When you reach the “Outer Causeway,” you discover that it is a wide flat pathway, made of concrete bordered with red granite; and that it encompasses or surrounds the whole of the lake. Where it touches the water, at equal distances apart, there stand three hundred and sixty-five rough-cut grey granite pillars; one for every day of the year, each seven feet high, to represent the days of the week. On the top of each of these pillars a perfectly round lamp has been placed; whilst at the foot, iron bolts and rings have been affixed. Thus the Pillars are not only useful for lighting purposes, but they also serve as Moorings for Boats.
Getting into one of the many Ferry Boats that cross from shore to shore, in due course a landing is made on the “Inner Causeway.” Like its namesake, it also is a wide flat pathway; but in this case it is made of White Marble bordered with polished red granite; and it encloses or encompasses the whole of Fairy Island. On its outer rim; that is to say, on the side that touches the water, at equal distances apart, there are placed three hundred and sixty-five pillars of plain burnished copper, each four feet high; and, linked to these, are a double row of brass chains, polished and lacquered to the colour of sunset gold.
At the proper landing places, these chains are detachable, and attendant Fairies are in readiness to remove them as the boats arrive. Passengers are thus enabled to step ashore without inconvenience or trouble.
There are only four landing places; and from each of them runs a white marble path that leads to one of the four City Entrance Gates.
The four gates, which are placed North, East, West and South of the City, are set in a very strong wall of polished red granite, twelve feet high and thirteen inches thick, representative, of course, of the months of a year. Built into, and incorporated with the wall, and made of the same material, at even distances apart, are fifty-two watch towers, each seven feet high, one for each week of a year. These are surmounted by pillars of exquisitely wrought copper, [[47]]capped by star-shaped electric torches that, throughout the livelong night, send their searchlight beams across the Lake.
The Entrance Gates are perfect in proportion and design. They are made of copper; and each bears upon its central shield, in burnished brass, certain singular figures that to those who study them, are full of meaning, and carry many a useful lesson. The Eastern Gate, for example, is ornamented with a truly life-like picture of the Sun rising from a slightly ruffled sea into the cloud-crossed Heavens. In popular phrase, this is known as “Day’s Gate”; but it is really meant to indicate the entry into life, wherein there are many clouds of ignorance and doubt, to be swept away by bringing to bear on them the light of education, thought, and reason.
The Western Gate, quite apart from its geographical position, is easily picked out by reason of the fact that it bears upon its face a striking likeness of the Full Moon bursting through the misty vapours of the night into the high unclouded skies. This is styled “Night’s Gate”; but that is but a poor attempt at imagery, for its purpose is to typify the way in which the pure souls of men and women rise above the mists of death and make their way to the free clear spaces far, far above the world.
On the Northern Gate appears a representation of our own earth, seemingly buffeted about by stormy winds and lightning flashes; but still steadily pursuing its appointed way. The portion of the World most prominently displayed is Australia. In this case the name commonly given is “Earth’s Gate.” It is, however, a very inadequate title, for it is intended to convey the idea that duty and love of country are two of the greatest virtues; and that the endeavour of everyone should be, in spite of trouble or adversity, to continue along the path believed to be right, and in so doing, to remember that one’s native land should ever be uppermost both in private and in public effort.
The Southern Gate has emblazoned upon it a portion of what a poet has described as “That inverted bowl we call the sky.” In this instance the “Milky Way” is pictured; and prominent among the Stars beneath, the Southern Cross is shown. Generally speaking this is called “Heaven’s Gate,” and is a much more expressive [[48]]term than that which has been applied to any of the others. Nevertheless, the name given does not fully cover its inner import or meaning. As is well known, the “Milky Way” is caused by the massing, or bringing close to each other, of a very great number of stars; and, as their lights mingle, there is produced the strange, spilled milk effect, which gave rise to the descriptive appellation. But that is by the way! What it is meant to convey to those seeing it featured on the Gate, is the idea that Heaven’s Gate is guarded by an innumerable host of Angels—milk white in their purity—who will not allow anyone to pass except by right! And only those have the “right” to enter Heaven, who, by their good conduct, truth telling, and straightforwardness, are fit and proper persons to be admitted to the Kingdom of God! The Southern Cross beneath, with its five glowing stars, represents Faith. Not that blind kind of faith which just believes a thing because someone has said that it is true; but one that is based on the fullest use of the five senses of Touch, Taste, Sight, Smell and Hearing, which have been given us as aids to understanding and knowledge.
Such, then, is a brief description of the Gates of Fairy Land; through one of which, to enter the City, everyone must pass. There is but one other remark to make concerning them. Whenever there is any reason for them to be mentioned, the order in which their names are given is always Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern. This is so because the initial letters when put together spell N-E-W-S; and it is in this way that the Fairies contrive to give a constant reminder to everybody interested that they are well informed as to what is taking place in the four quarters of the Globe; without which information, they would, of course, be very sadly behind the times.