The Book Egypt.

the form of that droll pack of cards called the tarot . Moses tells us that when the Israelites came out of Egypt , they carried away with

them the sacred vases of the Egyptians . That story is allegorical , for the great prophet would not have encouraged his people in theft . The sacred vases were the secrets

of the Egyptian science , which Moses had learnt at the Court of Pharaoh . Far from us be the idea of attributing to magianism the miracles wrought by the inspired man of God ; but the Bible itself tells us that

Jannes and Jambres , the magicians of Pharoah , that is to say , the learned priests of Egypt , accomplished by their art marvels similar to some of his miracles . They changed wands into serpents , and serpents

into wands . They changed water into blood , and they brought forth an immense quantity of frogs , but they could not produce the flies nor the lice . They acknowledged themselves beaten .

Moses triumphed , and led the Israelites out of the land of slavery . At that epoch , the true science was lost in Egypt , because the priests , abusing the confidence of the people , permitted them to fall into a state

of brutalising idolatry . That was the great lapse of esotcrism . They should have thrown a veil over the truth to the eyes of the people , without hiding it ; they should have guarded symbolism from the

degradation of absurdity ; they should have preserved the sacred veil of Isis in all its pristine beauty . But that was what the

Egyptian priesthood were not capable of doing . They degenerated , by degrees , until at length , the hieroglyphic forms of Osiris and Anubis were taken for

living realities ; Osiris became an ox , was led about under the title ofthe Apian bull , and the priests permitted the people to worship that which had been intended for their food . WILLIAM CARPENTER .

The Prince And Princess Of Wales At Reading.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES AT READING .

Royalty— if it has its cares and responsibilities , has its pleasures , and wc should imagine few events could afford greater pleasure to each and any member of the reigning family than the reception which the people of Reading accorded to their Royal

Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales on Friday , the ist inst . The town literally gave itself up to rejoicing , and the loyally of the inhabitants knew no bounds . The enthusiasm which the Royal visit evoked was moot gratifying , and spoke

eloquently of the affection with which the Royal Family arc regarded by the people . The hearty cheering , too , betokened even more than the gay devices and other demonstrations of welcome , the genuine pleasure which the presenceof the illustrious

visitors inspired . The ist of July , 1870 , will henceforth be a memorable day in the history of Reading , and among the towns and cities of England , Reading will be ever conspicuous for it j display of loyal tv and proof of its affection for the Throne .

Speaking in general terms , the decoratiors were exceedingly numerous , and in many instances handsome . Some of the triumphal arches were most elaborately ornamented , and at many of the private residences great expense had been incurred ,

At the I own Hall the decorations were of a very elegant description . Considering that t ' . ii .-. was the first occasion on which liis Royal Highness has laid a stone in the capacity of Past Grand Master of Freemasons , it was certainly a happv arrangement that the arch

un . lcr winch the Royal party passed immediately after their arrival in the borough , should have been erected at t ' lecuit of lac Mason ! ' : brethren of Reading , and ornamented with the signs and emblem ^ pjeuli . il - t' < the Craft . Ti ; . :: ¦ : ¦ :: ¦ . . as . I ' -etc . ' . ill Frhr-s' . re .-t , at t ' : e ^ nir . inr nf th ¦ rn . i . 1 i .- riin r ; -i

The Prince And Princess Of Wales At Reading.

the Great Western Railway Station , and the Company kindly removed the centre pier and gates to permit of its construction . Bro . Chas . Smith , P . S . W ., architect , of Friar-street , furnished the design , and Mr . Shcppard , of Gveyfviars ' -voad , was the builder . The entire roadway was spanned by a gothic arch , with the words " Hearty welcome" towards the

the railway-station , so that it could be distinctly seen on entering the town , and the Masonic sentiment , "Hearty good wishes M . W . G . P . M ., " towards Friar-street , seen on the return route . Above the apex of the arch were the plume and motto " Ich dien , " supported by an imitation of the regalia worn by his Royal Highness in his Masonic capacity .

The side arches had on one face the Masonic arms , and on the other the Royal arms , with the various emblems of the Craft . The flags were also enriched with Masonic symbols , formed into trophies above the arches . The pi : rs were covered with fir-tree evergreens and laurel margins , and the arch with

evergreens and flowers . The decorative portion of the work was performed by Messrs . Mills and Sons , of 66 , Amelia-street , Walworth , and was very tastefully executed , Bro . Smith being perfectly satisfied with the way in which his beautiful design was carried out .

