The Church won the conflict and now the profession of atheism is not allowed.  If it can be shown that any sane person takes such a position, he is given a certain period to recant.  If recantation is not forthcoming, he is placed in the public work-house until he acknowledges the existence of Deity.  Atheists are scarce under this severe ruling.

You may well know how I was startled to see such summary action taken in regard to unbelievers.  At first I prided myself that I belonged to a world of free thought and free speech, but when I saw the magnetic effect of these Jupiter regulations I was in doubt as to the superiority of our religious and irreligious liberties.

The soil of Jupiter yields abundantly.  The animals are all large and of species unknown to us.  They have animals that resemble our elephant and ox; these they use for food.  Common birds, as large as geese or turkeys, flourish in the extensive forests and furnish about one-third of the food for the giants.

The vegetation is after the order of our world, except that the curse of weeds and thistles is only one-fourth as great.  But the people of Jupiter have learned more than we of the use of these weeds, and certain of them are cultivated to a wide extent.

I spent a long time on the planet.  I saw the fiery lakes that are fed by subterraneous streams of lava, and the geysers of blue flame darting their immense tongues high in the air.

As near as fifty miles to these fiery centers can be seen gardens of vegetation and fields under cultivation.  I yielded at last to a desire that prompted me to make a personal appearance.  So I stopped on a thoroughfare and occupied a rustic seat at the roadside.  I was dressed in my earthly costume, and sat composedly awaiting developments.

The first living creature that observed my presence was a passing quadruped.  It was larger than a wild goat, and was a small specimen after its kind.  For want of a better name I will call it a “dog.”

As soon as I was spied by this animal he set up a hideous howl and ran at full speed.  Knowing my own homeliness, I had all charity for the animal and did not censure him for being so terribly frightened at my appearance.

Soon a full grown giant came along.  He chanced to be a learned professor out for an evening walk, as we would say.  He seemed to be in deep meditation and did not notice me until he was near my side.  Then he stood breathless, while a feeling of fear and surprise evidently possessed him.  I sat motionless, looking up into his eyes, and saw the convolutions on his forehead and chin quivering quite perceptibly.  He evidently judged me to be some undeveloped species of Mon-go-din, an animal of Jupiter bearing faint resemblance to our man-ape.  To my surprise, he suddenly grasped me and tightly held me fast in his gigantic arms.  I made no effort to free myself.

His surprise was only intensified at my resignation.  He expected a struggle, but I neither made an outcry nor resisted capture.  Like an infant I lay in his arms, while he passed quick glances all over me.  He was baffled beyond all measure, and hurried away toward the great college near by.  Upon reaching the museum department, I was placed in a strong cage and the doors were doubly secured.