seemed some silken veil had been removed, and eternity with its blest inhabitants had appeared in view. "Is this death?" I enquired as one drew near me. Nay! this is life out of death," was the kind reply. The music of the speech overcame me, and again I sank into unconsciousness. VIEW OF EARTH. As I slumbered, I seemed dreaming, and in my dream I stood upon a high tower from which I beheld the earth I had just left. Its continents, islands, oceans, seas and lakes, lay beneath me, as one vast plain of loveliness. Large and expanded forests adorned the main land, while verdant islands dotting the seas, gave variety to that which would otherwise have appeared one broad waste. Ships too, were traversing the waters in every direction, like living creatures moving on their different errands. Rivers I also saw. These rising in the mountains, where gurgling fountains emerged from their earthy beds, rippled down the forest hills, until they formed the little brooks, thence dashing along in leaping cascades, gathered with the converging streams, formed majestic rivers. These rivers widened into friths, thence sweeping with their currents the rock-bound base of high promontories they poured their torrents into the broad seas. 'Fit emblem of man, in birth, in life, and in death, "said a voice from some one I had not noticed in my dream. CHAPTER II. THE VISION: ORIGIN OF EVIL. Again I awake as from profound slumber, and in a world unknown to me. Strange are my sensations. I am prompted with unusual desires to know and comprehend. The light encompassing me is as the light of wisdom, the illumination of super-spiritual existence-the reflection of living thought. It pervades my being; by its influence I arise, and its inspiration enlarges my soul. Its glory is my pavilion. Former scenes, and their remembrance are receding. Earth appears as an opaque body, far in the distance, and enveloped in a cloud of night. Shall I no more return? And have I passed the river of death? Fain would I still my thoughts, lest their discord disturb the harmony of this sphere. My destination is toward a sun-like orb whose light infolds me, and as I approach, it reveals a landscape transcendently beautiful: a country most glorious to behold. No abrupt and frozen mountains, ribbed with broken rock-belts, mar the beauty, or break the harmony of its lovely features. But the broad and beautiful plains are relieved by gentle undulations; and the surface 311 appears as if overlaid with a luxuriant carpet of moss, green and velvet-like. The wood presents an appearance of unequaled majesty. No fluctuating climate disrobes the vegetation which thence is clad in perpetual and unfading verdure. The order of the floral lawns bespeaks the perfection of Art, and the trees are arranged in rows, circles, coils; and also direct and wind ing avenues. There are pools of clear, transparent waters, and jetting fountains interspersed throughout the land. From many of these the sparkling waters are emitted to a very great height, thence terminating in spray are diffused through the heavens, whence purifying the atmosphere fall again in dews upon the luxuriant vegetation. The high jetting fountains are upon the eminences, and jet their waters periodically, that is, once in what man would call sixty hours; while the smaller, located in the lawns and upon the sloping grounds, send forth perpetual streams of the liquid element. From this cause, I perceive the land adorned with an almost infinite variety of rainbow reflections. These combining every imaginable shade and hue, and blending over each other in every conceivable form, render the scene one of surpassing loveliness. No limner can approach the artistic beauty and picturesque grandeur these blending colors reveal. Nor is |