Our clairaudient friend, wearing an abashed and nervous air, is returning. Be at peace, gentle souled one, for at present we will not further disturb you.
Gentola̤, you gaze longingly at those lovely laces. I wish it might be possible for you to bear with you to Earth such a pretty memento of your visit to Endoina̤a̤ Tylû. George, what is next on the programme?
George—Gentola̤, in this city there is a library which save for one in Dao, equals any other of Ento, and now we will afford you and Bernard a view of it.
Gentola—I have meant to ask you to show me a library, but always the time at our disposal is so fully occupied.
De L'Ester—Come, then, for the hours are flying and we cannot much longer hold you. Allow me to assist you. This large edifice contains treasures in books and various objects of value, but I do not greatly admire its style of architecture, still it is a grandly imposing structure and well adapted to its purposes. Those fine statues over the main portico are representations of certain of Ento's authors, and you will observe that those columns supporting the portico and them are in style nearly as purely Doric as any you may find on our Planet. They offer another illustration of the universality of form ideals. The main entrance, though severely plain, is very imposing. We will enter it and view the interior. You perceive that the roof is a series of four domes through which the interior is lighted, ventilation being secured through a scientific mechanism which thoroughly serves its purpose. Also you perceive that five galleries encircle the interior, and that the walls are fitted with glass inclosed shelves, which are filled with books, largely bound in a material similar to papier-mache, which its manufacturers know how to render flexible, and indestructible by insects. Others are bound in leather of a very fine quality. No, cloth bindings are not at all used, the Entoans being of the opinion that books worth preserving are worthy of meritorious covers.
On this table is a large open book. Examine the leaves, and you will see that they are of an excellent quality of paper, resembling parchment. Its texture is very close, and it is almost as thin as tissue paper, yet it is quite opaque. As Zenesta̤ is absent, you, Genessano, will tell us something concerning the language of this book.
Genessano—Gentola̤, you have been informed that on Ento one language universally is spoken. True, there are other languages and dialects which, on occasions, are both spoken and written, but practically Avûnassa̤ is the language of Ento. By Spirits of your and other planetary Spirit Spheres I have been informed that they find it a singularly elegant and easily learned language. The alphabetical letters are not complex, and during many centuries Ento's scholars have made a study of simplifying the language. Did you understand Avûnassa̤ you would perceive that through terminal letters and accentuation a limited range of words serves for a wide range of expression. No, this book is not Avûnassa̤, but Va̤a̤mû, the language of a southern race, of a period preceding the establishment of Ento's religion. You perceive that the letters or rather the characters, are quite unlike those of the Avûnassa̤ alphabet. Our friend, Poole, is studying Avûnassa̤, and should you so desire, he may draw the alphabet for you. Yes, I am his Instructor and find him an apt pupil.
Our father, who, during his mortal existence, was a learned man, owned a volume of this rare work, and through him Inidora̤ and I became a little acquainted with the Va̤a̤mû language and the contents of this book, which treats of the sciences of eighty Ento centuries ago. As the lesser is contained in the greater, so the accumulated knowledge of one era contains the germs which in after times unfold their potencies. Thus the sciences as understood in the days of Dylos Ra̤ûmo, the author of this book, were the germs of achievements of the past and present, which you have learned are in many directions of a high degree of excellence.
I am told that your word paper signifies the same as our word billosa̤, which largely is the product of a fibrous plant known as ekētos, which blooms prettily, producing large seed pods containing a white, silken fibre, which is utilized, not alone in the manufacture of billosa̤ but also for the production of textile fabrics, some of which you recently have been admiring. Does this scene impress you agreeably?
Gentola—Certainly; this is a large and beautifully arranged library, and what numbers of people are coming, going, or entering the adjoining room. A reading room? Yes, I should like to look into it. Why, it is quite crowded with men and women, all intently perusing books, papers and publications which wear a very familiar appearance; so familiar indeed as to nearly make me doubt the evidence of my own eyes. De L'Ester, please ask Genessano if the Entoans possess a literature corresponding with what we term romances.