So I sipped the "Poet's Fancy,"
and imagined that its delicious, aromatic flavor vivified me like rays of
sunshine. If, previously, I had been charmed, I now certainly experienced
a power of enjoyment and quickness of perception tenfold increased.

I then inquired for Swedenborg, Spurzheim, and Lavatar. "You will meet
them further on," said she, smiling. "They are not here." I was so well
pleased with her that I twined my arm around her fairy-like form and we
glided away together. As I desired to obtain a peep at the outside of the
beautiful pavilion, my companion led the way, pausing here and there to
present me to groups who had advanced for that purpose. The company I
found to be composed of writers and painters, interspersed with a few of
my own personal friends; and I felt gratified to find myself so well
received by those whom I had known on earth as celebrities.

"'Tis strange," I remarked to my companion, "that such choice minds
should all be gathered together in one place."

"They are spirits congenial to your own," said she. "Like attracts like,
and they have come from their respective homes in the spirit world to
welcome you here."

"Ah," said I, "I now begin to understand what all this fine company
means! This is my reception."

As we were leaving the pavilion we were joined by Herr Von ----, the
celebrated Swedish naturalist who had recently entered the spirit world.
He congratulated me upon my safe arrival, and kindly offered to act as
_cicerone_ and to point out to me the marvels by which I was surrounded.

To my astonishment, on reaching the open air I discovered that the
pavilion was located upon the summit of a lofty mountain. The face of
this mountain was of many colors and glistened like precious stones. My
friend led me to the point of a precipice on one side and bade me look
down. This I did, and beheld phosphorescent rays issuing from the sides.

"What wonder is this?" I asked. He informed me the mountain was magnetic
in its character, and that it was, so to speak, the first station from
earth, and a point easily attained by a spirit newly arriving from that
planet. He said I was not permanently to remain upon the mountain, but
was placed there until I should become acclimated to the spirit
atmosphere, and to acquire strength before travelling to that portion of
the spirit land which would form my permanent abode.

The apex of the mountain formed a flat plain about two miles in extent.
We