have not the power to expand the tail in the rays of the sun with the gracefulness of that bird.

Turn we now to those Brethren who boldly, fearlessly, and successfully vindicated the glorious principles of Freemasonry by bringing to the rescue honourable and truthful statements in contradiction of every argument brought against our reports-annihilating, with fearful demolition, the frothy verbiage, the pusillanimous persiflage, and the fawning sycophancy of those who would shield themselves under the words of a law the spirit of which they could neither understand nor explain.

Thanks to those Brethren, not for ourselves—for we have no fearbut for the great moral principle involved in the debate, which was made to shine forth in happy contrast with the degrading effrontery of ignorance.

We and our predecessors have been nearly thirteen years before the Masonic public, and are proud of our position. We know we are needed by the Craft, and shall not shrink from our duty; and as one proof of the many of our usefulness, we extract the following from our number for June, 1846:

"A Masonic Anecdote, founded on fact, and conveying a most instructive moral.-Some five years ago a certain Lodge in a certain province received a circular from head quarters denouncing the Freemasons' Quarterly Review, and prohibiting its perusal. The mandate was religiously obeyed. That Lodge has been gradually declining, in a great measure from the want of some intellectual impetus. Two other Lodges in the immediate neighbourhood have regularly subscribed to, and read the excommunicated and inhibited periodical organ of Masonic intelligence. Those two Lodges are in a particularly active and thriving condition. The inference may fairly be drawn in favour of a publication that visibly unites a widely scattered host by one wide channel of useful and interesting information, so peculiarly necessary to the Fraternity and so well adapted for the library of every Lodge.

"A PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICER."

Again and again have we urged on the authorities to give reports of the proceedings of Grand Lodge, instead of the garbled and false statements made in the circulars issued when it pleases the Grand Secretary so to do—statements which have sometimes been withheld for nearly two years, and at other times issued with ludicrous haste when they were calculated to affect private character! It is of no use now to conceal facts-all this we can prove, and will illustrate these proofs to others, when properly called on so to do.

And now that we have prevailed on the Grand Master to pay back one small instalment of a great debt due to the English Craft, by a promise to publish the proceedings of Grand Lodge, we sincerely thank him for that promise, and trust he will redeem it, and without delay,* so that we

* 29th June-as yet the promised report has not appeared.

may give to our readers the reports from Grand Lodge, by which we shall not only be saved much space, but equal trouble, in having to eliminate the gist of much irrelevant matter, and to give, as we have often been obliged, a seeming decency of speech, to parties whom natural disqualifications or ignorance have denied the power.

May we not say, "let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung."

BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES.-The late election to this Board was marked by a very significant expression of the public opinion of the Grand Lodge, by the return of every candidate on the independent list; it is also worthy of remark, that between the lowest candidate on the independent list and the highest on that of the Grand Officers there was a very considerable difference, not even a close approach. We must, however observe, that both lists contained two of the candidates-but the remaining twelve names were unequivocally rejected; this as regards a few Brethren may be considered somewhat unfavourable as they are highly honourable-still having been the nominees of the purple, they shared the luckless fate of others who truckle to the powers that be. At no former period was the power of the Grand Lodge so perfectly in its own hands, and could the Grand Master but disenthral himself from the too close embrace of some six or eight parasites, he would possess the undivided esteem and affection of the English Craft. The election of Bro. John Savage as Vice-President of the Board on the 22nd is an additional proof of right working. The Grand Master and the other Grand Officers constitute one half of the Board, including the President, the remaining half are elected by the Grand Lodge, and it is but right that such half should elect their own Vice-President. Possibly on no previous occasion did the Grand Master, with two or three exceptions, ever nominate ten more unpopular members. The success attending the recent election is the more satisfactory because the parasites essayed their utmost endeavours to obtain proselytes; and we regret to observe that one Grand Officer, from whom better things had been expected, should have lent himself to the toadying system. Another Grand Officer who puts all decency at defiance, even went so far as to call on private individuals and ask them to support the attack against the Review. A scavenger is a useful functionary in a literal sense, but in a Past Grand Officer, we denounce such conduct as indecent and unmasonic— yet he enjoys the confidence of the "Purple," so let him.

