We were more than surprised with admiration, when we visited the kitchen department, in which the manipulations were conducted with such ease and purity, that our previous ideas entertained of housekeeping were quite confounded. During our inspection of the kitchen, the busy hands of a detachment of young maidens were engaged in the preparation of food for the midday collation; their faces the while were beaming with the rays of unspeakable gladness, and their eyes in condimental purity imparted luxurious joy, as a relishing foretaste to the edible results of their culinary pastimes. In keeping the bright glow of the unique utensils, of beautifully alloyed gold, reflected in the convex and concave radiance of their disks the lustrous embodiment of maidenly proportions, with faces comically imaged in grotesque contrast with the reality. The dwarfed reduction of their graceful forms and faces to a semblance in breadth of visaged mouth, nose, cheek, and eyes, to the chattel biddy instincts who hold untidy supremacy in the kitchen departments of civilization, gave a mirthful vitality to the metallic expression that heightened the ludicrous effect, so that under our watchful gaze, it would occasionally culminate in the voiceful melody of a laugh. Purity and order reigned supreme, so that there was neither odor or speck for insect attraction. The effect of this ruling self-dependence was heightened with vivid impression, from the expression of grateful pride that beamed with the emulative exhibition of their “useful accomplishments.” In their personalities they were so free from adhesive taint, that the atmosphere seemed pervaded with the clarifying transpirations of beings exalted above the grossness of mortality.
Our own unworthy selves, reflected in contrast from the clear transparency of their bodily investments, caused us to shrink abashed from the hallowed precincts that bespoke in their immaculate purity a perfection that we had supposed beyond the reach of mortal attainment. M. Hollydorf, who was of us all the most sensitively mindful in holding himself amenable to the Heraclean example in personal purity, scarcely ventured to cross the threshold, for among the hand-maidens Luocuratia had taken her place, but with her thoughtful face tinged with blushes shadowed from the dawning realm of unrevealed emotions. Her side-glances, timidly regardful in wondering perplexity, surveyed the object of her newborn attraction in thoughtful search for the evidences of reciprocal impression. But the educated society sophistications of M. Hollydorf’s instinctive self clouded the frankness of his expression with the turmoil of impulsive excitement, that rendered him unintelligible and diffident in bearing. This sensitive shield of instinct baffled her longing search for the current impressions of assimilation, imparting to her hands a trembling uncertainty, plainly indicating that her devotions were not fully enlisted for the ritualistic perfection required for the shapely modeling of the oracular cakes intrusted to her leavening touch of purity. To our less enamored vision her touch seemed to impart chaste consecration, for not the slightest stain or discoloration from edible crudity, in preparation for the elaboration of fire, was retained by her hands, so that in contrast we were again inclined to revolt from ourselves. But with all our opposition, intrusive memory forced upon us, with prompted aid, the contrast of swinish priests administering their wafers of dough desecrated by their filthy hands for the unthinking drove specialities of the common herd. In verification of the common impression, the padre whispered to Mr. Welson, “I wish to goodness I dared receive one of those crumpets from her hands, for upon my soul I believe it would shrive me for a taste of purity?”
M. Hollydorf overhearing the padre’s supplication cast upon him a grateful look of appreciation. Admonished by our feelings of grossness, we with reverence retreated beyond the charmed circle, but lingered within view screened by a hedge of rose and honeysuckle, through which our eyes paid worshipful devotion to the digital service of the kitchen nymphs. Without the aid of mystic conjurations, the scene seemed invested with a refinement of purity that exceeded the compass of instinct, raising our capacities for the realization of beauty, with a halcyon blending, for the perception of an enduring affection. Spell-bound within our enclosure, delightfully absorbed with our thoughtful contemplations, and nectarious impressions, varied with occasional voiceful melodies, concerted in time to the movements of busy hands and feet, we were startled from our reveries, and retranslated back to the grossness of appetite, by the exclamation, “Oh, for a Tobias sausage, well underlayed and flanked with gamey kraut, and a mug of foamy lager, for I am as hungry as a bear.”
The body of Dr. Baāhar appeared in the rear of this hungry ejaculation, enveloped in flowers and cuttings bestowed by the teachers from the garden growths cultivated by the pupils. In a moment the carols of the kitchen celestas ceased, and sidelong glances were directed to the hedge to detect the intruder whose guttural accents betrayed the profanity of his petition. The effect produced by this interruption may be truthfully likened to the hush imposed upon the twilight warblings of the water-thrush, swayed in tuneful measure upon the spray by the evening zephyr, and the rippling accompaniment of a flowing stream, when its evening carols are suddenly checked and silenced, for the night, by the croaking heralds of darkness from the sedgy confines of a neighboring bog. Even the padre, whose stomach had many a time and oft remonstrated with indigestive harshness against the introduction of crab salad,—saur-kraut’s English and American cousin,—egg-nogs, brandy smashes, and like poetical compounds for its disposal, stood aghast at this profanation of the divinities’ edible incantations. Finding himself unexpectedly subjected to an array of admonitory glances, his eyes sought through the openings in the hedge the cause of his cool reception, and with its revelation became aware of his invocation’s apostate grossness. As he stood peering through the leafy screen, forgetful of his flowery decorations, he looked like a satyr wood-god of ancient devisement, in orchidean envelope, regaling his sight with a surreptitious view of the grove nymphs while adorning their persons for the festal mysteries.
Correliana, who came with the teachers to escort us to the refectory colonnade, with the desire of the scholars that we would test the relish of their food preparations, aided in disrobing the doctor of his flowery dress; this accomplished we joined the parents and children who were waiting to receive us in the vestibule. The tables were covered with cloths of tinted white interwoven from the fibres of the plantain and tree silk-floss, which produced a novel effect. This cloth was styled Tapalmtræ, a web of lighter texture being used for raiment. When seated, the Dosch addressing us from the platform of the tympano-microscope, which had been transferred from the prætor’s table for the day, asked us to bestow our critical attention upon the cloth, to detect its conservative peculiarities for cleanly protection and rejection of corrupt attaint. The brightness, purity, and softness of the fabric, had not only attracted our attention as consonant with the characteristics of Correliana, on the occasion of our first interview, although reduced for the supply of others’ necessities, to the limits of modesty, in extremity, but had with the scientific zest of curiosity been the subject of speculative investigation after our arrival in Heraclea. But since our introduction to the Manatitlans, it had only attracted our attention, feeling well assured that all in accruance for mutual benefit would in season be made known. “Its apparent peculiarities, in their partial perfection, we have been enabled to bestow upon the Heracleans,” explained the Dosch, “for their advantage during the trials of the siege. Although, from the lack of material, and means of elaboration, imperfect in comparison with our attainments in its illimitable adaptation for the fulfillment of all material requirements for protection, it has subserved with them for the supply of a protective agent to their textile fabrics, conservative in transmissible durability and sanitary purity. Its special adaptative qualities are the extremes of mobility and immobility, and imponderability in degree sufficient for relieving the impressions of weight. These, together with a non-adhesive surface, with a capability for rendering it elastic and non-elastic to either extreme, and indestructible from exposure to the elements, have served as invaluable aids for comfort and their preservation. As an effective aid for increasing the durability of textile fabrics, you can judge when I state that the garments and cloths are heir-looms of centuries’ transmission as well with the Heracleans as with our race; an electrical current keeping them repulsively free from impurity, they are to all intents new to each succeeding generation.”
Padre. “Why, what a boon the art will prove to the world? especially to the poor, who will esteem you their benefactors forevermore.”
Dosch. “It has, with many other attainments, been achieved by goodness for the perfection of purity; and as the miseries of your race are self-inflicted from the stupidity of over-indulgence, its bestowal upon them, in their present state, would prove an encouragement to evil, rather than for its abatement. From this consideration we do not intend to hold ourselves culpable by offering it as a premium for the cultivation of selfish greed and luxurious indulgence. The scientific improvements of your progressive race in the adaptation of vegetable, animal, and metallic productions for the development of their tiger instincts, is quite sufficient for the exemplification of their delusive aspirations, without prostituting the labors of affection for the encouragement of envious hatred.”
Padre. “But do you arrogate to yourselves greater goodness in your decrees than God, who bestows sun and rain on the good and evil alike?”
Dosch. “Your distinction of Creative indications in the bestowal of gifts, is, in delusive appeal an assumption characteristic with sectarianism. It should be evident to perception, that Creative benefactions extend to the whole creation, to the reptile, and monkey, as well as to the higher grades of mankind. But the endowment of humanity with powers of discernment to distinguish between good and evil, is an indication of intention that directly implies the privilege of choice for securing the results of happiness or misery. In other words, if man prostitutes his privilege, and makes a brute of himself, he must expect the living void of bestiality, and incapacity for present happiness, with its affectionate premonitions of immortality.”
When seated, the prætor, while acknowledging the superiority of knives and forks, drew from his hand its transparent glove, offering it as an apology for the use of their fingers in eating, by showing that it was repellant to adhesive matter. Although instructed in the use of chop-sticks, and knives and forks, they were not yet proficient in their use, and would prefer the use of their fingers with their silicoth gloves if the habit would not offend? This accorded, a maiden was self-assigned to each guest who adjusted Mappas (napkins) to their necks. Luocuratia, radiant with blushes and smiles, assumed the charge of M. Hollydorf, assisted by an Indian maiden of singular beauty. Correliana observing the curious interest excited by her presence and others of her race, introduced her by the name of Toitla, as one of their foster sisters of the Betongo tribe, taken when infants and adopted for a hostage education; their parents visiting them whenever an opportunity offered without attracting the notice of their savage allies, a swinging bridge having been constructed for the northern basin of the falls to facilitate their entrance and exit unobserved. “To their gratitude,” she exclaimed with tearful eyes, “we are indebted for the food that preserved us from starvation, when the malignant river savages sowed caterpillars and other noxious grubs upon the wind, from the brink of the precipice, which destroyed our means of subsistence.”