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barbarians frequently maintain a narrow…minded suspicion。 Many whom I
have approached feign to become amused or have evaded a deliberate
answer under the subterfuge of a jest； yet； whenever I would have
lurked by night in their temples or among the enclosed spaces of their
tombs to learn more； at a given signal one in authority has approached
me with anxiety and mistrust engraved upon his features； and；
disregarding my unassuming protest that I would remain alone in a
contemplative reverie； has signified that so devout an exercise is
contrary to their written law。
On one occasion only did this person seem to hold himself poised on
the very edge of a fuller enlightenment。 This was when； in the
venerable company of several benevolent persons； he was being taken
from place to place to see the more important buildings； and to
observe the societies of artificers labouring at their crafts。 The
greater part of the day had already been spent in visiting temples；
open spaces reserved to children and those whose speech； appearance；
and general manner of behaving make it desirable that they should be
set apart from the contact of the impressionable； halls containing
relics and emblems of the past； places of no particular size or
attraction but described as being of unparalleled historic interest；
and the stalls of the more reputable venders of merchandise。
Doubtless； with observing so many details of a conflicting nature；
this person's discriminating faculties had become obscured； but
towards evening he certainly understood that we sought the company of
an assembly of those who had been selected from all the Empire to
pronounce definitely upon matters of supreme import。 The building
before which our chariot stopped had every appearance of being worthy
of so exceptional a gathering； and with a most affluent joy that I
should at last be able to glean a decisive pronouncement； I evaded
those who had accompanied me； and； mingling self…reliantly with the
throng inside； I quickly surrounded myself with many of the
wisest…looking； and begged that they would open their heads freely and
express their innermost opinions upon the subject of demons of all
kinds。
Although I had admittedly hoped that these persons would not conceal
themselves behind the wings of epigram or intangible prevarication； I
was far from being prepared for the candour with which they greeted
me； and although by long usage I am reasonably unconcerned at the
proximity of any of our own recognised genii； it is not to be denied
that my organs of ferocity grew small and unstable at the revelations。
From their words it appeared that the spot on which we stood had long
been the recognised centre and meeting…place for every class of
abandoned and objectionable spirit of the universe。 Not only this； but
several of the persons who had gathered around were confidently
pointed out as the earthly embodiment of various diabolical Forces；
while others cheerfully admitted that they themselves were the shadows
of certain illustrious ones who had long Passed Above； and all united
in declaring that those who moved among them wearing the distinction
of a dark blue uniform were Evil Beings of a most ghoulish and
repulsive type。 Indeed； as I looked more closely； I could see that not
only those pointed out； but all standing around； had expressions
immeasurably more in keeping with a band of outcast spirits than
suggestive of an assembly representing wisdom and dignified ease。 At
that moment； however； a most inelegant movement was caused by one
suddenly declaring that he had recognised this one who is inscribing
his experiences to be the apparition of a certain great reformer who
during the period of his ordinary existence had received the name of
Guy Fawkes； and amid a tumult of overwhelming acclamation a proposal
was raised that I should be carried around in triumph and afterwards
initiated into the observance of a time…honoured custom。 Although it
had now become doubtful to what end the adventure was really tending；
this person would have submitted himself agreeably to the
participation had not the blue…apparelled band cleft their way into
the throng just as I was about to be borne off in triumph； and forming
themselves into a ringed barrier around me they presently succeeded in
rearranging the contending elements and in restoring me to the society
of my friends。 To these persons they complained with somewhat
unreasoning acrimony that I had been exciting the inmates into a state
of rebellion with wild imaginings； and for the first time I then began
to understand that an important error had been perpetrated by some
one； and that instead of being a meeting…place for those upholding the
wisdom and authority of the country； the building was in reality an
establishment for the mentally defective and those of treacherous
instincts。
For some time after this occurrence I failed to regard the subject of
demons and allied Forces in any but a spirit of complete no
enthusiasm； but more recently my interest and research have been
enlarged by the zeal and supernatural conversation of a liberal…minded
person who sought my prosaic society with indefatigable persistence。
When we had progressed to such a length that the one might speak of
affairs without the other at once interposing that he himself had also
unfortunately come out quite destitute of money； this stranger； who
revealed to me that his name was Glidder； but that in the company of a
certain chosen few he was known intimately as the Keeper of the
Salograma； approached me confidentially； and inquired whether we of
our Central Kingdom were in the habit of receiving manifestations from
the spirits of those who had Passed Beyond。
At the unassumed ingenuousness of this remark I suffered my
impassiveness to relax； as I replied with well…established pride that
although a country which neglected its ancestors might doubtless be
able to produce more of the ordinary or graveyard spectres； we were
unapproachable for the diverse forms and malignant enmity of our
apparitions。 Of invisible beings alone； I continued tolerantly； we had
the distinction of being harassed by upwards of seven hundred
clearly…defined varieties； while the commoner inflictions of demons；
shades； visions； warlocks； phantoms； sprites； imps； phenomena； ghosts；
and reflections passed almost without comment； and touching our
admitted national speciality of dragons； the honour of supremacy had
never been questioned。
At this； the agreeable person said that the pleasure he derived
from meeting me was all…excelling； and that I must certainly accompany
him to a meeting…place of this same chosen few the following evening；
when； by the means of sacred expedients； they hoped to invoke the
presence of some departed spirits； and perchance successfully raise a
tangible vision or two。 To so fair…minded a proposal I held myself
acquiescently； and then inquired where the meeting…place in question
was destined to bewhether in a ruined and abandoned sanctuary； or
upon some precipitous spot of desolation。
The inquiry was gracefully intended； but a passing cloud of unworthy
annoyance revealed itself upon the upper part of the other's
expression as he replied； 〃We； the true seekers； despise theatrical
accessories； and； as a matter of act； I couldn't well get away from
the office in time to go anywhere far。 To…morrow we meet at my place
in the Camden Road。 It's only a three…half…penny tram stage from the
Euston and Tottenham Court corner； so it couldn't be much more
convenient for you。〃 He thereupon gave me an inscribed fragment of
paper and mentioned the appointed hour。
〃I'll tell you why I am particularly anxious for you to come
to…morrow；〃 he said as we were each departing from one another。
〃Pashhe's the Reader of the Veda among usand his people have got
hold of a Greek woman （they SAY she is a princess； of course）； who can
do a lot of things with flowers and plate glass。 They are bringing her
for the first time to…morrow； and it struck me that if I have YOU
there already when they arriveyou'll come in your national costume
by the way？it will be a considerable set…off。 Since his daughter was
presented to the duchess at the opening of a bazaar； there has been no
holding Pash； why he was ever elected Reader of the Books； I don't
know。 Erwe have had scoffers sometimes； but I trust