The Rosicrucian.

The Rosicrucian .

A TALE OF COLOGNE . ( Reprinted from the Dublin University Magazine . ) V . —THE TWO HEARTS UNVEILED . Basil Wolgemutb . had now gained the summit of his wishes . He had panted for the river of knowledge—had found it , and allayed his burning thirst

in its waters , which were to him a Lethe , bringing oblivion of all else . He walked as one in a dream , or like the false prophet of old , falling into a trance , but having his eyes open . He was gentle , kind to his sister , and to the patient , sorrowful Isilda ; but he shrank from their society , as he did from that of

every living soul . He would disappear for days together , wandering in the woods and mountains , far from his home ; there the student was alone , with his newly-acquired sense—there he penetrated into the marvels of the invisible world . He saw the Sylphs of the air floating over him , and fanning his

slumbers with their ambrosial wings . The beautiful Undines spread their cool , wavy arms around him , and . through the riven earth he beheld the Gnomes and Bobolds at work in their treasure-caves . Borne by the Salamandrines , he viewed the caves of the volcanoes ; their lurid recesses were exposed to his

gaze , and he saw the central fires smouldering beneath the surface of the globe—the cradles of the earthquake . Then , when the student returned , he would shut himself up in his chamber , and invoke the being who had first appeared to him—the

beaulifuFSalamandrine . He imbibed from her lips wondrous love of hidden things , and wisdom beyond that of man ; he sunned himself _ in the light of her glorious beauty , and became insensible to all earthly things . " O , my master , " Basil would often murmur ,

" thou wert right . What count I now the cup of mortal pleasure while that of heaven is at my lips ? I could torture—almost destroy—this poor frail body , for the sake of the soul . " And while the student revelled in these estacies , his slight form grew more shadowy , his dreamy

eyes became of a more fathomless depth , and his whole appearance was that of a spirit which had for a season assumed this mortal coil . No thought of Isilda , no yearning for her forsaken love crossed his memory ; the lesser feeling was all absorbed in the greater , for the one reigning passion of Basil

Wolgcmuth ' s soul was , a thirst after knowledge . And Isilda—the devoted one—how fared it with her ? She knew that no other maiden had stolen her lover ' s heart , and yet it was changed towards her . She saw it to be so . Some overpowering passion had extinguished that of love , and her life ' s hope

was gone . She did not pine nov weep ; she felt no anger towards Basil , for in her eyes he could do no wrong . Isilda had worshipped him from her girlhood , with a love mixed with idolatry , for it long seemed like " the desire of the moth for the star . " None other had ever won a thought from the maiden ,

though many had wooed her ; but having once loved him , none else could have filled her heart for ever . Even Basil , . when he came to measure her love by his own , dreamed not of its intensity . So absorbing was this one passionate love , that even the sad

change in him who was its object , could not weaken it . She desired no more but to be near the idol of her soul ; to see him ; to hover round him as silently as his shadow—only to have the blessed privilege of loving him , and the memory , sweet , though mournful , that he had once loved her .

VI . —LOVE UNTO DKATH . Basil Wolgemutb lay asleep on his couch . He had outwatched midnight , and was very weary . The follower of Roscncrcutz , the wise philosopher , the man of surpassing genius , had not passed the limits of mortality ; his earth verdure clung around

him still—weariness had overtaken him in the midst of his vigils—he had thrown himself down on the hard pallet , and fallen asleep , as sound as if the rude couch of the Rosicrucian were the monarch ' s bed of down . The morning stars looked in at his casement , and the dim light of a single

lamp fell on the countenance of the student . He lay calm as a little child , with folded hands , as if his mother had hilled him to sleep with songs . Oh ! if that mother could have beheld him now , how would she have wept over the child of so many prayers !

