannot you comprehend that it is you1 the ,ego or ,spirit ,self which alone takes cognizance of these experiences8 ,that the magnetic chord connecting you1 the ,spirit ,self1 with your conscious mind1 which is the animal soul consciousness1 is1 so to say1 the telegraphic wire through which1 under our control1 your physical organism is made to automatically record the words transmitted by whichever member of our ,band may be acting as operator8 ,while you are with us your ,soul consciousness is in abeyance2 hence1 is not an active factor in these experiences1 and can record nothing concerning them4 ,take comfort from this statement4 ,when under my control you shall rewrite1 and as far as feasible correct the imperfect record of our journeys to and experiences on ,ento2 imperfect because you are not yet fully developed in your peculiar phase of mediumship2 your memories relating to our ,mission will experience a sort of resurrection1 and you will recall much1 if not all1 that has and yet will transpire while engaged in our endeavor to serve as we would be served4 ,not until you shall be wholly freed1 will you fully comprehend this statement1 but when you shall be enabled to recall these experiences1 also to a degree1 you will realize that they are more than dreams4 ,yes1 doubtless1 there are those who will regard you as a visionary4 ,that will be their mistake1 not yours4 ,now we are over the intersection of the ,central ,waterway1 with one running toward the northwest1 which also intersects with one traversing a portion of the ,north ,temperate ,zone4 ,since ,genessano ,allis ,immo demonstrated the practicability of great ,waterways1 several have been completed and others are in course of construction4 ,through them and their feeders the retention of the annual floods and control of irrigation has been greatly simplified and their measureless value demonstrated4 ,to-morrow we all will meet at this point4 ,we held you too long yesterday and you are yet somewhat devitalized4 ,we will see to it that you shall sleep restfully to-night1 and in the morning at nine o'clock we will be en evidence4 ,george1 ,inez and your wistful-eyed lad will see you safely home1 and we will repair to ,da3o4 ,au revoir4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,re-,,embodiment4 ,de ,l',ester--,we find you difficult of control this morning4 ,like the legendary ,martha you are anxious about many things4 ,our journey of to-day is less in your thoughts than are the exasperatingly high prices of household supplies or the letter you have been reading4 ,how do ,i know8 ,have not ,i said that ,i can read your thoughts as you might read an open book8 ,no1 ,i cannot at all times do so2 it is only when1 as now1 ,i am en rapport with your soul consciousness4 ,you are not resting easily4 ,ah1 that is better4 ,now you are tranquil1 and now--you are free1 and we are off for ,ento4 ,yes1 glorious indeed is this sense of freedom from physical conditions1 which only to a limited degree can you either perceive or realize4 ,it may surprise and disappoint you to be told that in your present state you cannot perceive ,spirit ,worlds4 ,that you may perceive us1 we and these ,ento ,spirit friends are obliged to1 in a sense1 etherealize4 ,no1 not as ,cabinet ,spirits etherealize1 but in a more sublimated sense4 ,at the culmination of our ,mission conditions may be such as to enable you to behold ,spirits as they really are4 ,no1 ,i do not promise it1 but it may occur4 ,no1 mortal ears are not attuned to sense ethereal vibrations4 ,hearken to the grandly sublime1 sonorous under-tone coming from ,eternity's shoreless sea and rolling in rhythmic measure onward1 onward forevermore4 ,beethoven1 ,handel1 ,mozart and others of ,earth's illumined ones1 in moments of inspiration caught faint notes of music celestial1 and with ardent longing strove to give them expression4 ,believe me that a so termed musical genius is a musical medium1 whose subconscious mind1 like an aeolian harp1 vibrates in unison with the unwritten music of the ,soul of the ,universe4 ,we are nearing the intersection of the ,waterways1 and our friends perceive our approach4 ,loha1 menos4 ,we greet you all and apologize if we have kept you waiting4 ,gentola31 you will please give me your attention4 ,at no great distance the branch running in a southwestward direction forms a junction with another ,waterway which is not yet completed1 and which later on we may observe4 ,for the present we will continue our course toward the northwest4 ,the large town at this intersection is an important shipping point1 and yonder is quite an imposing temple1 two smaller ones and some pretty suburban ,istoira3s4 ,there are some imposing public buildings1 many handsome private residences1 a pretty park1 and the streets are wide and beautifully kept1 and along the margins of the street canals are borders of blooming plants4 ,really1 it is an attractive town1 but at present we cannot give it further attention4 ,it is named ,fna3voh ,ritza31 which in your language would mean ,town of the ,intersection4 ,passing in either direction are vessels of various sizes1 some of them equaling in dimension and tonnage the huge steamships traversing the seas and oceans of our planet1 and it is not too much to say that in point of scientific construction and beauty of finish and furnishing ,earth does not possess their equal4 ,they are so scientifically constructed as to be practically indestructible1 and electricity is the propelling energy2 also it lights them1 and when desired heats them4 ,for a brief period we will take passage on the vessel about to leave port4 ,gentola31 come to the bow and observe how swiftly and almost noiselessly it cleaves the water4 ,at this rate of speed it will soon cross the second intersection1 and before to-morrow will be traversing the broad expanse of ,villost ,nykon 7,sea of ,many ,islands74 ,we now will glance through the interior4 ,these great saloons and luxuriously appointed sleeping apartments are finished in rare carved woods and inlaid designs of ,ento's fruits and flowers through which peer lovely child faces of marvellously delicate and artistic execution4 ,you perceive that this vessel carries many passengers1 and all in equal comfort4 ,unlike the vessels of our planet it carries no steerage passengers1 for on ,ento such an atrocity is as unknown as are class distinctions1 which the ,sacred ,writings distinctly forbid4 ,this is the ,sacred statement3 ,i1 ,andmana31 the ,creator of all that is declare that of one blood1 one bone1 one flesh1 ,i have made all the children of ,my ,love1 so let no man dare say1 ,i am better than my brother1 and ,i can assure you that the ,sacred commandment is obeyed4 ,on this deck are the offices1 saloons1 sleeping1 culinary and dining apartments4 ,on the deck below1 to which we will now descend1 are the engineer's and his assistants' apartments and departments1 and also storage for freight4 ,for the motive energy1 the mechanism is partly here1 and partly in what may be termed the hold4 ,these vessels are so like and so unlike the seagoing vessels of our planet that should ,i attempt to describe existing differences ,i would consume too much time and space1 but we desire that you shall bear to the peoples of ,earth a knowledge of the fact that it is possible for vessels of the largest size to be propelled by electric energy1 and also that now on ,earth there are men inspired by ,spirit ,electricians who are working to that end1 and that ere long there will come into the ,earth sphere men1 who1 on the ,spirit side1 have learned the higher applications of electric energy1 and who will know how to use them4 ,the time is not far distant when1 on our planet1 steam as a motive power will have become as obsolete as it is on ,ento4 ,your continued surprise1 at seeing on ,ento much that corresponds with1 or at least bears a resemblance to ,earth forms1 is so natural that we do not marvel at it2 still1 if you will bear in mind a fact we already have stated1 that form is the expression of a universal principle1 and that in conformity with the degree of his evolvement1 man expresses it1 you will cease to wonder that our next door neighbors1 the ,entoans1 shape the keels of their vessels on the same lines as ,earth's shipbuilders shape the keels of their vessels4 ,adaptation of means to ends is an expression of form4 ,thus the savage who shapes the primitive dugout1 or his more advanced brother who constructs the more shapely bark canoe1 intuitively applies the principle of form as a means to an end4 ,as the ,entoans of the present are the result of the ,entoans of the past1 you may rest assured that their progenitors also used dugouts and bark canoes1 and only through their larger accumulated experiences do they1 in some directions1 take precedence of their less mature ,earth brethren1 who1 in time1 will outgrow their youthfulness4 ,we now will ascend to the upper deck1 for we are approaching one of the circular basins which are features of all ,waterways4 ,they occur at intervals of about twenty ,english miles1 and through the system of atmospheric telegraphy the movements of all vessels are so perfectly controlled that their passage in opposite directions is accomplished through the medium of the basins1 and thus collisions never occur4 ,observe how swiftly1 how gracefully1 yonder huge vessel sweeps around the further curve of the basin1 cleaving the water like a thing of life1 and leaving in its wake great undulating billows of snowy foam4 ,across the basin friendly salutations come to our fellow voyagers1 and they cry back1 ,loha1 loha4 ,fa3endos a3yon mya4 ,ah me1 it is hail and good-bye to most things1 and now it is good-bye to this fine vessel which for a time has given us hospitality and you an object lesson4 ,george1 we now will ascend4 ,sweeping northward and southward1 yet tending eastward1 we will afford you a comprehensive view of the equatorial lands and portions of the ,north and ,south ,temperate ,zones4 ,observe how diversified is this ,equatorial region4 ,cities1 towns and villages dot the wide expanses which largely are devoted to agricultural pursuits1 and so productive are the lands that they not only afford sustenance for local populations but admit of great quantities of grains1 fruits and vegetables being shipped to other less favored localities4 ,truly1 ,ento's ,irrigated ,belt is the garden of the ,planet4 ,george1 we now will quickly pass northward to the headwater of ,chyl ,ooltoma3h 7,rushing ,river74 ,gentola31 in this chain of spring-fed lakes the great river rises1 and during a considerable portion of the year its volume is greatly enlarged through melting snows and frequent rains of this rather cold but humid region4 ,we will follow its course southward so that you may observe the cities1 towns and villages lining its banks1 and the various kinds of craft traversing its navigable length4 ,you perceive that ,pfylonna1 the city beneath us1 is at the head of navigation1 and we with profit and pleasure might pass an hour in viewing its points of interest1 but not now1 for time is flying and at any moment we may be called to ,da3o4 ,yes1 this northern region is more picturesque than are the lands of the ,temperate and ,equatorial countries1 which1 as we proceed southward1 stretch into great level plains which sustain a dense population1 largely of agriculturists4 ,yonder1 on the eastern bank of the river1 is a pretty1 wooded height1 the remnant of a mountain chain of the long ago4 ,now its slight elevation is little more than a sufficient barrier against the tumultuous floods1 which during the spring pour down between it and the stone embankments of ,chyl ,ooltoma3h's western shore4 ,yes1 ,ento's ,waterways1 ,irrigating ,system1 ,embankments and other stupendous works excite wonder and admiration for the skill1 industry and enterprise involved1 but generally1 when self-preservation is at stake1 humanity rises superior to emergencies4 ,inidora31 while we hastily survey the surrounding country1 will you learn if the ,istoira3 may be interesting enough to engage our attention8 ,some rural ,istoira3s possess very attractive features4 ,inidora--,i feel strongly impelled to gratify your curiosity and my own4 ,i shall be gone but a moment1 and if worth while will summon you4 ,de ,l',ester--,again we are near the northern limit of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 and to what a state of perfection it has been brought4 ,those great ,structures are pumping ,stations1 and so excellent is the mechanism employed that the water distribution is under perfect control4 ,the government of ,ento indulges in no half-way measures4 ,whatever is done is done as well as can be accomplished4 ,what can so delay ,inidora38 ,he must have found the ,istoira3 unusually interesting4 ,we will seek him there4 ,ah--see how like one enchanted he stands gazing upon a woman kneeling before the flower laden altar4 ,over her white robes falls a wealth of dark1 waving hair1 which1 like a silken mantle1 partly conceals her large1 dark1 luminous eyes and marvellously lovely face1 in which yet lingers the timidity and guilelessness of childhood4 ,so entrancing is the young creature that ,inidora3 is unconscious of our presence4 ,now she prays to ,azon1 ,god of ,love1 to send her a lover who shall be handsome1 tender and true1 and she will be faithful and loving until death shall call them into the ,silence4 ,prayer from a heart so pure1 uttered by lips so tremulous1 so beautiful1 might move either mortal or ,spirit4 ,genessano1 speak to your brother1 for truly he is lost to all save this lovely girl4 ,genessano--,inidora31 my brother1 have you found in this beautiful suppliant your other ,self8 ,nay1 start not2 it is ,i1 ,genessano4 ,you were so absorbed that you did not observe our coming in search of you4 ,inidora--,yes1 yes1 ,i indeed have found my other ,self1 and cannot claim my own4 ,oh1 thou beauteous ,spirit ,amilla1 for whom ,i have searched the worlds of space1 clothed thou art in flesh1 which holds thee as the shell holds the pearl4 ,blind and deaf thou art to the presence of thy lover1 thy other ,self1 whom thou prayest ,azon to send thee4 ,drawn to thee through the law which attracts each to its own1 ,i again have found thee1 and henceforth ,i shall guard and guide thee until thou art free2 then again wilt thou find thy lover tender and true1 and ,i shall claim thee for my very own4 ,amilla1 dearest1 loveliest one1 reverently ,i kiss thy perfumed hair1 thy upturned brow1 beneath which thy luminous eyes shine like twin stars4 ,i touch with mine thy parted lips1 and the fragrance of thy breath is as the fragrance of rodels1 but thou knowest not that ,i am near thee4 ,amilla1 ,amilla1 oh1 couldst thou know1 that as of old thy lover so tender1 so true1 stands beside thee1 how quickly wouldst thou turn toward me thy face1 which is as beautiful as is the face of an angel4 ,but thou dost not know1 thou dost not know4 ,alas1 thou hast so forgotten the past that ,i am as naught to thee4 ,oh1 it is pitiful1 pitiful1 that ,i cannot make thee understand4 ,fain would ,i this moment free thee1 but ,i must not1 ,i dare not4 ,friends1 bear with me1 for until ,i shall have brought her ,soul into harmony with my own ,i shall remain with my regained ,amilla1 whose repeated embodiments1 like my own1 have held us far apart4 ,this accomplished1 ,i at intervals will be with you1 and when my love shall be freed1 oh1 joy of joys6 we together with you dear friends will for love's sake labor for the upliftment of humanity4 ,de ,l',ester--,even as thine own shall one day come to thee1 so ere long shall mine own come to me4 ,inscrutable are the ,laws of the ,infinite ,duality through whose seemingly devious ways apparently we are impelled toward destined ends4 ,as to-day ,i walk alone1 so one brief hour ago1 walked our ,inidora34 ,a seeming chance1 a sudden impulse1 and lo6 for our friend the face of the universe is changed4 ,gentola31 you comprehend that1 during past embodiments1 ,inidora3 and ,amilla have known of their indissoluble relationship4 ,that you may come to further understand the law of re-embodiment1 ,i briefly will relate a portion of my life story1 involving comparatively recent experiences of my own1 and of one who is my other ,self1 for1 as you have been told1 the male and the female are the two halves of a whole1 and it is a law of nature1 or if it pleases you1 of ,god1 that1 somewhere or somehow1 the halves shall become as one1 not as one entity or individual1 but as one in perfect ,spiritual harmony4 ,more than a century ago1 after a prolonged separation1 suddenly my ,soul ,mate and ,i came face to face1 and ,i knew my own4 ,i a freed spirit1 she a creature born of lust and fallen in the mire of a dissolute existence4 ,vainly her ,spirit ,self warred against and strove to escape from the bondage of inherited animal passions which held her fast as with chains of steel2 so1 patiently1 lovingly ,i did for her what ,i could1 until one drunken with wine and frenzied with jealousy1 struck her body dead at his feet4 ,i1 who waited and watched for her release1 drew her away from the scenes of her degraded mortal existence to her own place1 aiding her as other loving ones also did1 to undo the tangled threads of her sorrowful ,earth life4 ,she1 who well understood the ,law of ,being1 quickly realized that if she would progress out of the conditions of her previous embodiments1 she again must enter the ,mortal ,sphere of our or of some other planet1 and with slight hesitation1 this she resolved to do4 ,it is well that you shall learn that all mortal experiences are necessary for the perfecting of character1 which is but another term for ,spiritual growth4 ,the tendency of the real ,self1 the ,spirit1 is ever onward1 ever upward4 ,the tendency of the animal ,soul or conscious ,self1 ever is toward the material plane of ,being2 thus1 in the ,spiritualized human1 there is a constant warfare between the ,positive or ,spiritual man and the ,negative or ,animal consciousness and no one comes out of the battle unscathed4 ,you question the justice of a law which demands from humanity that which from an elevated mortal standpoint is objectionable2 but1 my friend1 have not you learned that the crust of bread earned by sweat of the brow is sweeter far than the whitest loaf to the palate of the idler8 ,be assured that when again you shall find yourself on our side of life1 you will prize the crusts you have1 through sad experiences1 earned1 far more than the white loaves you might have eaten to your hurt1 and ,i do not question but that in time you not only will acquiesce in the justice but in the beneficence of a law which admits of the undoing of mistakes1 and of the acquisition of much that only can be learned through repeated mortal experiences1 and of what is of greatest moment1 the ,rebirth of exalted ,spirits1 who may be ,saviors of humanity4 ,you1 who in your mortal state1 but partly realize that ,love1 the ,divine ,principle1 impels all things into harmonious relations1 into a fulfillment of the ,law of ,love1 may experience a sense of surprise1 that after a period equalling no more than forty of ,earth's fleeting years1 my ,romne1 grown strong and learned in many things1 announced her desire to at once take on mortal form1 that as a ,teacher she might serve women undergoing such experiences as to her were most sorrowful memories4 ,yes1 ,romne is the name of my other ,self1 and at her desire one of the ,spirit ,bands1 known as ,angels of the ,visitation1 sought out suitable environments for her next step on the ever ascending ladder of progress4 ,why did she so quickly become re-embodied8 ,she did so that thus she might fulfill the ,law of ,love1 for remember that it is only through loving service that ,spirits in or out of the mortal body grow strong1 wise and purified4 ,although ,romne and ,i understood the fact that for all losses there are adequate compensations1 it but slightly mitigated the sorrow of our separation4 ,we simply submitted1 as all must1 who desire to progress toward the unattainable perfection of the ,infinite ,spirit1 ,who alone is ,perfection4 ,desiring that ,i should not interfere with1 or even be cognizant of her mortal experiences1 ,romne exacted from me a promise that ,i should not seek for her or endeavor to learn on what planet she might be re-embodied1 and ,i have kept my promise4 ,when the moment of our parting arrived1 there was one close embrace1 one lingering look into each other's eyes1 then a loosening of clinging hands1 and then--and then ,i stood alone1 for the ,angels of the ,visitation had borne my ,spirit ,romne away to1 ,i know not where4 ,at times word comes to me of one who lives a life of self-abnegation1 of an ,angel of pity1 who ministers to fallen ones1 inspiring them with clearer views of their duties to others1 to themselves1 thus to ,god4 ,that ceaselessly she walks amid the squalid homes of the ignorant1 the wretched children of men1 instilling into their dulled minds a desire for knowledge1 which is the bread and water of life4 ,thus she is earning her crust of bread4 ,thus she is earning the reward for duties fulfilled4 ,it is a provision of the ,law of ,re-embodiment that those who return to the ,mortal ,plane retain little or no recollection of past experiences1 but to some peculiarly constituted persons1 in moments of ,spiritual exaltation1 come gleams of memories of a wondrous past existence1 which1 like the lightning's flash1 come and are gone4 ,i know not if to my ,romne these gleams of memories ever come1 but ,i know that with me her ,spiritualized ,image ever abides1 and that with measureless longing ,i wait and watch for her return4 ,never have ,i purposely sought for my vanished one1 but ever as ,i journey from world to world1 with vague expectation ,i scan the faces of women1 hoping that in some one of them ,i may find at least a resemblance to her who on some planet is fulfilling the ,law of ,love1 and the years go swiftly by and soon1 ah1 yes1 at any moment she may return to me4 ,this recital ,i purposely have given as a lesson for you who so revolt against the ,law of ,re-embodiment4 ,gentola--,certainly ,i do not desire to avoid learning any truth1 however unpalatable it may be1 but to one whose latest religious education has been thoroughly orthodox1 the facts and statements of the ,spiritual ,philosophy are somewhat startling4 ,i have outgrown some of my former beliefs1 but ,i confess that ,i have not grown far enough to receive with equanimity a belief in ,re-embodiment4 ,yes1 ,i am aware that the belief did not originate in ,modern ,spiritualism1 indeed it is only of late years that ,i have heard any ,spiritualist advocate it4 ,if it is a truth1 why is it that most returning1 perhaps ,i should say communicating ,spirits are so reticent concerning it8 ,during the twelve years of my ,mediumship1 to me it has not been more than hinted at4 ,from your own story ,i infer that ,re-embodiment is a matter of choice1 yet clearly in order to progress of necessity one must yield to this law4 ,when it may suit your inclination ,i should like you to more fully explain this very mystifying matter4 ,de ,l',ester--,to your quite reasonable remarks ,i cannot now reply1 but at a more opportune time ,i shall do so4 ,this much ,i may say1 that although a willing consent to an unavoidable necessity is somewhat paradoxical1 when there is a choice between a lesser and an infinitely greater good1 even at cost of ease or inclination1 one is apt to choose the greater good4 ,as with most persons some of the experiences of your present ,embodiment have not been so agreeable as to induce in you a desire for their possible repetition1 yet ,i venture to predict that a time will arrive when1 through your own desire1 you again will take on mortal conditions4 ,gentola--,it may be as you say1 but now ,i recoil from the thought of again passing through the sorrowful experiences that of necessity are a part of mortal existence4 ,but come what may1 in all sincerity ,i can say1 ,thy will be done4 ,while we have been conversing ,i have been watching ,inidora3 and the kneeling girl and it seems strange that she does not perceive his presence1 he who appears so real1 so substantial4 ,as he gently touches her hair1 she thinks the breeze is toying with it1 and with her shapely hand she smooths its rippling waves4 ,he kisses her forehead over which flossy curls are straying2 again she fancies that the breeze is playing with her tresses1 and somewhat impatiently she tucks them under her jewelled fillet4 ,now she rises to her feet1 raises her hands toward the golden ,sun crowning the altar and silently1 but with an expression of intense devotion on her lovely face1 bows low1 murmuring1 ,oirah1 oirah1 oirah1 and now with ,inidora3 by her side1 quietly1 serenely she passes from the ,istoira34 ,what a strange scene1 but in keeping with all these strange experiences4 ,de ,l',ester1 all my preconceived ideas relating to spirits are vanishing4 ,what were my preconceived ideas8 ,i scarcely can say1 but certainly ,i have not conceived it possible that such a scene as the one we have witnessed could occur4 ,like other mortals1 in a sense1 ,i have regarded ,spirits as superhuman1 and ,i confess that it is something of a shock to realize that you are as human as myself4 ,then again1 as ,i believe that you would not mislead me1 ,i am constrained to accept your declaration that ,re-embodiment is a fact1 and in my mind the question arises1 why does not the ,infinite ,potentiality create humans so perfect as to preclude the necessity of their experiencing the many trials and sorrows incident to repeated ,embodiments8 ,de ,l',ester--,why the ,infinite ,duality does this1 or does not do that1 only the ,infinite can reveal1 but this we do know1 that as ,spirits in or out of the mortal body through high endeavor and loving service for others unfold their infolded attributes they grow into a clearer realization that whatever really is is right1 and that in the ,universe there is but one ,principle which is wholly good1 hence1 logically1 there can be no evil1 and that so termed evil is a manifestation of unevolvement1 which inevitably must yield to the divinity inherent in all that is real4 ,as to ,spirits1 the only difference between those in and those out of mortal bodies is the change in their environments4 ,so termed death is the casting off of a coarse garment for one of finer texture1 and a subsequent removal from one to another condition of existence1 which in no way changes the higher emotions4 ,why does not the ,infinite ,potentiality create humans so perfect as to not require added virtues8 ,as well may we ask when1 where1 how1 did the first humans of the universe appear1 for neither we1 or most exalted ,spirits1 or ,angels of the highest ,heavens know4 ,the utmost that is known is that in the evolution of the human animal germs1 of any planet1 a period arrives when the evolved human animal becomes a conscious ,soul1 and in him the ,ego1 the ,spirit entity1 finds an instrument through whom it may express its ,god likeness or attributes4 ,how do we know this8 ,because that on various planets we see it exemplified4 ,upon what basis do we declare ,re-embodiment to be a fact8 ,because we constantly see its demonstration4 ,why do not all communicating ,spirits declare this truth8 ,may ,i ask why do not you speak ,greek1 ,hebrew or ,sanscrit8 ,you may reply1 because ,i have not learned those languages2 besides1 should ,i speak them but few persons would understand them4 ,precisely so1 and it is quite as true1 that only ,spirits advanced to certain planes of ,spiritual ,being are learned in the ,law of ,re-embodiment1 and equally as true that until of late comparatively few ,occidentals have been prepared to accept a truth so repellent not only to orthodox ,christianity but to the many whose minds reject all beyond the material plane of ,being4 ,communicating ,spirits may be ignorant concerning ,re-embodiment1 or too wise to offer that which might excite distrust or aversion4 ,at times silence is indeed golden4 ,among the older civilizations of our planet a knowledge of this truth and of the significance of the ,karma are so incorporated with all that concerns their existence that their every thought and act are shaped thereby1 and it is but a question of time when the western peoples will receive and retain the impress of their forcefulness4 ,yes1 ,i am aware that by most of your thinkers the law of heredity is thought to be accountable for the great diversity of forms1 features and mental characteristics of families1 and to a degree they are correct1 but only to a degree4 ,for instance1 you are one of ten children 7not including ,inez and ,emma1 whose growth has been on the ,spirit ,side7 of the same parents1 subjected to nearly the same antenatal influences and after environments1 yet in physical likeness1 temperament and mentality1 you were so unlike your brothers and sisters as to be regarded as somewhat uncanny4 ,we know that heredity only partly covers your case4 ,as another illustration1 we will select a not exceptional instance of a low type of parents1 whose ancestors may or may not have been below their own level1 but certainly not above it4 ,to these parents are born a number of children who may more or less closely resemble them1 but among the brood is one so entirely unlike any of the others as to perhaps arouse suspicion as to his or her paternity4 ,though the other children possess very ordinary mentality1 and physically are uncouth1 the exceptional child is unusually intelligent1 straight of limb1 erect of head1 open eyed1 handsome featured1 and with a certain grace of bearing which sets him or her quite apart1 not only from the other children1 but from the parents to whom he or she ever is as much a stranger as though of another family4 ,does the law of heredity satisfactorily account for an instance of this kind8 ,and it is not an isolated one4 ,your scientists assert that not only through successive1 but intermittent generations1 mental and physical traits are transmitted1 and ,i admit the fact2 on the other hand ,i assert that it is not possible through heredity or fortuitous circumstances to1 through a low type of parentage1 produce a type possessing the very best characteristics of the human4 ,one does not gather figs off thistles or roses from noxious weeds4 ,believe me1 ,gentola31 entertaining ,angels unawares is of common occurrence1 and ,angels are ,spirits who1 through repeated embodiments1 have attained to more or less exalted states of ,being4 ,yes1 very exalted ,spirits1 desiring to compass certain ends1 on our or other planets1 are1 so to say1 reborn1 and generally into lowly conditions4 ,if you will acquaint yourself with the mortal origin of the ,saviors of our ,planet1 the men and women who1 during the crises of humanity's upheavals1 have come to the front as leaders or teachers1 you will learn that as a rule it has been1 not the nobly born1 but the lowly born1 who have been the champions1 the deliverers of the people1 whom in the fullness of time they came to serve1 perchance to save4 ,to return to your own case4 ,you are aware that your parents were very upright1 very pious and intelligent persons2 these and other characteristics fitted them for parentage of more than average merit4 ,your father was strong physically and mentally1 and of a most generous nature1 which impelled him to assist all who came his way4 ,at the same time he exhibited a certain ruggedness of character1 amounting to brusqueness4 ,your mother1 frail physically1 but with high ,spiritual development which afforded her fine intuition1 formed with your father a combination through whom ,spirits well advanced might return to further fulfill the ,law of their ,being4 ,physically1 you are somewhat like your father1 and also your mentality possesses a coloring of his positive1 unswerving honesty of purpose1 but largely it is through your mother's ,spirituality that you possess a free entrance into the ,realm of ,intuition4 ,so much and more ,i yield to the law of heredity4 ,then again arises the question1 all having been born of the same parents and under like conditions and environments1 why are not you and your brothers and sisters more alike8 ,when you return to our side of life you will be better able to reply to this question4 ,you desire that ,i shall tell you something of your embodiment preceding your present one4 ,you were an ,oriental1 your parents being ,egyptians1 dwelling in ,alexandria4 ,your father was a dealer in rich stuffs and jewels4 ,a man of stern character1 yet withal of a rare tenderness of nature4 ,your mother1 a woman of great beauty and fine intelligence1 gave you birth1 and almost immediately passed to the ,world of ,spirits4 ,toward the close of eleven years of ,earth life you joined your mother who had guarded and guided you until you were released4 ,yes1 previous to your present ,embodiment you clearly understood that you were to be the ,special ,instrument for the accomplishment of this ,mission1 and gladly you re-entered the mortal plane that thus you might further fulfill the ,law of ,love4 ,throughout your present ,embodiment you have shown decidedly ,oriental tendencies4 ,your love of light1 of high temperature1 of rich colors1 of flowers and fruits1 and your equally strong dislike of darkness1 of cold and of animal food1 indicates a sort of overlapping of the tendencies of your previous ,earthly existence4 ,for some time ,i have had it in my thoughts to answer some of the unasked questions agitating your mind1 but until now no opportunity has presented itself4 ,i am quite aware of the inadequacy of my replies1 and of my inability to verify such statements as ,i have made1 nevertheless they are as true as ,truth4 ,gentola--,i thank you for your patient endeavor to instruct me1 and ,i earnestly desire that ,i may grow into a knowledge of all that is true4 ,de ,l',ester--,we better than yourself comprehend why you so revolt against the idea of ,re-embodiment4 ,your nature is very pitiful1 very sympathetic1 and it is not so much your personal sorrows as your consciousness of the fact that on our ,planet ignorance1 injustice1 cruelty and poverty so prevail as to render life undesirable1 that occasions you to shrink away from further mortal experiences4 ,yes1 it is true that the struggle for power and luxury among those best equipped for the battle is indeed a sad spectacle1 only a little less sad than is the struggle for mere existence among the toiling millions of ,earth's children4 ,on the surface the strife between prosperity and poverty appears very unequal1 but to those who see beyond mortal existence1 and who know that it is the sum of mortal deeds that determines the condition of all on the ,spirit ,side1 how pitifully small and mean are all the ephemeral dignities and luxuries for which men and women barter their best1 their immortal interests6 ,we are not surprised that you now shrink from the thought of again returning into this seething maelstrom of human passions and misery1 but remember that under all this strife and agony is the ever uplifting lever of evolution which unfailingly brings to the surface and perpetuates that which is worthiest4 ,cannot you yet conceive of the lofty devotion of discarnated ones1 who1 seeing their opportunity and their duty1 hasten to the rescue of struggling humanity1 sustaining the weak1 restraining the wayward and consoling the sorrowful1 thus fulfilling the ,law of ,love8 ,thus presenting to humanity higher views of ,truth4 ,ever the onward marching army of humanity is calling for leaders who shall direct their ways toward a better land1 and ever the supply is equal to the demand2 for ever the ,angels of the ,visitation are preparing the ways and making them straight for the advent of ,saviors who are to be the ,leaders and ,teachers of humanity4 ,at present the affairs of ,earth's peoples are tending toward a most destructive culmination4 ,it would seem that only the ,infinite ,one can stay the mad strife for place1 for power1 for gratification of selfish greed1 which1 from day to day1 grows fiercer and more aggressive4 ,almost certainly they are sowing a wind that will develop into a whirlwind whose destructive fury will efface so many landmarks that survivors will find themselves at a loss to discover their whereabouts4 ,those who are at the head of ,humanity's ,signal ,service should heed the outlook4 ,will they8 ,we think not4 ,they and the accumulators and hoarders of the wealth that should serve humanity's needs are so besotted with selfishness that they are blind and deaf to the cries of suffering millions who know not where to turn for bread1 and who now dumbly endure1 but who1 when the day of reckoning shall come as come it will1 will hold their oppressors to an account of their ,stewardship4 ,at no time during the history of our ,planet have the ,rulers of the ,nations been less humane1 less selfish1 less merciful1 less just than at present4 ,true1 the ,sovereigns of some of the more enlightened ,nations do not1 as in times past1 indulge in wholesale or ruthless butcheries of their subjects1 who have evolved too far to tamely submit to such cruelties1 but it is a ,truth as true as ,god that a sovereign or nation who idly1 perhaps exultingly1 looks on while another nation is being butchered for the crime of self-defense1 are aiders and abettors of murderous crime4 ,at this moment fear of consequences alone stays the hands of the leading ,sovereigns of ,europe from flying at each other's throats and sacrificing on the altars of their unrighteous ambition hecatombs of innocent1 unwilling victims4 ,understand1 ,gentola31 ,i am not finding fault with a condition1 which1 in the present state of evolution of the peoples of our ,planet1 cannot well be otherwise4 ,i simply state facts and deplore their unwelcome existence4 ,not only ,i1 but all ,spirits of right mind1 long unutterably for an opportunity to say to mortals1 if but this much3 ,learn to love one another4 ,learn that the good of one is the good of all4 ,learn that a cup of cold water from the hand of a friend is better far than a cup of choicest wine from a grudging hand4 ,learn that loving charity and pitiful mercy are as two radiant ,angels whose brightness will lighten your pathway to the brink of the river beyond whose further shore you will reap the harvest whose seed you have sowed while on the mortal side of life4 ,learn that gentle words spoken and kindly deeds done are treasures laid up in the heaven of your own consciousness1 and that throughout eternity they will be as precious jewels in your crown of endless existence4 ,and learn1 oh1 learn that1 above and beyond all else1 ,love is the fulfilling of the ,law of the ,infinite4 ,yes1 everywhere the processes of the progress of humanity appear to be much the same1 and so advanced and harmonious are some of the peoples of some ,planets of our and other ,solar ,systems1 that compared with the unevolved1 inharmonious peoples of our ,planet they are as ,gods4 ,yet so surely as on this height the ,sun is shining1 so surely will a period arrive when ,earth's peoples will be as brethren living in perfect unity4 ,courage then1 my friend1 courage4 ,with such ointment as you may possess1 anoint the worn and weary feet of your fellow travellers1 and though on ,earth's plane they may neither understand or value your service1 be assured that on the ,spirit ,side their risen ,selves will turn and bless you4 ,i have consumed so much time that only in the briefest manner can ,i reply to further questions4 ,you desire to know if all mortals of our ,planet have been ,re-embodied8 ,yes1 repeatedly4 ,you think it strange that ,spirits of a low plane of evolvement willingly become reborn under such conditions as inevitably must occasion them much wretchedness4 ,i reply that ,spirits seeking ,rebirth are aware that they cannot re-enter mortal existence on a plane higher than the one for which their progress on the ,spirit ,side has fitted them1 and gladly they take up their cross that thus they may earn their crown of ,spiritual progress4 ,at another time ,i will inform you as to how ,spirits recognize their ,spirit mates4 ,too long we have tarried on this pleasant height4 ,now we must hasten elsewhere4 ,george1 your sister awaits your assistance4 ,george--,i have been taking a survey of this locality1 and have learned that the proprietor of the surrounding estate1 with his family and domestic assistants1 occupies the nearby fine residence1 to which is attached this attractive ,istoira34 ,on its eastern side the height gently slopes toward an extensive area of irrigated lands4 ,when we rise you will observe the pretty village occupied by those who1 with the proprietor1 are engaged in their cultivation1 which apparently is very successful4 ,de ,l',ester has informed you that on ,ento seldom are laborers mere wage earners2 all enterprises1 of whatever nature or magnitude1 being conducted on a co-operative plan4 ,i also have glanced into the residence and found it a finely appointed and luxurious rural home4 ,i left ,inidora3 enraptured with ,amilla1 who sang a love song accompanying her voice with the soft1 sweet notes of the harplike ,loita34 ,she is the only surviving child of parents quite past middle age1 and she resembles her rather dark skinned father1 though indeed she also resembles her mother1 who is fair enough to be of the ,quend race4 ,in the ,istoira31 back of the altar1 are tablets setting forth the family history of births and deaths4 ,ra3imon ,kenoida3s is the father's name4 ,amilla bears the name of her mother4 ,de ,l',ester--,as usual1 ,george1 you make us your debtors4 ,now we will rise1 and while following the course of the river we will obtain a view of areas of the ,irrigated ,belt4 ,we are journeying nearly due south1 though further on the river curves slightly toward the east1 then gradually toward the west1 but the general direction is southward until it empties into ,hyda3fon ,loisa3 7,bottomless ,lake71 a fresh water lake1 partly within the ,south ,temperate ,zone1 and which is a part of the system4 ,now the river widens and the elevation grows so pronounced as to suggest a period when its rocky peaks pierced the clouds4 ,yes1 ages have passed since that remote time4 ,those great embankments along the western shore are for the purpose of confining the prodigious volume of water which in the spring pours down from the north1 threatening to inundate the broad1 level stretches toward the west4 ,you have yet to witness1 and shall1 if all goes well1 the spring floods of melted snow1 to which are added such downpours of rain as will astonish you4 ,to one unused to the spectacle it might appear as though ,ento were about to have an experience similar to the legendary ,noachian deluge4 ,as already stated engineering skill has risen equal to all emergencies arising from the spring floods1 which no longer are regarded as disastrous1 but as a special blessing4 ,what vast expanses of growing grains1 of vegetables and fruits4 ,yes1 ,ento's labor saving machines are of such a high degree of excellence that they serve all the purposes of a fine system of cultivation4 ,below us now the mountainous height abruptly slopes to the level of the plain1 rendering necessary the great embankment which1 as you perceive1 is carried to the further side of the gap1 where it terminates at the foot of the broken mountain1 which extends the length of the river4 ,gama3lfan 7,town of the ,gap71 the large town below us1 whose wharf is lined with vessels great and small1 and in whose ,basin a number of large vessels await opportunity for discharging or for taking aboard lading and passengers1 is a manufacturing centre of some importance1 and its wide1 beautifully paved1 flower bordered and shaded streets and numerous fine residences indicate a considerable population of highly cultivated people4 ,as is usual1 the ,temple is the most attractive feature of the town4 ,its white1 sculptured walls and lofty golden dome1 on which glows the many rayed emblem of ,ento's religion1 stands out in bold relief against the background of the verdure covered slope at whose foot it is built4 ,in the large building to the right of the temple is a fine library1 and to the right of it is the town school1 to which at this moment a large number of children are hastening2 not with the noisy hilarity of youths of our ,planet1 but with the gravity of their elders4 ,it is a pathetic feature of ,ento child life which we will hope may ere long disappear4 ,why do not we in this region see any ,tuzamos ,for the same reason that on our ,planet a time will arrive when1 as on ,ento1 railways1 in certain localities1 will be impracticable4 ,you have been informed that1 in certain regions of this planet1 to a considerable depth1 the soil is friable and as porous as a sponge1 rendering it too unstable for a ,tza3mo roadbed1 which the spring floods undermine and render unsafe for transportation4 ,it is only where the soil is coherent that ,tza3mo lines are practicable4 ,of course1 as ,air ,transports can go anywhere over the ,planet1 for many purposes they are preferable to land or water transportation4 ,yonder is a fruit laden vessel drawing to its mooring at the wharf4 ,we will descend so that you and our lad may examine the crates and baskets piled high with the luscious fruits of the various countries4 ,observe how each variety of fruit is surrounded by its own peculiar aura1 which mortals term aroma4 ,it is the vital principle or ,spirit essence of the fruit1 and is the portion of which ,spirits partake1 and ,i can assure you that an indulgence in this direction is never followed by a fit of indigestion4 ,you may believe my assertion that the aura of animal foods attracts ,spirits of gross appetites1 and the feasters at meat laden boards ever have guests they little dream of entertaining1 and the drinker of intoxicants hobnobs with boon companions for whom he unwittingly pays the score4 ,while on this subject ,i shall tell you another fact4 ,in all households there is a certain fluidic condition originating in the emanations of the persons composing the family1 and also from the emanations of the foods partaken of by the family1 and of visitors who in a slight measure contribute to the condition4 ,so sublimated is this fluid that1 as a rule1 only discarnated ,spirits fully perceive it1 yet there are instances where it is so decided1 so perceptible1 that1 to a degree1 visitors unconsciously are influenced by it1 and according as this fluid is ,spiritualized or sensualized1 will be the class of persons attracted by it4 ,hereafter1 upon entering different homes1 observe your sensations1 and soon you will recognize the meaning of this statement4 ,no1 animal food does not necessarily debase ,spirituality2 yet ,i would not advise you or any one to partake of it4 ,comparatively few persons are positive enough to repel unseen1 uninvited guests1 but only decided positives have any assurance that they are not entertaining to their hurt1 guests whose mere proximity is a menace4 ,but enough of this1 for ,i do not feel quite certain that this information is not somewhat premature1 but let it pass4 ,now we will resume our journey4 ,yes1 the generally levelled surface of these ,equatorial lands precludes much variety or picturesqueness of scenery4 ,we now have reached the southern confine of the ,province of ,vohaka31 and the river curves a little toward the southwest1 rushing through this rift in the mountain1 which is known as ,yoida3s ha3 7bow shaped74 ,below us1 in the angle formed by the mountain and the river1 is the capital city of ,vohaka31 which is known as ,endoina3a3 ,tyl 7,city of ,bridges71 and aptly it might be termed the ,venice of ,ento4 ,to my mind it is a very beautiful and unique city4 ,gentola31 what do you think of it8 ,gentola--,it also impresses me as being a very beautiful city4 ,through nearly all of the streets are canals spanned at intervals by handsome bridges1 so ornamental1 so apparently unsubstantial1 that it seems surprising that they sustain the weight of the numerous vehicles and multitudes of people passing over them4 ,the margins of the canals are lined with great palmlike trees1 whose leaves are in incessant motion1 and as the pretty1 passenger laden and other boats glide along under their rustling branches they seem to be whispering to each other4 ,and1 dear me1 see those lovely1 lovely flowers1 growing all along the margins of the ,waterways1 their rich1 glossy green leaves and great snowy blooms trailing down the walls and onto the water1 where they rest like enthroned ,queens of the flower world4 ,yes1 ,i perceive their aura1 and how wonderful it is4 ,please take me nearer1 so that ,i may see them more clearly4 ,genessano1 you are a flower lover1 will not you tell us something concerning these beauties8 ,illustration3 ,,rodel4 ,the ,national ,flower4 ,genessano--,this is the rodel1 the beauteous flower whose delicate perfume is considered far more exquisite than that of any other of the many fragrant blooms of ,ento4 ,with fervent prayers to ,andmana3's ,messengers that1 through loving deeds and duties fulfilled1 its life may be made as beautiful as is the heart of the rodel1 its unfolding buds are placed in the hands of the newly created infant4 ,bridal and other special ceremonies are graced by its peerless loveliness1 and its snowy blooms cover from tear dimmed eyes the pallid faces of the beloved dead4 ,also it symbolizes ,life and ,death4 ,in early morning its opening chalices turn their hearts toward ,andmana3's rising abode1 their sweet fragrance ascending as an ,offering to ,him ,who is the ,source of all life4 ,at close of day its white petals fold themselves over its golden heart and it sleeps the sleep of death1 for it blooms but a day1 ere its sweet life ends4 ,look into its heart and you will see a golden representation of the shining rays surrounding ,andmana3's glorious abode1 hence it is regarded as a ,divine ,symbol1 and in a sense it is idolized1 or perhaps ,i should say reverenced as being possessed of ,sacred qualities4 ,where nature has not provided suitable conditions for its growth it is artificially cultivated2 besides1 the matured buds are shipped all over the ,planet1 so that no occasion need lack the office of the ,sacred flower4 ,gentola--,many thanks for your interesting information4 ,to me all flowers are more or less beautiful2 these are especially so4 ,what immense leaves and how oddly pretty their frilled edges are1 and they stand up in a rim all around the---- ,oh1 my1 ,bernard1 look at that droll little creature blinking at us from that large leaf4 ,what is it1 ,de ,l',ester8 ,de ,l',ester--,if you should come across one of its kind on ,earth probably you would call it a frog4 ,genessano may have another name for it4 ,brillo8 ,that is rather a nice name for the comical looking creature4 ,ah1 there it goes headforemost into the water1 and now may be relating to its comrades its narrow escape from the clutches of some strange looking beings4 ,observe how substantially these canals are walled4 ,the masonry is about six feet thick and impenetrable by water1 and at intervals spaces are arranged for the growing of rodels and other plants of an aquatic nature4 ,the ,entoans1 universally1 are flower lovers2 so1 in your next ,re-embodiment1 you will find other inducements than grapes to tempt you to become an ,entoan4 ,we will ascend a little so that we may command a better view of the city4 ,yes1 the scene is very attractive4 ,the canals are alive with passing boats1 and overhead are ,transports coming or going4 ,you have observed the immense basin wherein a number of large river vessels await their turn to load or unload their freight4 ,those numerous small1 heavily laden boats are the carriers to or distributors for the large vessels which1 of course1 could not navigate the canals4 ,an admirable feature of ,entoan cities is the absence of avoidable noises1 haste and confusion4 ,always the people work in harmony1 each respecting the rights of their neighbors1 and all intent upon doing their duty1 thus honoring their calling and themselves4 ,back of their harmonious relations with each other is the intelligent force of a ,spiritually evolved people1 expressing itself in elevated thoughts and aims1 and in the beautiful in art1 architecture1 industry and thrift1 which ever are the concomitants of properly adjusted social relations and of an intelligent sense of duty4 ,the ,entoans consider idleness so utterly at variance with right conduct as to be disgraceful and not at all permissible1 save in cases of disability4 ,although they never have heard that ,satan finds mischief for idle hands to do1 they have learned that idleness is the begetter of all manner of social corruption1 so1 sternly it is frowned out of ,ento's code of ethics4 ,what is known on our planet as the social evil1 which1 indeed1 is a condition of undevelopment on a level with mere animalism1 long1 long ago1 through their ever increasing ,spirituality and consequent refinement1 was1 by the ,entoans1 outgrown4 ,even by persons least observant of social niceties1 strictest chastity is practiced4 ,yes1 ,ento's religion demands chaste conduct2 but1 aside from that1 the ,entoans have evolved beyond mere animalism4 ,idleness is a vestige of barbarism1 and inevitably it begets vicious tendencies and vicious abuses of natural functions2 hence it is all important that the law-makers of a people shall not only recognize the importance of this fact1 but that also they shall in themselves furnish fine examples of honesty1 industry1 chastity and temperate living1 which1 alas1 generally they do not4 ,our acquaintance with the peoples of various ,planets affords us wide opportunities for observation of their modes of thought and habits1 and wherever we have found degradation of the sacred function of procreation1 we have found a corresponding lack of ,spirituality1 and of all ideals constituting the basis of true civilization1 which invariably is the reflection of the degree of ,spirituality of peoples who never are truly civilized until they recognize that the human body is a temple for the indwelling of the holy ,spirit1 the ,god-man4 ,now we must turn our attention elsewhere4 ,it will not1 ,i think1 be amiss to devote a short time to an investigation of yonder mercantile establishment1 so that you may compare it with those of--well1 of your city of ,st4 ,louis4 ,you perceive that the structure is seven stories in height1 and its frontage is quite two hundred feet1 its depth about the same4 ,enter without hesitation4 ,you are not yet quite accustomed to the fact of your invisibility4 ,including the interiors the entire structure is of stone and various metals1 rendering it fireproof4 ,those elevators1 swiftly carrying patrons to the various floors1 also are entirely of metal4 ,yes1 the lightweight metal metsz4 ,these plant spaces surrounding the fountains are quite attractive1 and the fountains themselves are exquisite in design and execution4 ,i imagine that they are intended to serve the double purposes of ornamentation and of cooling the heated atmosphere4 ,observe this one4 ,in the centre of the basin1 on an ornate pedestal1 is poised the graceful form of a lovely1 smiling girl1 holding in her arms and outreaching hands a mass of blown rodels and buds1 whose long1 slender stems and frilled leaves seem to float on the water4 ,from the hearts of the full blown flowers jets of crystal water are thrown nearly to the lofty ceiling1 thence falling in silvery spray over the upturned face of the girl and her armful of rodel blooms4 ,the rim of the marble basin is a composition of rodel blooms and foliage1 as perfect of execution as is the marble form of the girl or the lifelike blooms she holds in her arms4 ,here is another basin in which is a great white marble vase filled with growing aquatic plants and grasses4 ,around its rim1 at intervals1 are sculptured water fowls from whose bills fine jets of water are thrown upward1 falling downward into the vase and basin like a gentle shower of rain4 ,there are four fountains1 and the basin of the next one is shaped like a shallow fluted shell1 in which is a group of semi-human1 semi-fishlike creatures of a mythical character4 ,oh1 yes1 the ,entoans1 like all other peoples1 have their myths4 ,genessano may enlighten us as to the meaning of these nondescript creatures1 whose present occupation is throwing a bewildering number of tiny streams of water in such a fashion as to partly conceal their lovely faces and fishlike forms4 ,genessano--,it is a very ancient story1 and reckoned something more than a myth1 that once in a remote time a mother and her three children fled from one who sought to destroy her and them4 ,being closely pursued1 she cried to the ,gods for succor1 and with her children sprang into ,indoloisa34 ,the ,deific ,ones1 compassionating her and her children1 metamorphosed her and them in such a manner that easily they eluded their pursuer1 who1 in his fury1 still sought for them1 but the avenging ,gods raised such a tempestuous storm that quickly he and his followers were destroyed4 ,i recall that during my childhood1 when storms swept over ,indoloisa3's bosom and the moaning winds sounded like wails of distress1 it was a common saying1 ,ah1 ,rinahdo1 the cruel one1 pursues ,noyna3 a ,vonna3 and her children1 and our mother would shelter in her loving arms her two timorous boys4 ,this group commemorating the legend is1 of course1 purely fanciful1 and the smiling mother and her laughing children are very unlike what my childish fancy used to conjure into something terrifying4 ,this fourth fountain also illustrates a mythical legend1 but it is not so regarded by my people4 ,in the centre of this beautiful flower rimmed basin is a mass of large leaves of a heart shaped growth4 ,up-springing from them is a long and strong stem1 bearing two great1 many petalled flowers1 from whose hearts are rising with outspread wings1 two softly plumaged birds1 each one carrying in its beak a bud just bursting into bloom4 ,our ,sacred ,writings declare that out of ,himself ,andmana3 created and caused to come forth from the buds the infant progenitors of ,ento's children4 ,that at ,his command the ,gods so assiduously cared for the infants1 that with miraculous quickness they grew to maturity1 and in time their offspring peopled ,ento4 ,since most ancient times this myth has been perpetuated in sculpture1 painting and in religious ceremonies4 ,de ,l',ester--,this story of the origin of the ,ento human is no more absurd or illogical than are legends of the same nature of peoples of other planets1 who cling to senseless superstitions because they are yet too immature to perceive the truth4 ,now1 ,gentola31 you will speak of whatever may interest you4 ,gentola--,where everything is interesting it is difficult to choose1 but certainly this great structure is worthy of notice4 ,the roof is composed of four great domes1 filled in with plates of glass1 so transparent as to not obstruct the light1 which falls through shades so adjusted as to permit the sunlight to fall only on the groups of plants and fountains4 ,to me the whole interior1 including the displays of the various wares1 appears very admirable4 ,as we pass from one department to another ,i scarcely can realize that we are not in some similar establishment on ,earth4 ,here are textile goods whose coloring1 weave1 designs and quality equal1 if they do not surpass1 any fabrics ,i ever have seen4 ,after all you have said to me relating to the universality of substance1 the homogeneity of the mind of man and of the natural and inevitable results of certain universal laws1 perhaps ,i should not express surprise to find here silks1 satins1 velvets and other fabrics very like those of our own ,planet4 ,here1 too1 are woolens of a great variety of weaves and colorings1 but ,i do not see any black goods of any kind4 ,genessano--,to the ,entoans black suggests darkness1 for which they entertain a positive aversion1 and darkness suggests death1 the ever present terror of their lives4 ,black1 the symbol of death1 is never worn or used in any avoidable manner4 ,you may not have observed that in the homes of the people lights ever are shining4 ,light being the symbol of life1 on every home altar a light burns perpetually4 ,gentola--,as ,i have been on ,ento but twice during the night ,i had not noticed the custom4 ,a dread of darkness may to some appear rather childish1 but ,i can sympathize with the ,entoans1 for ,i have an intense dislike for darkness4 ,in the absence of light1 ,i cannot locate myself4 ,i feel as though ,i were drifting through illimitable space1 and the sensation is excessively disagreeable4 ,de ,l',ester1 can you explain this mental condition8 ,de ,l',ester--,not now4 ,i merely will say that you lack what phrenologists term locality1 which will account for the fact that always you are getting lost4 ,gentola--,that is true4 ,at present ,i am lost in admiration of the very attractive garments worn by ,ento men and women4 ,i know that ,i never again will desire to wear the close fitting1 ungraceful clothing ,i always have worn4 ,see that stately woman whose inner-robe outlines her superb form1 yet is modesty itself1 and the over garment1 loose1 but extremely graceful of cut1 has such an air of distinction that it seems to me any change would detract from its beauty4 ,oh1 yes1 indeed1 ,i greatly admire the manner in which the ,ento women wear their abundant waved or curled hair4 ,the fillet is far prettier than any millinery creation4 ,dear me1 what exquisite laces4 ,as delicate as gossamer and of such lovely designs4 ,i profoundly admire fine laces1 and am a fair judge of their qualities1 especially handmade laces1 and these in texture1 designs and workmanship are as fine and beautiful as any ,i ever have seen4 ,here1 too1 is a display of embroidery1 which is surpassingly lovely4 ,i perceive that in their production gold1 silver and silk threads in a great variety of colors are combined harmoniously and most artistically1 and here are bands in which the flowers are simulated by minute stones closely imitating the natural blooms4 ,yes1 frequently ,i have observed robes of both men and women bordered and trimmed with such embroidery1 and--no1 it does not make the men appear effeminate1 quite the contrary4 ,i cannot attempt a detailed description of this adjoining department1 devoted to an endless array of articles for the toilet4 ,should ,i do so1 certainly my ,earth friends would laugh at such an exhibition of my vivid imagination4 ,quite as certainly ,i would not find fault with their incredulity4 ,i1 however1 will say that ,i find here combs1 brushes1 manicure implements1 perfumes1 soaps and an endless array of articles whose uses ,i only can guess at4 ,could some of our ,earth folk walk into this establishment1 which they would term a department store1 they1 like myself1 would find themselves amazed1 not so much by the strangeness1 as by the familiar appearance of a thousand and more articles4 ,de ,l',ester--,do not forget that in the universe there is but ,one ,mind which must everywhere express itself harmoniously1 and you will cease to marvel at many things4 ,ah1 ,george is experimenting and ,genessano looks on with curious interest4 ,mon ami1 what are you attempting8 ,george--,i am trying to find out if any of these salespeople are ,sensitives4 ,ah1 my gentle sir1 as you look about you seeking to learn who has spoken to you1 your dreamy eyes are opening wide with surprise4 ,genessano1 through ,gentola31 address him4 ,i fancy that he does not understand ,english4 ,gentola--,emano1 ra3dossa3 illma3 voi ha34 ,voiha istan finost tsoina34 ,george--,he grows alarmed1 but stands in an attitude of intense attention4 ,gentola--,ona fan yoidas mano4 ,info oovist4 ,george--,now he is thoroughly alarmed and rushes away1 exclaiming1 ,zmos1 ,zmos1 dlsa ilmo evantos4 ,his comrades and the people stare and question as to the cause of his alarm1 and two young men have gone after him1 evidently thinking him attacked with sudden illness4 ,very certainly ,ento possesses many ,sensitives1 and when the ,spirit ,worlds shall have succeeded in changing the positive conditions surrounding them they will become amenable to ,spirit ,control4 ,what did ,genessano prompt you to say to the youth8 ,in effect you remarked1 ,friend1 the weather is fine4 ,then you asked1 ,do you hear what ,i say8 ,then you added1 ,be not alarmed4 ,info oovist4 ,evidently he did not heed your advice1 and certainly he does not desire further acquaintance with you1 for his cried to ,zmos1 a god1 to protect him4 ,the experiment being concluded1 ,i shall not further interrupt you4 ,de ,l',ester--,of course it is not practicable for you to give a detailed description of the contents of this establishment or of the structure itself1 which is a fine example of its kind1 but when the time shall have arrived for you to compile for publication our somewhat imperfect manuscript1 under my control you will arrange it1 and then you will recall all that you have seen1 heard or experienced during your journeys to ,ento1 and it may be worth while to describe to some competent architect the style1 including interior arrangements1 of this and of other structures you have observed4 ,being within the equatorial belt1 you may imagine that artificial heat is not required2 but1 in this latitude at times the temperature falls so low as to be uncomfortably cool2 hence this electrical appliance for heating4 ,our clairaudient friend1 wearing an abashed and nervous air1 is returning4 ,be at peace1 gentle souled one1 for at present we will not further disturb you4 ,gentola31 you gaze longingly at those lovely laces4 ,i wish it might be possible for you to bear with you to ,earth such a pretty memento of your visit to ,endoina3a3 ,tyl4 ,george1 what is next on the programme8 ,george--,gentola31 in this city there is a library which save for one in ,dao1 equals any other of ,ento1 and now we will afford you and ,bernard a view of it4 ,gentola--,i have meant to ask you to show me a library1 but always the time at our disposal is so fully occupied4 ,de ,l',ester--,come1 then1 for the hours are flying and we cannot much longer hold you4 ,allow me to assist you4 ,this large edifice contains treasures in books and various objects of value1 but ,i do not greatly admire its style of architecture1 still it is a grandly imposing structure and well adapted to its purposes4 ,those fine statues over the main portico are representations of certain of ,ento's authors1 and you will observe that those columns supporting the portico and them are in style nearly as purely ,doric as any you may find on our ,planet4 ,they offer another illustration of the universality of form ideals4 ,the main entrance1 though severely plain1 is very imposing4 ,we will enter it and view the interior4 ,you perceive that the roof is a series of four domes through which the interior is lighted1 ventilation being secured through a scientific mechanism which thoroughly serves its purpose4 ,also you perceive that five galleries encircle the interior1 and that the walls are fitted with glass inclosed shelves1 which are filled with books1 largely bound in a material similar to papier-mache1 which its manufacturers know how to render flexible1 and indestructible by insects4 ,others are bound in leather of a very fine quality4 ,no1 cloth bindings are not at all used1 the ,entoans being of the opinion that books worth preserving are worthy of meritorious covers4 ,on this table is a large open book4 ,examine the leaves1 and you will see that they are of an excellent quality of paper1 resembling parchment4 ,its texture is very close1 and it is almost as thin as tissue paper1 yet it is quite opaque4 ,as ,zenesta3 is absent1 you1 ,genessano1 will tell us something concerning the language of this book4 ,genessano--,gentola31 you have been informed that on ,ento one language universally is spoken4 ,true1 there are other languages and dialects which1 on occasions1 are both spoken and written1 but practically ,avnassa3 is the language of ,ento4 ,by ,spirits of your and other planetary ,spirit ,spheres ,i have been informed that they find it a singularly elegant and easily learned language4 ,the alphabetical letters are not complex1 and during many centuries ,ento's scholars have made a study of simplifying the language4 ,did you understand ,avnassa3 you would perceive that through terminal letters and accentuation a limited range of words serves for a wide range of expression4 ,no1 this book is not ,avnassa31 but ,va3a3m1 the language of a southern race1 of a period preceding the establishment of ,ento's religion4 ,you perceive that the letters or rather the characters1 are quite unlike those of the ,avnassa3 alphabet4 ,our friend1 ,poole1 is studying ,avnassa31 and should you so desire1 he may draw the alphabet for you4 ,yes1 ,i am his ,instructor and find him an apt pupil4 ,our father1 who1 during his mortal existence1 was a learned man1 owned a volume of this rare work1 and through him ,inidora3 and ,i became a little acquainted with the ,va3a3m language and the contents of this book1 which treats of the sciences of eighty ,ento centuries ago4 ,as the lesser is contained in the greater1 so the accumulated knowledge of one era contains the germs which in after times unfold their potencies4 ,thus the sciences as understood in the days of ,dylos ,ra3mo1 the author of this book1 were the germs of achievements of the past and present1 which you have learned are in many directions of a high degree of excellence4 ,i am told that your word paper signifies the same as our word billosa31 which largely is the product of a fibrous plant known as ektos1 which blooms prettily1 producing large seed pods containing a white1 silken fibre1 which is utilized1 not alone in the manufacture of billosa3 but also for the production of textile fabrics1 some of which you recently have been admiring4 ,does this scene impress you agreeably8 ,gentola--,certainly2 this is a large and beautifully arranged library1 and what numbers of people are coming1 going1 or entering the adjoining room4 ,a reading room8 ,yes1 ,i should like to look into it4 ,why1 it is quite crowded with men and women1 all intently perusing books1 papers and publications which wear a very familiar appearance2 so familiar indeed as to nearly make me doubt the evidence of my own eyes4 ,de ,l',ester1 please ask ,genessano if the ,entoans possess a literature corresponding with what we term romances4 ,genessano--,indeed1 yes1 and it constitutes a considerable portion of ,ento's literature4 ,one story1 which was based upon actual occurrences1 ,inidora3 and ,i used to read with profound emotion1 and when this mission shall have culminated1 and you may find leisure and inclination to hear it1 ,i will relate what ,de ,l',ester may translate into your language1 and you may name it ,a ,romance of ,ento4 ,gentola--,i am sure that ,i shall be even more pleased to hear it than you can be in relating it4 ,george--,yonder is another clairaudient ,sensitive1 the youth robed in blue1 who apparently is seeking for some special book4 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 and he also is somewhat clairvoyant4 ,gentola31 he may be able to perceive or to hear you4 ,stand near him and follow my dictation4 ,gentola--,voian los toya3 mano8 ,entoan--,efon ista3 voian----,ah1 ,andmana3 ktoivan froya3---- ,de ,l',ester--,come away1 come away1 ,gentola31 the man is scared out of his wits1 and has fallen in a swoon4 ,what a commotion4 ,employees and visitors hasten to his assistance1 expressing much concern and surprise4 ,what a pity that he is such a nervous and timid person4 ,ah1 he is reviving and looking about him in an apprehensive manner1 and every one is plying him with questions4 ,genessano1 what is he saying8 ,he speaks in such an excited and rapid manner that ,i cannot follow him4 ,genessano--,he says3 ,i was seeking for a copy of ,broh ,litszen1 when ,i thought some one inquired as to what ,i searched for4 ,i was about to reply1 ',i am searching for ,broh ,litszen1' when ,i felt impelled to turn my gaze in the direction of the voice1 and ,i call the ,gods to witness that ,i thought ,i saw a strange woman1 unlike any ,i ever have beheld4 ,it was not that her appearance was forbidding1 but there was in her face or form or expression that which ,i cannot explain or describe1 and in an instant ,i was so overawed that ,i lost consciousness4 ,i am ashamed of my weakness for1 of course1 it was a freak of my imagination4 ,they ask him how the woman was clothed1 and he replies that she was very singularly clothed1 but that really he cannot describe her garments4 ,he also says that he and his auditors have heard the strange stories relating to ,prince ,dano and some of his friends1 and he prays the ,gods that he may not find himself similarly afflicted4 ,now he says1 ,i feel myself quite restored1 and am convinced that the seizure was due to an overtaxed brain1 for lately ,i have been too studious and must desist from such imprudence4 ,although the youth assumes a careless air1 it is very apparent that he is ill at ease1 and his fellow employees and visitors to the library express concern over what has occurred4 ,from their conversation it is evident that the experiences of ,dano1 ,lta1 ,favon and other ,sensitives have gained wide publicity1 and from their peculiar nature are exciting attention and greater unrest in the minds of ,ento's sorrowful peoples4 ,a favorable omen1 friends1 a favorable omen of the swiftly coming dawn of the new religion1 and as the day draws near ,i scarcely can restrain my impatience4 ,de ,l',ester--,as little can we1 but the hours are swiftly flying and well may our hopes rise high1 for surely1 surely the light is penetrating the ,spiritual consciousness of many of ,ento's children4 ,gentola31 we cannot attempt even a limited description of the vast collection of books1 manuscripts and many curious objects4 ,you must content yourself through storing up memories of many things which in coming years you may recall with pleasure to yourself and possibly to others4 ,gentola--,i wish that ,i might retain memories of all that ,i experience during these journeys to ,ento1 but always when ,i try to recall scenes and the appearance of peoples and places it is like attempting to revive illy remembered dreams4 ,now ,i gaze on this great library1 on these magnificently beautiful marbles1 bronzes and many lovely and interesting objects and ,i know that when ,i shall have returned to ,earth it all will appear as the baseless fabric of a vision4 ,de ,l',ester--,you cannot retain memories of your ,ento experiences because your subconscious ,self or ,ego is too deeply submerged to be in conscious rapport with your animal or ,soul ,self1 which receives negative imprints1 which ,i promise you shall in time be developed into memory pictures as vivid as are these realities4 ,from the inception of our ,mission we have known that in your normal state you would not remember your ,ento experiences2 hence the necessity of an automatic record of them4 ,yes1 ,i assure you that our expectation of your efficiency in this undertaking has been more than fulfilled and we promise you that the future shall not disappoint you4 ,you