,,the ,,dream-,,god1 ,,or ,a ,,singular ,,evolvement ,,of ,,thought ,,in ,,sleep4 ,,by ,,john ,,cuningham4 ,,new ,,york3 ,,printed ,,for ,,the ,,author ,,by ,,anderson ,,ramsay4 #bh ,,frankfort ,,street4 ,entered according to act of ,congress1 in the year #ahgc1 by ,,john ,,cuningham1 ,in the office of the ,librarian of ,congress at ,washington4 ,,to ,,my ,,friends4 ,although requested by a number of you at various times to write this condensed narrative of an event in my life1 associated with much misfortune1 sadness and suffering which have continued for some years1 it was not until during a lonely period of quietude at ,brooklyn1 ,n4 ,y41 in the summer of #ahgb1 that ,i made the effort4 ,i do not expect the public to give much credence or interest to the matter1 but to you who know me ,i can trustingly give the assurance that this little book is an unaffected and truthful production4 ,it is published as an affectionate memorial to you of mutual esteem and friendship4 ,,john ,,cuningham1 of ,so4 ,ca4 ,,april1 #ahgc4 ,a ,,singular ,,evolvement ,,of ,,thought ,,in ,,sleep4 ,a ,,remarkable ,,dream4 ,the peculiar and startling effect of morphine on a person unaccustomed to its administration1 was happily illustrated in the instance of a gentleman to whom1 under its influence1 7about three eighths of a grain17 the dream to be related occurred4 ,this individual1 7a ,south ,carolinian resident on a plantation17 a few years ago1 had lately received a severe and extensive burn1 which confined him to his bed six months4 ,an allusion by him in a casual conversation in the city of ,new ,york recently to the eventful dream and its circumstances1 brought out a solicitation to him to write its narrative1 which in substance he here gives4 ,one evening in midwinter1 a few weeks after the accident1 the almost exhausted sufferer1 having taken the prescribed nightly dose of morphine1 fell asleep4 ,,the ,,dream-,,god4 ,,part ,i4 ,the sleep was serene1 the mind active1 and the dream promptly and vividly supervened4 ,a being in the form of a handsome and matured man1 full of esprit1 in a white and easy-fitting garment1 with bright1 broad and sweeping wings coming out from each side of his back below the shoulders1 appeared to the patient at his bedside1 and announced to him that he was the ,spirit of ,morphine1 of a heavenly and immortal nature1 and that he had come to carry him on an aerial voyage over many parts of the world2 to show him many attractive regions and things1 to introduce him to various races1 royal personages1 distinguished celebrities1 etc4 ,the sleeper with surprise inquired1 8,how can ,i go with this stricken and impotent body80 ,the ,immortal replied1 8,you must leave your body here2 your spiritual being can accompany me40 ,sleeper4--8,but ,i fear that before my return my friends may see and regard my inanimate body as dead1 and bury it40 ,immortal4--8,fear not4 ,i will restore you in due time to your body2 and ,i will prepare you for our adventures as ,i am prepared40 ,thus assured1 the somnipathist crept gently out1 headway1 from his 8mortal coil10 glided over the headboard of his bedstead1 glanced back upon his sleeping frame in his very image1 then sprang lithely to the sill of the window1 where the sash had already been thrown up by the ,morpheus1 and finding himself equipped with needed dress and wings1 soared with his companion into the air4 ,immortal4--8,what route do you prefer80 ,mortal4--8,i wish to have a birdseye view of ,charleston1 7once my home17 by gas-light and then toward the ,arctic ,pole40 ,the aerial voyageurs were1 as if in a moment1 hovering in a slow1 scrutinizing flight over ,charleston1 with stars above1 and looking as upon stars below2 and in front1 athwart the ocean1 a long line of light1 gleaming from a newly-risen moon1 invited their quickened pinions into the illimitable spaces over the far-bounded deep4 ,curving in a wide ocean-sweep northward1 and moving with lightning-speed1 they perceived1 although having a full sense of comfort1 varying currents of icy gales and warm breezes2 and from their transparent height saw beneath them the dark1 girdling strata of cyclone hurricanes1 or sheeny1 swathe-clouds of crystal congelations2 or1 within their extended girdles1 broad1 oval areas of clear-rolling sea1 and far down1 by a peculiar dim lighting of its depths1 the plains1 hills and vales it immersed1 and the myriad tribes of the deep in their amazing animate forms4 ,mortal4--8,i would see the borealis40 ,immortal4--8,you shall1 anon40 ,the dream seemed to change4 ,the parties suddenly found themselves lying in open sea-shells1 structured to their lengths and sizes1 floating side by side on a tranquil waste of waters1 feet foremost1 heads pillowed1 and eyes bent upward and northward4 ,a lowered and murky sky appeared as a dun-colored ceiling1 of little height above them2 and they were thoughtful1 and in low tones they occasionally uttered weird thoughts on life--mankind--earth--,god4 ,a drowsy moment ensues4 ,then slowly lifts the gloomy canopy1 and along the distant northern horizon1 the fog having rapidly disappeared1 a lengthened arc of whitish light spans itself4 ,the heavens are again clear4 ,from the bright arc dart upward along their northern hemisphere radiant streams of every lighter hue1 and in incessant changeful brilliancy--a panoramic spread of incandescent splendors4 ,a whirl of cold1 shimmering light dashes around and over towering icebergs1 and amazes the eye4 ,it closes1 and when again it opens1 the ,arctic travellers find themselves soaring aloft1 and they look upon an open1 calm1 unfrozen polar sea4,a ,the ,spirit of ,morphine remarks3 8,you now see1 and will see1 things unknown to man4 ,this comparative warmth comes from the fire and glowing heat in the bowels of the earth1 as you will soon ascertain40 ,they move on2 they are at the ,pole2 the north star is in the zenith4 ,a magnetic needle appears hanging in mid-air1 like the visioned dagger before ,macbeth1 and dips southward and westward toward the other--the magnetic--pole1 degrees away4 ,a glare disturbs the eye1 and terrible sounds surround them4 ,behold6 the ,pole is a large cylindrical aperture 7miles in diameter7 in our globe1 down through which are seen the molten mass and fiery flame within the crust of earth6 ,the watery billows1 like a whirlpool1 surge in loud roar around its circumferent shore1 but enter not2 and a column of heat ever rushes