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Elfin-Land.

of surprising brilliancy, whose hues rivalled the blaze of the glow-worm, added to the enchantment of the scene, while birds of most splendid plumage, suspended from lofty trees, in golden cages, completed the fascination by the melody of their songs. Clothed in robes of dazzling white, beautiful children were seen disporting in this fairy paradise: some were playing with lambs whose fleeces seemed to rival the golden curling clouds that veil the setting sun; others were employed in feeding the birds, or in gathering the flowers that presented themselves in such profusion, and in forming them into tasteful chaplets and festoons, while others were feasting on the delicious fruitage which loaded the trees. No hovel was now to be discerned, but in their stead there was seen a structure of the costliest materials, and the richest architecture. Columns of jasper, and the rarest marble reared high their golden capitals, and seemed to complete the effect of this scene, where the choicest productions of nature were combined with the most gorgeous efforts of art.