g.
As we moved on I seemed to live portions of my earthly life, long past.
The gorgeous and fantastic architecture which everywhere met my eye
reminded me of the halls of the Alhambra. Swiftly passing, we emerged
through a spacious arch upon an open arbor, where were congregated the
priests whom I had been invited to meet. I started back with a shock of
delight when I beheld, in the centre of the group, the immortal figure of
George Washington. I knew him instantly, partly from the likenesses which
had been extant on earth, and partly from the noble spirit which emanated
like a sun from his person. The group parted as we entered and I
immediately felt, resting upon my shoulder like a benediction, the soft,
firm hand of the Father of his Country. "Washington!" I exclaimed,
fervidly grasping his hand. "At length we have met!" he responded, and a
smile of ineffable joy lighted his countenance. He then spoke of the many
changes through which the United States had passed since his removal to
the spirit land. I was surprised at the extent of knowledge he displayed.
Not the slightest variation in the scale of political economy had escaped
his notice. He expressed himself pleased especially at the great progress
and development of the people within the last twenty years. He alluded to
their rapid march through the western territories; the founding of new
and important States; the development of the agricultural and mineral
resources of countries supposed to be almost valueless; of the invention
and construction of machinery adapted to the wants and necessities of
those new and rapidly-increasing States. "This marvellous growth is owing
to their being essentially a mediumistic people--is it not so?" said he,
smiling and turning to the assembled guests. "Yes, yes!" I heard repeated
on all sides. On this commenced a general conversation. I listened as one
in a dream. Around me I beheld the faces and forms of the heroes of past
history, each bearing the shape and semblance of humanity, though removed
from earth millions of miles into space. One and all emitted, like stars,
their own peculiar luminous aura. Collected in motley groups were
Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, William Penn, Old General Jackson, John
Jacob Astor, De Witt Clinton, and many of the old Knickerbocker residents
of New York; with Sir Robert Peel, Lord Brougham, the Duke of Wellington,
Hunt, Keats, Byron, Scott, Cowper, Hume, Goethe, De Stael, Mrs. Hemans,
and many