Having arrived at the great belt of Eucalyptus trees surrounding the
Lake, you would probably be directed by a Fairy Forest Ranger to one of
the many narrow paths leading to what is called “The Outer Causeway.”
Taking the direction indicated, on coming through the forest, there
would suddenly break upon your sight a gloriously beautiful Garden City
set upon a Hill. At the foot of the Hill, running in a wide band
completely round it, blue as the skies above, lie the waters of a
serene and lovely lake. In some respects, this water circlet is not
unlike the ring that surrounds Saturn, as pictured in the books dealing
with Astronomy; but this impression vanishes the nearer its margin is
approached.
When you reach the “Outer Causeway,” you discover that it is a wide
flat pathway, made of concrete bordered with red granite; and that it
encompasses or surrounds the whole of the lake. Where it touches the
water, at equal distances apart, there stand three hundred and
sixty-five rough-cut grey granite pillars; one for every day of the
year, each seven feet high, to represent the days of the week. On the
top of each of these pillars a perfectly round lamp has been placed;
whilst at the foot, iron bolts and rings have been affixed. Thus the
Pillars are not only useful for lighting purposes, but they also serve
as Moorings for Boats.
Getting into one of the many Ferry Boats that cross from shore to
shore, in due course a landing is made on the “Inner Causeway.” Like
its namesake, it also is a wide flat pathway; but in this case it is
made of White Marble bordered with polished red granite; and it
encloses or encompasses the whole of Fairy Island. On its outer rim;
that is to say, on the side that touches the water, at equal distances
apart, there are placed three hundred and sixty-five pillars of plain
burnished copper, each four feet high; and, linked to these, are a
double row of brass chains, polished and lacquered to the colour of
sunset gold.
At the proper landing places, these chains are detachable, and
attendant Fairies are in readiness to remove them as the boats arrive.
Passengers are thus enabled to step ashore without inconvenience or
trouble.
There are only four landing places; and from each of them runs a white
marble path that leads to one of the four City Entrance Gates.
The four gates, which are placed North, East, West and South of the
City, are set in a very strong wall of polished red granite, twelve
feet high and thirteen inches thick, representative, of course, of the
months of a year. Built into, and incorporated with the wall, and made
of the same material, at even distances apart, are fifty-two watch
towers, each seven feet high, one for each week of a year. These are
surmounted by pillars of exquisitely wrought copper, capped by
star-shaped electric torches that, throughout the livelong night, send
their searchlight beams across the Lake.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account