Masonic Symbolism

I have a small book here titled "Masonic Symbolism" by A.H. Ward. It covers a mystic path laid down by masonic order. It covers different techniques and tests you can play yourself using the piano (which I found very interesting).

The book also touches on the idea of, and I quote,

     "The great Helmholtz, for example, has left it on record that when he was making his highest efforts to divine the abstract principles lying behind the facts of experiment, the smallest quantity of alcohol entirely closed his mind to the inspiration. The explanation is, that alcohol clogs the brain-centres, and prevents them from participating in the high tension of spiritual insight, consequently the lofty idea cannot be gripped in waking thought. We cannot have it both ways, the choice lies between the gratification of alcohol and inner illumination; the same is true of all drugs which act upon the nervous system."

     It was boughten by my girlfriend as a valentines present, dated 1913, and is obviously a collectors item for anyone looking to start a book collection. If you live in the bay area I would suggest starting at a local used bookstore in Berekeley. If anyone knows anymore on the history of this book or author be happy to comment. thank you