,
carved out of white marble with exquisite art and beauty. Shade trees of
a feathery foliage, like plumes of finest moss, guarded the entrance and
afforded homes for brilliant-plumaged birds that flew about the porticos
and alighted on the hands and shoulders of the ladies without fear. Some
of the trees had a smooth, straight trunk and flat top, bearing a
striking resemblance to a Chinese umbrella. On either side of the
marble-paved entrance were huge fountains that threw upward a column of
water a hundred feet in height, which, dissolving into spray, fell into
immense basins of clearest crystal. Below the rim of these basins, but
covered with the crystal, as with a delicate film of ice, was a wreath
of blood red roses, that looked as though they had just been plucked
from the stems and placed there for a temporary ornament. I afterward
learned that it was the work of an artist, and durable as granite.

I supposed I had arrived at a female seminary, as not a man, or the
suggestion of one, was to be seen. If it were a seminary, it was for the
wealth of the land, as house, grounds, adornments, and the ladies'
attire were rich and elegant.

I stood apart from the groups of beautiful creatures like the genus of
another race, enveloped in garments of fur that had seen much service. I
presented a marked contrast. The evident culture, refinement, and
gentleness of the ladies, banished any fear I might have entertained as
to the treatment I should receive. But a singular silence that pervaded
everything impressed me painfully. I stood upon the uplifted verge of an
immense city, but from its broad streets came no sound of traffic, no
rattle of wheels, no hum of life. Its marble homes of opulence shone
white and grand through mossy foliage; from innumerable parks the
fountains sparkled and statues gleamed like rare gems upon a costly
robe; but over all a silence, as of death, reigned unbroken. The awe and
the mystery of it pressed heavily upon my spirit, but I could not refuse
to obey when a lady stepped out of the group, that had doubtless been
discussing me, and motioned me to follow her.

She led me through the main entrance into a lofty hall that extended
through the entire building, and consisted of a number of grand arches
representing scenes in high relief of the finest sculpture. We entered a
magnificent salon, where a large assembly of ladies regarded me with
unmistakable astonishment. Every one of them was a blonde.