The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-11
LETTER FROM THE WHITE
SULPH UR.
Written by a Visitor to a Friend in
the Moon
AUGUST 9Th, 1880.

AUGUST 5th 1880.
l arrived at this beautiful place about
a week ago, and 1 have been perfectly
charmed with the contrast which the
scenery presents to that of our own fire
Scared and lava-scorched planet. The
volcanoes here are all not only extinct
but the surface is clothed with beautiful
grass and flowers and splendid forests of
magnificent trees. There are also the
most lovely streams of perfectly trans
parent water, which come down from the
Verdant mountains and flow through the
plains and valleys and velvet meadows.
There is only one "Dry Creek here to
remind me of the Moon. I have been
equally charmed with the inhabitants of
the Earth whom l have met here. They
are L am sure the brightest and happiest
creatures IN the universe. 1t is one per-
petual round of pleasure. The superior
race is being called MAN, which carries
itself very erect almost leans back), and
has two legs No wings. 1t is divided
into two sexes, male and female. They
all wear clothes, especially the women !;
that IS to say, in the daytime. In the
evening at the balls the females do not
cover their entire bodies, and am told
the quantity of clothing on these occa-
sions steadily diminishes.
There is no toll of any sort at this
place. The males have beautiful game
which they call CARDS, at which thew
spend a great portion of their time, or
else they are Longing under the arcades
III elevated converse on political affairs,
or else they are drinking beautiful dark
beverage called JULEPs. The females
pass the daylight, when they are not eat
ing, in arraying themselves in the most
beautiful colors, which they display be-
fore the males in long porticoes, or in a
splendid hall where they promenade.
But when the glorious Sun goes down,
then it is that the females come out in
their greatest splendor. AS soon as thew
have eaten their supper, (and they are
very regular at meals), they collect in
the Grand Ballroom, which is illumi-
mated with the most brilliant artificial
lights, and ornamented with paintings of
Eemi-nude females, and here they dance
q male and a female together until late
hour. There is Of course splendid music
and nothing suppose in the planetary
system can rival the dazzling brightness
of the scene, as they whirl, in all their
beautiful colors, with their beautiful
forms,-male and female contrasted-in
the mazes Of the dance.
There are beings here of all ages. MANY
appear very young; some are very old.
But all alike seem without a care or O.
sorrow, and life appears one unbroken
succession Of delights. It certainly is a
fairy scene, and I am more and more i'm
pressed with the magnifcence and glories
Of the wonderful universe which we in.
habit. But the Earth is far gayer than
the Moon. There is sobriety and a
gravity about our people which does not
prevail here. In fact the denizens of
earth land have visited all the planets)
remind me in this respect Of the inhabi-
tants Of MERCURY, who have the reputa-
ton Of being the most light-hearted Of the
revolvers around the Sun.
I observed males and females, who, I
was told, had lived a very long time, who
seemed to enjoy what they called "the
Lancers" (Which is one of their dances)
even more than young persons for whom
this was the first season.
hear nothing, my dear Lunie, but
laughter and merry voices and music and
the rolling Of the trains bringing others