Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE ANCIENT AND MODERN MYSTERIES 157 LEAVES FROM MY LIBRARY i £ 7 CONSECRATION OF TREGENNA LODGE , NO . 1272 158 CONSECRATION OF A ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER AT

HONITON '•¦¦ l 5 % THE CRAFT — Metropolitan 158 Provincial 159 Scotland 159

West Indies 159 ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS 160 & 161 BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS 162 AN OLIVE BRANCH 162 MULTUM IN PARVO 163 & 164

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCEUniformity of Working 164 Masonic Working 165

An Appeal to the Craft 165 The Templars 165 The Freemasons' Life Boat ... ... ... 165 MASONIC MEETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK 166

Ancient And Modern Mysteries.

ANCIENT AND MODERN MYSTERIES .

BY BRO . ROBERT WENTWORTH LITTLE , Provincial Grand Secretary , Middlesex ; President of tite London Literary Union ; Edi / orof" TheKosicrucian" & c . ( Continued from page 133 . J

After the establishment of Hassan Sabah at Alamoot , the power and prestige of his followers increased daily , and the Ismailites soon began to practice those murderous tactics which gained them the distinctive title of Assassins .

The daggers of the society accomplished what their numerical strength was unable to effect , and fear fell upon all the emirs and governors of the East . Thus

In 1119 , as Bedii , the governor of Aleppo , was journeying with his sons to the court of the Emir Il-Ghazi , they were fallen upon by two assassins ; Bedii and one of his sons fell by their blows ; his other sons cut the murderers down ; but a third then sprang forth , and gave the finishing stroke to

one of the young men , who was already wounded . The murderer was taken , and brought before Togtcghin and Il-Ghazi , who only ordered him to be put in prison ; but he drowned himself to escape their vengeance , from which he had , pcrhaps , nothing to apprehend .

The following account of the residence of the " Old Man of the Mountain , " as the Ismailitc Chief was generally called , is given by Marco Polo , the Venetian traveller . " In a beautiful valley , " says he , " enclosed between two lofty mountains , he had formed a

luxurious garden stored with very delicious fruit and every fragrant shrub that could be procured , Palaces of various sizes and forms were erected in different parts of the grounds , ornamented with works of gold , with paintings , and with furniture of rich silks . By means of small conduits

contained in these buildings streams of wine , milk , honey , and some of pure water , were seen to flow in every direction . The inhabitants of these palaces wercl elegant and beautiful damsels , accomplished in the arts of singing , playing upon all sorts of musical instruments , ( lancing , and

especially those of dalliance and amorous allurement . Clothed in rich dresses , they were seen continually sporting and amusing themselves in the garden and pavilions , their female guardians being confined within doors , and never suffered to appear . The object which the chief had in view in forming

a garden of this fascinating kind was this : that Mahomet having promised to those who should obey his will , the enjoyments of paradise , where every species of sensual gratification should be found in the society of bcatiful nymphs , he was desirous of its being understood by his followers that

he also was a prophet , and a compeer of Mahomet , and had the power of admitting to paradise such as he should choose to favour . In order that none without his licence should find their way into this delicious valley , he caused a strong and inexpugnable castle to bc erected at the opening of it ,

through which the entry was by a secret passage . At his court , likewise , this chief entertained a number of youths , from the age of twelve to twenty years , selected from the inhabitants of the surround ing mountains , who showed a disposition for martial exercises , and appeared to possess the finality of

Ancient And Modern Mysteries.

