de l'ester—madame, we offer you our warmest greetings, and are highly gratified to perceive that a night of profound sleep has quite restored your exhausted vitality. we have felt somewhat solicitous as to the result of yesterday's prolonged stay on ento, and are delighted that you have not suffered through our imprudence.
gentola—i retired early and fell asleep immediately. this morning i feel quite restored, and am ready for our starward journey.
de l'ester—then at once we will depart for ento, where in the city of palms, nearby the palm tree fountain, our friends will meet us. for a reason we shall remain there for perhaps an hour, and von humboldt will speak to you in relation to a question you recently asked.
gentola—another question to which you kindly may reply, is, do spirits released from the physical body find their perceptions greatly enlarged?
de l'ester—yes, if sufficiently unfolded to realize that they are on the spirit side, and, alas, myriads of spirits are not so unfolded. spirits progressed to an advanced plane of being, are so in harmony with the infinite mind, that they know all relating to that plane, hence, in a sense, are partakers of that mind. but we near ento, and—yes, yonder swiftly revolving, tiny moons, entola̤ and emantola̤ are interesting objects, the more so as they are a terrible
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menace to ento. why? for the reason that some time, aye, at any time, one and the other will rush onto and rend the bosom of the mother who gave them birth. at another time you will learn more concerning those frisky satellites. yonder near the fountain, our friends are observing our arrival, and inez and bernard are coming to meet us. hail, hail, bright ones.
bernard—mother, dear, it makes me so happy to be by your side.
gentola—and i, dear son, cannot express my joy that once again your strong arms embrace me. yes, from afar we saw you and this sweet sister inez approaching.
de l'ester—friends, we greet you all, and hope for favorable word from da̤o.
inez—within a half hour i have returned from a visit to valloa̤. save that her vital energy gradually decreases, and her spirit vision grows clearer the situation is unchanged.
de l'ester—then while we await—i should say that we shall remain here for an hour, and you, von humboldt, kindly will occupy the time by replying to gentola̤'s question of yesterday.
von humboldt—madame, in replying to your question, relating to a remark of mine, concerning a race of comparatively diminutive entoans, i shall include other of your unanswered questions. the poles of planets inclined as are those of ento and earth receive comparatively a small amount of solar heat, hence, the crust surrounding the poles of either newly formed planet, cooled and thickened at an earlier period than did areas nearer their equators. 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-forms, which as you are aware first appeared in the tepid
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waters of the new worlds. man, being a warm blooded animal, in early ages on either planet, his natural habitat was in their warmer divisions, which in the fullness of time became suited for the entertainment of the evolved, spiritualized human, who through succeeding exigencies of existence, has learned to adjust himself to manifold conditions which may apply to the race under consideration who, since a remote time, have occupied localities extending from the southern limit of ento's south temperate zone, to near the south pole. owing to the rigor of the climate, and their occupation of mining, their habitations, like those of all ento polar peoples, are subterranean and very comfortable and attractive abodes they are. climatic conditions somewhat incline this race to an indulgence in flesh food, which with the products of all lands, air transports abundantly supply them. the summers of ento's arctic and antarctic circles being, what may be termed, phenomenally mild, in the spring the released waters of the polar regions teem with myriad life forms upon which the diminutive da̤hova̤s and their polar neighbors largely subsist. in those antarctic localities are vast deposits of precious and other minerals, and of various gems, all of which find disposition in the marts of the ento world. notwithstanding their inhospitable climatic surroundings, the da̤hova̤s number some millions of educated, refined persons, whose occupation in no way interferes with their social standing. the fair-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed persons whom frequently you have observed were da̤hova̤s, who are greatly inclined to travel, the facilities of air transportation encouraging them in their desire for change of scene. their average height is about six feet, and they are a handsome featured and finely proportioned race. the average height of other fair-skinned ento races is about
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six feet ten inches, which is quite one foot less than that of the dark-hued orientals, of whom our friends, inidora̤ and genessano are examples. yes, it appears singular that, though genial climes invite them elsewhere, humans submit themselves to such inhospitable environments; but, in their affairs force of circumstances and an inclination for certain pursuits or gains are forceful potencies. the natural tendency of the genus homo is away from, not toward, inclement regions, but through upheavals or subsidences of portions of planets, or perhaps through the fortunes of wars, surviving peoples, in opposition to tendencies and desires, may be compelled to submit to the unavoidable.
you have expressed surprise over the absence of social distinctions among the entoans, who consider labor of whatever kind as elevating. very properly they regard idleness as a species of crime against the common weal, and only when incapacitated, do either men or women cease to labor either with head or hands. they understand that all well balanced minds require a certain amount of active occupation, and that idleness induces pernicious conduct. one of their aphorisms is, to labor righteously is to emulate the example of the ever active deific ones, and i quite agree with them. if instead of the yearly expenditure of millions of money for the maintenance of armies of men engaged in murdering each other, and for the erection and support of prisons, reformatories, almshouses and the like, earth's several governments would, as does the government of ento, oblige every able-bodied man and woman to engage in some useful occupation, how quickly would poverty, degradation and discontent disappear and the wealth now worse than wasted would produce great and beneficent public utilities, would erect and maintain majestic institutions for the free education of all peoples,
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would supply elevating amusements for the masses, and also would construct and maintain public baths, gymnasiums, excellent roadways, in short, all the admirable features of the civilization of ento, which yet is but a promise of a higher, grander civilization of a coming time.
no, we have not found any planet overpopulated. when sufficiently evolved, humans elevate the offices of paternity and maternity above the merely animal plane; then children are not inconsiderately begotten. you may not have observed that, in ento families, seldom are there more than four children; generally there are no more than two.
yes, certainly, a period will arrive when earth's peoples will have advanced far beyond their present uncivilized condition. really civilized peoples do not murder each other, do not in any manner wilfully injure each other. though one person's opinions may differ from those of another, civilized peoples do not, for that reason, fly at each other's throats. everywhere civilized peoples do as they wish others to do unto them. so you may perceive that even earth's most advanced peoples have not wholly emerged from barbarism; no, not even those who pompously profess to follow the precepts of earth's divinest teacher, the meek and lowly nazarene, have arrived at a clear perception of what constitutes christian or other civilization, else they, too, would be so meek and lowly as to shrink from attempting to force upon others their very crude beliefs and superstitious observances. yes, like all freed spirits, i have found occasions to change my views, and to endeavor to outgrow my errors.
