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Article MASONIC RENCONTRES — THE TWO ISTHMUS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC RENCONTRES — THE TWO ISTHMUS. Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Rencontres — The Two Isthmus.
fragrant beverage Avithout milk or sugar , that I really have often fancied I have not known equalled since ; after Avhich , our dollar being paid , Ave thanked our host and departed . We jogged on again through the same horrible swamp miasma , till a glow of violet radiance
o-radually spread overhead , and then Ave seemed to enter full daylight all at once . Then began , from all sides , a screaming and trilling and chattering , sounds of fluttering and rustling and croaking ; the whole forest was tremulous Avith sounds of life . We now sighted ahead , the station I
Avas in search of—San Pablo ; perceiving already signs of life about , I quickened my pace and hastened to meet a white-clad gentleman who emerged from under the green verandah ; but first looked round for my comrade . He was gone—vanished . To be knoAvn along the line Avas evidontly
no part of his plan , and I saAv him no more ; but have often Avondered Avhether he effected his escape , or Avhether tho too vigilant care of the U . S . Consul at AspinAvall , provided him Avith lodgings and a passage back . It may have been a highly improper sentiment , and merit tho reprobation of
right-minded people , but I could not help sending my sympathies after him . Greeting the neAV comer in English , I told him I Avanted accommodation for the day , when he turned surlily upon me , " Not much , young man , you don't carry on your little games here . " Taken quite aback , I
stammered out , " But I am Avilling to pay , I thought to find accommodation at any station on the line . " " Tramps won't get much out of me , I can tell yer , so you'd better vamos as quick as you like . " Tired , and noAV feeling unpleasantly moist in my heated clothes , I expostulated '
in vain . He lived there with his family , and vrould take no one in , but at length relaxed so far as to _ give me a scraAvl on a bit of paper , for a dependent stationed some miles further on , directing him to give me needful food and shelter , on payment . I had not felt so sold
since one evening years before , when arriving at tho Grimscl Hospice about sunset , our party found there not even a truss of straw unoccupied , and had to tramp over SUOAV and ice , miles further on to Handeck . There was no alternative , so stimulated by another sup of Cognac and a
rcncAved pipeful , I continued on . At about eight I reached " Frijoli , " and Avas so fortunate as to find tho official in charge , Jlf . Cesar Giraudier . He read dubiously , the scrawl of introduction , said he had strict instructions against receiving any one ; thought that it must have been given
simply to get rid of me , & c . Alarmed for the result , I Avas about to implore him , and to offer any price for simple shelter , Avhen his gentlemanly appearance , or tho intelligence in his eye , or some impulse I know not Avhat , induced me , as though by accident , to make the Mason ' s
sign . " Come in , " he said , " don't stand out there in the sun , you'll get a sunstroke . I'll have breakfast ready now . Take your boots off . Hon frcre , vous etes chez vous . " Here Avas a change—little did I expect , Avhen made a Master Mason three months previous , in the good Dulce ot
Leinster ' s Lodge , at Lima , so soon to reap the benefits of Brotherhood . Eased from the blazing sunshine and enjoying the cool shadows of the closed Venetians , I reclined on a cane sofa , Avhilst my host rushed about shouting to his
negro help ; and soon , upon the coarse rumpled tablecloth , Avere seen a smoking dish of iguana ' s eggs , two appetising mugs of creamy chocolate , and a pile of hard biscuits . Used to all sorts of fare , I by no means disdained this , and pronounced the eggs , delicate meat fit for an Empress .
"Now , " said my neAV brother , "I have my duties to attend to . A train will pass this afternoon , and I must see that all ' s clear ; from the back of this there leads an avenue down to the creek , a branch of the Chagrcs , go and have a bath ; don't mind the alligators , they are but small
ones , the large Caymans ncA er come so near the house . " I took the advice , and Avas not molested ; after Avhich I found my Avay to a delicious glen near , in the forest , Avhcro the bright sky Avas only visible here and there through delicate tracery of foliage , down Avhich its glowing light gilded or
bronzed the edges of leaves and branches , like glittering foil . It > vas a vcij loA'cly spot . I lay doAvn , on a slope , and gazed upAvard . Innumerable birds and winged insects , of unspeakably gorgeous colours , floAV across , whirled about , and danced madly athwart in every direction . So small
Avere the humming birds , and so large the lepidoptera , it was in vain I tried to distinguish one from lho other in their rapid fli ght . Twined inextricably from ¦ branch to branch , ran clusters of creepers , blossoming orchids amid Avhich the lovel y Flor del Enpiritn SOMIO was conspicuous . Here I feU asleep , till o o ' clock 5 woke none the woi'sc ,
Masonic Rencontres — The Two Isthmus.
