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He has sought to write Truth; is any ready to receive it? Will he not be misunderstood? Will not one set of fools cry "Casuist!" and their twin brethren exclaim: "Here, indeed, at last shine wisdom, and virtue, and multiscient truth!"?

No: for the Essay, and the Hearer, what are they but dog-faced demons, that manifest no sign of Truth, but seduce ever from the Sacred Mysteries? Affirm their identity with the One that is None, or destroy them—these are the two aspects of the supreme Ritual, and these two are one, which is None. Thus far the authentic voice of O. M. [Respectful silence.

The Chairman. Now, Mr. Bones, with the accent on the Now, we shall be glad to hear any remarks you may have to make.

Mr. Bones. We have all listened, I am sure, with great attention to Mr. Bowley's valuable paper. At this late hour, however, it would ill become me [No! No!]—it would little accord with the disposition of this meeting were I to [A voice: "Cut the cackle, man, and come to the 'osses."]—I am sure our greatly honoured Frater [A voice: "Speak up!"]—I thunder in your ears! It's a fine paper, but it's all R. O. T. Rot. [Christmas waits outside begin the hymn:

Sortie of Mrs. Bones to disperse them.] What I principally wish to point out is this element of contradiction in the valuable paper to which we have all I am sure listened with remarkable pleasure. [Oh! chuck it!] Was I called upon, or were you?

The Chairman. Order, if you please, greatly honoured Fratres. Mr. Bones has the floor.

A Voice. What will Mrs. Bones say to that?

The Chairman. [Sternly.] If I have any more unseemly interruptions of this kind, I shall clear the Court.

Mr. Bones. Thank you, sir. The very valuable paper to which I am sure—— [Tumult.