Gentola—I see a city so extensive, so marvellously beautiful, that I am almost persuaded that you have brought me into some spirit realm. Never have I seen anything so grandly, so magnificently beautiful as yonder white and gold city, and this is the fulfillment of your promise to some time, somewhere, show me a city surpassing any city of Earth. To, if possible, enhance its beauty, nature has luxuriantly draped sculptured walls and loftiest towers with wreaths of flower-laden vines, amid which are bees and birds innumerable, all adding their beauty to the enchantment of the scene. The streets are of great width and paved as smoothly as floors. There are no small, mean-looking houses, no evidences of poverty or degradation. With all my heart I wish that this city might be exhibited to our Earth peoples as an example of what humanity may attain to. The streets are alive with people, and motor and tramway carriages are passing in all directions, yet there is very little noise and no apparent confusion. I should like to know why those tramway carriages are so noiseless.
De L'Ester—I only can say that they are so scientifically constructed that I cannot explain their mechanism. The tramway rails are welded into unbroken lines, which, at short intervals, rest on cushions of an elastic substance very like caoutchouc, which prevents noisy jolting and jarring. Then, too, the speed of all manner of vehicles is carefully timed and regulated. Unlike the immature peoples of our own immature Planet, the Entoans are exceedingly careful of their own and the lives and rights of others.
You perceive that all street intersections are spanned by elegantly constructed bridges, over which people and vehicles pass slowly and safely. No, the Entoans are not indolent, but they are too wise to rush toward the undesired end of their existence. Indeed, every possible precaution against injury or death is observed. No, owing to the annual inundation, underground transit is not feasible. Yes, of course, the construction and maintenance of such public utilities is costly, but as Ento has no wars, the governmental revenues are amply sufficient for all necessary purposes.
Now we will descend to the lawn of yonder white golden-domed residence of the governor of this Province of Wya̤mo, whose capital is the white and gold city Kûltymo Tylû, which, in the English language would be Elevated City. It is the largest, and to my mind, the most beautiful city of Ento.
Facing us is the governor's residence. To the right are the official departments. To the left is a spacious structure devoted to such amusements as Entoans indulge in. Yes, they dance, but in a rather serious fashion. The movements of the various dances are slow, graceful, stately and rhythmically in harmony with the musical measures, with which their forms, more than their feet, keep time. Yes, the drama, too, finds its place among the amusements of the people, but its purpose is to instruct as well as to amuse. I scarcely know how to characterize the plays. Certainly, they are not tragic, neither do they represent the serio-comic. I should say that they are more nearly on the plane of high comedy, and Earth's pleasure loving peoples would consider them very tame. I can say for them that, in composition and representation, they are models of purity and of art. This is one of Ento's finest official residences, and in every niche and angle of its massive walls are sculptured forms of divinities or of distinguished Entoans, so finely executed as to command one's profound admiration. A grand flight of steps leads up to the spacious portico, whose lofty roof is supported by massive fluted marble columns, whose capitals are a strong reminder of the Corinthian capital.
Observe this imposing entrance, whose rose tinted doors are framed in rose tinted woods, so highly, so exquisitely colored, that their beauty is but slightly enhanced by these very artistic carvings. We will now enter and afford you and Bernard a view of the interior of the dwelling. This wide and deep hallway, with its broad staircase, leading upward to a second floor, thence to other floors and the domed roof, is very admirable. It is a composition of rose marble, onyx, carved, rose colored woods and mosaics so exquisitely beautiful, as to be incomparably artistic. It is well that the dainty blooms, child faces and lovely arabesques of the floor are protected by these fine rugs.
Evidently the staircases are more for ornamentation than for use, for at the further end of the hallway is an elegantly appointed elevator, into which, at this moment, a stately looking gentleman is stepping. He is Darraon Olēva̤s, Governor of Wya̤mo, and as uninvited guests we will proceed to the dining hall of his excellency's residence. To do so we will pass through this panelled vestibule, whose ornamentation of inlaid fruits and flower designs, is indeed very fine. The light filtering through the large rose and opalescent crystal window irradiates it with a softened glow which is a fitting prelude to the rich coloring of the apartment beyond this sumptuous silken drapery. Stand here, Gentola̤, and attempt a short description of this immense, elliptically formed room and its appurtenances.
Gentola—Where shall I begin? With the floor? Well, to my taste, it presents the most beautiful mosaic work I yet have seen. It is so exceedingly lovely that it seems a profanation to step on it. The field is opal tinted, and the border is very broad and rich, but not at all highly colored. From among its foliage and flowers, vines and delicately hued blossoms trail all over the field, and they are so realistic that they seem to be growing there.
At equal distances around the walls of the great room are wide panels of a wood resembling mahogany, but tinted a dull rose color. In the centre of each wide panel is a narrow fluted one of a lighter shade of rose colored wood, and all are carried up the walls and across the curved ceiling, where they meet under large rosettes of rose colored woods. In the centre of each rosette is a lighting apparatus, which is not at all like a chandelier, and which I am not competent to describe. I can only say that it is a combination of gold filigree work and many rose tinted crystal lilies inclosed in a gauzelike network of some transparent material.
De L'Ester—You might add that when the electric light is turned on, the network forms a sort of halo about the flowers, whose pale rose tints lend a softened and beautiful effect, and I will add, that, in the near future, one of your inspired ones will invent a very similar electric appliance.