unlooked for occurrences having brought about changes in our programme, for the present we must forego the pleasure of showing you and bernard certain interesting portions of ento's south temperate and antarctic regions; but we anticipate that this slight mention of some of the
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inhabitants of antarctica may stimulate in you a desire for future exploration in their direction. i yet have some moments i may devote to you.
gentola—then will you inform me as to the origin of the eskimos and other polar races of our planet? are they direct descendants of a primitive ancestry.
von humboldt—neither the eskimos or other polar peoples are direct descendants of primitive man. of course, all peoples, indirectly, are descendants of early races, whose low, retreating foreheads, misshapen forms and features offered slight promise of evolvement into the shapely humans of to-day. though the eskimo is somewhat uncouth of form and feature, compared with primitive man he is a god. are you aware that when primitive men first essayed to walk erect they used as a means of support and for offense and defense, clubs, which to this day are perpetuated in the staff or walking stick? as the feat of walking erect is accomplished through a series of threatened falls and accomplished recoveries, primitive men do not in a day learn to walk unaided, and from the period when through infoldment of the divine spark man becomes a conscious, living soul, until unaided he walks erect, time may be reckoned by ages. yes, in a sense, all humans are descendants of primitive races, but so far removed from their primitive ancestry, that the fact is unrealizable. no, madame, in no sense is the human related to the anthropoidal races. through environment and survival of the fittest, all life forms continuously evolve and re-evolve into higher expression, but man alone is capable of becoming spiritualized. constantly the positive law of evolution impels all life forms onward and upward toward higher planes of existence; it is quite as true that the little less forceful negative law of degeneracy is a perpetual obstacle and menace to human advancement. by some of earth's
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advanced thinkers these opposing laws are recognized, filling their minds with disquiet and apprehension for those who, besotted by the love of power and luxury, are approaching the line of demarcation between progress and degeneracy.
madame, the eskimos and other peoples of earth's frigid regions are descendants of races once of vast numbers, who, in an early age, inhabited the then temperate northern and southern climes; but earth's crust cooling, thickening and radiating an ever lessening degree of internal heat, its great fiery heart could not perpetually vivify its extremities, and at the poles gradually ice and snow accumulated, the preponderant accumulation being at the north pole. slowly, but surely, human and animal races were impelled toward the equator, multiplying prodigiously, and warring upon each other with ferocity indescribable. your scientists have not yet declared the certain existence of preglacial man, thus my assertion that earth has experienced two glacial horrors, 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 statement, which however is a correct one. it also is true that the survivors of the catastrophe were as mariners cast upon unknown shores, for they and other life forms experienced such a redistribution that your ethnologists and naturalists are unable to solve some problems which, on passing to the spirit side, will be made plain to them. 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 life. gradually, through isolation and extreme privations, the descendants of those remote ancestors experienced nearly arrested mental and physical development,
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and until comparatively a recent period, they were as lost members of the human family. through inherited qualities and long usage they are so inured to their wretched condition that to a degree they do not realize its discomforts; but steadily advancing agencies are approaching their lands, and at a not very remote period their present inhabitants will have disappeared, and for the same reason that ento's polar regions are, i may say, well populated, ere long earth's polar regions will sustain a large number of inhabitants.
gentola—sir, i thank you for your replies to my not very coherent questions. 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 engaged, but certainly i do not doubt the correctness of your statements. if the hour has not quite expired i should like to ask——
von humboldt—the hour has expired, and a pleasant surprise for you is at hand.
gentola—truly, sir, this is a pleasant surprise, and with my heart in my hand i greet you. it has been a long time since you bade us adieu.
ha-moufi—gentola̤ ēmana̤, though absent in spirit not so have i been in thought. and you, dear friends, how gladly i exchange with you loving embraces and words of kindliest greeting. you are aware that your movements and events relating to the mission are known in our and other spirit worlds, and anxious hearts and eager eyes hope and watch for the success of the near culmination of the struggle between spiritual and material forces. 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 people. scarcely have i been able to restrain my impatience, and only that my duties as
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a teacher have fully occupied my time, ere now i would have been with you. now i rejoice to say that i shall be with you until the culmination of the mission. but where is zenesta̤ ha̤o? i had thought to find him with you.
de l'ester—i am pleased to say that soon he will join us, and also i desire to assure you that in again having you with us, our delight quite equals your own. continually we have missed your genial presence and engaging conversation; so indeed you are more than welcome. ere now zenesta̤ and aaron poole should have arrived; doubtless they soon will appear. you have been informed that in the person of a gentle girl re-embodied on this planet inidora̤ has found his other self. frequently genessano visits them and gives favorable reports of their harmonious relations. when we shall be summoned to da̤o inidora̤, too, will join us.
what can so delay zenesta̤ and poole? even as i speak of our wingless angels they are approaching, and as usual are as radiant and joyous as two seraphs. ah, you tardy ones, you have completely upset our plans. through your and ha-moufi's simultaneous arrival we had thought to overwhelm gentola̤.
poole—should we offer the whys and wherefores of our late arrival you would not find yourselves edified. so i shall only say that it was unavoidable. gentola̤, 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 lessened, all of which rejoices all of us. from your dearest ones in our spirit world i bear to you fondest greetings and measureless love, which, with my own, i express in this embrace. but tell me, my sister,
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have you at any time regretted having given yourself to this grand mission?
gentola—indeed no. 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 existence. 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 existence, in which i find myself so painfully sensitive that i shrink from much that previous to this experience, scarcely, if at all, disturbed me. still i do not regret having given myself to this service, for through it i have learned that i am my brothers' keeper, and that from this duty neither i or any one can, if they would, escape. having learned this lesson, i cannot, if i would, escape knowledge of the injustice, cruelty, ignorance and degradation prevailing on our sorrowful star, and at thought of it my soul grows faint. you assure me that through evolution earth's immature peoples will, as have the entoans, become elevated in their ideas of right, and i do not doubt it, but in the meantime one must lament the miseries of to-day. nearly all of earth's peoples believe more or less in a continuity of existence, in heaven, hell or in some unknown condition of rewards and punishments, yet neither that or any other belief prevents them from persecuting and even killing each other. 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 ethics, and is it thought that a knowledge of continuous existence will render them a more just or moral people?
