"None of them gave me a direct manifestation of himself, and what I
tell you of them is known to me by induction only, and by hearsay.
Certain as their existence is, I should not attempt to describe
their habits and their character. It is necessary to know when not
to know, my son, and I make it a point not to bring forward other
than perfectly well-observed facts.

"Let those genii, or rather demiurguses, abide in their glory, and
let us treat of illustrious beings who stand nearer to us. Here, my
son, is where one has to lend an open ear.

"If in speaking of the planets I have given vent to a feeling of
disdain, it was that I only took into consideration the solid
surface and shell of those little balls or tops and the animals who
sadly crawl on them. I should have spoken in quite another tone, if
in my mind I had included with the planets the air and the vapours
wherein they are enveloped. For the air is an element in no way of
lesser nobility than fire, whence it follows that the dignity and
importance of the planets is in the air wherein they are bathed.
Those clouds, soft vapours, puffs of wind, transparencies, blue
waves, moving islets of purple and gold which pass over our heads,
are the abode of adorable people. They are called Sylphs and
Salamanders, and are creatures infinitely amiable and lovely. It is
possible for us, and convenient, to form with them unions, the
delights of which are hardly conceivable.

"The Salamanders are such that in comparison with them the prettiest
person at court or in the city is but an ugly woman. They surrender
themselves willingly to philosophers. Doubtless you have heard of
that marvel by which M. Descartes was accompanied on his travels.