As we left the orchard, the doctor pointed out to us several wheat-fields in the neighborhood, cultivated with true German love for neatness, which formed, with the pleasant dwellings adjoining, separate farms.  The average yield per acre, he observed, was from twenty-five to forty bushels of wheat, and from forty to fifty of oats.  He then took us into a neighboring grove, to a place where the pic-nics and holiday feasts of the colony are held:  here we paused near a grassy knoll shaded by a sort of awning and surrounded by a moat.  This, which bears the name of “The Temple Hill,” forms the centre of a number of straight roads, which branch out from it into the woods in the shape of a fan.  Not far from it I noticed a dancing ground covered by a circular open roof, and a pavilion for the music.

“At our public feasts,” said the doctor, “I have all these branching roads lighted with colored lanterns, and illuminate the temple, which, with its brilliant lamps, makes quite an imposing spectacle.  When we celebrate our May-day festival it looks, after dark, like a scene out of the Arabian Nights; and when, added to this, we have beautiful music and fine singing, and the young folks are enjoying the dance, it is really very pleasant.  But none are permitted to set foot on the Temple Hill, nor can they do it very easily if they would.  Do you know the reason, gentlemen?” Koerner opined that it might be on account of the ditch, which would be difficult to pass, in which view I agreed.  “Exactly so,” remarked the doctor.  “This Temple Hill has an especial significance:  it represents the sovereign ruler of the people, on whose head no one may tread:  on that account the ditch is there.”

After a walk of several hours we returned to the doctor’s house, where he invited us to take a glass of homemade wine.  As we had been informed that the sale and use of wine and spirits were strictly forbidden in the colony, this invitation was certainly an unprecedented exception.  The wine, of which two kinds were placed before us—­one made of wild grapes, and the other of currants—­was very good, and was partaken of in the doctor’s office.  Here Mr. Koerner again brought forward his life-insurance project:  the doctor gave him hopes that he would go into it, but he wished to give the matter due consideration, and to subject the advantages and disadvantages of the speculation to a strict investigation, before giving a definite answer; and with this ended our visit to the “king of Aurora.”

Before leaving the colony we obtained considerable information from the members as to their interior organization and government, the results of which, as well as what I further learned respecting Doctor Keil, I will state briefly.