de l'ester—observation of the peoples of various planets, including earth and ento, leads us to the conclusion that religious beliefs exert but a very limited influence
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upon the inner life and conduct of either individuals or peoples, such limited influence being of a reflex character. certainly spiritual ideals are the outgrowth of evolution of individuals, and in a tardier degree of peoples, and are the natural sequences of the unfoldment of the infolded soul. morality is not a grace of some mental process, but a principle inherent in the soul of man. it is the objective consciousness of subjective righteousness, and when the soul and the ego are in harmonious relation each with the other a high moral standard is the result. spiritual ideals enunciated by such exalted men as buddha, jesus, confucius and others, were, and yet are, in advance of the masses who do not comprehend them, and by some who dimly catch their meaning they serve as ignes fatui with which they mislead the minds of the ignorant. here and there are those whose souls are irradiated by the light of the divine spirit. these do not kill, or counsel murder of their brethren, neither do they steal, or lie, or indulge in the baser traits of the unevolved human, and in time all of earth's children will so evolve that gladly they will practice ento's golden rule, "i will do unto my neighbor as i would have my neighbor do unto me."
no, simply a knowledge of the continuity of existence will not make the entoans juster or more moral, but it will bring to them happiness immeasurable. they, as it were, now exist within a circle outside of which is nothing. no anticipated renewal of loving ties, no reunion with parents, with children, with consorts or friends. naught for the dead but perpetual silence; naught for the living but hopeless longing for the beloved dead, forever lost to sight, to touch, to all but undying memories and to measureless sorrow.
yes, ancient ento spirits have informed us that long antecedent to the establishment of their religious system
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ento's various races held various religious beliefs and violent religious differences were of common occurrence. like the peoples of our own and other planets they created gods on a level with their evolvement, and loyally fought for their supremacy, but at the time of the establishment of the national religion this chaotic condition was regulated. the creeds of the various sects with their attendant legends, as far as practicable were harmonized and formulated, and thus the sacred writings, the ento confession of faith, became the sacred law from which there was no appeal. these sacred writings contain many admirable lessons, but so inwrought with cruel commandments, puerile conceptions and chimerical legends, that during later centuries the evolved intelligence of priests and peoples gradually has brought about a tacit disuse of rites and ceremonials once strictly observed. the worst feature of these sacred writings is the doctrine of utter annihilation of the life principle, inducing in the minds of the people the hopeless attitude of one ever walking in the shadows of death and despair, but having outgrown some of the worst features of their religion the entoans now are prepared for still larger liberty of thought, and soon they will be released from the bondage of ecclesiastical tyranny. of course, there are priestly zealots, who as far as they may dare, will oppose the introduction of a new religion, 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 silence. gentola̤, 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 them, and that
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from glorious spirit realms radiant angels have proclaimed for them life, life, life forevermore, is the heritage of all of andûmana̤'s children of ento, and of countless worlds in space.
nay, gentola̤, not another question, for inevitably soon we will be called to da̤o, so we must improve the hours remaining to us. there are features of this city that would interest you and bernard but we must defer the pleasure to a more opportune time. i now may say to you that the approaching climax of our mission will not at all end it, and although it will not be necessary that you shall continuously accompany us, emergencies are likely to arise in which your services will be of vital importance. at such times we may take advantage of your presence on the planet to observe much that now we cannot even glance at. in pursuance of our plans we will survey other irrigated regions and adjacent waste lands, thus you and bernard will acquire a general knowledge of a large portion of ento.
gentola—do not make too much of my now seeing this or that. i am not over curious and can wait for times that may be more propitious for observing whatever may be instructive or interesting.
de l'ester—it is my opinion that curiosity is not strictly a feminine trait. as for you, you are incurious to a fault. you would have been an admirable eve.
gentola—i am not so sure of that, but certainly i never would have looked at, much less have listened to such a monstrosity as a talking serpent.
george—gentola̤, bernard is resolved to share with me the pleasure of assisting you. dear boy, you grow so strong that i suspect you soon will oust me altogether.
bernard—i wish i were strong enough to assist you unaided, and, mother, dear, soon i shall be.
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de l'ester—if you two boys have arrived at a decision as to who shall assist our traveller, we will rise a little higher so as to gain a more comprehensive view of this large and very beautiful city, which is one of the greatest manufacturing centres of ento. below us now is an extensive shipyard where are built and launched into that extensive basin many of ento's largest vessels; thence they find their ways through nearly all the navigable waters of the planet. toward the southeast you may observe a series of large buildings. in them are constructed air transports and various motor vehicles.
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 industry. those wide spreading groves, to which at times we have called your attention, afford sustenance for the myriads of cocoon producing worms, which, structurally, are exactly like the silkworm of our planet. zenesta̤ informs us that since very ancient times the silk industry has for the most part been in the hands of certain peoples, and as an inheritance is transmitted from generation to generation of the same families who have become experts in all pertaining to it. dyeing processes are similar to some in use on earth, though ento chemists also produce exquisite dyes from atmospheric substances as yet unknown to chemists of our planet, but during the coming century in this direction they will make surprising discoveries.
on the further bank of the river, embowered amid great palmlike trees and other greenery is a group of imposing buildings, their white walls and domed summits presenting a very picturesque and handsome appearance. george, we will approach them more nearly. gentola̤, in those commodious structures are housed all the homeless infirm and homeless aged persons of this province, and truly in the fullest sense possible it is a home, for the care of the in
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mates is regarded as a sacred trust, and they receive every attention that love and a high sense of duty can suggest. you have been told that the entoans regard life as the most precious of all possessions, and that it may be prolonged to the utmost is their chiefest desire. those who live to an unusual age are regarded as being specially favored by the god phra (death), and they receive tenderest care and marked consideration. this and like beneficent institutions are known as roûva̤ nû vastimo odallissa̤a̤. translated into your language this would mean home for the fortunate. zenesta̤ says that my translation is not quite correct. i should have said favored, not fortunate, ones.
yes, i am aware that on our planet, particularly among so termed civilized peoples, there is small sympathy for such unfortunates as fill insane asylums. in such institutions we often witness fiendish cruelties perpetrated by semi-savage attendants upon helpless unfortunates. cruelty in all its manifestations is the unerring indication of savagery, hence individuals or peoples who entertain low views as to their duties toward the aged, 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 being. as there is no escape from the consequences of one's acts, the fate of undutiful children, of unfaithful friends, of cruel and selfish guardians of the poor and helpless is not an enviable one, for on the spirit side, to their lasting regret they must learn the full meaning of personal atonement.
