On a lark to the planets: A sequel to "The wonderful electric elephant"

In Short

Guided by a sprightly Mercurian, Harold, Ione, a young prince, and a princess journey through the heavens using magic robes that allow them to fly and alter their size. They visit satellite islands orbiting Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, encountering fantastical creatures, miniature civilizations, and mythological deities. Along the way, they explore the science of astrology, witness celestial pageantry, and reunite with the inventor of their electric elephant. Ultimately, their journey reaches its cosmic boundary at the All-Seeing Eye before they return safely to Earth.

The Story

The journey begins in the silent, star-speckled expanse of space, where the wonderful electric elephant, borne by a silken balloon, comes to a sudden halt. Harold and Ione, alongside a prince and a little princess, consult a book of directions before being introduced to a Mercurian guide. Equipped with artificial wings and magic robes enclosed in jeweled acorns, the young travelers learn the principles of astrology and fly across a Mercurian island characterized by quicksilver mines, emerald quarries, and fleet-footed wildlife.

Responding to a signal, the group travels to the sapphire globe of Venus. Here, they wander through an open-air villa and marvel at sleepy blonde and brunette cupids resting inside white and red roses under the watch of white pigeons. Seeking a contrast, they journey next to Mars, a fiery red world where the inhabitants are contentious and quick-tempered. The boys are drawn into a fierce battlefield brawl, and the group must use sky-projections to rescue their guide from aggressive Martians trying to steal his wishing-robe.

Leaving Mars behind, they visit the majestic Jupitarians, whose classic features resemble chiselled marble. Through a series of unexpected encounters, Harold discovers that the president of the island's learned men is the twin brother of the eccentric old inventor who originally created their electric elephant. The party then explores Saturn and descends toward the gates of Hades, though the girls retreat from the choking sulfur fumes while the boys brave the depths. They move onward to Uranus, where industrious alchemists and inventors work in laboratories surrounded by newly discovered radium.

Taking a temporary excursion back to Earth aboard an advanced airship called The Queen, they hover quietly over New York harbor and read newspaper headlines marveling at their mysterious aerial craft. Deciding against continuing down to Siam to avoid alarming the prince's family, they return to the heavens to complete their grand tour. They visit Neptune, where they admire silent canals, gondolas, and a grand temple dedicated to astronomy and astrology, receiving detailed horoscope readings from a wise elder.

Continuing their voyage, they visit Do-As-You-Pleaseland, a whimsical miniature world featuring tiny train networks, doll-sized mansions, and tame wild animals. They pass through the dazzling, ice-bound domain of the Frost King and witness a grand mythological pageant featuring classical deities like Ceres, Neptune, Bacchus, and Hercules. Finally, floating down the Milky Way, they reach the northern limit of human travel at the colossal All-Seeing Eye. There, their celestial guide bids them a fond farewell, leaving them with their souvenir acorns as they start their journey back to Earth.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The aerial expedition halts mid-space among glittering planets, prompting Harold to consult a guidebook. Soon, a Mercurian guide joins them, providing magic robes and wings that enable them to fly through the cosmos.

Wonders of Venus and Mars The travelers visit Venus to find sleeping cupid babies nestled inside fragrant flowers guarded by white pigeons. Moving to Mars, they encounter a quarrelsome, warlike society and rescue their guide from an ambush.

Discoveries on Jupiter and Saturn On Jupiter, Harold uncovers a connection to the eccentric inventor who built their electric elephant. They later explore Saturn, where the girls recoil from the sulfurous, choking gateways of Hades while the boys investigate.

The Utopian workshops of Uranus The group visits Uranus to observe bustling shipyards, alchemical laboratories, and researchers experimenting with valuable radium crystals. They briefly return to Earth on an airship, reading bewildered newspaper reports about their vessel.

Canals of Neptune Arriving at Neptune, they glide through silent canals filled with musical gondolas and visit a majestic temple of astrology. An astrologer reads Ione's horoscope, detailing her mercurial temperament and love for adventure.