on the ,arctic air4 ,a cry of terror and awe escapes from the sleeper4 ,he is conscious of it1 but does not awake4 ,the dream resumes4 ,they are now flying southward1 and the somnipathist has a vision 7a dream in this dream7 of a midsummer circling sun shining a day of months4 ,they view the peculiarities of ,iceland1 examine the maelstrom1 7that singular natural wonder1 gurgitating into another earth-aperture1 off ,norway17 and comprehend by a glance ,lapland1 ,norway and ,sweden1 their curiosities1 peoples1 customs1 etc4 ,there is not time or space for details4 ,they are en voyage for the ,court of ,russia4 ,they alight at the ,winter ,palace of the ,czar4 ,the ,immortal with his pupil enters with free and commanding port--obstructions vanish4 ,a festive scene of splendor--gayety1 glitter and ceremony commingled--is at its height4 ,through the maze of an amazed1 gorgeous1 throng1 they advance to the ,emperor1 surrounded by rank and beauty2 and through the influence of a celestial majesty more enthralling than his own1 they secure his deferential and cordial attention4 ,then follows a confused but charming association with 8beautiful women and brave men10 amid all social bewitcheries4 ,the scene changes4 ,they are seated in a small ice-crystal,b salon1 glistening on all sides except the carpeted floor1 with the ,emperor and his prime minister alone1 all exhilarant with wine1 and now sipping the potent subtlety of ,china's most famed and fragrant tea1 priced at its weight in gold4 ,the philosophy of government1 from a republican standpoint1 rushes upon the soul of the ,american1 and he exclaims to the mighty potentate of all the ,russias3 8,how can your humanity conscientiously hold and wield the power of imperial despotism80 ,emperor4--8,the one-man power in the light and dignity of a principle1 appeals to reason and fascinates the soul4 ,it is the true theory of human government4 ,i am ,god's vicegerent1 as king and priest1 for the well-being and good order of my people40 ,prime ,minister4--8,this system derives its type from the ,one-,god control of the universe4 ,it has divinity from above1 it has patriarchal sanction here below4 ,it can bear comparison with its opposite extreme in absolutism--a pure democracy1 the mere many-power1 unrestrained1 unregulated and uninstructed4 ,what is more irresponsible1 more selfishly callous1 more heedlessly unstable1 and more grinding than the vulgar tyranny of a bare popular majority8 ,extremes meet and have a singular affinity2 it is the secret of the growing friendship between ,russia and the ,united ,states40 ,american4--8,ha6 ,our ,american people are not a mass democracy4 ,the ,united ,states are republics federated under a ,constitution--a system which excludes both your extremes40 ,prime ,minister4--8,indeed60 ,immortal4--8,there is a golden mean for all finite governments4 ,uncontrolled power is only for the ,infinite40 ,emperor4--8,is even political self-government a right80 ,american4--8,surely mankind is entitled to it and should possess it40 ,immortal4--8,no6 ,self-government is the eventual prize of intelligence and virtue4 ,the ignorant or vicious are incapable of it4 ,in the meantime1 it is the privilege of the human race to secure it by attempered wisdom1 and to guard it against the passions and ignorance of the many1 the few1 or the one4 ,goodness in the use of power1 more than the form of government1 is the great desideratum4 ,seek most to elevate the mind and heart of man60 ,american to ,emperor4--8,sire6 it is then your best mission to do well your part60 ,,part ,,ii4 ,farewells are spoken4 ,the voyageurs are again a-wing4 ,they reach the ,arctic along the vast ,siberian coast4 ,there the cold is most intense1 and of the frozen regions it is the wildest and grandest4 ,a shimmering light seems to permeate it ever1 even in its darkest periods4 ,the ice presents plains1 abysses1 mountains4 ,everywhere are the dbris of long-frozen animals4 ,over its dry waste of congealed waters1 the fierce blasts1 as if by frictional action on its rugged surfaces1 ever generate electrical phenomena4 ,in midwinter and darkness1 scintillating flashes gleam along them in the nether air4 ,such was their vision4 ,the disembodied1 as one startled1 exclaims3 8,see yon iceberg like a mountain of glass4 ,what is that within it8 ,it resembles the carcass of a dead animal1 but it is too huge4 ,it is at least sixty feet long1 and of elephantine proportions40 ,immortal4--8,it is an ancient specimen of the behemoth 7,b',hemoth7 tribes4 ,its species is extinct4 ,its bulk is many times that of the mastodon4 ,its massive ivory tusks are similar to those of the walrus4 ,its remains have been frozen in there for thousands of years4 ,putrescence is here unknown40 ,mortal4--8,what wonders6 ,can this be nature80 ,immortal4--8,we are approaching others40 ,mortal4--8,yes1 look6 ,what a vast lizard or crocodile yonder encased--five hundred feet long6 ,but ,i see fins1 also40 ,immortal4--8,it is of the primeval species of sauroid fish4 ,it has been frozen during cycles of time4 ,this region was once warmer4 ,nature's changeful developments are a curious mystery to man1 but it ever unfolds in increasing knowledge40 ,they wheel southward--anon traverse ,chinese ,tartary--sweep over the ,chinese wall1 and alight in ,pekin4 ,they poise themselves on a lofty pagoda4 ,mortal4--8,these ,chinese are a mysterious people4 ,i am curious about them4 ,that wall was a great enterprise in its day1 and a singular one40 ,immortal4--8,they are a swarm from an ancient human hive1 and have long been numerous and astute4 ,they have been1 and are superior to the average of mankind1 but inferior to the more illumined and most cultivated4 ,their numbers and limited geographic sphere have made them feel want2 yet their inventions1 although multiplied1 have been petty1 fanciful1 crude and clumsy contrivances to meet emergency1 in comparison with the grander discoveries and more studied and beautiful designs of other and higher civilizations4 ,necessity has stimulated their cunning1 but precludes their reflection2 it has pinched their faculties1 as the #8iron shoe' has their feet4 ,their mental contraction has been rendered more compressive by their moral and spiritual defects4 ,they have had no conception of a ,god1 per se4 ,it is the conception which most expands man60 ,mortal4--8,but this pagoda 7truly it is a grotesque structure67 is a temple devoted to some