that the
search-light of a drastic criticism has left them in considerable
disarray. We approach the limit of the present inquiry, but before
summing up and presenting such a general statement or conclusion as may
be warranted by the facts, there is one point, left over hereunto, and
designed for final consideration, because it appeals more exclusively to
professed transcendentalists, which it will be necessary to treat
briefly. I have already indicated that sporadic revivals of black magic
have occasionally been heard of by mystics here in England, and from
time to time we have also heard vaguely of obscure assemblies of
Luciferians. Quite recently an interview with Papus, the French
occultist, published in _Light_, mentions a society which was devoted to
the cultus of Lucifer, star of the morning, quite distinct from Masonry,
quite unimportant, and since very naturally dead. Now, a large
proportion of mystics here in England are High-Grade Masons, and if a
society of the Palladium had extended to anything remotely approaching
the proportions alleged, they could not have failed to know of it. I
will go further and affirm that our non-Masonic transcendental
associations have abundant opportunities to become acquainted with
institutions similar to their own, and it is preposterous to suppose
that there could be several Palladian triangles working their degrees in
this country without our being aware of the fact. But we have not been
aware of it, and our only informations concerning Palladism have come to
us from France. We do not accept these informations; we know that the
persons here in England who are alleged by French false witnesses to be
connected with the Palladium are not so connected, and are now learning
of it for the first time. The statements concerning Mr John Yarker are
categorically untrue; the gross calumny published by the "converted"
Diana Vaughan about Dr Wynn Westcott, who happens to be a High-Grade
Mason, she will never dare to come forth from her "retreat" and
re-affirm within the jurisdiction of these islands, because she knows
well that a British jury would make a large demand upon her reputed
American dollars. Let us, however, put aside for the moment the
mendacities and forgeries which complicate the question of Lucifer, and
let us approach Palladism from an altogether different side. I believe
that I may speak with a certain accent of authority upon any question
which connects with the French ma