The trowel was presented by two lodges and was the joint design ofthe Provincial Grand Secretaries Bros . W . Biggs and G . Botly , P . P . G . S . W ., the latter of whom manufactured the trowel . At the top of the plate of the trowel is a Grand Master ' s emblem , and in the centre is a beautiful engraving of the Reading Grammar School ; it bears the

following inscription : —'" Presented by the Freemasons of Reading , Lodges 414 and 1101 , to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., P . G . M . of England , on the occasion of his setting the principal stone of the Reading Schools , July ist , 1 S 70 . " At the base ofthe plate is attached a massive ivory handle magnificently carved . The

trowel is a masterpiece of artistic work . The mallet , which is now in the possession of the Provincial Grand Secretary , was the work of Mr . Fuller , of 6 , St . Mary ' s Butts . It is made of Australian cedar , and inlaid with a piece of "Heme ' s Oak , " the coronet on the handle being of tulip wood . On the 19 th May , 1837 , the County of Berks was

enrolled as a Masonic Province by H . R . H . the late Duke of Sussex , the then Grand Master of England , and John Ramsbottom , Esq ., ( afterwards M . P . for Windsor ) , was installed as the first Provincial Grand Master , at which meeting his son , Captain Ramsbottom , wasin vested the first Senior GrandWarden . This piece of cedar from which the mallet was made , was brought from Australia by Captain

Ramsbottom , and purchased from him by the Mr . Fuller before named . It will therefore ever carry with it a peculiar significance , as not only being one ofthe first set of operative tools ever used by H . R . H . as a Mason , but made from wood brought to this country by the first Senior Grand Warden , and son of the first Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Berks and Bucks .

The procession left the Great Western Railway Station in the following order : —

Detachment of llie Yeomanry Cavalry . Rami . Philanthropise Society . —The members marching in fours . Foresters . —The members of the various Courts marching four deep . Otltlfellows . —The Members of the various Lotlges

four tlccp . Band . Freemasons . —The various Lotlges of the Province of Berks and Bucks , having previously opened lotlge at the Assembly Rooms joined the procession within the Masonic Arch at ( lie Railway Gales , funned in Masonic oiiler and proceeded as follows : —

Two Tylers , with drawn Swords . Brethren , not Members of any l . olgo . Lodges of die Province according lo their Xuivibcrs , Juniors going first . Provincial Grand Lodge . Architect with the Plans . ( A Cornucopia with Corn , borne by the Master ~ | .

-g ~ j of a L-itlge . I n O « % -j Two Ewers with Wine and Oil borne r § 0 ¦ 5 B i by Mas ' er . s of Lodges . | 3 , i s - I The Mallei borne by a Master of a Lodge . ) ' "" 1 ' a . l Gran 1 I ' lirsuivanis . Grand Organists . Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies .

I Grand Director o ( Ceremonies , Grand Superintendent of Works bearing the Trowel on a

Cushion . i Past Grand Sword Hearers . I Past Grand Deacons . I Grand Secretary , with Hook of Constitutions , on a Cushion . I Past Grant ! Ufgi-nvirs . I Grand Registrar . Grand Treasurer bearing a phial containing the Coin to

be deposited m ihe Stone . Past Grand Wardens . Visitors of Distinciion . Pal lWucial Granl Mr-.-l-v-s . i ' , o \ ineial Gian I M . i-teis . ' . ' [*' ,, "• ' . " -V . ' . viv .-i ' : f Ptv -. rGrt . id War ! en ! TUTU : hvlhc Master i ' of . l l .., d :-f .

The Prince And Princess Of Wales At Reading.

The Junior Grand Warden with the plumb rule . The Column of Senior Grand Warden borne by the Master of a Lodge . The Senior Grand Warden with Level . The Junior Grand Deacon . „ , ( The Chaplain bearing the ) n , Grand 1 i f i I Grand

, r . v . c- T .... cY , \ Volume of the Sacred Law on } 0 \ T , Steward . | a Cllshioni [ Steward . Deputy Grand Master , with Square . Grand \ The Rig ht Worshipful Grand ) Grand Steward . ( Master . ) Steward .

