Collected Works (Vol. III)

226 EPILOGUE AND DEDICATION tinguished of those who have understood this| truth.! But the orthodox Christian, confronted| with this fact, is annoyed; just as the American, knowing himself to be of the 1 EXTRACTS FROM BERKELEY'S LIFE [x] ‘‘ There is a mystery about this visit to Dublin. ‘I propose to set out for Dublin about a month hence,’ he writes to ‘dear Tom,’ ‘ but of this you must not give the least intimation to any one. It is of all things my earnest desire (and for very good reasons) not to have it known I am in Dublin, Speak not, therefore, one syllable of it to any mortal whatsoever. When I formerly desired you to take a place for me near the town, you gave out that you were looking for a retired lodging for a friend of yours; upon which everybody surmised me to be the person. I must beg you not to act in the like manner now—but to take for me an entire house in vour own name, and as for yourself; for, all things considered, I am de- termined upon a whole house, with no mortal in it but a maid of your own petting, who is to look on herself as your servant. Let there be two bedrooms; one for you, another for me, and as you like you may ever and anon lie there. ‘«* T would have the house with necessary fur- niture taken by the month (or otherwise as you can), for I propose staying not beyond that time, and yet perhaps I may. ‘*« Take it as soon as possible. . Let me entreat you to say nothing of this to anybody, but to do the thing directly. . . 1 would of all things have a proper place in a retired situation, where I may have access to fields, and sweet air, provided against the moment I arrive. I am inclined to think one may be better concealed in the outermost skirt of the suburbs, than in the country or within the town. A house quite detached in the country I should have no objections to, provided you judge I shall not be liable to discovery in it. The place called Bermuda I am utterly against. Dear Tom, do this matter cleanly and cleverly, without waiting for further advice. ... To the person from whom you hire it (whom alone I would have you speak to of it) it will not be strange at this time of the year to be desirous for your own convenience, or health, to have a place in a free and open air!’ ‘““This mysterious letter was written in April. From April till September Berkeley filthiest dregs of mankind, pretends that there iis no such thing as natural aristocracy, though to be sure he gives himself away badly enough when confronted with either a nigger or a gentleman, since to ape EXTRACTS FROM THE BOOK OF THE SACRED MAGIC OF ABRAMELIN THE MAGE I resolved to absent myself suddenly and go away... and lead a solitary life. I am about here to set down in writing the difficulties, temptations, and hindrances which will be caused him by his own relations... . beforehand thou shouldest arrange thine affairs in such wise that they can in no way hinder thee, nor bring thee any disquietude. J took another house at rent . . and I gave over unto one of my uncles the care of providing the necessaries of life. ‘‘Should you perform this Operation in a town, you should take a house which is not at all overlooked by any one, seeing that in this present day curiosity is so strong that you ought to be upon your guard; and there ought to be a garden (adjoining the house) wherein you can take exercise.”’ ‘Consider then the safety of your person, commencing this operation in a place of safety, whence neither enemies nor any disgrace can drive you out before the end.” ‘*the season of Easter. . . . Then first on the following day... I commenced this Holy