Another World Part 9

"Seek diligently and you will find healthful good even in noxious things."

In Montalluyah learned men are employed wholly in the study of the properties of insects, for these contain valuable electricities.

Colonies of insects, brought by the storms, formerly destroyed whole crops, till a simple mode was discovered for protecting our fields and capturing the marauders.

It was ascertained what plant the insects liked most. This, fortunately, proved to be a common plant--one that could be produced in great abundance. Large beds of it are grown in a place concealed as much as possible from view. Amongst the coveted flowers is sprinkled a strong scent, which attracts the insects, who, finding the plant they like so much, congregate there, abandoning entirely the other plants.

We have gauze of a very fine and yet strong texture, with which nets are formed. One half of the net is laid over the plant-bed when certain winds foretell the coming of the insects, and as soon as these have covered the favourite plant, the top of the net, moved by a spring from either side, closes over and secures the swarm. Where not necessary to secure the insects alive, we sprinkle over the attractive plant-beds a strong poison, which is itself extracted from insects.

There are at times certain impurities in places very difficult of access. Swarms of insects, secured in immense cages, are brought as near as can be to the spot. The cages opened, the insects instantly rush out in swarms, and soon consume everything that has produced the noxious exhalations. All insects,--indeed all created things,--have, in Montalluyah, some properties useful to man.

THE DEATH SOLACE.

After some years had pa.s.sed, and my laws had time to operate, disease and crime were reduced to the smallest proportions. Life is now prolonged to a period which, before my reign, would have been thought fabulous, and people rarely die but of old age.

Man's progress having become a pleasant journey, I was encouraged to believe that the traveller might be enabled to quit the world without the ordinary death-struggle and convulsion, and with his expiring faculties so refreshed, that he would give his last directions with a clear brain and a cheerful heart.

From a little insect, my men of science extracted a material from which is prepared a potion agreeable to the taste. This is administered to the patient as soon as the physicians are satisfied that life is ebbing fast; and it, at the same time, calms and rouses the dying man.

Within five minutes after it has been taken, all signs of suffering disappear, and the countenance acquires a calm expression, succeeded by a smile of joy rarely seen in the most perfect health. The faculties of the dying man are brightened, and his sensations rendered delightful. He looks calmly on death, makes his dispositions with the serenity of robust health, converses familiarly with those dear to him, gives them his blessing, and pa.s.ses away as though he were leaving only for a short and pleasant journey. I have seen many exhort their children and relatives, and speak of their departure for another world with an eloquence seldom heard on other occasions.

The effect of the potion on a person in full health is very different; it stimulates and excites, and is altogether prejudicial; and although it would rather do good than harm to a weakly person, its great virtues are only shown when taken by a man in his last moments. Where it is desirable merely to calm or to rouse, there are other and more effectual preparations.

XVII.

INTERNAL CITIES.

SUNs.h.i.+NE PICTURES.

"Let the great be blessed for the joy they cause to fall on the world like refres.h.i.+ng dews."

There are two seasons in our world--the one called "moderate," the other "extreme." In the extreme season the heat is far beyond the most powerful heat prevailing in your tropics. Special precautions are then necessary to preserve the health of the people. None are allowed to expose themselves to the sun during the greater part of the day; a cooling regimen is enjoined, and animal food is forbidden for a certain period. In both seasons the light by day is intense; its nearest approach to colour is a warm, bright, golden hue, not the cold, white, greyish hue of your climates; and its red shades are sufficient to light our caverns and pa.s.sages through the rocks to a certain distance.

Those who confer large benefits on the world are naturally ent.i.tled to enjoy a portion of the wealth and well-being they have successfully laboured to increase.

This truth I constantly bore in mind, and in s.p.a.cious galleries perforating the rocks I built the Trombetski, or Internal Cities, for the especial use of those whose superior intelligence had been occupied for the good of the world. Here, sheltered from the scorching rays of the sun, are the palace residences of the higher cla.s.ses during the extreme season. These galleries serve also to shorten distances between remote parts of the external world. With their streets and pa.s.sages they form of themselves cities, with scarcely less movement than in those without.

