culties in collecting the materials, procuring provisions and
seamen for the voyage, accumulating a small but select
library, and philosophical apparatus for our entertainment
upon the passage, we found ourselves upon the banks of
Trent River, near Newbem, in North Carolina, ready to
take our departure, upon the 4th of July, 1836. After cele-
brating this great anniversary of our independence with our
fellow-citizens, amidst the greatest hilarity, and partaking
of its festivity with a zest we had never before experienced,
we departed in the afternoon amidst the benedictions of
numerous friends and the acclamations of the multitude.
Seeming to proceed by magical influence, we soon passed,
at the rate of twenty miles an horn, through Pamlico sound
and Ocracoke bar into the Atlantic Ocean. Our ship, which
was about the size of the boats that ply then־ courses in the
Delaware and the Hudson, moved majestically through the
deep, and appeared to claim the homage which is due to
to the great genius of Fulton, to whose exertions are man-
kind indebted not only for the invention of the steamboat,
but for all those improvements in navigation and locomo-
tion which shall arise out of it. Proceeding at the rate of
fifteen or twenty, and when aided by winds and currents,
thirty miles an hour, we soon reached the extremity of the
United States, entered the gulf of Mexico, stopt for amuse-
ment at Havanna, thence proceeded along the coast of
South America, and soon found ourselves at the mouth of
the great river La Plata. Intending to avail ourselves of the
whole warmth afforded by the sun upon its return from
the equator towards the southern Tropic, we remained in the
delightful climate of Buenos Ayres, enjoying the hospitality
of the inhabitants and the admiration bestowed upon our
curious invention, until the beginning of October, at which
time we renewed our voyage with favourable auspices, and
under the most exulting hopes. From this period nothing
occurred which is worthy of record, until passing by Terra
THE M A N WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
2 1 5
del Fuego and Cape Horn, we had directed our course due
south to the sixtieth degree of south latitude. Here our
thermometer, which had hitherto denoted a temperate
warmth, began rapidly to descend, and we were encoun-
tered by masses of floating ice which rendered our progess
difficult and precarious. Before we reached the sixty-fifth
degree of latitude, we saw at various distances those im-
mense icebergs, which it required all our address and skill
to avoid, which rendered some miles circuit necessary to
compass them, and from the irresistible force of which, we
were repeatedly involved in the greatest danger. In this
conflict with icebergs, however, we found the full advan-
tage of our new and voluntary mode of navigation. Being
able to advance or recede at our pleasure, we eluded the
attacks of these formidable enemies, and in spite of cold,
storms and tempests, advanced triumphantly on our way,
until in latitude seventy, when Fahrenheit’s thermometer
stood at 300 below zero, and we began to sink into
despair, a series of phenomena were presented totally
unknown to science and in the highest degree interesting
to the philosophical observer. From a region of intense and
intolerable cold and tempestuous weather, we were trans-
ported to a thick and murky atmosphere, in the gloomy and
darkened state of which, we found respiration difficult, all
our senses seemed disordered, and through the gloom every
frightful and fantastic form floated that could be con-
ceived as crude and monstrous. During our passage through
this tract of ocean, all our usual prescriptions were sus-
pended, and we sank into what appeared an incurable
slumber, or deliquium. How long we continued in this
anomalous state of being, it was impossible to calculate.
But as the ship, from her peculiar construction, continued
her course with the usual velocity, we soon found ourselves
aroused from this lethargic and painful condition, and
wafted into a region in which the air was not only respir-
able, but inconceivably soft and bland, and the light more
216
THE M A N WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
sweet and serene than we had ever before beheld. The
whole ocean and sky seemed now to beam with a smile
as enrapturing as any idea we can form of heaven. From
the facts which I have just stated, captain Pinzon and I
agreed in the inference, that the reason why no navigators
in these waters, have ever explored the country whose won-
ders I shall now unfold, is, either that they have been
deterred from advancing through the icy regions before
described, or that when they came into this air at first
irrespirable by human organs, they have perished under its
influence, inasmuch as the vessels in which they voyaged,
not borne forward as ours by the new contrivance, have
been arrested in their progress, and thus left them without
the power of revival. Let captain Wilks, the commander
of the squadron just despatched to these regions by the
American government, and his assistant officers, who are to
conduct this exploration of the South Seas, to whom we
have communicated these facts, take warning from our
experience, and be upon their guard against fatal disasters,
when they shall pass beyond the latitude of seventy de-
grees south. Should they be able safely to pass over this
irrespirable tract of ocean, all the wonders and glories of
Saturnia, will be revealed to them.
c h a p t e r n.
