"The same thing over and over again. take. However, you are now in the high Little novelty and much change. I am road to preferment, so we will not be dull. wearied with exertion, and if I could get There are some good fellows enough a pension would retire." amongst us. You will like old Nep "And yet travel brings wisdom." "It cures us of care. Seeing much we feel little, and learn how very petty are all those great affairs which cost us such anxiety." "I feel that already myself. Floating in this blue æther, what the devil is my wife to me, and her dirty earth! My persecuting enemies seem so many pismires; and as for my debts, which have occasioned me so many brooding moments, honor and infamy, credit and beggary, seem to me alike ridiculous." To the "Your mind is opening, Ixion. You will soon be a man of the world. left, and keep clear of that star." "Who lives there?" "The Fates know, not I. Some low people who are trying to shine into notice. Tis a parvenu planet, and only sprung into space within this century. We do not visit them." tune." "Is he there now?" "Yes, he generally passes his summer with us. There is little stirring in the ocean at that season." 66 I am anxious to see Mars." "Oh! a brute, more a bully than a hero. Not at all in the best set. These mustachioed gentry are by no means the rage at present in Olympus. The women are all literary now, and Minerva has quite eclipsed Venus. Apollo is our hero. You must read his last work." “I hate reading." "So do I. I have no time, and seldom do anything in that way but glance at a newspaper. Study and action will not combine." "I suppose I shall find the Goddesses very proud?" "You will find them as you find women below, of different dispositions with "Poor devils! I feel hungry." the same object. Venus is a flirt; Mi"All right. We shall get into Heaven nerva a prude, who fancies she has a corby the first dinner bolt. You cannot ar- rect taste and a strong mind; and Juno a rive at a strange house at a better mo-politician. As for the rest, faint heart ment. We shall just have time to dress. never won fair lady, take a friendly hint, I would not spoil my appetite by lunch- and do not be alarmed." eon. Jupiter keeps a capital cook." "I have heard of Nectar and Ambrosia." "Poh! nobody touches them. They are regular old-fashioned celestial food, and merely put upon the side-table. Nothing goes down in Heaven now but infernal cookery. We took our chef from Proserpine." Were you ever in Hell?" "Several times. "Tis the fashion now among the Olympians to pass the winter there." "Is this the season in Heaven?" "Yes; you are lucky. Olympus is quite full." "It was kind of Jupiter to invite me." "Ay! he has his good points. And, no doubt, he has taken a liking to you, which is all very well. But be upon your guard. He has no heart, and is as capricious as he is tyrannical." "Gods cannot be more unkind to me than men have been." "I fear nothing. My mind mounts with my fortunes. We are above the clouds. They form beneath us a vast and snowy region, dim and irregular, as I have sometimes seen them clustering upon the horizon's ridge at sunset, like a raging sea stilled by some sudden supernatural frost and frozen into form! How bright the air above us, and how delicate its fragrant breath! I scarcely breathe, and yet my pulses beat like my first youth. I hardly feel my being. A splendor falls upon your presence. You seem, indeed, a God! Am I so glorious? This, this is Heaven! " III. THE travelers landed on a vast flight of sparkling steps of lapis-lazuli. Ascending, they entered beautiful gardens; winding walks that yielded to the feet, "All those who have suffered think and accelerated your passage by their rethey have seen the worst. A great mis-bounding pressure; fragrant shrubs cov ered with dazzling flowers, the fleeting | tune, Latona, Minerva, and Apollo, and tints of which changed every moment; when Mercury and Ixion had taken their groups of tall trees, with strange birds of places, one seat was still vacant. brilliant and variegated plumage, singing and reposing in their sheeny foliage, and fountains of perfumes. Before them rose an illimitable and golden palace, with high spreading domes of pearl, and long windows of crystal. Around the huge portal of ruby was ranged a company of winged genii, who smiled on Mercury as he passed them with his charge. "The father of Gods and men is dressing," said the son of Maia. "I shall attend his toilet and inform him of your arrival. These are your rooms. Dinner will be ready in half an hour. I will call for you as I go down. You can be formally presented in the evening. At that time, inspired by liqueurs and his matchless band of wind instruments, you will agree with the world that Ægiochus is the most finished God in existence." IV. "Now, Ixion, are you ready?" "Even so. What says Jove?" "He smiled, but said nothing. He was trying on a new robe. By this time he is seated. Hark! the thunder. Come on!" They entered a cupolaed hall. Seats of ivory and gold were ranged round a circular table of cedar, inlaid with the campaigns against the Titans, in silver exquisitely worked, a nuptial present of Vulcan. The service of gold plate threw all the ideas of the King of Thessaly as to royal magnificence into the darkest shade. The enormous plateau represented the constellations. Ixion viewed the father of Gods and men with great interest, who, however, did not notice him. He acknowledged the majesty of that countenance, whose nod shook Olympus. Majestically robust and luxuriantly lusty, his tapering waist was evidently