We must repeat our opinion that the mode of electing the Board of General Purposes is radically wrong; it may be according to the Constitution, but the law as regarding it is bad, works badly, and brings forth bad fruit. It would be more correct that the Grand Master should previously nominate his section of the Board; this course would enable the Grand Lodge to judge better how to act. Next, it would be more decent-we use such term emphatically-that no Grand Officer, not even the Grand Master himself, should vote for the fourteen members to be elected by the Grand Lodge. The purpled Brethren having already one half, including the President, are surely more than amply represented. And let us ask, without offence are they of a higher class, are they of a more intellectual class, are they of a more numerous class, are they of a better class of Masons? The answer will be readily supplied-they do not fall within any of these ranks; and it is full time that a bold

expression of Public Privilege, versus the dictum of power, should be declared.

We are aware that the Freemasons' Quarterly Review is in advance, possibly too much so for its puny detractors; it has soared above the narrow policy that has impeded the best interests of Freemasonry. Byron has said

He that surpasses or subdues mankind,
Must look down on the hate of all below."

Our contributors and supporters may fairly apply this quotation to themselves, for the merit is theirs-we are but their instrument.

We

Experience reveals much truth which earlier Masons knew not. are not better, but wiser than they were—aye, and bolder, too; and for this we may thank the public press, which the witless may attack in Grand Lodge, under a law that sneaked into the Book of Constitutions; but even those who differ with us know full well that, as members of the popular world, they must respect the honest opinions of the public press.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS.-A curious debate took place on the suggestion "that any Provincial Grand Master that should not hold, or cause to be holden, a Grand Lodge at least once in two years, should be considered as having vacated his office." Nothing very hard in this; but the motion was rejected on very frivolous grounds, viz. that it was difficult in some districts to find noblemen or gentlemen to fill the office that in others it was impossible to convene a Grand Lodge-in some there were inadequate numbers-in others none; and so for these reasons a number of useless magnates are permitted to rule by seniority over the Grand Lodge of England, who in their provinces, by their own showing, are absolutely incapacitated. We remember some years since, when the subject was first mooted, the then Grand Registrar opposed it in a namby-pamby speech, which he thus perorated:"Tremble, ye Grand Masters of Yorkshire and of Hertfordshire-tremble, Grand Master of Sumatra-if this bill do pass"- the laughter that followed shielded the speaker from further derision at the time. He is now a Provincial Grand Master himself, having been rewarded with that honour, we presume, as a signal reward for his non-services.

That the Provincial Grand Master for Sumatra on the 2nd of June should not aid to sign his own death-warrant was natural- Lord Rosse's telescope would fail to reach the proof of his Masonic services, so we abide his future promotion, that the past may be thereby eclipsed.

It would be offensive to enumerate the splendid exceptions to the nonessentials. Look at Durham, East and West Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire East and West, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Cornwall, Staffordshire, Dorset, Somerset, Hants, and Essex, do they lack Provincial Grand Masters worthy of Freemasonry? Look at them, ye magnates of Sumatra and the like, and blush. No, don't blush, but resign-resign, and give your provinces a chance to better themselves. We would promise that even from the skeleton Lodge of Fort Marlborough a wee bit round robin should be sent to the P. G. M., as first and final proof that he had ever existed as such.

BRO. JOHN SAVAGE.-This worthy Brother, the late and present Vice President of the Board, is about to receive a public testimonial, to mark the high sense entertained of his independent conduct. We cordially wish every success to the praiseworthy object.

BRO. GENERAL COOKE.-The Grand Master has done himself honour by conferring on this distinguished American Brother high Masonic rank, and by naming him as his representative in the Grand Lodge of New York. This tribute to Masonic excellence is equally honourable to both.

THE CHARITIES.-How abundant have been the gleanings during this Masonic session; at a time, too, when, from the numerous calls on the Brethren from the poor of every country, and especially of Ireland, is almost surpassing credence. The Boys' Festival produced nearly 600.; that of the Girls nearly 12007.; the Benevolent Annuity Festival nearly 8007.; and that for the Asylum, 500/-in all upwards of 3000l.! We are among those who remember the interdict placed on the Asylum, on the plea that it would injure the School Festivals. The refutation of the fallacy was so decisive in the improved collections for those institutions, that the Benevolent Annuity Fund started into existence at the command of charity; and after prosperous appeals to the liberality of the Craft, its first festival was held on the 9th instant, and well was this first social meeting approved by a prize of 800%.