Our arrival at Saturnia.
No sooner had we been aroused from the state of uncon-
sciousness, which was mentioned in our last chapter, than
we seemed to be awakened into a new and more rapturous
existence, and wafted into an elysian or Paradisal scene.
When thoroughly revived from our temporary slumber,
our minds and bodies had undergone a renovation, all the
senses had become more acute and susceptible of pleasure,
and all the perceptions of the understanding more clear,
THE M AN WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
satisfactory and enlivening. In this state of untried enjoy-
ment, the vicissitudes of which had excited superstitious
alarms in some of our crew, and the most sanguine expec-
tations in others, we continued our course due south, not
doubting that our labours would at length be crowned with
the most signal results. We had proceeded in this direction
but a few hours longer, when to our equal astonishment,
admiration and delight, we descried land, and soon found
that we were approaching the mouth of a noble river, like
the Hudson, through which vessels moving like our own and
magnificently constructed, were passing and repassing, at
once apprising us of our vicinity to a large capital. Upon
each sid
e of this river, at its mouth, which appeared about
two miles wide, were stationed two superb light-houses to
guide mariners in the night, and in the stream were placed
luminous buoys extending several feet above the surface,
which prevented the navigator from deviating out of the
channel. Upon entering the river, we perceived on each
side a finely cultivated country, neat but commodious farm-
houses, magnificent dwellings, beautiful lawns and gardens
laid out in the chastest simplicity and most correct taste,
and altogether a country in which the allied arts of agricul-
ture, commerce and manufacture had exerted their utmost
skill in advancing it to the highest state of improvement and
perfection. While regaling ourselves with this sight, and con-
templating this delightful residence for man, what was our
emotion, when after plying our course about two miles far-
ther within the land, we were ushered into a spacious bay,
and the vast panorama of the capital city and its environs,
its magnificent buildings, its hills, mountains, valleys and
superb monuments of art, were presented to our vision?
Vessels and boats of every size and various figures were glid-
ing in every direction through the bay and rivers, while the
wharves were thickly crowded with others loading and un-
loading—innumerable houses appeared to crown the sum-
mits of the hills and hang upon their declivities, the streets
218
THE M A N WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
were arranged with mathematical exactitude, of spacious
dimensions and shaded with beautiful trees, at the same
time that numerous streams intersected the city, all the
parts of which were connected by durable and splendid
bridges, that in their construction, indicated the highest
progress in the arts. Over our heads were floating balloons
of all dimensions, that seemed to advance by voluntary
effort towards every point of the compass. As far as our sight
extended, we saw the steeples of the churches, towers
erected for various purposes, a college and observatory,
more lofty than we had ever beheld, and whose tops ap-
peared at the moment, to be lost amidst the clouds. Such
a vast and sublime assemblage of objects, at once bursting
upon our view, seemed to present to us the image of the
New Jerusalem, as depicted in the Revelations, and threw
me into an ecstasy of enjoyment, from which I did not re-
cover until under the guidance of captain Pinzon. Our ship
was safely fastened to the wharf of that town, to which we
afterwards discovered the inhabitants had affixed the name
of Saturnia, the capital city of the republic of Atlantis.
c h a p t e r i n .
My removal to a Hotel.
Nothing could exceed the astonishment which was ex-
cited by our arrival at Satumia; the wharf was soon
crowded with innumerable spectators, wondering by what
contingency we could have escaped the perils of the deep,
and have performed so unheard-of a voyage, and the news
of this strange event spread rapidly to the remotest quarters
of the town—I was equally surprised at the novelty of the
objects now presented to my observation, the neatness and
elegance of the place, as well as the decency, order and
regularity with which every thing seemed to be conducted.