immortal, for it defied Time, and his splendid auburn curls, parted on his forehead with celestial precision, descended over cheeks glowing with the purple radiancy of perpetual manhood. "Where is Diana?" inquired Jupiter, with a frown. "My sister is hunting," said Apollo. "She is always too late for dinner," said Jupiter. "No habit is less Goddesslike." "Godlike pursuits cannot be expected to induce Goddess-like manners,' said Juno, with a sneer. "I have no doubt Diana will be here directly," said Latona, mildly. Jupiter seemed pacified, and at that instant the absent guest returned. "Good sport, Di?" inquired Neptune. "Very fair, uncle. Mamma," continued the sister of Apollo, addressing herself to Juno, whom she ever thus styled when she wished to conciliate her, "I have brought you a new peacock." Juno was fond of pets, and was conciliated by the present. 66 Bacchus made a great noise about this wine, Mercury," said Jupiter, "but I think with little cause. What think you?" "It pleases me, but I am fatigued, and then all wine is agreeable." "You have had a long journey," replied the Thunderer. "Ixion, I am glad to see you in Heaven." "Your Majesty arrived to-day?" inquired Minerva, to whom the King of Thessaly sat next. Within this hour." "You must leave off talking of time now," said Minerva, with a severe smile. "Pray, is there anything new in Greece?" "I have not been at all in society lately." "No new edition of Homer? I admire him exceedingly." "All about Greece interests me," said Apollo, who, although handsome, was a somewhat melancholy lackadaisical looking personage, with his shirt collar thrown open, and his long curls theatrically arranged. "All about Greece interests me. I always consider Greece my peculiar property. My best poems were written at Delphi. I traveled in Greece when I was young. I envy mankind." "Indeed!" said Ixion. The haughty Juno was seated on his "Yes: they at least can look forward left hand and Ceres on his right. For to a termination of the ennui of existthe rest of the company there was Nep-ence, but for us Celestials there is no prospect. Say what they like, Immor- | And what is Air? Do you know? I tality is a bore." don't. All is mystery, and all is gloom, "You eat nothing, Apollo," said Ceres. and ever and anon from out the clouds a "Nor drink," said Neptune. star breaks forth, and glitters, and that star is Poetry." "To eat, to drink, what is it but to live; and what is life but death, if death be that which all men deem it, a thing insufferable, and to be shunned. I refresh myself now only with soda-water and biscuits. Ganymede, bring some." Now, although the cuisine of Olympus was considered perfect, the forlorn poet had unfortunately picked upon the only two articles which were not comprised in its cellar or larder. In heaven there was neither soda-water nor biscuits. A great confusion consequently ensued; but at length the bard, whose love of fame was only equalled by his horror of getting fat, consoled himself with a swan stuffed with truffles, and a bottle of strong Tenedos wine. "What do you think of Homer?" inquired Minerva of Apollo. "Is he not delightful?" If you think so.” Nay, I am desirous of your opinion." "Then you should not have given me yours, for your taste is too fine for me to dare to differ with it." "I have suspected for some time that you are rather a heretic." "Why, the truth is," replied Apollo, playing with his rings, "I do not think much of Homer. Homer was not esteemed in his own age, and our contemporaries are generally our best judges. The fact is, there are very few people who are qualified to decide upon matters of taste. A certain set, for certain reasons, resolve to cry up a certain writer, and the great mass soon join in. All is cant. And the present admiration of Homer is not less so. They say I have borrowed a great deal from him. The truth is, I never read Homer since I was a child, and I thought of him then, what I think of him now, a writer of some wild irregular power, totally deficient in taste. Depend upon it, our contemporaries are our best judges, and his contemporaries decided that Homer was nothing. A great poet cannot be kept down. Look at my case. Marsyas said of my first volume that it was pretty good poetry for a God, and in answer I wrote a satire, and flayed Marsyas alive. But what is poetry, and what is criticism, and what is life? Air. "Splendid!" exclaimed Minerva. 66 I do not exactly understand you," said Neptune, "Have you heard from Proserpine, lately?" inquired Jupiter of Ceres. Yesterday," said the domestic mother. "They talk of soon joining us. But Pluto is at present so busy, owing to the amazing quantity of wars going on now, that I am almost afraid he will scarcely be able to accompany her." Juno exchanged a telegraphic nod with Ceres. The Goddesses rose, and retired. "Come, old boy," said Jupiter to Ixion, instantly throwing off all his chivalric majesty, "I drink your welcome in a magnum of Maraschino. Damn your poetry, Apollo, and Mercury give us one of your good stories." THE Thunderer entered the saloon of Juno with that bow which no God could rival; all rose, and the King of Heaven seated himself between Ceres and Latona, The melancholy Apollo stood apart, and was soon carried off by Minerva to an assembly at the house of Mnemosyne, Mercury chatted with the Graces, and Bacchus with Diana. The three Muses favored the company with singing, and the Queen of Heaven approached Ixion. "Does your Majesty dance?" she haughtily inquired. "On earth; I have few accomplishments even there, and none in Heaven." "You have led a strange life! I have heard of your adventures.' "A king who has lost his crown may generally gain at least experience." "Your courage is firm." "I have felt too much to care for much. Yesterday I was a vagabond exposed to every pitiless storm, and now I am the guest of Jove. While there is life there is hope, and he who laughs at Destiny will gain Fortune. I would go through the past again to enjoy the present, and feel that, after all, I am my wife's debtor, since, through her conduct I can gaze upon you.' "No great spectacle. If that be all, I wish you better fortune." "I desire no greater." 