and

melody of the atmosphere, and to watch myriads dwelling in happiness unalloyed by languor, while my heavenly Instructor informed me that the extent of their world, in the direction in which we urged our course, was unknown; that if they ascended the element became more subtle, and by the account of the angels, led to the empyréan realm [E], whither they knew they could not bend their way that far beneath, the region decreased in splendour, and consequently was never visited by any of them; but that on the side

where I entered, an interminable bank of refulgent clouds of a denser nature than their islands prevented them from passing, and that amid them were always guards of angels and seraphs who permitted none to enter but spirits delegated from on high, and that no wish existed among the denizens of this region to pass the boundary from within.

My perception, from holding communion with spirits so pure, became itself more refined, and I so deeply longed to be an inhabit

ant of the world of spirits, that my despondence was noticed by my director, who serenely smiling said,

"Catch some emanation from the scenes around you, aspire to blessings within your reach, hold lightly all worldly things, yet neglect not the earthly duties imposed on you, for the performance of them, will, through mercy, lead you here; raise your mind to the contemplation of celestial things, and there you will discover stores of hidden manna [F]; consider the wonders, the harmony, the order of

your terrestrial sphere, and you will find ample reasons for fearing, yet loving and adoring, your heavenly Father; ponder on the necessity and redundant mercy of your Redemption, and you soon will find yourself in the path that leads to eternal happiness." I felt a kindred ardour glowing in my soul, and the more I thought on what my monitor had uttered, the stronger rose my resolution to attempt to gain the prize of immortal happiness.

While immersed in these momentous thoughts a radiant glory

gleamed around us and a Seraph gently lighted on our cloud that bent not beneath his tread; with gentle, yet majestic mien, the Seraph addressed my conductor, who had arisen to salute it; the music of his words enchanted me, though I could not understand their meaning. A holy exultation played on the brightening countenance of my guide while thanking the Seraph, who winged again towards the empyréan his aërial way.

Our island was now impelled with great rapidity; my guide in