The men and women presented the most comely and well-
THE M AN WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
2 l g
proportioned figures I had ever beheld and were remark-
ably well dressed; the wharves and houses, constructed of
the best stone and marble, were truly magnificent, and the
streets, promenades, arbours, parks and pleasure grounds,
seemed to be laid out with all the taste and judgment which
could be displayed in the workmanship of the most en-
lightened and scientific artisans and mechanics.—Not a
vessel with sails floated within view, and the whole busi-
ness of commerce and navigation is here conducted by
vessels and boats which like our own, moved spontaneously
through the waters. Here was more than realized, the bold
declaration of Fitch, an ingenious mechanic of New-Jersey,
who, above a half a century ago, predicted to the legislature
of that state, that not only would our rivers be navigated
by steam, but, that, finally, all commerce and trade be-
tween the different nations of the earth would be carried
on by this method of communication. I cannot adequately
describe the impressions made upon my mind by this singu-
lar and wonderful scene. I was rapt into a reverie, or rather
an ecstasy of delight—the very air of the place appeared to
be unusually pure and ethereal, the sun shone with a more
serene splendour, and the heavens seemed to shed around
us more select influences. Into what kind of country and
climate, I inwardly ejaculated, have I been transported?
To ascertain this, I was now impelled by irresistible curi-
osity, and my anticipation of the pleasure which awaited
me, in this unexpected condition of being, arose to the
highest pitch of enthusiasm.
My next step was to make efforts to disembark, and obtain
an agreeable place of residence in the city. Calling for a
porter, to bear my trunks and baggage to the most approved
hotel, several men of this order immediately presented
tween them I learned were called by the names of Nero,
Tiberius, Borgia, and Ravaillac,—what mean these appella-
tions? I exclaimed with surprise. These are names to which
2 2 0
THE M AN WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
I have become familiarized in history, and nothing to the
credit of the persons who bore them, but I never before
had the honour of a personal acquaintance with those noto־
rious gentlemen. Are those titles given you in derision, or by
way of punishment for any offences you may have com-
mitted in this extraordinary world, into which I have been
so unexpectedly introduced? These are the names we bore,
replied they, holding down their heads, in our former state
of being, that world from which, we presume, you have
just arrived, and we are but too glad to exercise our present
vocations, since we have just been released from very
severe punishments to which we were condemned for the
parts we perfonned in our former state of being. Is it pos־
sible, I rejoined, and pray, in what city and country am I
now to consider myself; for, it seems to me, as if all that is
passing before my eyes, are but disturbed visions of the
night. Oh! sir, replied Nero, this is the city of Satumia and
country of Atlantis, the most outlandish and detestable
abode that ever gentlemen were constrained to inhabit: all
things are sadly altered since those glorious days when I
and Tiberius were emperours in Rome. To distribute jus־
tice, as they call it, emperours, kings, popes, cardinals,
lords, bishops, and all the
great men of former times, are
here condemned to the most ignominious punishments, and
then compelled to labour on the highways or become por־
ters, waiters, lackeys, carmen, and servants. Now, it might
be right to deal in this manner with thieves, robbers, mur-
derers, and villains, among the vile populace, but thus to
humble, torment, and trample upon men of high rank and
distinction, is intolerable. This singular conversation threw
me into a train of profound study and rapt reflection; and
I perceived that I had, indeed, reached a land of miracles.
W hat inestimable advantages, thought I, would it be to
mankind, did they know that besides that future state which
is revealed in Scripture, they would have to pass through
such a condition of being—such an intermediate dispensa-
THE M A N WHO CALLED HIMSELF POE
2 2 1
tion of good and evil as they find here. In this frame of
mind I followed Nero and Tiberius through several squares
of the town, until we arrived at the hotel of which we
were in quest. This was a magnificent building, constructed
with remarkable simplicity and elegance; all the rooms
and appurtenances of which were admirably adapted to
the convenience and accommodation of travellers and
guests. I took possession of one of the best furnished rooms,
and determined as soon as possible to commence those
inquiries in regard to the government, laws, institutions,
manners, religion, science, literature, and arts, of this ex-
traordinary people, of which a full account shall be given in
the following chapters.
CHAPTER IV.
My meeting with Dr. Franklin, and the proceedings of the
Philosophical Society,
After taking supper I retired to my room to obtain repose,
and although from the agitation of my spirits, and extreme
excitement of mind, I found some difficulty in composing
myself to rest, yet at length I found in that temporary sus-
pension of thought, which takes place in sleep, the relief
and refreshment which my exhausted nature required.
Upon waking in the morning, and being summoned to
breakfast, it is impossible to describe my sensations when
I discovered seated at the table by my side the old and
valued friend of my father, Dr. Franklin, upon whose knees