daring courage . To them he was in the daily practice of discoursing on the subject of the para : : ? " -.-. r-. ounced by the Prophet and of his own , of granting admission , and at certain times he caused draughts of a soporific nature to be administered to ten or a dozen of the youths , and when

half-dead with sleep he had them conveyed to the several apartments of the palaces in the garden . Upon awakening from this state of lethargy their senses were struck with all the delightful objects that have been described , and each perceived himself surrounded by lovely damsels , singing , playing ,

and attracting his regards by the most fascinating caresses , serving him also with delicious viands and exquisite wines , until , intoxicated with excess of enjoyment , amidst actual rivers of milk and wine , he believed himself assuredly in paradise , and felt an unwillingness to relinquish its delights . When

four or five days had thus been passed , they were thrown once more into a state of somnolency and carried out of the garden . Upon their being introduced to his presence , and questioned by him as to where they had been , their answer was , ' In paradise , through the favour of your kindness ; ' and

then , before the whole court , who listened to them with eager curiosity and astonishment , they gave a circumstantial account of the scenes to which they had been witnesses . The chief thereupon addressing them said , ' Wc have the assurance of our

Prophet that he who defends his lord shall inherit paradise , and if you show yourselves devoted to the obedience of my orders , that happy lot awaits you . Animated to enthusiasm by words of this nature all deemed themselves happy to receive the commands of their master , and were forward to die in his service . " ( To be continued . )

Leaves From My Library.

LEAVES FROM MY LIBRARY .

BY MARMADUKE MAKEPEACE . ( Continued from page ief > . ) The orphan blushed with confusion . "Alamdde , " she continued , in a severe tonc , asif to try his mind , " do not plume yourself upon your birth ; among your nearest relations were many mere artizans , and

your grandfather was a peasant . For your future destinies , if , as you seem to think , rank , fortune , and titles are necessary to pursue a glorious career , I can only pity you—for you have not even a name . " Well , then , 1 can achieve one , " cried the impetuous Alamdde ; " to acquire what I am deficient in , a

sword and my honour shall suffice . Without titles I may become great , without fortune I may be happy . Since the capricious deity , Renown , sheds her favours indifferently upon all conditions of men , I may , as well as those other obscure persons , whom she takes out of the very dust , and places in the

temple of fame , see myself one day crowned with laurels in the midst of the astonished multitude . " "Thank Heaven ! " cried the Lady of St . Chrisogone , enthusiastically , " he is such as my fervent prayers have wished him . Worthy child of my adoption I seat yourself on yonder grey stone near

the torch . The hour of revelation approaches ; soon shall you comprehend me . Your eye is made to bear the light ; your soul is formed to receive the truth ; your destiny shall bc glorious . It shall bc opened to you when you knock ; if you seek you

shall lind . " These figurative expressions , this oracular prediction , were doubtless exceedingly profound ; but though the unknown of the marsh was a sort of sphinx , Alamdde was no CEdipus ; and the mystery remained unravelled .

The obedient youth took his seat against a bench on the outside of the building , and continued to listen attentively to Ipsibod . Pointing to her dwelling— "Alamede , " she continued , " your curious glances have , I know , penetrated the recesses of this building . Answer me , rash youth—what have

you seen ?" "Somesymbolical instruments in a gloomy room , a statue , nnd a black curtain . " " How do you explain those objects ? " " I have scarcely distinguished them . If my eyes have been curious , they have been the only offenders .

I have not passed the grate—I respected your secrets . " " Have you seen no one in this place ?" " Yes ; a Templar and some soldiers quitted it just after I arrived . " "And what do you think of these mysterious

assemblies in the Morass of St . Chrisogonc ?" "Young and inexperienced as I am , I do not venture to pronounce an opinion . " " I permit you ; nay , more , I order you to do so . " " Well , then , I think that there is a political and religious society , which meditates the fall of the

throne . " " Its restoration rather . " " Which would overthrow * ' " No ; which would build up . " " Which at least would sd / . e the crown V " Which would restore it to the legitimate king

Leaves From My Library.

You expect then to excite the people to arms ? " " We expect to enlighten mankind . " " That is to destroy" " No ; to create . " " I am bewildered " " You will be convinced . "

" Your plans are hazardous and bold . The world is a large space to enlighten I " " The world ' s limits are known . There are none to man ' s genius . " " And you flatter yourself that you have the power to change "

Yes ; " cried Ipsibod eagerly , " to change the face of the world . —Listen , young page of a castle , to hopes of freemen : the age of barbarism has ceased ; that of civilization has commenced . The p eople are tired of tyranny , and Christians , wearied with impiety . The mists of error are dispersing ; the

fetters of slavery are broken ; bounds must be fixed to the powers of the throne , and reform must purify the church . Too long has the earth been an immense sanctuary , bloody and dark where the great have been the sacrificers , and the common people the victims . Degradation of humanity !—I have

seen two men and three women paid by a bishop as the price of a steed , after a hard bargain ! In a religious ceremony I have seen the ass of the pagan rites of Vesta braying at the foot of the altar ! I have seen , on . the pavement of our temples , choristers , armed with whips , pursue the personification of the Allelujah , twirling before them in the shape

of a top ! Here , in France , a council has been found to hold that women were not of the human species ! May such absurd laws , such disgraceful fetters , be annihilated for ever ! May the veil of ignorance fall—and thou , holy and sublime Liberty ! dawn of regeneration , beam of eternal truth , appear to gladden the world ! Arise ye fallen nations—Hail to the liberated earth !"

Her energetic voice echoed around like a divine prophecy . She rose as she finished speaking . Her face was turned to the cast , and a moon-beam falling upon it , it shone with a mysterious light . The orphan was filled with awe ; his sight was fascinated , his soul captivated ; he thought he was

on holy ground ; and ready to prostrate himself , he gazed upon her with enthusiasm . " Alamdde , " she pursued , " if the legitimate monarchy shall be restored by our efforts , the various powers of the state will be balanced , and it will be established upon a solid basis by an august

compact . The protection of the Princes right ' s will be the security of the people ' s . Such is the hope , and such is the purpose , of the noble order of the Invisibles . That grand assembly of all the virtuous and independent hearts in the community is already as immense as its views , as firm as its principles . It

is a new column , which has arisen slowly and in secret , but on which already those who can think , and dare believe , rely implicitly . It is a holy tree , which no power can uproot ; whose branches will one day cover Europe , and afford protection to its

people . The members of this new body are , without showing themselves , everywhere ; they labour without seeming to act ; they know all things , but they utter nothing ; they see all , but they are not seen . "

The Lady of St . Chrisogonc suddenly paused . The moon had retired behind a thick cloud , and the torch had nearly expired . " I have said enough , " she cried : "Page of the Marquis d'Aiguemar , swear never to reveal the words which have passed my

lips . " " I swear ; " said Alamede . " Stormy wind , " cried she , with vehemence , and as if she had the power of commanding the elements , " still waters , aged cypresses , and thou wild solitude , be silent . "

Then turning to the orphan , she said— " I quit you with regret . " The expression of her figure was no longer the same . By a strange and sudden transition , a profound calm had succeeded to the impetuous transport which had lately possessed her . She extended

her hand towards him . "Away ! away , " she cried , " the dawn is about to break . May my prayers be heard ; may all human beings so present a fraternal hand to each other . May I yet sec united , and in harmony , kings , priests , and people— those divided powers who struggle for the mastery on the earth . "

Alamdde could not repress a laugh ; he remembered the vain attempt which Ipsibod had made , a short time previously , to collect around her , to keep in harmony and to fraternise , a goat , a falcon , and some squirrels ; being not less difficult to make accord than peasants , priests , and princes .

A subterranean bell now emitted a low and lengthened sound . " Three hours have struck , " cried the Lady of St . Chrisogonc , "the appointed time will have passed . I am summoned—Adieu I " In her haste , as she wrapped the shawl around

her , she threw it over the flambeau and extinguished it—an almost palpable darkness immediately prevailed ; the graie shut to with violence , and Ipsibod had disappeared . ( To le continued . )