yet are only on the verge of surprising experiences2 soon your ,spirit senses will be greatly quickened and then your work will be made plain to you4 ,ento is but one of the ,planets of space which1 with us1 you may visit1 should you so elect1 but of this we will speak later on4 ,friends1 we yet have an hour at our disposal2 how shall we best apply it8 ,genessano--,i suggest that as ,gentola3 and ,bernard have seen but little of ,ento home life they shall be afforded a view of the interior of some residence4 ,de ,l',ester--,a good suggestion1 ,genessano1 and we will ask you to select the residence4 ,genessano--,then we will visit yonder massive and spacious dwelling just beyond the sun-crowned column4 ,observe that its architecture is not modern1 neither is it of a very remote period4 ,it may have been erected two centuries ago of our time4 ,its massive stone foundation and stone walls carried to the height of three stories show no evidences of disintegration1 and around the doors and windows the finely executed sculpture appears as perfectly preserved as though chiselled recently4 ,about the handsome structure the spacious lawn is abloom with a variety of flowering shrubs and plants and doubtless we will find the interior of the home equally as attractive4 ,we will enter and ascertain4 ,this wide1 central hallway and the fine staircases are of ,ento's rose tinted woods1 and the mosaic floor1 rugs1 tapestries1 statuary and decorative features are in every way admirable4 ,gentola31 ,i have not yet experienced the pleasure of viewing the cities and homes of your ,planet1 but ere long ,i may be afforded the opportunity of comparing them with the cities and homes of ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,it may add to the sum of your information1 but it will not add to your happiness to view some features of ,earth's cities and homes4 ,some of these friends and ,i have viewed the best and the worst of them1 and ,i assure you that the contrast between the sumptuous homes of the rich and the squalid homes of the poor is very saddening4 ,on our ,planet this residence with its beautiful appointments would be considered exceptionally luxurious1 on ,ento such homes are the rule not the exception4 ,we will enter the apartment on the left1 and you1 ,gentola31 will describe it4 ,gentola--,we are in a very spacious room1 through whose large alcoved windows one obtains a fine view of the lawn with its great beds of blooming plants and a lovely fountain throwing jets of sparkling water high into the air4 ,the room is panelled in rose colored woods which rise to the ceiling and curve to its centre1 meeting under a great cluster of carved foliage and rodel blooms4 ,in the hearts of the rodels1 which are of exaggerated size1 are crystal bulbs1 and ,i wish ,i might understand ,ento's system of electric lighting1 which is so unlike that of ,earth4 ,the floor is a mosaic of a very delicate rose tinted field1 with shaded sprays of rose colored flowers scattered over it1 and the wide border is of shades of rose colored foliage1 grasses and flowers4 ,the effect is delicate1 very unique1 and ,i think extremely pretty4 ,in the centre of the apartment is a fountain1 whose large basin is of white marble1 veined with palest rose4 ,it is in the form of a full blown rodel1 and from its heart1 tiny jets of water are thrown upward1 striking a peculiar arrangement of crystal cups1 producing soft musical sounds similar to the notes of a music box4 ,all about the apartment are handsome divans1 chairs and tables1 on the latter are books1 papers and other reading matter4 ,there are swings and hammocks1 and in the further one reclines a young girl with flowing dusky hair1 olive-hued skin1 lovely features1 dark large1 luminous eyes1 full scarlet lips1 through which her teeth gleam like pearls1 and a form of perfect proportions4 ,to me the eyes of the ,entoans are their most noticeable feature4 ,they are so large1 so luminous1 but always ,i see in them a sort of brooding expression as though in their depths lies some sorrowful memory4 ,surely1 yonder youthful looking woman near the window is not the mother of all those children1 four of whom are swimming or playing in the basin of the fountain2 three are swinging1 and the two smaller ones are playing at her feet4 ,near her1 reclining on a pretty wicker lounge1 a fine looking man of apparently middle age reads aloud from a book which seems to greatly interest them1 and now an aged man and woman1 whom the children hail with delight1 are entering the room1 and the man and woman hasten forward1 and as they lead them to seats1 they affectionately welcome them and speak to them in gentle1 solicitous tones4 ,now quite a youthful man and woman approach1 and the two younger children scramble to their feet1 and hasten to the arms outstretched to receive them4 ,the man swings the older child to his shoulder1 and the woman takes up the younger one who is little more than a baby1 and turns to salute a beautiful1 but sad faced young woman1 who quietly and alone enters the room where all with much tenderness of manner greet her1 and an attendant quickly robes the children playing in the basin of the fountain1 who hasten to her and fondly cluster about her4 ,allow me to be silent1 while ,genessano shall explain the relationship of these persons4 ,genessano--,from their conversation ,i learn that the woman who entered alone recently has been widowed1 and that she is the mother of the four children grouped about her4 ,her robe is not so much a badge of mourning as it is an indication of her widowhood4 ,only widows wear this peculiar shade of hinifro 7yellow74 ,the young girl in the hammock1 the widow and the father of the other five children are the son and daughters of the middle aged couple1 and the aged pair are the father and mother of the middle aged man1 and all reside in this spacious home1 of which this living room is a feature common to ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,another feature is about to be added to the already attractive scene1 for here are a number of attendants bearing trays laden with delicacies and fruits1 to be served for the family luncheon4 ,the hour has expired1 and after a hasty survey of other apartments of the residence1 we must bid adieu to it and to ,endoinas4 ,at a low altitude we still will follow the course of the river1 which from this point flows in a southwestward direction1 and soon we will arrive at ,hom-ar1 7,city of ,palms71 a city situated very near the line of the equator4 ,it is on the west bank of the river which forms a boundary between the provinces of ,vohaka3 and ,ha3myen1 where we will meet a ,messenger from ,da3o1 who will inform us of the precise condition of ,valloa34 ,the purport of the message will determine our movements of the near future4 ,george1 pause for a moment that ,gentola3 and ,bernard may again view this city of bridges4 ,is not it quite attractive8 ,gentola--,it is more than attractive1 it is a view so impressively beautiful that one is not likely to forget it4 ,you1 who have seen the great cities of ,earth1 those aggregations of magnificence and squalor1 will understand how my son and ,i are impressed and surprised by the beauty1 thrift and cleanliness of the cities and towns of ,ento4 ,as ,i gaze in all directions the scene impresses me with a sense of unreality1 much as though ,i were beholding the creation of a mirage4 ,the humid1 hazy atmosphere lends a sort of indistinctness to the far reaches of the country1 where various kinds of water-craft are passing along canals and the larger ,waterways2 while below us the streets and bridges are alive with the movement of people and vehicles1 and1 ,de ,l',ester1 ,i observe several animals running about the streets or lying on porches2 what are they8 ,de ,l',ester--,do not you remember ,fento1 in ,giant's dwelling8 ,well1 those animals are ,fento's kindred1 and a naturalist would inform us that they belong to the feline family1 which they do4 ,no1 on ,ento there are no animals even similar to our wolf or its kindred4 ,indeed1 on ,ento1 nearly all savage life forms have disappeared1 and1 in time1 such forms will disappear from our planet4 ,it is a fact that on all planets evolved to the ,spiritualized man period1 in proportion as humanity advances1 the coarser life forms recede2 for it is a law of nature that1 as the ,spiritual atmosphere of ,planets increases in quality and quantity1 through lack of proper vital sustenance1 coarser life forms perish4 ,were the lion1 tiger1 bear and other savage animals of our ,planet left unmolested1 of necessity1 in time1 they would cease to exist4 ,the activities of generation demand specific conditions1 and ,ento no longer offers conditions favorable to the generation of savage life forms4 ,yes1 domesticity of certain animals enables them to for a time ward off the day of their doom1 but it is only delayed4 ,have you observed those lofty ,light ,towers8 ,gentola--,yes1 and when at night they are ablaze1 the scene must be beautiful4 ,some time1 like you1 ,i may be free to go where ,i will4 ,then ,i may come to ,ento to view all the wonders we now have not time to even glance at4 ,you all are most patient with my dear son and me1 and ,i think that you know that we appreciate all your goodness to us4 ,de ,l',ester--,progress1 spiritually1 comes only to those who stand and serve4 ,you partly comprehend our present service of love1 but you do not at all comprehend your service of a coming time1 which to a greater degree will make us your debtors1 even as we now are4 ,now we will continue our journey4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 rest your hand on my shoulder4 ,no1 it does not hinder me1 and it is so pleasant to feel your touch4 ,gentola--,you dear boy1 ,i shall be glad to do so4 ,bernard--,what do you imagine the folks at home would think could they see you and me with this large ,band of ,spirits passing through the air8 ,gentola--,dear me1 ,i cannot imagine what they would think1 but ,i suspect that they would think us in danger of an awful fall4 ,de ,l',ester1 at what altitude are we8 ,de ,l',ester--,about one ,english mile above the surface of ,ento1 and we are moving rather slowly so that you may obtain a good view of the river and its shipping1 of the irrigated country and its many towns1 villages and fine suburban estates4 ,the town we are nearing offers a rather pretty view4 ,through the arrival and departure of those great vessels its commodious shipping basin presents quite an animated appearance4 ,being a distributing centre it possesses a handsome ,air ,transport ,station which adds to its importance4 ,it is near high noon and the chime of yonder sun-crowned temple dome is softly pealing1 and men1 women and children hasten to the midday service4 ,were we not so pressed for time we might witness it1 but we must pass on4 ,gentola31 direct your gaze toward those low-lying1 grayish clouds1 for soon1 in that direction1 you will behold the light towers and golden domes of ,hom-ar ,tyl1 where ,sylvian1 the messenger from ,dao1 will meet us4 ,she is a relative of the sick girl1 ,valloa31 being an aunt on the maternal side4 ,she and the ,spirit mother of ,valloa31 are in constant attendance1 sustaining and strengthening her so as to as far as possible prolong her mortal existence4 ,why do they desire to prolong her mortal existence8 ,for the reason that she is one of the principal instruments through whom is to come to ,ento the priceless knowledge of a continuity of existence4 ,then each added day of her mortal experience more fully unfolds her ,spirit senses1 thus better fitting her not only for our purpose but for her entrance into ,ento's ,spirit ,world4 ,including the human1 the stages of animal existences find correspondences in the vegetable kingdom4 ,first1 the germination of the sown seed1 followed by growth and the unfolding of the infolded bud into the full blown flower2 then the ripening of the seed and the harvesting4 ,humans who pass from mortal existence ere the culmination of corresponding stages of growth and maturity1 lack1 so to say1 ripeness1 and upon entering the ,spirit ,world they are at such a disadvantage that they find it necessary to again return into mortal environments where1 through association with mortals1 they may acquire growth and experience4 ,the spirit friends of ,valloa31 understanding this ,law1 will1 for as long as may be possible1 hold her in her physical body4 ,the low-lying clouds have drifted away1 and yonder amid a sea of verdure is ,hom-ar ,tyl 7city of ,palms71 where1 in a certain park1 our friend1 ,sylvian1 will meet us4 ,it is now beneath us1 and we will descend to the ,palm fountain4 ,is not this a peculiar conceit8 ,gentola--,very1 and as pretty as it is peculiar4 ,instead of the usual human1 animal or fanciful composition1 is this great metallic palmlike tree4 ,bernard1 see how from that central cluster of upright leaves the water is thrown into the air from whence in silvery spray it falls upon the luxuriant foliage1 from which1 in a copious shower1 it rains into the basin4 ,really1 ,i think it almost the prettiest of the many fountains ,i have seen on ,ento4 ,in form and coloring both tree and foliage are true to nature4 ,i wonder how the color effects are produced8 ,de ,l',ester--,genessano says that the coloring is effected through a process of enamelling which resists corrosion4 ,he also says----,ah1 ,sylvian approaches4 ,sylvian--,efon fiestmos1 manos4 7,i greet you kindly1 friends47 ,genessano--,onos ta3 fiestmosa3a31 ,sylvian4 7,we as kindly greet you1 ,sylvian47 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 ,i shall serve as interpreter between ,sylvian1 yourself and ,bernard1 who yet but slightly understands the ,ento language4 ,emana3 ,sylvian1 this is ,gentola31 of whom you have heard1 and this is her son1 ,bernard1 who recently passed from the mortal to our side of life4 ,sylvian--,only as a matter of courtesy need ,i be presented to one whose name to me is as a household word4 ,gentola31 as ,i look into your eyes my heart goes out to you in fonder greeting than my lips can utter1 for ,i recall cherished memories of long ago1 memories which happily you cannot now recall1 but which1 at times1 like evanescent mist wreaths drift athwart your mental vision4 ,de ,l',ester's warning glance deters me else ,i might grow too reminiscent1 which1 at this time1 would be unwise4 ,gentola31 ,i cannot express my joy1 my gratitude1 that across the vast space between ,earth and ,ento an incarnated spirit has been brought to deliver to ,ento's sorrowful children a ,message of hope2 a ,message which shall lift out of an abyss of darkness into effulgent light a people who now with heavy hearts and downcast thoughts ever walk in the shadow of a great fear2 for ever1 as they courageously smile and strive to forget1 they are conscious of the approach of the dread horror death4 ,gentola31 see you not how my people in whom the love element is so evolved as to dominate all other emotions1 count all things valueless when compared with the intense affection they bear for their nearest and dearest ones8 ,to them death is the synonym of despair1 for when their dear ones pass into the ,silence only despair and darkness of mind remain4 ,but our hopes are high for the success of the ,mission2 for at last through the ceaseless efforts of ,spirits of many ,spirit ,worlds the inner consciousness of the ,entoans is being so aroused that in their despair1 blindly they are reaching out for relief4 ,more wonderful still1 my kinsman1 ,omanos ,fnha31 ,osy ,hn1 listens with rapt attention as his child ,valloa3 relates her wondrous experiences1 which he no longer regards as the vagaries of a diseased brain1 but begs her to repeat again and again the story of her beatific visions4 ,valloa3 stands upon the threshold of our ,spirit ,realms1 and her ,inner senses are so unfolded that she sees and holds converse with her mother1 with me and with other ,spirits who minister to her4 ,to her father and others about her she conveys messages from her mother1 from me and from other ,spirits4 ,to her father she relates incidents known only to himself1 and she whispers to him of private affairs1 and he marvels at her knowledge and eagerly questions as to the source of her information4 ,so rapidly are his ,spiritual ,senses unfolding that at any moment they may burst into bloom2 then the old1 hopeless beliefs will pass into oblivion4 ,prince ,dano1 my young kinsman1 who is ,valloa3's betrothed1 scarcely quits her presence1 and his heart is heavy with grief1 that his beloved one is so near the conclusion of her mortal existence2 but with a strength born of the new faith1 he cheers and consoles her4 ,constantly his cry is1 ,courage1 my ,valloa31 my own1 for thou art not going into the dread1 endless ,silence1 but into a gloriously beautiful world of living1 loving ones4 ,i1 who for a time must remain on ,ento1 will ceaselessly proclaim the joyful tidings of continuous existence1 and the swiftly fleeting years will pass1 and then ,i shall come to thee1 my beloved1 mine own forevermore4 ,spiritually1 he sees and hears with phenomenal clearness1 and to all about him he earnestly proclaims his absolute faith in the declarations of the strange woman ,gentola31 and implicitly he relies upon your declarations and promises4 ,his father1 ,basto ,andlsa31 who was in despair over what he considered the lost mind of his son1 now cherishes ,dano's words as though they are the very strength of his life1 and ,ontellna31 ,dano's gentle mother1 smiles or weeps as she listens to her son's glowing portrayal of the life that is to be4 ,thus1 ,gentola31 you perceive that the seed you have sown has germinated and gives promise of a harvest of joy inexpressible4 ,the hour draws very near when we no longer will be able to hold in her physical form our precious ,valloa34 ,when that hour shall arrive we well know that ,spirit forces from many ,spirit ,realms will with you dear and devoted friends unite in a supreme effort to reveal to ,omanos ,fnha3 and others irrefutable knowledge of the continuity of life1 and1 ,gentola31 that which more than all else will hasten the acceptance of the new religion will be the promise and proof of escape from ever impending annihilation1 from which ,priests and people shrink with ever increasing horror4 ,unquestioningly the people have been obliged to accept the ancient faith1 whose exponents1 the ,priesthood1 have interpreted to fit their own ideas and ends2 but1 ceaselessly1 evolution proceeds1 and despite most unfavoring conditions the peoples of ,ento now are prepared for the ushering in of a brighter day than ever has dawned upon their consciousness2 and1 like many others1 ,i scarcely can await the culmination of this momentous event4 ,yes1 ,ento possesses many ,sensitives1 but hitherto1 to a greater degree than now1 the aural atmosphere has been so positive as generally to prevent their approach by wholly freed ,spirits4 ,being yet physically embodied1 your ,spirit body is of a less sublimated character than are those of wholly freed and advanced spirits who are visible only to certain ,priests and ,priestesses of inner sanctuaries1 whose lives are most ascetic and in a sense ,spiritualized4 ,when1 through the influence of the new religion1 the hopeless mental state of the people shall yield to joyful expectation1 the aural atmosphere gradually will grow penetrable1 and ,sensitives whom now we cannot approach will develop into ,mediums through whom ,spirits will communicate to mortals the glorious truth that their present existence is but a momentary experience of unending life4 ,de ,l',ester informs me that now you fully understand the aims of those conducting and assisting in this ,mission1 which1 as you may know1 is not an unusual one1 for all revelations to mortals are the results of ,spirit activities1 and all ,saviors are ,missionaries ,re-embodied for a fixed purpose1 which1 alas1 is not always accomplished4 ,valloa3 being near the time of her release from her physical body these friends and ,i have arranged for constant communication between them and the watchers at ,da3o4 ,thus1 until summoned thither1 they may without further anxious thought1 devote every possible moment to your instruction concerning ,ento4 ,with you1 ,bernard1 who stand so silently observant1 ere long ,i shall make it my affair to become acquainted1 and with you1 ,gentola31 ,i rejoice to renew our friendship of a time when we were co-workers in an undertaking similar to this ,mission4 ,when you return to the ,spirit side you will comprehend what now ,i must leave unexplained4 ,let these embraces assure you and this dear boy that as of yore ,i am your loving friend1 ,sylvian ,ravvecta34 ,and now1 manos1 ,info sta3-tiva3 ,znosa3a3 oovist4 7,to the care of the ,angelic ones1 until we again meet47 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 it is arranged that constantly ,sylvian shall be informed as to our movements1 and as constantly she will keep us in touch with affairs at ,da3o1 for in a few days we will be summoned there to share with others the responsibilities of a most momentous occasion4 ,in the meantime we must improve the swiftly fleeting hours4 ,to-day we have held you with us overlong1 and now must return you to your home1 over which the shadows of twilight are falling4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 do not you think ,sylvian very gracious and beautiful8 ,really1 ,i felt quite abashed when she kissed and embraced me4 ,george--,bernard1 your modesty is very commendable4 ,evidently ,sylvian discriminates between men and boys1 as she kissed and embraced no one but you and your mother4 ,bernard--,all right1 my ,british kinsman1 for as long as ,sylvian may discriminate in that manner ,i shall be content to remain a boy4 ,but1 mother1 you have not answered my question4 ,gentola--,sylvian is indeed both gracious and beautiful4 ,the rich olive of her complexion is to my taste as much to be admired as are the roses and lilies of fair skinned beauties4 ,on first coming to ,ento the stature of the people impressed me rather unpleasantly2 indeed1 when ,i met ,inidora3 and ,genessa3no ,i imagined them specimens of a race of giants1 and was surprised when ,i learned that they were of the average height of ,ento's ,oriental and most other races4 ,sylvian's height is1 ,i should say1 quite seven feet1 but she is so symmetrically formed that she appears a grandly beautiful woman4 ,our friends tell me---- ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 positively you must defer further conversation1 and ,i shall take it upon myself to see you safely landed on ,earth4 ,bernard1 as your mother is quite exhausted1 ,george and ,i will bear her home1 where ere now she should have arrived4 ,gentola--,good-bye1 dear son1 good-bye until to-morrow4 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 in interstellar space there are countless magnetic currents1 each varying from others in their ever onward inconceivable velocity1 in never varying directions4 ,this current on which1 or rather in which1 we are speeding to ,earth is not one in which previously you have journeyed1 but which has speedily borne us within ,earth's atmosphere1 and--again you are safe at home1 where loving ones will guard you until we meet to-morrow4 ,adieu4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,concerning ,,the ,,eskimos4 ,de ,l',ester--,madame1 we offer you our warmest greetings1 and are highly gratified to perceive that a night of profound sleep has quite restored your exhausted vitality4 ,we have felt somewhat solicitous as to the result of yesterday's prolonged stay on ,ento1 and are delighted that you have not suffered through our imprudence4 ,gentola--,i retired early and fell asleep immediately4 ,this morning ,i feel quite restored1 and am ready for our starward journey4 ,de ,l',ester--,then at once we will depart for ,ento1 where in the ,city of ,palms1 nearby the palm tree fountain1 our friends will meet us4 ,for a reason we shall remain there for perhaps an hour1 and ,von ,humboldt will speak to you in relation to a question you recently asked4 ,gentola--,another question to which you kindly may reply1 is1 do ,spirits released from the physical body find their perceptions greatly enlarged8 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 if sufficiently unfolded to realize that they are on the ,spirit side1 and1 alas1 myriads of ,spirits are not so unfolded4 ,spirits progressed to an advanced plane of ,being1 are so in harmony with the ,infinite ,mind1 that they know all relating to that plane1 hence1 in a sense1 are partakers of that mind4 ,but we near ,ento1 and--yes1 yonder swiftly revolving1 tiny moons1 ,entola3 and ,emantola3 are interesting objects1 the more so as they are a terrible menace to ,ento4 ,why8 ,for the reason that some time1 aye1 at any time1 one and the other will rush onto and rend the bosom of the mother who gave them birth4 ,at another time you will learn more concerning those frisky satellites4 ,yonder near the fountain1 our friends are observing our arrival1 and ,inez and ,bernard are coming to meet us4 ,hail1 hail1 bright ones4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 it makes me so happy to be by your side4 ,gentola--,and ,i1 dear son1 cannot express my joy that once again your strong arms embrace me4 ,yes1 from afar we saw you and this sweet sister ,inez approaching4 ,de ,l',ester--,friends1 we greet you all1 and hope for favorable word from ,da3o4 ,inez--,within a half hour ,i have returned from a visit to ,valloa34 ,save that her vital energy gradually decreases1 and her ,spirit vision grows clearer the situation is unchanged4 ,de ,l',ester--,then while we await--,i should say that we shall remain here for an hour1 and you1 ,von ,humboldt1 kindly will occupy the time by replying to ,gentola3's question of yesterday4 ,von ,humboldt--,madame1 in replying to your question1 relating to a remark of mine1 concerning a race of comparatively diminutive ,entoans1 ,i shall include other of your unanswered questions4 ,the poles of ,planets inclined as are those of ,ento and ,earth receive comparatively a small amount of solar heat1 hence1 the crust surrounding the poles of either newly formed ,planet1 cooled and thickened at an earlier period than did areas nearer their equators4 ,in time the areas known to us as the north and south temperate zones of either ,planet became fitted for the germination and habitations of earliest life-forms1 which as you are aware first appeared in the tepid waters of the new worlds4 ,man1 being a warm blooded animal1 in early ages on either ,planet1 his natural habitat was in their warmer divisions1 which in the fullness of time became suited for the entertainment of the evolved1 ,spiritualized human1 who through succeeding exigencies of existence1 has learned to adjust himself to manifold conditions which may apply to the race under consideration who1 since a remote time1 have occupied localities extending from the southern limit of ,ento's south temperate zone1 to near the south pole4 ,owing to the rigor of the climate1 and their occupation of mining1 their habitations1 like those of all ,ento polar peoples1 are subterranean and very comfortable and attractive abodes they are4 ,climatic conditions somewhat incline this race to an indulgence in flesh food1 which with the products of all lands1 ,air ,transports abundantly supply them4 ,the summers of ,ento's arctic and antarctic circles being1 what may be termed1 phenomenally mild1 in the spring the released waters of the polar regions teem with myriad life forms upon which the diminutive ,da3hova3s and their polar neighbors largely subsist4 ,in those antarctic localities are vast deposits of precious and other minerals1 and of various gems1 all of which find disposition in the marts of the ,ento world4 ,notwithstanding their inhospitable climatic surroundings1 the ,da3hova3s number some millions of educated1 refined persons1 whose occupation in no way interferes with their social standing4 ,the fair-skinned1 blond-haired1 blue-eyed persons whom frequently you have observed were ,da3hova3s1 who are greatly inclined to travel1 the facilities of ,air ,transportation encouraging them in their desire for change of scene4 ,their average height is about six feet1 and they are a handsome featured and finely proportioned race4 ,the average height of other fair-skinned ,ento races is about six feet ten inches1 which is quite one foot less than that of the dark-hued ,orientals1 of whom our friends1 ,inidora3 and ,genessano are examples4 ,yes1 it appears singular that1 though genial climes invite them elsewhere1 humans submit themselves to such inhospitable environments2 but1 in their affairs force of circumstances and an inclination for certain pursuits or gains are forceful potencies4 ,the natural tendency of the genus homo is away from1 not toward1 inclement regions1 but through upheavals or subsidences of portions of planets1 or perhaps through the fortunes of wars1 surviving peoples1 in opposition to tendencies and desires1 may be compelled to submit to the unavoidable4 ,you have expressed surprise over the absence of social distinctions among the ,entoans1 who consider labor of whatever kind as elevating4 ,very properly they regard idleness as a species of crime against the common weal1 and only when incapacitated1 do either men or women cease to labor either with head or hands4 ,they understand that all well balanced minds require a certain amount of active occupation1 and that idleness induces pernicious conduct4 ,one of their aphorisms is1 to labor righteously is to emulate the example of the ever active ,deific ,ones1 and ,i quite agree with them4 ,if instead of the yearly expenditure of millions of money for the maintenance of armies of men engaged in murdering each other1 and for the erection and support of prisons1 reformatories1 almshouses and the like1 ,earth's several governments would1 as does the government of ,ento1 oblige every able-bodied man and woman to engage in some useful occupation1 how quickly would poverty1 degradation and discontent disappear and the wealth now worse than wasted would produce great and beneficent public utilities1 would erect and maintain majestic institutions for the free education of all peoples1 would supply elevating amusements for the masses1 and also would construct and maintain public baths1 gymnasiums1 excellent roadways1 in short1 all the admirable features of the civilization of ,ento1 which yet is but a promise of a higher1 grander civilization of a coming time4 ,no1 we have not found any planet overpopulated4 ,when sufficiently evolved1 humans elevate the offices of paternity and maternity above the merely animal plane2 then children are not inconsiderately begotten4 ,you may not have observed that1 in ,ento families1 seldom are there more than four children2 generally there are no more than two4 ,yes1 certainly1 a period will arrive when ,earth's peoples will have advanced far beyond their present uncivilized condition4 ,really civilized peoples do not murder each other1 do not in any manner wilfully injure each other4 ,though one person's opinions may differ from those of another1 civilized peoples do not1 for that reason1 fly at each other's throats4 ,everywhere civilized peoples do as they wish others to do unto them4 ,so you may perceive that even ,earth's most advanced peoples have not wholly emerged from barbarism2 no1 not even those who pompously profess to follow the precepts of ,earth's ,divinest ,teacher1 the meek and lowly ,nazarene1 have arrived at a clear perception of what constitutes ,christian or other civilization1 else they1 too1 would be so meek and lowly as to shrink from attempting to force upon others their very crude beliefs and superstitious observances4 ,yes1 like all freed spirits1 ,i have found occasions to change my views1 and to endeavor to outgrow my errors4 ,unlooked for occurrences having brought about changes in our programme1 for the present we must forego the pleasure of showing you and ,bernard certain interesting portions of ,ento's ,south ,temperate and ,antarctic regions2 but we anticipate that this slight mention of some of the inhabitants of ,antarctica may stimulate in you a desire for future exploration in their direction4 ,i yet have some moments ,i may devote to you4 ,gentola--,then will you inform me as to the origin of the ,eskimos and other polar races of our planet8 ,are they direct descendants of a primitive ancestry4 ,von ,humboldt--,neither the ,eskimos or other polar peoples are direct descendants of primitive man4 ,of course1 all peoples1 indirectly1 are descendants of early races1 whose low1 retreating foreheads1 misshapen forms and features offered slight promise of evolvement into the shapely humans of to-day4 ,though the ,eskimo is somewhat uncouth of form and feature1 compared with primitive man he is a ,god4 ,are you aware that when primitive men first essayed to walk erect they used as a means of support and for offense and defense1 clubs1 which to this day are perpetuated in the staff or walking stick8 ,as the feat of walking erect is accomplished through a series of threatened falls and accomplished recoveries1 primitive men do not in a day learn to walk unaided1 and from the period when through infoldment of the ,divine ,spark man becomes a conscious1 living soul1 until unaided he walks erect1 time may be reckoned by ages4 ,yes1 in a sense1 all humans are descendants of primitive races1 but so far removed from their primitive ancestry1 that the fact is unrealizable4 ,no1 madame1 in no sense is the human related to the anthropoidal races4 ,through environment and survival of the fittest1 all life forms continuously evolve and re-evolve into higher expression1 but man alone is capable of becoming ,spiritualized4 ,constantly the positive law of evolution impels all life forms onward and upward toward higher planes of existence2 it is quite as true that the little less forceful negative law of degeneracy is a perpetual obstacle and menace to human advancement4 ,by some of ,earth's advanced thinkers these opposing laws are recognized1 filling their minds with disquiet and apprehension for those who1 besotted by the love of power and luxury1 are approaching the line of demarcation between progress and degeneracy4 ,madame1 the ,eskimos and other peoples of ,earth's frigid regions are descendants of races once of vast numbers1 who1 in an early age1 inhabited the then temperate northern and southern climes2 but ,earth's crust cooling1 thickening and radiating an ever lessening degree of internal heat1 its great fiery heart could not perpetually vivify its extremities1 and at the poles gradually ice and snow accumulated1 the preponderant accumulation being at the ,north ,pole4 ,slowly1 but surely1 human and animal races were impelled toward the equator1 multiplying prodigiously1 and warring upon each other with ferocity indescribable4 ,your scientists have not yet declared the certain existence of preglacial man1 thus my assertion that ,earth has experienced two glacial horrors1 and that previous to the last one the genus homo was distributed over nearly all portions of the inhabitable globe is not likely to be received as a conclusive statement1 which however is a correct one4 ,it also is true that the survivors of the catastrophe were as mariners cast upon unknown shores1 for they and other life forms experienced such a redistribution that your ethnologists and naturalists are unable to solve some problems which1 on passing to the ,spirit side1 will be made plain to them4 ,the remote progenitors of the ,eskimos and other peoples of the frigid north and south were survivors of the awful calamity which swept out of physical existence entire races of humans and many species of animal and vegetable life4 ,gradually1 through isolation and extreme privations1 the descendants of those remote ancestors experienced nearly arrested mental and physical development1 and until comparatively a recent period1 they were as lost members of the human family4 ,through inherited qualities and long usage they are so inured to their wretched condition that to a degree they do not realize its discomforts2 but steadily advancing agencies are approaching their lands1 and at a not very remote period their present inhabitants will have disappeared1 and for the same reason that ,ento's polar regions are1 ,i may say1 well populated1 ere long ,earth's polar regions will sustain a large number of inhabitants4 ,gentola--,sir1 ,i thank you for your replies to my not very coherent questions4 ,you are aware that ,i have not been permitted to acquire such knowledge as would have unfitted my skeptical mind for the work in which we are engaged1 but certainly ,i do not doubt the correctness of your statements4 ,if the hour has not quite expired ,i should like to ask---- ,von ,humboldt--,the hour has expired1 and a pleasant surprise for you is at hand4 ,gentola--,truly1 sir1 this is a pleasant surprise1 and with my heart in my hand ,i greet you4 ,it has been a long time since you bade us adieu4 ,ha-,moufi--,gentola3 mana31 though absent in ,spirit not so have ,i been in thought4 ,and you1 dear friends1 how gladly ,i exchange with you loving embraces and words of kindliest greeting4 ,you are aware that your movements and events relating to the ,mission are known in our and other ,spirit ,worlds1 and anxious hearts and eager eyes hope and watch for the success of the near culmination of the struggle between ,spiritual and material forces4 ,i have longed to be with you that ,i might share with you the preparation for and the anticipation of the approaching ,spiritual enlightenment of my people4 ,scarcely have ,i been able to restrain my impatience1 and only that my duties as a teacher have fully occupied my time1 ere now ,i would have been with you4 ,now ,i rejoice to say that ,i shall be with you until the culmination of the ,mission4 ,but where is ,zenesta3 ,ha3o8 ,i had thought to find him with you4 ,de ,l',ester--,i am pleased to say that soon he will join us1 and also ,i desire to assure you that in again having you with us1 our delight quite equals your own4 ,continually we have missed your genial presence and engaging conversation2 so indeed you are more than welcome4 ,ere now ,zenesta3 and ,aaron ,poole should have arrived2 doubtless they soon will appear4 ,you have been informed that in the person of a gentle girl ,re-embodied on this ,planet ,inidora3 has found his other ,self4 ,frequently ,genessano visits them and gives favorable reports of their harmonious relations4 ,when we shall be summoned to ,da3o ,inidora31 too1 will join us4 ,what can so delay ,zenesta3 and ,poole8 ,even as ,i speak of our wingless ,angels they are approaching1 and as usual are as radiant and joyous as two ,seraphs4 ,ah1 you tardy ones1 you have completely upset our plans4 ,through your and ,ha-,moufi's simultaneous arrival we had thought to overwhelm ,gentola34 ,poole--,should we offer the whys and wherefores of our late arrival you would not find yourselves edified4 ,so ,i shall only say that it was unavoidable4 ,gentola31 ,i am delighted to learn that your interest in these journeys from ,earth to ,ento and still more in our ,mission of loving endeavor increases and also ,i am delighted to perceive that your ,psychic ,senses are unfolding and that your vital energy is not yet greatly lessened1 all of which rejoices all of us4 ,from your dearest ones in our ,spirit ,world ,i bear to you fondest greetings and measureless love1 which1 with my own1 ,i express in this embrace4 ,but tell me1 my sister1 have you at any time regretted having given yourself to this grand ,mission8 ,gentola--,indeed no4 ,not for a moment have ,i regretted that ,i have been chosen as an instrument through whom loving ,spirits may bring to a sorrowful people the priceless knowledge of the continuity of existence4 ,it is true that such constant association with ,spirits who have outgrown the frailties common to the physical plane has not enhanced my enjoyment of mortal existence1 in which ,i find myself so painfully sensitive that ,i shrink from much that previous to this experience1 scarcely1 if at all1 disturbed me4 ,still ,i do not regret having given myself to this service1 for through it ,i have learned that ,i am my brothers' keeper1 and that from this duty neither ,i or any one can1 if they would1 escape4 ,having learned this lesson1 ,i cannot1 if ,i would1 escape knowledge of the injustice1 cruelty1 ignorance and degradation prevailing on our ,sorrowful ,star1 and at thought of it my ,soul grows faint4 ,you assure me that through evolution ,earth's immature peoples will1 as have the ,entoans1 become elevated in their ideas of right1 and ,i do not doubt it1 but in the meantime one must lament the miseries of to-day4 ,nearly all of ,earth's peoples believe more or less in a continuity of existence1 in ,heaven1 ,hell or in some unknown condition of rewards and punishments1 yet neither that or any other belief prevents them from persecuting and even killing each other4 ,how then is it that possessing neither a belief or a hope of continued existence the ,entoans are so far advanced in all that constitutes a high standard of ethics1 and is it thought that a knowledge of continuous existence will render them a more just or moral people8 ,de ,l',ester--,observation of the peoples of various ,planets1 including ,earth and ,ento1 leads us to the conclusion that religious beliefs exert but a very limited influence upon the inner life and conduct of either individuals or peoples1 such limited influence being of a reflex character4 ,certainly ,spiritual ideals are the outgrowth of evolution of individuals1 and in a tardier degree of peoples1 and are the natural sequences of the unfoldment of the infolded ,soul4 ,morality is not a grace of some mental process1 but a ,principle inherent in the ,soul of man4 ,it is the objective consciousness of subjective righteousness1 and when the ,soul and the ,ego are in harmonious relation each with the other a high moral standard is the result4 ,spiritual ideals enunciated by such exalted men as ,buddha1 ,jesus1 ,confucius and others1 were1 and yet are1 in advance of the masses who do not comprehend them1 and by some who dimly catch their meaning they serve as ignes fatui with which they mislead the minds of the ignorant4 ,here and there are those whose ,souls are irradiated by the light of the ,divine ,spirit4 ,these do not kill1 or counsel murder of their brethren1 neither do they steal1 or lie1 or indulge in the baser traits of the unevolved human1 and in time all of ,earth's children will so evolve that gladly they will practice ,ento's golden rule1 ,i will do unto my neighbor as ,i would have my neighbor do unto me4 ,no1 simply a knowledge of the continuity of existence will not make the ,entoans juster or more moral1 but it will bring to them happiness immeasurable4 ,they1 as it were1 now exist within a circle outside of which is nothing4 ,no anticipated renewal of loving ties1 no reunion with parents1 with children1 with consorts or friends4 ,naught for the dead but perpetual ,silence2 naught for the living but hopeless longing for the beloved dead1 forever lost to sight1 to touch1 to all but undying memories and to measureless sorrow4 ,yes1 ancient ,ento spirits have informed us that long antecedent to the establishment of their religious system ,ento's various races held various religious beliefs and violent religious differences were of common occurrence4 ,like the peoples of our own and other planets they created ,gods on a level with their evolvement1 and loyally fought for their supremacy1 but at the time of the establishment of the national religion this chaotic condition was regulated4 ,the creeds of the various sects with their attendant legends1 as far as practicable were harmonized and formulated1 and thus the ,sacred ,writings1 the ,ento ,confession of ,faith1 became the ,sacred ,law from which there was no appeal4 ,these ,sacred ,writings contain many admirable lessons1 but so inwrought with cruel ,commandments1 puerile conceptions and chimerical legends1 that during later centuries the evolved intelligence of priests and peoples gradually has brought about a tacit disuse of rites and ceremonials once strictly observed4 ,the worst feature of these ,sacred ,writings is the doctrine of utter annihilation of the ,life ,principle1 inducing in the minds of the people the hopeless attitude of one ever walking in the shadows of death and despair1 but having outgrown some of the worst features of their religion the ,entoans now are prepared for still larger liberty of thought1 and soon they will be released from the bondage of ecclesiastical tyranny4 ,of course1 there are priestly zealots1 who as far as they may dare1 will oppose the introduction of a new religion1 but so overwhelming and universal is the desire for relief from their ever present despair that as thirsty travellers in a barren land eagerly the people will drink of the life giving waters of hope and joy held to their lips by hands of their dear ones whom they had consigned to the ,silence4 ,gentola31 you little realize the joy that will fill your ,soul when you shall behold the smileless faces of the gentle ,entoans irradiated through the consciousness that like a worn garment the dread past has fallen away from them1 and that from glorious ,spirit ,realms radiant ,angels have proclaimed for them life1 life1 life forevermore1 is the heritage of all of ,andmana3's children of ,ento1 and of countless worlds in space4 ,nay1 ,gentola31 not another question1 for inevitably soon we will be called to ,da3o1 so we must improve the hours remaining to us4 ,there are features of this city that would interest you and ,bernard but we must defer the pleasure to a more opportune time4 ,i now may say to you that the approaching climax of our ,mission will not at all end it1 and although it will not be necessary that you shall continuously accompany us1 emergencies are likely to arise in which your services will be of vital importance4 ,at such times we may take advantage of your presence on the ,planet to observe much that now we cannot even glance at4 ,in pursuance of our plans we will survey other irrigated regions and adjacent waste lands1 thus you and ,bernard will acquire a general knowledge of a large portion of ,ento4 ,gentola--,do not make too much of my now seeing this or that4 ,i am not over curious and can wait for times that may be more propitious for observing whatever may be instructive or interesting4 ,de ,l',ester--,it is my opinion that curiosity is not strictly a feminine trait4 ,as for you1 you are incurious to a fault4 ,you would have been an admirable ,eve4 ,gentola--,i am not so sure of that1 but certainly ,i never would have looked at1 much less have listened to such a monstrosity as a talking serpent4 ,george--,gentola31 ,bernard is resolved to share with me the pleasure of assisting you4 ,dear boy1 you grow so strong that ,i suspect you soon will oust me altogether4 ,bernard--,i wish ,i were strong enough to assist you unaided1 and1 mother1 dear1 soon ,i shall be4 ,de ,l',ester--,if you two boys have arrived at a decision as to who shall assist our traveller1 we will rise a little higher so as to gain a more comprehensive view of this large and very beautiful city1 which is one of the greatest manufacturing centres of ,ento4 ,below us now is an extensive shipyard where are built and launched into that extensive ,basin many of ,ento's largest vessels2 thence they find their ways through nearly all the navigable waters of the planet4 ,toward the southeast you may observe a series of large buildings4 ,in them are constructed ,air ,transports and various motor vehicles4 ,as you have seen many rich silken stuffs it may interest you to learn that this city is the principal centre of ,ento's silk industry4 ,those wide spreading groves1 to which at times we have called your attention1 afford sustenance for the myriads of cocoon producing worms1 which1 structurally1 are exactly like the silkworm of our ,planet4 ,zenesta3 informs us that since very ancient times the silk industry has for the most part been in the hands of certain peoples1 and as an inheritance is transmitted from generation to generation of the same families who have become experts in all pertaining to it4 ,dyeing processes are similar to some in use on ,earth1 though ,ento chemists also produce exquisite dyes from atmospheric substances as yet unknown to chemists of our ,planet1 but during the coming century in this direction they will make surprising discoveries4 ,on the further bank of the river1 embowered amid great palmlike trees and other greenery is a group of imposing buildings1 their white walls and domed summits presenting a very picturesque and handsome appearance4 ,george1 we will approach them more nearly4 ,gentola31 in those commodious structures are housed all the homeless infirm and homeless aged persons of this province1 and truly in the fullest sense possible it is a home1 for the care of the inmates is regarded as a ,sacred trust1 and they receive every attention that love and a high sense of duty can suggest4 ,you have been told that the ,entoans regard life as the most precious of all possessions1 and that it may be prolonged to the utmost is their chiefest desire4 ,those who live to an unusual age are regarded as being specially favored by the ,god ,phra 7death71 and they receive tenderest care and marked consideration4 ,this and like beneficent institutions are known as ,rova3 n ,vastimo ,odallissa3a34 ,translated into your language this would mean home for the fortunate4 ,zenesta3 says that my translation is not quite correct4 ,i should have said favored1 not fortunate1 ones4 ,yes1 ,i am aware that on our ,planet1 particularly among so termed civilized peoples1 there is small sympathy for such unfortunates as fill insane asylums4 ,in such institutions we often witness fiendish cruelties perpetrated by semi-savage attendants upon helpless unfortunates4 ,cruelty in all its manifestations is the unerring indication of savagery1 hence individuals or peoples who entertain low views as to their duties toward the aged1 the helpless and unfortunate are still in an unevolved state and of necessity upon entering the ,spirit ,world will find themselves on a low plane of ,being4 ,as there is no escape from the consequences of one's acts1 the fate of undutiful children1 of unfaithful friends1 of cruel and selfish guardians of the poor and helpless is not an enviable one1 for on the ,spirit side1 to their lasting regret they must learn the full meaning of personal atonement4 ,in every province are ,rova3 n ,vastimo ,odallissa3a31 and nowhere on ,ento is one man1 woman or child homeless or without ample care and kindliest protection4 ,what a glorious day this is4 ,the atmosphere is vibrant with life giving forces and how grand it is to be conscious of one's existence and of the ever unfolding capabilities inherent in the ego4 ,at thought of it my exultation is beyond expression4 ,gentola31 is not the view wonderfully fine8 ,the engineering skill which has so perfected the vast ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system in itself is marvellous1 all the more so when one considers the peculiar difficulties encountered and surmounted4 ,see that huge vessel coming so swiftly from the northeast4 ,consider the enormous energy of the motive power impelling it through the quiet ,waterway at a rate of speed unattained by the swiftest ocean steamers of our ,planet4 ,gentola--,certainly such results of applied electricity and of vibratory force are amazing1 and while observing vessels great and small rushing along at what to me appears dangerous speed1 continually ,i anticipate accidents1 which thus far have not occurred4 ,transports1 too1 traverse the air apparently as secure as birds on wing1 and great trains of ,tuzamos1 at a speed that to me is appalling1 come and go without exciting more than passing attention4 ,de ,l',ester--,naturally these features must impress you1 but at this time ,i cannot more than repeat that the speed and movements of all vessels and other conveyances are carefully regulated1 and that the ,entoans regard it as a supreme duty to guard from injury themselves and others4 ,george1 that we may afford our travellers a view of ,wa3na3 ,vinost yar 7expiatory fire fountain7 we will move toward the northeast4 ,we are nearing the phenomenal marvel from which clouds of steam are rising and violently swirling as they are dissipated in the atmosphere4 ,sunbeams falling athwart the vaporous clouds tint them with rainbow hues1 and like those of a kaleidoscope1 ever the shapes are changing into new forms of loveliness4 ,now we perceive a boiling1 bubbling lake1 at intervals pulsing upward1 upward to the rim of the massive stone wall inclosing it1 and now slowly it subsides to again and again repeat the singular movement4 ,once the basin of the lake was an active volcano1 but through a seismic convulsion an underground channel was opened between it and a large spring fed lake whose volume of water poured into the crater1 whose ever lessening diameter is little more than a mile1 but whose depth is so incredible that ,i hesitate to state it4 ,von ,humboldt1 will you further inform us concerning this expression of nature's ever surpassing handiwork8 ,von ,humboldt--,soon after entering the ,spirit ,world ,i became acquainted with ,lief ,bjornson1 a learned ,norwegian1 who informed me that frequently he had visited this ,planet1 and that with some ancient ,ento ,spirits he had thoroughly explored it4 ,also1 he informed me that among other interesting features of ,ento1 near the northern boundary of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 there was a hot water lake which periodically overflowed1 occasioning engineers and laborers much annoyance and destroying all adjacent vegetation4 ,later on he again visited the locality and found the lake inclosed within a substantial wall of masonry4 ,through these ancient ,spirits he learned that the convulsion which converted an active volcano into a hot water lake occurred long previous to the centralization of ,ento's ,government and the ,establishment of the ,national ,religion4 ,my natural tendencies augmenting my curiosity ,i took advantage of a recent visit to the ,planet to investigate the phenomenon4 ,the diameter of the nearly circular lake is1 as ,de ,l',ester has said1 a little over one mile1 its depth varying with the flow and ebb of its volume of boiling water1 which at regular intervals sinks downward1 downward1 until to mortal vision it becomes imperceptible4 ,during the day the pulsating lake is at flood1 but with the decline of the ,sun it ebbs downward1 and twilight falls over an abyss whose depth more than equals its diameter4 ,as ,i with my ,ento friends hovered over the emptied crater1 listening to the strangely uncanny noises far down in its depths we felt no sense of surprise that in ancient as in modern times the ,entoans have shunned the lake1 believing it tenanted by offending ,gods1 condemned by ,andmana3 to dwell there as an expiation of some misdemeanor4 ,will our friend ,hugh ,miller1 who has examined the geological formation of this locality1 give to us the result of his observations8 ,hugh ,miller--,we are aware that on ,ento1 as on other ,planets volcanic activities afford a vent for the surplusage of interior energies1 which ever are more or less phenomenal1 but as ,i must confine myself to our present subject1 ,i only shall say that a personal examination of this locality assured me and those accompanying me1 that in a remote age in this and the adjacent region a volcanic group existed1 which as ,ento's interior heat lessened1 became inactive and at length this1 the greatest of the group1 alone remained intermittently active1 and at the time of the seismic convulsion this was its condition4 ,to explain its present phenomenal features would consume more time than we can afford1 but on some other occasion1 if desirable1 ,i may do so4 ,i1 however1 may say that the energies which have levelled the once elevated cone of this crater have obliterated all surface traces of its lesser neighbors1 whose location only ,spirit vision perceives4 ,where was the spring fed lake8 ,at no great distance northward1 and its extent was from north to south about thirty miles1 from east to west quite twenty miles4 ,gentola--,i am greatly interested in this peculiar scene1 and in what has been said concerning it4 ,i cannot conceive of a more beautiful spectacle of its kind1 and ,i can liken those volumes of heaving1 swirling1 tumultuous1 iridescent vapor to nothing but an enormous fountain of all manner of jewels1 tossed hither and thither in bewildering confusion4 ,george--,well said1 well said1 ,gentola34 ,your simile is so well chosen1 that not even my brilliant imagination is equal to conjuring up a fitter one4 ,beauteous wonder1 may time touch thee so lightly that when centuries hence we again may gaze on thee not one of thy jewels shall be missing4 ,de ,l',ester--,bravo1 bravo1 ,george4 ,now we all are convinced that the quality of your imagination and the quantity of your modesty are equally balanced1 and altogether admirable4 ,our chaffing at an end we now will move southward1 then eastward4 ,higher1 ,george1 still higher1 so that we may obtain the widest view possible of the underlying regions and of ,fondorveh1 which soon will come under our observation4 ,fondorveh 7named after its founder1 ,tamon ,fondorveh7 contains about two hundred thousand inhabitants and possesses some of the largest chemical works on ,ento in which are prepared great quantities of condensed foods1 the product of grains1 fruits1 vegetables and atmospheric substances4 ,that statement need not so surprise you1 as some of your scientists are of the opinion that your atmosphere holds all the elements composing your varied food supply1 and in time ,earth's chemists will learn1 as the ,entoans have learned1 how to utilize these elements1 thus greatly simplifying domestic cares1 and adding to the general welfare of the peoples4 ,no1 the ,entoans do not adulterate their food supplies4 ,they are not given to taking or administering poisons under another name4 ,yes1 these regions present a sameness of landscape1 yet once the surface was as varied as is the larger portion of our ,planet4 ,the same forces that have levelled the surface of ,ento gradually are levelling the great snow crowned mountain chains of ,earth4 ,the towering ,alps1 the vast mystery laden ,himalayas1 the tremendous ,sierras1 to mortal mind appear as indestructible as the globe itself1 yet during every passing moment their disintegrated particles1 through the agencies of melting snows1 of rains1 or of tempestuous winds are being borne to all parts of the ever changing surface of ,earth4 ,the existence of a ,planet being of such inconceivable duration1 the passing of a thousand years is as the passage of a fleecy cloud across the sky1 leaving no traces of its vanished loveliness4 ,ten thousand years hence the appearance of ,earth's great mountain chains will not have perceptibly changed1 yet their disintegrated particles will have filled depressions1 raised the beds of oceans and of lakes and changed the courses of all flowing waters1 and inevitably a period will arrive when the surface of ,earth will be as monotonously level as is the surface of the lands over which we now are passing4 ,ere the arrival of that distant period our globe will have lost much of its interior heat and the temperature of the atmosphere will have become perceptibly lowered1 then our equatorial regions having lost their torrid heat will offer the highest conditions for the further progress of the already greatly evolved peoples and will become ,centres of ,civilization of which they now have but an indefinite conception4 ,from these ,centres will radiate the accumulated knowledge of ages1 and as do the ,entoans1 the peoples will understand that though knowledge is power1 it may be made to serve evil purposes1 but that wisdom1 the fadeless flower of ,soul culture1 ever is ,divinely beneficent4 ,gentola31 we all are conscious that our reiterated instruction may1 to you1 become tiresome1 but through this process you now possess a comprehensive idea of the social conditions of the ,entoans1 of their high ethical standards1 of their universal prosperity1 of their advanced knowledge concerning such sciences as their religion has permitted them to investigate1 of their admirable proficiency in the various arts1 and of their exceedingly lofty conception of the love principle which permeates their entire being1 rendering them so unselfish1 so ready to serve each other1 so devoted to righteous deeds1 that indeed they have entered the ,kingdom of ,good4 ,for the present we will turn our attention in another direction1 for yonder is ,fondorveh1 extending eastward to the boundary line between this province1 ,ha3 ,myen and that named ,effondelusa34 ,fondorveh is to ,camarissa3 nearly an antipodal city1 for since we left ,camarissa31 though we have afforded you a comprehensive view of the ,equatorial and the ,north and partly of the ,south ,temperate zones1 we constantly have been tending eastward a distance of more than five thousand miles1 and now we are nearing the present terminus of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system4 ,we do not consider it expedient to alight in ,fondorveh1 but we will pass over it slowly so that you and our lad may perceive its extent1 and most noticeable architectural and other features4 ,like those of most ,ento cities its principal streets are provided with ,waterways1 on which we perceive numerous small passenger or ware laden boats passing to and fro1 and1 as is usual1 on either side of the ,waterways are wide1 well paved streets for the accommodation of pedestrians and motor vehicles4 ,yes1 the scene is animated and attractive and we regret that our time is too limited for the present to more than glance over the quite modern city4 ,it now is high noon1 and should we enter yonder beautiful ,temple we would behold a multitude of worshippers engaged in adoration of ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one4 ,yes1 we have been in it and in all other fine structures of ,ento4 ,i have mentioned that ,fondorveh is quite a modern city1 but deep down under its foundation are the ruins of what in ancient times was a more extensive1 populous and affluent ,fondorveh4 ,centuries antecedent to the inauguration of the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system1 the increasing aridity of this region obliged the rural1 and in time the urban population to emigrate elsewhere1 and finally the ancient ,fondorveh was abandoned and gradually felt into ruinous decay1 and in time the annual floods and tempestuous winds buried its crumbling structures under masses of dbris or shifting sands4 ,from the inception of the great work the system has progressed without cessation and nearly half a century ago its beneficent arms bore to this then desert region abounding life expressions and prosperous conditions4 ,this locality offering special advantages enterprising persons conceived the idea of using the site of the ancient buried city as a foundation for the new ,fondorveh1 which is in evidence in all the glory of modern architecture and modern appliances4 ,could the ancient ruins exchange sentiments1 what a shaking of heads and raising of eyebrows would ensue4 ,almost1 one can fancy them sighing over the glories of the past1 the degeneracy of the present1 and the uncertain future of the presumptuous young upstart so serenely sitting on the ruins of its betters4 ,now we will move on4 ,almost suddenly the scenery is changing4 ,the country on our right and left grows a little more broken and away southward are some low hills1 the vestiges of former mountainous elevations1 curving in an eastward course until they are lost in the distance4 ,the entire region wears an appearance of newness1 and its many pretty towns1 villages and country estates dotting its irrigated and now fertile fields renders it more picturesque and pleasing than the exceedingly level lands we recently have observed4 ,a few more years will bring to greater maturity much that is in an incomplete state1 and trees and shrubs and glowing blooms will make of this recently desert country a veritable paradise1 populated by a happy and prosperous people4 ,before reaching the eastern terminus of the ,system ,i will inform you that the ,waterway to our left1 having reached a certain locality its further progress was stayed by two peculiar barriers which have occasioned a prodigious outlay of time1 energy and means4 ,for a time engineers thought them nearly impregnable1 but chemistry coming to their aid with explosives of tremendous energy1 the work of demolition began1 and so successfully has it proceeded that ere long through both barriers the ,kemina3 ,loisa3vaon 7central waterway7 will find passageway eastward4 ,now we will stay our flight and you will tell us what you see4 ,gentola--,i see quite an extensive oval lake inclosed by a great wall whose inner surface is so smooth as to present a peculiar appearance4 ,at its southern extremity is a mountainous mass1 and from there the height of the wall decreases until at its northern limit it is only slightly above the level of the water1 which is as unruffled as the face of a mirror4 ,on both the western and eastern sides of the lake many men are engaged in drilling and blasting wide passageways through the walls and the work appears to be nearing completion4 ,also ,i see trains of tramway cars bearing away the dbris1 which does not resemble ordinary stone4 ,nearby is quite a village of wooden structures and tents1 which ,i presume are occupied by laborers and others engaged in the destruction of the wall4 ,on the ,irrigating ,canals small boats are coming or going as silently as though steersmen and passengers may be deaf and dumb4 ,these ,entoans are such silent folk that they impress me with a sense of sadness4 ,an ,air ,transport is coming from toward the east1 and--see1 see1 its passengers are throwing flowers down to the workmen and are calling1 ,loha31 loha31 manos4 ,what a strange1 strange scene4 ,i wish some of our ,earth folk might witness it1 for should ,i tell of it ,i fear that no one would credit my story4 ,de ,l',ester--,be not disturbed2 fulfill the ,mission for whose accomplishment you returned into mortal existence1 and leave to coming years and enlightened minds a justification of what you and we know to be a simple statement of facts4 ,yes1 the material composing the wall of the lake is somewhat peculiar4 ,during some early age of the ,planet one of its satellites1 unable to resist the attractive force of its parent1 with tremendous impetus and in a state of high incandescence1 rushed on to its surface1 striking it at a low angle and plowing deeply into its bosom4 ,in its furious progress it distributed its molten matter in the form of a deep oval basin1 until its energy1 and largely its volume being spent1 its career ended in the deposition of the mountainous mass you have observed4 ,yes1 the constituents of all ,celestial bodies are the same1 and when suddenly reduced from a state of high incandescence to a condition of solidity a sort of vitrefaction results1 and that is what occurred to ,ento's satellite when in such hot haste it returned to the bosom of its parent4 ,your conjecture is correct1 for soon the passageway through both walls will be completed1 and ere long vessels will be crossing to the further side of the lake beyond which the system steadily is progressing4 ,gentola--,i should like to witness the opening of the ,waterway4 ,i imagine that it will be a fine spectacle to see great vessels rushing through the wide gateway into the lake4 ,de ,l',ester--,without doubt it will be a stirring occasion1 but it will not occur previous to the culmination of our ,mission4 ,however we promise you that1 conditions being propitious1 in a body we will come to escort you hither to witness the entrance of the first great vessel into the placid water of ,etzoina3 ,loisa3 7placid water74 ,we now will proceed to view the vitreous mass at its southern extremity1 which will remain a perpetual evidence of a not unusual disaster4 ,planets in their earlier formative processes throw off into space masses of matter of greater or lesser magnitude4 ,when the projective energy is not forceful enough to hurl them sufficiently beyond the attractive energy of the planet1 quickly they are drawn back1 and within its body1 otherwise they become small globes1 and through specific conditions and activities for an indefinite length of time they serve as satellites4 ,in this instance the indications are that the disaster occurred while yet the crust of ,ento was comparatively thin1 and certainly previous to the appearance of organized life forms1 consequently no serious results could have ensued4 ,what the dimensions of the satellite were we cannot certainly say1 but from a careful estimate we conclude that its bulk was about equal to that of ,ementola34 ,we do not consider it desirable to at this time enter into details1 but ,i may say that the basin of the lake is little less than seventeen miles long and a little over eleven miles wide4 ,gentola--,you say that the disaster which resulted in the formation of the basin and this great vitreous mass is not an unusual one2 if then it might be possible for ,entola3 and ,ementola3 to some time suffer a like disaster1 would they in their flight through space and at the moment of impact with the ,planet be in a molten condition8 ,de ,l',ester--,your question is very apropos1 and ,bruno shall have the pleasure of replying to it4 ,bruno--,thanks for your consideration4 ,gentola31 you may remember that once on our way to ,ento we1 in compliance with your desire1 alighted on ,entola34 ,you then learned that ages ago the swiftly revolving moon became a cold body and that neither it or its sister satellite had ever sustained organic life forms4 ,your supposition as to a possible contingency is1 ,i regret to say1 a fact so inevitable that it is not an agreeable one to contemplate4 ,as planets age they grow more magnetic and a time will arrive when ,ento's attractive force will draw to its bosom one after the other its two satellites in a molten state4 ,at what period these catastrophes may occur no one can certainly determine1 but they will occur4 ,activities of the universe may be likened to the mills of the ,gods4 ,slowly but surely1 with absolute accuracy1 they each to all others adjust themselves1 thus no displacement of substance ever creates a vacuum4 ,thus it occurs that the activities concerned in the certain displacement and destruction of ,entola3 and ,ementola3 are so precise1 so minute1 so incalculably tardy that the period of culmination of the energy which will force them from their orbits is not cognizable save by the ,infinite ,mind1 but when the momentous period shall arrive the inner satellite will plunge onto ,ento's surface with necessarily disastrous consequences1 much depending upon the locality of its impact4 ,no1 it will not destroy the ,planet1 but it will jar it to its very centre4 ,ementola31 the outer satellite1 being the smaller one1 possibly1 nay probably1 may first suffer extinction1 but of course that is a matter of conjecture4 ,have ,i made my reply intelligible8 ,gentola--,quite so1 but ,i rather regret having asked the question to which you so satisfactorily have replied4 ,why8 ,well1 ,i like to regard ,god as all knowing1 all powerful1 and wholly beneficent4 ,possessing such attributes1 naturally one asks1 why does ,he permit such disasters to occur8 ,spirits freed from the environments of the physical plane1 with senses quickened to a degree that mortals cannot comprehend1 may adjust themselves to occurrences and conditions which to me are deplorable and terrifying1 for ,i confess that ,i shrink aghast from a contemplation of some of the effects of what science terms natural law1 back of which it would seem there must be a ,lawmaker who arbitrarily adjusts all things1 both good and evil4 ,tell me1 friends1 have you become so reconciled to the apparently unequal relation between the creator and the created1 that unreservedly you can say1 ,whatever is is right8 ,for instance1 should ,entola3 and ,ementola31 through the activity of natural ,law1 be forced from their orbits and onto the planet1 with such attendant horrors as appalls one to think of1 would you then say1 ,whatever is is right8 ,cognizant as you are of the cataclysms1 earthquakes1 destructive storms1 wars and other frightful events occurring on ,ento1 on ,earth and on other planets1 can you candidly say1 ,whatever is is right8 ,de ,l',ester--,you are too deeply moved4 ,i pray you to tranquillize yourself1 else we cannot hold you1 and you may suffer injury4 ,believe me1 believe us1 when1 as now1 we declare that in our ,spirit consciousness only a recognition of good is possible4 ,conscious mortal mind is unable to perceive beyond the plane of mortal being2 only the subconscious or ,spirit ,self rises to the height of real perception4 ,although now you are partly freed from physical influences1 you yet are held on the plane of mortal being1 and cannot comprehend that which ,spiritually you but dimly perceive4 ,although ,spiritually you realize that the ,infinite ,all ,pervading ,one is wholly good1 your mortal consciousness is so dominant that1 like all mortals1 you yet are seeking the shadows of physical demonstrations and are slow to comprehend that the activities of the ,universe are harmonious realities1 working through intelligent means1 toward intelligent ends1 and that ever the ends are ,good1 for ,evil1 per se1 does not exist4 ,along all lines progress1 like the fabled phoenix1 rises from the ashes of consumed ignorant conceptions concerning ,spirits1 and out of seeming evils positive good emerges4 ,only conscious mortal mind fears death and disaster4 ,like an armed warrior it stands at the entrance of the citadel of mortal existence1 challenging all invaders4 ,it is the ,human ,soul arrayed against intangible1 supposable foes1 who ofttimes are unrecognized friends4 ,to freed spirits1 aware of their indestructibility1 and of their inherent tendency toward ever ascending planes of progression1 the ever changing conditions of substance are of but slight moment4 ,only through their loving sympathy for their suffering or terrified brethren of the physical plane do they experience special regret over the occurrence of physical disasters4 ,so assured are we that out of apparent evil only good1 or what is the same1 higher conditions must result1 that in all sincerity1 unitedly we declare that not only do we believe1 but we realize1 that whatever is is right4 ,we perceive that you do not wholly agree with our conclusions1 but time will not end to-morrow1 and you may change your mind4 ,also we perceive that your natural love of life inclines you to cling to mortal conditions1 and that is well1 for your experiences yet lack completeness4 ,but be assured that when the change termed death shall come to you you will be undismayed1 and in our ,spirit ,world1 with serenity you will regard the dreamlike