ulptured
forms, between which the porcelain wall was pierced with fretted
arabesque, running high above the arched opening beneath. Once within
the gorgeous gateway, the porcelain walls of Gnaphisthasia stood
before the enraptured eyes more than a mile in length and half a mile
in depth, a many-colored dream of imposing magnificence covered with
the work of sculptors. The principal part of the wall was of a
greenish-white vitrification, finely diversified by horizontal
friezes, with arabesques in red and green, purple and yellow,
lavender, sea-green, blue and silver and pale rose and deep gray, all
separated by wide bands of greenish-white stone.

In the centre of the buildings stood a semi-circle of massive conical
towers, gleaming like enormous jewels and connected by sculptured
walls. The four corners of the palace were also groups of towers, all
the various groups being connected with the rectangular walls that
were decorated with arcades and balconies.

Here in this splendid abode were poets and painters, musicians,
sculptors and architects, dancers, weavers of fabrics, ceramists,
jewellers, engravers, enamellers, artists in lacquer, carvers,
designers and workers in glass and metal, pearl and ivory and the
precious stones.

[Illustration: A PROCESSION OF PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSES PASSED DOWN THE
LIVING AISLES, BEARING TROPHIES OF ART.]

In an immense chamber of the palace a _fete_ was being held. On either
side a double range of massive porcelain pillars supported the roof,
which covered this grand sanctuary of art like an immense vitrified
jewel. The floor of the court was formed of polished wood of a deep
rose color that emitted a rich, heavy perfume. Wood of a brilliant
green, with interlacing arabesques of red, formed the border of the
floor. At the further end of the court stood three thrones, being
composed, respectively, of terrelium, aquelium, and plutulium, the
three most precious metals. On the threefold throne sat Yermoul, lord
of art, his majesty the king, and myself. In ample recesses amid the
pillars stood the devotees of art, while the centre of the court was
filled with the musicians. A procession of priests and priestesses
passed down the living aisles, clad in the most gorgeous fabrics of
silk spun by gigantic spiders, and they bore singly trophies of art,
or moved in groups, supporting golden litters carrying piled-up
treasures of dazzling splendor.

First came a band of priestesses bearing