The Origin And References Of The Hermesian Spurious Freemasonry.

Shekinah Avhich accompanied the Israelites iu their Avanderiugs , uses these remarkable words , " My NAJIK is in him . " * I cannot agree Avith the interpretation of Moutfaucon , that the four circles had no other reference than , to the four

elements ; because they had already been plainly pointed out in the cross placed centrically amongst the larger collection of circles . He professedly founds his opinion on the colours of these circles , saying , " the first circle is Avhiteto represent the

colour-, less air Avhich surrounds the earth ; the second circle is blue , to symbolize the water of the ocean ; the third circle is of a clack ash colour , to signify the earth ; and the fourth is of a bright red , typical of fire . This is placed iu the centre because fire

gives light and heat to all things . " I have considerable doubts about the existence of these colours , because I do not find them mentioned clseAvhere .

The Masonic Sign.

THE MASONIC SIGN .

" YES , sir , " said Jones to his friend Smith , '' the advantages to be derived from our ancient ancl honourableinstitution are incalculable . " By the Avay , Ave should have said , "Brother Jones , " for Brother Jones Avas "high" in

Masonry , and Avas Past Grand Deput y Junior Door Opener for the Courts of Cookayneshire . " For instance , " continued Brother Jones , P . G . D . J . D . O ., "look at the position yon fake when travelling—think of the

consideration paid to you . Why , Avhen I landed on the Island of Bambaroo , the king , hearing I Avas a Mason , sent down a detachment of his Horse Guards Black to escort me to liis palace . "

"But , " said Smith , surprised , " are all Masons thus honoured ?" "Well—no , " ausAvered Brother Jones , hesitatingly ; " only those Avho belong to the very highest degrees—and I belong to the very highest , the double superior and superlative

degree of the combined Rose , Thistle , and Palm Tree , or tho three hundred ancl sixt y-fifth ' degree . There are but seven members of it in the known world , and they are all crowned heads , except myself . " " And you , " exclaimed Smith , " bow on earth were you admitted ?"

" I don ' t Avonder at your surprise , " continued Jones , others have Avondered at it , and envied me . You see , such is the universality of Masonry , that oven croAvned heads are compelled to admit one outsider into their fraternityelse what would become

, of the principle of equality V " I see , " said Smith savagely , for he began to suspect that Brother Jones Avas chaffing him ; " and you Avere a very outsider . " But Brother Jones Avas in earnest . It

he was not a member of this superlative degree , he had dreamed he was , ancl believed it—so it came to the same thing . "Now , about these signs , " said Smith . " I don ' t ask you to tell me your secrets ; but I object to take a leap in the darkand

, if I am to join your lo'd ge "—for this Avas the contingency that led up to the conversation— " if I am to join your lodge , I should like to knoAV just some little about it beforehand . "

Brother Jones seemed to hesitate for a feAV moments , then he appeared buried in profound reflection . At length he rose , aud taking Smith by the baud , said : " Smith , you are my oldest friend—can I trust you 1 " Said Smith :

" You can , upon my honour . " If it Avere knoAvn , " said Jones , " that I had divulged the least part of a secret , my life wouldn ' t be safe for half an hour . " "What ! " exclaimed Smith , "do you Masons go about like the bandits in melodramasAvith daggers concealed in your

, boots ?" " Well , no—not exactly in our boots , because the majority of us Avear shoes ; but it is so . HoAveA' -ei ' , I'll chance it . " Here Jones Avent cautiously round the roomlocked the doorancl hung his hat on

, , the knob , so as to cover tha keyhole . " Why do you put your hat there ?" asked Smith . " To keep off "—said Jones ; "in short , to tile the room . " The upshot of Brother Jones ' s reflections

Avas this : be bad thought of a plan to impart to his friend Smith a Masonic sign Avithout compromising bis fealty to the craft , " When do you propose going to Bristol ?" he asked him .

"This day Aveek . " " Good—IIOAV if I put you in possession of one of our secret signs , and you are satis-