Masonic Portraits (No. 18.) The Mystic.

eminent son of science , with unscientific disdain , declines to follow in the track and study for himself . We do not venture to express an opinion upon the phenomena of socalled spiritualism , nor upon the theories of those of the Craft who are engaged in a diligent enquiry into the

Rosicrucian mysteries , our mind is fully open to receive truth from whatever quarter it may come to us , but we are constrained to say that wo should sorrow much if the naiTOW theories of tho materialist should prove to be true . Man sighs for a higher and a noble life . Tho great cry of

the human heart in these days is for more light , and the nniveral want of man is some tangible evidence that the mind and the individuality exist beyond the grave . If the mystics of the Rosy Cross , or tho spiritualists can give an adequate solution to this profound mystery they will havo

rendered mankind an inestimable service . Armed with a belief in the immortality of the soul , faith will again be possible to us all . Faith in things unseen by the vulgar eye , faith in tho existence of a spiritual empire co-extensive with the vast material universe which lies around us .

We feel , then , no hostility towards those whose studies have carried them away beyond thenarrow boundary of experimental science , and we have selected the title of our paper in no mocking spirit , but with a sincere desire to do honour to the brother who is sitting to us for his portrait . If he

feels inclined to quarrel with us for applying the word " mystic " to him , we may at once hasten to assure him that it conveys to our mind merely the idea of a philosophy which refuses to be fettered by the set rules of evidence , or by the instruments which are used for weighing and

measuring ponderable bodies . The mind is the true realm of the mystic . Into this mysterious world the materialist has indeed entered , and he seeks to solve its problems by vague talk about the grey and white matter , and the convolutions of the brain . If there is anything in the

Rosicrucian mysteries , the key to its lost secrets must first be sought in the vast realm of mind . The orbit of intellect has never yet been measured , and , as Dr . Holmes has remarked , there are minds so vast that the curve they describe does not sensibly differ from a straight line . But

this study is not for us now ; we are merely attempting to trace somo rough and blurred outline of a brother , who , whatever high views he may have of human destiny and human discovery , is first , and before all things , a practical Mason .

Our brother , then , although born of English parents , first saw the light in Dublin , and received a classical education under the tuition of the Rev . Benjamin Gibson and Mr . D . P . Sullivan . He was a schoolfellow of Major General Clarke , an eminent Mason , who is too well known

by the Craft to need further mention here . Our brother distinguished himself at Montjoy Academy , and holds high testimonials for his proficiency in classical and mathematical studies . At an early period in his career he was a clerk in the Government Emigration office in his native

city . In 1855 he came to London , the grand goal of all men who possess energy and talent , and entered actively into business pursuits . He did not , however , succeed as a man of commerce , and was again compelled to try his fortune with the quill . In the year 1862 he was appointed to a

clerkship in the Grand Secretary ' s office , and was promoted to be second clerk and cashier in 1866 . In this comparatively obscure position he remained until November

1872 , when ho was elected Secretary of the Girls' School . The income of this institution was then £ 5 , 200 , but in the following year it reached the large sum of £ 7 , 700 , and in 1875 £ 8 , 664 was realised . These advances in the financial

prosperity are due m a great measure to his active exertions , and wise administration . His Masonic career is brief but eventful , he was initiated in the Royal Union Lodge , Uxbridge , in 1861 , and is now honorary member of eighty Lodges and Chapters . He was the first P . G . Secretary

of Middlesex , on the Provincial Grand Lodge being established , and was P . G . S . W . in 1875 . In the same year he attained the rank of Prov . G . H . in Chapter , the highest possible position within reach of Masonic ambition . He has passed the chair of every Masonic degree that is

known in this country , and is a most active and zealous worker in tho cause . He is constantly engaged , either in the duties of his office , or in the not less congenial task of spreading the principles of Masomy , and has had the

honour of consecrating all the Lodges in the province of Middlesex . Yet , although he has proved himself to be worthy of all the honours that Masonry has to bestow , he has not yet obtained those of Grand Lodge . He has

Masonic Portraits (No. 18.) The Mystic.

still to mako his way to the dais , and perhaps he will find this task more difficult of achievement than any of the labours in which he has hitherto engaged . This distinction indeed is an honour to which many aspire , but few are fortunate enough to obtain . Our great Masonic

Parliament is based upon the popnlar suffrage , and its decrees therefore are entitled to clue respect . We believe that no unworthy Mason has ever received the highest honours of the Craft . Grand Lodge in this , as in other matters which

como under its notice , no doubt acts wisely , and if our brother really aspires to tho last distinction which the Fraternity has to bestow , we can merely counsel him to take courage , and to exercise patience . His time may yet come .

Our brother may emphatically be styled a literary Mason . He is learned in the lore of the Order , and has written some very able papers on Royal Arch Masonry , which attracted their due share of attention . He is

the editor of our mystic contemporary , " The Rosicrucian , " and has contributed many able articles to its columns . A true mystic would be manifestly unfitted for his researches without a touch of the poetical element in his nature . The highest and grandest truths

find their fullest and fittest expression in numbers , and the true poet is ever an antagonist to that fleshly school which seeks to degrade the nature of man to a level

with the brutes . Our brother has written some verses which have achieved popularity , and his song of the " Red Cross " has been sung by many who know little or nothing of the true nature of this wondrous symbol .

East, West And South.

EAST , WEST AND SOUTH .

BY A WANDERING FREEMASON . VII .

THE Duke desired to have the Spanish officials hia hosts , to dine with him the following evening , and invitations were given to that effect . His Equerries , M . Chevalier , Lord Charles Beresford , and other officers were lodged at his quarters in San Sebastian . The leading

British residents , notwithstanding their disappointment with the address , determined with characteristic hospitality , to make some of the Galatea ' s junior officers comfortable also , at their houses . The arrangements again fell to my lot to make , and I still retain the letter of thanks from

the commanding officer which acknowledged my exertions . Next day ( Sunday ) early salutes from the bay and batteries announced the birthday of H . R . H . the Princess of Prussia . In the afternoon , the invited guests repaired to the Duke ' s house to dinner . The Governor-General and

the Archbishop were unable to be of the number , but there were the Commander-in-Chief , the Admiral , and though last , not least , the Chief Justice , or Regent of the Royal Audience , Don Manuel de Ostolaza . Of the last-named , I must say a word ; for of the many

noble and true-hearted Spaniards I have known abroad , he was the truest and the noblest—a large hearted man of even tolerance and vast experience of human nature . He came from Spain to his post in 1866 , and put up at a private boarding house , with the Due d'Alencon , the Baron

de Bache , and myself . After the departure of the former we became fast friends . At official proceedings , when he was not present , he would always send his carriage and servants

for my use m substitution for my humbler vehicle . For advice in questions of International Law , I found his friendship invaluable , and on one occasion , his aid prevented serious injustice and trouble to a British subject .

An Englishman , whose wife was ordered home to Europe for the preservation of her life , by her medical attendant , had determined to wind up his affairs finally , in order to accompany her . Worried exceedingly with a multitude of details , and worn out with anxiety , he was one day pestered

about some trifling business by a native . Saying that he would attend to it another time , he ordered the man to leave his house ; which , with considerable impertinence the fellow refused to do . The Englishman probably lost his

temper , and pushed the man down the stairs . This was enough for an astute Indian to make a case . Knowing that the passage of the family had been taken to Europe , and that the avoidance of delay would be worth some pecuniary sacrifice , he left the house limping , took to his