Leaves From My Library.

LEAVES FROM MY LIBRARY .

BY MARMADUKE MAKEPEACE . ( Continued from page 147 . ) The following extract introduces us again to the Invisibles : —

The sky was dark and cloudy ; and when Alamdde was in the middle of the morass , the paths of which were full of obstructions and danger , the rain began to fall in torrents . The earth sunk beneath him at every step ; and his limbs , chilled by the damp vapour , lost their vigour and activity .

Compelled to quit the road he had taken , and which the water now rendered impassable , he tried another , without knowing exactly whither it would lead him . He went by the side of the muddy channels—forced a passage through the briars—turned , returned , retrograded , and at last entirely lost himself .

He entered , at hazard , a narrow , deep defile , which was almost choked by elders and hawthorns . A heap of ruins stopped him ; he attempted to clear this obstacle , but his foot caught in the stones and the roots ofthe trees , and losing his balance he fell . He rolled from the top of the rubbish into a long dark cavity .

His head had struck against a stone , and he lay stunned by the fall . He had not lost his sensation , but his eyes were as if they had been bandaged ; his spirits were in disorder ; and whether it was allusion or reality , he thought he saw flitting lights pass before him ; phantom forms seemed to be gliding behind the trees , while sad and hollow sounds , like the music of a funeral ceremony , fell

on his ear . He remained motionless for a short time . Suddenly a violent and loud blow , like that of a hammer striking iron , was heard : a sharp creaking followed it , and a strong current of air rushed over him : and coming to himself , he began clearly to distinguish

the objects which surrounded him . He was half buried in ruins , from which he slowly raised himself . On his left was some ruinous and mis-shapen brickwork , grown over with wild shrubs . On his right was a wall , in the middle of which , and at a short distance from him , was a low door . This

door was violently struck by some powerful hand , and creaking on its hinges it slowly opened . —A singular sight met the eyes of the astonished page . A long file of persons in black monastic-looking habits approached the secret entrance ; their heads were enveloped in hoods , their loins girt with cords

and they all wore long beards . Bones and skulls were painted on their ample scapularies ; they chanted a confused and inharmonious sort of hymn . Leaning on long pikes , they marched with measured steps . He could not doubt that they were either sorcerers or Capuchins .

A numerous body of knights followed them . Above their corslets they wore shirts of mail , after the fashion of the ancient Romans ; a branch of consecrated olive was fastened in their steel casques , and a piece of dark gauze , falling over their raised vizors , concealed their features .

This strange procession passed in perfect order by Alamdde , who , concealed by the thick rushes , had not been observed . The door in the wall remained open ; he saw beyond it a vaulted hall , which was lighted by large torches . The warriors and monks , as they passed rapidly along , took down several of

these torches , and proceeding through other chambers , Alamdde lost sight of them . He could only guess , by the distant sound of their steps , at the vast extent of these subterranean passages . Soon he could hear nothing more of them . Pale

and tottering , he raised himself : he was still in pain , but his strength had returned , and his bruises were not of much importance . The rain fell with redoubled violence , and he ventured to seek an asylum beneath the mysterious vault .

He entered—the first hall was deserted . Here and there torches were burning ; he seized one , and penetrated still further into the recesses . Passing a narrow corridor he crossed several rooms , and at length found himself in a large cavern , entirely hung round with black . Bucklers , lances , and swords

were heaped up there as in a magazine of arms in a fortress . A wreathed column , loaded with symbolical ornaments , Egyptian figures , and unknown hieroglyphics , rose in the middle . At the fool of it a scarlet mantle seemed to cover a coffin , and around it aromatic herbs were burning in chafingdishes .

Two pictures decorated the chamber . One of them represented an armed chieftain in an antique chapel . Despair was painted in his features ; a broken sceptre was lying at his feet ; priests deprivhim of his

ing armour were preparing to put on him the habit of their order . The name of Fern aud fiozon was inscribed on the frame . Below the painting was written— " People ! he may live again—Vengeance !"

