The Kanzas news., 1857-12-12


the great aqueduct from Gitta Vecchia
Through this subterranean passage way
/ foated ali the refuse earth and stone of the
secret encampment Each day the great
master administered solemn oath to the
workmen, aud making them swear on the
Maltese cross they would not divulge the
existence of the secret encampment. In the
meantime, Europe, Asia and Africa were
ransacked to furnish its decorations. Its
form was that of a Latin cross, divided into
six nayes; around the roofs and sides were
$500 inches, occupied by statues In complete
armor. Everything was of the most impo-
sing and gorgeous description; 10000 flick
ering tapers burning IN pear shaped globes
of eolored glass descended from the ceiling
and diffused soft yet brilliant light, daz-
cling TO the neophyte's eye as it divulged to
him the scene, gorgeous In refulgency, gilt
tering with the wealth of every cline; 100
columns of immense size and great height
supported the arches of the naves marble
Persians sustained the altar, and Carytides
held aloft the regalia. The floor was formed
of variously colored marble Mosaic work,
representing the flags of every nation, sur
rounding an All-Seeing Eye. which formed
the grand central figure In the floor paint
ings of the most celebrated masters graced the
walls; an alcove, with a facade, adorned by
seven bas -reliefs, concealed the sacred vol
ume of the order, and the portrait of its
founder; opposite this a similar alcove
scroiled the entrance TO the grand surgery ;;
In curious folds of the floor was an immense
white satin veil, shielding the entrance of
the hall of purity; to the right of the grand
commander was bronze horse, to the left
large marble bath. Before the chairs of
the subordinate officers were various imple
ments for testing the courage of the novice.
The pathway of fiery shields consisted in
laying seven red hot shields at equal dis
tances apart, and commanding the noVitiate
to step over these blind-folded. This learned
him to measure his steps. The walk among
the pitfalls was also a very severe test, as
the least deviation from right line would
precipitate the blindfolded novice into mex
tricable depths. This taught him to walk
uprightly the narrow pathway of life. The
tournament court was Immediately before
the grand hall. Here the young knights
displayed their power of horsemanship, be-
fore crossing the threshold of the mystic
temple. None except those in the full vigor
of manhood were permitted to enter the in
ner court or penetrate the mysteries con-
cealed by the mystic veil.
In after years, when age had whitened the
hair of the sons, and their lithesome forms
had become decrepid by exposure to the
vicissitudes of the climate or by chronics
incident to the warrior, they were permitted
to resort to this secluded retreat and there
renew life again.
The secrets of hippocrates were here all
known to the grand surgeon and his assist
ants, and old age came forth rejuvenated.-
Concealed here were the jubilant waters of
youth-the well spring of beauty. This
seclusion was necessary in order to avoid
the inspection of the secret agents of the
inquisition, and the political emissaries of
other governments. In 1898 the grand
master, Hompeck, surrendered the Island to
Napoleon, who subsequently became
member of the order. And to this fact may
be attributed his success in arms.
The Island was afterwards captured by
Nelson, who also was inducted into the Sc
crets of the order, and became grand knight
of the bath, and admiral of the seas. Three
centuries have elapsed since the brothers of
the Mystic tie celebrated the crowning of
the first neophyte. Three centuries have
passed away since the neophyte pointed at
the secret scroll Three centuries have been
numbered among the things that were since
praises were chaunted in honor of its found
er. And yet the order iourishes: Not
confined now are its sons to the nobility |
Princes, Emperors, Cars and Sultans ac-
knowledge the supremacy of the grand COM
mander-in- chief, and he citizen.