ing the contents of this room, we passed into an adjoining one, where we took refreshments; then he showed me a third, which he used as a bedroom. The next apartments above us, he said, were the chief astronomer's, and the highest in the edifice. These, he continued, would probably prove the most interesting to me; so we ascended to them.
All the rooms we entered, except this one, were lit up by a soft kind of electric light. Yet, in this respect, the astronomer's studio could not be said to be defective; for, apart from the strong light of the moon, there were several meteor-like illuminations in many parts of the sky. These, at intervals, made it almost as bright as if it were day. There was one occupant, a very aged man, in the room. He sat at a large circular table in the centre, and was surrounded by huge, cannon-like instruments, pointing in every direction of the heavens, and projecting far beyond the dome that served as a roof. There were also many smaller instruments, books, and manuscripts on the table near him. Yondozi introduced me to Pondropell, the chief astronomer of Neuroomia, and then returned to his own studio. Pondropell said that he had heard of my arrival in Atazatlan, that he was glad I called, then begged me to take a seat.