and returned to the house . During tho evening Avith my new found friend , AVO exchanged experiences . At home he had been clerk in a telegraph office ; Avanted to travel ; emigrated to NeAV Orleans ; the Avar broke out—not sympathising with the South , he had gone further on and come to an anchor here . The life Avas
beginning to pall upon him ; there Avas an abandoned gold mine in the neighbourhood , formerly worked by the Spaniards ; the Indians had a rumour of fabulous mineral Avealth in these parts ; he had a mind to invest in plant , hire labourers , and set to Avork . Amongst other topics
broached , Avas table turning , and he imparted to mo an experience , noteworthy only from Avhat will be seen in the sequel . He Avas acquainted at home Avith one " Allan Cardcc , " Avhom he described as an extraordinary mystic , and for Avhom he avoAved Q-rcat veneration . This man held
remarkable theories , and Avas a professor of Avhafc is now knoAV as " Spiritism . " " In his company , " said my host , " my hand , Avhen resting on his table , used to be moved about , in a manner against my Avill , and on his assurance , I occasionally allowed it to Avritc sentences Avith a pencil ,
Avhen long moral precepts and trite advice , such as Do no one injury , used to bo Avritten , by means quite apart from my volition . Contemplating emigration , I Avas instigated to ask my hand a question , and demanded , ' Shall I live abroad ? ' Tho answer Avas , En Orient tumouriras . Piqued
at this , and having my thoughts fixed upon America , I determined to falsify tho strange prediction , and you see , here I am . " We laughed and Avondered at this aimless story , and at 9 o ' clock the moon being AVCII up , I rose to
go , having had enough of tho Isthmus and being determined to got to AspinAvall next morning . Giraudier refused all remuneration , Avhich , in fact , I only ventured to hint at ; but ho could not refuse to accept my sword-stick as a reminder of this stranere rencontre Avith a Brother in the
woods . IIo Avalkcd Avith me as far as otepliens s Tree , entertaining me with anecdotes of the road , Avhich is said locally to have cost a human life for every sleeper laid
doAvn on it , and AVC took leave , mutually regretting the severance of our short companionship aud Avithout a thought that our Avidely different destinies could ever bring us again in contact . { Sequel in our next . )
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings the members of the City Police Force held their annual festival , in tho large room of the new Ward Schools , Bishopsgate , Avhich Avas kindly lent for the occasion by the Rev . William Rogers . Colonel Frazer , the Commissioner of Police ,
Major Bowman , the Chief Superintendent , Mr . Foster , assistant Superintendent , Mr . Alfred De Rothschild , and Mr . Freshfield , of the Bank of England , Avere among tho chief guests . A very large proportion of the members of the force , Avith their Avives and families , attended , and took
part in the dancing with great spirit . Bro . J . R . Foulger , acted as M . C . A sleight of hand entertainment , by Mr . Creamer jun ., was much enjoyed , as also were some songs and glees , which Avere given under the direction of Rev . Bro . J . T . Smith . The baud of the Police
Orphanage , composed of boys attending the schools , Avas present , aud performed in a creditable manner . In the course of Wednesday evening , Mr . Alfred De Rothschild , addressing the members of the force present , took occasion to say that the movement Avas one in which
he entirely concurred , and that it had afforded him great pleasure to be present on the occasion ; expressing , at the same time , his regret at the absence , from indisposition , of tho Rev . Mr . Rogers . Ho added that ho had great pleasure in acting on the Managing Committee , for , in his opinion ,
there Avas no class of men in the Avhole community more useful than the Police , not only of tho City and Metropolis generally , but of the country at large . At this festive season it Avas often seen how roughly a policeman Avas treated in a pantomime , and the groat good nature ho
invariably displayed showed that Avhilo he Avas one of tho best tempered members of society , he Avas always bent upon doing his duty . The band of the force , under tho
able direction of Mr . F . A . Rattray , performed most admirably . Wo arc glad to hear that several gentlemen of influence in lho City , to mark their sense of tho A'cry efficient manner in Avhich the duties of the force are discharged , have determined to contribute a sum sufficient to cover the whole coat of both ontoi'tuiuiucnta .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Rencontres — The Two Isthmus.
