Mizora: A Prophecy / A MSS. Found Among the Private Papers of the Princess Vera Zarovitch

f her unhappy fate. In stature she was above the medium height, with a form of the fairest earthly loveliness and exquisite grace. Her eyes were so deep a blue, that at first I mistook them for br

perfectly developed muscles must, by the laws of nature, be symmetrical and graceful. They rode a great deal on small, two-wheeled vehicles, w

edingly musical, even in that land of swee

my own and other countries, where I had witnessed the display of human nature, unrestrained by mature discretion and policy. Fights, quarrels, kicks, screams, the unlawful seizure of toys and trinkets, and other misdemeanors, were generally the principal e

on proved to me that it was the natural impulse of the heart, an inherited trait of moral culture. In my world, kindness and affection were family

Food and fuel were items of so small consequence, that poverty had become unknown. Added to this, and to me by far the most vital reason, was their system of free education. In contemplating the state of enlightenment to which Mizora had attained, I became an enthusiast upon the subject of education, and resolved, should I ever again reach the up

ost scrupulous attention was paid to their diet and exercise, both mental and physical. The result was plump limbs, healthy, happy faces and joyous spirits. In all the fifteen years that I spent in Mizora, I never saw a tear of sorrow fall from children's

other watching the vessel break to pieces upon the rock and her child sink into the boiling water to rise no more, was thrilling beyond my power to describe. I lost control of my feelings. The audience wept and applauded; and when the curtain fell, I could scarcely believe it had only been a play. The love of Mizora women for their children is strong and deep. They consider the care of them a sacred duty, fraught with the noblest

ould afford me the opportunity I coveted to become acquainted with the domestic life of Mizora, and perhaps penetrate its greatest m

ic and literary magazine in the country. She was the mother of eight children, and p

h floors were of clouded marble. The pillars supporting its roof were round shafts of the same material, with vine

he ceiling depended a large gold basin of beautiful design and workmanship, in which played a miniature fountain of perfumed water that filled the air with a delicate fragrance. The walls were divided into panels of polished and unpolished granite. On the unpolished panels hung paintings of scenery. The dull, gray color of the walls brought out in sharp and tasteful relief

men supported a tiny figure carved out of ivory, holding a musical instrument. When they played, each figure appeared instinct with life, like the mythi

m with the faint blush of day shining through it. The conservatory was in the shape of a half sphere, and entirely of glass. From its dome, more than a hundred feet above our heads, hung a globe of white

aste and luxury. The sitting-room contain

laying hide-and-seek behind the statuary, or otherwise amusing themselves, I met eight lovely children, ranging from infancy to young maidenhood. The glowing cheeks and eyes, and supple limbs spoke of perfect health and happiness. When they saw their mother coming, they ran to meet her, the oldes

er the care of a professional artist. I remarked to my hostess

to carry out my designs. The arrangement and ornamentation of my ground

n opportunity to carelessly pick it up and examine it. It was a novel I felt sure, for she appeared to resign it reluctantly out of courtesy to her guest. I might, from it, gather

e conversation and amusement. The cook was asked to sing, for, with the exception of myself-and I tried to conceal it-no one appeared to take umbrage at her presence. She sat down to the piano and sang a pretty ball

is unknown as a servant entertaining guests in such a capacity,

of it. I had to acknowledge that her hands were more delicately modeled than mine, and her bearing had a dignity and elegance that might have been envied by the most aristocratic dame of my own land. Knowing that the Mizora people were p

tion. She solved the problem of making bread out of limes

ave me a stone when I ask

en you what you took for bread, but which is manufacture

h inane astonishment t

stone is abundant. You can there see loaves by the thousands packed in great glass tanks for shipm

he discoverer get for th

public for the benefit of all. The competition among manufacturers consists in the care and exactness with which they combine

's kitchen and keep herself like a lady?" I inquired, all the pre

et she can put together with such nicety and chemical skill the elements that form an omelette or a custard, that she has become famous. She teaches all who desire to learn, but none

s from that that I suppos

" continued Wauna, "nearly a

d an apology for my behavior toward her, and Waun

she added sweetly. "We know that you are from a civi

iliousness existed in Mizora whil

a guest between the regular hours for dining, as it would imply a desire on your part to impair their health. Such was the explanation of what in my country would be deemed a gross neglect of duty. Their custom was prob

lege. They were all highly-educated, refined, lady-like and lovely. Their occupations were always matters of choice, for, as there was nothing in them to detract from their social position, they selected the one they knew they had the ability to fill. Henc

comprehended that in this very law of social equality lay the foundation of their superiority. Their admirable system of adapting the mind to the vocation in which it was most capable of excelling, and endowing that with digni

n informed that the only aristocracy of the country was that of intellect. Scholars, artists, scientists, liter

t hung in a room thrown open to visitors. On inquiry, I was inf

a variety of scenery before you. How monotonous it would be with a drawing-room full

you keep your f

n a galler

relics and portraits of family ancestry. There were over three thousand portraits of blond women, which my hostess

cient knowledge of their language. My astonishment at it cannot be described. It was a mystery that became more and more perplexing. Never in the closest intimacy that I could

questioning into private affairs. My hostess never spoke of her business. It would have been a breach of etiquette to have questioned her about it.

incomprehensible mystery surrounded them, and when I had abandoned all hope of a solution to it, it solved itself