I have said before that there was little beauty in Basil ' s face , ' at least that mere beauty of form , which is so dazzling—and it is good that it should be so , for a lovely face seems fresh from the impress of God ' s hand ; we naturally love it , cling to it , and worship it as such . But Basil ' s sole charm had

been the genius so plainly visible in his face , and a sunny , youthful , happy look , which made it pleasant to behold . Now , all this was gone , but while he slept , a little of his olden self returned , a smile wandered over his lips , and his sunny hair fell from his brow , as in the days when Isilda ' s fingers

The Rosicrucian.

used to part those bright locks , and her soft lips loved to rest on that white and beautiful forehead . Suddenly a red glare lighted up the still shadows of the chamber—it flashed on the eyes of the sleeper . " Art thou here , O beautiful spirit , " murmured

Basil , half roused , and dazzled by the brilliant light , which seemed a realization of his dream . But it was no celestial presence that shone into the student's room . He awoke fully , rose up , and looked out into the night . The city lay hushed beneath the star-light , like a palace of the dead ,

it seemed as though no mortal turmoil would ever more ruffle its serene repose . But far in the darkness , in a direction where Basil ' s eyes had , in former times , been turned so fondly waiting for the one solitary lamp , which was to him like a starlurid flames and white smoke burst forth , and

contended with the gloom around . There was in the city the fearful presence of fire , and the burning house was Isilda ' s . With a sudden impulse , Basil stayed not to unfasten bolt or bar , but leaped at once through the low window , and fled , rather than ran , to the scene .

This time mortal love had the pre-eminence ; he forgot all but Isilda—Isilda perishing in the flames . •Wildly raged the fierce element , as if kindled by a hundred demons , who fanned it with their fiery breath , and leaped , and howled , and shouted , as it spread on with mad swiftness . Now it writhed in

serpent coils—now it darted upwards in forked tongues , and now made itself a veil of dusky vapours , and beneath that shade went on in its devasting way . Its glare put out the dim stars overhead , and hung on the skirts of the clouds that were driven past , until the sky itself seemed in

names . House after house caught the blaze , and cries of despairing agony , mingled with shrieks of frantic terror , rose up through the horrible stillness of night . The beautiful element which Basil had so loved , the cheering , inspiring Fire , was turned into a fearful scourge .

The student reached the spot , and looked wildly up to the window he had so often watched . A passing gust blew the flames aside , and he distinguished there a white figure—it was Isilda ; her hands were crossed on her bosom , and her head was bowed meekly , as if she knew there was no hope , and was

content to die . Basil saw , and in a moment he had rushed into the burning dwelling . He gained the room , and with a wild cry of joy , Isilda sprung into his arms . Without a word he bore her , insensible as she was , through the smoke and ( lame to a spot where the

fire had not reached . Further he could not go , for his strength failed him . He laid his burden down and leaned against the wall . " I might not live for thec , Isilda , " cried the student , " but I can die with thee . Vet is there no help —no hope ? Where arc the spirits that were once

subject unto me ? And thou , my guardian—spirit of Fire !—is this thy work ? Where art thou ?" " I am here , " answered a voice ; and the Salamanprine appeared . The flames drew nearer ; and Basil saw myriads of ; eriel shapes flitting among them in

mazy wreaths . They came nigh—they hovered over his mortal love—their robes of seeming flame swept her form . " Touch her not , " shrieked the student , as he bent over Isilda , his human fear overpowering

him . " The good and pure like her , are ever safe , " replied the Salamandrine . " We harm her not . " And she breathed over the maiden , who awoke . '' O , my Basil , " murmured the girl , "is death then past ? Thou didst come to save me—thou lovest

me—thou art mine again ! " and she stretched out to him her loving arms ; but Basil turned away . " Hush ! " he said , " dost thou not see them—the spirits ?" Isilda looked round fearfully . " I see nothingonly thee . "

The student ' s eyes flashed with wild excitement . " See ! " he cried , '' they fill the air , they gather round us , they come between thec and me . Now , now their forms grow fainter—they are vanishingit is thou , oh woman ! who art driving them from my sight for ever . Stay , glorious beings , stay ! I

give up all—even her . " " They shall not part me from thee , " shrieked the girl , as she clung to Basil , and wound her arms round him . " No power in heaven or earth shall tear us asunder—thou art mine—I will live for thec —I will die for thec—my Basil , "

rhou shalt have thy desire , " the student madly cried , as he struggled in her frantic clasp . There was the gleam of steel—one faint bubbling sigh;—the arms relaxed their hold , and Basil was alone—with the dead . The fire staved in its dire path , and a wailing

sound rose up as the spirits fled away . Heaven and earth had forsaken the murderer . He knelt besides his victim ; he wept , he laughed , he screamed ; for madness was in his brain . " I may kiss thee now , Isilda , " he shouted , " thou art all mine own ; death has made thee my wife , and

The Rosicrucian.

