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composition acknowledged by our artists… wanting； as it were； a centre； so
that the effect was vague； scattered； confused； bewildering… they were like
heterogeneous fragments of a dream of art。
We now came into a room of moderate size； in which was assembled
what I afterwards knew to be the family of my guide； seated at a table
spread as for repast。 The forms thus grouped were those of my guide's
wife； his daughter； and two sons。 I recognised at once the difference
between the two sexes； though the two females were of taller stature and
ampler proportions than the males； and their countenances； if still more
symmetrical in outline and contour； were devoid of the softness and
timidity of expression which give charm to the face of woman as seen on
the earth above。 The wife wore no wings； the daughter wore wings
longer than those of the males。
My guide uttered a few words； on which all the persons seated rose；
and with that peculiar mildness of look and manner which I have before
noticed； and which is； in truth； the common attribute of this formidable
race； they saluted me according to their fashion； which consists in laying
the right hand very gently on the head and uttering a soft sibilant
monosyllable… S。Si； equivalent to 〃Welcome。〃
The mistress of the house then seated me beside her； and heaped a
golden platter before me from one of the dishes。
While I ate （and though the viands were new to me； I marvelled more
at the delicacy than the strangeness of their flavour）； my companions
conversed quietly； and； so far as I could detect； with polite avoidance of
any direct reference to myself； or any 20obtrusive scrutiny of my
appearance。 Yet I was the first creature of that variety of the human race
to which I belong that they had ever beheld； and was consequently
regarded by them as a most curious and abnormal phenomenon。 But all
rudeness is unknown to this people； and the youngest child is taught to
despise any vehement emotional demonstration。 when the meal was
ended； my guide again took me by the hand； and； re…entering the gallery；
touched a metallic plate inscribed with strange figures； and which I rightly
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The Coming Race
conjectured to be of the nature of our telegraphs。 A platform descended；
but this time we mounted to a much greater height than in the former
building； and found ourselves in a room of moderate dimensions； and
which in its general character had much that might be familiar to the
associations of a visitor from the upper world。 There were shelves on the
wall containing what appeared to be books； and indeed were so； mostly
very small； like our diamond duodecimos； shaped in the fashion of our
volumes； and bound in sheets of fine metal。 There were several curious…
looking pieces of mechanism scattered about； apparently models； such as
might be seen in the study of any professional mechanician。 Four
automata （mechanical contrivances which； with these people； answer the
ordinary purposes of domestic service） stood phantom…like at each angle
in the wall。 In a recess was a low couch； or bed with pillows。 A
window； with curtains of some fibrous material drawn aside； opened upon
a large balcony。 My host stepped out into the balcony； I followed him。
We were on the uppermost story of one of the angular pyramids； the view
beyond was of a wild and solemn beauty impossible to describe：… the vast
ranges of precipitous rock which formed the distant background； the
intermediate valleys of mystic many…coloured herbiage； the flash of waters；
many of them like streams of roseate flame； the serene lustre diffused over
all by myriads of lamps； combined to form a whole of which no words of
mine 21can convey adequate description； so splendid was it； yet so sombre；
so lovely； yet so awful。
But my attention was soon diverted from these nether landscapes。
Suddenly there arose； as from the streets below； a burst of joyous music；
then a winged form soared into the space； another as if in chase of the first；
another and another； others after others； till the crowd grew thick and the
number countless。 But how describe the fantastic grace of these forms in
their undulating movements！ They appeared engaged in some sport or
amusement； now forming into opposite squadrons； now scattering； now
each group threading the other； soaring； descending； interweaving；
severing； all in measured time to the music below； as if in the dance of the
fabled Peri。
I turned my gaze on my host in a feverish wonder。 I ventured to
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The Coming Race
place my hand on the large wings that lay folded on his breast； and in
doing so a slight shock as of electricity passed through me。 I recoiled in
fear； my host smiled； and as if courteously to gratify my curiosity； slowly
expanded his pinions。 I observed that his garment beneath them became
dilated as a bladder that fills with air。 The arms seemed to slide into the
wings； and in another moment he had launched himself into the luminous
atmosphere； and hovered there； still； and with outspread wings； as an eagle
that basks in the sun。 Then； rapidly as an eagle swoops； he rushed
downwards into the midst of one of the groups； skimming through the
midst； and as suddenly again soaring aloft。 Thereon； three forms； in one
of which I thought to recognise my host's daughter； detached themselves
from the rest； and followed him as a bird sportively follows a bird。 My
eyes； dazzled with the lights and bewildered by the throngs； ceased to
distinguish the gyrations and evolutions of these winged playmates； till
presently my host re…emerged from the crowd and alighted at my side。
The strangeness of all I had seen began now to operate fast on my
senses； my mind itself began to wander。 Though not inclined 22to