Light is admitted through occasional apertures--some natural, some made by man. It is not as vivid as that of the external world, but subdued and beautifully soft, is ample indeed for all purposes by day, like the pale red of the shade in the external world. Even at night artificial light is not ordinarily required in the open air, the shade of the red light of night being sufficient. Both sea and fresh water in abundance is brought to every part of the internal cities, which abound in waterfalls and fountains, nothing being omitted that may contribute to beauty, health, or comfort.

Many of the most lovely flowers and plants in the external world are those which flourish in the red shade, and are, therefore, eminently suited to the internal cities, where, planted in profusion, they flourish greatly, and emit aromas like your essences, but invariably fresh, sweet, and wholesome. Their natural beauty and odours are increased by electricity, an agent by means of which we can give most beautiful fragrance--nay, colour, form, and variety to flowers in general.

The communication from the palaces in the external world is often by means of a winding path, descending from the bas.e.m.e.nt of the upper palace to the palace in the internal world. By means of machines worked by electricity we have facilities for excavating earth; and where rocks or hard substances intervene we can remove large ma.s.ses by the application of explosive electricities. These paths are therefore excavated with ease.

My palace, situate on the summit of the upper mountain city, communicates with a magnificent summer palace, reached easily by a well lighted descent. The daylight in the internal palaces is peculiarly beautiful, almost unearthly. Pictures of life-like power are painted expressly for this light.

In my summer palace is a saloon of very great proportions, with a floor of ivory inlaid with pearls. This saloon contains more than 150 pictures, works of our great artists, representing the princ.i.p.al events of my life. In these the figures are large as life. Here are depicted extreme perils which I had undergone; here are the present times contrasted with the past; and thus the benefits conferred by my reign are presented in a manner which appeals at once to the heart.

SUNs.h.i.+NE PICTURES.

Great discoveries had been made of the enormous resources afforded by the sun. By the aid of machines this power is greatly utilized in manufactures, sciences, and arts. The loveliest colours of our fabrics are those imparted by the action of the sun with the aid of instruments fitted to the purpose.

When we desire to produce in a painting the effect of suns.h.i.+ne, the rays of the sun are attracted and permanently fixed on the parts of the picture we wish to illumine. The effect produced is as though the sun was actually s.h.i.+ning on the picture. The effects of sunrise or sunset-- the effects of the most brilliant, as well as the least vivid, suns.h.i.+ne--can be produced at will, and are exactly those of nature. Some of these effects are so vivid, that it would dazzle the eye to look on the sunny parts of the picture for any length of time.

A preparation sympathetic to the sun's rays having been rubbed over the part they are intended to illumine, the rays are concentrated there by means of an attracting and concentrating instrument. Another solution is then thrown rapidly on the part illumined in order to fix the rays permanently. A brush was used at first; but, in spite of all care, this left its deep shadow, which greatly marred the effect. Even now much care is necessary, and the solution must be thrown from the side with considerable address, so that the sun's rays may not be intercepted.

This solution serves also to fix the rest of the colours. The picture is painted on a fine material like linen, of great durability.

This art of using the sun's rays was much used on the paintings in my summer palace. The brilliant sunlight of the outer world thrown on the princ.i.p.al figures produced a greater effect in the subdued light of the internal city.

XVIII.

THE PICTURES.

"Let pictures speak to the eye, to the ear, to the taste, to the heart, to the head, to the concentrated light of the soul, to the imagination as well as to the understanding. If they do not rouse good aspirations, cast them into the fathomless ravine, there to perish, a fitting food for the poisonous fungi that cover its sides."

Among the pictures to which I refer is a series representing the following subjects:--

I. FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOLS.

II. THE OPENING OF THE AMUs.e.m.e.nT GALLERY.

III. MAN.

IV. WOMAN.

V. MARRIED LIFE.

VI. FLOCKS AND HEEDS.

VII. THE ALLMANYUKA.

VIII. THE STAR INSTRUMENT.

IX. NAVIGATION BEFORE AND SINCE MY REIGN.

X. CONSUMPTION OF THE VITALITY.

XI. MADNESS.

XII. THE EXPOSITION OF THE NEW DOCTRINES.

XIII. THE REBELS.

XIV. THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORTER.

XV. INVENTION OF THE LEAF INSTRUMENT.

XVI. SUN-POWER AND ITS APPLICATION TO MANUFACTURES, AND FOR HEALTH PURPOSES.