We Attend A Martian Banquet

: To Mars Via The Moon

On our arrival at the banqueting-hall we were most cordially received by

Soranho, as Chief of the Council, who introduced us to a number of

persons, several of whom were high officers of state; but, as only two

or three of them knew anything of our language, Merna had to act as

interpreter. All of them, however, appeared genuinely pleased to meet

us.



The hall was a large and very fine one, most cha tely decorated in a

style which reminded one of the Etruscan. It was beautifully lighted by

artificial means, but there were no visible lamps, the light being

diffused over the hall as equally as daylight is diffused.



Many ladies were present, and clearly on entirely equal terms with the

sterner sex. They sat down with us at the banquet, and did not remain

mere spectators from a distance, as is sometimes the case at our public

functions. The dresses of both sexes were very neat, and although there

was a more ample and varied display of colour and ornament than is usual

in a similar gathering upon our world, especially in the dresses of the

males, it was always harmonious and in excellent taste. The costumes

reminded me of those in vogue in the south-eastern parts of Europe; the

ladies, however, wore rather close-fitting long hose, and no skirts; but

their tunics were somewhat longer than those worn by the men, and of

thinner material. Many of the dresses looked as though they were woven

from semi-transparent shining silver or gold. This style of dress was

most becoming to the wearers, setting off their elegant proportions, and

at the same time permitting the utmost freedom and grace of movement.

Jewellery was clearly only used as a medium for adding to the brilliancy

of the general effect, and I saw no one with any lavish or vulgar

display of jewels.



Our meal was very similar in character to that of which we had partaken

on the previous day, though on a more extended and elaborate scale. This

time, however, we partook of the delicious wines which were provided,

and found that whilst being most refreshing and exhilarating, they were,

as Merna told us, so prepared as to be non-intoxicating. They were

indeed so fine in quality and flavour that, I think, even M'Allister was

reconciled to the absence of his own favourite drink.



I occupied a seat of honour next to Soranho, and my two friends were

close by. On looking round the hall, and scanning the features of the

different individuals present, I was much impressed by the fact that the

same regularity, beauty, and symmetry was apparent in all; not one face

could be termed "plain," or gave any impression of self-indulgence or

sensuality; whilst the soft glowing light in their eyes produced a most

indescribable and charming effect upon the whole of their features.



This light is altogether different from the fierce glare seen in the

eyes of many of our animals, especially the feline race, which seems to

enlarge the eyes to enormous orbs of brilliant light. In the Martians

it is simply a colourless, soft, and liquid glow which has a different

effect on eyes of different colours; but it is charming in all.



Merna had introduced us to a lady named Eleeta, who sat next to him at

the table; and it did not require a Martian intuition to enable me

quickly to perceive that the relations in which they regarded each other

were something beyond those of ordinary friendship. Their glowing eyes

and beaming countenances, and their general animation and exhilaration

as they conversed together, told their own tale, for mutual love has

much the same indications and attributes everywhere-even upon Mars! But

the love-light shining in Martian eyes is something far more entrancing

than that seen in the duller orbs of the inhabitants of our world.



The people of Mars generally have dark hair, dark eyes, and

fresh-coloured complexions; the males having no hair upon their faces,

beyond a slight moustache. Beards never grow upon their chins, so they

have no need to shave, and are spared the work which wastes so much of

the time of terrestrials. If we could only count up the time spent in

shaving, during fifty years or so, we should find that we have devoted

several whole months to that tiresome operation.



Only a few individuals present had light hair and light-coloured eyes,

and Eleeta was one of these. She was a most charming and beautiful

girl-vivacious, and evidently very intellectual; and I thought that she

and Merna would make a most well-matched pair.



The banquet proved an extremely pleasant and sociable function; and,

when it was over, the company adjourned to another hall opening out of

the banqueting-hall, where they split up into separate groups, and

conversation soon became very animated.



On inquiring of Merna, I was informed that music is never performed on

such occasions as these, during conversational periods, as it is

considered a desecration of a high and noble art.



Merna introduced John and M'Allister to one of the chief engineers of

the canal department, who knew a little English, and soon they were

discussing with eager interest a collection of pictures and drawings of

the machinery. Seeing that our friends were thus congenially occupied,

Merna then took me across to where Eleeta and a girl friend of hers,

named Siloni, were sitting.



He told me he had instructed Eleeta in English and she had passed on her

knowledge of the language to Siloni; so we were all able to converse

together with the occasional aid of Merna's interpretation.



Merna had also acquainted his friends with our usual terms of addressing

one another, and it came almost as a surprise to me to be addressed by

the Martians as "Mr. Poynders" and "Sir"; for I had become so accustomed

to being called "Professor" by my two colleagues that my own name

sounded almost strange to me.



We had been chatting together only a short time when John and

M'Allister, with their Martian friend, the engineer, came over to us;

and soon after that we were joined by Soranho and Merna's tutors, named

respectively Corontus and Tellurio, who were followed by a numerous

company of Martians of both sexes.



Soranho, addressing me, then said, "Mr. Poynders, I should very much

like to know something about terrestrial affairs generally, especially

in regard to the methods of government amongst your nations, and the

social conditions of the people; and shall therefore be glad if you will

be good enough to give me any particulars that may be of interest in

connection with these subjects."



He then took a seat, with the tutors on either side of him; and he added

that the Martians had not been able to acquire any definite information

upon the matters to which he referred, but they knew our people were not

so far advanced as the Martians, and he did not therefore expect too

much of the terrestrials.



I told him I would endeavour to enlighten him upon these subjects so far

as lay in my power; and, as I rose to speak, the general body of the

Martians seated themselves a few feet away from us in a large semicircle

facing the chief.



I noticed that, against the wall behind the Chief, was a group of

beautifully embroidered banners representing the planets, and that those

depicting Mars and the Earth were placed in the central positions. These

two banners exhibited very graphic representations of the markings on

the respective planets.