in every province are roûva̤ nû vastimo odallissa̤a̤, and nowhere on ento is one man, woman or child homeless or without ample care and kindliest protection.
what a glorious day this is. the atmosphere is vibrant with life giving forces and how grand it is to be conscious
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of one's existence and of the ever unfolding capabilities inherent in the ego. at thought of it my exultation is beyond expression.
gentola̤, is not the view wonderfully fine? the engineering skill which has so perfected the vast irrigating and waterways system in itself is marvellous, all the more so when one considers the peculiar difficulties encountered and surmounted. see that huge vessel coming so swiftly from the northeast. 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 planet.
gentola—certainly such results of applied electricity and of vibratory force are amazing, and while observing vessels great and small rushing along at what to me appears dangerous speed, continually i anticipate accidents, which thus far have not occurred. transports, too, traverse the air apparently as secure as birds on wing, and great trains of tuzamos, at a speed that to me is appalling, come and go without exciting more than passing attention.
de l'ester—naturally these features must impress you, but at this time i cannot more than repeat that the speed and movements of all vessels and other conveyances are carefully regulated, and that the entoans regard it as a supreme duty to guard from injury themselves and others.
george, that we may afford our travellers a view of wa̤na̤ vinostû yarû (expiatory fire fountain) we will move toward the northeast. we are nearing the phenomenal marvel from which clouds of steam are rising and violently swirling as they are dissipated in the atmosphere. sunbeams falling athwart the vaporous clouds tint them with rainbow hues, and like those of a kaleidoscope, ever the shapes are changing into new forms of loveliness. now we perceive a boiling, bubbling lake, at intervals pulsing
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upward, upward to the rim of the massive stone wall inclosing it, and now slowly it subsides to again and again repeat the singular movement. once the basin of the lake was an active volcano, 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 crater, whose ever lessening diameter is little more than a mile, but whose depth is so incredible that i hesitate to state it. von humboldt, will you further inform us concerning this expression of nature's ever surpassing handiwork?
von humboldt—soon after entering the spirit world i became acquainted with lief bjornson, a learned norwegian, who informed me that frequently he had visited this planet, and that with some ancient ento spirits he had thoroughly explored it. also, he informed me that among other interesting features of ento, near the northern boundary of the irrigating and waterways system, there was a hot water lake which periodically overflowed, occasioning engineers and laborers much annoyance and destroying all adjacent vegetation. later on he again visited the locality and found the lake inclosed within a substantial wall of masonry. 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 religion. my natural tendencies augmenting my curiosity i took advantage of a recent visit to the planet to investigate the phenomenon. the diameter of the nearly circular lake is, as de l'ester has said, a little over one mile, its depth varying with the flow and ebb of its volume of boiling water, which at regular intervals sinks downward, downward, until to mortal vision it becomes imperceptible. during the day the pulsating
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lake is at flood, but with the decline of the sun it ebbs downward, and twilight falls over an abyss whose depth more than equals its diameter. as i with my ento friends hovered over the emptied crater, 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 lake, believing it tenanted by offending gods, condemned by andûmana̤ to dwell there as an expiation of some misdemeanor. will our friend hugh miller, who has examined the geological formation of this locality, give to us the result of his observations?
hugh miller—we are aware that on ento, as on other planets volcanic activities afford a vent for the surplusage of interior energies, which ever are more or less phenomenal, but as i must confine myself to our present subject, i only shall say that a personal examination of this locality assured me and those accompanying me, that in a remote age in this and the adjacent region a volcanic group existed, which as ento's interior heat lessened, became inactive and at length this, the greatest of the group, alone remained intermittently active, and at the time of the seismic convulsion this was its condition. to explain its present phenomenal features would consume more time than we can afford, but on some other occasion, if desirable, i may do so. i, however, may say that the energies which have levelled the once elevated cone of this crater have obliterated all surface traces of its lesser neighbors, whose location only spirit vision perceives. where was the spring fed lake? at no great distance northward, and its extent was from north to south about thirty miles, from east to west quite twenty miles.
gentola—i am greatly interested in this peculiar scene, and in what has been said concerning it. i cannot conceive of a more beautiful spectacle of its kind, and i can
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liken those volumes of heaving, swirling, tumultuous, iridescent vapor to nothing but an enormous fountain of all manner of jewels, tossed hither and thither in bewildering confusion.
george—well said, well said, gentola̤. your simile is so well chosen, that not even my brilliant imagination is equal to conjuring up a fitter one. beauteous wonder, may time touch thee so lightly that when centuries hence we again may gaze on thee not one of thy jewels shall be missing.
de l'ester—bravo, bravo, george. now we all are convinced that the quality of your imagination and the quantity of your modesty are equally balanced, and altogether admirable. our chaffing at an end we now will move southward, then eastward. higher, george, still higher, so that we may obtain the widest view possible of the underlying regions and of fondorûveh, which soon will come under our observation. fondorûveh (named after its founder, tamon fondorûveh) contains about two hundred thousand inhabitants and possesses some of the largest chemical works on ento in which are prepared great quantities of condensed foods, the product of grains, fruits, vegetables and atmospheric substances. that statement need not so surprise you, as some of your scientists are of the opinion that your atmosphere holds all the elements composing your varied food supply, and in time earth's chemists will learn, as the entoans have learned, how to utilize these elements, thus greatly simplifying domestic cares, and adding to the general welfare of the peoples. no, the entoans do not adulterate their food supplies. they are not given to taking or administering poisons under another name.
yes, these regions present a sameness of landscape, yet once the surface was as varied as is the larger portion of
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our planet. the same forces that have levelled the surface of ento gradually are levelling the great snow crowned mountain chains of earth. the towering alps, the vast mystery laden himalayas, the tremendous sierras, to mortal mind appear as indestructible as the globe itself, yet during every passing moment their disintegrated particles, through the agencies of melting snows, of rains, or of tempestuous winds are being borne to all parts of the ever changing surface of earth. the existence of a planet being of such inconceivable duration, the passing of a thousand years is as the passage of a fleecy cloud across the sky, leaving no traces of its vanished loveliness. ten thousand years hence the appearance of earth's great mountain chains will not have perceptibly changed, yet their disintegrated particles will have filled depressions, raised the beds of oceans and of lakes and changed the courses of all flowing waters, 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 passing. 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 lowered, 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 conception. from these centres will radiate the accumulated knowledge of ages, and as do the entoans, the peoples will understand that though knowledge is power, it may be made to serve evil purposes, but that wisdom, the fadeless flower of soul culture, ever is divinely beneficent.
