An Adventure Among the Rosicrucians

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... As the Adept finished this sentence, a sound as if produced by the tinkling of small silver bells was heard in the air above our heads. I looked up, but nothing was to be seen from which that sound could have proceeded. "This is the signal," said the Adept, "that the members of our order are assembled in the Refectory. Let us go to join their company. Some refreshment will undoubtedly be welcome to you." III. THE REFECTORY. TTTE stepped out into the corridor and entered the garden. The palm-trees and exotic plants, by which we were surrounded, formed a strong contrast to the weird and desolate scener}', with its fields of ice and scrub-pines, which I had seen before entering this enchanted valley. High bushes of Fuchsias changed with Rose-bushes, and all were covered with the most beautiful flowers; the air was perfumed from the odor of many varieties of Hyacinths, Heliotropes, and other plants whose names I do not remember. Nevertheless the place was not a hot-house, for there was no other roof over it than the clear blue sky. I wondered whether perhaps the garden was heated from below the surface, and the thought came into my mind that so much luxary seemed not to agree with the views, expressed by the Adept, that those who live within the paradise of their own souls do not care for external sensual gratification. But the Lnperator seemed to know my thought even before it had taken a definite form in my mind, and said : -- "We have created these illusions to make your visit to this place an agreeable one in every respect. All these trees and plants which you see, require no gardeners, and are inexpensive; they cost us nothing but an effort of our imagination." I went up to one of the rose-bushes and broke one of the roses. It was a...