The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14

When the French use the term "in de
steele" or end of the century, they i'm
ply period of time in which everything
goes" Perhaps they are thinking of the
end of the last century, when, In fact,
many things went, and were compelled to
go, with vengeance, including a few
thousand heads and some such fusty
notions as ''the divine right Of kings"
etc.
But IL the French are not exactly
breaking up housekeeping this time. they
are introducing therein some very novel
idols have been set up to be worshiped
today and pulled down tomorrow, one Of
the latest popular josses is-alchemy!
A scientist connected with the Smith
sonian Institution, who has just returned
from the Paris Exposition, gave to q
Times representative a detailed descrip-
tion of how, at the end Of the nineteenth
century, the gay Parisians are on a sys-
tematic hunt for the philosophers
stone and the elixir Of life" The fol-
lowing account may therefore be accepted
as authentic.
There are. at present. four societies and
a university apparently firmly established
in France. each claiming to possess oc-
cult knowledge of hermetic mysteries.
These secret societies are named 'L'Or-
Dire de la Rose-Croix." 'LOrdre Martini
iste" La Societe d'Homeopathie Her
metique," and "L'Association Alchemique
de France"
The first two of these societies work, It
is said. on lines similar to Free Masonry
and claim that their secret mysteries were
bequeathed by the last sages of Atlantis
and by the Lemures to their brethren in
Asia and Egypt, jewellers in sanctuaries
whence issued Krishna, Zoroaster HeTGies,
Moses, Pythagoras, and Plato. The priestly
magi who preserved this lore In the tenn
pies of Thebes. Heracleopo!is, Aphrodite.
Pthah. and Scraps were succeeded by Sc
cret alchemical societies of the first CEN
tunes OF our era; then followed the her
metic lodges Of the Arabs. and these gave
rise to the Templars the Rosicrueians, and
the Martinists.
The third society cultivates especially
occult therapeutics, n system OF medicine
invented about 1850. by Count Caesar Mat
tel. of Bologna, which Is said to unite the
principles of Hahnemann with those of
the chemist disciples of Paracelsus Four
monthly journals as well as special trea-
tises, are now published in the interests
of this new departure Of medicine.
The Alchemical Association of France
is successor to the Societe Hermetique,
which was founded by the late Albert
Poisson $3.50, also known by the PEN
name Philophotes. Its seat is in Paris.
The objects of the association, as set
forth in its constitution. are 1.-THE theoret-
ical and experimental study of evolution
~ ba tot pf to
members. with this end in view. study
the processes of the ancient alchemists
and compare them with the work of mod
ern chemists These objects are to be
accomplished as follows:
THE association proposes to assist in
reviving the initiatory doctrines of chem
istry: First, by grouping the efforts Of
isolated workers by means Of L'Hyper-
chimie;' second, by furnishing them the
aid of advanced students; third, by sup
plying so far as possible, books and ap-
paratus to its members. Researches of
the members. when approved by the mas
tiers, should be forwarded in duplicate to
the secretary general: one will be print
ed in 'L'Hyperchimie, and the other will
be preserved in the archives of the aSso-
citation for the benefit of members, who
can secure 1t on demand. Cam
didates for admission must pass an ex-
animation in, first, the theory and his
tory of alchemy. and. second. the elements
of physics and of chemistry without
mathematics). A diploma from normal,
polytechnic. or industrial school will be
accepted in place Of No. q"
The affairs of the association are con-
trolled by the secretary general. f. Jol-
| livet- Castelot (of DonaD. assisted by
seven councillors. who hold an annual
meeting There are at present two hon.
| orary members-Camille Flammarion,
| the popular writer on astronomy, and