When he arrived there it was the winter season for the southern hemisphere. During the discussion on the selection of the universal metropolis, at the time of the union of the hemispheres, an objection had been raised to Australis, namely, that there was darkness for about one-third of the year. But, in consequence of the other advantages of the site, the objection was overruled, and that the more readily, as an artificial chemical light of extraordinary brilliancy had just been discovered. So great was its power that, for moderate distances, it nearly equalled the light of day. These were the lights which Van Varken, on his first arrival, saw shining in Lucetta, and on the ships in the bay. And thus, when he reached Australis, he found not only the city, but the whole surrounding valley blazing with this wonderful illumination. Some persons, indeed, could never reconcile themselves to this artificial light, so another city was, in course of time, built at the North Pole; and, by migrating at the proper seasons, from one to the other, perpetual daylight might be enjoyed. The curt and jejune memoranda which remain tell us but little of the metropolitan city. The points which seem to have specially impressed him were—The great magazines or depôts of all sorts of articles which, in our cities, are usually sold in the shops, and which, under the Hesperian system, are abundantly supplied by the communistic labour; from these stores everyone supplied himself as he wanted. The splendid museums of science and art, and the picturesque style of the houses, all of which were, as in Lucetta, detached from each other, and but of one story in height, filled the doctor’s soul with admiration. Above them all was conspicuous the great temple or cathedral of the Unknown God. The gorgeous services performed there made a wonderful impression on the traveller; he was specially affected by one solemn and mournful chant, sung in unison by the whole of the immense congregation, and accompanied in strangely rich and complicated harmony on the largest organ he had ever seen. But, beyond these few details, nought is recorded. After his return to the north, he paid a visit to the great Observatory whose foundation he has so fully described. The original structure had been removed, and the buildings which now occupy the site are of vast dimensions, and are furnished with every astronomical instrument which the great skill of the Hesperians is competent to execute. Specially noteworthy are the mechanical contrivances for moving and adjusting the ponderous telescopes. Though these weigh many tons, the mere pressure of the finger on a couple of metal knobs suffices to direct any of them to whatever point of the sky is to be examined; and, with the telescope, the platform for the observer simultaneously takes the requisite position.