worship40 ,immortal4--8,it is a fane of the merest idolatry1 and dedicated to idols1 #8of the earth1 earthly1' not to any images which are even typical of divine essences4 ,but of this1 anon40 ,mortal4--8,the ,chinese have1 however1 a demi-god--their #8,celestial ,emperor4'0 ,immortal4--8,yes1 he is their immediate authority1 temporal and spiritual4 ,yet he and his mandarins1 alike with his subjects1 are constrained1 by the dominancy of twenty-four centuries of veneration for the great ,chinese philosopher and moralist1 ,koong-,foo-tse1 7latinized1 ,confucius17 to worship in the temples dedicated to that extraordinary statesman and expounder4 ,this pagoda is one of these temples1 which have been reared in all chief cities and towns4 ,his #8nine books' constitute the creed and code--the bible--of the #8,celestial ,empire1' and you will deem it a singular fact that they contain no mention of a ,creator--no allusion to ,god40 ,mortal4--8,it is indeed strange for so intelligent a people4 ,all other peoples have some kind of a belief and worship of a ,supreme ,being4 ,hark6 ,i hear sounds from below--,i hear chants60 ,immortal4--8,yes1 they are from the ,emperor and his court1 performing idol-service1 offering fruits1 wines1 flowers and fancy articles1 and now singing chants4 ,we will witness their return to the palace1 and then visit them40 ,soon the vision embraced a scene of ,oriental pomp--a pageant1 with its ceremonies1 gorgeous displays and vain-glorious crudities4 ,this narrative must dispense with the description1 nor could the reader be made to receive the impression produced on the visitor from the ,west1 while gazing on the dramas of the ,east4 ,his ,celestial ,majesty--8brother of the sun and cousin of the stars0--is now enthroned in his extended residence1 amid princely persons1 political potentates and priestly dignitaries1 surrounded by every burnishment and administered to by varied flattery and all servility4 ,the voyageurs suddenly appear before and among them4 ,emperor4--8,ha6 what means this intrusion8 ,chamberlain of the ,palace1 accursed ,mandarin6 you shall lose your life for this4 ,how came these persons into the ,celestial ,presence without permission and the salaam reverences8 ,hold6 they have wings6 ,can they be ,celestial8 ,spirit of ,koong-,foo-tse6 come1 protect1 guard us6 ,let all the great gongs be beaten6 let dreadful sounds frighten them away60 ,the ,immortal1 with a gesture1 awes all into silence and composure4 ,american to ,emperor4--8,man1 what mean these presumptions8 ,what does your ridiculous and despotic power claim80 ,emperor4--8,not read the #8,books6' ,read them4 ,my power is immemorial and supreme4 ,yang and ,yn1 time and ,koong-,foo-tse have founded it--yes1 founded it on the analogy of parental authority1 which they declare absolute4 ,the nation is my family1 and ,i am its father4 ,i am sole entitled ruler1 and ,i am--holy and sacred6 ,nor will ,i have contact with strangers and barbarians40 ,american4--8,what means he8 ,what of ,confucius80 ,immortal4--8,confucius was a ,chinaman1 who lived #eej years before ,christ4 ,he was a teacher of morals1 rather than a founder of religion4 ,for those dark ages1 he was an extraordinary man2 he was great as a philosopher1 a moralist and a statesman4 ,he made no pretence to inspiration4 ,he inculcated the training of the physical system4 ,the five elements1 fire1 water1 wood1 metal and earth 7he called them ,kings7 were the basis of his system of philosophy4 ,he maintained that the universe was generated by the union of two material principles--a heavenly and an earthly--,yang and ,yn--but there is no mention of a ,creator in his system4 ,man1 he asserted1 fell from purity and happiness by his own act2 and by his own act he can or must recover them4 ,his political system1 which is one of pure despotism1 has been give by the ,emperor4 ,spirit of ,koong-,foo-tse1 come forth60 ,the apparition of ,confucius here takes visible shape1 and startles the assembly4 ,the other or ,american immaterialized human1 addresses him3 8,confucius1 thy soul has now learned wisdom4 ,how is it1 that in life your great reason did not perceive and conceive that there must be and was a ,being1 all wise1 all powerful1 all good1 eternal1 and with ,his infinity universally present--the ,god and ,creator80 ,confucius4--8,i had no revelation60 ,immortal4--8,creation itself suggests and proves a ,creator2 it is ,his greatest revelation4 ,the dual-elements in man 7mind and matter17 should recognize ,his existence and essence40 ,confucius4--8,i dimly perceived that there were two principles1 but not precisely those of good and evil4 ,i did not reason sufficiently at large4 ,i thought only of earth1 not of religion2 of the material1 not the divine4 ,zoroaster surpassed me in these regards40 ,american4--8,emperor1 the hand-writing of destroying ,fate is on your wall4 ,the hands of hundred of millions will pull it down4 ,god will send light1 by the invading influence of the #8outside barbarians' of the far ,west1 to scatter the darkness from your land4 ,your dynasty is doomed40 ,the spectre of ,confucius nods confirmation1 and disappears4 ,the voyageurs pass out1 and soar into the air4 ,intense cimmerian darkness now seems to prevail everywhere1 and the aerialists see themselves1 as it were from a distance1 flying as illumined transparent shapes through it4 ,afar off1 and in another land1 there is seen a small luminous spot on the horizon4 8,what is yon bright object80 8,it is the #8,temple of the ,sun4'0 ,the speed of thought brings them to its full view4 ,they swoop down2 and pause in riveted contemplation of the sublime pile4 ,what a house1 built by supposed hands6 ,it is a structure from masses of the purest crystal2 a mile long2 two-thirds of a mile broad2 a half-mile high to its eaves4 ,a steeple1 itself of a mile's height and of beautiful proportions1 towers with a superb aplomb a mile and a half above its front base4 ,it is radiant with a whitish internal illumination1 that shoots its apex of light upward to the dark empyrean4 ,over a central point of the temple1 a third distance from its rear1 a lofty dome uplifts in grand majesty its imposing symmetry1 and from which hangs pendent within1 a vast globular light resembling and sacred to the sun1 permeating and illuming with its golden rays the mighty mass4 ,the double-tinted splendor of the tout ensemble1 thrilled with rapture even an immortal soul6 ,above