The other picture represented a female sitting beneath a royal canopy . Her noble appearance was that of a queen ; her heavenl y face was beautiful as an angel ' s ; like the fabulous deities , she

Leaves From My Library.

combined grace and loveliness . Alamdde remained gazing in an extacy before this picture . A poignard , in an invisible hand , was represented as tracing upon the throne— " People ! death to the usurper I" The same princess was seen obscurely in the distance , but all around her was changed ; nuns were cutting off her long tresses , and a black

veil , extended over her head , presented in characters of blood the following legend : " May this be the fate of Zenaira ! " The page shuddered . At the same moment an awful voice , breaking the terrific silence , cried out to him from another part of the chamber , " Rash boy ! what brings thee hither ? "

The Orphan started back in considerable agitation . He trembled , and the torch "shook in his hands . Behind the column appeared a figure , so much increased by the shade in which it was placed , that it seemed perfectly gigantic—it approached with a menacing air , like an apparition of

vengeance . Its imposing attitude seemed to announce power ; but whether it was of good or of evil , the power of angels or of demons , that of the living or of the dead , appeared entirely doubtful to the astonished youth . It drew near him : the cloak which enveloped it

was thrown off , when , to the surprise of Alamdde , he saw it was Ipsibod—the strange , the inexplicable Ipsibod . Links of gold were twined within her hair , in which , at equal distances , were inserted antique

medals : one of them of larger size , fixed in the centre of her forehead , presented a head with enormous ears , like those of Midas ; and , to complete this singular head-dress , an artificial branch ot blossoming myrtle hung from the top of her

tresses . She wore a tunic of blue silk , lined with grey fur , and adorned with peacocks' feathers . Fastened to her shoulders by ribbons and knots , a royal scarlet drapery with ample folds trained behind her on the ground ; two scarves crossed bore at her side a sun

and a moon figured in precious stones . Round this sumptuous dress floated a gauze veil spangled with silver , which was thrown carelessly over her , and which , by catching against the objects she passed , seemed to impede the walk and motions of this majestic woman .

An equipment so uncommon , ornaments of so magnificent a description , a splendour seemingly ro much out of place , astonished the youth , and made him forget at once the terrors which had before occupied him . His fears were dissipated at once . The splendid apparel of of the Lady ofthe Morass

seemed all at once to have changed the scene . The terrific had disappeared , and had given place to the burlesque . " Rash boy I" repeated Ipsibod a second time , " what do you seek ? what is it you require ?" But this angry apostrophe had little effect upon

him ; it was not in unison with the temper of Alamdde . The giddy page tried in vain , or perhaps did not try at all , to repress the bursts ofhis thoughtless mirth : he was carried away by his vivacity ; and kneeling on the ground , he replied , with a theatrical air ,

Queen of these obscure dominions \ I come to take a part in your revels , and to ask a place at your festive board . Admit , I beseech you , one actor more in your theatre of wonders . If one may judge by the costumes , the parts must be worth

playing indeed . " " Extravagant , foolish youth ! " replied the Lady of St . Chrisogone , with dignity , " What a place have you chosen for your misplaced jesting—here at your father's tomb !"

My fathers tomb '" repeated the Orphan . At his feet stood the coffin or chest of lead , covered with a piece of scarlet stuff which only partially concealed it from his eyes . " And against whom are your sarcasms levelled ?¦ " ' pursued Ipsibod ; " against her who has been a

mother to you ? " ' The page , shocked , and feeling the force of her reproof , acknowledged his fault , and with downcast eyes remained silent . " And yet you aspire one day , " said she , " to become a knight ! Know , Sir , that these arc the first

laws of chivalry—He who follows the path of honour respects the secrets of another , however curious his disposition may be : and never insults a female , however strange her conduct may seem . No ; the golden spur is not for such as you . Man announces in his spring what the produce ofhis summer shall

be . He never will attain glory if he docs not possess the noble , instinctive feeling of virtue , which , without being taught , prompts him to the performance of all the sacred duties ofhis station . Shame to him whose frivolous temper studies nothing , and laughs at all things . He is a mere

automatonpossessing only the form of a man , but wanting the nobility of a man's soul . " As she spoke , her large black eyes were fixed upon him with an expression of tenderness and regret more overwhelming than words . Her tone was soft and sad , her deportment calm and majestic .

Leaves From My Library.

" Oh , my benefactress , my mother ! " cried the Orphan , " I am to blame ; I feel that I am . —But you have said that he who gave me existence lies in this coffin ; you knew him then—perhaps you loved him . By the sacred ashes ofthe father , pardon the error of the son . "

His prayer was irresistible . I psibod extended her arms to him , and all his faults were forgotten . A distant noise was heard . The Lady of the Morass appeared disturbed . She hastened to a door of the cavern which opened upon the staircase , and shutting it again precipitately , she returned to

the youth with evident agitation . " Imprudent boy ! said she , " do you know what perils you encounter in this sanctuary ? The members of the Grand Order over which I preside are assembled at St . Chrisogone . These caverns are beneath my dwelling . The Invisibles arc at this moment in

the conference-hall ; and the place in which wc are standing is the chamber of trial and of initiation it opens only to those who are affiliated in our mysteries . By our statutes , and those unchangeable laws which we arc bound to obey , any profane one

who shall enter these sacred precints ought to be put to death upon the instant . No protector , no power could save his life . " "Is this so ? — Ferocious laws I Inferna caverns ! "