memories of your past terrors and dread anticipations4 ,with unquestioning trust you then will realize that the ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy is only good4 ,as from the apex of this mountainous mass we gaze across the expanse of the lake in whose quiet depths are mirrored the azure sky and snowy clouds1 it is difficult to realize that in a bygone age suddenly the surface of the ,planet was rent asunder and in the rift a molten moon molded itself into a convex basin1 in whose rim and bottom1 during cooling and contraction great crevices opened through which annual floods have poured and perennial springs have welled up from their depths1 thus affording an unfailing supply of clear1 cold1 delicious water4 ,no1 the eastern wall of the lake will not be wholly pierced until the ,system shall be prepared to receive the outflowing water1 and that will be later than the culmination of our ,mission4 ,to the ,entoans this lake ever has been a mystery4 ,were they learned in astronomy they of course would understand its origin4 ,from its eastern wall onward around the planet to the western shore of ,indoloisa31 the lands of this ,torrid zone generally are so arid as to be altogether infertile4 ,at intervals there are limited oases where1 through natural or other means1 the soil is sufficiently moist to admit of cultivation4 ,the inhabitants1 through air transportation1 enjoy communication and association with other peoples4 ,in our progress eastward we will cross several low mountain ranges1 a number of lakes and some inconsiderable streams flowing from the north and losing themselves in the oases of which ,i have spoken1 and soon we will near a rather extensive lake on whose northeastern shore is a city of about three hundred thousand inhabitants4 ,its name ,rova3 7favored7 probably was chosen because it is favored by an abundant water supply4 ,but ,i shall not further anticipate what presently you will have the pleasure of observing4 ,this seems an opportune time to inform you that this morning1 previous to our coming for you1 we visited ,da3o1 finding all things relating to our ,mission indicating a successful issue4 ,valloa31 pallid as a white lily1 is as a bird poised for flight1 her senses so marvellously quickened that she perceives and converses with the radiant ones surrounding her4 ,dano1 too1 unfolds surprisingly1 and eagerly1 anxiously awaits the fulfillment of your promise to be with him in his hour of supremest trial4 ,through grief over the certainty that his idolized child nears the end of her young life1 ,omanos ,fnha3 is wellnigh prostrated4 ,only through the dawning hope of again finding his adored daughter1 the wife of his youth1 and other dear ones1 is his despair a little lessened1 and bravely he smiles into the troubled eyes and wan1 lovely face that soon will wear the reposeful smile of the dead4 ,now1 friends1 we must attend to material affairs4 ,the region over which we are passing is a reminder of an ,american desert1 minus a fauna and flora1 of which there is no indication1 but when the beneficent system shall have watered its parched soil all that will be changed4 ,gentola31 you perceive that away northward and southward there are irrigated tracts1 made possible through immense reservoirs which the annual floods fill to repletion1 and which with the addition of occasional showers1 suffices to moisten the thirsty lands4 ,also there are deep wells which supply water for domestic and other purposes4 ,certainly the general ,government spares neither expense or labor for the protection of those engaged in the conflict with such adverse forces4 ,yes1 doubtless1 in time1 the ,system will reclaim ,ento's entire waste lands1 and again the equatorial regions will become the most fertile and populous portions of the planet4 ,for the reason that the waste over which we have passed offers little to either instruct or interest you or our dear lad1 ,bernard1 we have journeyed rather hurriedly4 ,for the scientist1 deep under its surface there are treasures untold4 ,histories of races so ancient that neither record or legend hints of who or what has been buried there4 ,no trump of ,angel ever will awaken to animation the ashes of peoples who ages ago lived and loved upon the highlands and amid the verdant vales of the long since levelled lands1 but as no atom of the universe can go astray or cease to be1 somewhere those ancient ones yet are living1 loving and filling their allotted places among the countless myriads of the children of the ,infinite ,father1 ,mother ,god4 ,before us1 gleaming in the sunlight1 is ,hnda3ffon 7name of ,andmana3's cup bearer7 and lining its northwestern shore and gracing its slightly rising background is ,rova3 ,tyl1 one of ,ento's ancient cities4 ,we will alight on yonder lofty ,temple dome1 near the centre of the city4 ,george--,although previously ,i have passed this way1 ,i have not looked through this antiquated city1 so with your approval1 friends1 ,genessano1 ,bernard and ,i will make a hurried exploration of its highways and byways4 ,de ,l',ester--,your pleasure is ours1 and you1 ,zenesta31 who are so well versed in the histories of ,ento's ancient and modern cities1 will kindly relate whatever you may know of ,rova34 ,zenesta ,hao--,with somewhat of pleasure and somewhat of sadness ,i shall comply with your request4 ,it may surprise you to learn that this city was the home of my parents and also my home during a portion of my last ,re-embodiment4 ,you who understand the ,law know that in referring to my parents ,i mean those through whom ,i last was reborn into mortal existence1 and who were a newly wedded pair1 wealthy1 cultivated and possessed of virtues of an exalted nature4 ,see you yonder stately dwelling nearby whose portals a fountain throws into the air its silvery spray8 ,in that dwelling the ,angels of the ,visitation found for me suitable environments for my rebirth1 and when ,i grew self-conscious ,i found myself cradled on the bosom and gazing into the eyes of the loveliest and gentlest of women4 ,as an infant thinks1 so thought ,i of a wonderful past existence1 but ,i looked into my mother's lovelit eyes and ,i forgot1 ,i forgot4 ,soon for me was naught but a blessed present1 the present of my mother's caresses1 the present when from her fair breasts ,i drew into my life a part of her life1 and the days passed1 and as other children unfold1 so did ,i until three birth anniversaries had marked the passing years of my mortal existence1 then an awful shadow began to creep over our threshold4 ,my lovely1 gentle mother1 who1 from the time of my birth1 had not been strong1 rapidly grew weaker1 and my father1 in an agony of grief and terror scarcely left her side4 ,as memory recalls that sorrowful time1 ,i see the look of fear and despair in my mother's eyes1 and ,i hear her pathetic appeals to the physicians1 to my father1 to save her life1 to hold her fast1 lest death might tear her from her husband1 from her child1 but the shadow crept nearer1 ever nearer1 and child as ,i was1 her prayers for succor1 and my father's moans and sobbing cries to ,andmana31 to ,phra31 to the ,gods to save the dear life so surely ebbing away1 filled me with terror indescribable4 ,at the last my father sought to keep me away from the closing scene of my mother's life1 but with the depth and tenacity of a mother's love she held me close within one arm and with the other she drew my father's face to hers1 and her breathing grew fainter1 fainter1 and after a little ceased and there was ,silence1 and the dear arms relaxed their caress1 the throbbing heart-beats were stilled1 and in affright ,i raised my head from my mother's breast to look into her pallid face on which the calm of death was resting4 ,in terror ,i reached out my arms1 crying1 ,father6 father6 ,no answer came to my cries1 but a moment later alarmed attendants hurried into the apartment and lifted me from my dead mother's breast4 ,as they bore me away some one raised my father's head1 and on his face1 too1 was the calm of death1 and from his lips a crimson stream fell upon my mother's white robe4 ,pardon me1 friends1 ,i had not meant to sadden you1 or to wet my own eyes with infrequent tears over the memories of a bygone time4 ,after the untimely death of my parents ,i was cared for by my father's brother until1 as a pupil1 ,i was placed in the ,galarsa3 of ,camarissa31 which1 ,i may say1 thereafter was my home until ,i joined my dear ones in our ,spirit ,realms4 ,your sympathetic expressions assure me that ,i have not too greatly presumed in offering this recital of my earliest days1 recalled through viewing remembered scenes of my childhood and of later years4 ,now ,i will hasten to acquaint you with a condensed history of this really ancient city4 ,fourteen ,ento centuries ago ,rova3 was a rich and very populous city1 situated on ground so elevated as to afford an extended view of the expanse of ,hndaffon and somewhat of the lands beyond its further shore4 ,a reliable historian of that period says3 ,from some very ancient writings in my possession ,i have learned that in remote times the region north of ,rova3 was broken by mountainous elevations and vales through which tumultuous streams found their way into ,loisa3 ,hndaffon1 which in the spring season overflowed its banks to the great detriment of contiguous low lying lands4 ,the historian to whom ,i have alluded was ,lotis ,oovan ,issillo1 whose ,writings are considered standards of excellence4 ,of the ancient ,writings of which he makes mention no trace remains1 but through ancient ,ento ,spirits we know that their statements were correct4 ,during the passing centuries unfavoring conditions have greatly changed ,rova31 which retains but slight traces of its ancient greatness4 ,still it is an attractive and quite prosperous city4 ,hndaffon is about thirty ,english miles long and quite twenty miles wide4 ,through continuous dredging its depth of about two hundred feet is maintained1 and largely it furnishes irrigation for certain low south lands1 and affords carriage for various craft plying between ,rova3 and villages along its shores4 ,toward the northwest we perceive a very considerable river pouring its sparkling waters into the lake1 the fine bridge spanning it affording communication between the two divisions of the city4 ,this river1 which now is the only stream of importance flowing into ,hndaffon1 is known as ,som-ikaton 7,blessing ,river74 ,it rises in the far north1 and truly it is appropriately named1 for its life giving water supplies ample irrigation for the lands lying along its length1 from which agricultural and other communities derive sustenance4 ,along its shores are towns and villages in which are excellent schools1 libraries1 temples and other features for the advancement and enjoyment of highly cultivated communities4 ,from ,loisa3 ,hndaffon northward the river has been deepened and widened1 culminating at its head in an immense reservoir1 which we have learned is to be increased to twice its present dimensions4 ,the river1 too1 is to be further deepened and widened1 that it may afford carriage for vessels of large tonnage4 ,during the efficient ,administration of ,omanos ,fnha3 many extensive reservoirs have been constructed and flowing streams deepened and widened1 the growing needs of the people demanding the exercise of all possible means favoring their natural1 therefore just1 requirements4 ,you are aware that ,ento's entire ,public ,works are owned and maintained by the ,general ,government1 thus abuses of privileges1 consequently of peoples1 are avoided1 and so energetically is the construction of the ,waterways and ,irrigating ,system being executed that ere long ,ento will experience a degree of prosperity greater than at any time during the history of the ,planet4 ,then1 too1 knowledge of the coming new religion will usher in universal happiness where now is universal sadness4 ,you express surprise at the stupendous excavations that have been and now are being made on ,ento4 ,generally one ceases to wonder at an accomplished fact1 so ,i perhaps cannot quite appreciate your state of mind1 my last rebirth having occurred long after such excavations had become a common feature of ,ento4 ,many centuries previous to the inception of the ,system1 through the agencies of scientific appliances1 excavations of ,ento's light1 porous soil were easily accomplished4 ,to render them watertight was the greatest embarrassment1 but through the formation of a conglomerate cement for linings of reservoirs1 canals and the like science arranged that difficulty4 ,the great ,waterways also are lined with a combination of cement and stone1 the exceeding porosity of the soil requiring it4 ,i now will conclude my reminiscences associated with ,rova34 ,during my youth and later years at intervals ,i returned to my old home to attend to such interests as ,i had inherited from my parents1 but at length age and infirmity disinclining me for further journeyings1 in a manner agreeable to my sense of justice ,i disposed of my possessions and as ,i then thought bade a last farewell to ,rova34 ,since then it appears to have but slightly changed1 yet ,i doubt not ere long it shall find itself within the hospitable embrace of the ,system1 it will so rejuvenate itself as to again become one of the foremost cities of ,ento4 ,de ,l',ester--,for having afforded us an interesting half hour we are your debtors4 ,certainly it is a surprise to learn that in this city your last rebirth occurred1 and that in yonder stately ,kinos draped residence your earliest ,ento experiences came to you4 ,since we all at one time or another have tasted of the sweets of joy and the bitterness of sorrow1 we know how to sympathize with the joys and sorrows of others1 and what sorrow is so pathetic as that of a young child ,soul1 whose tender feet are essaying their first steps upon the rugged pathway of mortal existence4 ,no1 ,gentola31 repeated embodiments do not inure the mortal expression of the ,ego to the sorrows and vicissitudes of the physical plane1 but through such experiences the ,ego evolves into loftier1 grander states of ,being4 ,does the ,ego and its mortal expression mutually experience joy and sorrow8 ,aye1 truly1 but the ego knows1 while the objective expression or ,soul only sees through a glass darkly4 ,only the fully freed ,ego is capable of comprehending this occult statement1 so patiently you will await its solution4 ,here are our explorers4 ,have you found aught of interest8 ,george--,we only have glanced here and there1 but can assure you that we might linger here for a day and then leave this hoary ,rova3 with regret4 ,it is so quaint1 so enchanting1 that ,i propose that some time when you and my sister may feel so inclined we will again bring you to ,rova31 that together we all may view its many objects of interest4 ,you will be delighted to come8 ,then that matter is settled1 and ,bernard will relate an incident of our half hour ramble that may amuse you4 ,bernard--,mother1 dear1 you should have seen how ,george startled a young ,priest who stood in the doorway of a ,temple talking to an elderly1 dignified personage4 ,as we approached them the priest said3 ,yes1 yes1 we are hearing of strange proceedings in many places1 but more particularly in the ,palace of our ,supreme ,ruler1 where the ,princess ,valloa3 is thought to be dying4 ,may the pitiful gods prolong her days4 ,think of it1 sir1 think of it1 it is openly said that ,prince ,dano1 as also the ,princess ,valloa31 declare by the ,gods that they both see and converse with those who long have been in the ,silence1 and whose ashes attest to their nothingness4 ,your pardon1 sir1 but truly it is so very absurd that ,i cannot forbear smiling when ,i think of what ,prince ,dano has given utterance to4 ,why1 he goes so far as to assert that not only has he talked with the dead1 but with a woman who says she belongs to a ,world somewhere in space4 ,i cannot at this moment recall the name of this ,world1 and have not learned where it is supposed to be located1 but he declares that she not only spoke to him1 but touched him1 yes1 sir1 really touched him4 ,of course this is the merest hallucination1 for persons of healthful minds never are subject to such vagaries4 ,it is true that in past times on momentous occasions the ,gods have1 and do now1 speak to our ,high ,priests1 and with the ,most ,high ,priest of the ,inner ,temple ,zim1 but with the people1 never4 ,fancy yourself1 sir1 indulging in such wild imaginings as that the dead1 or a being from an unimaginable ,world have spoken to you1 or what is quite as impossible1 touched---- ,just then ,george touched him on the extended right hand1 and with a start instantly he stopped talking1 and for a moment looked at his hand1 then glanced about him with such a perplexed expression that the man with whom he was speaking regarded him with some surprise1 and an inquiry as to what had disquieted him4 ,recovering himself1 he attempted to explain that he had experienced a peculiar sensation1 but he got no further1 for ,george gave him such a palpable touch on his left hand1 then on his face1 that he cried out in terror3 ,save me1 ,andmana31 save me1 save me1 and fled through the temple and out at a rear door1 leaving the dignified personage in a state of bewilderment4 ,mother1 it was such a droll performance that ,i shall laugh whenever ,i think of it4 ,oh1 no1 ,i did not understand what the ,priest said2 ,george translated it for me4 ,de ,l',ester--,george1 if your exploit is not altogether commendable1 at least it is amusing1 and certainly you have given the priest who evidently is a ,sensitive1 a novel experience1 which may serve as a stepping stone toward his later enlightenment4 ,i fancy that he will not relate his strange experience to his ,superiors1 who already are greatly agitated over the weird reports with which the air is vibrant1 and which soon will be so augmented as to overwhelm both priests and people4 ,rova31 we now must say to you ,info ,oovist4 ,the hours are swiftly passing and at any moment we may be called upon to turn our faces toward ,da3o4 ,no1 we do not consider ,valloa3's departure imminent1 but in her devitalized state it soon may occur1 and we must hold ourselves in readiness for our part in the closing scene of the momentous occasion4 ,george1 we will rise to a greater height1 so that ,gentola3's vision may command extensive views of the countries over which we shall pass4 ,it is not likely that we shall alight more than twice between ,rova3 and the western shore of ,indoloisa34 ,ah1 ,gentola31 you have grown weary4 ,in our eagerness to afford you views of many things we forget that you are not like ourselves1 tireless4 ,george will escort ,bernard to his bright home1 so make your adieus to him and our friends1 and then ,i shall bear you swiftly to your home1 where ere now you should have arrived4 ,in no more than five minutes we have crossed the space between ,ento and ,earth4 ,yes1 a speedy passage1 but when again you shall be a freed ,spirit1 you will journey with the quickness of thought4 ,i pray you to retire early and rest2 rest until to-morrow1 when we will come for you4 ,adieu4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,culmination ,,of ,,the ,,mission4 ,de ,l',ester--,good morning1 madame4 ,we are delighted to find you in such a favorable mental and physical state4 ,yes1 ,dr4 ,merthel1 ,white ,cloud and your humble servant gave you a treatment last night1 and we were somewhat amused at your idea that suddenly your room had grown very warm4 ,hereafter1 when you shall perceive white1 vaporish clouds drifting or falling over your closed eyelids1 you may feel assured that ,white ,cloud is paying you a visit fraught with beneficence4 ,yes1 when properly administered1 invariably ,magnetization produces in the recipient a sense of warmth and increased vigor4 ,but your son1 with our ,band1 awaits us at a point near ,rova31 and we must hasten our departure4 ,george1 allow me to assist madame4 ,we regret that we find it necessary to still further change our original programme1 which included views of the extreme northern and southern portions of the ,planet4 ,events are so shaping themselves that until after the culmination of our ,mission and your recovery from the effects of the ordeal to which presently we must subject you1 we must defer this feature of our purposes4 ,be not disturbed2 rest assured that we will see to it that you shall not be tried beyond endurance4 ,gentola--,i am not in the least alarmed1 but when ,i think of a cessation of continuous association with my dear lad and you1 my dear friends1 like a shadow a sense of sadness and loneliness steals over me1 and ,i shrink from the coming---- ,de ,l',ester--,no more2 say no more2 your every thought is apparent to us1 and this emotion endangers your safety4 ,we1 better than you have been able to count the cost of this to you strange and engrossing experience4 ,all along we have known that to a degree it would unfit you for the common avocations of your mortal existence1 and for this reason1 for the time being1 we have induced in your mind a state of forgetfulness1 but when the proper time shall arrive you will be made to recall all that has occurred during the pursuance of our ,mission1 and you will recall it without pain or regret1 and as the years of your mortal existence shall pass1 we will be with you1 not as now1 but in a manner that will add to your interest in the affairs of your daily life4 ,ah1 our friends have not awaited our arrival1 but are coming to meet us4 ,loha32 loha32 ,onos isson twa31 manos4 7,hail1 hail2 we welcome you1 friends47 ,bernard1 you find your mother in a sad mood1 and you will comfort her1 and you1 ,robert1 will improvise a song in which we may join2 thus we may restore our disturbed harmony4 ,robert-- ,from a faraway shore come the notes of a song1 ,its music in waves of sweet melody falling1 ,are drifting1 are drifting the bright way along1 ,from the homes where our dear ones are calling1 are calling4 ,refrain4 ,we are waiting for you1 we are watching for you1 ,as your boat drifts along toward our fair1 shining shore1 ,and when ,earth's troubled scenes shall recede from your view1 ,we will greet you where sorrow shall come nevermore4 ,our souls thrill with joy1 as the glad notes come swelling ,from the lips of our loved ones1 so fond and so true1 ,hear you not the sweet message their voices are telling1 ,we are waiting1 yes1 waiting1 and watching for you4 ,refrain4 ,we are waiting for you1 we are watching for you1 ,as your boat drifts along toward our fair1 shining shore1 ,and when ,earth's troubled scenes shall recede from your view1 ,we will greet you where sorrow shall come nevermore4 ,de ,l',ester--,ah1 now you are smiling2 the shadows have flown1 and you are serene4 ,thus may it ever be until the shadowy veil falling between the seeming and real ,world shall be lifted and you shall join the loving1 joyous ,band who are ever waiting and watching for you4 ,now we will journey eastward4 ,in all directions the lands are somewhat broken by low plateaus1 the vestiges of mountain ranges or of spurs of mountain ranges1 and at intervals we catch views of existing mountains of no great altitude4 ,the lands lying between the plateaus1 although not thoroughly irrigated1 are more or less fertile1 and northward and southward are scantily timbered lands and inconsiderable streams1 both of which are rare features of ,ento's equatorial natural scenery4 ,speaking of irrigation reminds me of something that ,i have desired to mention4 ,through telescopic observations1 one of ,earth's foremost astronomers is inclined to believe that the ,entoans 7,marsians7 have resorted to irrigation4 ,to him and to another illumined scientific man1 who1 ,i am proud to say1 is my countryman1 you will convey this message3 ,gentlemen1 to your vision your telescopes convey faint1 and generally misleading gleams of what may be facts1 but in the instance mentioned1 ,i assure you that the surmise is entirely correct1 and inevitably a period will arrive when ,earth1 like ,ento1 will require the same treatment4 ,indeed1 it is not too much to say that already the inception of the period has arrived1 and as the centuries pass it will grow more and more apparent1 and were ,earth's peoples as wise as some time they will be1 they would value the ounce of prevention beyond the pound of cure4 ,flammarion1 my countryman1 ,i greet you1 not as one greets a stranger1 but as one co-worker greets another4 ,ofttimes1 son of our beloved ,france1 while you have striven to learn the secrets of our glowing ,central ,sun1 or to read the hither side of the inscrutable face of ,earth's shining satellite1 or when through the hours of quiet nights you have sought to wrest from illimitable starry spaces the meaning of the ,universe1 ,i1 with others interested in your life work1 have been by your side1 striving to assist your aspiring ,soul1 and be assured that when you again shall come into the realm of causes1 you will find the reward of your loving1 patient labor1 of your aspiring1 exalted endeavor4 ,and you1 son of a land whose deeds of good and of ill have been sung by lips more tuneful than are mine1 with kindest thoughts ,i and those with me greet you4 ,when1 with questioning eyes and reverent ,soul1 you too1 have gazed into the immeasurable distances1 in whose depths countless ,worlds1 peopled and unpeopled1 move in stately order toward their allotted destiny1 not ,i alone1 or this grand ,spirit1 ,giordano ,bruno1 whose ashes attested to the steadfastness of his integrity and hallow the soil of ,italy with the sacredness of martyrdom for truth's sake1 but others yet more exalted1 have held vigil with you1 when you have been alone with the night1 with the ,world ,invisible to mortal ken1 and with the all pervading1 ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy1 known by many names4 ,may success crown your ceaseless endeavors to discern1 not to obscure1 ,truth1 is the earnest desire of your co-worker1 ,carl ,de ,l',ester1 and of those with me1 who1 like yourself1 are workers for ,love's sake4 ,now1 ,gentola31 direct your gaze far1 far toward the northeast4 ,yes1 that is the right direction4 ,do you perceive anything peculiar8 ,gentola--,afar ,i see a body of water so extensive that my vision does not reach the farther shore4 ,a silvery vapor partly obscures the view1 but as we draw nearer ,i see the water sparkling in the sunlight1 and over its slightly disturbed surface vessels great and small are passing in all directions4 ,as we approach still nearer ,i perceive that from its eastern shore gradually the ground rises to quite an elevated plateau1 and through the mist1 which really is a gentle shower of rain1 upon which the sun is shining1 ,i seem to perceive tints of all the colors of a rainbow4 ,i should have said hints rather than tints1 for they are mere suggestions of color4 ,the shower has ceased1 and--dear me1 a great city covers the slope and extends away across the plateau4 ,what a strangely peculiar scene4 ,is it real1 or is it a mirage8 ,de ,l',ester--,we will go nearer1 and you shall decide4 ,a little lower1 ,george4 ,now look and describe the view4 ,gentola--,as before1 ,i see a great expanse of water1 which1 as far as my vision reaches1 is inclosed by a wall so broad that the top of it is a roadway on which people are walking and motor vehicles are passing to and fro4 ,the top of the wall is quite above the level of the water1 and on the farther side are massive buildings which appear to be warehouses and manufactories4 ,the first street away from the water is very wide1 beautifully paved and appears to be devoted to business purposes4 ,the second street is parallel with the first1 and from it the city is terraced upward to the level of the plateau4 ,all the streets cross at right angles1 and they are so wide1 so well paved and kept that it is a pleasure to look at them4 ,on the crest of the plateau illuminating columns1 domes1 turrets and lofty structures of various kinds are outlined against the now cloudless sky4 ,tramway cars and motor vehicles swiftly climb the ascending streets to the wide1 level ways of the city4 ,in all directions air ,transports1 like huge birds1 are passing through the quiet air4 ,on the streets are many people1 walking or riding in tramway cars or in motor vehicles1 and on the outgoing or incoming vessels are many passengers4 ,altogether the scene is very animated4 ,the city itself is indescribably and peculiarly beautiful4 ,from its front upward and throughout its extent there is a sort of diffusion of color resembling the tints of a fading rainbow4 ,now a passing cloud partly obscures the sun1 and the tints deepen into positive color4 ,the effect is charming but bewildering1 and to me so inexplicable that ,i shall feel obliged if some one will inform me concerning it4 ,de ,l',ester--,phoemadon1 the body of water bathing the feet of the far famed ,bendol iffon1 which in your language would mean rainbow hued1 is little less extensive than is ,indoloisa34 ,by the ,entoans it is regarded as an inland sea1 but it is so slightly saline as to serve the city for all domestic and other purposes4 ,properly it is a lake1 its depth varying with the season1 for during the spring1 when melting polar and snows of more temperate climes flow over the face of the ,planet1 yonder great seawall scarcely restrains its increased volume4 ,the plateau upon which ,bendol-iffon is built is a remnant of a mountain which in a bygone age reared its lofty peaks along the entire length of ,phoemadon1 then curving in a northwesterly direction lost itself very near the ,north ,pole4 ,zenesta31 mon ami1 in all that relates to your ,planet you are better informed than am ,i4 ,will you kindly devote some moments to our enlightenment8 ,zenesta ,hao--,always your pleasure is mine4 ,bendol-iffon is one of the oldest cities of ,ento4 ,through a study of historical works1 personal investigation1 and an acquaintance with ancient ,ento ,spirits1 ,i have learned that its origin dates back to a period anterior to the establishment of the ,government under one ,supreme ,ruler4 ,previous to this period the various countries of ,ento were ruled by might1 each ruler with his people occupying either an offensive or defensive attitude4 ,naturally the results of such a condition were inharmonious1 yet strangely enough out of such inharmony ,bendol-iffon came into existence4 ,notwithstanding its apparent newness it is not built upon the ruins of an ancient city4 ,not at all4 ,despite its age1 it never has been in a ruinous state1 its inhabitants ever having considered it a ,sacred obligation to maintain it at its best4 ,although it is built upon rock1 everywhere are towering trees1 shrubbery1 climbing vines and a wealth of blooming plants4 ,chiefly through extensive excavations1 filled with soil1 this has been brought about2 indeed largely the surface soil of lawns and gardens has been borrowed from elsewhere4 ,from ,phoemadon the city receives a plenteous water supply1 and the climate of this region being all that can be desired1 vegetation grows luxuriantly4 ,were we less pressed for time1 you1 ,gentola31 and your son would find much of interest in the really wonderful system of water supply of this rainbow hued city4 ,no1 no other city of ,ento exhibits this peculiar color effect1 and the story of its origin may serve to interest you4 ,unlike many historical and legendary narratives the story is absolutely true1 the proofs of its integrity being indisputably evident4 ,during a period antecedent to the establishment of the ,national ,government1 ,azokon1 ,king of ,ra3h1 was at enmity with ,mdos1 ,king of ,tsirma1 and out of the angry impulses of the two ,sovereigns grew bitter strife and warfare4 ,again and again1 fierce relentless battles were fought1 and in both armies so many were slain that at length both sovereigns grew alarmed lest complete extinction of their subjects might result1 or1 that what was more to be feared1 other rulers perceiving their exhausted state1 might take advantage of it to subjugate them1 even as they sought to subjugate each other4 ,finally mutual adversity brought about a mutual desire for reconciliation1 and that they might amicably adjust their real1 or fancied grievances1 a conference was agreed upon1 and at a specified time the ,sovereigns with their armies met on the crest of this plateau1 across which was the boundary line between their two kingdoms4 ,the morning of the day set apart for the conference was fine and clear1 the radiance from ,andmana3's abode bathing the home of ,his children as in a sea of light4 ,with an exchange of courteous greetings the conference was opened1 but as it proceeded1 each ,sovereign inclining toward his own interests1 demanded more than either one was willing to concede to the other1 and ere long their hostile minds threatened the conference with a disastrous conclusion4 ,suddenly ominous clouds swiftly climbed up from the western horizon1 and a strange stillness1 like that preceding the dread approach of ,phra 7,death7 hushed all things into frightened silence4 ,over land and sea fell a ghastly shadow1 deep as twilight1 and in terrified dismay1 ,sovereigns and soldiery gazed into each other's eyes4 ,swiftly the tumultuous1 inky clouds rushed across the sky1 and fitful gusts of wind stirred all things into motion4 ,blinding lightning set the lurid air ablaze1 and thunder so terrific1 that it shook the foundations of ,ento1 attested to the anger of the incensed ,deities4 ,then an unprecedented storm1 in all its fury1 burst upon the two armies1 and so fierce was the lightning that many were stricken dead4 ,blinding torrents of rain fell from the dark1 angry clouds1 and mad gusts of wind swept across the rocky plateau1 hurling confused masses of camp equipage and soldiery down the slope and into the surging waves of ,phoemadon4 ,above the rushing1 roaring fury of the tempest1 arose the shrieks1 groans and prayers of the terror stricken1 unsheltered men who were powerless against the terrific onslaught of the elements1 and the two sovereigns being equally endangered1 were overwhelmed with awe and despair1 recognizing that their iniquities had brought upon them and their inoffensive people the just vengeance of ,andmana3 and the ,deific ones4 ,in their dire extremity they implored the ,divine ,messengers to entreat ,andmana3 to stay ,his wrath lest ,phra should utterly destroy them and their armies4 ,azokon1 the ,sovereign of ,ra3h1 being a man of high courage1 fine character and very devout1 with hands upraised toward ,andmana3's obscured abode1 cried aloud1 ,creator and ,preserver1 and at ,thy ,will1 ,destroyer of the work of ,thy hands1 ,sovereign of ,sovereigns1 ,god of all ,gods1 and ,father of ,thy righteous and unrighteous children1 ,i beseech ,thee to listen to ,thy humbly repentant ,son1 who in taking vengeance into mine own hands have impiously offended ,thee4 ,destroy me1 oh destroy me utterly1 but spare ,thy unoffending children1 who at my command and that of ,mdos1 have striven to slay each other4 ,for shame1 that we have forgotten that we are brothers1 we cover our faces and implore ,thy mercy4 ,then1 as in trembling expectancy1 he awaited the dread touch of ,phra's icy fingers1 ,mdos clasped him about his knees1 crying in piteous tones1 ,andmana31 ,i1 too1 have grievously sinned against ,thee4 ,destroy me too1 if it may please ,thee1 for it is ,i1 not my people1 who foolishly have forgotten ,thy ,commandments4 ,it is ,azokon and ,i who have forgotten that ,ento and ,ento's children are ,thine1 and that all men are our brothers4 ,for him and for myself ,i implore ,thy mercy1 and ,thy pardon1 and henceforth1 as we may do unto others1 so do ,thou unto us2 and ,azokon's ,ra1 ,ra1 ,ra1 was as fervent as his own4 ,while they prayed the awful tempest raged1 and the face of nature was as a distorted mask1 then as suddenly as the tempest had burst upon the assembled armies1 so suddenly came a lull in its activities1 and presently the fierce turmoil subsided into comparative quiet1 and slowly from his shining abode1 ,andmana3 drew away the dark cloud drapery1 and a glorious effulgence irradiated the woful scene of the prostrate and stricken armies4 ,at the same moment the archway to the entrance of ,astranola3 became visible to the eyes of the adoring ,sovereigns and their soldiery4 ,stooping1 ,azokon raised ,mdos to his feet1 and as with extended arms and uplifted faces1 they reverently gazed upon the gloriously beautiful archway1 ,azokon's trembling lips brokenly murmured1 ,to ,thee1 ,thou ,supreme ,one1 ,who art ,all seeing1 ,all knowing1 and to ,thy ,messengers the ,deific ones1 to whom the thoughts and deeds of men are known1 we1 ,azokon and ,mdos1 vow that as through ,thy pitying love for ,thy erring children1 ,thou hast not utterly destroyed us and our people1 but hast shown to us the glorious archway1 the sign that ,thy displeasure is turned away from us1 we1 on this spot1 will build cities which shall be a memorial of ,thy mercy to us1 and a perpetual reminder that henceforth we and our people1 side by side1 shall dwell in peace and unity2 and with fervor ,mdos responded1 ,as ,azokon hath said1 so may it be1 and should ,i fail in the performance of this vow1 may the ,gods visit upon me and mine swift and certain destruction4 ,thus through the dread visitation of an unparalleled tempest1 those two conscience stricken and humbled ,sovereigns arrived at an amicable adjustment of their several differences1 and thereafter they not only sustained toward each other harmonious relations1 but remembering their mutual vow to ,andmana3 and ,his ,messengers1 