under the form of a bull, which was considered an incarnation of the god, and a symbol of the sun. If his mystical death and subsequent reviviscency were the subject of their devout thoughts, these fundamental points were figured under a butterfly, and the physical changes which distinguish that remarkable insect. If they contemplated the same mythological personage in the character of the sovereign of the universe, he was designated by a sceptre and an eye; if under the form of the sun, he was symbolized by a frog; or, of the Great Father rising regenerated from the waters of the deluge, the symbol was the same reptile emerging from the lotos. The Zodiac was considered as the Great Assembly of the twelve gods, the Sun being supreme, and the Planets his attendants. The human soul was depicted by a hawk, and the uni

verse by a beetle. Life by this figure

It was

immortality were the subject of their contemplation, it was engrafted on their minds by the idea of a Serpent annually casting and renewing his skin.

This sign, says Sir Archibald Edmonstone, (Journey to the Two Oases of Upper Egypt, p. 109.) "originally signifying Life, would appear to be adopted as a christian emblem, either from its similarity to the shape of the cross, or from its being considered the symbol of a state of future existence."

And if their hearts were exalted to the eternal God, seated on his throne in heaven, he was figured as an august Being of a purple colour, shadowed with beams of glory.*

Such is an outline of the hieroglyphical system of Egypt, which formed the actuating principle of their scheme of politics as well as religion; but it was stained with licentiousness and obscenity, which ultimately brought upon it the execration of the wise and good. I must not omit to mention, however, that this people contrived to embody the whole of their symbols in one mystical diagram, which was esteemed a constellation of the secrets perpetuated in the mysteries. I subjoin the emblem, but leave the explanation of it to your own ingenuity and research.

* Hor. Apol. Hierogl.-Apul. Metam.-Ahmed ben Washih.-Plut.—

D

The system of symbolical instruction, in all other mysteries was commensurate with this. The emblems which Masons now make use of as the secret repositories of their treasures of morality, were adopted by the ancients in very early times, as signs and symbols; and were even substituted for alphabetical characters.* Thus, in the ancient alphabet of the Virgin, the Square was used to express the letter S; in the alphabet of Socrates, it stood for Z or th; and as an hieroglyphic it denoted equally a Building and a Learned Man, according to the different situations in which it was placed. A circle supported by two perpendicular parallel lines, denoted Will and Pleasure; and in the Lunar alphabet, the same character represented the letter Y. In the alphabet of Tauras, a point within a circle stood for R; in the Lunar alphabet for H; in the Solar alphabet for B; in Aristotles alphabet for W and U; in that of Hermes for A; and in the Egyptian hieroglyphics, it represented a Star.

The Triangle, now called a Trowel, was an emblem of very extensive application, and was much revered by ancient nations as containing the greatest and most abstruse mysteries. It signified equally the Deity, Creation, and Fire; in the alphabet of the Moon, it represented the letter S; and in the hieroglyphics of Egypt, we

Jambl. de Myst. Plut. de Isid. et Osir.-Porph. vit. Pyth.-Diod. Sic. Bibl.-Philo. Byblius apud Euseb. de præp. evan.---Clem. Alex. &c. *Diod. Sic. 1. 3. c. 1.

sometimes see the suppliant presenting a triangle to his god. The Mallet was a symbol of Thor, the northern god of thunder. In the alphabet of Belinos, it was used to express the letter M; in that of Plato, L; in that of Hermes, B; in the Indian alphabet, A; in the alphabet of Hermes Abootat, the Mallet united with a Pickaxe, denoted R; in that of Jupiter, N; and in the Berrabian alphabet, Z. In the alphabet of Pythagoras, the Compasses stood for S; in that of Diosmos the Egyptian, for F; and in the oldest Chaldean alphabet, the Square and Compasses united as they are in our Third Degree of Masonry, was a character used to represent the letter H. In the alphabet of Saturn, the Plumb stood for S; and a Skull for T; in that of India, a Chissel stood for A; in that of Hermes, a double cross supporting a circle for SHR; and two parallel lines for Y; and in the Solar alphabet, a Sun represented the first letter A.*

We have here a fund of pleasant research offered for our investigation, which cannot fail to repay the active Mason for any extent of labour he may be induced to bestow upon it. And I must recommend you to apply yourselves assiduously to this curious and amusing study. In the prosecution of such an useful and instructive pursuit, do not

* Vid. Hammer's translation of Ancient Alphabets from Ahmad Bin Abubeki Bin Washih.

suffer your attention to be abstracted by the idiot laugh of ridicule, or the cynical sneer of contempt; but proceed in an undeviating course to the investigation of truth, assured that the beautiful results will amply reward your labours. If you practise Masonry for the sake of its convivialities alone, it will soon pall on your mind; for these are introduced into the System, only to cheer and relieve nature after its painful and unwearied researches into the hidden stores of masonic knowledge; but if your mind embrace the great principles of masonry as the chief source of gratification, and use its lighter shades of enjoyment merely as temporary relaxations when the hour of graver labour has expired; you will then enjoy every benefit the science can impart; your expanding genius will soon be imbued with all the vigour of a healthy intellect, matured and ripened by a rich increase of scientific and religious knowledge; and your mind rapidly advancing to perfection, will ultimately be prepared for the full irradiations of complete and never fading glory when time shall

be no more.