gentola̤, we all are conscious that our reiterated instruction may, to you, become tiresome, but through this
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process you now possess a comprehensive idea of the social conditions of the entoans, of their high ethical standards, of their universal prosperity, of their advanced knowledge concerning such sciences as their religion has permitted them to investigate, of their admirable proficiency in the various arts, and of their exceedingly lofty conception of the love principle which permeates their entire being, rendering them so unselfish, so ready to serve each other, so devoted to righteous deeds, that indeed they have entered the kingdom of good.
for the present we will turn our attention in another direction, for yonder is fondorûveh, extending eastward to the boundary line between this province, ha̤ mûyen and that named effondelusa̤. fondorûveh is to camarissa̤ nearly an antipodal city, for since we left camarissa̤, though we have afforded you a comprehensive view of the equatorial and the north and partly of the south temperate zones, we constantly have been tending eastward a distance of more than five thousand miles, and now we are nearing the present terminus of the irrigating and waterways system. we do not consider it expedient to alight in fondorûveh, but we will pass over it slowly so that you and our lad may perceive its extent, and most noticeable architectural and other features. like those of most ento cities its principal streets are provided with waterways, on which we perceive numerous small passenger or ware laden boats passing to and fro, and, as is usual, on either side of the waterways are wide, well paved streets for the accommodation of pedestrians and motor vehicles. yes, 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 city. it now is high noon, and should we enter yonder beautiful temple we would behold a multitude
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of worshippers engaged in adoration of andûmana̤, the supreme one. yes, we have been in it and in all other fine structures of ento.
i have mentioned that fondorûveh is quite a modern city, but deep down under its foundation are the ruins of what in ancient times was a more extensive, populous and affluent fondorûveh. centuries antecedent to the inauguration of the irrigating and waterways system, the increasing aridity of this region obliged the rural, and in time the urban population to emigrate elsewhere, and finally the ancient fondorûveh was abandoned and gradually felt into ruinous decay, and in time the annual floods and tempestuous winds buried its crumbling structures under masses of débris or shifting sands. 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 conditions. 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 fondorûveh, which is in evidence in all the glory of modern architecture and modern appliances. could the ancient ruins exchange sentiments, what a shaking of heads and raising of eyebrows would ensue. almost, one can fancy them sighing over the glories of the past, the degeneracy of the present, and the uncertain future of the presumptuous young upstart so serenely sitting on the ruins of its betters.
now we will move on. almost suddenly the scenery is changing. the country on our right and left grows a little more broken and away southward are some low hills, the vestiges of former mountainous elevations, curving in an eastward course until they are lost in the distance. the entire region wears an appearance of newness, and
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its many pretty towns, 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 observed. a few more years will bring to greater maturity much that is in an incomplete state, and trees and shrubs and glowing blooms will make of this recently desert country a veritable paradise, populated by a happy and prosperous people.
before reaching the eastern terminus of the system i will inform you that the waterway to our left, having reached a certain locality its further progress was stayed by two peculiar barriers which have occasioned a prodigious outlay of time, energy and means. for a time engineers thought them nearly impregnable, but chemistry coming to their aid with explosives of tremendous energy, the work of demolition began, and so successfully has it proceeded that ere long through both barriers the kemina̤ loisa̤vaon (central waterway) will find passageway eastward. now we will stay our flight and you will tell us what you see.
gentola—i see quite an extensive oval lake inclosed by a great wall whose inner surface is so smooth as to present a peculiar appearance. at its southern extremity is a mountainous mass, and from there the height of the wall decreases until at its northern limit it is only slightly above the level of the water, which is as unruffled as the face of a mirror. 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 completion. also i see trains of tramway cars bearing away the débris, which does not resemble ordinary stone. nearby is quite a village of wooden structures and tents, which i presume are occupied by laborers and others engaged in the destruction of the wall. on the
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irrigating canals small boats are coming or going as silently as though steersmen and passengers may be deaf and dumb. these entoans are such silent folk that they impress me with a sense of sadness. an air transport is coming from toward the east, and—see, see, its passengers are throwing flowers down to the workmen and are calling, "loha̤û, loha̤û, ēmanos." what a strange, strange scene. i wish some of our earth folk might witness it, for should i tell of it i fear that no one would credit my story.
de l'ester—be not disturbed; fulfill the mission for whose accomplishment you returned into mortal existence, and leave to coming years and enlightened minds a justification of what you and we know to be a simple statement of facts. yes, the material composing the wall of the lake is somewhat peculiar. during some early age of the planet one of its satellites, unable to resist the attractive force of its parent, with tremendous impetus and in a state of high incandescence, rushed on to its surface, striking it at a low angle and plowing deeply into its bosom. in its furious progress it distributed its molten matter in the form of a deep oval basin, until its energy, and largely its volume being spent, its career ended in the deposition of the mountainous mass you have observed. yes, the constituents of all celestial bodies are the same, and when suddenly reduced from a state of high incandescence to a condition of solidity a sort of vitrefaction results, and that is what occurred to ento's satellite when in such hot haste it returned to the bosom of its parent.
your conjecture is correct, for soon the passageway through both walls will be completed, and ere long vessels will be crossing to the further side of the lake beyond which the system steadily is progressing.
gentola—i should like to witness the opening of the
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waterway. i imagine that it will be a fine spectacle to see great vessels rushing through the wide gateway into the lake.
