ened, and his sensations rendered delightful. He
looks calmly on death, makes his dispositions with the serenity of
robust health, converses familiarly with those dear to him, gives them
his blessing, and passes away as though he were leaving only for a short
and pleasant journey. I have seen many exhort their children and
relatives, and speak of their departure for another world with an
eloquence seldom heard on other occasions.

The effect of the potion on a person in full health is very different;
it stimulates and excites, and is altogether prejudicial; and although
it would rather do good than harm to a weakly person, its great virtues
are only shown when taken by a man in his last moments. Where it is
desirable merely to calm or to rouse, there are other and more effectual
preparations.

XVII.

INTERNAL CITIES.

SUNSHINE PICTURES.

"Let the great be blessed for the joy they cause to fall on the
world like refreshing dews."

There are two seasons in our world--the one called "moderate," the other
"extreme." In the extreme season the heat is far beyond the most
powerful heat prevailing in your tropics. Special precautions are then
necessary to preserve the health of the people. None are allowed to
expose themselves to the sun during the greater part of the day; a
cooling regimen is enjoined, and animal food is forbidden for a certain
period. In both seasons the light by day is intense; its nearest
approach to colour is a warm, bright, golden hue, not the cold, white,
greyish hue of your climates; and its red shades are sufficient to light
our caverns and passages through the rocks to a certain distance.

Those who confer large benefits on the world are naturally entitled to
enjoy a portion of the wealth and well-being they have successfully
laboured to increase.

This truth I constantly bore in mind, and in spacious galleries
perforating the rocks I built the Trombetski, or Internal Cities, for
the especial use of those whose superior intelligence had been occupied
for the good of the world. Here, sheltered from the scorching rays of
the sun, are the palace residences of the higher classes during the
extreme season. These galleries serve also to shorten distances between
remote parts of the external world. With their streets and passages they
form of themselves cities, with scarcely less movement than in those
without.

Light is admitted through occasional apertures--some natural, s