“However completely the mere memory of detail vanishes, the traits of nature remain, and these mingling beings present a kaleidoscope of contrasted or blending talents.  But union of beings comes in here as in our States to combine all together and create this unique expression of social beauty, tenderness, scientific power, progress and spiritual exaltation.  Marriage is here as with us, and love holds its deathless sway among the white and noble Martians as on earth, while the affection of friendship seems to weave every atom of society to every other atom in a social texture over which only moves the refining powers of thought and aspiration.

“Mars does indeed seem a sort of Paradise, for it is quite certain that the best, the truest, the deeper and emphatic souls come here; and while a sort of sin or social incompatibility is found here, and there are crimes, and while death and sickness and accidents occur here, as I have told you, yet these things have a moral or mental, rather than physical expression.  At least, in a great measure, and they are rare.  No! accidents of matter pertain to Mars; its materiality is complete.  As I send this to you I feel my warmth, the heat of my body, the expiration of my breath, the movements of my eyes, the beating of my heart, all, all, these bodily phenomena seem unchanged—­their physiology is changed, their corporate reality seems the same, their corporeal consequences are different.  But I cannot explain clearly this to you.  Do I know it clearly myself?

“I was questioned by the Registeries, both of whom had come from the earth, though in them, as in all the less highly endowed, memory was fading.  Because of this, Registeries quickly succeed each other, since the later arrivals from the other worlds are better adapted to elicit the information needed from the new spirits.  And this applies to other worlds, to Mercury and Venus, etc., whose Registeries are, so far as possible, appointed from previous occupants of those spheres.

“The larger, far larger percentage of spirits come from the three planets, Mercury, Venus and the Earth; but there are singular inexplicable arrivals from distant stars, and of these the records are in many instances of extraordinary wonderfulness.  I must not pause to recount this.  I know it very imperfectly.

“My examiners had little to do.  My memory seemed of great power, and I told them the story of our experiments, discoveries and our compact to communicate with each other.  This portion of my story was listened to with admiration.  Chapman, my guide, and the two Registeries leaped to their feet, exclaimed with delight and embraced each other in ecstacy.  ‘At last!  At last!’ cried out all of them, while hastily calling officers of the building to them they rapidly explained my singular announcement.  It seemed to run like fire through the throngs.  A great crowd was soon pressing in upon us on every side, while the Martian ejaculation ‘Hi mitla’ rang in all directions.  I was astounded.  What was this strange excitement, and why had my simple tale awakened this fierce commotion?