CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The World of Art and Beauty-Its Appearance to Beings of Earth floating in its

Atmosphere-These Observers described-The joyful Greetings of Mrs. Jay

and Peter Schlemihl in upper Air-Their Colloquy-Peter describes his Sickness

and Death-Of the City of God-Mrs. Jay and Peter alight near a Temple-

Here they meet with Deacon and Mrs. Colgate, with whom they go to the

Mansion of the Redeemed and spend the Night...

CHAPTER II.

.........

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Morning Scenes-Deacon Colgate's Account of this New World-Colloquy con-

cerning this World in contrast with Earth-Breakfast Servitors described-

Peter receives a Message from his Angel to hasten to the Metropolis to hear a

new Oratorio by Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven-The Messenger

tells the Story of his Life.........

CHAPTER III.

....

84

A Day spent in the World of Art and Beauty-Of the new St. Peter's built by Michael

Angelo-Mrs. Jay and her friend Peter meet with their neighbor, Mr. Laurens

-The new Oratorio by Handel is performed, aided by Haydn, Mozart and Bee-

thoven-Of the Language and Literature of the World of Art-They reach the

Happy Valley-Trial of Skill with a Mocking-bird-The Enigmas of Faith Dis-

cussed-Laurens introduces his friends to St. Perpetua-They attend Vespers-

The Temple and Worship described.......

CHAPTER IV.

.........

St. Perpetua sends Persis to Mrs. Jay with a Message Their Conversation-The

Idea of Married Life entertained by Persis-Her Admiration of Mrs. Jay-

Scenes on Silver Lake-Mrs. Jay joins Perpetua, who relates the Story of her

Martyrdom at Carthage-Of her appearance before Hilarion-Scene in the

Amphitheatre-Her Companions in Martyrdom-Of the Fathers of the Church-

The Similarity of Pagan and Papal Religions in Social Life-St. Perpetua and

Mrs. Jay are joined by Faustinus and Calliste, just returned after an Absence

of fourteen Centuries-Their Colloquy with Mrs. Jay-Their Surprise at hearing

of the Discovery of a "New World"-Mrs. Jay describes her meeting Satan,

the "Architect of Ruin "-Faustinus's Account of the New World whence he

has returned-Public Opinion in Rome, A.D. 330-Roman Society of the Fourth

Century-Calliste tells the Story of her Conversion; her Interviews with St. Paul,

of her Trials and Martyrdom.....
7

CHAPTER V.

Faustinus inquires of Mrs. Jay as to the Progress of the Gospel-Of the Last Days

of the World; Views of the Early Ages respecting it; Mrs. Jay gives the Views

of the Present Day-Perpetua on the Progress of Christianity-On the Condition

of Women in the Days of Nero-The Law of the Twelve Tables-Examples of

the Degradation of Women, shown in the Mother of Demosthenes and the Wife

of M. P. Cato-Of the Law of Divorce as shown by Cicero to Terentia-Cal-

liste tells of the Condition of Roman Children-Testimony of Tacitus-She gives

an Account of Roman Customs, concerning Marriage, in a Relation of her own

union to Faustinus..
116

CHAPTER VI.

The Party returns to the Palace Gardens-Scene-The Festivity of the Servitors-

Their Dances described-Mrs. Jay's Colloquy with St. Perpetua about Dancing

-Miss Mehitable Smith arrives-Her Horror at the Sights-Her Angel's con-

trast between the Dancing of Earth and the World of Beauty-Tibertius gives

a Recitation to Mrs. Jay and Perpetua of a Sermon Preached in the Metropolis

by St. John Chrysostom
140

CHAPTER VII.

Mrs. Jay rises at an early Hour-Her Recollections of her Infancy-She ascends

into the Air and seats herself on a Cloud-Her Thoughts of God-Returns to the

Palace to receive a Morning Call from Perpetua and Calliste in her own Room

-Their Colloquy-Of the School of Eloquence-Why there are no "Strong-

minded Women " in Heaven-Perpetua's Opinion of Woman's Rights-Of Modern

Fashions-Influence of the Science of Phrenology on Beauty-Variety of dresses

now worn-Paint not now used-Of Diamonds-Modern Invention of making

Money out of Paper-Of the Fashions at Carthage-Advantage of an Auto-da-

Fé-Satirical sayings of Tertullian-Of Celibacy-Asceticism-Monasticism-

Rise of Nunneries-Character of Girls educated in Convents-Of the Convents

of the United States-Of escaped Nuns-Of political Parties in the United

States-The Admiration of certain Mothers for Nunneries as Seminaries of

Education-Perpetua and Mrs. Jay discuss how these Prisons of the Unhappy

can be made subject to Law.........

151

CHAPTER VIII.

..........

St. Perpetua, Calliste and Mrs. Jay rise into the Air and sweep over the Country

alighting to visit attractive Pleasure Grounds-Perpetua's Remarks on English

Manners-The Villa of Anastasius-Frankie Guilford and her Music Lesson-

Her Account of Herself and Studies-Emerentia welcomes our Party to her

Villa-The Music Hall-New Music by Beethoven-Mrs. Jay sings some Airs,

"Native" to good Society in New York-Their Visit to the Studio-Perpetua and

her Party remain to Supper-Conversation at the Table-They take Leave of

the Family of Anastasius-Evening Scenes at the Palace-Mrs. Jay contrasts the

Appearance of the Saloons with a Grand Party of her own-Mrs. Jay's Difference

between Ancient and Modern Martyrdom-They join Sulpicius Severus and

St. Hedwiges-St. Chrysostom's Opinion of Modern Monkery-Of the Origin of

Asceticism...
183

CHAPTER IX.

