Monthly Masonic Summary.

pretentious , is more superficial than authoritative . We do not gather from the two volumes anything that we did not know before , and Ave miss many names of secret societies of which little authentic

has as yet transpired , and about which Ave should be very glad to be enlightened . One of the modern ideas of bookmakiug is—a very mistaken one , by the waycollect as many cuttings as you can , thread

them together with a running text of commentary , and you produce a book of original research . Sad mistake for the writer , and intense suffering for the student . Instead of the calm , reality of

original research , and carefully collated authorities , you have to put up with tho hurried compilation of the daily leader , or of the sensational writer of a review , composed for a special journal , not written

exactly in the interests of judicial truth , but spiced or coloured for clique or coterie . One signal feature in Mr . fleckethorn ' s Avork is—whether intentional or unintentional Ave knoAv not—the entire

accordance of bis vieAVs Avith the Jesuit and Ultramontane scribes of the hour in their often fierce and ahvays foolish invectives against Freemasonry . There is nothing too absurd for some Avriters to put forth just nOAV . Witness that German or Italian Abbe

Avho contends gravely that Ave are the successors of Manichcean heretics . Is the Avish father to the thought ? And does the good man believe that Ave are read y for the burning ? Surely Ave may Avish himwell , better information and a little more charity . ED .

Heliotrope.

HELIOTROPE .

HOAV strong they are , those subtle spells That lurk in leaves and floAver-bells , Rising from faint perfumes ;

Or mingling Avith some olden strain . Strike through the music shaits of pain , And people empty rooms .

They come upon us nnaAvare , In crowded halls and open air , And in our chambers still :

A song , an odour , or a bird , Evokes the spell , and strikes the chord , And all our pulses thrill ,

Heliotrope.

I loitered but an hour ago , With lagging footsteps tired and SIOAV , Along the garden Avalk :

The summer twili ght wrapped me round Through open AvindoAvs came the sound , Of song and pleasant talk . The odour-stealing deAvs lay Avet And heavy on the mignonette That crept about my feet : Upon the folded mossy vest That clothed the ruby-roses' breast , It fell in droppings SAveet .

It fell on beds of purple bloom , From Avhence arose the rare perfume Of dainty heliotrope ;

Which smote my heart Avith sudden power , My favourite scent , my favourite flower , In olden days of hope !

Ah , me ! the years have come and gone , Each Avith its melody or moan , Since that sunshiny hour ,

When , for the sake of hands that brought , And for the lesson SAveet it taught , I chose it for my flower .

Faint-scented blossoms I long ago Your purple clusters came to shoAv My life had wider scope ;

They spoke of love that day—to night I stand apart from love ' s delight , And Avear no heliotrope .

Between to-night and that far day , Lie life's bright noon and twilight grey ,

But I have lived through both : And if before my paling face The midnight shadoAvs fall apace , I see them , nothing loth .

Only to-nig ht that faint perfume Reminds me of the lonely gloom Of life outliving hope :

I wish I had been far to-night , What time the deAV fell , silver-Avhite Upon the heliotrope ! All the Year Round .

Muriel Halsif.

MURIEL HALSIF .

( Continued from page 367 . ) WEAK and worn Avith illness , Muriel sat in an easy chair b y the open AvindoAV of ¦