We are now through the cloud and can see Venus as a planet perfectly. The air from here it seems to be very clear but quite moist. The instruments indicate an appreciable amount of moisture. They also had indicated the presence of much moisture through the entire width of the dust cloud. It seemed to us more like fog than dust. We thought the presence of fog or moisture that far from a planet was quite a distance, but the scientist says it is not, that planets in other solar systems have similar conditions out that far and farther, but planet Venus and planet Mercury are the only ones in our system having such protective shields, but these two are of different consistency.
We are nearing Venus and the instruments continue to show the presence of a great deal of moisture. The countryside has a lush green covering, proving there is a lot of water on this planet, while the city we are circling a thousand feet above seems more of a fantasy than a reality. Our Martonian host tells us this is the capital of Venus and the largest city on the planet, but to us it looks more like castles built on clouds. The pilots have been circling to enable us to enjoy this beauty to the utmost. Just as they were preparing to land, rain began falling, a regular downpour, and we received a signal from the ground to delay landing for a short time. Such rains seem to be a regular occurrence for we are told by the scientist that they get these downpours here about three times a day during certain seasons of the year, but they are of very short duration.
Now the rain has stopped and we are signalled to land. Many large ships are on the ground here at the airfield, all Venetian with the exception of two: one of these has the insignia of planet Jupiter, while the other has planet Saturn pictured on it.
There are many people at the airport to welcome us, the first Earth men to set foot upon Venus in many centuries. They are cheering as the doors of the ship are opened. Our Martonian host is leading us out. At the door of the ship he is met by a Venetian scientist with whom he shakes hands in greeting and then introduces us.
When Dr. Johnston is introduced as an Earth scientist, he is handed a large bouquet of flowers, a gift from the scientists of Venus. Their fragrance is exhilarating and their texture is as fragile as iridescent webs.
Breathing at first was somewhat difficult since the air is so light but we were able to quickly adjust ourselves so that we can now breathe easily.
Our attention is turned to the people about us who are as beautiful and fine in their form as the flowers in their kingdom. We feel as though they are looking right through us and can actually read our minds. We have been told they are experts in the field of mental telepathy, so we will have to watch our thoughts carefully.
The women are so ethereal that there are not words to describe their beauty and the men seem radiant with mental and physical alertness. The children are joyous and free and remind us of cherubs. We seem to be engulfed with a feeling of kindness and relaxation that comes from these people.
The whole atmosphere is permeated with a prismatic radiation of color that even the buildings reflect.
A magnificent conveyance is coming towards us and as it stops three men step out to greet us. Our Martonian host introduces them to us as the leaders of Venus, Saturn and Jupiter, adding, "Each of these planets, as on Mars, knows no divisions as states or nations. Each planet has one chosen leader who is assisted by a council of representatives of the people. And here too, the leader recognizes his position as an honor and a privilege to serve the people according to the will of the Creator."