ver
the canopy of Elysium. And in the centre of the square a Leviathan,
carved in white coral, and apparently flouncing in a huge basin of rock
crystal, spouted forth from his gills a fountain twelve hundred feet in
height; from one gill ascended a stream of delicious wine, which might
be tempered, if necessary, by the iced water that issued from the other.

At the approach of the Queen, the gigantic gates of the palace,
framed of carved cedar, flew open with a thrilling burst of music, and
Proserpine found herself in a hall wherein several hundred persons, who
formed her household, knelt in stillness before her. Wearied with her
long journey, and all the excitement of the day, Proserpine signified to
one of the Elysians in attendance her desire for refreshment and
repose. Immediately the household rose, and gracefully bowing retired in
silence, while four ladies of the bed-chamber, very different from the
dogfaced damsels of the realm of Twilight, advanced with a gracious
smile, and each pressing a white hand to her heart, invited her Majesty
to accompany them. Twelve beautiful pages in fanciful costume, and each
bearing a torch of cinnamon, preceded them, and Proserpine ascended
a staircase of turquoise and silver. As she passed along, she caught
glimpses of costly galleries, and suites of gorgeous chambers, but she
was almost too fatigued to distinguish anything. A confused vision of
long lines of white columns, roofs of carved cedar, or ceilings glowing
with forms of exquisite beauty, walls covered with lifelike tapestry,
or reflecting in their mighty mirrors her own hurrying figure, and her
picturesque attendants, alone remained. She rejoiced when she at length
arrived in a small chamber, in which preparations evidently denoted
that it was intended she should rest. It was a pretty little saloon,
brilliantly illuminated, and hung with tapestry depicting a party of
nymphs and shepherds feasting in an Arcadian scene. In the middle of the
chamber a banquet was prepared, and as Proserpine seated herself, and
partook of some of the delicacies which a page immediately presented to
her, there arose, from invisible musicians, a joyous and festive strain,
which accompanied her throughout her repast. When her Majesty had
sufficiently refreshed herself, and as the banquet was removing, the
music assumed a softer and more subduing, occasionally even a solemn
tone; the tapestry, slowly shifting, at length represented the same
ch