twelve broad steps. And
here let me pause, before recounting my interview with the celebrated
statesman, to describe the main hall, whose magnificence I, upon
entering, hastily surveyed, but which I afterward studied more
completely. The floor of this hall was formed of delicate cerulean blue
gems. From its centre sprang, like a fountain, a most wonderful
representation of a flowering plant resembling the lotus, composed of
precious and brilliant stones. The green leaves forming the base were of
transparent emerald, and the white lily which surmounted the stem
blossomed out clearer than any crystal. The yellow centre, corresponding
to the pistils, formed a divan. This beautiful ornament was intended for
the desk of the orator. The dome, which was several hundred feet high,
was open to the summer sky, and arranged in tiers graduated one above the
other. The lower tier was filled with paintings indicating the progress
of the United States of America. Surmounting this was a gallery of small
compartments, each hung with silver and gold gauze drapery, and similar
in construction to the boxes of a theatre; these opened into halls or
alleys leading to private apartments connecting with the main building.
Above these boxes were placed artistically-carved animals, representing
the native beasts of America. Above these again, appeared groups in
marble of the fruits of the country.

No sooner had I entered the building which I have been describing, than a
peculiar rushing sound like distant music reached my ear; on lifting my
eyes in the direction of the sound, I beheld descending through the air
the majestic form of Henry Clay. He approached with extended hand and
fascinating smile to receive me. How like and yet how unlike the famous
man I had known on earth! The gray hair of age had given place to the
abundant glossy locks of youth. The intellectual eye beamed with a new
life and his whole person sent forth an effulgence most attractive. Those
of my readers who knew him on earth will well remember the peculiar
fascination of his sphere, but they can form from the remembrance but a
slight idea of the attractive aura he sheds forth in this existence. I
immediately felt myself drawn by an invisible power toward him. He
grasped my hand with the frank cordiality and grace of former days, and
leading me thus, we arose together and, passing through one of the arched
compartments of the upper tier, entered another portion of the buildin