Grand Sword Bearer . The Senior Grand Deacon . Two Grand Stewards . Grand Tyler . Band and Staff of the Royal Berks Militia . Chief Superintendent of Police .

Police Officers and Officer carrying Civic Banner . Town Wardens , with Staves . ist Carriage—Members of the Town Council

( not School 1 rustees ) . 2 nd Carriage—Members of the Town Council ( not School Trustees ) . 3 rd Carriage—Members of the Town Council ( not School Trustees ) . 4 th Carriage—School Trustees and Visitors . 5 th Carriage—School Trustees . 6 th Carriage—School Trustees .

Mace Bearer . 7 th Carriage—The Mayor , the Mayor ' s Chaplain , the Recorder , and Town Clerk . Serjeants at Mace . Escort of ( Sth ( Royal ) Carriage—theirRoyal ) Escort of Yeomanry- ! Highnesses the PRINCE and > Yeomanry Cavalry . ( ' PRINCESS of WALES . ) Cavalry , glh Carriage—Royal Suite . 10 th Carriage—Royal Suite .

Yeomanry Cavalry . nth Carriage—The High . Sheriff of Berks , with the Lord-Lieut , ofthe County , the Lord Bishop of the Diocese , and the Archdeacon of Berks . 12 th Carriage—Members of Parliament .

13 th Carriage—Members of Parliament . 14 th Carriage—Justices of the Peace for the Borough . 15 th Carriage—Mayors of Boroughs . 16 th Carriage—Mayors of Boroughs . 17 th Carriage—Mayors of Boroughs . iSth Carriage—Mayors of Boroughs .

Yeomanry bringing up the rear . A monster tent was erected over the centre ofthe buildings , and seats were erected all round . A raised dais on the cast side of the stone was handsomel y fitted up for the occasion , and State chairs were placed for the Prince and Princess . The wings of the dais were occupied by the suite and visitors

accompanying the Royal party . On the Prince and Princess entering the reception hall , the company rose and remained standing . The Mayor and Corporation , Borough Magistrates , School Trustees , High Sheriff of Berks , Lord Lieutenant of Berks , the Bishop ofthe Diocese , Members of Parliament , Mayors of Boroughs , and others took their places .

As the Junior Lodge of Freemasons arrived at the entrance of the tent , the members remained stationary , opening right and left , and so on with all the lodges to the Provincial Grand Lodge , which advanced through all the lodges and entered the tent , followed by the other lodges in seniority . The Mayor and Town Clerk approached the dais , and

an address was read to his Royal Highness . The PUIXCI :, who was loudly cheered , said , —Mr . Mayor , my Lords , Ladies , and Gentlemen , —I desire to record my cordial thanks for your address , and to assure you on the pari of the Princess anel myself of the pleasure it affords us to visit a town so conspicuous in tlie pages of English historv . It is

most gratifying to me to co-operate with you , gentlemen , in securing for your town the benefits contemplated by the Royal Founders of this ancient school . In extending to Reading and its county the advantages of a middle class education , you arc providing an education , which , if conducted on sound principles , must conduce lo the welfare and

happiness of all who desire to profit by them , and that this result is anticipated , is satisfactorily indicated by the amount of contributions alread y subscribed . For myself , I sincerely trust that the good work for which we arc now assembled to lav the

first stone , may , under Go is b . essing , prosper , and accomplish its put pose . It will at least prove to a succeeding generation , that we on our part have striven with all our hearts and all our means to ripen the good se : d sown by our fathers upwards of 303 years ago . ( Load cheers . )

Daring the whole of the time the Royal party were in the tent , the wind blew boisterously , and it was almost impossible lo hear what was said . The Prince looked remarkably well , and the Princess , who wore a dress of muslin over pink silk , and a pink bonnet , appeared to be in excellent health . They were both heartily cheered antl repeatccly

bowed to the company . Her Roval Highness bn \\ in her hands a large b tr . uet , also a beaut fullybound copy ofthe programme . The tent was crowded with members of the principal county families , and those who were present at the hincheon . Scats were placed on three sides of a square , and in the centre , on the dais , were arrange 1 a mimbiT of fo'i-ige plants . The Roval