fragrant beverage Avithout milk or sugar , that I really have often fancied I have not known equalled since ; after Avhich , our dollar being paid , Ave thanked our host and departed . We jogged on again through the same horrible swamp miasma , till a glow of violet radiance
o-radually spread overhead , and then Ave seemed to enter full daylight all at once . Then began , from all sides , a screaming and trilling and chattering , sounds of fluttering and rustling and croaking ; the whole forest was tremulous Avith sounds of life . We now sighted ahead , the station I
Avas in search of—San Pablo ; perceiving already signs of life about , I quickened my pace and hastened to meet a white-clad gentleman who emerged from under the green verandah ; but first looked round for my comrade . He was gone—vanished . To be knoAvn along the line Avas evidontly
no part of his plan , and I saAv him no more ; but have often Avondered Avhether he effected his escape , or Avhether tho too vigilant care of the U . S . Consul at AspinAvall , provided him Avith lodgings and a passage back . It may have been a highly improper sentiment , and merit tho reprobation of
right-minded people , but I could not help sending my sympathies after him . Greeting the neAV comer in English , I told him I Avanted accommodation for the day , when he turned surlily upon me , " Not much , young man , you don't carry on your little games here . " Taken quite aback , I
stammered out , " But I am Avilling to pay , I thought to find accommodation at any station on the line . " " Tramps won't get much out of me , I can tell yer , so you'd better vamos as quick as you like . " Tired , and noAV feeling unpleasantly moist in my heated clothes , I expostulated '
in vain . He lived there with his family , and vrould take no one in , but at length relaxed so far as to _ give me a scraAvl on a bit of paper , for a dependent stationed some miles further on , directing him to give me needful food and shelter , on payment . I had not felt so sold
since one evening years before , when arriving at tho Grimscl Hospice about sunset , our party found there not even a truss of straw unoccupied , and had to tramp over SUOAV and ice , miles further on to Handeck . There was no alternative , so stimulated by another sup of Cognac and a
rcncAved pipeful , I continued on . At about eight I reached " Frijoli , " and Avas so fortunate as to find tho official in charge , Jlf . Cesar Giraudier . He read dubiously , the scrawl of introduction , said he had strict instructions against receiving any one ; thought that it must have been given
simply to get rid of me , & c . Alarmed for the result , I Avas about to implore him , and to offer any price for simple shelter , Avhen his gentlemanly appearance , or tho intelligence in his eye , or some impulse I know not Avhat , induced me , as though by accident , to make the Mason ' s
sign . " Come in , " he said , " don't stand out there in the sun , you'll get a sunstroke . I'll have breakfast ready now . Take your boots off . Hon frcre , vous etes chez vous . " Here Avas a change—little did I expect , Avhen made a Master Mason three months previous , in the good Dulce ot
Leinster ' s Lodge , at Lima , so soon to reap the benefits of Brotherhood . Eased from the blazing sunshine and enjoying the cool shadows of the closed Venetians , I reclined on a cane sofa , Avhilst my host rushed about shouting to his
negro help ; and soon , upon the coarse rumpled tablecloth , Avere seen a smoking dish of iguana ' s eggs , two appetising mugs of creamy chocolate , and a pile of hard biscuits . Used to all sorts of fare , I by no means disdained this , and pronounced the eggs , delicate meat fit for an Empress .
"Now , " said my neAV brother , "I have my duties to attend to . A train will pass this afternoon , and I must see that all ' s clear ; from the back of this there leads an avenue down to the creek , a branch of the Chagrcs , go and have a bath ; don't mind the alligators , they are but small
ones , the large Caymans ncA er come so near the house . " I took the advice , and Avas not molested ; after Avhich I found my Avay to a delicious glen near , in the forest , Avhcro the bright sky Avas only visible here and there through delicate tracery of foliage , down Avhich its glowing light gilded or
bronzed the edges of leaves and branches , like glittering foil . It > vas a vcij loA'cly spot . I lay doAvn , on a slope , and gazed upAvard . Innumerable birds and winged insects , of unspeakably gorgeous colours , floAV across , whirled about , and danced madly athwart in every direction . So small
Avere the humming birds , and so large the lepidoptera , it was in vain I tried to distinguish one from lho other in their rapid fli ght . Twined inextricably from ¦ branch to branch , ran clusters of creepers , blossoming orchids amid Avhich the lovel y Flor del Enpiritn SOMIO was conspicuous . Here I feU asleep , till o o ' clock 5 woke none the woi'sc ,
Masonic Rencontres — The Two Isthmus.
