Aids To Study.

inscribed , either on soft brick or on stone , and the taper form may have been suggested by observing that , in practice , a line thicker at one end came outj more natural than one uniformly

hick . In regard to the orig ination of the characters , -it is now fully ascertained that , like the Egyptian hieroglyphics , they were at first pictorial , though , unlike the Egyptian , the pictures

became generally unrecognisable . ] In some cases , however , the likeness to the object represented is still discernible , and it is found that in the oldest modes of writing the signs present the

most distinct traces of p ictorial origin . The student who desires to see further on this subject may consult Loftus , Cha / dea ; Taylor , in Journal Asiatic Society , XV . ; Rawlinson , ib ., 1839 im &

1846 ; Oppert , Exped . ScienliJ . ; Hinks , in Report of Brit . \ Assoc . 1857 ; Re . w \' mson , Herodotiis , i , pp . 442-444 , Menant , Les ecrits , Can . pp . 19-( J 2 ; Layard , Nineveh and Baby lon ; and other

writers to whom references will there be found . Such has been the course of enquiry in regard to this cuneiform writing , and so satisfactory and complete the results , that Sir . H . Rawlinson , in

1850 , could write "There are probably not more than twenty words in the whole range of the Persian cuneiform records ( it should be observed that the cuneiform writinc was not confined to

the Assyrians and Babylonians , but was used by all the nations that held dominion in the plain of Mesopotamia , down to the time of Alexander : and some few inscriptions are found of a later

date than the Macedonian conrpjest ) upon the meaning , grammatical condition or etymology of which any doubt or difference of opinion can be said , at present , to exist . " ( Comment , on

Cuneiform Inscriptions , p . 3 ) . The very magnitude of the achievement provokes , in some minds , a doubt of its reality . "The more , " says a writer in the Quarterl y Review

for March , 1 S 47 , " consider the marvellous character of this discovery , the more we feel some distrust and misgiving returning to our minds . It is no less , in the first place ,

than the creation of a regular alphabet , of forty letters / out of what appears , at first sight , confused and unmeaning lines and angles ; and , secondly , the creation of a language out of words so found

from this alphabet , " the reconstruction of a lost tongue from its characters—characters which could tell nothing of their own meaning , which if once pictorial , had long lost their pictorial

significance , anil of which there was no Rosetta stone , as for the interpretation of the Egyptian hieroglyphics , to guide the enquirer . Vet that this is no imaginary feat lias been shown by

evidence sufficient to satisfy any unprejudiced mind . " This evidence I may not attempt to produce here . It may suffice to repeat what is said by Mr . Talbot , a very competent judge , that

the clearness and consistency of the numerous passages , and the long historical narratives trans lated by Rawlinson ( and , I may now add , by Mr .

George Smith ) afford in themselves no slight presumption that we cannot be greatly mistaken as to the meaning of these ancient records . The rival system of l- ' orsler breaks down .

"tor several years I hare sullered horn repeated and severe attacks ol lumbago , and 1 can truly say that f ha \ e never le . und such cllfctunl relict as I ha \ e reecntlv liom the use of \ onr

Vee . eiable Pain Killer . Its c-liects urc ' truly man cllous .-- jun \ l . oM . i . iii , in , Chapel-st . London , Jan ., lls / O . —To l ' crr \ l > a \ is le Son , London , W . C . "

The House Of Bonaparte And Freemasonry.

THE HOUSE OF BONAPARTE AND FREEMASONRY .

BY BRO . R . WESTVVORTH LITTLE . ( Continned , from page 49 ) . Ragon , in his Orthodoxie Macoiinique p . 193 , describes an Order of French Noachites , under the heading of " Maconnerie Napoleonienne , " and which he states was originated by certain

partisans of the ex-Emperor in 1816 . The Grand Master of the Order was General Bertrand , one of the fallen chief's most devoted friends , but during his absence at St . Helena its affairs were directed by a Supreme Commander and two Lieutenants . The Order was divided into

three degrees , r . Chevalier , 2 . Commandeur , 3 . Grand-Elu , in three points , viz ., Secret Judge , Perfect Initiate , Knight of the Crown of Oak ( Oaken Crown ) . Under the name of Peleg ( Phaleg ) , the architect of the Tower of Babel , allusions to Napoleon were conveyed . The

tower was said to be eight stories high , and the initials of the names given to each of them , composed the word Napoleon , thus—Adam , Eve , Noah , Lamech , Naamah , Phaleg , Oubal , Orient . The age of the candidate was ten years , viz ., from 1804 to 1814—the duration of the first

Empire . In the second degree Napoleon s decease was commemorated , as will be perceived from the following account in Ragon . The aspirant carried an urn covered with a veil , and was thus accosted by the Chief . What is thy name ? Faithful . Whence comest thou ? From an island . What has thou seen ? A

weeping willow . What bnngest thou back ? An urn . What does it contain : The ashes of Phaleg . It is to be noted that , although the queries were put in French , the candidate responded in Latin . Ragon asserts that this Order flourished for many years , but is now ( 1853 ) extinct .