the dome1 and from a staff like the lightning's streak1 floated a tri-colored oriflamme--a rainbow flag4 8,one tint was of the sunbeam's dyes1 8,one the blue depth of seraph's eyes1 8,one1 the pure spirit's veil of white 8,had robed in radiance of its light2 8,the three so mingled did beseem 8,the texture of a heavenly dream40 ,the occasion is a holy period to a people in southern ,asia1 of whom tens of thousands throng the columned interior4 ,the flying visitors enter4 ,their eyes are instantly attracted upward to the high-vaulted ceiling1 appearing like a slightly concaved sky1 and of a deep cerulean hue1 studded with stars 7mystic phenomenon67 as if in deference to night4 ,in the centre of the vast tessellated floor is a colossal opalescent human statue1 typical of and dedicated to the ,god of ,light1 seated on a purple throne bordered with plates of gold--the whole eight hundred feet high1 and the figure in a commanding attitude1 and as dispensing wisdom and exacting reverence4 ,a space around it is paled by a balustrade of sapphire4 ,behind it1 on the wall to the ,east1 is pictured in marvellous glory the rising sun4 ,in its front1 outside the sapphire enclosure and toward an entrance in the ,west1 is a broad low altar of polished granite4 ,on it are piled votive offerings of flowers--creatures of the sun4 ,emblematic frescoes of light in varying hues1 play over and adorn every portion of the wondrous edifice4 ,the countless throng pressing from many entrances1 with faces turned upward to the ,idol1 and with odorless flambeaux aloft in their right hands1 chanted1 8,fire6 ,genial ,fire6 ,glorious ,fire6 ,element of light6 ,hail1 ,father ,sun60 ,the flying companions had already taken their station in the space reserved around the ,colossus1 and near his feet4 ,immortal4--8,this has degenerated into ,fire ,worship--another form of ,materialism4 ,the wretches adore the emblems1 but know not their meaning4 ,silence6 ,attention660 ,the people in awe put their left hands over their eyes1 and kneel with bowed heads4 ,all the lights1 large and small1 become dim and wan2 an ominous twilight prevails4 ,immortal4--8,zoroaster1 in the name of ,light appear60 ,the apparition of ,zoroaster stands before them4 ,immaterialized ,american4--8,i have heard of him1 but what of him80 ,immortal4--8,zoroaster or ,zurdusht was a great thinker1 who lived in primeval times2 computed by ,aristotle to be about six thousand years before the death of ,plato4 ,he was born in ancient ,bactria4 ,he was the founder of the ,magian religion1 which prevailed long before the ,medo-,persian monarchy4 ,his doctrines are set forth in the book called ,zendavesta4 ,the first being 7according to that transcript7 is denominated #8,time without bounds2' thus showing on the part of ,zurdusht a vague perception of the ,eternal ,one4 ,his creed maintains that from the operation of this #8infinite ,time1' the two active principles of the universe were produced from all eternity1 ,ormuzd 7representing good7 and ,ahriman1 7representing evil17 each disposed to exercise his powers of creation in different ways4 ,the first formed man capable of virtue2 the latter1 changed into darkness from light1 introduced evil40 8,zurdusht taught that1 at the last day1 ,ormuzd would triumph40 ,american4--8,i see4 ,zoroaster compared the two principles to ,light and ,darkness1 and to each attributed creative power4 ,and now that ,i reflect1 ,i note that dual-elements of some kind1 material or spiritual1 and associated with the idea of good and evil1 are averred in most religious creeds4 ,it is the great mystery60 ,immortal4--8,zurdusht1 speak60 ,zoroaster4--8,death further opened my finite eyes4 ,there are not two discordant essences nor ,,two ,,creative ,,powers4 ,the ,one ,god is the ,one ,creator4 ,he alone can solve the inscrutability of ,evil40 ,the lights die out4 ,sounds cease4 ,the temple disappears4 ,utter darkness ensues4 ,a sudden murmured exclamation of wonder arises from countless beings1 enshrouded in the night4 ,the ,heavens above have opened2 an amazing glory of radiance shines through them1 amid which 8the great ,white ,throne0 and 8,he who sitteth thereon0 are seen1 and ,his resounding voice utters to the ,universe3 ,i ,,am ,,the ,,light6 ,,part ,,iii4 ,this dream had one feature in common with ordinary dreams2 parts of it were confused and fitful4 ,but its unusual length and coherence were remarkable4 ,it consisted of a series of vivid scenes and singular events in conformity with its general character and design4 ,these were announced 7a notable fact7 in its outset1 and sustained throughout 7still more strange7 in their appropriate relations4 ,the aerial voyageurs took a general view of the ,ganges and its deltas4 ,they paused to observe a ,hindoo maiden1 of the better caste1 launch upon its waters1 in her amative superstition1 one of those small lights1 votive to love and imagination1 which floating down the stream would by its course1 accidents and fate1 indicate what might be the chequered destiny of her affections1 or the fortunes of an absent lover4 ,and they noticed her as a specimen of the delicate symmetry of form and sentient beauty of face1 characteristic of southern ,asiatic females4 ,the dreamy expression of soul on her countenance enthralled the ,american4 ,for a time he was human4 ,geographical details but seldom attracted their attention4 ,their general consciousness was that of travelling at night2 yet there was ever light enough when and where it was desired4 ,the ,american conceived the mortal wish to view a scene from the highest mountains in the world4 ,they were near the ,himmalayas1 and flew to their most commanding peak4 ,it appeared to be a bright day1 and all the sensations of sublime awe and admiration which a man could feel under such circumstances were realized4 ,this experience was entirely distinct from any impressions produced during their usual aerial observations4 ,the landscape seemed to comprise every variety of object1 from the grandest and most startling1 to the softest and most serene1 and a delicious mellowing sublimated the enchantment4 ,now1 anon1 they are looking down upon the ,euphrates and the ,tigris1 and the classic slip of land between them4 ,and in another moment a twilight envelopes them1 a contemplative mood ensues2 and1 then1 steals upon their consciousness the knowledge1 inducing a singular awe or uneasiness1 that they are hovering over the ,plain of ,shinar4 ,the biblical ,babel1 the confusion of tongues and the scattering of the nations crowd upon their reflection1 and again immortal thoughts arise4 ,the disembodied remarks1 8,it is written that a drama occurred below1 which1 it appears to me1 is as mysterious in its meaning as it is wonderful in its happening4 ,the ,divine frustration of the building of the ,tower of ,babel1 as a rebuke to the presumption of man1 in the light of an allegory1 finds analogies in every-day life4 ,but1 as a fact1 it is classed among the miraculous4 ,which is it8 ,the unity or variety of origin of the human race is a vexed question2 and man's distinctiveness from other animals1 especially in the characteristics of reason and immortality1 may be regarded another4 ,it has occurred to me that attributing the #8confusion of tongues' to the miraculous1 may have been but an ancient priestly1 as well as theoretic1 pretext in favor of the doctrine of the unity of the human race4 ,the ,babel statement is a strange story of ,god's ways40 ,immortal4--8,even to immortals1 ,god's designs are not revealed1 and in many respects ,his ways are inscrutable4 ,the past may declare ,his nature1 but never wholly ,his purposes4 ,,the ,,future ,,is ,,his ,,own4 ,but as ,his laws are unchangeable1 inferences may be drawn by any being in proportion to his faculties and knowledge4 ,their gradations are as numerous as the stars4 ,nor is it permitted to me to declare to you in your mortal status1 all ,i know in my immortal status4 ,but the unity or variety of human origin is of no present importance4 ,the differences of the human races1 in language1 color and structure1 give assurance against their amalgamation and homogeneity on earth40 ,the dream assumes a new phase4 ,in a grand hall1 of shadowy sides1 suspended in mid-air1 the parties recline in voluptuous chairs4 ,it is as if fitted for exhibitions4 ,a moving superb panorama passes before them1 representing in their greatest glory1 the following cities3 ,babylon1 ,nineveh1 ,thebes1 ,troy1 ,tyre1 ,jerusalem1 ,bagdad1 ,alexandria and ,damascus4 ,they alike saw them and seemed to be in them4 ,it was a curious1 instructive and wondrous display4 ,a reverse movement of the picture then presented these cities or their sites as they are now4 ,their inhabitants at the different periods1 in varied masses and actions1 and male and female in every style and hue of ,eastern costume and countenance1 created a strange and absorbing interest4 ,the kaleidoscopic phases of human nature will ever challenge curiosity1 excite observation and engender thoughts4 ,the desire 8to see and be seen0 by our kind1 has a more suggestive and philosophical source than mere vanity4 ,the winged adventurers of a night recross from ,asia to ,europe1 traverse the famed ,bosphorus1 and reaching ,constantinople1 alight for a moment1 each on a minaret of the mosque1 7formerly church of ,st4 ,sophia17 the grandest temple to ,mahomet and of the ,turks4 ,the view was grand1 novel and crowded with objects and memorials4 ,it was the most noted point on the line between the ,east and the ,west1 and there were the remembrances and insignia of both4 ,these philosophic observers had carefully noticed1 of late1 the influences and traces of men and events1 systems and creeds1 times and powers1 from ,alexander the ,great1 in his primary institution of commerce and in its mighty effects1 down to the condition produced by the late struggle by ,turkey1 ,france and ,england on one side1 against the aggressions of ,russia and ,northern hordes on the other4 ,with their usual facility they next visit the palace of the ,sultan4 ,their presence surprised1 but its character was deferred to and welcomed4 ,turkish hospitality and courtesy are genial1 when once enlisted4 ,the ,grand ,vizier himself directed their entertainment near the person of his ,majesty of the ,crescent4 ,in a stoical manner1 but with liberal temper1 they discussed with the guests matters of religion1 government1 social customs1 moral subtleties and modern developments and tendencies4 ,the preconceived ideas and prejudices of the ,american were greatly modified4 ,the former ,turk and ,mohammedan of haughty bigotry1 fierceness and the sword1 had subsided into tolerance for the ,christian1 amity with the ,european1 and deference to the civilization1 learning and powers of the ,caucasian race4 ,once the chief guardian and lookout on the ramparts of the ignorance1 despotism and superstitions of the ,east1 he now would open its portals to the more active spirit and mightier enlightenment of the ,west4 ,all this was elicited and defined in the harmonious discussions that interluded the ceremonial observances4 ,the suite of apartments allotted to females in the larger dwelling-houses of the ,east 7called the ,harem7 is a portion sacred to them and the head of the family1 and forbidden to other masculine intrusion4 ,but1 for the winged spirits1 there was no objection to their admittance to even the imperial ,seraglio4 ,upon the invitation of the ,sultan1 who led the way1 they retired with him into the delicious abode of the ,sultanas and lady favorites of that mysterious ,court4 ,here for the first time gallantry so inspired the ,american that he bowed1 kneeled--yes1 salaam-ed6 ,this choice collection of beautiful women1 selected from beauties of different climes1 and from races of the higher types1 presented every species of female loveliness in form1 feature and complexion4 ,the ,circassian prevailed in numbers and attractions4 ,a golden-haired blonde from the ,north1 with seraphic blue eyes and lily skin1 robust yet lithe and sprightly1 was evidently the favorite of the ,sultan4 ,but in contrast with her style1 yet equal in subtle fascination1 reclined upon a divan in more haughty retiracy a tropical being1 7a near relative of the ,sultan17 in whose hair was the sheeny darkness of a thousand starry nights1 on whose brunette cheek was the rose's richest red1 and whose flashing black eyes and queenly figure were now in dreamy repose4 ,but they grew animated on the entrance and in the presence of the party2 and during their stay and devoirs1 her look often rested on the ,american1 8and eyes looked0 affinity 8to eyes that spoke again40 ,he became enthralled4 ,his imagination conjectured in her the contrarient higher qualities of a ,semiramis1 a ,cleopatra and a ,zenobia4 ,she filled it6 ,at an appropriate time1 eunuchs from among the