66 "You are moderate." A vile Thessalian!" said the beautiful Phrygian, shrugging his shoulders. "Not three days back an outcast among his own wretched species! " "And now commanding everybody in Heaven." 66 'He shall not command me, though," said Mercury. "Will he not?" replied Ganymede. "Why, what do you think? only last night; hark, here he comes." The companions jumped up from their couches; a light laugh was heard. The cedar portal was flung open, and Ixion lounged in, habited in a loose morning robe, and kicking before him one of his slippers. Ah!" exclaimed the King of Thessaly, "the very fellows I wanted to see! Ganymede, bring me some nectar; and, Mercury, run and tell Jove that I shall not dine at home to-day." The messenger and the page exchanged looks of indignant consternation. "Well! what are you waiting for?" continued Ixion, looking round from the mirror in which he was arranging his locks. The messenger and the page disappeared. "So! this is Heaven," exclaimed the husband of Dia, flinging himself upon Ha, ha! Hark! there's a thunderbolt! I must run to Jove." "And I will look in on the musicians. This way, I think?" one of the couches; "and a very pleasant | before the deluge, and asked me for a place too. These worthy Immortals re- pension. I refused him, and then he quired their minds to be opened, and I wrote an epigram asserting that I sprang trust I have effectually performed the from the veritable stones thrown by Deunecessary operation. They wanted to calion and Pyrrha at the re-peopling of keep me down with their dull old- the earth, and retained all the properties fashioned celestial airs, but I fancy I of my ancestors." have given them change for their talent. To make your way in Heaven you must command. These exclusives sink under the audacious invention of an aspiring mind. Jove himself is really a fine old fellow with some notions too. I am a prime favorite, and no one is greater authority with Ægiochus on all subjects, from the character of the fair sex or the pedigree of a courser, down to the cut of a robe or the flavor of a dish. Thanks, Ganymede," continued the Thessalian, as he took the goblet from his returning attendant. "I drink to your bonnes fortunes. Splendid! This nectar makes me feel quite immortal. By the by, I hear sweet sounds. Who is in the Hall of Music?" "The Goddesses, royal sir, practice a new air of Euterpe, the words by Apollo. 'Tis pretty, and will doubtless be very popular, for it is all about moonlight and the misery of existence." "Up the ruby staircase, turn to your right, down the amethyst gallery. Farewell!" "Good-bye; a lively lad that!" II. The King of Thessaly entered the Hall of Music with its golden walls and crystal dome. The Queen of Heaven was reclining in an easy-chair, cutting out peacocks in small sheets of note paper. Minerva was making a pencil observation on a manuscript copy of the song; Apollo listened with deference to her laudatory criticism. Another divine dame, standing by the side of Euterpe, who was seated by the harp, looked up as Ixion entered. "You have a taste for poetry your- The wild liquid glance of her soft but self?" inquired Ganymede. "I warrant it." "Not the least," replied Ixion. "Apollo," continued the heavenly page, "is a great genius, though Marsyas said, that he never would be a poet because he was a god, and had no heart. But do you think, sir, that a poet does indeed need a heart?" "I really cannot say. I know my wife always said I had a bad heart and worse head; but what she meant, upon my honor, I never could understand." "Minerva will ask you to write in her album." Will she indeed! I am sorry to hear it, for I can scarcely scrawl my signature. I should think that Jove himself cared little for all this nonsense." "Jove loves an epigram. He does not esteem Apollo's works at all. Jove is of the classical school, and admires satire, provided there be no allusions to gods and kings." "Of course; I quite agree with him. I remember we had a confounded poet at Larissa who proved my family lived | radiant countenance denoted the famed Goddess of Beauty. Juno just acknowledged the entrance of Ixion by a slight and haughty inclination of the head, and then resumed her employment. Minerva asked him his opinion of her amendment, of which he greatly approved. Apollo greeted him with a melancholy smile, and congratulated him on being mortal. Venus complimented him on his visit to Olympus, and expressed the pleasure that she experienced in making his acquaintance. "What do you think of Heaven?” inquired Venus, in a soft still voice, and with a smile like summer lightning. "I never found it so enchanting as at this moment," replied Ixion. "A little dull? For myself, I pass my time chiefly at Cnidos: you must come and visit me there. 'Tis the most charming place in the world. 'Tis said, you know, that our onions are like other people's roses. We will take care of you, if your wife comes." แ 'No fear of that. She always remains |