There can be no doubt that the late Emperor Napoleon III . was a member of the once formidable society of the Carbonari , inasmuch as he participatetl in the various insurrectionary movements in Italy which were directed by the chiefs of the Carbonari , and as the latter body endeavoured in

every way to establish a ejuasi connection w ith the Masonic Order , it is more than probable that Louis Napoleon was initiated in one of the many secret lodges then existing in Austrian Italy , and in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies . In the '' Memoirs of the Carbonari" at p . 10 , the

following remarkable statement upon the subject occurs : "The Freemasons were established in Italy among all ranks . The illuminati of Weishaupt reckoned among their initiated seime eif the Knights of Malta , with the

celebrated Dolomieu at their head . But the reorganizes of the Carbonari of the present day ( 1 S 21 ) chose that Order in preference , because it suited their plan to gain proselytes chieli y anions : the middle and lower classes of the

people . Again , at p . ao , in a quotation from the judgment of the Roman Tribunal against the conspirators of Macerata—the Court affirms that , " the adherence of any individual to any of the secret societies suffices to ensure his reception , with a corresponding rank , into all those

that may be formed afterwards , so that one sect is always merging in another , while procuring fresh proselytes . That they are , however , no other than so many ramifications of Masonry , some of the best informed sectaries themselves allow , and none of them differ essentiallyas to the object they have in view : viz ., independence ,

or , at least , a constitutional government , particularly in Italy . " It is further stated that " all Freemasons were admitted simply by ballot , and without undergoing the preparatory trials required from ordinary candidates . " What these "trials " were may bo gathered from the subjoined account of the reception of a Carbonaro in a Baracca or Lodge .

The Prepuralore ( preparer ) leads the Pagan ( uninitiated ) who is to become a member , blindfold , from the closet of reflection to the tloor of the Baracca . He knocks irregularly .- the

Cohrilore ( coverer ) says to the second assistant , " A Pagan knocks at the door . " The second assistant repeats this to the first , who repeats it to the Grand Master ; at every communication the Grand Master strikes a blow with an axe .

The House Of Bonaparte And Freemasonry.

GRAND MASTER . See who is the rash being , who dares to trouble our sacred labours . This question having passed through the assistants and Copritorc and Preparatore , he answers through an opening in the door . PREI ' ARXTORE . It is a man whom I have found wanderinsr in the forest .

GR . M . Ask his name , country and profession . The secretary writes the answer . GR . M . Ask him his habitation—his reli gion . The secretary notes them . GR . M . What is it he seeks among us ? PREP . Light ; and to become a member of our society . GR . M . Let him enter .

( The Pagan is led into the middle of the assembly ; and his answers are compared with what the Secretary had noted . ) GR . M . Mortal , the first qualities which we require , are frankness , and contempt of danger . Do you feel that you are capable of practising them ?

After the answer , the Grand Master questions the candidate on morality and benevolence ; and he is asked if he has any effects , and wishes to dispose of them , being at the moment in danger of death ; after being satisfied of his conduct , the Grand Master continues , "Well , we will expose you to trials that have some meaning—let him

make the first journey . " He is led out of the Baracca—he is made to journey through the forest—he hears the rustling of leaves—he is then led back to the door , as at his first entrance . GR . M . What have you remarked during this first Journey ? ( The Pagan relates accordingly . )

GR . M . T . he first journey is the symbol of human virtue : the rustling of leaves , and the obstacles you have met in the road , indicate to you , that weak as we are , and struggling in this vale of tears , we can only attain virtue by good works , and under the guidance of reason ,

ike etc . Let him make the second journey . ( The Pagan is led away , and is made to pass through fire : he is made acquainted with the chastisement of perjury j and , if there is an opportunity , he is shown a head severed from the body , ike ke He is again conducted into

the Baracca . ) GR . M . The fire through which you have passed is the symbol of that flame of charity , which should be always kindled in our hearts , to efface the stains of the seven capital sins , See Ike Make him approach the sacred throne , & c .

GR . M . 1011 must take an irrevocable oath ; it offends neither reli gion nor the state , nor the rights of individuals , but forget not , that its violation is punished with death . The Pagan declares that he will submit to it ; the Master of the Ceremonies leads him to the throne , and makes him kneel on the white cloth . GR . M . Order !

The Oath . I , N . N . promise and swear , upon the general statutes of the Order , and upon this steel , the avenging instrument of the perjured , scrupulously to keep the secret of Carbonarism ; and neither to write , engrave , or paint anything concerning it ,

without having obtainer ! a written permission . I swear to help my Good Cousins in case of need , as much as in me lies , and not to attempt anything against the honour of their families . I consent , and wish , if I perjure myself , that my

boely may be cut in pieces , then burnt , and my ashes scattered to the wind , in order that my name may be held up to the execration of the Gooil Cousins throughout the earth , So help me God .

GR . M . Lead him into the middle of the ranks ( this is done ) . What do you wish ? The Master of the Ceremonies suggests to the Pagan , to say Light . GR . M . It will be granted to you by the blows

of my axe . The Grand Master strikes with the axe—this action is repeated by all the apprentices—the bandage is removed from the eye of the Pagan—the Grand Master and the Good Cousins hold their axes raised .

GR . M . I hese axes will surely put you to death , if you become perjured . On the other hand , they will all strike in your defence , when you need them , and if you remain faithful . ( To