great enterprize of the hero Rustam. The fact is, that this quadrangular inclosure was an ancient place of initiation; and from a confused remembrance of the scenes of mimic adventure which were represented within it seven secret caverns, the fabulous labours of Rustam had doubtless their origin.

It is not the least singular part of this enquiry, that the followers of Mahomet still use the same form of expression to convey an idea of the progressive state of torment in the infernal regions. This is only a continuation of the doctrine of the mysteries, which taught, that the initiation of candidates was in reality a representation of the descent of the soul into Hades, and of its passage through the seven stages of purification preparatory to its admission into the abode of light and purity. They say that Hell has Seven Gates, each containing a different degree of punishment. The first and least severe they call Gehennem, which is prepared for all mussulmen who are sinners. The second called Ladha, is for the christians. The third is the Jewish Hell, and called Hothama. Sair, the fourth is for Sabians; and Sacar, the. fifth for Magians. Pagans and Idolaters occupy the sixth, which they call Gehim; and the lowest and most horrible depth of hell they assign to hypocrites, who pretend to more religion than their neighbours, and set themselves up as patterns of perfection, while inwardly they are full of aìl

kinds of wickedness and impiety. This dreadful gate, or place of eternal punishment is called Haoviath.*

You will much wonder at these very extraordinary coincidences, which are exceedingly valuable, because undesigned; and render the conjecture highly probable that they were but an imitation of the masonic Ladder, as used in our science before the mysteries had a being. But I have yet to introduce to your notice a coincidence still more remarkable, because proceeding from a country where such a tradition could scarcely be expected to exist. Yet it is no less true that distinct traces of this Ladder, attended by the very same references, are found in the inhospitable regions of Scandinavia, which have been indubitably preserved in the Gothic mysteries, though the application is somewhat more obscure.

The court of the gods, says the Edda, is ordinarily kept under a great Ash Tree called Ydrasil, where they distribute justice. This Ash is the greatest of all trees; its branches cover the surface of the earth; its top reaches to the highest heavens; and it is supported by three vast roots, one of which extends to the ninth world, or hell. An eagle, whose piercing eye discovers all things, perches upon its uppermost branches. A squirrel is continually running up and down to bring news; while a parcel of serpents, fastened to the trunk,

Calm. Hist. Dict.

endeavour to destroy him. The serpent Nidhogger continually gnaws at its root. From under one of the roots runs a fountain, wherein wisdom lies concealed. From a neighbouring spring, (the fountain of past things,) three virgins are continually drawing a precious water, with which they irrigate the Ash Tree; this water keeps up the beauty of its foliage; and after having refreshed its leaves, falls back again to the earth, where it forms the dew of which the bees make their honey.*

Mr. Mallet offers no conjecture on this myterious tree, and Mr. Cottle fairly gives it up. I pronounce it however to have been the Theological Ladder of the Gothic mysteries. Mr. Cottle in the preface to his interesting version of the Edda of Saemund, says, "the symbolical purport of this Tree is inexplicable amidst the dearth of information respecting the ancient religion of Scandinavia." And without a reference to the various systems of initiation into the religious mysteries of other nations, I should incline to that gentleman's opinion. But by comparing the qualities and characteristics of this sacred Tree with the Ladder of the mysteries, the difficulty vanishes, and the solution appears at once simple and natural.

The basis of Ydrasil, like that of Jacob's Ladder, was the earth, where it was firmly established by three vast roots; one of which extended to the

Mall. North. Ant. vol. i. c. 6.

central abyss. These roots evidently referred to the three lower gates, or chambers of initiation; the last of which was Hades, or the region of the dead. Its branches covered the earth and its top reached to the heavens, where sat enthroned, an eagle, the representative of the supreme God. The court of the inferior gods was said to be under this tree; and Jacob said of the place where the foot of his ladder was situated, this is the house of God and the gate of heaven. On its summit sat the emblematical eagle, as Jehovah appeared on the ladder of Jacob, or on the paradisiacal mountain; and this bird, as we have already seen, was actually a component part of the visible symbol of the true God, as exhibited in the Jewish Cherubim; and the universal representation of the deity in almost every nation under heaven. A squirrel, or messenger, continually ascended and descended to carry celestial commissions from the eagle-deity, to the council of inferior gods seated below; whence they were supposed to be disseminated over the face of the earth. And the same subordinate deities were said to take cognizance of the actions of mortals, and to convey an impartial account thereof by the squirrel to the deity seated on the summit of the Tree; which was also the office of the angelic messengers on Jacob's Ladder. A parcel of serpents, symbols of the evil power, unceasingly endeavoured to intercept the communication between god and man, by the destruction of the messenger.

The monstrous serpent NIDHOGGER, who is the representation of the prince of darkness himself, we are further told,* continually gnaws its root for the same purpose, willing to sever the connection between the Creator and his fallen creature, by the total demolition of the medium through which the benevolent communication is carried on. In the Hindu mythology, the prince of the evil dæmons is represented as a large serpent, whose name is NAGA. And the Hebrew name for the tempter of Eve in Paradise, translated in our version of the Bible," the serpent," was NACHASH. These were both the Nidhogger of the Gothic mysteries. In the Essenian mysteries, the Holy Bible was figuratively said to be the consecrated foundation of Jacob's Ladder, because the covenants and promises of God are permanently recorded in that sacred book; and this basis the old serpent who deceived Eve, is continually endeavouring to destroy, by subverting the faith of mankind in its

contents.

The three roots are emblems of Faith, Hope, and Charity, because it is by the exercise of these virtues alone, that man can enjoy a well grounded expectation of ascending from earth to heaven. Three Virgins, symbols of Past, Present, and Future, continually watered this Tree from the fountain of Past Things; which is expressive of the solemn truth, that the deeds of men shall be

*Edda. Fab. viii.