Classical Theology.—Lxxxii.

Our own ; his knowledge , and his powers and will , As far as is compatible with clay , Which clogs the ethereal essence , have been such As clay has seldom borne : his aspirations Have been beyond the dwellers of the earth , And they have only taught him what we

know—That knowledge is not happiness , and science But an exchange of ignorance for that Which is another kind of ignorance ' : *¦ This is not all . The passions—attributes Of earth and heaven * * * Have pierced his heart ; and in their consequence

Made him a thing , which I , who pity not , Yet pardon those who pity . He is mine And thine—it may he : be it so , or not , No other spirit in this region hath A soul like his , or power upon his soul . Nem . What doth he here , then ? 1 st Des . Let him answer that . Manfred . Ye know what I have known , and without power

I could not be amongst ye : hut there are Powers deeper still beyond . I come in quest Of such , to answer unto what I seek . Nem . AVhat would ' st thou ? Manfred . Thou canst not reply to me . Call up the dead—my question is for them .

Nem . Great Arimanes , doth thy will avouch The wishes of mortal ? . Art . Yea . Nem . Whom would ' st thou Manfred . One without a tomb . Call up Astarte . ( The phantom of Astarte rises and stands in the midst . )

Manfred . Can this be death ? There ' s bloom upon her cheek But now I see it is no living hue , But a strange hectic—like the unnatural red Which autumn plants upon the perished leaf . It is the same ! 0 God , that I should dread To look upon the same . Astarte ! No , I cannot speak to her—hut hid her speak : Forgive or condemn me— * * *

She is silent ! And in that silence I am more than answered . Nem . My power extends no further . Prince of Air ! It rests with thee alone—command her voice . Ari . Spirit , obey this sceptre ! Nem . Silent still ! She is not of our order , hut belongs To the other powers . Mortal ! thy guest is vain , And we are baffled also * * *

Man . Look on the fiends around—they feel for me ; I fear them not , and feel for thee alone—Speak to me though it be in wrath ; but say—I reck not what—but let me hear thee once , This once—once more ! Phantom of Astarte . Manfred !

Man . Say on , say on—* * * it is thy voice ! Phantom . To-morrow ends thy earthly ills . Farewell Man . Yet one word more—am I forgiven ? Phantom . Farewell ! Man . Say , shall we meet again ?

Phantom . Farewell ! Man . One word for mercy ! Say thou lovest me . Phantom . Manfred ! [ The spirit of Astarte disappears ^]

Classical Theology.—Lxxxii.

The fiends referred to in this fine part of tins grand drama , may be of such as assist at the mysteries of table-tilting , turning , or tapping , or to the assumed poAvers of some kind of spiritualism . The spirit of Astarte is of a different order , poAver ,

or being of spirit nature . But Avith regard to the highest phenomena of spiritualism , the ghost , spirit , or angel , can and will appear , or come face to face to a mortal person , Avithout being evoked by spirit knowledge possessing the power which

may permit it to be enforced . Be that as it may , consistent with mythology , Ave are told ( Natalis Comes Lil . Q-irald ) , Jupiter , in the absence of Amphitryo , came to Alcmena in her husband ' s shape and dress . The deceived lady , thinking

Amphytrio had returned home , received the dissembling god as her royal lord , and had in consequence by him a son . His limbs were so large , and every part of his body so robust , it took three nights and days to bring him into the world .

Before this strange freak of Jupiter , which Avould have been perfidious had he been less than a god , Alcmena Avas with child by her husband . The child Avas named Iphiclus , and , as sung by the poet ( Orph . in hyma ) , so SAvift of foot , —

"He over standing corn would run , and ne ' er In his swift motion bruise the tender ear . " This Ip hiclus arid Hercules were tAvins .

Secret Societies.

SECRET SOCIETIES .

The papal allocution fulminated from Rome against secret societies in general , ancl the society of Freemasons throughout the world in particular , has excited considerable attention in the public mind , but has amongst no body of men been

received with such utter contempt and scorn as amono-sfc Freemasons , Avhether they be Protestants of Hio-h or Low Church , or Dissenters from the Established Church in England , Presbyterians , members of the Society of Friends , and other

relig ious denominations—and amongst none more heartily than our Roman Catholic brethren . To the latter , and more especially to the travelled members of our body of that relig ious community , it is a matter of the greatest possible surprise that

one so highly esteemed and venerated as a man of so much kindliness of disposition , enlightened and amiable , should have allowed himself to be blindly led into so ill-judged , unworthy , uncalled-for , and at the same time so futile , weak , and inoperative a course of action , and one so certain to bring his poAver and authority , Avhen so exercised , into con-