or himself inspired this article. Presently it came round to
me that the king had begun to dwell upon my having been possessed of a
watch, and to say that I ought to be treated medicinally for having told
him a lie about the balloons. I saw misfortune gathering round me in
every direction, and felt that I should have need of all my wits and a
good many more, if I was to steer myself and Arowhena to a good
conclusion.

There were some who continued to show me kindness, and strange to say, I
received the most from the very persons from whom I should have least
expected it--I mean from the cashiers of the Musical Banks. I had made
the acquaintance of several of these persons, and now that I frequented
their bank, they were inclined to make a good deal of me. One of them,
seeing that I was thoroughly out of health, though of course he pretended
not to notice it, suggested that I should take a little change of air and
go down with him to one of the principal towns, which was some two or
three days' journey from the metropolis, and the chief seat of the
Colleges of Unreason; he assured me that I should be delighted with what
I saw, and that I should receive a most hospitable welcome. I determined
therefore to accept the invitation.

We started two or three days later, and after a night on the road, we
arrived at our destination towards evening. It was now full spring, and
as nearly as might be ten months since I had started with Chowbok on my
expedition, but it seemed more like ten years. The trees were in their
freshest beauty, and the air had become warm without being oppressively
hot. After having lived so many months in the metropolis, the sight of
the country, and the country villages through which we passed refreshed
me greatly, but I could not forget my troubles. The last five miles or
so were the most beautiful part of the journey, for the country became
more undulating, and the woods were more extensive; but the first sight
of the city of the colleges itself was the most delightful of all. I
cannot imagine that there can be any fairer in the whole world, and I
expressed my pleasure to my companion, and thanked him for having brought
me.

We drove to an inn in the middle of the town, and then, while it was
still light, my friend the cashier, whose name was Thims, took me for a
stroll in the streets and in the court-yards of the principal colleges.
Their beauty and interest were extreme; it was impossible t