Orthodox Christianity, scientific materialism, and alternative religions -- The evolution of occult spirituality in Victorian England and the representative case of Edward Bulwer-Lytton -- Anthony Trollope's religion : the orthodox/heterodox boundary -- The influences of Buddhism and comparative religion on Matthew Arnold's theology -- Interpenetration of religion and national politics in Great Britain and Sri Lanka : William Knighton's Forest life in Ceylon -- Identity, genre, and religion in Anna Leonowens' The English governess at the Siamese court -- Ancient Egyptian religion in late-Victorian England -- The economics of immortality : the demi-immortal Oriental, Enlightenment vitalism, and political economy in Bram Stoker's Dracula -- Conclusion : from Victorian occultism to new age spiritualities

When you have been enrolled among the Children of the Philosophers... you will straightaway discover that the Elements are inhabited by most perfect beings. Unhappy Adam's sin has deprived his unfortunate posterity of all knowledge of these beings and all intercourse with them. [T]he Element of Fire... was not created to remain useless and empty. -from "Discourse II" Sir Edward Lytton's based his strange novel Zanoni upon this esoteric work. Alexander Pope, in his dedication to The Rape of the Lock, sings its praises. But let the reader beware! This book "of hidden mystery and power" is not for the "gratification of a selfish intellectualism"! A classic of the occult, this philosophical treatise on the metaphysical secrets of the universe reveals the motives and magicks of the spirits known as Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs, and Salamanders. First published in Paris in 1670, this translation from the original French features extensive anonymous commentary, and is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the history of paranormal seeking for the meaning of life. French writer and priest N. DE MONTFAUCON DE VILLARS (1635-1673) was an advocate of liberty and religious tolerance and an influential thinker in the natural sciences; his writings are said to have inspired Lamarck and Darwin.

Zanoni is a novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It recounts the story of its central character Zanoni, who retains occult abilities and knows the secret of everlasting life.

Let sleeping dogs lie: for under the strains of chelaship, character cracks appear. Vice puts on its most alluring face, and the tempting passions try to lure the unprepared to the depths of psychic debasement. Zanoni was suffering from some former error which he had to work out unaided. But unlike Bulwer-Lytton’s Mejnour, the real Adepts are not exactly desiccated pansies between the leaves of a volume of solemn poetry. Until final emancipation reabsorbs their Ego, They are conscious of the purest sympathies called out by the aesthetic effects of high art, and their tenderest cords respond to the call of the holier and nobler human attachments. Lord Lytton was clearly wrong when he so gloriously depicted his Zanoni as yielding up pure wisdom for the brighter prize of sexual love. Though man cannot escape his ruling destiny, he has the choice of two paths. His destiny has been written in the stars by himself. Therefore, no heavenly body can influence the human destiny. Being self-made, man weaves his own destiny and reaps what he has sown. The real Dweller on the Threshold is no monster, it is the despair and despondency of the neophyte. The candidate to initiation is tempted and tormented by his own unmastered passions. Any latent proclivities are drawn out by reformed Brothers of the Shadow, working for the Brothers of Light. More! Undissipated passions from the previous incarnation can dwell on the lower mental plane of the next one. Man’s true star is a Dhyani-Buddha, his Augoeides. Augoeides is the Master within, luciform and pure. Those of pure heart can rely upon their Master’s guidance and protection.