It could have been wished, for the sake of Masonic honour, that it had followed the Asylum, even for a week, instead of having preceded it by that period, because it betokened a jealousy which the supporters of the parent institution would have spurned to have themselves exhibited. The excuse for this unseemly haste is attempted to be fixed on the Grand Master (who presided), whose convenience would, it has been said, not permit his remaining in town after the 9th.

We do not believe in this report, because we have such a reliance on the Grand Master's amiable disposition as to feel that if he had been told that the Asylum Festival was by its regulations fixed for the third Wednesday in June, he would not have permitted the ungenerous act of anticipating it by one week. Good, however, came of evil; for, notwithstanding this most untoward circumstance, the Festival of the Asylum passed off with more than its usual eclat-there was a better attendance, and a generous subscription. Neither do we subscribe to the supposed convenience of even the Grand Master, which should not have been made to militate against the interest of an existing Masonic charity, which had received the sanction of Grand Lodge long before he was elected Grand Master. The late royal Grand Master publicly stated that he felt bound to support existing institutions of Masonry; and however he differed in opinion, he never expressed at the social board any other sentiments or opinion than what harmonized with them.

While we thus do honour to the principle of the Asylum, we cannot refrain from doing justice to the noble sentiments expressed by the Chairman of the day, Brother Alston, Jun. Well did he sustain the cause entrusted to his advocacy; there was no shrinking-all was open, honest, and disinterested. God bless him! He clearly proved that the supporters of the Asylum merited his approbation, because they had unflinchingly followed the direction of Grand Lodge. His manner inspirited other Brethren, whose addresses were all to the point. The announcement that the building should be forthwith commenced, was received with acclamation; and the hope that some noble or other wealthy Brother might give some land, was warmly welcomed.

OBITUARY.-This department will be perused with melancholy interest; it embraces the departure to the land of shadows, of estimable Brethren of every grade of the Order, from the lowest to the highest.

ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES.

BY BRO. THOMAS PRYER, W. M. OF THE OAK LODGE, S. G. I. G. 33o.

CHAPTER IV.

RESULTS OF RE-DISCOVERY OF HIEROGLYPHICAL KNOWLEDGE CONSIDERED WITH REGARD TO THE HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, PHILOSOPHY, SCIENCE, CHRONOLOGY, LITERATURE, AND RELIGION, OF ANCIENT EGYPT.

THE antiquities of ancient Egypt, whether considered historically, theologically, or masonically, deserve our most particular attention; for, if not the nation in which science, literature, and the arts of civilized life first attained great perfection, it is perfectly clear, from what has been before observed, that the ancient Egyptians concentrated all the knowledge of the post-diluvian world, and were the means by which that knowledge became subsequently diffused over different nations.

In continuing the speculative portion of our subject, I must necessarily allude to the Egyptian mysteries; but before doing so, it becomes essential, for the better understanding of the matter under consideration, to describe more particularly some of the leading results flowing from the newly-discovered art of deciphering the hieroglyphics, and to consider each point under its separate head. I therefore purpose to make some remarks, as concisely as the nature of the subject will admit, on the important accession of knowledge which these long-hidden, but now available sources, throw upon the history, laws, scientific attainments, literature, and religion of ancient Egypt.

And first as to HISTORY.

From these sources the Caucasian origin of the Egyptians is now clearly established, and the hypothesis so recently entertained of their Ethiopian origin is shown to be perfectly groundless. In what way, or at what particular time, the founders of this mighty empire wound their way across the wilderness to the fertile banks of the Nile, it is at present impossible to determine; whether their primogenitors progressed slowly westward as a pastoral people, or were driven by political convulsions or intestine feuds from their earliest domicile, (although the former supposition bears the strongest impress of probability,) cannot now be ascertained; but their Asiatic origin is now satisfactorily established, in opposition to the hitherto generally received notion; and this important fact, developed from hieroglyphical knowledge, will be found, on strict examination, more in accordance with natural deduction and scripture history.

With regard to LAWS and GOVERNMENT, it is perfectly evident that the first general form of government was that of a priestly aristocracy. This was before, in some manner, deducible from traditionary legends floating in the works of the Greek writers, and inferences gleaned from those mythological doctrines wherein truth was concealed beneath a veil of allegory; it is now, however, rendered manifest from monumental evidence. This form of government was created gradually out of the union of those patriarchal heads of villages, who each governed his own particular family, in precisely the same manner as does an Arab Sheikh

VOL. V.

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