Part 10 (1/2)

XVII. OPENING OF THE ELECTRIC THEATRE.

XVIII. INVENTION OF THE INFANTS' EXERCISING MACHINES.

XIX. THE INSTALLATION OF THE CHARACTER-DIVERS AND PRECEPTORS, IN PRESENCE OF THE TWELVE KINGS.

XX. THE VALLEY OF THE ROCKS.

XXI. THE CONSUMMATION.

I. THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOLS.

Education before and since the Tootmanyoso's reign is typified.

On one side a number of poor intelligent children are depicted wandering in ignorance. On the other is seen the college as now established, with indications of results. The one part of the picture is seen as if it were enveloped in darkness, whilst on another part the sun is s.h.i.+ning brilliantly.

II. THE AMUs.e.m.e.nT GALLERY.

The opening of the first Amus.e.m.e.nt Gallery is here depicted with the Tootmanyoso attending.

This is an interesting picture. It exhibits the gallery, with the different playthings and amus.e.m.e.nts, toys, musical instruments, live birds, small animals, flowers, and other objects. Amid these are shown the interest and delight of the little ones, happy groups of merry faces, the joy and grat.i.tude of the mothers, the Tootmanyoso's satisfaction in contemplating his work, and the intent observation of the ”Character-Divers,” and ”Overlookers,” with other varied and interesting features.[1]

[Footnote 1: See p. 202.]

III. MAN.

Man is shown as he was before, and as he had become after I as Tootmanyoso had reigned about one hundred of your years. Man's life had been lengthened from your average age to one which before the employment of the means enjoined and carried out in my reign would have been considered impossible.

The different stages of man's life during both eras are here contrasted in every gradation. Thus we have the child as he was, the child as he is, commencing his education, and his entry into manhood; the c.o.xcomb and dissipated man of former times, and the man of the present era, following the road leading to his own happiness and the good of others; middle age--the man struggling to draw the load up the hill with painful efforts, the other man engaged in congenial occupation; lastly, the disappointed and the happy old age.

IV. WOMAN.

In like manner we have a series of pictures showing woman's former state; her present education, in the representation of which episodes are given of her progress in her own sphere to the level and companions.h.i.+p of man. Reference is made to the means of increasing her beauty, and employing her charms for her own and man's happiness;[1] the gentleness of her nature in softening man's lot, whilst she is supported and defended by him; woman as a mother, her devotion to her children, and her joy and grat.i.tude in contemplating the development of their strength and beauty through the means enjoined and practised in my reign.

[Footnote 1: See p. 94.]

One picture, let me add, represents the mode of choosing a husband,[2]

and another represents ceremonies used in the preparations for marriage.[3]

[Footnote 2: See p. 104.]

[Footnote 3: See p. 120.]

V. MARRIED LIFE.

In the picture relating to this subject we first show marriage as it was. The wife and husband are rarely by each other's side; when they meet they are in common attire, and receive each other with frowns; the wife, in grand costume, smiles on strangers, and so on with other episodes of former married life.