bitious project。
A friend of mine who is a mystic of the first water amused me very much not long ago by forwarding to me a list of my previous incarnations； or rather of three of them； which had been revealed to him in some mysterious way。 Two of these were Egyptian； one as a noble in the time of Pepi II who lived somewhere about 4000 B。C。； and the second as one of the minor Pharaohs。 In the third； according to him； I was a Norseman of the seventh century； who was one of the first to sail to the Nile； whence he returned but to die in sight of his old home。 After that； saith the prophet； I slumbered for twelve hundred years until my present life。
I cannot say that I have been converted to my friend’s perfectly sincere beliefs； since the reincarnation business seems to me to be quite insusceptible of proof。 If it could be proved； how much more interesting it would make our lives。 But that； I think； will never happen； even if it be true that we return again to these glimpses of the moon； which； like everything else； is possible。
Still it is a fact that some men have a strong affinity for certain lands and periods of history； which； of course； may be explained by the circumstance that their direct ancestors dwelt in those lands and at those periods。 Thus I love the Norse people of the saga and presaga times。 But then I have good reason to believe that my forefathers were Danes。 I am； however； unable to trace any Egyptian ancestor — if such existed at all it is too long ago。
However these things may be； with the old Norse and the old Egyptians I am at home。 I can enter into their thoughts and feelings； I can even understand their theologies。 I have a respect for Thor and Odin； I venerate Isis； and always feel inclined to bow to the moon！
W