Ixion in Heaven; The Infernal Marriage. Popanilla. Count Alarcos (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ...from Lady Spirituelle; and, at the proper hour, his announcement produced a sensation throughout her crowded saloons. Spirituelle was a most enchanting lady; she asked Popanilla how tall he really was, and whether the women in Fantaisie were as handsome as the men. Then she said that the Vraibleusians were the most intellectual and the most scientific nation in the world, and that the society at her house was the most intellectual and the most scientific in Vraibleusia. She told him also that she had hoped by this season the world would have been completely regulated by mind; but that the subversion of matter was a more substantial business than she and the Committee of Management had imagined: she had no doubt, however, that in a very short time mind must carry the day; because matter was mortal, and mind eternal; therefore mind had the best chance. Finally she also told him that the passions were the occasion of all the misery which had ever existed; and that it was impossible for mankind ever to be happy or great, until, like herself and her friends, they were " all soul." Popanilla was quite charmed with his company. What a difference between the calm, smiling, easy, uninteresting, stupid, sunset countenances of Fantaisie, and those around him. All looked so interested, and so intelligent; their eyes were so anxious, their gestures so animated, their manners so earnest. They must be very clever He drew nearer. If before he were charmed, now he was enchanted: what an universal acquisition of useful knowledge Three or four dukes were earnestly imbibing a new theory of gas, from a brilliant little gentleman in black, who looked like a Will-o'-the-wisp. The Prime Minister was very anxious about pin-making; a Bishop equally interested...