de l'ester—without doubt it will be a stirring occasion, but it will not occur previous to the culmination of our mission. however we promise you that, conditions being propitious, in a body we will come to escort you hither to witness the entrance of the first great vessel into the placid water of etzoina̤ loisa̤ (placid water). we now will proceed to view the vitreous mass at its southern extremity, which will remain a perpetual evidence of a not unusual disaster. planets in their earlier formative processes throw off into space masses of matter of greater or lesser magnitude. when the projective energy is not forceful enough to hurl them sufficiently beyond the attractive energy of the planet, quickly they are drawn back, and within its body, otherwise they become small globes, and through specific conditions and activities for an indefinite length of time they serve as satellites. in this instance the indications are that the disaster occurred while yet the crust of ento was comparatively thin, and certainly previous to the appearance of organized life forms, consequently no serious results could have ensued. what the dimensions of the satellite were we cannot certainly say, but from a careful estimate we conclude that its bulk was about equal to that of ementola̤. we do not consider it desirable to at this time enter into details, but i may say that the basin of the lake is little less than seventeen miles long and a little over eleven miles wide.
gentola—you say that the disaster which resulted in the formation of the basin and this great vitreous mass is not an unusual one; if then it might be possible for entola̤ and ementola̤ to some time suffer a like disaster,
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would they in their flight through space and at the moment of impact with the planet be in a molten condition?
de l'ester—your question is very apropos, and bruno shall have the pleasure of replying to it.
bruno—thanks for your consideration. gentola̤, you may remember that once on our way to ento we, in compliance with your desire, alighted on entola̤. 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 forms. your supposition as to a possible contingency is, i regret to say, a fact so inevitable that it is not an agreeable one to contemplate. 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 state. at what period these catastrophes may occur no one can certainly determine, but they will occur.
activities of the universe may be likened to "the mills of the gods." slowly but surely, with absolute accuracy, they each to all others adjust themselves, thus no displacement of substance ever creates a vacuum. thus it occurs that the activities concerned in the certain displacement and destruction of entola̤ and ementola̤ are so precise, so minute, 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 mind, but when the momentous period shall arrive the inner satellite will plunge onto ento's surface with necessarily disastrous consequences, much depending upon the locality of its impact. no, it will not destroy the planet, but it will jar it to its very centre. ementola̤, the outer satellite, being the smaller one, possibly, nay probably, may first suffer extinction, but of course that is a matter of conjecture. have i made my reply intelligible?
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gentola—quite so, but i rather regret having asked the question to which you so satisfactorily have replied. why? well, i like to regard god as all knowing, all powerful, and wholly beneficent. possessing such attributes, naturally one asks, why does he permit such disasters to occur? spirits freed from the environments of the physical plane, with senses quickened to a degree that mortals cannot comprehend, may adjust themselves to occurrences and conditions which to me are deplorable and terrifying, for i confess that i shrink aghast from a contemplation of some of the effects of what science terms natural law, back of which it would seem there must be a lawmaker who arbitrarily adjusts all things, both good and evil. tell me, friends, have you become so reconciled to the apparently unequal relation between the creator and the created, that unreservedly you can say, "whatever is is right?" for instance, should entola̤ and ementola̤, through the activity of natural law, be forced from their orbits and onto the planet, with such attendant horrors as appalls one to think of, would you then say, "whatever is is right?" cognizant as you are of the cataclysms, earthquakes, destructive storms, wars and other frightful events occurring on ento, on earth and on other planets, can you candidly say, "whatever is is right?"
de l'ester—you are too deeply moved. i pray you to tranquillize yourself, else we cannot hold you, and you may suffer injury. believe me, believe us, when, as now, we declare that in our spirit consciousness only a recognition of good is possible. conscious mortal mind is unable to perceive beyond the plane of mortal being; only the subconscious or spirit self rises to the height of real perception. although now you are partly freed from physical influences, you yet are held on the plane of mortal being, and cannot comprehend that which spiritually you but
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dimly perceive. although spiritually you realize that the infinite all pervading one is wholly good, your mortal consciousness is so dominant that, like all mortals, you yet are seeking the shadows of physical demonstrations and are slow to comprehend that the activities of the universe are harmonious realities, working through intelligent means, toward intelligent ends, and that ever the ends are good, for evil, per se, does not exist. along all lines progress, like the fabled phœnix, rises from the ashes of consumed ignorant conceptions concerning spirits, and out of seeming evils positive good emerges. only conscious mortal mind fears death and disaster. like an armed warrior it stands at the entrance of the citadel of mortal existence, challenging all invaders. it is the human soul arrayed against intangible, supposable foes, who ofttimes are unrecognized friends.
to freed spirits, aware of their indestructibility, and of their inherent tendency toward ever ascending planes of progression, the ever changing conditions of substance are of but slight moment. 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 disasters. so assured are we that out of apparent evil only good, or what is the same, higher conditions must result, that in all sincerity, unitedly we declare that not only do we believe, but we realize, that whatever is is right.
we perceive that you do not wholly agree with our conclusions, but time will not end to-morrow, and you may change your mind. also we perceive that your natural love of life inclines you to cling to mortal conditions, and that is well, for your experiences yet lack completeness. but be assured that when the change termed death shall come to you you will be undismayed, and in our spirit
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world, with serenity you will regard the dreamlike memories of your past terrors and dread anticipations. with unquestioning trust you then will realize that the infinite intelligent energy is only good.
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 clouds, 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 basin, in whose rim and bottom, during cooling and contraction great crevices opened through which annual floods have poured and perennial springs have welled up from their depths, thus affording an unfailing supply of clear, cold, delicious water. no, the eastern wall of the lake will not be wholly pierced until the system shall be prepared to receive the outflowing water, and that will be later than the culmination of our mission. to the entoans this lake ever has been a mystery. were they learned in astronomy they of course would understand its origin.
from its eastern wall onward around the planet to the western shore of indoloisa̤, the lands of this torrid zone generally are so arid as to be altogether infertile. at intervals there are limited oases where, through natural or other means, the soil is sufficiently moist to admit of cultivation. the inhabitants, through air transportation, enjoy communication and association with other peoples.
in our progress eastward we will cross several low mountain ranges, a number of lakes and some inconsiderable streams flowing from the north and losing themselves in the oases of which i have spoken, and soon we will near a rather extensive lake on whose northeastern shore is a city of about three hundred thousand inhabitants. its name roûva̤ (favored) probably was chosen because it is favored
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by an abundant water supply. but i shall not further anticipate what presently you will have the pleasure of observing.