at once they set about its fulfillment4 ,we now will move to a more central position over the city4 ,beneath us now is a stupendous ,column1 whose dimensions exceed those of the loftiest ,light ,towers of ,ento1 its coloring being quite as peculiar as that of the edifices of the city4 ,from base to capital1 the stones of which it is composed represent all the colors of the rainbow1 but so delicate are the tones that they are more pearly suggestions of1 than positive colors4 ,when at nightfall those two great arches on its apex are aglow with iridescent lights1 the effect is enchantingly beautiful4 ,i have mentioned that the conference was held on the boundary line separating the two kingdoms1 and on the spot where they had learned their ,wisdom ,lesson1 ,azokon and ,mdos reared the ,memorial ,column1 which to this day is one of the noted objects of ,ento4 ,do ,i believe that ,andmana3 inflicted the tempest upon them for the special purpose of affording them much needed lessons of humility and mutual forbearance8 ,certainly not1 but ,i do believe that every mortal experience is fraught with beneficence for those wise enough to comprehend the plainly expressed ,laws of ,the ,infinite ,one1 who is the embodiment of unerring1 unchanging law4 ,the wide avenue in which the column stands was the line of division between the two kingdoms1 and peace having been declared1 ,azokon and ,mdos1 in fulfillment of their vow1 began the erection of the two cities which should be so closely adjoined as to present the appearance of one city1 and which ever should be known as ,bendol-iffon ,tylsa3a3 7rainbow hued cities74 ,in this region1 as in others of ,ento1 there are quarries of most beautiful marbles and stones1 and in numerous caverns there are great deposits of what to the ,entoans is known as ,ingloita31 possessing a range of exquisite colorings4 ,these varied materials were and still are used in the construction of ,bendol-iffon4 ,some persons might question the taste of ,azokon and ,mdos in building iridescent cities1 but to them the accomplishment in a marked manner of their vow to ,andmana3 and the gods was the all important matter4 ,in pursuance of this object they issued a joint decree that thenceforth and forever all persons erecting structures in ,bendol-iffon ,tylsa3a3 must build in harmony with the coloring of the ,memorial ,column1 and thus far the decree has been observed4 ,on the base of the column is inscribed the story of the war1 of the storm1 of the vow of ,azokon and ,mdos1 of the appearing of the sign of peace1 of the reconciliation of the two ,sovereigns1 and of the decree which should perpetually be observed lest ,andmana3 might avenge himself for the infidelity of his children of ,bendol-iffon ,tylsa3a34 ,at that time the religion of the ,entoans included much that was deplorably irrational and superstitious1 but you who have come to understand that the ,spiritual or real man and the natural or animal man sustain toward each other a most complex relation1 are aware that superstition is wholly of the lower or physical plane of ,being4 ,as the ,dual man creature evolves into finer conditions the ,ego1 the ,spiritual ,self1 is better able to manifest its higher attributes1 thus1 though the ,entoans still observe the superstitious beliefs of their religion1 ,spiritually they have outgrown them1 and at a fitting opportunity gladly they will discard them and quickly they will manifest that despite ancient usages1 ,priestly influences1 fear of the ,deific ,ones and a lack of knowledge concerning the continuity of existence1 they are a ,spiritualized people4 ,yes1 superstitions become involved in the mentality of humans1 forming what may be termed hereditary tendencies or traits4 ,fear being a most forceful trait of the ,entoans1 no one has dared1 or perhaps cared1 to act in opposition to the ,decree chiselled in yonder majestic ,column1 and not until the new religion shall have dispelled old superstitious beliefs will the ,entoans venture upon freedom of thought and conduct which we trust will not lead to the effacement of the unique beauty of ,bendol-iffon ,tylsa3a31 which long has been known as ,bendol-iffon1 for when the ,government became ,centralized1 kingdoms went out of fashion and the two cities became one4 ,de ,l',ester--,we are pleased that you and ,bernard are as charmed as ourselves with this matchlessly lovely iridescent city1 and we1 too1 will hope that a lessening belief in imaginary ,gods and other superstitions may not lead to a modernizing of its unique features4 ,yes1 ,earth contains marbles and stones presenting the same colorings1 but they are not likely to serve architectural purposes1 at least not to the extent of building of them an entire city4 ,we cannot now devote further time to ,bendol-iffon1 but our future is all before us1 so we only will say to it au revoir1 for ere long we will return and you1 ,gentola31 and this interested lad will be with us4 ,now we will journey toward ,yoitan-dyl 7tempest tossed71 which lies directly eastward4 ,it is a long1 narrow1 very salt sea1 and it is the most tempestuous water of the ,planet4 ,once it was a great body of water1 but gradually during passing centuries it has so decreased in extent and depth as to have become one of ,ento's smaller salt seas4 ,a little higher1 ,george4 ,now glance backward4 ,is not the scene wonderfully beautiful8 ,over the receding city and over the ruffled surface of ,phoemadon a luminous1 opalescent veil has fallen and the scene is vanishing1 vanishing1 and now--it is gone4 ,in a certain locality on the northern shore of ,yoitan-dyl we will find our friend ,sylvian1 who will inform us of affairs at ,da3o4 ,yes1 we were there this morning and perceived that the hour of ,valloa3's departure is very nigh4 ,why do not we go there at once8 ,for the reason that it would not be well to subject you to the powerful influences concentrating there4 ,were you physically strong we might venture to do so2 as it is1 your vitality must be conserved for a special occasion4 ,inland about four ,english miles from ,yoitan-dyl are the noted ruins of an ancient city whose principal features are several immense statues4 ,very ancient ,ento ,spirits say that the now arid regions surrounding the ruins of a great city were in their time sufficiently productive for the sustenance of a large agricultural population1 but for many centuries they have not been inhabitable4 ,the name of the city was ,tena3va3h1 and once the waves of ,yoitan-dyl tumultuously rushed to its very feet1 and to it at stated times1 from all over the ,planet1 came multitudes of people to offer and to witness sacrifices to ,andmana3 and the lesser ,deities4 ,when we shall have reached the ruins ,zenesta3 will tell us something concerning them4 ,yes1 the underlying lands present the same desolate appearance as others that we have traversed4 ,here and there springs of pure water well up1 supplemented by deep borings which furnish a limited water supply1 rendering somewhat productive small areas of land1 which afford a precarious subsistence for small communities of frugal and industrious people1 but were it not that the general ,government keeps over these isolated peoples a paternal supervision they would not be able to sustain themselves4 ,a special air ,transport service holds them in touch with other portions of the ,planet1 bearing to them such commodities as they require1 in turn carrying away the surplusage of their several industries4 ,as it is the fixed policy of the ,general ,government to carry the ,irrigating and ,waterways ,system around the ,planet1 in time these fertile localities will become a part of the ,system4 ,no1 it will not be very long before this will occur1 for by far the heaviest portion of the stupendous work already is accomplished4 ,owing to the many rocky formations existing between ,camarissa3 and ,etzoina3 ,loisa3 the undertaking thus far has been very arduous1 the remaining work will be far easier of accomplishment4 ,indoloisa31 ,etzoina31 ,phoemadon1 ,yoitan-dyl and other bodies of water lying within the area of the system will obviate the necessity of excavations for the ,waterways4 ,through hydraulic and mechanical engineering all bodies of salt water are kept within their own bounds1 only fresh water being permitted to flow in the ,waterways and ,irrigating ,canals4 ,slowly1 ,george1 and we will descend a little4 ,gentola31 what do you now see8 ,gentola--,upon an immense oblong platform1 which is quite elevated above the level of the sandy plain1 ,i see one1 two1 three1 four1 five1 six1 seven enormously large statues4 ,on the raised centre of the platform is a statue very much larger than the others4 ,its proportions are indeed gigantic1 and its form and features are so finely modelled1 so majestically beautiful that it seems incredible that mortals could have fashioned it4 ,above the forehead of this colossal statue is a golden ,sun1 its rays set close with jewels which gleam and scintillate as though endued with life4 ,in its extended right hand is a great cluster of golden rodels1 and in the less extended1 partly closed left hand is what appears to be a large golden egg4 ,the other statues are very beautiful2 three are male and three are female figures1 at whose feet are altars in the form of great oblong basins4 ,why is it that the platform1 the altars and the statues are so perfectly preserved and only fragmentary ruins of the great city remain8 ,zenesta--,before replying to your question allow me to say that the founding of this ruined city antedated the ,establishment of the ,national ,government and ,religion1 and that aside from what has been learned through the inscriptions on the base of the platform and on the altars to the ,entoans of to-day1 its history is little more than legendary4 ,on our side of life we possess its authentic history4 ,that you and ,bernard may obtain a clearer view of the statues we will descend4 ,now you perceive that though the foundation of the platform is of stone its upper portion upon which the statues stand is of a non-corrosive metal known as ,sauva34 ,the central figure represents ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one4 ,the three female figures on ,his right1 and the three male figures on ,his left hand1 are ,deific ,ones of ,astranola34 ,yes1 the coloring of the statues is very fine4 ,enamelling is an art in which the ,entoans excel4 ,observe that the statues are composed of sections so nicely adjusted as to be nearly imperceptible4 ,de ,l',ester says that the metal is very like what you term bronze4 ,as briefly as possible ,i will relate somewhat of the history of the ruined city and of the temple of which this great altar and these wonderfully fine statues were features4 ,yes1 this that you have thought a platform is an altar4 ,at a period when the equatorial regions were yet to a degree fertile ,khoivas ,edda1 the sovereign of the most powerful nation of ,ento1 resolved to build on this spot a magnificent ,temple and altar of sacrifice to the ,supreme ,one and his chiefest ,messengers1 and in pursuance of this resolve he issued a proclamation1 requesting all other sovereigns to join him in this pious undertaking4 ,at this time1 between the various races of ,ento1 wars were of frequent occurrence1 and ,khoivas ,edda proposed that during the building of the ,temple1 and thereafter at stated periods1 all wars and animosities of whatever nature for a certain number of days should cease1 that thus all of ,andmana3's children might pass to and from the temple to their own places without fear of molestation4 ,calling upon ,andmana3 and ,his ,messengers to bear witness to his sincerity he declared that for all time the ,temple1 which should be known as ,infadoihan-lvtas 7place of sacrifice71 should belong to the several nations of ,ento4 ,khoivas ,edda1 being the most powerful ,sovereign of ,ento1 and his purpose a most pious one1 his proposal received universal acceptance1 and very soon from all parts of ,ento came a multitude of artisans and laborers to assist in the building of the ,temple4 ,each nation contributing according to its means1 quickly vast treasure and material for the undertaking accumulated and within two ,ento years the great temple reared its majestic beauty above the loftiest structures of the wide spreading city4 ,during the building of the temple1 and for many succeeding years1 almost universal peace prevailed1 and through many centuries the fires of those great altars consumed many1 many victims of the dread superstitions of perverted religious ideas4 ,could these mute statues relate the story of the tragedies enacted upon their altars1 we would turn away in horror from their recitals of scenes upon which loving1 pitiful spirits once gazed and wept4 ,you perceive that each statue has its own altar upon which special sacrifices were offered4 ,on the altar of the statue representing ,andmana3 the ,supreme ,one1 the fairest and dearest of ,ento's youths and maidens were sacrificed4 ,on the altars of ,his six servitors animals set apart for the sacred purpose were burned4 ,other altars1 no longer in existence1 scarcely sufficed to contain the profusion of precious things and of grains1 fruits and flowers offered for the purpose of securing the kind offices of the ,gods and ,goddesses of ,astranola34 ,happily all this is of a bygone day1 and even the ruins of the grandest ,temple of that ancient time have nearly disappeared4 ,the massive walls1 the towering dome1 the many huge columns1 the great interior1 enriched by all that treasure could command or art could produce1 all1 all1 long since have been scattered abroad or buried beneath the shifting sands of this desert waste4 ,only these indestructible statues1 the great altar supporting them1 with here and there a broken column or a fragment of sculpture hints of the vanished glories of ,infa3doiha3n lvta3s and of the great city ,tena3va3h4 ,previous to the building of the ,temple1 and for centuries afterward1 the ,entoans scarcely realized the increasing aridity of the soil of the equatorial countries4 ,thus while they gloried in and bore to the altars of their great and beautiful ,temple their most valued possessions1 the already greatly lowered mountains were growing less majestic1 elevations imperceptibly were becoming levelled1 valleys were being filled to the level of the plains1 and flowing streams were being lost or diverted from their courses4 ,the changes of centuries are as the long1 long thoughts of the ,infinite ,mind4 ,they go forward1 perhaps almost imperceptibly1 but they go forward4 ,thus in time the region about ,tena3va3h grew infertile1 and gradually the population drew away to more favorable lands4 ,the multitudes who1 during many centuries1 had journeyed to the ,temple to worship and to offer sacrifices1 gradually ceased their attendance4 ,the altar fires which1 during centuries1 had glowed incessantly1 burned fitfully1 then died away and the ,temple fell into disuse1 then into decay1 its treasures serving for the enrichment of other shrines4 ,with disuse of the ,temple1 ,tena3va3h became entirely deserted1 and for centuries past its ruins have found sepulture beneath the shifting sands1 which1 ere long1 through the influence of the beneficent system1 will yield up many buried pages of its history4 ,now ,i will reply to your question4 ,these statues are regarded with such reverential awe that ever the ,priesthood have protested against their removal elsewhere1 and the ,government sees to it that at stated times competent persons are dispatched to this lonely spot to clear away drifting sands and to keep them and the altars in perfect repair4 ,from ,entoans who recently have come into our ,spirit ,realms1 we learn that when the system shall have reached this locality1 on this spot the ,government will erect another ,temple4 ,is it too much to hope for1 too much to expect1 that it will be dedicated to the ,one ,whose chiefest attribute is love8 ,de ,l',ester--,we will hope that it may be so4 ,this we know1 that no more on these altars will the crime of human sacrifice be perpetrated4 ,these survivals of a tragic past do well to observe perpetual silence1 for if they might even whisper the story of the atrocities committed in their names1 the more enlightened1 gentler ,entoans of to-day would shrink from it in horror4 ,now we must be up and away4 ,gentola31 of all the scenes you have observed1 none1 ,i think1 have appeared so utterly lonely1 so pathetically forsaken as this verdureless plain and those sombre1 gigantic statues standing like silent sentinels over the buried city and temple4 ,we now will follow northward the western shore of ,yoitan-dyl1 and shortly we will arrive at some irrigated lands and an inconsiderable and rather modern city named ,crysta3 ,fyon1 the name of its founder1 and it is the capital city of this province1 ,a-,shinoh4 ,yes1 those green1 luxuriant growths are in strong contrast to the adjoining desert lands4 ,no1 they are not irrigated by the water of ,yoitan-dyl4 ,you forget that it is a salt sea4 ,to procure water for irrigation and for the service of the city1 ,crysta3 ,fyon instituted a system of artesian wells1 which was not difficult of accomplishment1 as at no great depth1 even under desert lands1 there is an abundance of water4 ,george1 for a few moments we will pause here4 ,yes1 it is an attractive scene4 ,in the near distance is ,yoitan-dyl1 on whose foam capped waves vessels of various kinds are tossing on their ways1 and on its hither shore is white ,crysta3 ,fyon1 with its beautiful snowy temple and many fine structures4 ,on its landward side the city and its pretty suburban homes are surrounded by the luxuriant greenery of grains1 grasses1 fruit-bearing and other trees1 and a wealth of blooming shrubs1 vines and plants4 ,certainly ,crysta3 ,fyon1 the founder of the city and of the ,irrigating ,system which has reclaimed many miles of arid lands1 deserves high praise for his efforts4 ,oh1 yes1 for over half an ,ento century he has been on the spirit side1 yet his interest in the city and its fortunes is unabated4 ,ah1 ,sylvian and ,inidora3 are coming to meet us4 ,inidora--,loha1 loha1 manos4 ,de ,l',ester--,hail1 and a loving welcome for you1 dear friends4 ,sylvian--,and for you all our hearts speak a fond greeting4 ,no1 we have not long awaited your coming1 but long enough for ,inidora3 to relate to my willing ears the story of his unlooked for finding of his other self and his attempts to establish a mutual rapport1 in which1 happily1 to a degree1 he has succeeded4 ,what word do ,i bring you from ,da3o8 ,it is that for the present your journeyings must cease4 ,valloa3 is about to pass into our ,spirit ,realms1 and in anticipation of the event which can no longer be delayed1 a vast number of our friends of many ,planetary ,spirit ,realms have assembled to witness and to aid in the anticipated successful culmination of our ,mission4 ,that it will be successful we no longer doubt4 ,valloa3 and ,dano now fully realize that life does not end with death of the body1 and in a measure this assurance assuages the sorrow of their approaching brief separation4 ,for ,omanos ,fnha3 there is but one step to be taken1 when gladly he1 too1 will embrace the faith that will assure him of the existence of another world1 where he will find his dear ones4 ,unconsciously he and many others are shrinking away from the old dread beliefs1 and light from ,spirit ,realms is penetrating their consciousness and inspiring them with the hope that at last ,andmana3 has heard their importunate cries and is about to grant them continuous existence4 ,valloa3 now scarcely animates her physical body1 and like an imprisoned bird she struggles for freedom1 yet even as she tries to escape1 her beautiful eyes1 full of love and pity1 turn to her despairing father1 then upon her grief stricken lover1 ,dano ,andlsa31 who kneels by her couch murmuring words of tenderness and covering her cold hands with tears and kisses4 ,his ,spirit vision has grown very clear and as in bewilderment he gazes upon the partially freed ,valloa31 then upon the wasted form he so long has adored1 in piteous tones he cries1 ,valloa31 ,valloa31 whither goest thou8 ,i see thee1 and thou art escaping from thy body1 and thou art not dead4 ,oh1 thou dread mystery death1 take me1 oh take me too1 for wheresoever my love may go1 ,i1 too1 would go4 ,then again he cries1 ,woman1 woman of another world1 come to me1 come to me4 ,thou didst promise that in the supreme hour of trial thou wouldst come to me4 ,oh1 come and teach to me the meaning of death4 ,and thus the pitiful scene repeats itself1 and the change is very near4 ,gentola31 the time has arrived for our departure for ,da3o1 and soon in the presence of ,omanos ,fnha3 and those about him1 you1 through the departing ,valloa3 and her affianced1 ,prince ,dano1 will proclaim the glad tidings that death of the physical body affords release of the immortal ,spirit4 ,that life is unending1 and that in a ,world unseen of mortal eyes all surely will find their loved ones whom they had mourned as having gone into eternal ,silence4 ,among those about the couch of ,valloa3 is ,ozynas ,dlsa31 the ,most ,high ,priest of the ,temple ,zim1 which you may know is the most sacred of ,ento's ,temples4 ,through purity of life and most ascetic habits this ,most ,high ,priest has to an unusual degree developed the ,senses of ,clairvoyance and ,clairaudience1 and when he shall come to understand their real meaning he will become a powerful force in the introduction of the new religion4 ,perhaps you are aware that all humans possess these senses1 and that under favorable conditions all may exercise them4 ,no1 the case of this ,priest is not exceptional4 ,all high ,priests are chosen for the position because of their supposed ability to hold converse with the ,deific ,ones4 ,that they hold converse with discarnated ,spirits is true1 and naturally you may wonder why they and the peoples have not learned of the continuity of existence4 ,the reason is obvious4 ,since ancient times a harsh1 unyielding religious creed has held in bondage both ,priests and peoples1 and lest the ,gods might call them to a fearful account for their impiety1 none have dared to assail it4 ,such ,spirit communications as from time to time the ,priests have received1 if opposed to the creed1 have been dismissed as mere hallucinations1 but when in harmony with the creed they have been regarded as of ,divine origin4 ,without such intervention as our ,mission proposes this unhappy condition must indefinitely continue1 but when1 through such evidence as the ,mission will offer1 ,omanos ,fnha3 and those nearest him shall have accepted the new faith1 the way will be made clear for ,priests and peoples to follow the light which shall lead them into ways of greater happiness than ever they have dreamed of4 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 who is nearing the threshold of truth1 is a courageous1 eloquent and very spiritual man4 ,through recent experiences of ,valloa3 and ,dano he is so nearly convinced of the continuity of existence that he is ready to battle against the old faith and for the reception of the new religion1 whose heralds noiselessly but determinedly are approaching the sorrowful peoples1 resolved to dissipate the darkness which ever has enshrouded their lives4 ,now look straight ahead and in a moment you will perceive the dim outlines of the lofty domes and loftier ,light and ,signal ,towers of ,ento's capital city4 ,to the left of the loftiest ,signal ,tower which overlooks the city is the residence of the ,supreme ,rulers of ,ento1 and where now ,spirit hosts are concentrating their forces1 and where very soon you will be the central figure of what to you and this dear youth will be a strange drama4 ,i much regret my inability to converse with you directly1 but ,i trust that our mutual friend has made my meaning clear to you4 ,de ,l',ester--,i believe that ,i have correctly translated all that you have said1 and now that the momentous hour has arrived for a brief time our ,sensitive must return to her home so that she may arrange for an unusually prolonged absence from her physical body4 ,within a half hour we will meet you near or in the palace4 ,info oovist4 ,gentola31 ,george and ,i will swiftly bear you to your home1 where ,i shall have something of moment to say to you4 ,you will close your eyes1 for we shall traverse the space between ,ento and ,earth with utmost speed4 ,ah1 ah4 ,that is well4 ,now unclose your eyes1 for you are safe within your quiet1 darkened room1 and no one but the faithful ,vena is in the house1 and she is preparing to leave it1 but you will request her to remain at home1 for you must not be left unattended4 ,now listen attentively to what ,i shall say4 ,as you have learned1 but do not now clearly remember1 ,valloa31 daughter of ,omanos ,fnha31 ,osy ,hn1 is about to pass into ,ento's ,spirit ,realms1 and that success may attend the ,mission of ,love in which you and we are engaged1 we must ask you to unreservedly submit yourself to our requirements4 ,rest assured that we will guard you carefully1 and by all that is ,divine we pledge ourselves that you shall not be tried beyond your strength4 ,to prevent possible injury1 we desire that you shall charge ,vena to1 on no account1 permit any one to enter the house during your submergement1 and that will occupy six1 probably seven1 hours4 ,say to her that she must not attend the door bell or open the door of your room1 and do so at once1 for we must hasten our return to ,ento4 ,gentola--,i have instructed ,vena to remain in the house1 to allow no one to enter it1 and to leave me undisturbed until five o'clock1 which will be seven hours hence4 ,de ,l',ester--,we have heard your conversation with the girl1 who is in a state of nervous alarm lest some evil may befall you4 ,ask her to lower the window shade in the adjoining room4 ,some rays of light are penetrating the desired darkness of this one1 and it may be well to further reassure her1 so that she may not feel impelled to disturb you4 ,that is well1 and all things being arranged to our satisfaction we at once will depart4 ,close your eyes and render yourself passive4 ,you are not afraid8 ,gentola--,not afraid1 but a little nervous4 ,as ,i ever have found you true to your word1 ,i will trust you to the end4 ,de ,l',ester--,that you safely may do1 for aside from all other considerations we greatly desire that you shall yet a while remain on the ,earth plane1 that with your approval we may make further use of your peculiar phase of ,mediumship4 ,we have not labored all these years to fit you for a definite purpose to now willfully permit injury of our ,instrument4 ,you may believe1 too1 that in our demands upon your time and strength for the furtherance of our ,mission1 we are not actuated by selfish motives1 and in time you will understand that if you have suffered and practiced much self-denial1 we1 too1 have sacrificed much that we might aid in the accomplishment of what you and we regard as a sacred duty4 ,now you are tranquil and we are ready for our flight to ,ento4 ,you now may unclose your eyes for we are nearing ,da3o1 and you may perceive its many stately structures1 whose domes and towers are in relief against a background of cloudless azure sky4 ,we now will approach the ,palace1 which you will observe is enveloped in a shining1 mistlike aural cloud1 within which a host of exalted ,spirits are aiding in the ,spiritual unfoldment of ,omanos ,fnha3 and others who1 ere long1 will proclaim to the peoples of ,ento the glorious truth that the ,spirit1 the real ,self1 survives the change called death4 ,when presently we shall enter within the aural cloud you will clearly see what you never--,but ,i must not anticipate1 and you will strive to regain your usual tranquillity4 ,one seldom sees a more artistic structure than this massive1 stately1 harmoniously designed residence of the ,supreme ,rulers of ,ento1 its lovely surroundings affording an admirable setting for such a gem of architecture4 ,indeed the entire city is an architectural dream4 ,it strictly is a residence city1 though of necessity in it are bazaars and marts containing all that is finest and best pertaining to art1 manufactured wares and natural products4 ,no1 it is not an extensive city1 the population not exceeding a half million1 but it is the richest city of ,ento1 and one of the oldest4 ,now you are quieted and we will join our ,band within the aural cloud4 ,gentola--,de ,l',ester1 friends1 wait a moment2 ,i believe ,i am frightened4 ,oh1 who are those wonderfully beautiful ,beings8 ,are they ,angels or are they ,spirits8 ,oh1 ,i am overwhelmed by the amazing spectacle4 ,de ,l',ester--,tranquillize yourself1 ,i pray you1 tranquillize yourself2 none but loving friends are here4 ,those radiant ,beings are exalted ,spirits from many ,spirit ,worlds1 and conditions are such that for the first time during our ,mission you see ,spirits as they really are4 ,you are aware that the physical body is composed of grosser elements of substance1 and the ,spirit body of elements more refined1 the elemental quality of the ,spirit body depending upon the manner of existence of the mortal1 so you readily may conclude that those ,spirits are of an exalted plane1 else they would not present such a glorified appearance1 neither would they be able to serve the purpose for which they have assembled4 ,adonon1 the leader of a ,band1 desires to address you4 ,adoneon--,trembling one from the ,earth-world1 the ,sorrowful ,star1 upon which ,i1 too1 once dwelt1 ,i pray you to accept our gentlest1 our most loving greeting4 ,once we all existed in mortal forms1 but having been freed from physical expression we present to your unaccustomed gaze an appearance which startles and occasions you some trepidation4 ,will it calm your disquietude if ,i say that could you see yourself as we see you1 you would be as greatly amazed at your real appearance as you are at our own4 ,then be at peace1 for as we are1 you some time will be1 and then1 as now1 gladly you will serve the lowliest of the human ,brotherhood4 ,gentola31 you are rightly named1 for only one of kindliest nature would risk the severance of the ties of your present ,embodiment1 that thus you may aid this ,mission of ,loving endeavor4 ,you desire to learn somewhat of my earthly history4 ,as you will1 but it must be as the merest fragment of the whole4 ,rome was my birthplace1 and ,i was the only child of persons of distinction4 ,from my earliest youth ,i revolted against the gross licentiousness and debauchery1 not only of the masses1 but of those in highest places1 whose criminally bestial orgies were beyond description1 vile and demoralizing4 ,my parents1 too1 shrank in horror and disgust from a condition of society which words cannot express4 ,so did others1 but those who dare oppose themselves against the example of the conscienceless ,emperor ,nero1 and his equally conscienceless courtiers1 did so at the peril of life and estate4 ,through his intolerable tyranny ,i1 with other youths of the best blood of ,rome1 were driven to plot rebellion against his misrule1 and when our hopes of success were at the highest1 a treacherous youth betrayed us and we were arrested and sentenced to death in the arena4 ,my beloved father was shorn of his rank and possessions1 and with my gentle mother1 was driven into exile1 which they did not long survive4 ,but ,nero1 the insane1 brutal tyrant1 the ferocious1 drunken beast1 and the curse of his unhappy time2 ,nero1 who made human agony his pastime1 still lived to gleefully laugh while naked1 empty handed victims were cast into the arena to be torn limb from limb by creatures no more savage1 no more relentless than the insensate wretch who gloated over the horrible scene4 ,earth has not harbored a more ignoble mortal than he who styled himself1 and indeed regarded himself1 as the ,divine ,csar4 ,when the hour of my agony arrived1 ,i1 with many others1 one a fair girl scarcely beyond childhood1 were driven to our doom4 ,some1 through terror1 swooned into merciful oblivion1 others shrieked wildly and pitifully1 frantically strove to escape from the great beasts who tore them into fragments1 and still others instinctively fought for life1 or coweringly shrank from their hideous fate4 ,but not ,i1 not ,i4 ,as an enormous lion rushed like an avalanche from the opened door of his cage1 the young girl clung to me for protection4 ,one glance at her wide open eyes and terror stricken1 lovely face1 round which her golden hair fell in curling profusion1 inspired me with courage born of pity and despair4 ,putting her behind me1 ,i strode toward the lion1 my burning1 unwavering gaze meeting the glowing eyes of the famished and enraged beast1 and for a moment the crouching creature hesitated1 and ,nero shouted and clapped his jewelled hands4 ,the next instant the lion launched himself against my naked form and in another moment ,i was freed and beyond the reach of the cruelest of all creatures--the human animal4 ,after the lapse of half a thousand of your years1 at my own desire1 and for a purpose1 the ,angels of the ,visitation found me a birthplace on the glorious planet ,jupiter4 ,your astronomers would question this statement4 ,they do not take into account the fact that necessarily they possess but a limited knowledge of the constitution and conditions of the ,planets of our ,solar ,system1 or of the ,beings who may inhabit them1 and they do not recognize the more important fact that ,spirit1 the ,life ,principle1 is indestructible1 and that it possesses the ability of adjusting itself to other environments than those of ,earth4 ,from ,jupiter's ,spirit ,realms ,i1 and these my comrades have come to aid in this attempt to bring ,spiritual enlightenment to the sorrowful children of ,ento4 ,our ,band of nine ,spirits will endeavor to come into harmonious relations with ,omanos ,fnha34 ,to other ,bands of ,spirits from other ,planetary ,spheres have been assigned special duties4 ,upon ,de ,l',ester and his ,band will rest the responsibility of controlling and directing you4 ,as far as possible our plans have been perfected1 and the supreme moment having arrived1 may the ,divine1 ,intelligent1 ,all ,potent ,one direct and aid us in our endeavor to fulfill the ,law of ,love4 ,de ,l',ester--,gentola31 now that you have grown tranquil1 we will enter the apartment of the passing ,valloa34 ,be attentive while ,i inform you as to who some of the assembled personages are1 then you will describe the surroundings of this pitiful scene4 ,later1 your deeper submergence will oblige me to continue a narration of what may occur4 ,do you understand8 ,gentola--,i do1 and shall try to meet your wishes4 ,i find myself standing at the foot of ,valloa3's couch1 which is near the centre of the very spacious apartment1 whose walls and ceiling are marvels of beauty4 ,upon their ivory white surfaces are sprays of exquisite blossoms so true to nature that it seems as though one might gather them from their delicate foliage4 ,rich tapestries of palest blue1 combined with snowy laces1 drape the lofty windows1 and fluted panels of the same tapestry separate the flower designs on walls and ceiling1 the effect being very refined and beautiful4 ,on opposing sides of the apartment great mirrors are let into the walls1 their frames and the woodwork of doors and windows being in white and gold and the floor is such an exquisitely dainty mosaic that it seems a profanation to step on it4 ,there are some very beautiful divans and chairs and a large1 handsome table which1 with the exception of the lovely couch on which ,valloa3 lies1 completes the furnishing of the apartment4 ,through a window from which the drapery is drawn aside the light falls upon a young girl whose angelically lovely face is framed in a mass of curling1 golden hair4 ,it is the face of the young girl you once showed me in a picture1 but it is more mature1 more expressive1 more spirituelle1 than the pictured face4 ,the soft1 fleecy1 white couch clothing outlines a tall1 slender form1 somewhat emaciated1 but modelled most beautifully1 and as she lifts her hands to push away from her low1 wide forehead her shining hair1 ,i see that they are as white as lilies and exceedingly shapely4 ,on one side of the couch sits ,omanos ,fnha31 a majestic1 very handsome1 dark skinned man of about middle age4 ,on the other side of the couch kneels ,dano1 his mournful gaze fixed upon the face of the dying girl1 whose expression is serene but very pathetic4 ,in ,dano's clasp is her left hand1 which he holds against his tremulous lips4 ,with her right hand she fondly but feebly caresses her father's stately head1 bowed near her own1 and her large1 beautiful azure hued eyes look into his despairing face1 then turn toward the sorrowful face of her affianced1 and she murmurs low1 broken words of endearment for both4 ,dano's father1 ,basto ,andlsa31 who1 with bowed head and folded arms1 stands near the head of the couch1 is a picture of woe4 ,by ,dano's side stands his mother1 a very tall1 olive skinned1 strikingly handsome woman1 whom her son closely resembles4 ,on her face is an expression of great tenderness1 as she whispers fondly pitiful words to the dying girl1 who gently touches her face and smiles up at her4 ,suddenly1 with a quivering moan and a look of terror in her dark eyes1 she draws away1 but quickly recovers herself1 and again she stoops to murmur loving words to ,valloa3 and to ,dano1 upon whose dark1 flowing hair her tears fall like rain4 ,near ,omanos ,fnha3 stands the ,most ,high ,priest ,ozynas ,dlsa31 and what a singularly grand looking man he is4 ,he is taller than any ,entoan ,i have seen2 taller even than ,omanos ,fnha3 whom ,i think he resembles4 ,as he stands erect1 silent and motionless1 he looks like a draped bronze statue4 ,there is a peculiar expression on his quiet face1 a sort of introspective expression which suggests the thought that he is questioning himself as to the mystery of death1 whose dread shadow is stealing over the beautiful face of ,valloa34 ,of the host of ,spirit men and women thronging this apartment1 the entire residence and the aura inclosed space about it1 what can ,i1 what shall ,i say8 ,to my unfolded vision the walls oppose no barrier1 and with inexpressible awe and wonder ,i gaze upon these luminous ones1 whose faces and forms possess a beauty and majesty indescribable4 ,i can think of no other word than ,godlike that will convey my idea of their appearance1 but ,i--but language fails me--,i--can say--no--more4 ,de ,l',ester--,before narrating what occurred after ,gentola3 ceased speaking ,i will say that the ,organization controlling this ,mission consists of seven ,bands of advanced ,spirits of various ,planetary ,spirit ,spheres1 and that our ,mission is not an isolated one4 ,on all ,planets inhabited by ,spiritualized humans1 ,spirit ,missions for the accomplishment of various purposes1 constantly are being carried forward4 ,on ,earth1 at this time1 more than one ,mission is in progress4 ,some will elevate humanity2 others1 under control of ,spirits not of bad intentions1 but of a low plane of evolvement1 hence ignorant as to results1 will debase and retard progress4 ,i make mention of this matter so that if perchance some may read this story of our ,mission they will understand that it is but one of many4 ,having become submerged to a degree that rendered her incapable of further speech1 and the moment of ,valloa3's departure being close at hand1 it became imperative that our ,instrument should be illumined to her highest capacity1 so that she might deliver our message to ,omanos ,fnha31 to ,dano1 to the ,most ,high ,priest1 and to others surrounding the passing girl4 ,at the moment of midday ,gentola3 was made to call softly but distinctly1 ,dano6 ,dano6 ,all heard the voice1 and a look of startled inquiry was on each face4 ,raising his head for a moment ,dano intently listened1 then breathlessly he questioned1 ,who calls me8 ,who calls me8 ,but for a little there was no reply1 and only the faint1 fitful breathing of the dying girl broke the profound stillness4 ,then the seven ,bands of ,spirits formed in ,circles1 and their combined forces were brought to hear upon ,omanos ,fnha31 ,dano1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 and upon ,valloa31 whose vital energy for the moment was augmented4 ,instantaneously ,dano's ,spirit ,senses were so quickened that he perceived not only ,gentola31 but in a less perfect manner our entire ,band1 upon whom he gazed curiously1 evidently doubting our reality4 ,his interest being centered in ,gentola31 quickly he turned toward her1 his face irradiated with surprise and joy4 ,inclining his head near ,valloa3's in low1 trembling tones he exclaimed1 ,she has come1 as she promised2 she has come1 ,valloa34 ,valloa31 my dearest one1 see you not a strange ,being by the side of your father8 ,the yet conscious girl smiled and murmured1 ,yes--yes4 ,looking about him the greatly disturbed ,omanos ,fnha3 exclaimed1 ,i see no one1 ,i see no one4 ,oh1 my children1 our mutual sorrow confuses our senses1 and we imagine unrealities4 ,dano1 ,dano1 ,i pray you compose yourself lest we disquiet our dearest one4 ,as ,omanos ,fnha3 uttered these words an expression of intense surprise and bewilderment stole over his face1 and over the face of ,ozynas ,dlsa31 for at that moment their ,spirit ,senses were so unfolded that in awed and terrified silence they saw and heard4 ,then1 at my dictation1 in a voice low but audible to all1 ,gentola3 delivered our message4 ,dano1 ,dano1 she said1 as ,i promised so have ,i in your hour of deepest sorrow come to you4 ,you perceive that ,valloa31 the ,real ,spiritual ,valloa31 is well nigh freed from the frail1 beautiful form you all love so well4 ,in a few moments she will be released2 then her golden haired mother and her ,aunt ,sylvian1 whom you also perceive hovering above the couch1 will bear your love to her home in the glorious ,spirit ,world1 where you and all her dear ones ere long will rejoin her4 ,in this hour of your greatest sorrow ,i bear you a ,message that henceforth will fill your life and the lives of ,ento's children with immeasurable peace and joy4 ,omanos ,fnha31 and you1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 ,priest of a hopeless religion1 listen that you1 too1 may receive knowledge of the grandest ,truth that can be revealed to man4 ,through purity of life1 and a noble ambition to serve rather than to rule1 and recently through keenest anguish of soul1 you1 ,omanos ,fnha31 have so unfolded your ,spiritual ,self that you are prepared to accept this ,truth1 and you1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 through lofty aspiration and exceptional ability to perceive that which hitherto you have not understood1 will proclaim the ,revelation that the physical body is but the casket in which the priceless jewel1 the ,immortal ,self1 which is the deathless expression of the ,infinite ,spirit whom you name ,andmana31 is enshrined4 ,hitherto1 because of the positiveness and materialism of your religious beliefs1 so dense has been the aural atmosphere about you1 that light from ,ento's and other ,spirit ,worlds has not penetrated your ,spiritual consciousness4 ,during past centuries the ,immortals of many ,spirit ,worlds have striven to communicate with the children of ,ento1 that thus they might bring hope to despairing ones who have lived1 loved and sorrowed1 even as you who love this1 your dearest one1 now sorrow4 ,striving1 watching1 waiting1 loving1 pitiful spirits1 who once were mortals like yourselves1 at last have found their opportunity and have hastened to bring light into darkness1 joy for sorrow and hope for despair4 ,they1 with glad hearts1 have come to proclaim to you that life and ,spirit are one and indestructible4 ,that1 though unseen by mortal eyes1 the animating ,principle1 the ,real ,self1 is ,immortal1 and in ,realms indescribable by human language1 those who have passed from ,ento and other ,worlds1 live1 love and enjoy1 or sorrow1 in accordance with the purity or impurity of their mortal existence4 ,they also have come to proclaim to you that there is but ,one ,god1 ,who is the ,infinite ,spirit1 ,who permeates all things4 ,the ,infinitely ,intelligent ,spirit1 who knows all things4 ,the ,infinite ,energy1 who is the ,source of all things4 ,the ,dual1 ,unseeable1 ,unknowable ,one1 whose manifestations alone declare the ,infinity of their origin4 ,they have come to proclaim to you that ,ento is but one of myriads of ,worlds1 comprising an illimitable ,universe1 whose every atom is vitalized and permeated by this ,infinite ,spirit1 who no more lives in the shining ,orb which sheds its radiant beams over the lands and seas of ,ento and over other greater ,worlds far away in space than in the petals of the rodel1 or in the atoms floating in the atmosphere4 ,when the great flaming ,star you ignorantly have thought the abode of ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 has for a time disappeared from your view1 and the darkness of night has fallen over this portion of your ,ento ,world1 reverently you have gazed toward the shining points in space1 aye1 so far away in space1 that you can form no conception of the immensity of their distances from ,ento1 and you have believed them the ,lamps of the ,realm of ,astranola34 ,learn1 oh children of our common ,father1 ,mother ,god1 that they are ,worlds1 some of them of such vast proportions that1 compared with them1 ,ento and the ,earth ,world1 where ,i dwell1 are dwarfed into insignificance4 ,some of these worlds are peopled by very advanced and exalted humans1 others by mortals in various stages of evolvement1 and all are the children of the ,infinite ,one4 ,i cannot now speak more fully of these matters1 but1 concerning them1 later on you shall receive further instruction4 ,dano1 dear youth1 let the words of our ,message sink deeply into your heart1 for you are the chosen herald1 who first shall proclaim the new ,faith to the children of ,ento4 ,be courageous1 be faithful1 and in accordance with the measure of your courage and your faithfulness shall be your consciousness that ever by your side will walk your spirit bride1 your other ,self1 ,valloa34 ,dano1 ,dano1 are you strong enough1 are you courageous enough to give to your sorrowful people the ,message of the new faith8 ,for a little ,dano hesitated1 and ,valloa31 over whose fair face the whiteness of death was stealing1 reached toward him a tremulous hand and faintly murmured3 ,dano--my beloved--you will--you--will--give--this truth--to--our--despairing--people1 and--and--your ,valloa3 will--walk--with you--until--your glorious--work--shall--be--ended4 ,in her dimming1 azure hued eyes was an expression of immeasurable entreaty1 and1 overwhelmed with emotion1 gently1 tenderly1 ,dano pressed her cold hand to his lips1 and in low1 fervent tones said3 ,i believe in ,one ,supreme ,being1 who is beyond my finite comprehension4 ,i believe that beyond this sorrowful life there is another state of existence1 where all will find their beloved dead1 with whom they will live and love forever1 and ,i promise you1 oh1 my dearest1 that for as long as ,i may live in my mortal body1 ,i will proclaim to our peoples the amazing1 the glorious ,truth that has been revealed to us4 ,that it is a truth ,i well know1 for even as ,i gaze upon your beloved mortal form1 rising above your head ,i see your ,real ,self1 radiant and lovely beyond all beauty of mortal woman4 ,i see1 too1 your mother1 your wondrously beautiful golden haired mother1 and ,sylvian1 the lovely and gracious woman whom in my childhood ,i revered as ,i revered the ,goddesses of ,astranola34 ,they support you in their arms1 my dearest1 and they are about to bear you away from my sight4 ,valloa3--,valloa3--oh1 my beloved1 open your beautiful eyes--oh1 speak to one once more4 ,do you hear me1 ,valloa38 ,do you hear me8 ,answer me if but with a word1 or a smile1 so that ,i may know that you have heard my vow4 ,as though in answer to his piteous appeal ,valloa3's eyelids quivered and slowly her blue eyes unclosed and gazed into ,dano's1 and a faint smile played about her parted lips4 ,then1 with a supreme effort1 her gaze turned upon her father1 who bent his head near her to catch her whispered words1 the last he would hear from the mortal lips of his idolized child4 ,father1 father1 she sighed1 rather than said1 it is true--promise--me--your--child--to--give --this--truth--to our--people4 ,fath--er1 prom--ise---- ,the blue eyes closed1 a smile wreathed itself about the sweet mouth1 and--all was still4 ,we1 who have observed the release of many ,spirits1 seldom have witnessed a scene so pathetic1 so profoundly touching4 ,about the spacious chamber were grouped the ,seven ,spirit ,circles1 deeply sympathizing with the bereft ones1 who for a time remained in voiceless apathy1 their overwhelming grief finding no utterance in word or outcry4 ,cradled in the arms of her ,spirit mother and of her ,aunt ,sylvian1 the ,spirit ,valloa3 laid like a smiling1 sleeping infant4 ,by the side of the couch knelt ,dano1 holding in his warm clasp the cold1 lifeless hands of his love1 and gazing upon her pallid face in speechless agony4 ,bending over him his mother by her silent sympathy sought to console him1 her fast falling tears evincing the depth of her own sorrow4 ,still by the side of ,omanos ,fnha3 stood ,gentola31 and though intently listening to our ,message1 not once had he looked at her1 but now impelled by our concentrated desire1 slowly1 timidly he turned his gaze upon her1 and for the first time fully realized the presence of a spirit4 ,she alone of the assembled spirits being perceptible to his but partially unfolded ,clairvoyant and ,clairaudient ,senses1 awe stricken and trembling he sank to his knees1 and in broken accents questioned3 ,who art thou8 ,what art thou8 ,at my dictation she replied3 ,gentola--,by some spirit friends ,i have been named ,gentola31 and am not of your people1 but am of a ,world afar in space1 which by its peoples is known as ,earth4 ,in a manner which ,i now cannot explain ,i can leave my living physical body1 and by some wise and strong ,spirits who understand ,spiritual ,laws1 ,i have been borne from ,earth to your ,world1 that through me they might reveal to you and to your people that the ,spirit1 the ,real ,self of humans survives death of the physical body4 ,for the reason that ,i am less etherealized than wholly freed ,spirits1 you1 ,dano1 and you1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 perceive me1 and were your superior ,senses more fully unfolded1 you would behold ,slona31 the purple eyed1 golden haired wife of your youth1 and her sister1 ,sylvian1 too1 who will assist in bearing to her beautiful home in your ,spirit ,world your angel daughter ,valloa34 ,slona3 and ,sylvian implore you to remember ,valloa3's last words1 and if in your consciousness the new ,faith may find a steadfast abiding place you will gladden the hearts of your beloved and loving ones by openly declaring it4 ,remember that though you are not conscious of their presence1 often they are near you1 reading your every thought1 and that your joy is their joy1 and that in their hearts your griefs find quick response4 ,ever your gentle1 loving wife guards and guides you in your ways4 ,ever1 as you walk to and fro1 silently her foot-falls keep pace with yours1 and when the hour of your release from your mortal body shall arrive she and ,valloa3 will be with you1 and in a ,world whose skies are ever radiant with a light unknown to mortals1 over whose brightest days shadows ever are falling1 you will be reunited with those whom you have mourned as having gone into perpetual ,silence4 ,in this ,spirit ,world the flowers are fadeless1 the balmy air is vibrant with ,divinest harmonies and joys such as mortals cannot conceive of await all whose exalted lives have prepared them for lofty states of ,being4 ,the ,guiding ,spirits who have brought me here say that ere long ,i shall come again to offer to you a fuller knowledge of the ,truth we are striving to reveal to you1 a ,truth which shall dispel your fear of death1 which is but a transition to a higher state of existence1 and shall bring to you and to your people consolation and peace inexpressible4 ,de ,l',ester--,ere ,gentola3 ceased speaking1 through grief and amazement ,omanos ,fnha3 was so overwhelmed that had not ,ozynas ,dlsa3's strong arms sustained him he would have fallen prone4 ,swaying like a drunken man1 he extended his trembling hands toward ,gentola31 crying3 ,thou sayest thou art from another ,world1 a ,world afar in space4 ,thou sayest that my child ,valloa3 still lives1 and that her mother and ,sylvian are here to bear her away to a ,world invisible to me4 ,where is this invisible ,world of living ones1 and do my dear ones indeed dwell there8 ,and when the breath of my life shall cease shall ,i1 too1 surely continue to exist1 and with them abide forever8 ,and truly are there in space other ,worlds1 where men and women live1 love and die as do we of ,ento8 ,the thought is too stupendous4 ,i cannot realize it4 ,speak1 ,i entreat you1 ere my senses totter to their destruction4 ,quickly our ,forces combined to quiet his somewhat frenzied state1 and again ,gentola3 was made to address him and those about him4 ,gentola--,i1 who am but the ,instrument for ,spirits more exalted than myself1 can only say that which they dictate to me4 ,when daylight has merged into twilight1 and twilight has deepened into darkness1 myriads of shining points dot the vast expanse of the night sky1 and you have been taught that these shining points are the ,lamps illumining the abode of your ,gods and ,goddesses1 whom you have regarded as the ,messengers of ,andmana3 the ,supreme ,one4 ,among those shining points is one gleaming with a soft1 silvery radiance1 which your ,priests have named ,inglos vecto ,fryda31 which1 ,i am told1 would in my language mean ,fryda3's lamp or light4 ,truly this silvery point is the ,earth world where ,i dwell4 ,like all the ,worlds in space it is spherical in form and nearly twice the size of ,ento1 which it closely resembles1 and1 like your world1 its surface is composed of divisions of land and water1 and its products of all kinds are very similar to those of ,ento4 ,our learned ones believe that it is a younger ,world than this1 as much of its land surface is quite rugged1 and there are mountains so lofty that their peaks pierce the clouds4 ,its hills1 too1 are still elevated1 and its valleys deeply depressed1 whereas time has nearly levelled the surface of ,ento1 necessitating your vast ,system of ,irrigation1 which on the ,earth ,world only in isolated instances is required4 ,we consider your civilization more advanced than is ours1 which indicates your greater maturity1 and in the arts and most of the sciences your attainments equal or surpass those of our people1 who generally aspire to acquire wisdom and a knowledge of all that may advance their best interests4 ,like the ,entoans we have trials and sorrows for our loved ones also pass to the ,world of ,spirits1 and we miss their presence1 as you will miss ,valloa3's1 but our knowledge of continuous existence enables us to endure what cannot be avoided1 and we well know that when we too shall pass to our ,spirit ,world we will find all our dear ones who have preceded us4 ,among our learned ones are those who have constructed instruments very like those through which from the summits of your great ,watch ,towers you gaze across the surface of ,ento4 ,through these ,instruments1 known as ,telescopes1 men and women versed in the science of astronomy are enabled to observe and study the ,worlds in space just as the learned ones of ,ento may do when an acceptance of the new ,faith shall free them from their superstitious fears of the ,gods and ,goddesses who do not exist1 the only ,god being the ,supreme ,one1 who is a ,god of ,love1 and not a vengeful destroyer of his children4 ,like ,ento1 our ,earth ,world also has divisions of day and night1 which in their duration very nearly correspond with your own1 and the ,sun1 the same glorious ,orb that blesses ,ento with light and heat1 shines on our ,world as well4 ,during a certain period of our year1 which is a little more than half the length of yours1 when darkness falls and the sky is unclouded1 afar we behold a beautiful ruddy ,star1 known to us as the planet ,mars1 and of all the ,worlds in space none so attracts our attention as this ,star1 which truly is this1 your ,ento ,world4 ,those who have brought me here desire me to say that certain instruction they now would gladly offer for your consideration must for the present be withheld1 but that when a more propitious hour shall arrive1 through me they will reveal to you much that will add to the happiness and well being of yourself and peoples4 ,to your question relating to the locality of the ,world of living ones ,i must reply briefly4 ,about all ,worlds sufficiently matured to afford sustenance and habitation for various life forms and for the children of the ,incomprehensible1 ,infinite ,intelligent ,energy you name ,andmana31 there are a ,series of ,spirit ,realms which envelop material ,worlds as the husk of the ,plyma3 envelops its crimson fruit4 ,these ,realms are suited to the requirements of their inhabitants1 who are ,spirits1 who through death of the physical body have been released1 and as men1 women and children live a more real life than do mortals4 ,in these ,realms all progress toward higher attainments and greater perfection1 and when fitted for the change they pass from lower to higher realms and greater joys4 ,in ,ento's ,spirit ,realms your real ,self will find all whom you have loved but not lost1 for they live and love you1 and in the grandly beautiful home prepared for you they await your coming4 ,be patient1 then1 and from time to time all that is for your good will be revealed to you4 ,now1 as never before1 ,spirits of the higher ,realms can penetrate the aura surrounding the peoples of ,ento1 and to you three illumined ones will be revealed that which will inspire and unfold your inner consciousness1 so that with clearer vision you will perceive the ,immortals who ever are about you and all who yet abide in the mortal form4 ,at this moment this apartment is thronged with ,immortals1 who are here to assist in your unfoldment and that of ,dano and ,ozynas ,dlsa31 who better than yourself comprehends this1 to you1 strange occurrence4 ,gladly these exalted ,spirits will aid you in your search after ,truth1 which is wholly ,divine and which alone can assist humanity in its ever onward progress4 ,there1 ,omanos ,fnha31 lies the inanimate form of your beloved daughter1 and ,dano's affianced wife1 the form which for a brief time was the dwelling place of the ,spirit ,valloa31 who now in the arms of her mother and ,sylvian is about to be borne to their and her home in your ,spirit ,world4 ,what ,message shall they convey to other dear ones who await their coming8 ,de ,l',ester--,while ,gentola3 was speaking1 ,omanos ,fnha31 ,dano1 ,ozyras ,dlsa3 and ,dano's parents1 who heard her quite audible voice1 stood like so many statues1 every sense absorbed in the intense desire to catch her every word1 and when silence followed speech they looked into each others' faces with an expression of awed inquiry1 but no one uttered a sound4 ,some moments elapsed1 then ,omanos ,fnha3 slowly turned toward the couch and silently gazed upon the pallid face framed in a wealth of golden1 curling tresses1 then within his trembling palms he folded ,valloa3's small1 cold1 stiffening hands1 covering them with kisses and wetting them with his tears1 then tenderly he laid them over her bosom and turned away from the couch4 ,standing erect1 with uplifted eyes and hands1 and with an expression of deep emotion on his dark1 handsome face1 in impassioned tones his voice broke the stillness4 ,omanos ,funha--,oh thou ,infinite and ,supreme ,one1 whose ignorant but adoring children we are1 as our fathers and mothers have worshipped so have ,thy children of a later time worshipped ,thee4 ,when light and heat have brooded over ,ento1 causing all living things to fructify and yield sustenance to ,thy children and the creatures of ,thy ,creation1 we have said1 ,praise be unto ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 who1 from ,his shining abode1 smiles upon us ,his children1 and with such offerings as we have conceived acceptable we have sought to manifest our gratitude for ,thy beneficence4 ,yet ever as we have rendered homage unto ,thee our hearts have been heavy through fear and despair4 ,ever the noiseless1 dusky wings of the dread ,messenger ,phra have so overshadowed our lives that now that ,thou callest to us we are too blind to see our way to ,thee1 too deaf to clearly hear ,thy voice1 but since it is ,thy ,will that now we shall receive the light of the grandest1 most priceless ,truth that ,thou canst vouchsafe to us1 ,thou ,wilt lift the shadows from our eyes and humbly1 adoringly1 we will strive to find our ways to ,thy glorious presence4 ,the brightest1 most precious jewel of the crown of my life this day hath gone from me1 and ,i am desolate1 but it is ,thy ,will and ,i murmur not1 for through this ,thy ,messenger ,thou sayest that after the body ceases to live1 in an invisible but fairer ,world than ,ento the ,real ,selves of ,thy children consciously continue to exist1 and after what ,thou hast made us to see and to hear1 ,i1 ,omanos ,fnha31 doubt it not4 ,then praise be unto ,thee1 that through ,thy love for ,thine own1 after the breath of our lives shall cease we shall find our beloved ones1 and with them ceaselessly adore ,thee for this ,thy most precious gift to ,thy undeserving but loving children4 ,ra1 ra1 ra4 ,de ,l',ester--,all in attendance1 spirits and mortals1 fervently responded1 ,ra1 ra1 ra4 ,after a brief pause he turned to the ,most ,high ,priest and said3 ,your ,sacredness1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 long hast thou administered the rites of the old faith2 what sayest thou of this new ,revelation from ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one to whom be adoration forever1 that ,he hath heard our fervent petitions and hath granted to us and to our sorrowful peoples a knowledge that though our bodies shall die we shall continue to exist4 ,so long hast thou been my close friend that thou wilt bear with my rapture1 which alas is tinged with deepest sorrow1 and he stooped and kissed ,valloa3's smiling lips and folded hands4 ,silently1 attentively1 ,ozynas ,dlsa3 listened to ,omanos ,fnha3's words1 then with a certain tenderness of manner he replied3 ,thou art the ,supreme ,ruler of ,ento1 and thou art a wise1 just1 loving and learned man1 and even as the chalices of the snowy rodel turn their perfumed hearts toward ,diafon voiha3 7the sun7 so do the hearts of the people turn toward thee for counsel and sympathy4 ,thou knowest why the people sorrow1 and thou knowest that even at their feasts joy is a rare guest4 ,it hath pleased ,andmana3 to withhold from ,his children of past times this wondrous ,revelation that life is continuous and that in ,realms invisible to mortal vision the children of ,his ,love shall abide forever4 ,it is not for us to question ,his ,will or ,his ,wisdom4 ,it is for us to listen and to obey1 so ,i pray that thou wilt not withhold from the children of ,ento the glad ,revelation which hath been vouchsafed to us in this the hour of our deepest sorrow4 ,it may greatly surprise thee to learn that many ,priests and ,priestesses of the ,temples see and hear as thou now seest and hearest1 but the meaning of it hath not been understood1 and fear of ,andmana3 and the ,deific ,ones hath caused them to keep silent and to cling to old traditions4 ,so convinced am ,i that the ,truth is being ,revealed to us that with thy approval ,i1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 gladly will aid in proclaiming the glorious1 the wondrous words of ,andmana3's ,revelation to ,his children4 ,while ,ozynas ,dlsa3 spoke1 ,dano knelt by the side of the couch1 steadfastly gazing upon the lovely face which soon would be naught but ashes1 but toward the close of ,ozynas ,dlsa3's speech he arose and in deep entrancement stood motionless4 ,aided by our combined ,forces1 ,zenesta3 ,ha3o was enabled to control his ,senses and through him to address ,omanos ,fnha31 ,dano's parents and ,ozynas ,dlsa34 ,zenesta ,hao--,i1 who through the lips of this entranced youth will attempt to address you1 may be remembered as ,zenesta3 ,ha3o1 long a ,professor of languages in the renowned ,galarsa3 of ,camarissa34 ,during my mortal existence ,i1 like all the peoples of ,ento1 was ignorant of the fact that death of the mortal body releases the ,immortal ,spirit1 which is the real ,self of man1 or1 to state the fact more clearly1 when the real ,self1 the ,immortal ,spirit1 finds the mortal body no longer suited to its requirements1 it releases itself and under the higher1 better conditions of the ,spirit ,world1 continues its progress onward1 onward forever4 ,not until ,i was released from my worn and aged body did ,i learn the glorious truth that ,i was ,immortal4 ,in the sorrowful belief that death was the end of all1 ,i fell asleep4 ,i awakened to find about me my dearest ones who had come to bear me to their and my home in the ,world of the ,immortals4 ,oh1 the joy that filled my enraptured ,being when ,i became fully conscious that continuous existence1 progress and happiness inexpressible was the reward of a life devoted to virtuous conduct and loving service for others1 and that for those who had not lived in accordance with their highest ideals there was endless time and opportunity for the amending of the mistakes and wrongs of mortal life1 and for progress as endless as eternity4 ,dear friends1 were your ,spirit vision fully unfolded1 in this chamber you would behold forms and faces of ,spirits who are revered and famous in the history of ,ento4 ,here are ,genessano ,allis ,immo ,r1 and his little less famous spouse1 the ,lady ,camarissa31 and their two sons ,inidora3 and ,genessano1 who offer to you all their kindliest greetings and an assurance of their immeasurable joy that at last the light of a great ,truth is about to irradiate the sorrowful lives of the peoples of their ever beloved ,ento4 ,here1 too1 is ,ha3-,mofi ,adassi whose name ever is on the lips of all students of nature4 ,he also greets you all and joins with all the ,invisibles present in expressions of love and sympathy for you in this your hour of mingled joy and sadness4 ,omanos ,fnha31 thou art favored beyond all men who ever have lived on ,ento1 for even in the hour of thy deepest anguish a joy hath come to thee1 which henceforth shall fill thy days with blessedness and peace4 ,then hasten1 oh1 hasten to crown the days of the children of ,ento with unlooked for gladness4 ,give to them the assurance that the old1 hopeless faith is no more4 ,that ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 hath revealed to ,his ever sorrowful children the highest expression of ,his love for them1 and that henceforth death shall be known as the ,angel who guards the portal between mortal and ,immortal ,life4 ,basto ,andlsa31 ,i salute thee and thy gracious spouse1 and it is my pleasant duty to convey to her beloved parents a most tender and most loving greeting from one who in her early youth passed to the ,world of ,spirits4 ,i speak for thy ceaselessly mourned daughter ,onta31 who joins her entreaties with ours that you earnestly shall assist in the introduction and acceptance of the new ,faith1 which for you and ,ento's peoples shall change the face of all things1 and she entreats you and her mother to encourage her brother ,dano1 whose clear seeing vision and understanding of ,spiritual things1 fits him for a ,teacher who shall proclaim to the peoples the glorious ,truth which is being ,revealed to you chosen ones4 ,since entering our ,spirit ,world ,i have learned that during the passing centuries advanced ,spirits with but slight success1 persistently have endeavored to penetrate the consciousness of ,ento's peoples1 but ever the gross materialism of their religion1 which is founded upon the legends and crude conceptions of undeveloped1 ignorant1 primitive peoples1 has opposed an impenetrable barrier to their approach4 ,baffled and wearied through perpetual failures1 finally ,bands of strong1 determined ,spirits of our and other ,spirit ,worlds resolved to attempt to fit this ,earth woman1 whom we have named ,gentola31 to serve as a means of communication between ,spirits and certain ,sensitives of ,ento4 ,being yet embodied in flesh she is less ,spiritualized than ourselves1 whose ,spirit bodies like that of ,valloa31 are of such inconceivably refined substances as to be imperceptible to most mortals4 ,to ,omanos ,fnha31 to ,ozynas ,dlsa31 and to thy son ,dano1 whose ,spiritual ,senses to a degree are unfolded1 she is perceptible1 and later on they and thee and thy spouse ,ellita3 will unfold the ability to perceive wholly released spirits4 ,of necessity this ,revelation from the ,world of ,spirits is so fragmentary as to be confusing to minds accustomed to other beliefs1 but from time to time ,omanos ,fnha31 ,ozynas ,dlsa3 and this thy son ,dano shall receive distinct instruction pertaining not only to the new ,faith1 but to other affairs of moment4 ,when ,dano shall have awakened we desire that he shall be informed as to what ,i have said1 then1 through ,gentola31 will be given to you all some parting words1 and may the ,spirit of ,all ,spirits1 the ,infinite ,one1 whom ,entoans name ,andmana31 ever be present in your thoughts1 for from this ,divine and inexhaustible ,source cometh all that is beneficent4 ,and now1 dear friends1 ,i must say ,info oovist4 ,de ,l',ester--,during ,zenesta3 ,ha3o's address ,omanos ,fnha3 and ,ozynas ,dlsa3 gazed upon ,dano in amazement and alarm1 and his parents who stood near the apparently sleeping youth in awed silence listened to the strange speech issuing from his lips1 but no one ventured to speak to him or to touch him4 ,when ,zenesta3 ,ha3o spoke of ,genessano ,allis ,immo and his wife and sons and of ,ha,mofi ,adassi and ,onta3 ,andlsa31 surprise tinged with terror sat on every face1 and in speechless1 questioning wonder they looked into each others' eyes4 ,when he delivered ,onta3's greeting and ,message1 a great trembling seized ,basto ,andlsa1 who scarcely could sustain his own form and that of his weeping wife1 who1 through violent emotion1 swooned into unconsciousness4 ,gentola31 in her now partially conscious state1 realized what was occurring1 and to our momentary dismay1 her sympathies became so active that only through our instantly united efforts were we enabled to prevent her release from her greatly devitalized physical body4 ,restoratives quickly revived ,dano's mother1 who was gently entreated to withdraw from the chamber1 but she refused to do so1 and sat sobbing and murmuring3 ,she lives--she--lives1 our--,onta31 our precious--,onta31 our--roina blossom lives1 and some--time we shall find--her4 ,oh1 the joy--of it1 the joy--and wonder--of it4 ,andmana31 we adore ,thee that ,thou hast taken--pity upon ,thy sorrowful--children2 that ,thou hast shown us--that we shall--find our beloved child1 our--,onta34 ,and thus as a loving mother would she1 between smiles and tears continued her gentle1 loving crooning4 ,now there was a quivering of the eyelids1 a slight start1 and ,dano1 in a bewildered manner looked about him and in a hushed tone eagerly questioned3 ,what has occurred8 ,have ,i been asleep and dreaming8 ,have ,i said aught to disturb you1 that you regard me so strangely8 ,at our desire ,gentola3 drew near him and at my dictation again spoke to him audibly4 ,gentola--,dano1 dear youth1 even as the dew silently falls into the perfumed hearts of night's snowy blooms so early into your heart entered ,valloa34 ,in the flower of her beautiful womanhood she has gone from you and from those dear to her1 but she has not gone into ,silence and nothingness1 but into a higher state of existence1 where1 after your work shall be done1 you1 too1 will go and with her forever will glorify the ,infinite ,spirit of all that is4 ,that ,i may comfort you ,i will reveal to you the wondrous fact that all existences in their nature are dual1 the ,male and ,female ,principles constituting the ,duality1 and truly ,valloa3 is your other ,self1 and for all time you two are one and inseparable4 ,until you shall release yourself from your physical body1 as your guiding ,star ever she will be near you1 and when you shall fall into your last slumber ere long you will awaken to meet the enraptured gaze of ,valloa3's azure eyes4 ,dano1 our ,mission to ,ento is only in its inception1 but now ,i must return to ,earth1 where other duties await my attention1 but you will not be left unaided1 for now that the way has been made plain1 ,valloa31 her mother1 ,sylvian1 your sister ,onta3 and other ,spirits will be able to communicate with you three illumined ones1 and very soon other ,sensitives will become unfolded1 through whom ,spirits can convey instruction to the people1 and ,i am informed that when you may need me ,i shall be brought to you1 so be courageous1 be faithful to the duties our ,mission has imposed upon you1 and all will be well with you and with the children of ,ento1 before whom you will stand as a ,priest of the ,new ,religion4 ,the moment has arrived in which1 for the present1 we must say ,info oovist1 and may a sense of the joys awaiting you all in the glorified existence of ,ento's ,spirit ,realms illumine your lives and console and sustain your sorely grieved hearts until in the hour of your release from your physical bodies you shall hear the glad cry1 ,loha31 loha31 vraimon mnoisa34 7,hail1 hail1 dearly beloved47 ,de ,l',ester--,at this moment a ray of the setting ,sun stole through the slightly parted window drapery1 falling upon ,dano1 who1 with uplifted face and outreaching hands1 entreatingly whispered3 ,you will come again1 oh1 you will come again8 and ,gentola3 was made to reply3 ,i will1 ,i surely will1 and ,dano sank to his knees beside the couch4 ,it stole athwart the white1 calm1 lovely face of ,valloa31 and for a little it lingered in the silken mesh of her golden hair1 glorifying the majesty and mystery of the change called death4 ,it crowned ,dano's flowing blue black hair as with a halo and it stole across the stilled form of the dead girl and rested upon two faces one would not be likely to forget--the faces of the stately ,supreme ,ruler of ,ento1 ,omanos ,fnha31 and that of the ,most ,high ,priest of the ,most ,sacred ,temple ,zim1 ,ozynas ,dlsa31 than whom no handsomer or gracious gentlemen exist on ,ento4 ,as1 side by side they stood1 the fading sun ray revealed in the face of the bereaved father an expression of infinite sadness1 a little lighted by the dawning of a priceless hope4 ,in the eyes of ,ozynas ,dlsa3 was the expression of one whose ,inner ,vision has penetrated the ,veil falling between the hither and the thither sides of existence4 ,a moment longer and the sun ray disappeared1 a passing cloud obscured its afterglow1 and in the spacious apartment were shadows and silence4 ,then1 