number in attendance1 conducted the guests to private apartments4 ,the ,american dreamed he slept and had a vision4 ,the warm radiance of ,zulika's black eyes still thrill his soul with a loving passion4 ,mahomet1 too1 was associated with her in his thoughts4 ,he calls upon him to come and take him among the celestial ,houris--8the beautiful eyed--the black eyed40 ,the apparition of ,mahomet is suddenly seen2 it somewhat startles1 yet1 also1 composes his other excitement4 ,mahomet4--8,brother disembodied6 ,you are still human in your thoughts4 ,death alone can free you from them4 ,yet ,i know them2 it is permitted to me now to learn what transpires in the universe4 ,it is also vouchsafed to you1 in your immaterialized state1 to hold converse with the departed spirits1 yes1 even the ,houris1 as you request4 ,among other matters you wonder at the apparently inconsistent decrees ,i made in regard to wine and women1 for my followers on earth4 ,the inhibition of wine was for the masses1 who are largely composed of the inconsiderate and craving4 ,its use will induce the habit and disease of intoxication1 which is fatal to mankind1 especially in warm climates4 ,temperance should ever be a moral duty1 and abstinence alone can secure it among the many4 #8,the joys of wine' are only for the prudent and thoughtful1 and its healthful quality for the ill4 ,it has its proper uses40 ,disembodied4--8,in this regard you were right1 as an expounder40 ,mahomet4--8,in permitting polygamy and even concubinage to some1 ,i reflected that as marriage would not be suitable or convenient or possible to a number of men1 ,i would be making a needful1 wise and saving provision for surplus women4 ,the deprivation of wine1 too1 rendered it more salutary2 man will have one1 and if he can1 both4 ,my system was1 also1 designed to diminish promiscuous prostitution40 ,disembodied4--8,clever excuse6 ,but how will you defend the propagation of your creed by the sword80 ,mahomet4--8,mankind1 so generally stolid or perverse in untoward ignorance or selfishness1 will usually require more or less coercion in some shape1 to be aroused into useful animation and effort1 and to the pursuit of good and happiness4 ,the sword1 like necessity1 stimulates2 it is at times a great vivifier4 ,it is even1 occasionally1 justice on a large and peculiar scale2 it is for man and nations1 what the rod is for the child40 ,disembodied4--8,clever pretext1 again6 ,but you seem now to think that you were a better giver of law than of religion40 ,mahomet4--8,i was not a ,prophet4 ,i was right in but one religious dogma3 the declaration of the one ,god4 ,and of ,him1 man is to himself the most direct and proximate revelation4 ,know thyself6 ,it is both duty and instruction4 ,come6 sister spirits would confer with thee40 ,disembodied ,american4--8,but1 oh1 ,i would see more of her whom ,i met to-night40 ,mahomet4--8,she is your affinity2 and when you are both freed from the earthly1 you will abide together on some ,olympus in the ,illimitable4 ,let us to the ,seventh ,heaven60 ,they sweep upward and onward1 and on their passage see a vast and bright globe1 7a star or sun17 many times larger than the ,earth4 ,there they see the souls of the most ignorant and obtuse of the dead1 in their second stage of existence or ordeal of improvement4 ,it is the first ,heaven4 ,they proceed on by other worlds--all abodes of ,spiritual ,progression1 and arrive at the seventh ,heaven4 ,mahomet4--8,the more favored and self-elevating of ,earth when they die1 are at once transferred to the sphere most suited to them--some few even reaching the sixth ,heaven1 at the outset upon eternity4 ,the seventh ,heaven is the first abode of achieved ,goodness and translucent ,reason in the initial state of perfection4 ,after and beyond that1 these become identical with ,knowledge1 which ,i believe is eternally acquisitive and expansive4 ,here is my attainment through centuries4 ,i began my after-death career in the third ,heaven4 ,zoroaster his in the fourth4 ,confucius was permitted to pass the first1 because of his great mind and good intent2 but he was assigned to the second to learn there was a ,god and a ,creator4 ,your travelling companion1 who was never mortal1 is beyond me1 and ,i know not his origin4 ,here ,i will show you the most glorified women1 who have come originally from earth40 ,on the globe at which they had arrived1 there was1 as on ,earth1 all variety of its own kinds or peculiarities4 ,the disembodied ,american was soon thrown into social intercourse4 ,the inhabitants appeared to have the human form glorified--called 8the image of ,god40 ,here there was ideal beauty1 infinitely varied like the flowers of earth4 ,the females were of heavenly and indescribable loveliness4 ,their countenances beamed with sublimated purity and affection4 ,they thronged around him as 8administering angels40 ,their sweet voices accompanied the music of the spheres1 and their swelling chorus joined the song of the morning stars1 in the eternal anthem to the ,most ,high4 ,heavenly ,houri4--8,mortal6 ,know that thy thought is vain1 that the passions of the body--of the earth--are here in some riper and heaven-ized existence1 and that their indulgence is but enhanced in pleasurable degree4 ,here there is attraction--affinity--but it is of the soul40 ,disembodied4--8,then there is no ,love here6 ,i mean the feeling peculiar to the sexes40 ,houri4--8,yes4 ,but there is no material desire4 ,the sexes are essentially complements of each other2 but these complements may differ in their substance and proportions4 ,when they are counterparts of each other1 then affinity is perfect4 ,this affinity is heavenly ,love and unalloyed happiness4 ,such a pair are the ,bride and ,bridegroom of ,eternity4 ,their children are the heavenly thoughts which spring from such affinity40 ,the startled brain of the visionist caused him to awake into his dream1 and he saw his ,immortal companion bending over him with a smile4 ,,part ,,iv4 ,the dream changes2 the voyageurs are flying over ,greece4 ,this small but wondrous nation1 so remarkable in the annals of mankind1 and so full of historic and classic associations1 was seen by them as in one view of its ancient and modern times1 and of its geographic and art attractions under the illumination of genius and heroism1 or in the twilight of mental and moral decadence4 ,the ,immortal remarked1 as it faded in the rear from their sight1 