The immense room in which we were received seemed finished in solid slabs of gold thickly studded with jewels, of amazing brilliancy.
The city of "Eden" is located in what seems to be a beautiful valley, yet, in fact, it is on the loftiest mountain plateau of the Inner Continent, several thousand feet higher than any portion of the surrounding country.

It is the most beautiful place I have ever beheld in all my travels.

In this elevated garden all manner of fruits, vines, shrubs, trees, and flowers grow in riotous profusion.
In this garden four rivers have their source in a mighty artesian fountain.

They divide and flow in four directions.

This place is called by the inhabitants the "navel of the earth," or the beginning, "the cradle of the human race." The names of the rivers are the Euphrates, the Pison, the Gihon, and the Hiddekel.( 17) (17 "And the Lord God planted a garden, and out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food."-- The Book of Genesis.) The unexpected awaited us in this palace of beauty, in the finding of our little fishing-craft.