The Feast of Fruits and Flowers-Mrs. Jay introduced to Dante and Beatrice-

Perpetua and Mrs. Jay meet Laurens and Peter Schlemihl on the Lawn-They

are joined by Faustinus and Calliste-Laurens gives an Account of a Meeting

of Savans in a Distant World for the Advancement of Knowledge-Description

of the Academy-They go to the Section of Metaphysicians-Peter Schlemihl

gives an Account of his Experiences-Calliste is surprised to hear Peter speak

of his Seven Senses-Peter's Explanation-Gives his Views of the Discussions-

Laurens resumes his Narrative-Mrs. Jay's Story of a Learned Lady of the

East-The Search for the Absolute-Sir William Hamilton and Plato compared

-The Jews had no Philosophy-Faustinus gives his Views-Laurens finishes the

Narrative of his Visit-Perpetua defends the Metaphysicians-They go to the

Temple to hear Beethoven's new Anthem-The Scene described-St. Cecilia and

Beethoven...
204

CHAPTER X.

The Story of Angela, the Nun-Mishael, the Guardian of Angela, leads her

to the Temple of the Winds, where Perpetua and our Friends were seated-

Her Appearance described-While Perpetua takes her on a Walk in the Gar-

dens, Mishael, at the request of Calliste, tells the Story of her Life-Angela

having completed her Education at Home, is taken by her Mother to Paris,

where she returns the Love of a young Nobleman-Her Mother gives her

Approval; and while Count Gratz is on a Visit to Vienna, she breaks up her

Home in Paris, and returns with Angela-The Count, in his Despair, takes the

Vow of Celibacy and becomes a Priest-He writes her a Letter, which she

receives at Home, praying her to become a Nun-Angela takes the Veil-Her

Decline and Death...

229

CHAPTER XI.

Life at the Palace described-An Evening Entertainment at the Temple-A Sunset

described-The Sabbath-The Ritual Service of the Temple-A Sermon is

preached by John Howe, once Chaplain to Oliver Cromwell-Mrs. Jay and

Peter meet Mr. Howe in the Gardens-Their Colloquy-The Necessity of a

Creed-Mr. Howe on Conversion-Mrs. Jay's Account of the State of the

Churches of Christ in the United States-Her Notion of the Work of the

Ministry...

262

CHAPTER XII.

Visit to the Studio of the Metropolis-Controversy between two Doctors, an Allo-

pathist and Homeopathist, as to their several Systems and Modes of Practice-

Visit to the Studio of a young Artist-Mrs. Jay makes a Discovery-Peter meets

Lucia sitting on a Cloud-Their Colloquy-Of the recent Meeting of Savans in

Montreal for the Advancement of Science-Lucia tells the Story of her Life-Of

her Interview with Lady Alice De Vere, just from St. Barnabas, in Pimlico-Story

of a Roman Saint...

274

CHAPTER XIII.

Mrs. Jay is recalled to Earth by Flavianus, her Angel, to be present at the Mar-

riage of her Daughter-She is accompanied by Faustinus and Calliste, Peter

and her Son-Sights seen on the Journey-The Records of Eternity-A World

on Fire-On reaching the Milky-way they have a Vision of Paradise before the

Creation of Adam-Scenes passing before them to the Ascension of Christ-

Flavianus explains how the Air holds a Record of all Events from the beginning

of Creation-They alight at the Home of Mrs. Jay..

CHAPTER XIV.

.......

.........

297

The Wedding Party at Mr. Jay's-The Marriage Guests enter-Miss Judith Grey-

Mrs. Fairfield-Mrs. George Thomson-Mrs. Thomson's Critique on

"Old

Masters "-Mrs. Gen. Wentworth and Mrs. Thomson discuss the late Mrs. Jay-

Colloquy between Mrs. Thomson, Mrs. Butler, and Mrs. Griswold, as to the

presence of the Departed-Mrs. Thomson's Opinion of the World she lives in-The

Story of a Night-Mrs. Howard and Miss Fairfield-Mrs. Jay takes leave of her

Husband and Daughter-Peter remains behind-Discovers the Curtains of an

Upper Room on Fire-Fails to arouse Mr. Jay-He rushes into the Ball-room

and shouts, Fire!.......

Appendix......

820

847

THE GATES WIDE OPEN.

CHAPTER I.

The World of Art and Beauty-Its Appearance to Beings of Earth floating in its Atmosphere-These Observers described-The joyful Greetings of Mrs. Jay and Peter Schlemihl in upper Air-Their Colloquy-Peter describes his Sickness and Death-Of the City of God--Mrs. Jay and Peter alight near a TempleHere they meet with Deacon and Mrs. Colgate, with whom they go to the Mansion of the Redeemed and spend the Night.

It was at the close of a summer's day, that a female form, arrayed in robes of light, floated in the atmosphere of a world of loveliness and grandeur. Upon her beautiful brow shone the halo of immortality, whose pure rays resembled the scintillations of stars. Her robes and vesture

"Sky robes spun of Iris' woof,"

were classic in their fashion, and fastened around the waist by a girdle studded with gems of rare brilliancy. Her eyes were lit with intense delight as she gazed long and ardently upon the varied landscape mapped out beneath her.

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