hazle was the substitute. From a combination of these symbolical trees, marked by some mystical process, divination was practised and responses pronounced.15 From being symbols of qualities, these trees or sprigs at length became the representatives, first of things in general, then of sounds, and lastly of alphabetical characters; and this was the result: A-The fir tree. I-The yew. 畫畫 E-The aspen. U-The heath. Subsequently the alphabet was formed of shoots of the apple tree cut in various forms, which was substituted as the more simple and certain process. But whether this was derived from the alphabet of the Dioscorides, and introduced by the Phenician merchants, I shall not attempt to decide, as it forms no part of my enquiry; but leave it to the judgment of my readers by introducing both. YYNY ^L<>JPG H I K NW AL F Cul ABCDEFGHIJ CHL M N O P R S T U V W Z The reader will have no difficulty in tracing the rudiments of our Roman letters, in the above tally alphabet of the Druids. In all nations, alphabetical characters were not only used as symbols but were considered to possess supernatural virtues. Thus Colphotorios, the 15 Thus Taliesin boasted of his knowledge in this art. I am acquainted with every sprig, (W. Arch. i. 34.) Again, in a Poem entitled: "The First Greeting of Taliesin." The points of the counterfeited trees, Or what various breathings Are in their trunks? These are read by the Sages Who are versed in science. (Ibid. i. 33.) philosopher, who was "deeply learned in the knowledge of spirits and cabalistic spells, in talismans, astrological aspects, and in magic and the black art, invented an alphabet to conceal his secrets. Philosophers and learned men have used this alphabet in their books and writings in preference to others, on account of its different extraordinary qualities. The alphabet of the sign Aquarius, under the influence of Saturn, was used by the Chaldeans and Sabeans in their incantation books, and also in their inscriptions relative to the science of spirits. And one of the first Pharaohs of Egypt constructed wonderful talismans and magical alarm posts, in an alphabet of his own invention."16 In like manner the druidical alphabet was esteemed to be magical. Ledwich says the same thing of the Irish alphabet, which was hence called Bethluisnion na ogma, or the alphabet of cabalistical letters; and it is well known that the Runic characters were used by Odin for magical charms and imprecations. The general symbols of the Druids were, however, more diffuse and extensively diversified; and, like the hieroglyphics of other nations, were used as a mantle to conceal the acroatic or ineffable doctrines and secrets of their Spurious Freemasonry. Thus the serpent or dragon was a received hieroglyphic of the deity; and an egg of the creation or deluge; whence the ovum anguinum became the distinguishing mark of a druid, as the representative of him, who created the world out of chaos, and renewed it again after its destruction by the waters of the Deluge. The same spiritual officer was also known by his wand or rod, and his rings and glains; all emblematical of some peculiar properties which were supposed to be vested in him by virtue of his sacred character. The rod signified peace; the ring, eternity and power; and the glain, or boat of glass, was a symbol of preservation. These were sacred amulets, and believed, from their symbolical properties, to possess a secret power of averting danger. The goddess Ceridwen was symbolized or represented by a ship, a hen, a mare, a cow, a grain of wheat, and other emblems; by a scientific combination of which, various points in her character 10 Hammer. p. 7. 12. In this book are a host of testimonies to the same affect. and history were exemplified. The cauldron of the goddess was emblematical of the arts and sciences; a bull represented the sun, and a beaver the patriarch Hu or Noah; for which this reason has been assigned. "The patriarch had built himself a vessel or house, in which he had lived in the midst of the waters; and which had deposited that venerable personage and his family safe upon dry ground. So the beaver is not only an amphibious animal, but also a distinguished architect. He is said to build a house of two stories; one of which is in the water and the other above the water; and out of the latter he has an egress to dry ground."1 The bee was an emblem of industry; the primrose, of dignity and power; the vervain of vaticination; the selago of divine grace. The oak was an hieroglyphic of the supreme god; and also symbolized an expanded mind, as the reed figured deceit, and the aspen leaf instability. The misletoe was an emblem of fecundity; the rainbow of protection; and for this purpose it was feigned to surround the candidate during his initiation. The white trefoil was a symbol of union, not only from the circumstance of its including the mystical triad; but also because the Druids saw, or pretended to see, in every leaf, a faint representation of the lunette or six days moon, which was an object of their veneration from its resemblance to a boat or ark. It was the powerful pledge or symbol which demanded and conveyed mutual aid in the moment of peril; a never-failing token of everlasting brotherhood, esteem, goodwill, and assistance, even unto death. The chain was symbolical of the penance imposed on every candidate for initiation by his confinement in the pastos. The phrase," he submitted to the chain," implied that he had endured the rigours of preparation and initiation with patience and fortitude. The spica, or ear of corn, was an emblem of plenty and prosperity; and a wheat straw was an invaluable symbol, and the conservator of many potent virtues. Thus I close my view of the hieroglyphics and symbols which were peculiar to the Spurious Freemasonry; and it will be observed that the hierophant made a marked distinction between them. Thus hieroglyphics, as the 17 Dav. Dru. p. 267. word implies, were used to represent divine or supernatural things, while symbols were confined to those which were sensible and natural; and hence, in the spirit of their maxim, that sacred things should be confined to sacred persons, hieroglyphical knowledge was in the custody of the priests alone; while others of the initiated were amused with symbolical illustrations. This distinction was too refined for general use, and, therefore, the priests were ultimately obliged to invent a new kind of hieroglyphic to preserve their peculiar secrets from being known. Now though we deny that our system of Freemasonry was derived from the mysteries of heathen nations-for the offspring of pollution can never be made pure—yet I see no reason to reject the theory that, at its restoration by the Essenes and their successors, nay, probably at the building of king Solomon's temple, an arrangement, corresponding, in some of its component parts, with the symbolical system of Egypt, might, (for it is impossible to speak decisively on so intricate a point,) be incorporated into the original science; and be retained as a convenient mode of embodying and transmitting solemn truths, not only to secure their preservation, but also to produce a striking and permanent effect upon the mind. The extent to which they corresponded will be seen in a subsequent Lecture. 66 LECTURE VII. THE TRUE FREEMASONRY IN ALL AGES SHEWN TO HAVE BEEN VEILED IN ALLEGORY AND ILLUSTRATED BY SYMBOLS.' Lo, where our silent emblems breathe Their sacred influence o'er the soul, In mystic order rang'd: while round the whole Waller Rodwell Wright. SPECULATIVE FREEMASONRY, as preserved and practised by the small portion of mankind who had not deviated from the true worship of the Creator, ran, like an irregular vein of gold amidst a heavy stratum of impure metal, throughout all the mysterious institutions of the ancient world; and its symbols and hieroglyphical interpretations, though of pure origin, became to a certain extent polluted by their introduction into the system of Spurious Freemasonry for the purpose of conferring a real value on its complicated ceremonies. It will, therefore, be highly interesting to inquire in what manner, and to what extent the Jewish and Christian symbols may be assimilated with those of Freemasonry. But whatever might be the utility and worth of symbolical instruction in the caverns of initiation, we find it enunciated with still greater clearness and perspicuity under the patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations; and even invested with the sanction of the Deity. The ancient mythologies of all nations, display, in striking colours, the fondness of an unsophisticated |