" Peace ! " interrupted Ipsiboc ; " silence ! your voice will be heard . " Casting his eyes around , the Orphan pursued , with a bitterness of tone , " Then this mournful and magic paraphernalia — these barbarous rites and signs—this secret tribunal , from which there is no

appeal—these deeds of blood and darkness—arc the attributes of your Invisibles ! These pretended reformers arc but" He did not finish his speech ; for a menacing gesture from Ipsibod stopped him . She cried , with a loud and solemn voice ,

' Child , yet scarcely out of your cradle 1 do you presume to judge of men ? Blind one , who hast lived only in darkness , dare you censure the light ? Worm , scarcely perceptible , you creep , and yet you defy the eagle of the high heavens !—Tremble 1 the thunder is above your head . "

" Why shall I tremble ? " asked Alamdde impetuously . " I , whom 110 human threats ever yet intimidated ? Let the hidden thunder burst ! let your Invisibles appear I Here , in this spot , whatever may be the peril , whatever assault may be

offered , whatever sentence may be pronounced upon me—here , with unblenching front I stand , and no secret or noctural power shall make me lower my tone . " ( To be continued ) .

District Grand Lodge Of South Australia.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

A Quarterly Communication was holden at the Earl of Zetland Hotel , Adelaide , on 5 th January , 1 S 70 . Present : liros . the R . W . Arthur Hardy , J . P ., D . G . Master ( in the chair ) ; Henry E . Downer , S . M ., Deputy D . G . Master ; I lis Honour ludge Gwynne , D . G . S . W . ; Charles R . Darton , 1 UJ . J . W . ; Horatio T . Whiltell ,

M . D ., J . P ., P . D . D . G . M . ; Frederic Wicksteed , V . D . G . S . W . ; John T . Sagav , V . D . G . J . W . * William II . Graham , P . D . G . Treas . ; John R . Gurner , D . G . Reg . ; Ralph E . Lucy , D . G . Sec . ; Aulay Maeaulay , D . G . S . D . ; John Rudall , D . C . J . D . ; William Hill , D . G . Dir . Ccr . ; Joseph S . Cope , P . D . G . Org . ; John C . liray , D . G . Purs . ; John Hamlin . P . D . G . Purs . ; William

Price , P . M . 649 ; A . E . Davies , M . D ., J . P „ P . M . S 72 ; James Martin , J . P ., W . M . 5 S 4 ; the W . M . and J . W . b ' 42 ; S . W . 's 423 , 583 , aiid 5 S 4 ; J . W . 's 423 and 583 ; and several visiting brethren . The lodge , having been received hy the W . M . and brethren of Lodge of I- ' ricndsbip with customary honours , was opened in due form . The officers , ' roll was called , and the D , G . Chap ., D . G . Swordbcarer , D . G . Org .,

D . G . Stds , ISright and Ashwin , were excused , liros . D . G . Supt . Works , D . G . Dir . Ccr ., D . G . Stds . Fuller , Hill , and Paltridge were fined for non-attendance . The minutes ofthe last meeting were read and confirmed . The R . W . the D . M . G . then proceeded to invest the D . G . S . W ., D . G . J . D ., and Dir . Ccr . with tlieir respective jewels . The report of the General Committee for the last three months was then

read" Report of the General Committee , " To the R . W . the D . G . M . and District Grand Lodge of South Australia . " Your Committee have little to report of interest since the last meeting , except that" The Lodge of Concord , Xo . 677 , and the Albert Lodgo , No . 927 , have surrendered their respect warrants

to the D . D . G . M ., all the members in both lodges having called off and been regularly admitted into the" Lodge of I ' riendship , Xo . 423 . This your committee think a step in the right direction , as it has long been the opinion of brothers taking a great interest in the Craft that the number of lodges in Adelaide was too great .

" 1 hey arc informed , that the Freemasons' Hall is so near completion that the trustees hope lo ask the R . W . the D . G . M . to consecrate it some time in the month of February next . " They particularly call your attention to the return of ihe board of management of llic South Australian Masonic licncvolcnt Fund , and trust that the brethren will respond