8,this favored land1 emerging as it is1 again1 from the contact and influence of barbarism and moral depression1 and with the native talents and sprightliness of its race1 throwing off their frivolity and supineness1 under the stimulating agencies of civilization now in contact with it1 is once more destined to appropriate distinction40 ,american4--8,and yonder is ,venice6 ,its romance has ever excited and interested my imagination40 ,immortal4--8,its history has been like a meteor2 but in more ways than one3 it has dashed into obscurity6 ,it may be of continued interest as a locality and a city1 but it can never1 again1 be a power40 ,italia6 ,oh1 ,italia6 with what emotions1 evolved from considerations of the present as of the past1 they approach thee6 ,in a southerly sweep they note the position of the ancient ,brundusium1 and gaze upon ,vesuvius1 ,pompeii and ,naples4 ,they move up the course of the 8yellow ,tiber10 and at last1 they hover over the 8,eternal ,city40 ,they descend into ,rome6 traverse its streets1 visit its famed places and sanctuaries1 examine its ruins1 think of its noted dead1 observe its new features and present people1 and1 more than all1 ponder upon the meaning of its history1 its situation and its attitude4 ,it is not within the compass of this narrative to present the volume of feeling and thoughts of the sleeper4 ,in the ,vatican and in the fane of ,st4 ,peter's1 as he did after in ,st4 ,paul's and in ,london1 he ruminated on the religion of civilization1 and on the new speculations of infidel philosophy4 ,in the ,coliseum he reflected upon the impulses and ways of the populace4 ,in the ,forum he analyzed the systems of law and the subtleties of eloquence4 ,in ,senate halls he eliminated the science1 the experiments1 the lan of statesmanship1 in both ,state and ,church matters4 ,within the classic area of the ,seven ,hills1 ,man had exhibited every phase of his nature1 inclination and power4 ,here ,humanity had been borne upon every wave of destiny1 and had travelled upon every highway and byway of fate1 on earth4 ,rome is the epitome of the world's ,past4 ,its mission is ended4 ,moving northward the aerialists glance upon ,pisa1 ,florence1 ,milan and ,mantua1 the ,po and the ,adige4 ,to gratify the curiosity of the ,american1 they divert and descend to the point where the ,rubicon was passed1 and he thinks of ,cesar1 and of all the so-called ,cesars1 down to the last ,czar and ,kaiser4 ,they visit1 also1 the plain of ,marengo1 which assured in power and prestige the true successor to ,cesar1 as he had been to ,alexander--the third that made a trio of the world's mental and imperial masters4 ,inasmuch as the travellers were threading the animate gallery of the world1 they gave but a glance at the art galleries of ,italy4 ,what was a marble ,venus or ,apollo--what was a painting of the ,transfiguration or of a ,madonna--what was the tower of ,pisa or the cathedral of ,milan1 in comparison with what they had seen6 ,immortal4--8,italy is still nearer to national regeneration1 power and influence than ,greece4 ,the full power of modern enlightenment will ere long be felt there40 ,american4--8,the names of ,cavour and ,mazzini are already enrolled on the true roll of fame4 ,and1 too1 the biographies of ,rienzi and ,lorenzo the ,magnificent are peculiarly attractive40 ,this was said as they were observing the beauties of lakes ,garda and ,como4 ,from thence they bent their pinions for ,vienna4 ,they circled it to view the fields made memorable by ,sobieski and ,napoleon4 ,they enter it2 and a cold and silvery twilight seemed to prevail as if its most consummate imperialism and refinement preferred the blinded and curtained salons of governmental and social civilization4 ,in such palatial halls were its ,court2 and there the finesse of closet and boudoir intrigue had attained to its most exquisite development in this epoch4 ,and the decorated white cloth coats of its costume delighted the eyes1 but were significant of hypocrisy to the brain1 of the ,american4 ,winged as he was1 and probably because of it1 he found temptations addressed to both his head and heart4 ,it was there thought that even angels could be corrupted 8on earth as in heaven40 ,they seek the purer air of ,switzerland and the ,alps4 ,they 8did0 ,mont ,blanc and the ,simplon1 slid upon an avalanche1 looked upon ,geneva and its lake1 and thought of ,tell1 the ,cantons1 and ,calvin4 ,they next seat themselves in human style on the deck of a steamer1 and make the trip of the ever disputable and picturesque ,rhine4 ,they dash off on wing to ,brussels1 and imagining they hear the 8sounds of revelry by night0 and 8the cannon's opening roar10 they ponder on ,waterloo4 ,american4--8,now for the dear old cliffs of ,albion4 ,oh1 ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 land of my fathers1 let me see thee60 ,stretching their wings in full sympathy and in joyous flight across the ,channel1 they scan with loving and careful eye ,england1 ,scotland and ,ireland4 ,they take in their all and every part and place2 and terminate their ,british tour in ,london4 ,everything indicated genuine maturity and stability4 ,both the material and spiritual developments proclaim solid sense and judicious cultivation4 ,it is the only country in which the ,past and ,present seem to blend and harmonize4 ,there is a ,royal levee at ,st4 ,james palace1 and there all appear royal4 ,the ,british nobility and gentry6 what a superb body of men and women6 ,what glorious types of the mental and physical--what exemplars of education and refinement1 character and tone6 ,it is in ,great ,britain that industry1 honesty and intellect have acquired gold2 and gold has not debased but elevated humanity--has not disintegrated but cemented the social elements4 ,they were graciously received by ,majesty2 and they congratulated the ,queen1 not as sovereign1 but as the royal representative of such a nation4 ,her peers1 with calm satisfaction and cordial dignity1 exclaimed1 8,that the just appreciation of the ,british people by native white ,americans1 involved the highest compliment to both40 ,the ,lord ,mayor took them in charge1 visited with them the notable places and buildings of ,london1 and l',anglaise1 entertained them at a banquet4 ,on the occasion the ,premier1 who was a guest1 remarked in his speech3 8,great ,britain1 at last1 although a monarchy in name and form1 is a republic in fact4 ,its government