ce had lost much of the
misanthropy which had annoyed his friends in this life.

As my stay was short, I had only opportunity to converse with these men
of mark on general topics.

On the whole, we spent a very interesting morning, and, after partaking
of refreshments, we left, having inquired after Count D'Orsay, whom we
learned was then on a trip to earth. Bidding adieu to the Countess and
her friends, we started for the celebrated island called the "Golden
Nest," which lies in a south-westerly direction from the Countess's
villa.

After having travelled some hours in our own diligence (i.e., driven
through the air by our own will), moving along quite leisurely that we
might survey the country beneath us, we reached a group of beautiful
lakes, reminding me strongly in size and appearance of lakes Erie, Huron,
Michigan, and Superior, the famed lakes of my own native clime.

In the centre of the largest of these lakes lay the island we were
seeking. We descended like skilful aeronauts into the centre of a group
of happy children, who were playing like little fairies amid the flowers
blooming profusely everywhere.

Singling out two of the prettiest, we addressed them.

Directly a merry band gathered about us, answering our questions
intelligently and skipping before us to lead the way to the "Golden
Nest," as the superb structure was called in which these little
soul-birds were sheltered.

Everywhere, as we advanced, our eyes lit upon pretty bands of children;
some swinging in the tree-boughs like birds, some waltzing in the air,
others sitting upon the green, chattering and singing, filling the
surrounding air with their melody.

Certainly it was a most enlivening sight to witness their enjoyment.
After having amused ourselves for a while with their gambols, we turned
our steps toward the Home.

The building was oval in form, and composed of a golden fleecy
incrustation from which it derived it, name. Within, the "Nest" was like
Aladdin's palace.

Innumerable compartments, hung with silks and tissues of tender and.
harmonious colors, and decorated with birds' plumage of varied hues,
arrested the eye. These spacious alcoves were each furnished with a domed
skylight, adorned with hanging tassels and glittering ornaments. Ladies
were busy in nearly all of these compartments in instructing children
under their care.

In some that I entered I was shown new-born babes not an hour old, torn
from their mothers' b