stood there, I observed a bulb-shaped bottle, with a long thin neck,
very beautifully colored. I had seen it before, but without paying
particular attention to it, there being so many treasures of its kind in
the house; now, seeing it so closely, I could not help admiring its
exquisite beauty, and feeling puzzled at the scene depicted on it. In
the widest part it was encircled with a band, and on it appeared slim
youths and maidens, in delicate, rose-colored garments, with butterfly
wings on their shoulders, running or hurriedly walking, playing on
instruments of various forms, their faces shining with gladness, their
golden hair tossed by the wind--a gay procession, without beginning or
end. Behind these joyful ones, in pale gray, and half-obscured by the
mists that formed the background, appeared a second procession, hurrying
in an opposite direction--men and women of all ages, but mostly old,
with haggard, woebegone faces; some bowed down, their eyes fixed on the
ground; others wringing their hands, or beating their breasts; and all
apparently suffering the utmost affliction of mind.

Above the bottle there was a deep circular cell in the alcove, about
fifteen inches in diameter; fitted in it was a metal ring, to which were
attached golden strings, fine as gossamer threads: behind the first ring
was a second, and further in still others, all stringed like the first,
so that looking into the cell it appeared filled with a mist of golden
cobweb.

Drawing a cushioned seat to this secluded nook, where no person passing
casually through the room would be able to see me, I sat down, and
feeling too indolent to get myself a reading-stand, I supported the
volume I had taken up to read on my knees. It was entitled _Conduct
and Ceremonial,_ and the subject-matter was divided into short
sections, each with an appropriate heading. Turning over the leaves, and