and returned to the house . During tho evening Avith my new found friend , AVO exchanged experiences . At home he had been clerk in a telegraph office ; Avanted to travel ; emigrated to NeAV Orleans ; the Avar broke out—not sympathising with the South , he had gone further on and come to an anchor here . The life Avas
beginning to pall upon him ; there Avas an abandoned gold mine in the neighbourhood , formerly worked by the Spaniards ; the Indians had a rumour of fabulous mineral Avealth in these parts ; he had a mind to invest in plant , hire labourers , and set to Avork . Amongst other topics
broached , Avas table turning , and he imparted to mo an experience , noteworthy only from Avhat will be seen in the sequel . He Avas acquainted at home Avith one " Allan Cardcc , " Avhom he described as an extraordinary mystic , and for Avhom he avoAved Q-rcat veneration . This man held
remarkable theories , and Avas a professor of Avhafc is now knoAV as " Spiritism . " " In his company , " said my host , " my hand , Avhen resting on his table , used to be moved about , in a manner against my Avill , and on his assurance , I occasionally allowed it to Avritc sentences Avith a pencil ,
Avhen long moral precepts and trite advice , such as Do no one injury , used to bo Avritten , by means quite apart from my volition . Contemplating emigration , I Avas instigated to ask my hand a question , and demanded , ' Shall I live abroad ? ' Tho answer Avas , En Orient tumouriras . Piqued
at this , and having my thoughts fixed upon America , I determined to falsify tho strange prediction , and you see , here I am . " We laughed and Avondered at this aimless story , and at 9 o ' clock the moon being AVCII up , I rose to
go , having had enough of tho Isthmus and being determined to got to AspinAvall next morning . Giraudier refused all remuneration , Avhich , in fact , I only ventured to hint at ; but ho could not refuse to accept my sword-stick as a reminder of this stranere rencontre Avith a Brother in the
woods . IIo Avalkcd Avith me as far as otepliens s Tree , entertaining me with anecdotes of the road , Avhich is said locally to have cost a human life for every sleeper laid
doAvn on it , and AVC took leave , mutually regretting the severance of our short companionship aud Avithout a thought that our Avidely different destinies could ever bring us again in contact . { Sequel in our next . )
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings the members of the City Police Force held their annual festival , in tho large room of the new Ward Schools , Bishopsgate , Avhich Avas kindly lent for the occasion by the Rev . William Rogers . Colonel Frazer , the Commissioner of Police ,
Major Bowman , the Chief Superintendent , Mr . Foster , assistant Superintendent , Mr . Alfred De Rothschild , and Mr . Freshfield , of the Bank of England , Avere among tho chief guests . A very large proportion of the members of the force , Avith their Avives and families , attended , and took
part in the dancing with great spirit . Bro . J . R . Foulger , acted as M . C . A sleight of hand entertainment , by Mr . Creamer jun ., was much enjoyed , as also were some songs and glees , which Avere given under the direction of Rev . Bro . J . T . Smith . The baud of the Police
Orphanage , composed of boys attending the schools , Avas present , aud performed in a creditable manner . In the course of Wednesday evening , Mr . Alfred De Rothschild , addressing the members of the force present , took occasion to say that the movement Avas one in which
he entirely concurred , and that it had afforded him great pleasure to be present on the occasion ; expressing , at the same time , his regret at the absence , from indisposition , of tho Rev . Mr . Rogers . Ho added that ho had great pleasure in acting on the Managing Committee , for , in his opinion ,
there Avas no class of men in the Avhole community more useful than the Police , not only of tho City and Metropolis generally , but of the country at large . At this festive season it Avas often seen how roughly a policeman Avas treated in a pantomime , and the groat good nature ho
invariably displayed showed that Avhilo he Avas one of tho best tempered members of society , he Avas always bent upon doing his duty . The band of the force , under tho
able direction of Mr . F . A . Rattray , performed most admirably . Wo arc glad to hear that several gentlemen of influence in lho City , to mark their sense of tho A'cry efficient manner in Avhich the duties of the force are discharged , have determined to contribute a sum sufficient to cover the whole coat of both ontoi'tuiuiucnta .