the unceasing ring of hammers rose to the clouds.

[Illustration: _A consultation in Wizard Edison's laboratory
between him and Professor Serviss on the best means of repaying the
damage wrought upon this planet by the Martians._]

CHAPTER THREE

_THE CONGRESS OF NATIONS_

The day appointed for the assembling of the nations in Washington opened
bright and beautiful. Arrangements had been made for the reception of
the distinguished guests at the Capitol. No time was to be wasted, and
having assembled in the Senate Chamber, the business that had called
them together was to be immediately begun. The scene in Pennsylvania
Avenue, when the procession of dignitaries and royalties passed up
toward the Capitol was one never to be forgotten. Bands were playing,
magnificent equipages flashed in the morning sunlight, the flags of
every nation on the earth fluttered in the breeze. Queen Victoria, with
the Prince of Wales escorting her, and riding in an open carriage, was
greeted with roars of cheers; the emperor William, following in another
carriage with empress Victoria at his side, condescended to bow and
smile in response to the greetings of a free people. Each of the other
monarchs was received in a similar manner. The Czar of Russia proved to
be an especial favorite with the multitude on account of the ancient
friendship of his house for America. But the greatest applause of all
came when the President of France, followed by the President of
Switzerland and the First Syndic of the little republic of Andorra, made
their appearance. Equally warm were the greetings extended to the
representatives of Mexico and the South American States.

The crowd apparently hardly knew at first how to receive the Sultan of
Turkey, but the universal good feeling was in his favor, and finally
rounds of hand clapping and cheers greeted his progress along the
splendid avenue.

A happy idea had apparently occurred to the Emperor of China and the
Mikado of Japan, for, attended by their intermingled suites, they rode
together in a single carriage. This object lesson in the unity of
international feeling immensely pleased the spectators.

The scene in the Senate Chamber stirred everyone profoundly. That it was
brilliant and magnificent goes without saying, but there was a
seriousness, an intense feeling of expectancy, pervading both those who
looked on and those who were to do the work for which these magnates of
the earth had assemble