this seems an opportune time to inform you that this morning, previous to our coming for you, we visited da̤o, finding all things relating to our mission indicating a successful issue. valloa̤, pallid as a white lily, is as a bird poised for flight, her senses so marvellously quickened that she perceives and converses with the radiant ones surrounding her. dano, too, unfolds surprisingly, and eagerly, anxiously awaits the fulfillment of your promise to be with him in his hour of supremest trial. through grief over the certainty that his idolized child nears the end of her young life, omanos fûnha̤ is wellnigh prostrated. only through the dawning hope of again finding his adored daughter, the wife of his youth, and other dear ones, is his despair a little lessened, and bravely he smiles into the troubled eyes and wan, lovely face that soon will wear the reposeful smile of the dead.
now, friends, we must attend to material affairs. the region over which we are passing is a reminder of an american desert, minus a fauna and flora, of which there is no indication, but when the beneficent system shall have watered its parched soil all that will be changed. gentola̤, you perceive that away northward and southward there are irrigated tracts, made possible through immense reservoirs which the annual floods fill to repletion, and which with the addition of occasional showers, suffices to moisten the thirsty lands. also there are deep wells which supply water for domestic and other purposes. certainly the general government spares neither expense or labor for the protection of those engaged in the conflict with such adverse forces. yes, doubtless, in time, the system will reclaim ento's entire waste lands, and again the
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equatorial regions will become the most fertile and populous portions of the planet.
for the reason that the waste over which we have passed offers little to either instruct or interest you or our dear lad, bernard, we have journeyed rather hurriedly. for the scientist, deep under its surface there are treasures untold. histories of races so ancient that neither record or legend hints of who or what has been buried there. 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 lands, but as no atom of the universe can go astray or cease to be, somewhere those ancient ones yet are living, loving and filling their allotted places among the countless myriads of the children of the infinite father, mother god.
before us, gleaming in the sunlight, is hûnda̤ffon (name of andûmana̤'s cup bearer) and lining its northwestern shore and gracing its slightly rising background is roûva̤ tylû, one of ento's ancient cities. we will alight on yonder lofty temple dome, near the centre of the city.
george—although previously i have passed this way, i have not looked through this antiquated city, so with your approval, friends, genessano, bernard and i will make a hurried exploration of its highways and byways.
de l'ester—your pleasure is ours, and you, zenesta̤, who are so well versed in the histories of ento's ancient and modern cities, will kindly relate whatever you may know of roûva̤.
zenesta hao—with somewhat of pleasure and somewhat of sadness i shall comply with your request. 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-embodiment. you who understand the law know that in referring to my parents i mean those through whom i
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last was reborn into mortal existence, and who were a newly wedded pair, wealthy, cultivated and possessed of virtues of an exalted nature. see you yonder stately dwelling nearby whose portals a fountain throws into the air its silvery spray? in that dwelling the angels of the visitation found for me suitable environments for my rebirth, and when i grew self-conscious i found myself cradled on the bosom and gazing into the eyes of the loveliest and gentlest of women. as an infant thinks, so thought i of a wonderful past existence, but i looked into my mother's lovelit eyes and i forgot, i forgot. soon for me was naught but a blessed present, the present of my mother's caresses, the present when from her fair breasts i drew into my life a part of her life, and the days passed, and as other children unfold, so did i until three birth anniversaries had marked the passing years of my mortal existence, then an awful shadow began to creep over our threshold. my lovely, gentle mother, who, from the time of my birth, had not been strong, rapidly grew weaker, and my father, in an agony of grief and terror scarcely left her side. as memory recalls that sorrowful time, i see the look of fear and despair in my mother's eyes, and i hear her pathetic appeals to the physicians, to my father, to save her life, to hold her fast, lest death might tear her from her husband, from her child, but the shadow crept nearer, ever nearer, and child as i was, her prayers for succor, and my father's moans and sobbing cries to andûmana̤, to phra̤, to the gods to save the dear life so surely ebbing away, filled me with terror indescribable.
at the last my father sought to keep me away from the closing scene of my mother's life, 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 hers, and her breathing grew fainter, fainter, and after a little
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ceased and there was silence, and the dear arms relaxed their caress, the throbbing heart-beats were stilled, 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 resting. in terror i reached out my arms, crying, "father! father!" no answer came to my cries, but a moment later alarmed attendants hurried into the apartment and lifted me from my dead mother's breast. as they bore me away some one raised my father's head, and on his face, too, was the calm of death, and from his lips a crimson stream fell upon my mother's white robe.
pardon me, friends, i had not meant to sadden you, or to wet my own eyes with infrequent tears over the memories of a bygone time.
after the untimely death of my parents i was cared for by my father's brother until, as a pupil, i was placed in the galarēsa̤ of camarissa̤, which, i may say, thereafter was my home until i joined my dear ones in our spirit realms. your sympathetic expressions assure me that i have not too greatly presumed in offering this recital of my earliest days, recalled through viewing remembered scenes of my childhood and of later years.
now i will hasten to acquaint you with a condensed history of this really ancient city. fourteen ento centuries ago roûva̤ was a rich and very populous city, situated on ground so elevated as to afford an extended view of the expanse of hûndaffon and somewhat of the lands beyond its further shore. a reliable historian of that period says: "from some very ancient writings in my possession i have learned that in remote times the region north of roûva̤ was broken by mountainous elevations and vales through which tumultuous streams found their way into loisa̤ hûndaffon, which in the spring season overflowed its banks to the great detriment of contigu
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ous low lying lands." the historian to whom i have alluded was lotis oovan issillo, whose writings are considered standards of excellence. of the ancient writings of which he makes mention no trace remains, but through ancient ento spirits we know that their statements were correct. during the passing centuries unfavoring conditions have greatly changed roûva̤, which retains but slight traces of its ancient greatness. still it is an attractive and quite prosperous city.