through the activity of ,forces ever at our command1 slowly with a soft1 silvery radiance we so illumined the chamber that the strange glory of it overwhelmed ,omanos ,fnha31 ,dano1 and his parents1 but ,ozynas ,dlsa31 who1 in the ,inner ,sanctuary of the most ,sacred ,temple ,zim1 had beheld ,spirit ,illumination1 murmured3 ,tymonas1 ,tymonas1 thou hast said to me that thou art not a ,god1 but a man1 like other men1 and ,i understood thee not1 but now with an humble and grateful heart ,i recognize that thou art an exalted ,spirit man1 and that thou hast been infinitely patient with me as with other ,priests who have served in the ,temple ,zim1 and now ,i ,vow that henceforth ,i will be as faithful to the new ,revelation as ever in my ignorance ,i have been faithful to the superstitions which soon will be of a dead past1 and through the stillness an audible whisper ran3 ,well done1 thou good and faithful servant2 though thou hast not understood1 sincerely thou hast worshipped the ,most ,high1 and tremblingly ,ozynas ,dlsa3 recognized that ,tymonas1 the ,spirit of the ,inner ,sanctuary1 had spoken4 ,at the height of the radiance musical notes1 soft as zephyrs whispering to flowers1 filled the chamber with vibrant melody1 and the minds and hearts of those about the couch with emotions indescribable4 ,gradually the melodious tones died into silence1 and the silvery glow faded into the gray of deepest twilight1 whose shadows1 like dark hued drapery1 fell over the snowy couch and stilled form of the dead girl and over the awed but enraptured faces of the living4 ,then the tremulous1 hushed1 adoring tones of ,omanos ,fnha3's voice broke the stillness4 ,omanos ,funha--,supreme1 all ,wise1 loving and most merciful ,one1 ,whom in our blindness we have not rightly perceived1 in ,thine own time and way ,thou hast more clearly revealed ,thyself and the marvel of ,thy glory to us1 ,thy humbly adoring children4 ,so dulled by erroneous beliefs are our ,senses that as little children we reach our hands toward ,thee1 and ,i doubt not that ,thou wilt guide our ways4 ,since to us hath been revealed the amazing1 the glorious ,truth that the ,real ,self of ,man does not die1 and that our dear ones who have gone from our sight can1 in some not yet understood manner1 hold converse with us1 and that they will instruct us as to how we may attain greater knowledge concerning this life and the life to come1 we cannot find words to express our gratitude to ,thee or to those of ,thy ,spirit children whose love hath prompted them to serve us1 who are so unworthy of ,thy pity1 or their immeasurable goodness to us4 ,we know not how to repay ,thy ,infinite beneficence or their goodness1 but ,i1 ,omanos ,fnha31 am inexpressibly grateful to ,thee and to ,thy ,messengers1 and with all the ability with which ,thou hast endowed me1 henceforth ,i will proclaim to the children of ,ento that ,life is continuous1 that endless progression is a ,law of the ,infinitely ,supreme ,one1 and that there is one ,god1 and none other4 ,de ,l',ester--,through the silence and the shadows fervently the lips of ,immortals and ,mortals responded1 ,ra1 ra1 ra1 and then the living were left with the beautiful dead body1 whose released inmate swiftly was borne to her ,celestial home1 and through the measureless spaces from joyous ,spirit ,bands rang out the glad ,pan1 ,glory to the ,infinite ,spirit in ,whom we live and move and have our ,being4 ,glory be to ,thee through whom success has crowned our ,mission to ,ento4 ,glory and highest praise be unto our ,father and ,mother ,god1 forever and forever4 ,september #afth1 #ahid4 ,,appendix4 ,,interview ,,with ,,members ,,of ,,the ,,evon-,,thia1 ,,january #aj,,th1 #ahie4 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 madame1 again we are here to greet you1 but our visit must be brief1 as neither you or we can afford to overtax your returning vital energy4 ,nearly four months of ,earth's fleeting days have elapsed since your ,spirit gaze rested upon the dead form of the mortal ,valloa3 and upon the living form of the ,spirit maiden as in the arms of her equally youthful mother and of her ,aunt ,sylvian she was borne from the darkening chamber and the presence of her stricken father and of her weeping lover1 whose tearful eyes beheld her departure4 ,that during this lapse of time we have maintained over you a careful watchfulness you may feel assured1 and you cannot so much regret as do we1 that at the culmination of our ,mission we felt obliged to tax to the utmost your depleted vitality1 and we rejoice that under the constant ministrations of loving friends1 you are recovering your usual strength4 ,we are aware that your peculiar experiences of the past two years are as slightly remembered dreams1 yet to a degree you are curious as to what recently has been transpiring on ,ento4 ,shall ,i inform you as to the progress of the new ,faith8 ,gentola--,it will greatly please me if you will do so1 for ,i feel more than curious to learn how it may be affecting the people4 ,de ,l',ester--,i am sure that it will gratify you to learn that ,dano's parents are converts to the new ,faith1 and that their hitherto sombre faces are irradiated with the joyous expectation of ,immortality1 not only for themselves but for all of ,andmana3's children4 ,through ,dano ,andlsa3 they receive cheering ,messages from their daughter ,onta3 and other dear ones whose words they value as jewels beyond price1 and the passing days do not suffice for their continuous adoration of the goodness of ,andmana31 ,who has heard and granted the desire of the hearts of ,his children4 ,dano has renounced his claim to the ,supreme ,rulership of the ,planet and has declared himself a ,priest of the new ,revelation1 which he devotedly offers to the despairing multitudes1 who eagerly listen to his eloquent presentation of its wonderful declarations4 ,all over the ,planet the minds of the people are profoundly stirred1 and some are filled with consternation1 dreading they know not what4 ,though still clinging to the old beliefs1 others timidly reach toward the new ,faith which promises that for which ever they have prayed1 and still others are in a state of dumb amazement1 not daring to voice either hope or fear4 ,of course1 largely1 the ,priesthood stand aghast at the threatened downfall of the ,time-,honored ,religion1 which ever has made them the dominant power of ,ento4 ,they declare that ,dano's utterances are the result of mere hallucinations1 and that the experiences of ,omanos ,fnha31 of which he speaks openly1 are outgrowths of grief over the death of ,valloa34 ,on the other hand1 an ever increasing number of ,priests and ,priestesses are listening to the ,most ,high ,priest ,ozynas ,dlsa31 and joyfully professing their belief in the new ,revelation1 which he boldly declares to the multitudes who daily crowd the great ,temple ,zim4 ,to them he relates his experiences with ,tymonas in the inner ,sanctuary1 and with amazement1 not unmixed with terror1 they ponder over his strange revelations4 ,he has gone so far as to prohibit animal sacrifices and offerings to the ,deific ,ones1 whom he pronounces myths1 ,andmana3 being the ,one and only ,god1 ,whom fervently he adores4 ,how fares ,omanos ,fnha38 ,one moment he cries to ,andmana3 to restore to him his lost ,valloa31 to grant to him one glimpse of her beautiful and beloved form and face1 one tone of her voice1 that was the sweetest music of his desolated life4 ,anon1 he entreats ,dano to comfort him with a ,message from the dear ones who are veiled from his sight1 and at times his ,clairvoyant and ,clairaudient ,senses become so quickened that he communes with them4 ,then his soul is so filled with ecstatic fervor that to all about him he proclaims that truly life is continuous1 that the dead do communicate with the living1 and they1 with beating hearts and breathless attention1 listen to his rapt utterances4 ,as time passes he grows into a clearer perception and realization of the ,truth1 and soon his feet will stand upon firm ground2 then confidently and authoritatively he will offer to the people that which shall be to them as the very bread of life4 ,dano1 whose ,clairvoyant and ,clairaudient ,senses are unfolding in a surprising manner1 holds continuous communication with ,valloa3 and other freed ,spirits1 who are instructing him1 and his faith has grown into actual knowledge4 ,thus he no longer doubts or questions the reality of his own experiences1 and of course1 this state of mind renders him very receptive to exalted ,influences from the ,spirit side of life4 ,in his zeal to offer to the people the wondrous truths which have been revealed to him and to others he addresses them in ,temples and elsewhere4 ,recently we listened to the youthful disciple1 as1 with glowing face1 luminous eyes1 and form trembling from emotion1 he spoke to a large assemblage of people in a ,temple of ,da3o4 ,firstly he addressed himself to the people1 then1 as one who speaks because he must1 in tones that filled the vast edifice1 he cried1 ,oh1 ye ,priests1 ye blind leaders of the blind1 open your eyes that you may see1 your ears that you may hear the glorious truth1 which1 through ,his appointed ,messenger1 ,andmana3 hath revealed to ,his despairing children4 ,long have the peoples of ,ento listened to the manifestations of the ignorance of bygone centuries1 and now that light hath entered the darkened chambers of our minds1 you would build yet higher walls of superstitious reverence for what hath been misnamed religion1 which ever hath stood between us and the light4 ,ever you have walked in the shadows of a hopeless faith1 and your mummeries have so dulled the senses of the people that1 as from birth to death they grope their ways1 bewildered they sink into the darkness of hopeless despair4 ,then awake1 oh1 awake1 ye sleeping guides of the people1 for a new day hath dawned for the children of ,ento1 a day whose effulgence shall fill all hearts with gladness inexpressible4 ,since most ancient times it hath been taught that the home of ,andmana31 the ,supreme ,one1 is in radiant ,diafon voiha31 which sheds life giving beams on land and on sea4 ,now1 concerning this matter ,i will tell you an amazing truth4 ,those exalted ones with whom ,i am permitted to hold converse1 some of whom once were men and women of ,ento1 but who now dwell in ,realms so glorious that mortal eyes cannot endure their radiance1 declare that ,andmana3 is ,spirit1 and is everywhere1 formless1 unseeable1 unthinkable1 even by those who have attained to the highest wisdom4 ,also they declare that ,ento is but one of innumerable ,worlds peopled with beings like ourselves1 and that the shining points in the night sky1 which we1 in our ignorance1 have regarded as the lamps lighting ,astranola31 are ,worlds1 many of them vaster far then ,ento1 and that the dreaded ,gods and ,goddesses are the myths of ancient ignorance1 perpetuated by a sincere but unenlightened ,priesthood4 ,this and much more he teaches1 and both ,priests and people1 in doubt1 fear and perplexity question as to which may be true1 the old1 hopeless1 cheerless faith1 or the new promise of joys immeasurable4 ,but the leaven is leavening the masses1 and ere long ,priests and people will embrace the ,truth4 ,you are aware that through electrical and vibratory forces between all portions of the ,planet communication is instantaneous1 thus quickly to nearby and remotest places the utterances of ,ozynas ,dlsa3 and of ,dano are heralded1 and you cannot imagine the effect1 which is beyond our fondest expectations1 and it is but the beginning of what necessarily must result1 for now that the positiveness of the ,spiritual atmosphere is penetrable1 hosts of ,spirits from various ,realms will see to it that the darkness which long has enshrouded the lives of the ,entoans shall flee away1 and then the effulgence of the grandest ,truth that mortals can know will forever abide with them4 ,gentola--,you who more easily read my thoughts than ,i can express them will understand that what you have related fills my heart with joy4 ,even at greater cost to myself ,i would not for a moment hesitate to undertake a like ,mission4 ,but1 friends1 may not ,i soon again go with you to ,ento8 ,de ,l',ester--,yes1 soon1 but not until you shall have grown a little stronger4 ,then we will make good a promise made to you1 but which you do not now remember4 ,that you may more quickly regain your strength we advise that you shall go outdoors every day1 so that your feet may come in contact with the earth1 thus you will rid yourself of devitalized magnetism1 and at the same time you will accumulate energized magnetism1 which you greatly need4 ,it would delight us to prolong our visit1 but we must consider the urgent necessity for your speedy return to health4 ,with kindest1 truest regard1 we must say adieu4 ,,opening ,,of ,,the ,,waterway ,,into ,,etzoina ,,loisa4 ,january #aith1 #ahie4 ,de ,l',ester--,good-morning1 madame4 ,as we promised1 so have we come in a body to escort you to ,ento1 and we have joined in your earnest invocation to ,divine ,influences to guard and guide you in the ways of truth1 and to ,inidora3's fervent response1 ,evoiha3a31 ino vosta3n1 ts felistan1 ra31 ra31 ra31 we also have responded1 for we1 too1 desire the guardianship and guidance of exalted spirits1 whose angelic ministrations assist all aspiring souls4 ,this morning we find you difficult of control4 ,you appear timorous and disturbed4 ,cannot you trust yourself to our care1 who never have failed you8 ,compose yourself1 pray1 and passively yield yourself to our protection1 but first instruct your watchful ,vena to not allow you to be disturbed for two or more hours4 ,that is well arranged1 and now close your eyes and be at rest4 ,george1 we are ready for our journey1 and you1 comrades1 will lead the way4 ,you no longer are afraid1 and is not this motion and the views grand1 glorious and exhilarating8 ,truly1 it is well that your experiences while with us are as half remembered dreams1 otherwise they would unfit you for the routine of mortal existence4 ,you now understand that this journey to ,ento is the fulfillment of our promise to afford you the pleasure of witnessing the opening of the great ,central ,waterway into ,etzoina3 ,loisa34 ,yes1 the further wall of the ,loisa3 has been pierced1 but the continuation of the ,system is not yet in readiness for either navigation or irrigation4 ,yes1 we will proceed directly to ,etzoina3 ,loisa31 else we may miss some features of the pageant4 ,now that we are nearing the lake we will descend to such an altitude as will afford you a view of the entire spectacle4 ,at times we lose sight of the fact that your vision is not so far reaching as our own4 ,a little lower1 ,george4 ,now is every object clear to your vision8 ,gentola--,quite so4 ,de ,l',ester--,then for the present we will remain where we are1 and we have arrived none too early1 for1 coming from every direction are air ,transports laden to repletion with eagerly curious ,entoans1 and from north1 south and west small water craft laden with men1 women and children are hastening along the canals leading to the lake1 where already a multitude of people have assembled4 ,look westward1 madame1 and attempt a description of the scene presenting itself4 ,gentola--,as far as my vision reaches ,i see the sparkling water of the great ,waterway1 and of the intersecting canals4 ,scarcely four months have elapsed since we visited this region and at that time you informed me that only recently had the barren lands come under the influence of irrigation4 ,in this brief interval nature has accomplished a miracle in so quickly converting what then was little more than waste lands into fertile fields1 covered with luxuriant verdure and blooming plants1 and it is quite as amazing to observe the many villages and structures of various kinds which have been erected since we were here4 ,it seems incredible that such vast improvements should have been accomplished in such a brief time4 ,some of the peoples of our ,planet are very enterprising1 but ,i question their ability to successfully compete with the quiet1 persistent1 industrious ,entoans1 whose very superior mechanical appliances greatly facilitate their undertakings1 but even then the results are surprising4 ,dear me1 what a wonderfully strange scene4 ,those air ,transports hover over the lake like great birds1 and the rising and falling tones of their whirring climbers are really musical4 ,i wish ,i were clever enough to understand how they are constructed and controlled in their movements1 and how--oh1 ,de ,l',ester1 ,george1 ,bernard1 see1 see1 yonder in the west is a fleet of large vessels and numerous smaller ones coming toward ,etzoina34 ,how swiftly the great vessels are advancing1 leaving in their wake tumultuous billows of snowy foam4 ,the foremost vessel is quite covered with rodels1 and there are ropes of rodels1 wreaths of rodels1 banners of rodels1 and around the entire deck is a fringe of rodels trailing their creamy beauty quite to the surface of the foaming water4 ,surely it has taken all the rodels on the planet to so bedeck the great vessel4 ,all the large vessels are similarly decorated1 each one with a single variety of flower1 and how very beautiful they all appear4 ,now ,i hear strains of music1 and on the decks of the vessels ,i perceive many people1 and as the fleet draws nearer1 nearer1 ,i perceive on the rodel-decked vessel a group of persons whom ,i seem to remember4 ,yes1 surely1 one is the ,supreme ,ruler1 ,omanos ,fnha31 and by his side is ,basto ,andlsa3 and other stately looking officials1 accompanied by a number of lovely women1 one of whom is ,madame ,ontellena ,andlsa31 by whose side are the ,most ,high ,priest ,ozynas ,dlsa31 and ,dano1 in ,priestly garb4 ,ah1 how vividly the closing scene of our ,mission returns to my memory1 but ,i must not now think of that4 ,on ,dano's youthful1 handsome face is an expression of exaltation and of peace passing the understanding of those who know not that the individual conscious existence of ,spirit has neither beginning or ending1 and it fills my heart with gladness to know that into the lives of the once despairing ,entoans has entered the joy of the new ,revelation4 ,de ,l',ester1 really ,i cannot convey a correct idea of this marvellous scene1 so ,i pray you to permit me to desist from attempting the impossible4 ,de ,l',ester--,as you will1 madame1 but ,i am of the opinion that my attempt will be quite as unsuccessful as your own4 ,however1 as no one is expected to describe the indescribable1 our failures may be excusable4 ,below us is the quiet lake1 mirroring in its unruffled water the nearly cloudless azure sky and the slowly moving air ,transports laden with people who evidently are enjoying the unusual scene4 ,on either side of the entrance to the lake large numbers of people are massed1 and as you perceive perfect order and decorum are observed4 ,indeed1 among the ,entoans1 disorder is considered not only impolite1 but indecent1 as really it is4 ,the group occupying the foreground on this side of the entrance to the lake is composed of those who have conducted the stupendous undertaking1 which has demanded infinite patience1 endurance1 versatility and engineering skill of the highest degree of excellence1 yet not alone to engineering skill is due the credit of this achievement1 for chemistry1 too1 has been a powerful factor in the destruction of the nearly impregnable vitrified wall of the lake4 ,but the moment for the grand entry has arrived1 so attention all4 ,as he advances toward the prow of the vessel what an imposing figure ,omanos ,fnha3 presents4 ,his tall1 fine form1 clothed in crimson and gold1 his long1 curling1 raven hued hair1 bound back from his serene brow by a richly gemmed gold fillet1 his large1 dark1 expressive eyes1 like two veiled lamps1 lighting up his bronze hued face1 his handsome features expressing kindliest emotions1 all contribute to render him a very striking and attractive man4 ,now1 to stirring music1 the rodel-decked flag ship moves toward the entrance to the lake1 followed by the flower clad fleet of seventeen huge vessels4 ,from a hundred or more air ,transports showers of rodels and other blooms rain down upon them and the air is rent with the enthusiastic acclamation of the people in the ,transports and of the multitudes below4 ,it quickens one's pulsations1 this wave of human emotion1 but see now the flag ship pauses at the entrance of the passageway through the wall of the lake and the ,most ,high ,priest advances to ,omanos ,fnha3's side1 bearing in his hands a great tray of rodel blooms4 ,we will descend a little so that you may more closely observe the ,ceremony of the union of the ,waterway with the lake4 ,omanos ,funha--,even as these fragrant rodel blooms open their golden hearts to the radiant beams of ,diafon voiha31 so we1 oh ,andmana31 open our hearts to ,thee that thus we may receive ,thy love1 which is the light and life of ,thy children and of all living things4 ,through the knowledge which ,thou hast imparted to ,thy chosen ones they have brought to a successful conclusion this gigantic undertaking which through ,thy beneficence1 shall be a perpetual blessing to the peoples of ,ento1 to whom1 oh ,thou ,supreme ,one1 it hath pleased ,thee to reveal that truly we are the children of ,thy love1 and that through endless time we shall continue to live and to praise ,thee for all ,thy goodness to us4 ,ra31 ra31 ra34 ,de ,l',ester--,through an atmospheric system of communication every word uttered by ,omanos ,fnha3 has been made known not only to the vast assemblage in the air and below us1 who reverently have joined in the invocation and fervent amen1 amen1 amen1 but to the peoples of the entire ,planet4 ,omanos ,funha--,these rodel blooms1 which no longer shall serve as emblems of death but of life and its joyous occasions1 ,i now cast upon the lips of this great ,waterway as1 for the first time1 they kiss the sparkling water of ,etzoina3 ,loisa34 ,de ,l',ester--,amid profound silence the barrier separating the ,waterway and the lake is quickly removed and ,omanos ,fnha3 casts the rodels in front of the slowly moving vessel4 ,now an immense banner of rodels is run up to the apex of the flagstaff and a grand volume of musical notes fills the air with sweetest melody4 ,now the great vessel1 followed by the fleet1 moves swiftly through the ample passage1 while from overhead as well as from below cheers upon cheers rend the air and from the ,transports1 which keep pace with the fleet1 showers of blooms in glowing beauty rain down upon the heads of the people crowding the upper decks1 and now the flag ship has plunged onto the lake as though purposing to pass straight across to the further side1 but no1 it turns to the right1 leading the fleet in a triumphal procession around the lake4 ,may ,i ask for an expression of your impression of the spectacle8 ,gentola--,truly1 it is both magnificent and to me1 very wonderful1 and ,i shall not forget1 dear friends1 that to your kindness ,i owe my thanks for the pleasure of witnessing it4 ,yes1 ,i feel assured that if ,i shall attempt to tell my friends of this strange experience they will conclude that my imagination has been running wild1 or that ,i have been dreaming1 and as ,i gaze upon the flower-decked fleet so noiselessly1 so swiftly1 passing around the lake1 upon the air ,transports hovering above them and mirroring themselves in the now gently undulating water1 upon the multitude of people1 in boats and motor vehicles1 or swarming on the broad rim of the lake1 really ,i am at a loss to realize the situation1 and shall not find fault with any one who may question1 either my sanity or my veracity4 ,de ,l',ester--,we who understand the relation between what some of your wise ones term the conscious and subconscious self1 but which we recognize as the intelligent1 human animal ,soul1 and ,ego1 or ,spirit ,self1 readily comprehend your difficulty of realization when applied to matters outside the plane of your earthly existence1 and until you become a fully freed ,spirit you cannot escape certain physical conditions4 ,but come1 friends1 we will pay ,omanos ,fnha3 and ,dano a brief visit4 ,at this moment they are the central figures of a group of personages intent upon viewing the eastern exit of ,etzoina3 into the continuation of the ,system1 which ere long will be in readiness not only for navigation but also for the irrigation of the wide stretches of arid lands extending eastward4 ,now the flag ship1 followed by the fleet1 continues its course around the lake1 whose rim presents a living front of enthusiastic people1 whose unceasing acclamations express their satisfaction over the completion of a most difficult and seriously necessary enterprise4 ,george1 we will alight1 taking a position quite apart from the group surrounding ,omanos ,fnha31 and you1 ,bruno1 will attempt to impress ,dano to move in our direction4 ,well done1 well done4 ,our young ,priest is so very sensitive that1 with a startled1 listening air1 he turns his head1 thinking that some one has addressed him1 and now slowly and apparently aimlessly he draws away from the group and toward us4 ,gentola31 touch him lightly on his lips1 and he will understand that it is the signal of your presence4 ,ah1 he is so startled that he covers his eyes with his hands1 murmuring1 ,can it be1 can it be8 ,oh1 art thou here1 thou whose name is ,gentola38 ,in a moment he will perceive you1 then you will follow my dictation4 ,gentola--,yes1 ,dano1 ,i am here1 and joyfully greet you as a ,priest of the new ,revelation which has come to you and to your people1 and ,i and those who are with me rejoice with you that the old dread faith surely is yielding to a belief in the glorious ,truth of the continuity of life1 and that all men and women are their own ,saviors4 ,we rejoice1 too that we perceive that already this knowledge is illumining the minds of many1 and be assured that even as the vertical beams of ,diafon voiha3 irradiate this beautiful scene1 so1 ere long1 knowledge of the ,truth will irradiate the lives of your people1 who will learn that the dwelling ,place of the ,supreme ,one is the limitless ,universe1 yet that ,he is ever present in the hearts of those who seek to know ,him ,who is the ,father1 ,mother ,god1 the ,dual ,one1 in whom we all exist4 ,nay1 it is not an illusion--the forms you dimly perceive1 are the ,spirit friends who have borne me across the vast space between ,earth and ,ento1 and through me they extend to you a loving greeting4 ,your joy that light from ,spirit ,realms is dispelling ,ento's long night of despair1 finds in them fullest response1 and an earnest assurance that they and countless ,spirits of ,ento's and other ,spirit ,worlds unceasingly will aid you and those who like yourself are teaching the ,gospel of the new ,revelation4 ,and now1 ,dano1 for these friends and myself ,i must say ,info oovist4 ,dano--,i pray you1 stay one moment4 ,will you come again1 will you surely come to instruct my ignorance1 to strengthen me in the new ,faith1 which is so glorious1 so overwhelming1 that did not my ,valloa31 by her sweet presence and counsel sustain me1 ,i indeed might faint by the way4 ,gentola--,these spirit friends say that many times ,i shall come to you1 that through me they may afford you such ,wisdom ,lessons as they and ,spirits of your and other ,spirit ,worlds have learned4 ,they and ,i entreat you to be courageous and steadfast4 ,trust to the guidance of ,valloa3 and of other dear ones who ever are near you1 and all will be well with you4 ,again ,info oovist4 ,de ,l',ester--,omanos ,fnha3 and those about him are curiously observing ,dano1 who now arouses as from a profound reverie4 ,as quietly he returns to his friends on his fine1 youthful face is an expression of smiling exaltation1 and in the splendor of his dark1 luminous eyes is the reflected radiance of ,realms unseen of mortal vision4 ,the ,ceremonial we have so slightly sketched is drawn to a close and now you must take a last view of the great flower-decked vessels1 so swiftly pursuing their way westward4 ,of the air ,transports1 like huge birds winging their ways through the quiet atmosphere1 of the numerous small water craft1 gliding off through the canals1 of the many motor vehicles1 which rapidly bear away many of the dispersing assemblage1 of the placid water of ,etzoina31 in which the rays of the glowing sun sparkle like gleams of fire1 and of the face of the verdure-clad lands which well may typify the ,resurrection of ,death into ,life4 ,ento1 thou redeemed one1 in our gladness we cry1 ,hail1 hail1 thou who art one of the blest among the ,system of ,worlds1 ever pursuing their unvarying1 ceaseless journeys around our ,sun1 which is but one of countless ,suns1 encircling the one ,central ,sun1 whose immensity and glory is beyond all conceptions of ,angels or ,archangels1 whose vivifying energy controls the heart-beats of the ,universe1 whose intelligent1 tireless1 ceaseless activity is that which is known of by many names1 to us is known as ,god1 the ,infinite ,one1 whom only in accordance with the degree of our spiritual unfoldment can we apprehend4 ,now we must return you to ,earth1 else we may not return you at all1 and the time has not yet arrived for such a desirable consummation of your present life work4 ,make your adieus to our friends1 and1 to your wistful eyed son1 for ,george and ,i will see that you shall safely arrive in your quiet home1 where ,vena impatiently and somewhat anxiously awaits you4 ,now unclose your eyes1 for you and your soul again are united and ,vena breathes a sigh of relief as she sees you move and hears you call1 ,vena1 please bring me a glass of water1 and we may say the same for ourselves1 for indeed we have held you over long for your safety1 but obey our instructions and soon you will recover your usual condition4 ,yes1 soon again we will make our presence known to you4 ,until then1 adieu4 ,illustration ,,glossary4 ,a4 ,andmana3--,supreme ,one4 ,creator of all things4 ,acclinum--,zological collection4 ,acrocustno ingola3vion--,amphibious flesh eater4 ,angossa3--,hornless animal4 ,hornless4 ,astranola3--,realm of ,deific ones4 ,a-,mista3--,manlike ,anthropoid4 ,andoma3h--,primary school4 ,azon--,god of ,love4 ,alista3--,mountain4 ,very lofty1 etc4 ,alzoytas--,sacred bird of ,astranola31 whose wings over-shadow the ,death ,realm4 ,ayon mya3--,good bye1 or may the ,gods protect you4 ,anadillo ,pylo--,scaly armored amphibian4 ,anadillo akdon--,scaly armored reptile4 ,b4 ,bomz himm--,manlike tree climber4 ,birrsch--,trowser4 ,birrscha3--,trowsers4 ,bomz--,man4 ,brillo--,froglike creature4 ,bendol--,rainbow4 ,bendol iffon--,rainbow hued4 ,bda3s--,tremulous4 ,bdas lota3--,a gigantic tree1 whose palmlike foliage trembles incessantly4 ,c4 ,camarissa3--,capitol of ,province of ,ond4 ,comina3 da3a3--,class rooms4 ,callo--,wharf landing4 ,cryfimo--,great ,ocean4 ,cryfiman--,small ,ocean4 ,sea4 ,chyl--,rushing4 ,tumultuous4 ,chifa3--,an eel-like fish4 ,chima3 ,loisa3--,mirror ,lake4 ,d4 ,dia3fon voiha3--,sun1 the dwelling place of ,andmana34 ,da3o--,capitol of ,ento4 ,dia3--,life4 ,life ,essence1 or ,principle1 animating the body4 ,da3a3--,room4 ,dyl--,tossed4 ,shaken4 ,diafa3 avina3--,many hued4 ,iridescent4 ,e4 ,efon--,personal pronoun1 ,i4 ,esploina3--,globe4 ,sphere4 ,eyamo ,yanos--,the ,infinite1 ,intelligent energy4 ,endoina3--,bridge4 ,endoinaa4 ,bridges4 ,ento--,chosen4 ,set apart4 ,elipso--,year4 ,elipsa3a34 ,years4 ,emano--,friend1 masculine gender4 ,s gives the plural4 ,emana3--,friend4 ,feminine gender4 ,a gives the plural4 ,etzoina3--,placid1 quiet1 still4 ,etzoina3 ,loisa--,placid ,lake1 or water4 ,enora3--,strange4 ,remarkable1 wonderful4 ,etza3--,sweet pulpy fruit1 resembling an orange4 ,entola31 and ,ementola3--,moons of ,ento4 ,f4 ,fenta--,catlike animal4 ,fava3 a3 croidas--,burial place1 or place for urned ashes of the dead4 ,frilvodii--,species of ,anthropoid1 known as housekeepers4 ,fnaveh--,intersection4 ,fnaveh ,ritza3--,town of the ,intersection4 ,fondorveh--,city1 named after its founder1 ,tamon ,fondorveh4 ,g4 ,gentolano--,prince4 ,son of ,supreme ,ruler1 or heir apparent4 ,gentolana3--,princess4 ,daughter of ,supreme ,ruler4 ,gentola3--,lady4 ,friend4 ,gentle one1 and other gracious meanings4 ,gentolissima3--,queen1 or ,supreme ,lady4 ,applied to the wife of the ,supreme ,ruler4 ,gentolna3--,darling1 dear one4 ,also little one1 when applied to children1 or pets4 ,gfon--,bitter4 ,gandlana3--,serpent4 ,gandlanos1 serpents4 ,gowhya3--,hibernating animal1 resembling a bear4 ,gariffo ,tsvon--,bird of the cloud ,god1 ,tsvon4 ,glnoyas--,egg shaped4 ,h4 ,himm--,tree climber4 ,a species of anthropoid4 ,hinifro enora3--,yellow wonder4 ,hinor imados--,irrigating canal4 ,hinor tzowa3--,canal for transportation4 ,hinifro--,yellow4 ,hom ar--,a palmlike tree4 ,hndaffon--,andmana3's cup bearer4 ,i4 ,indoloisa3--,tranquil water4 ,istoira3--,small temple4 ,info sta3 tiva3 ,znosa3a3 oovist--,to the care of the ,gods1 until we meet4 ,infa3doihan lvtas--,place1 or temple of sacrifice4 ,info oovist--,until we meet again1 farewell4 ,ilsoimen--,morning4 ,ilofen mena3--,amusement garden4 ,istoira3 lma3h--,temple of urned ashes1 of the dead1 for private uses4 ,k4 ,kento ,souvana3llo--,gigantic flesh eaters4 ,kento alista3--,mountain range1 #bjj miles long1 #f1jjj feet above sea level4 ,kento--,gigantic1 enormous1 very large4 ,kltymo ,tyl--,elevated city4 ,kynos--,vine4 ,kyn nynao--,an anthropoid of a peculiar species4 ,kyn--,a tree resembling an oak tree4 ,kymos--,majesty1 or majestic4 ,kmina3--,central4 ,l4 ,loita3--,harplike musical instrument4 ,lenivo--,upper garment for men4 ,a sort of tunic4 ,luitzen--,history4 ,record4 ,lova3h--,god of ,agriculture4 ,lota3--,tree of any species4 ,lmnas--,botanical garden4 ,loisa3--,water1 lake1 pool1 etc4 ,loisa3 yan--,water gem1 or jewel4 ,loisa3 micana3--,vining water lily4 ,loisa3-,gentolissima3--,water ,queen4 ,loisa3 ,gentolana3--,water ,princess4 ,litzen--,sweet4 ,loisa3 a ltyenos--,lake of rushes4 ,loisa3 infen--,water drinker4 ,loisavaon--,waterway4 ,lafon ,thodossa3--,a noted ,ento painter4 ,loha3 vraimon--,hail1 dearly beloved4 ,m4 ,moentos hoa3 falados--,valley of desolation4 ,micana3--,lily1 corresponding with ,earth's lily family4 ,mista3--,snow4 ,mets--,light weight1 non-corrosive1 non-conducting metal4 ,o4 ,onos--,personal pronoun1 we4 ,oira3h--,thanks4 ,praise4 ,the word is used in several similar senses1 and is pronounced1 ,wa3hra3h4 ,it bears the same meaning as ,amen1 or be it so4 ,oina mista3--,snow flower4 ,oonamosa3 tla3--,burr berry4 ,oifen ts--,endless time4 ,oonda3 lotas--,tree1 and fruit1 similar to our orange4 ,omanos ,fnha3--,present ,supreme ,ruler of ,ento4 ,osy ,hn--,supreme ,ruler4 ,oonamosa3--,burr4 ,oonda3--,divine4 ,godlike4 ,ozynas ,dlsa3--,present ,most ,high ,priest of the ,most ,sacred ,temple ,zim4 ,p4 ,ptsa3--,pearl4 ,pfettos--,shoe4 ,pfetta shoes4 ,plimos--,plant4 ,phra3--,god1 or messenger of death4 ,q4 ,qua3na3--,eclipse4 ,when ,andmana3 frowns4 ,quend--,a region in the ,north ,temperate ,zone4 ,r4 ,ryzo elipsa3a3--,century4 ,rinvoh--,aquarium4 ,rimoh--,an animal resembling an antelope4 ,rodel--,the national flower of ,ento4 ,resembles our lotus4 ,ruvacca3--,trumpet4 ,ra3--,life essence1 or principle4 ,rha3--,governor4 ,rova3 n ,odalissa3--,homes for the favored ones4 ,rova3--,favored4 ,ra3--,same meaning as oira3h4 7,pronounced ,ra3hoo47 ,ruvacca plimos--,trumpet flower1 or plant4 ,ritza--,town4 ,s4 ,syffond--,museum4 ,sammana3h--,collegiate school4 ,soitzen--,tramway4 ,a gives the plural1 as soitzena4 ,som ,ikaton--,blessing giver4 ,soiva3--,park4 ,soiva3a31 parks4 ,slona3 ,valloa3--,wife of ,omanos ,fnha31 and mother of ,slona3 ,valloa3 ,fnha34 ,sauva3--,a non-corrosive metal4 ,sylvian--,sister of ,slona ,valloa31 wife of ,omanos ,fnha34 ,t4 ,tsfalen--,teachers of divine mysteries4 ,tla--,berry4 ,tsvon--,bird4 ,thon eyama3 ,yanos--,infinite1 intelligent energy4 ,tyl--,city4 ,tylsa3a31 cities4 ,testo--,death1 the killer4 ,u4 ,ufan--,personal pronoun1 you4 ,v4 ,var testo--,death fire4 ,var--,fire4 ,vybo--,gold4 ,also it signifies glittering1 shining1 brilliant1 and sparkling4 ,vossa3--,leaf4 ,climber4 ,vossala3a31 climbers4 ,the use of the word determines its significance4 ,vocha3--,an animal resembling a cow1 but much larger4 ,vohoida3--,resembles a pipe organ4 ,w4 ,wana3 vinost yar--,expiatory fire fountain4 ,y4 ,yan--,gem1 or jewel4 ,yento--,a place of punishment for disobedient gods and goddesses4 ,yoidas ha3--,bow shaped1 or bent4 ,yoihoda3--,priest4 ,s gives the plural4 ,yoitan--,tempest4 ,storm4 ,tornado4 ,yoitana3--,severe storm4 ,yoitano--,tornado4 ,the suffixes a1 or o1 determining the degree of the disturbance4 ,yoihodasa--,priestess4 ,yoihodassa3a31 priestesses4 ,z4 ,zenno--,god4 ,zenna3--,goddess4 ,zon--,a horselike animal4 ,zindo--,god of rain and snow4 ,ztos--,world1 applied to ,ento4 ,zim--,the most ,sacred ,temple of ,ento4 ,znosaa3--,the deific ones4 ,,numbers4 ,fon--#a4 ,it--#b4 ,mos--#c4 ,len--#d4 ,vod--#e4 ,men--#f4 ,ofen--#g4 ,z--#h4 ,tvon--#i4 ,rya3--#aj4 ,yodis--#aa4 ,fonit--#ab4 ,rya3--#aj4 ,ita3--#bj4 ,mosa3--#cj4 ,lna3--#dj4 ,voda3--#ej4 ,mena3--#fj4 ,ofna3--#gj4 ,za3--#hj4 ,tvona3--#ij4 ,ryzo--#ajj4 ,,colors4 ,white--,vil4 ,red--,ilo4 ,yellow--,hinifro4 ,green--,mostu4 ,blue--,grel4 ,purple--,apru4 ,violet--,luba34 ,brown--,ikro4 ,black--,gilnas4 ,orange--,drufi4 ,,personal ,,pronouns4 ,efon--,i4 ,onos--,we4 ,ufan--,you4 ,nofan--,thou4 ,noifan--,thee4 ,neffan--,thy4 ,tofan--,he4 ,toifan--,she4 ,ista--,it4 ,tsya--,they4 ,esto4 ,ye4 ,va3ha3--,day4 ,vahuaa3--,days4 ,voina--,night4 ,voinaa--,nights4