Inidora̤ now will speak of matters which I doubt not will be interesting to all.
Inidora—Ere I attempt to continue the conversation I propose that we shall pass directly to the height overlooking the City Camarissa̤. With your approval, friends, I will lead the way.
Ah, here is a pretty vine covered arbor, in which we may rest while I shall endeavor to entertain you. The imposing edifice so grandly crowning this portion of the height marks the site of Genessano's and my ancestral home, of which at another time I may further speak. As an introduction to other themes I shall presume to speak of matters relating to personal history. This eminence was in a remote age, a lofty spur of the mountain range, a vestige of which we crossed on our journey hither, and for centuries its levelled summit was beautified by the residences of the governors of this Province of Ondû, and by other structures quite as admirable. After the death of our parents, my brother and I resolved to carry into execution a work contemplated by them, and left to us as a sacred trust. In pursuance of this resolve we decided that our home which had sheltered so many generations of our kindred should be demolished, and the height lowered to afford a suitable site for an institution which should be of lasting benefit to many generations of Ento's sons and daughters, and a fitting monument to perpetuate the memory of our beloved parents. We lived to see our work only well begun; but in yonder stately edifice we find our plans and desires embodied. It is an institution devoted to science, art, and other educational purposes of a most comprehensive nature, and is what our parents contemplated that it should be, the best equipped and richly endowed Galaresa̤ of Ento.
After the death of his father, our father became hereditary governor of this Province of Ondû, and it was he who conceived and carried into execution the plan of the Irrigating System. The Waterways were an afterthought, the result indeed of obvious necessity. You will make a distinction between the Irrigating and Waterways System, and the imperfect methods of irrigation, which for many centuries previous to its introduction prevailed over a large portion of the arable lands of Ento, and which, owing to adverse conditions ever were unsatisfactory. The new and improved method revolutionized the old practices, and our father lived to witness the successful inception and assured progress of an undertaking which promised perpetual prosperity to the children of Ento, then with a mind at peace with himself and all men, he followed our dear mother, the Lady Camarissa̤, into our world of spirits.
The great and beautiful city covering the slope, and spreading far eastward, northward and southward, is named Camarissa̤, in honor and memory of our mother. It is at the head of what is termed the Great Central Waterway, and as you perceive it is intersected by canals, on which small boats carrying passengers, or laden with various wares, pass to all parts of the city. Over intersections of the canals are light, beautifully constructed bridges, affording passageways for pedestrians and vehicles of various kinds.
Yonder huge vessel coming into view is one of many coming or going on the Central Waterway. Electricity is the motive power urging it swiftly forward. Our friends inform me that on your planet, electrical appliances are only coming into general use. On Ento, during many centuries of our time this force has been so well understood that aside from vibratory and atmospheric forces it has, as a motive power, nearly superseded all other applied energies. Now the vessel approaches the calloisa̤ (landing) and draws alongside. While the busy crew attend to their duties the numerous passengers disembark and greetings and embraces are exchanged with friends awaiting them.
Now a number of men, women and children also are disembarking and under guidance of an official of the Galaresa̤ they are coming this way. It is apparent that they all are natives of a Southland town, known as Kyfû. They will attend courses of special instruction in the Galaresa̤, and, when qualified, will return to their own people to serve as teachers in industrial and other vocations. This is a custom which has long existed on Ento. You perceive, Gentola̤, that they are fair skinned, blue or brown eyed, brown haired, of medium height and of a more vivacious manner than are our darker complexioned peoples. Yes, they will reside in the Galaresa̤ until sufficiently educated to assume the duties of instructors. What did I mean by medium height? Why, that they are not so tall as are Genessano and myself, whose altitude is above seven English feet.
Looking downward over this terraced slope, with its many statues, fountains, and stately and beautifully picturesque dwellings, embowered amid trees and flower laden vines, it is difficult to realize that once near this spot was our home. All is changed, but, as the improvement is as great as the change, my brother and I experience no regret. At the time of our passing into our spirit world this beautiful city was scarcely a promise of what it long has been, one of Ento's finest and most populous cities.
The imposing structures crowning the height to the north and south are devoted to educational and beneficent purposes, and all, in their several ways, are very admirable, but through personal reasons my brother and I are more interested in yonder Galarēsa̤ than in other institutions, and we feel assured that within its walls we all shall find much that will be pleasing and instructive. If it may please you, friends, we will turn our steps in that direction.
Nowhere on Ento is there a more beautiful or imposing edifice than is this great Galarēsa̤. The grand flights of steps leading up to the spacious porticos, with their golden domed roofs, supported by many lofty, massive, flower crowned columns, present a most harmonious and pleasing effect. The group surmounting the roof of the central portico represents the forms of eminent Entoans. In the admirable statue at the front of the portico is a faithful representation of our father Genessano Allis Immo, as he appeared during the middle years of his mortal existence. He was, and is a man of noble and gracious mien, with features as harmoniously beautiful as a musical chord, and though of unusually lofty stature, he is so finely molded as to leave nothing further to be desired. As you may perceive my brother Genessano closely resembles our father, and in spirit they are two entities, with one thought. Nay, my brother, I do not overrate you, for like our father you are an embodiment of all the virtues and graces.