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Article MASONIC REMINISCENCES. ← Page 5 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Reminiscences.
may yet win fain © and honour . There is no blood , thank Heaven on your hands ; and for the social wrongs you have done , ample restitution can be made . Wash out the stain by a life of worthy deeds ; I am a soldier ' s daughter , and could be a soldier ' s wife . Dear to me as my own heart is this fair island , where moulder
the ashes of my glorious fathers ; and one of the last dying thoughts of my failing memory would be a prayer for its happiness and peace . 6 But wherever thou art shall seem Erin to me ; ' fly then , ' east or west , I care not whither , so thou art safe , and I with thee . ' " The avenging arm of Grod ' s retributive justice has fallen on those vile men through whom you innocently suffered ; they are gone to their account ; let their deeds he forgotten , and turn your thoughts to brighter hopes of happiness to come . "
The wife ' s arguments prevailed , added to the following words in the colonel ' s letter : —•
"Maurice De Courcy , " Start not that I know your name : I am . fully acquainted with your sad history , your ' wrongs , and sufferings ; but I trust reflection has long ere this convinced you that they do not justify the madness of your present life . Could a De Courcy find no nobler outlet for insulted ^ pride than to become a robber on his native hills , and within view , too , of those old halls where his forefathers revelled in all the pomp and pride of princes ?
" I address you as the erring son of a Brother Mason , bound to me by ties as strong and dear as any blood or kin can bind , in the hope of winning you from your present lawless life , to the glorious path which leads to fame and honour . I have strong interest at a foreign court , whose gallant army is now in the field , where the daring qualities which you possess , unless your race ' s blood has
become degenerate in your veins , will win a just reward ; safeconduct and ample means you shall have , together with such letters as I should give my own most favoured child . Let me entreat you , then , to accept this tribute to a brother ' s memory , and blot out this stain of youthful pride and passion in deeds of valour worthy ot
your name . " The seal which will impress the Mason ' s symbols on this letter was once your father ' s , and was lent to me for this purpose by the good pious mail who related to me your eventful history , and to whom it was bequeathed as a token of fraternal love ! Let me appeal to
you by all the memories which this circumstance should awaken , not to reject my offer ; yield to the influence of that Order which you know your father loved ; I trust that Heaven will guide you to the right , and believe me , as your father ' s brother , your own sincere and anxious friend , " 11 . lh " Having secured retreat for his followers , Maurice himself departed ; the last of a class now liappilyexti . net in many of which was found frequently blended the most reckless courage , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Reminiscences.
may yet win fain © and honour . There is no blood , thank Heaven on your hands ; and for the social wrongs you have done , ample restitution can be made . Wash out the stain by a life of worthy deeds ; I am a soldier ' s daughter , and could be a soldier ' s wife . Dear to me as my own heart is this fair island , where moulder
the ashes of my glorious fathers ; and one of the last dying thoughts of my failing memory would be a prayer for its happiness and peace . 6 But wherever thou art shall seem Erin to me ; ' fly then , ' east or west , I care not whither , so thou art safe , and I with thee . ' " The avenging arm of Grod ' s retributive justice has fallen on those vile men through whom you innocently suffered ; they are gone to their account ; let their deeds he forgotten , and turn your thoughts to brighter hopes of happiness to come . "
The wife ' s arguments prevailed , added to the following words in the colonel ' s letter : —•
"Maurice De Courcy , " Start not that I know your name : I am . fully acquainted with your sad history , your ' wrongs , and sufferings ; but I trust reflection has long ere this convinced you that they do not justify the madness of your present life . Could a De Courcy find no nobler outlet for insulted ^ pride than to become a robber on his native hills , and within view , too , of those old halls where his forefathers revelled in all the pomp and pride of princes ?
" I address you as the erring son of a Brother Mason , bound to me by ties as strong and dear as any blood or kin can bind , in the hope of winning you from your present lawless life , to the glorious path which leads to fame and honour . I have strong interest at a foreign court , whose gallant army is now in the field , where the daring qualities which you possess , unless your race ' s blood has
become degenerate in your veins , will win a just reward ; safeconduct and ample means you shall have , together with such letters as I should give my own most favoured child . Let me entreat you , then , to accept this tribute to a brother ' s memory , and blot out this stain of youthful pride and passion in deeds of valour worthy ot
your name . " The seal which will impress the Mason ' s symbols on this letter was once your father ' s , and was lent to me for this purpose by the good pious mail who related to me your eventful history , and to whom it was bequeathed as a token of fraternal love ! Let me appeal to
you by all the memories which this circumstance should awaken , not to reject my offer ; yield to the influence of that Order which you know your father loved ; I trust that Heaven will guide you to the right , and believe me , as your father ' s brother , your own sincere and anxious friend , " 11 . lh " Having secured retreat for his followers , Maurice himself departed ; the last of a class now liappilyexti . net in many of which was found frequently blended the most reckless courage , and