been accustomed to on such occasions, were all missing. The silence and
order were almost oppressive because they were so strange. But there was
no lack of activity among the immense creatures who thronged around us.
Everyone was busy, knowing apparently just what to do without direction
from others, and just the best way to do it. Beings with lungs powerful
enough to wake the mountain echoes went about with mild and tuneful
voices, and, though each one seemed possessed of a giant's strength, no
severe labor was required of any.

The streets and walks were paved with a soft material, yielding slightly
to pressure, but so firm and tough that it showed no sign of wear, an
ideal pavement, over which the wheels rolled as noiselessly as they would
over a velvet carpet. It was, moreover, laid in beautiful patterns of the
most varied colors. The vehicles, of which there were many kinds for
different uses, were so faultlessly made that they moved with the utmost
quiet and apparent ease, the power that propelled them being invisible.
There were no tracks or wires, but all were guided in any direction and
with any speed at the pleasure of the riders.

Thorwald led me from the vessel, and another stalwart son of Mars took
charge of the doctor. After walking a few steps up the street we all
stepped into an empty carriage without saying as much as "by your leave,"
Thorwald touched a button, and we were off.

"This," said Thorwald, "is one of the best illustrations of the manner in
which we are applying electricity. You saw them also unloading the heavy
freight from the boat by the same power. So all our work is done. No
fleshly limb is strained, no conscious life is burdened, by any of the
labor of our complex society. This subtle force is so well controlled and
its laws are so thoroughly understood that it is equal to every demand."