a greater
variety of tints.

A few steps around a projecting bluff brought us within sight of what
appeared to me a magnificent palace of alabaster. This palace I soon
learned was a hotel, or place of resort for travellers.

In ascending its polished steps I was met by some half dozen persons whom
I had known. You may be sure a wonderful handshaking ensued. We remained
here but a few moments, partook of refreshments, and then proceeded to
the court-yard, where I was told a car awaited to carry us to our
destination.

The car seemed to be a frame-work, apparently of silver wire. We now
comfortably seated ourselves, when two large wings struck out from it
like those of some great condor. We moved rapidly over the acclivity.
This is a new way of crossing the mountains, thought I; I will have to
introduce it in the Sierra Nevada and Colorados.

I inquired how the machine was propelled, and was informed, "Simply by a
chemical arrangement similar to your galvanic battery."

You may conceive my astonishment when we descended into a park of a vast
city.

"My God!" exclaimed I, "it cannot be that I am in the spirit world! Why,
look at the houses and churches, and temples! What magnificent
buildings!" But I must say the material alone struck me as something
sublime and unearthly. So transparent and rich in color, reflecting light
as if through a veil or mist! "This caps all," said I, as doctors and
lawyers, artists and authors, whom I had known, stepped up to greet me,
smiling and full of life. "Why, how is this?" "Is this you?" "Where did
you come from?" Questions like these came from all sides. Francis and
Brady, Willis, Morris, and a host of New Yorkers who had slipped out of
sight and almost out of mind, now gathered around me as if by miracle. I
rubbed my eyes in wonder. Spying Brown, I cried out, "Why, how is this,
Brown? It can't be that I am in heaven! Do you have such things here?
Houses, stores, and works of art on every side?"

"Yes; people must live," said he, "wherever they be."

"And are men here the same, with all their faculties?" I asked.

"Yes; why not? Have you any you'd like to lose?"

I shook my head and walked on absorbed in thought. And are all our
paraphernalia for funerals, our solemn black, and our long prayers but
useless ceremonies? Why, according to this, the beliefs of the Chinese,
Hottentot, African, and Indian are nearer the truth than our civilized
creeds!

I find that there are few