MDDM Ch. 71 Mr. Twiford's Seat

[jbor]

Otto wrote:

> I have checked the German translation where it is said:
> 
> "Doch man huldige nur einer Einzelheit zu eifrig, und alles wird, wie ein
> Traum in der Dämmerung, unwiederbringlich entschwinden."
> "Shakespeare, richtig?"
> "Nein, Phantast - 's war nur Mason."
> (914.24-28)
> 
> which would allow the interpretation too that "Shakespearean, correct?" is
> being said by someone from the audience (Ethelmer?) and "Nay,
> Transcendence,-- 'twas but Masonick" by the Rev'd.

I'd say "Transcendence" is Mason's epithet for Dixon here, much like the way
he calls him "Young Jollification" (648.10) &c elsewhere. Dixon also uses
similar sorts of nicknames to address Mason. Earlier in this chapter Mason
had described Dixon's use of the Fleur-de-lis, or 'Flower of Light' as
"Masonick" (688.8), so the double meaning is there and proximate, though I
don't think Mason identifies himself with (or as a member of) Freemasonry.

I think that the focus on the fleur-de-lis on Dixon's map links us back to
the evening spent at the "Flower de Luce" Coffee House in Ch. 30.

best