These star-like blooms are fitting emblems of the spirit group of which you and Inez are members. What do I mean? Why, have not you been told that in our spirit realms, as in the spirit realms of all worlds, the law of affinity, holds Spirits in different groups, which are designated by different names? Both you and Inez belong to the group known as Star Angels. Onerous as is your present mission, on your return to the spirit side it will be no less so, for the Star Angels are the teachers of the Spirits who wander in darkness in the Earth spirit sphere, multitudes of whom scarcely, if at all, realize that they have left the physical body, and ever are hovering about the places where formerly they existed. Not alone to those whose mortal lives were passed amid vice and squalor and wretchedness; not alone to those who were the very undertow of the murky tide of human degradation and misery; not alone to these do the Star Angels minister. There are myriads of men and women who have passed, and continually are passing, to the spirit side of life, who have dwelt in luxurious homes, surrounded by all the splendors and delights their selfish, perverted natures craved; having, during their Earthly existence, chosen spiritual darkness rather than light, they reap as they have sowed, and in sorrow and bitter anguish gather up their sheaves of tares. To such unhappy ones the Star Angels also minister.
In the Earth spirit sphere licentiousness, selfishness, uncharitableness, envy, cruelty and all the baser animal passions are the chains which hold the Spirit in bondage. Separation from the physical body makes no change in the status of the physically disembodied Spirit. It goes to its own place, and cannot go elsewhere, until it has earned advancement to a higher plane.
Madame, I should like to make my replies as endless as your questions, but this mutual pleasure must be deferred.
We will now move toward what has aptly been named Moûentos hoa̤ falados, for, truly, it is a desolate valley, made so through the conflagration to which Humboldt has alluded. We will pause on this elevation, underneath which is the remarkable spectacle we recently observed. The roaring, rumbling, hissing sounds and constant vibration of this spot are rather disquieting, but as they can work us no injury we need not hasten our departure. In this region during the winter season there is a heavy snowfall as spring advances, the snow rapidly melts, rains add to the volume of water which pour down the mountain side and into those fissures from which gases and smoke are issuing. The water coming in contact with the fire raging deep down beneath the surface, tremendous explosions occur, casting out such quantities of ashes that, as you perceive, the entire valley is covered as with a parti-colored mantle. Vegetation there is none, and living creatures shun the pestilent locality. Previous to the conflagration the valley afforded sustenance for a large number of agriculturists and others engaged in various occupations. At the further end of the valley we yet perceive vestiges of the wrecked homes and industries of a busy community.
On our right the mountain spur separates this valley from another of about the same conformation and area. We will now pass on to it. George, you will allow me to assist your sister. As you see, madame, the summit of this mountain spur is nearly level. Its eastern side, which forms the western boundary of the Valley of Desolation, is somewhat abrupt, while on the west it gently slopes toward the picturesque and lovely valley at its foot. As this spot affords a fine view of what we desire that you shall observe we will for a little remain here.
Nearly two centuries of Earth time have elapsed since this valley became a solitude. The climate is temperate and salubrious, the soil prolific, and water abundant, yet no Entoan could be induced to attempt to dwell in this ill-fated locality. From Ento spirits we have learned the story of the horror which led to its abandonment. As briefly as possible I shall relate it.
While in the canyon you were told that its converging streams, through an underground channel, flowed into a lake, which later on you should see. Behold the sparkling waters of the canyon, the swiftly flowing stream of the cavern gushing forth nearly at our feet. Observe that several mountain rivulets add to its volume, which empties itself into yonder tranquil, oval sheet of water, which, like a great mirror framed in emeralds reflects in its depths the sapphire sky, and white, ever-changing forms of fleecy clouds.
Previous to its abandonment the valley, which is about seventeen English miles in length, and half as many in width, was for the most part devoted to the cultivation of grains and fruits. For the convenience of those dwelling on either side it became necessary to bridge the little river. Those substantial piers of stone and iron, attest to the dimension and stability of the structure of nearly two centuries ago. Where the river empties into the lake was another and more imposing bridge, and there we perceive a number of great white piers, like ghostly sentinels, keeping watch over the ruins of a once populous city, extending from the bridge to far along the eastern and western shores of the lake. The name of the city was Pētûsa̤a̤ Tylû. In your language Pētûsa̤a̤ signifies pearl. Hence, Pētûsa̤a̤ Tylû signifies City of Pearls, so named because of certain pearl-bearing mollusks inhabiting the lake and river. In Pētûsa̤a̤ Tylû were magnificent temples and institutions of learning, and its private residences, were surpassingly beautiful. Its various industries flourished and prosperity smiled upon a cultivated and opulent community. Suddenly an ominous oppressiveness weighted the atmosphere, and, nature aghast, was as silent as death. Then from toward the south came a seismic wave, the ground trembled, heaved and burst asunder into yawning fissures, towering temples crashed to the ground in fragments, and public buildings and private dwellings were shaken from their foundations in ruinous masses. Fire added to the horror of the catastrophe and no one attempted to stay the conflagration. Terror-stricken, all who survived the sudden disaster strove to escape from the deadly peril to a place of safety. At intervals, during two days and nights, the appalling shocks continued, and it was estimated that fully one-third of the population of Pētûsa̤a̤ Tylû, and the valley perished outright, or died from injuries, terror and exposure.
After the subsidence of the seismic disturbances the survivors returned to look after their dead, and, peradventure, to find some remnants of their belongings; but so effectually had fire and destructive elements done their work, that but few of their dead were recovered, and only the ruins of their beautiful city remained. Ever since that dread visitation, at intervals in this locality slight seismic shocks have occurred, and no one has been found adventurous enough to attempt to dwell in it.