of scales. I presumed the
structure to be the court-house, nor was I deceived. I was carried into
a large room, the floor of which was overlaid with glittering marble
flags of various colors.

At the upper end a golden chair was raised a little above the floor,
like a judge's seat; in it was seated a sedate palm tree, distinguished
from the rest by the gorgeousness of his leaves; a little below him were
seated twelve assessors, six on either side. About them stood
twenty-four officers holding axes. I was not a little terrified when
brought a prisoner before these magnates.

As I entered the hall, all the officers of the court stood up, elevated
their branches and then sat down. After this ceremony I was placed at
the bar between two trees, the stems of which were covered with
sheep-skins. These persons I supposed to be lawyers, and so they were.

Before the trial commenced, the head of the judge was wrapped up in a
black blanket. The accuser then made a short speech, which he thrice
repeated. The lawyer appointed to defend me, replied in the same manner.
A perfect silence then ensued. In half an hour the superior judge rose
from the chair, removed the blanket, raised the branches towards Heaven,
and spoke with much grace, what I supposed to be my sentence. I was then
carried back to my prison.

While I mused on the strange things I had witnessed, a tree came into
my cell, with an instrument resembling a lancet in his hand. He stripped
one of my arms, and made a puncture in the median vein. When he had
taken from me as much blood as he deemed sufficient, he bound up the
wound with great dexterity. He then examined my blood with much
attention, and departed silently, with an expression of wonder.

This circumstance by no means weakened the opinion which I had for some
time entertained, that these people were shallow and foolish. But my
judgment proved to be too hasty. When I was better enabled to judge of
what passed about me, by acquaintance with the subterranean languages,
my contempt was changed to admiration.

I will now explain the ceremonies, which to my ignorance seemed
ridiculous.

From my figure it was concluded that I was an inhabitant of the
firmament. I was supposed to have attempted to violate the person of a
chaste and virtuous lady, and for this crime I had been taken to the
court-house for trial.

The rising of the branches towards Heaven, was a common ceremony of
religion. The lawyers were clot