combines the more of the advantages and the less of the disadvantages of the one-man power and of the many-power1 than that of any other nation does4 ,hence it is1 that the rights of the citizen equal those of even ,america1 and are more practically protected and left in undisturbed satisfaction1 politically and socially1 than in any country in the world4 ,there is more nominal but less real personal liberty in the ,united ,states than in ,england4 ,yet in these regards it is the just and proud boast and boon of these two nations1 that their peoples alone can be called free40 ,american4--8,is it because popular opinion in ,america is a tyrant toward each individual1 that ,great ,britain has the advantage in practical1 if not theoretical liberty80 ,immortal4--8,yes4 ,settled law and not fluctuating opinion should govern and protect40 ,the good-byes are genial4 ,while crossing the ,straits of ,dover for the ,continent1 the ,immortal said with emphasis3 8,the ,anglo-,saxons everywhere furnish the best wives and mothers of your globe40 ,la ,belle ,france6 ,inimitable ,paris6 what a medley of expectations attends upon visiting these centres of travel4 ,they run the gamut of pleasure from the exhilarating boards of the 8light fantastic toe10 to the arenas where learning and skill walk in solemn mental pomp1 and genius essays its wings for loftier flights from the heights of knowledge4 ,there the heart vibrates from all the phases of frivolity1 through the glows of vanity1 love and ambition1 to the glamours of suicide4 ,they proceed to ,versailles1 and indulge in mocking criticisms upon its costly and useless structures and empirical history4 ,they surveyed with care1 ,paris and its environs4 ,they thought of it as a communistic volcano or as the cradle of revolutions4 ,immortal4--8,blessed is the person or nation1 who has a ,faith1 however crude6 ,but1 in truth1 the ,french have no faith of any stable or guiding kind4 ,nor do they permit themselves to be either calm enough to study or rational enough to understand the mission of ,reason4 ,they do not truly apply it to either religion or government4 ,their women are practically wiser than their men2 in their domain of society the former have instituted a system of mere life4 ,both have some tangible notions on the art of living on earth4 ,neither think very coherently on the ,beyond4 ,natural 7not mental7 ,philosophy1 in all its branches1 is their most successful sphere4 ,their ,german rivals surpass them in mental speculations and innocuous transcendentalisms40 ,they enter the ,tuileries4 ,the ,emperor of the ,french expressed his keen appreciation of the objects of their grand and adventurous tour4 ,with respectful earnestness he asked many questions in regard to it2 especially in relation to political developments4 ,in reply to a question by the ,american in reference to the assumptions of his own dynasty1 he asseverated that it was a ,napoleonic conception1 maxim and design1 8that the virtues and rights of the people could and should be asserted under the one-man representative power--that ,imperialism and ,republicanism could be identicalized in and under governmental action4 ,that no other kind of government either suited or would satisfy the ,french4 ,and that he ever studied ,great ,britain and the ,united ,states as among the leading examples before him1 in devising the measures of his action and the formulas of his policy40 ,he1 also1 assigned this as a reason why he and his uncle had not been favored by the old imperial or royal rgimes4 ,his ,empress1 the lovely ,eugenie1 was marked in her gracious deference1 and uttered some angelic sentiments in support of her husband's theory4 ,at ,court the ethereal party received the attentions of the savans of the world's scientific metropolis1 and with them visited their meeting4 ,abstruse topics were discussed4 ,in reply to an inquiry upon electricity1 the ,immortal intimated 8that1 although it was not his province to discuss the connection between mind and matter1 or to expound what agency magnetism had in relation to it1 yet as the brain and body of man were a series of electric batteries1 and electricity a fluid that pervaded the earth1 it would in time1 by an effort of the will1 and by an action of the human body under and in certain conditions1 become a medium of thought and converse between any two persons at different spots on the earth40 ,american4--8,will they hold conversations as if in a tte--tte80 ,immortal4--8,yes4 ,without using language1 ,americans will thus converse with ,chinese40 ,they visited in the ,invalides the ,tomb of ,napolon le ,grand4 ,before it the ,american was irresistibly affected by the awe1 wonder and curiosity1 which may be felt for the majesty of mind4 ,the travellers now proceed to ,bordeaux2 where1 seated in a salon1 and the ,american being thirsty1 the best brandy and claret are set before them4 ,they taste them with relish1 and discuss their merits4 ,suddenly the ,disembodied exclaims1 8,day is approaching1 ,i must return to my body4 ,let us fly40 ,they once more essay the aerial passage of the ,atlantic4 ,at the instance of the ,spirit of ,morphine1 who suggested that they had time for a swoop to south of the ,equator1 and for a view of the constellation of the ,southern ,cross1 the ,american1 who affected astronomy1 readily assented4 ,they whirl southward1 see it1 and repass 8the ,line40 ,they enter the ,united ,states at ,savannah1 and soon reach the abode of the sleeper in the upper part of ,south ,carolina4 ,his spirit enters his chamber through the window and glides into his body1 when he experiences a sense of relief as to its safety1 and of satisfaction in his wondrous trip4 ,he nestles in comfort of thought and matter1 and--,,awakes6 ,the day has dawned1 and soon the rays of the rising sun greet his mortal eyes4 ,during that day he spoke of the dream1 and was pale and excited4 ,this dream occurred in the early part of ,january1 #ahfh1 and lasted between nine and ten hours4 ,,footnotes3 ,a ,this sea was then unknown to the dreamer4 ,his dream revealed to him its existence4 ,he thought it a delusion1 until he heard of its discovery4 ,b ,this refers to the once famous palace1 built of blocks of ice1 in ,st4 ,petersburg4 ,,transcriber',s ,,notes3 ,italicized text is surrounded by underscores3 italics4 ,obvious typographical errors have been corrected4 ,inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized4