Now, George, we will rise and move slowly around Taimon, thus affording Gentola̤ and Bernard a view of the scenery and architecture of the many towns and villages beautifying its shores. Gentola̤, again we have for you a surprise and the fulfillment of a promise, which we anticipate will add to your enjoyment of your visits to Ento. Bernard, dear boy, you are only strong enough to sustain yourself. Allow George to assist your mother. Is not it pleasure enough to journey by her side? Ah, fond hearts, I understand, I understand.
Gentola—I am sure that you do. Never mind, dear lad, I will take the will for the deed. Do not rise higher, friends, else I shall not see so clearly as you all do. What lovely views. Certainly the architecture of those towns and villages is very beautiful. Yonder is a long train of Tuzamos rushing across the country, and see those huge vessels crossing the lake in all directions and coming and going on the Waterway. To me those Waterways are a source of continual wonderment. How were they excavated? How have the Entoans found courage, endurance or means to accomplish such gigantic works?
De L'Ester—To show you the process of excavation, which is so excellent as to not require extraordinary courage or endurance, will be the most satisfactory reply to your first two questions; as for the means required, the general government attends to that. I promise you that, a little later on, you shall observe the construction of a Waterway.
Gentola—I shall not forget to remind you of your promise. Yonder is another pretty town, and there are one, two, three circular temples, and again it occurs to me that nowhere have I seen a spire.
De L'Ester—The tall, pointed spire is not a feature of Ento architecture. On our planet its origin dates back to a period when humanity was on a low animal plane. Yes, the architecture of Ento is exceedingly ornate; exteriorly, to my mind, it is used to excess, while interiorly, sculpture, carvings and mosaics produce wonderfully rich and beautiful effects. In some of the public edifices and sumptuous private residences which you yet will see there are mosaics so exceedingly fine that nowhere have we seen anything of the kind surpassing them. On certain edifices you have observed lofty towers of excellent design. They are not merely architectural features, but are towers of observation. Not skyward, oh, no, but for horizontal distances.
You have been informed that their religion prohibits the Entoans from attempting to learn aught concerning Astranola̤, the imaginary realm beyond the clouds, wherein dwells their revered and feared Gods and Goddesses, so their telescopes, which are of great excellence, are used only for field purposes; that is, for observation of the annual floods and the like. But soon the radiance of their Spirit World will penetrate their consciousness, and advanced Spirits will be able to disabuse their minds of their fallacious beliefs relating to the here and the hereafter, and ere long, aided by enlarged telescopes, their learned ones will be gazing upon the wonder of myriad worlds, moving in stately grandeur through measureless space.
Extending from northward to southward is an elevation covered with great forest trees, undergrowth and vegetation. It is another mountain vestige, and once the waters of Loisa̤ Ta̤imon bathed its rocky base, but now a level stretch of some miles lies between it and the lake. Look now far along the plateau toward the north, and tell us what you see.
Gentola—Afar off I see a great city, extending from the lake shore across the plain, up the slope, across the plateau, down its further side, and—that is as far as my vision reaches.
De L'Ester—We will draw nearer. Now what do you see?