We soon stood upon _terra-firma_, if these translucent rocks could be
called _terra-firma_ which rose in glittering and polished peaks all
around us. They were wonderfully iridescent, so that no bed of
gorgeously-colored flowers could have filled the eye with a greater
variety of tints.

A few steps around a projecting bluff brought us within sight of what
appeared to me a magnificent palace of alabaster. This palace I soon
learned was a hotel, or place of resort for travellers.

In ascending its polished steps I was met by some half dozen persons whom
I had known. You may be sure a wonderful handshaking ensued. We remained
here but a few moments, partook of refreshments, and then proceeded to
the court-yard, where I was told a car awaited to carry us to our
destination.

The car seemed to be a frame-work, apparently of silver wire. We now
comfortably seated ourselves, when two large wings struck out from it
like those of some great condor. We moved rapidly over the acclivity.
This is a new way of crossing the mountains, thought I; I will have to
introduce it in the Sierra Nevada and Colorados.

I inquired how the machine was propelled, and was informed, "Simply by a
chemical arrangement similar to your galvanic battery."

You may conceive my astonishment when we descended into a park of a vast
city.

"My God!" exclaimed I, "it cannot be that I am in the spirit world! Why,