hûndaffon is about thirty english miles long and quite twenty miles wide. through continuous dredging its depth of about two hundred feet is maintained, and largely it furnishes irrigation for certain low south lands, and affords carriage for various craft plying between roûva̤ and villages along its shores. toward the northwest we perceive a very considerable river pouring its sparkling waters into the lake, the fine bridge spanning it affording communication between the two divisions of the city. this river, which now is the only stream of importance flowing into hûndaffon, is known as somû-ikaton (blessing river). it rises in the far north, and truly it is appropriately named, for its life giving water supplies ample irrigation for the lands lying along its length, from which agricultural and other communities derive sustenance. along its shores are towns and villages in which are excellent schools, libraries, temples and other features for the advancement and enjoyment of highly cultivated communities. from loisa̤ hûndaffon northward the river has been deepened and widened, culminating at its head in an immense reservoir, which we have learned is to be increased to twice its present dimensions. the river, too, is to be further deepened and widened, that it may afford carriage for vessels of large tonnage. during the efficient administration of omanos fûnha̤ many extensive reser
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voirs have been constructed and flowing streams deepened and widened, the growing needs of the people demanding the exercise of all possible means favoring their natural, therefore just, requirements. you are aware that ento's entire public works are owned and maintained by the general government, thus abuses of privileges, consequently of peoples, are avoided, 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 planet. then, too, knowledge of the coming new religion will usher in universal happiness where now is universal sadness.
you express surprise at the stupendous excavations that have been and now are being made on ento. generally one ceases to wonder at an accomplished fact, so i perhaps cannot quite appreciate your state of mind, my last rebirth having occurred long after such excavations had become a common feature of ento. many centuries previous to the inception of the system, through the agencies of scientific appliances, excavations of ento's light, porous soil were easily accomplished. to render them watertight was the greatest embarrassment, but through the formation of a conglomerate cement for linings of reservoirs, canals and the like science arranged that difficulty. the great waterways also are lined with a combination of cement and stone, the exceeding porosity of the soil requiring it.
i now will conclude my reminiscences associated with roûva̤. 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 parents, but at length age and infirmity disinclining me for further journeyings, in a manner agreeable to my sense of justice i disposed of my possessions and as i then thought bade a last farewell to
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roûva̤. since then it appears to have but slightly changed, yet i doubt not ere long it shall find itself within the hospitable embrace of the system, it will so rejuvenate itself as to again become one of the foremost cities of ento.
de l'ester—for having afforded us an interesting half hour we are your debtors. certainly it is a surprise to learn that in this city your last rebirth occurred, and that in yonder stately kinos draped residence your earliest ento experiences came to you. since we all at one time or another have tasted of the sweets of joy and the bitterness of sorrow, we know how to sympathize with the joys and sorrows of others, and what sorrow is so pathetic as that of a young child soul, whose tender feet are essaying their first steps upon the rugged pathway of mortal existence. no, gentola̤, repeated embodiments do not inure the mortal expression of the ego to the sorrows and vicissitudes of the physical plane, but through such experiences the ego evolves into loftier, grander states of being. does the ego and its mortal expression mutually experience joy and sorrow? aye, truly, but the ego knows, while the objective expression or soul only sees through a glass darkly. only the fully freed ego is capable of comprehending this occult statement, so patiently you will await its solution.
here are our explorers. have you found aught of interest?
george—we only have glanced here and there, but can assure you that we might linger here for a day and then leave this hoary roûva̤ with regret. it is so quaint, so enchanting, that i propose that some time when you and my sister may feel so inclined we will again bring you to roûva̤, that together we all may view its many objects of interest. you will be delighted to come? then that
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matter is settled, and bernard will relate an incident of our half hour ramble that may amuse you.
bernard—mother, dear, you should have seen how george startled a young priest who stood in the doorway of a temple talking to an elderly, dignified personage. as we approached them the priest said: "yes, yes, we are hearing of strange proceedings in many places, but more particularly in the palace of our supreme ruler, where the princess valloa̤ is thought to be dying. may the pitiful gods prolong her days. think of it, sir, think of it, it is openly said that prince dano, as also the princess valloa̤, declare by the gods that they both see and converse with those who long have been in the silence, and whose ashes attest to their nothingness. your pardon, sir, but truly it is so very absurd that i cannot forbear smiling when i think of what prince dano has given utterance to. why, he goes so far as to assert that not only has he talked with the dead, but with a woman who says she belongs to a world somewhere in space. i cannot at this moment recall the name of this world, and have not learned where it is supposed to be located, but he declares that she not only spoke to him, but touched him, yes, sir, really touched him. of course this is the merest hallucination, for persons of healthful minds never are subject to such vagaries. it is true that in past times on momentous occasions the gods have, and do now, speak to our high priests, and with the most high priest of the inner temple zim, but with the people, never. fancy yourself, sir, indulging in such wild imaginings as that the dead, or a being from an unimaginable world have spoken to you, or what is quite as impossible, touched——" just then george touched him on the extended right hand, and with a start instantly he stopped talking, and for a moment looked at his hand, then glanced about him with such a perplexed ex
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pression that the man with whom he was speaking regarded him with some surprise, and an inquiry as to what had disquieted him. recovering himself, he attempted to explain that he had experienced a peculiar sensation, but he got no further, for george gave him such a palpable touch on his left hand, then on his face, that he cried out in terror: "save me, andûmana̤, save me, save me," and fled through the temple and out at a rear door, leaving the dignified personage in a state of bewilderment. mother, it was such a droll performance that i shall laugh whenever i think of it. oh, no, i did not understand what the priest said; george translated it for me.
de l'ester—george, if your exploit is not altogether commendable, at least it is amusing, and certainly you have given the priest who evidently is a sensitive, a novel experience, which may serve as a stepping stone toward his later enlightenment. i fancy that he will not relate his strange experience to his superiors, who already are greatly agitated over the weird reports with which the air is vibrant, and which soon will be so augmented as to overwhelm both priests and people.
roûva̤, we now must say to you info oovistû. the hours are swiftly passing and at any moment we may be called upon to turn our faces toward da̤o. no, we do not consider valloa̤'s departure imminent, but in her devitalized state it soon may occur, and we must hold ourselves in readiness for our part in the closing scene of the momentous occasion.
george, we will rise to a greater height, so that gentola̤'s vision may command extensive views of the countries over which we shall pass. it is not likely that we shall alight more than twice between roûva̤ and the western shore of indoloisa̤.
ah, gentola̤, you have grown weary. in our eagerness
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to afford you views of many things we forget that you are not like ourselves, tireless. george will escort bernard to his bright home, so make your adieus to him and our friends, and then i shall bear you swiftly to your home, where ere now you should have arrived.
in no more than five minutes we have crossed the space between ento and earth. yes, a speedy passage, but when again you shall be a freed spirit, you will journey with the quickness of thought.
i pray you to retire early and rest; rest until to-morrow, when we will come for you.
adieu.