he clasped the cold still form to his breast , kissing the lips and cheeks with passionate vehemence . " I will make thee a pyre—a noble funeral pyre , " he continued ; " the fire shall purify this mortal clay , and thou shalt become a spirit , Isilda—a beautiful immortal spirit . "

He bore the dead to where the fire raged fiercest ; he laid his beloved on a couch ; composed the frigid limbs , folded the hands , and kissing the cold lips once more , retired to a distance , while the flames played round the still beautiful form which was once Isilda . Lovingly they enwreathed and

enshrouded it , until at last they concealed it from the student ' s gaze . He turned and fled . The Fire had in its mysterious bosom the ashes of that noble and devoted heart . Isilda had found the death she once thought so blest , —death by the hand of the beloved . ( To be concluded in our next ) .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending January IJ , 1870 . MONDAY , J . 10 . Lodge S , "St . George and Comer Stone , " Freemasons '

Hall . „ 12 , " Fortitude and Old Cumberland , " Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street . ,, 29 , "St . Alban ' s , " Albion Tavern , Aldersgatestreet .

i > 59 > " Royal Naval , " Freemasons Hall . j . 193 , " Confidence , " Anderton ' s , Fleet-street . ,, S 79 , " Pcckham , " Maismore Arms , Park-road ,

Peckham . Chap . 22 , " Mount Sion , " Radley ' s , Blackfriars . Mark Lodge "Mallet and Chisel , " Horns Tavern , Kennington . Red Cross Conclave , "Plantagenet , " City Terminus . Hotel , Cannon-street . Kent Mark Masters' Lodge of Instruction , Lyceum Tav .,

354 , Strand , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . C . Swan , Preceptor . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-hill , at S ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . TUESDAY , J AN . II . Lodge 46 , "Old Union , " Radley's Hotel , Blackfriars . ,, 166 , " Union , " London Tavern , Bishopsgatc-st . ,, 180 , " St . James ' s Union , " Freemasons'Hall . ,, IQS , "Percy , " Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . ,, 211 , "St . Michael ' s , " Albion Tav ,, Aldersgate-st . ,, 54 S , "Wellington , " White Swan Tav ., Deptford .

,, 917 , "Cosmopolitan , " Terminus lit ] ., Cnnnon-st . .. 933 . "Doric , " Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Rose + Chapter , " Metropolitan , " Freemasons' Tavern . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , George Hotel , Alder * manbury , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction , Palmerston Tav ., Grosvenorpark , Cambcrwell , at 7 . 30 . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria .

Station , at S ; 15 ro . C . A . Cottcbrunc , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at S ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ) Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John's-wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Prestonian Club of Instruction ( for M . M . ' s only ) , Lyceum Tavern , Strand .

WEDNESDAY , JAN . 12 . J Committee Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at 3 . Lodge II , "Enoch , " Freemasons'Hall . ,, 13 , " Union Waterloo , " Masonic Hall , Woolwich . ,, 15 , " Kent , " Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-st .

,, S 7 , " Vitruvian , " White Hart , Lambeth . » . ' 47 > "Justice , " White Swan , Deptford . ,, 212 , "Euphrates , " George Hotel , Aldcrmanbury . ,, 238 , " Pilgrim , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . ,, 749 , "Belgravc , " Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street .

„ 781 , "Merchant Navy , Silver lavcrn , Burdettroad , Limehouse . ,, 1017 , " Montefiore , " Freemasons'Hall . ,, 1216 , " Macdonald , " Head Quarters First Surrey Rifles , Brunswick-id ., Cambcrwell . ,, 1228 , " Beacontrce , " private rooms , Lcytonstone .

,, 1260 , •' Hervey , " George Hotel , Wallham Green . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at S . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 228 ) , Bull & Gate , Kentish Town-road , at 8 ; liro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor .

Confidence Lodge of Instruction ( 193 ) , Railway Tavern , Railway-place , T ' enchurch-slreet , at 7 . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes Tavern , 1 hike-street , Manchester-square , at S ; liro . T . A . Adams , P . G . 1 ' ., Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Iloxlon , at 8 ; liro . liedlar , Preceptor . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( 829 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 ,

THURSDAY , J . 13 . Quarterly General Court Girls' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 12 . Lodge 19 , " Royal Athelstan , " Terminus Hotel , Cannonstreet .