From every part of this Ring darted long broad shafts of light, some of which stretched out so far that I could not see where they ended; sometimes a bubbling shower of lightning sparks would be flung out on the pure ether, and this would instantly form into circles, small or great, and whirl round and round the enormous girdle of flame from which they had been cast, with the most inconceivable rapidity.
But wonderful as the Ring was, it encompassed a Sphere yet more marvellous and dazzling; a great Globe of opal-tinted light, revolving as it were upon its own axis, and ever surrounded by that scintillating, jewel-like wreath of electricity, whose only motion was to shine and burn within itself for ever.

I could not bear to look upon the brightness of that magnificent central World--so large that multiplying the size of the sun by a hundred thousand millions, no adequate idea could be formed of its vast proportions.

And ever it revolved--and ever the Rainbow Ring around it glittered and cast forth those other rings which I knew now were living solar systems cast forth from that electric band as a volcano casts forth fire and lava.

My Angel-guide motioned me to look towards that side of the Ring which was nearest to the position of the Earth.

I looked, and perceived that there the shafts of descending light formed themselves as they fell into the shape of a Cross.