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ancient mysteries of the Chaldeans and Egyptians . A life-long student of the labours of the hermetical philosophers . One who has also read a ' nd ' is a believer in tho weird or abstruse theories of those learned uien Roger Bacon , Albertus Magnus , Aquinas , Lully , Basil Valentine and others whose names are written on the scrolls of fame . Am 1 to be compared , with a buffoon , a quack , a mere vendor of false charms , spells and love philters . Thou cain ' st here on thy own accord , 1 sought thee not . "

" I pray thee , forgive mo , good Paracelsus , " said the other in apologetic tones , " my mind is disturbed to-night by strange , morbid fancies . I know not what to think . Thy divination or augury has unnerved me because it tallies with the prediction of -the vulgar Spanish hag . But I must know more . Prithee ! proceed , 1 will not offend acain . "

Thus directed , the philosopher extinguished the lamp . His next act was to draw back the black curtain at the end of the apartment . In the dim lig ht that came from thc embers on the hearth , the cavalier could sec two altar-like structures , on thc top of which were embroidered in crimson a cross partly covering a rose and at the bottom the letters "F . R . C . " At the base of each pedestal was

a human skull , in the eye-sockets of which were stones of a luminous nature that scintillated like stars . This effect , no ' doubt , was . pro : duced by some mechanical contrivance within the emblems of poor humanity , In the front of the altars was a small bronze brazier . At the back of all was a mirror , about two feet in diameter and " of an oval shape . Round thc frame ancl in raised letters were the names

"Raphael , " " Gabriel , " and "Uriel . " Paracelsus then divided the room by a silken coi * d and placed -a chair in the centre , "Pray be seated , sir , " said he . " Do not move nor speak till 1 direct thee , and keep thine eyes fixed on yonder g lass . 13 e stout of heart , naught shall harm thee . " He then stooped under the cord and placed something in the brazier , Presently there arose a sweet smell like the combined odours of cedar-wood and myrrh .

The stranger noticed that the philosopher had a long wand in his hand with which he traced a circle and several figures on the floor , that was covered with a white powdered substance . Paracelsus passed eleven times round the brazier , intoning sentences in a strange . barbaric tongue . The smoke , by this time , had become , so dense , that the form of the astrologer was quite obscured , but the interested witness could still hear his grim mutterings .

The cavalier also thought that he heard the sound of anothei voice , but this he put down to an excited imagination . In a few minutes the vapour cleared away and the philosophei conld be seen standing close to the cord . .. . "Look steadfastly at the mirror , and tell me what thou beboldest , " said hc .

"Nothing at present , replied his companion . " It is covered as with a film . " After a pause , he added , "The mist is now passing away , and I can perceive , reflected in the mirror , a number of buildings . There is ti great mass of people surging to and fro , and a strong contingent of armed men clothed in uncouth uniforms . The latter are guarding a scaffold draped in black , upon which is a block . " " Aught else V'" queried Paracelsus ,

" Yes , a procession is slowly emerging upon the scaffold . The majority of the people uncover . There are two ecclesiastics , apparently of high station , in attendance " , a headsman , " masked and clothed in red , bearing on his shoulder an axe , with its edge turned towards a figure dressed in black . " "Canst thou see the face of the doomed man ? " asked the philosopher .

" No , not at present , his back is towards me , " was the reply . "Ha ! he faces me . Merciful Heavens ! it is mine own image , but how changed ; the features are careworn , the hair and beard are sprinkled with the frost of Time , the eyes melancholy to a degree . Yet ' there is an'air of resignation and serenity in tho face reminding life of the lineaments of the martyrs of old as limned on many a canvas . After a short interval the figure kneels and bends his head , the executioner raises his glittering weapon . There appears to be n <

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death-like silence in the huge crowd . God of my fathers ! I cannot gaze longer . " The strong matt then covered his face with his hands and sobbed like a child . Paracelsus drew the curtain across the room , relit the lamp and approaching a . cabinet took therefrom a small vial containing a , pale amber coloured fluid and a glass . Placing his hand gently on the shoulder of his visitor , he said ,

" Courage , my good sir , courage . Drink of this cordial , it will revive thee . "

In a few moments the stranger started to his feet evidcntl y quite composed and refreshed , and cheerfully cried , " Thou knowest most learned of sages , the qualities of good liquor . Prithee , tell me the name of the delicious compound thou hast given me . "

" It approaches as nearly to the elixir of life as the most sanguine of chemists can hope to produce . It is a vital fluid and has taken ni y progenitors and myself years of study to realise . I do not believe iii the wild chimeras of some philosophers that it is possible for mankind to attain unlimited existence here ou earth . It is an offence to our Maker even to desire it . All mortals must perish ere they put

on the robes of everlasting life . That the ancients knew of an elixir to prolong our brief span here on earth I venture to declare . Take for example , the long lives of the Patriarchs , thc Magi , as well as the Rabbins , the last-mentioned were deeply versed iu chemical secrets and no doubt the means of extending life was one of their mysteries . In more modern times many learned men have reached

ages far above the allotted three score years and ten . Merlin is said to have lived to an almost incredible age . Rosenkreuz is stated to have seen , one hundred and seven summers . The Countess of Desmond , ungallantly surnamed " The Old , " was nearly one hundred and forty , and then it is recorded that she died from the effects of an accident . When my grandsire was in Waterford , he was frequently

consulted by that lady on mystical matters , and he gave her a similar life-preserving tincture to that which 1 possess . He lived to bc one hundred and five . My father nearly completed his century , and doubtless would have exceeded that age , had not his constitution been shattered by the grief subsequent on the destruction of his

house and the loss of many precious manuscripts by fire . At seventy 1 feel mentally and physically stronger than I did at twenty , and by means of yon essence I hope to be enabled to live many years to •complete my labours for the ultimate advantage of mankind . " "I will put th y skill further to the test , " said the cavalier . " Am I married ? "

" No , not yet , but . you speedily will be , answered the other . •. " Will that marriage , , bo a happy one ? " was the . juext query . " Yes and no , " was the curious response . " -., q " Shall we have issue ? "' . ' •' - ' . ' •"

" Verily ye will , " replied the philosopher ; " but your offspring , like thyself , will suffer mauy vicissitudes and indignities , and ere two hundred years have passed , your race in the male line will be extinct , " '' . •¦ -. - . ¦ """

. " One more question and 1 have finished , " said the cavalier , " Will my wife survive mc ? " " Yes , by many years , and she will prove to be thy evil counsellor , ' was the reply of Paracelsus .

"Poor me ! " si ghed the other , " If thy dire predictions arc to be realised 1 had better terminate my existence at once . Yet , I am but a youth and lnethinks it seemeth an act of cowardice to take the life that was given to me but a short space ago . Moreover , I am rich in wordly gear and blessed with everything to render my sojourn here on earth ,, however short , pleasurable . Therefore I will not leave this brig ht , happy sphere to plunge into darkness or I know not what . " .

" Bravely reasoned , " remarked the sage . " Perhaps thou knowest not , but it is a part of the creed of the hei'niitic philosophers that there exists an analogy and concord between the wonderful laws ot nature and the jn-ineiplcs of true religion . That is to say . He rules the kingdom of spirits by the same powers with which He governs

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