I felt, however, perfectly conscious of a superior force in myself to all these enormous forces around me--I knew without needing any explanation that I was formed of an indestructible essence, and that were all these stars and systems suddenly to end in one fell burst of brilliant horror, I should still exist--I should know and remember and feel--should be able to watch the birth of a new Universe, and take my part in its growth and design.
"Remind me why these wonders exist," I said, turning to my guide, and speaking in those dulcet sounds which were like music and yet like speech; "and why amid them all the Earth is believed by its inhabitants to have merited destruction, and yet to have been found worthy of redemption ?" "Thy last question shall be answered first," replied Azul.

"Seest thou yonder planet circled with a ring?
It is known to the dwellers on Earth, of whom when in clay thou art one, as Saturn.

Descend with me!" And in a breath of time we floated downwards and alighted on a broad and beautiful plain, where flowers of strange shape and colour grew in profusion.

Here we were met by creatures of lofty stature and dazzling beauty, human in shape, yet angelic in countenance.

They knelt to us with reverence and joy, and then passed on to their toil or pleasure, whichever invited them, and I looked to Azul for explanation.
"To these children of the Creator," said that radiant guide, "is granted the ability to see and to converse with the spirits of the air.
They know them and love them, and implore their protection.