Do-As-You-Pleaseland and the Frost King They wander through a miniature land of tiny trains, grand estates, and harmless wild animals before passing the glittering, ice-carved palace of the Frost King. They also witness a magnificent procession of classical mythological deities.

The All-Seeing Eye The journey culminates at the northern limit of the Milky Way, where a colossal All-Seeing Eye marks the boundary of human exploration. Mercury bids the children farewell, returning their elephant for the final voyage home.

The People

Harold is an ambitious, venturesome boy who wants to explore the universe and understand its mechanical wonders. Standing in his way are the vast distances of space and occasional dangers like hostile Martians, but his curiosity and resourcefulness carry him through, leaving him with profound memories of celestial engineering.

Ione shares Harold's thirst for adventure and a restless curiosity about everything around her. She wants immediate answers and exciting experiences, often suffering from impatience and wonder, but her journey deepens her appreciation for beauty, quietude, and the peaceful arts over the noise of Earth.

The Prince desires excitement and is easily drawn into physical action, eagerly joining the martial conflicts on Mars and marveling at military inventions. He ultimately balances his love for action with a deep attachment to his companions.

The little Princess is initially timid and easily frightened by strange environments, such as the sulfurous fumes of Hades or the fiery tempers of the Martians. What stands in her way is her own fear, but through the protection of her magic robes and companions, she grows more confident, learning to appreciate whimsical landscapes like Do-As-You-Pleaseland and the Frost King's domain.

Mercury serves as their patient, knowledgeable guide. He wants to show them the true harmony of the cosmos, imparting astrological wisdom and safe passage until his duties compel him to part ways.

In Its Own Voice

When the travelers first encounter the varied colors of the solar system, the text describes the distinctive appearance of Jupiter:

Jupiter shone like a glorious, crimson jewel; Mars blazed forth fiery red beams, while Mercury seemed bathed in a metallic green color.

While exploring the satellite island of Venus, the group observes the unusual sleeping habits of the infant cupids nestled within the garden:

You see, the little blonde cupids sleep in white flowers while the brunettes repose in red ones.

Reaching the ultimate boundary of their celestial voyage near the North Star, the travelers gaze upon a profound symbol:

That is The All-Seeing Eye. It is placed there to remind us that God is in all, through all, and back of all these wonders we have seen.

What It's Really About

The book explores the harmonious intersection between classical mythology, esoteric astrology, and emerging modern technology. By placing traditional celestial deities and astrological birth-signs alongside advanced airships, radium laboratories, and miniature earthly replicas, the narrative bridges ancient cosmic philosophy with nineteenth-century inventive spirit. Beneath the whimsical plot lies a philosophical inquiry into human nature, destiny, and the spiritual order of the universe. The text suggests that human curiosity, when guided by a pure heart and love for the natural world, can pierce the veil of the material plane. It contrasts the noise, dirt, and social friction of industrial Earth with the serene, orderly beauty of a universe governed by divine purpose and cosmic law.

Why Read It Today

Readers who love vintage interplanetary fantasy, whimsical world-building, and early speculative fiction will find a charming, imaginative treasure here. Reading the book feels like stepping into a Victorian dream of the cosmos, where science and magic effortlessly blend into ornate pageants of light, color, and classical lore.

However, modern readers must approach the text with an understanding of its period limitations. The narrative reflects late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century attitudes, featuring occasional didactic lectures on astrology, rigid character archetypes, and pacing that relies heavily on episodic descriptions rather than tight dramatic tension. Furthermore, the prose can feel leisurely, pausing frequently for lengthy dialogues about planetary characteristics or mythological lineages.

Yet, despite these period conventions, the sheer exuberance of Montgomery's imagination stays with you long after closing the book. The vivid imagery of floating islands, miniature train networks, sleepy flower-bed cupids, and glowing alchemical laboratories creates a uniquely enchanting atmosphere. It offers a gentle, delightful escape into a universe where every star holds a civilization and every planet reflects a facet of the human soul.