The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-01-10
brain cnveloped in great clouds of mist, which
the penetrating odor rolled slowly back until

and shadswy, like an enormous dome. gaz'
ed upward for II time, wondering and silent,
and then turned slowly round.
The eye-hocs of my skull were like windows,
and through one of them looked out upon "A
| landscape loycier than had ever seen upon
canvas or In nature.
| stroye to describe the marvellous effects of
the picture, lis exquisite coloring and feeling,
but language seemed too poor and the words
died upon my lips, As | gazed my being
seemed 10 become exalted above the grOssncss
/ of the material part; | stretched out my arms
! like wings, and was filled with delight to find
that my body foated in obedience to Their
waving motion.
The cyehOles of my skull were temptingly
open before me, and flew from the right hand
one out over the beautiful landscape, where |
scared in unspcakable pleasure.
| Each mOmeutmy sense of freedom and pow
er increased, until | seemed to possess degree
equal to that Of gods themselves
| Now | was supreme; my desires were sub
| icct only to my will, and that prompted me To
view the wonders of the world. | had never
| been in New York city, SO flying there rs an
Inappropriate starting point, | examined the
Iprincipal streets and buildings with an inter
est and intcntacss which fixed them indehbly
in my memory. My inspection finished, |
cast about in my mind for the most beautltn!
spot on earth, and naturally pitched upon Ma
| pies, whittier | flew, landing upon the side OF
the bank opposite Nesuvlus.
The brilliant sun stepped the scene in Il vel.
! low splendor; sky and sea were Of the deepest
! blue, enhanced in value by a few bright clouds
| lingering near the summit of the mountain,
which sent up iilmy vapor to JOIN them.
The city had the airy grace of fata NOR
cana: a fishing boat rocked gently at its moor
| IA, q, Ial, md I'M n
song loated dreamily up to me.
The vision delighted me beyond words
while | locked it changed like a disselvlng
view.
The sunlight became moonlight, and pro-
duced an effect lovelicr If possible than the
| former.
The moon sank slowly behind the horizon,
and the light gradually faded until all was
covered by darkness family illumined by the
stars Now volumes Of smoke, Redeemed from
beneath by dull glare began to pour forth
from the crater of Nesuyius. A pillar OF white
fame shot into the air and died away but only
to burst forth again and again, each time
mounting higher, until it reached the zenith
this pillar became divided and redivided into
ten thousand strands, which scintllated with
colors Of inConceivable gorgeousness and va
rlcDy; then the strands iHterlined, weaving
7
less iutricacy, and forming combinations OF
color never before beheld by mortal eye.
so THIS pyrOtrchnic fountain continued to
entwinc its exquisite patterns against the blue
! black BACKGROUND OF the midnight sky; then
it faded; the strands grew shorter, the smoke
thicker, and soon all was again yelled III
| gloom.
looked up at the stars and was filed with
the idea of the grandeur Of space; the world
seemed so insignificant that ! no longer cared
to remain upon it. Spreading my arms
SCARED away, leaving the little globe to roll un
cared for | could now take in at one vie"
the sun and all It's attending planets but even
this was not enough to satisfy my now exalted
soul.
On-on flew, until whole systems were be
fore me, stretching through space, which tc
the finite mind would seem amending, and per
forming their awful circles only IN cternltic:
0t time.
| The infinite mystcrics-lite, DEATH sin, etcr
a niy-all lay uniolded to my comprehension
as the simplest problems imagined mysel
a dlscmbodlcd spirit, and rose higher anc
higher, until it seemed that had reached The
very center Of CrcatlOn-the actua! source o.
all things-thc solemn presence Of the grea
Creator.
NV rhapsody was TOO extreme. The doctor
laid his hand upon my arm, but should mol
have known II had not seen the notion rs
did not feel his touch,
He tried to sOOthe me by quiet conversation
and succeeded partially in so doing. | haC
almost reached the confines Of earth again
when the servant came in with the lemons.
A quantity of lemon juice materially de
creased nay excitement, and soon placed me il
a condition to return home.
The doctor invited me to make a short cal
upon his wife and daughter before went, A
, we entered the room where they were, TIT
= Young lady was about to seat herself at the pl
ano, which persuaded her still to do, bcin!
curious to see what effect music would hav
npon me She played Mozarrs requiem. Tn
little room stretched to magnificent propol
tons
, | was IN a cathedral, dark and grand from
the organ loft came strains so soft and swec
that | could not keep back the tears.
f A bell was tolling IN the tower; 1t ceased
| the great folding doors opened, and preces
| sion of monks entered one by one, each wit
his cowl drawn over the face, and carrying
lighted candle; midway IN the line came tou
who bore coffin draped with serge. The Fro
cession moved slowly up the aisle; the cofli
! was set down near IA flight of steps, disclose
/ by the removal of a slab III the floor and
mournful chorus of mems voices joined wit
/ the music of the organ.
Here the march ended, the cathedral an
the dolciul monks disappeared, and the doctor
2 bursting INTO Il laugh at my lugubrious countt
nance, told his daughter to play somethin
y livelIer, whercupon she struck into spiritet
polka.
. Ny familiarity with dancing might be con
l. pared to that OF an untaught bear, but for m
q life could not resist it then Hastily beggin
pardon set off around the room, balancin
t TO chars, cutting enthusiastic pigeon. wings t.
/ the sofa, and stopping only with the cessation
. Of the music, which was neceSsitated by tn
, commissions of mirth provoked by nay absur'
. gyrahons.
! | remained a little while longer, but nothin
more occurring, took my leave, and walke
home making elaborate salaams to the vlllag
Iacpuaintoucps I happpnpl 10 meet who tool