w wonders opened wide to my view. Human beings, charmingly
beautiful, moved over the face of the planet or on wings through the air
at pleasure and with great ease. These creatures are about three-fourths
of our size, and are most gracefully formed. Their whole physical
appearance is more similar to a bird than to a human being of our Earth.
They are relatively much lighter than we, and are covered with nothing
akin to feathers.

If you were to see them standing in their erect posture and walking
with man-like dignity, you would at once feel that they are the lords of
the creation on their world, and so indeed they are.

These ethereal creatures have the loveliest eyes of any human beings I
ever beheld in any world. They sparkle with the brilliancy of a diamond
and move with the quickness of electricity. The head is small but
symmetrical and all physical proportions are most harmoniously adapted
even to a nicety that would be pleasing to the most refined tastes of
our world.

At first I could not understand how these people of Swift could travel
so conveniently in the air, for their wings are very small and the
exertion when flying is very limited. But the lightness of the body, the
heaviness of the air, and the unusual strength of the Swiftites, each
conduces its share to the fortunate result.

In my thoughtlessness I envied these gifted people and wished that when
I would return to my world, I could enjoy such privileges of flight. I
soon checked this rising covetousness, and again contentment flung over
me its white mantle.

The bodies of these Swiftites are covered by nature with a clean growth
of soft, silken hair. They change their garments with the seasons, but
at all times dress very sparingly and neatly. They are so easily clothed
that all their apparel occasions them no more trouble than the more
seasonable covering of the head gives to our women.

The average length of life is nearly four hundred years of our time.
There are very few worlds in space where the general health of its
inhabitants is as perfect as is found on this beautiful planet. There
are but few doctors because there is but little demand for them. Those
who are engaged are under government service, and all persons who are
unfortunate enough to become ill receive at least all medicine and
professional attention free.

We are quite an exceptional world in our medical system. In all my
journey I saw comparatively only a few worlds that ha