distance of more than fifty feet from
the earth. When suspended in the air a cloud, like fire, would encircle
them, and then after a certain time, sufficient for the spectators to
observe and admire them, they would alight on the earth as gradually and
gracefully as they had ascended.

THE FLYING CHILDREN.

In one of these arenas is a large sheet of running water, supplied by a
cataract in the neighbourhood; and I have seen the most beautiful
effects produced by children gliding over and as it were dancing on its
surface. The children are selected from the most graceful and beautiful
of those, who, not having sufficient intellect to learn, give no signs
of making a progress which would fit them for more important
occupations.

These children are taught and _willed_ to move in the most graceful
forms. Joining hands and forming exceedingly beautiful groups, they will
glide over the cascade and over the surface of the agitated lake,
walking, dancing, or reposing.

WILL.

In assuming these graceful forms, the children are aided by a person
skilled in the use of the Will, who, with the assistance of our
"sympathetic-attracting machines," [1] can _will_ the children to take
the most varied and graceful positions. The effect is fascinating,
elevating, and refining.

[Footnote 1: See p. 265.]

The man who directs the sympathetic machine, _wills_ the figures from
his imagination or memory, this being part of the art in which he is
skilled.

In your planet, you do not know the extent of the power of the Will; and
yet it is the Will--the Will of the Soul--which sets our vital
electricity in motion, directs it on particular parts of its own
machine--the brain--or on the sentient faculties of others. This same
vital electricity can be used with greater force and certainty of
direction, when assisted by the instrument which I have called "the
sympathetic machine."

THE DEAF AND DUMB CHILD.

I have seen one little girl deaf and dumb--the only instance in my
time--in consequence of a fright her mother had experienced. The child
was of so nervous a temperament, that she could not be taught anything
intellectual. She was lovely, with long hair that fell about her in
graceful curls, and in whatever way she sat, moved, or reclined, her
poses and movements were angelic.

It was found that the only thing which would awaken her dormant senses
was electricity; and that, under its influence, she would be well and
hap