Ancient Symbolism Illustrated.

sun typified by the circle , and theologically into that greater light of whom this vast globe and more vast sun arc infinitel y inadequate symbols or manifestations .

As a symbol of the sun in this lower hemisphere the . celebrated Jablonski states that it appears in hieroglyphics under this sign ; afc other times it was written as hero

shown ; and hence we perceive tlie disk and serpent of the

ancient Persians and E gyptians . The Cyclopean tower with sacred fire in the centre ofthe building , the Pynethea of the Guebers , the Hindoo symbol of Siva , and Parvati with the phallic symbols of Lingam , and of Yoni , unite to form our emblem

of a point within a circle supported by two parallel lines , all of which formed parts of the ceremonial observances of the East , and ivhich , together with every symbol noiv employed by us in onr Lodges , was imported into this country by the Brahminical priests , emigrated here from Persia and Hindostan , and founded the ancient order of Druids . Nor lot

the Christian and pious man bo shocked at discovering the orig in of a symbol to which he has been instructed to attach reverential importance ; let him remember that through the agency of symbols the theological opinions of our ancient brethren have been safely conducted through the dark ages of idolatryand preserved for elucidation by the inquiring

, genius of enlightened times ; and that although no longer objects of adoration , they are entitled to our reverential regard , as furnishing strong evidence of the truth of the g lorious revelation of Mosaic history . I trust that I have succeeded in my

endeavours to prove that this emblem , though loaded with errors and superstitions , has nevertheless , through all ages , had reference to the fall of man and his regeneration , through Shiloh , the seed of the woman , as revealed b y the inspired historian , and that wifch the heathen as well as with ourselves it is a sacred symbol relating to God , the Grand

Geometrician of the universe . " Father of all , iu every age , In every clime adored , By saint , b y savage , and by sage , Jehovah , Jove , and Lord . "

A ROMANCE IN MARBLE . —Here is a bit of romance in marble ! More than a year ago— 'before tho Tuscan Hnpsburg fled from Florence—an English gentleman entered the noble church of Santa 3 [ aria Novella . The marble floor ivas littered Avith rubbish . Monks were superintending , masons pulling to pieces , the splendid internal decorations of the church . The singing gallery , a beautiful and precious work of Italian Art—a masterpiece of Baceio d'Agnolo—lay in fragments on the ground ; it had

been bought , the gentleman heard , for little more tlian old marble , by a dealer , Signor Freppa , of Florence , and was about to be re-sold to a French builder , with the view to its being placed as a balcony—with its Lily of the Florentine Republic and the motto " Libertas "—iu one of t hose fantastic houses ivhich the hideous taste of the Second Empire has introduced into the suburbs of Paris . The Englishman saw his cbaiiceand secured the work for £ 350 . Iu a few weeks the Italian

, Hapsburg fled from his capital ; ivith him fell the reigu of the monk and jobber ; the old Lily and the old Liberty sprang once more into fashion and power . A popular government made an inquiry as to the pretended restorations going on in the Florentine churches , particularly in the church of Santa Maria Xovella . The sale of the marble singing gallery—its removal to England—came to light . Baron Rieasoli ordered a public prosecution to be instituted against the clergy for liaving

alienated a noble ivork of art , which State prosecution is still pending . MeaiiAA-hile , the beautiful gallery itself , with its Republican devices , has been added to the accumulating treasures of the South Kensington Museum , —Athenteum , ~ ~

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

, $ , , [ THE EDITOR does noi hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspiondenls . " ]

TIIE BRITISH MUSEUM . TO THK EDITOR OP TIIE FREEMASONS' JIAOAZIXE AXD MASOXIC MII 1 ROI 1 . Sin , —As a subscriber to your Magazine , permit mc to assure your correspondent "M . M . " that I entirely dissent from his doctrine that the reform of abuses unconnected with JIasonry is not within mission'fhe Craftas a portion of the general

your , , community , is affected more or less by every abuse ; and I believe the larger portion of your subscribers will agree with me that you did good service to the character of a brother AA'hose virtues and talents shed lustre upon the Craft , when 3 'ou gave an account of the Shakespeare controversy between Bro . Payne Collier , and his defamer Mr . Hamilton . The able remarks and interrogations of your correspondent " Fellow Craft" formed a necessary sequence

, to your expose , considering the many abuses of the library department of the British Museum , of which the one alluded to—the long promised third volume of the catalogue of maps and drivings—is but a fair sample . " 51 . M . " tells ns there are several distinguished Masons in that institution , and it is for the general interest ofthe Craft that you should leave its merits and demerits to be dealt with by

others . Surely , sir , no brother whose good sense equals his good intentions ivould have made such a shameless avowal , or have put in such a pitiful plea on behalf of a body of educated men , who when they do wrong cannot err from ignorance . Ah una disce omnes—if we are to take "M . M . ' s" communication as a sample of his mind , the uses or abuses of the library in Bussellstrcet can only interest him in a most infinitesimal degree . In

fact I should think " M . M . ' s" proper vocation is to practise the old proverb—Audita midta setl loqnere pauca ; he evidently regards the British Museum only as a place which affords grateful shelter to some of his brother Masons , and the grave manner in which he schools you upon the propriety of keeping your journal free from literary contests and attacks upon public bodies , because Masonry is represented in every public institution , proves that he only understands the charity we teach so far as to begin hy applying it at home . I trust , sir , that it docs not end at the same place ,

but that he has enough left for the victims of great grievances to see the absurdity of maintaining that when a man is a Alason he is no longer amenable to public opinion or a healthy criticism when exercised by the members of that fraternity , which will either lose or gain by every act of his life according to its tendency for good or evil . Tour correspondent informs us that Mr . Hamilton is a sound scholar of varied accomplishments ; I will

not doubt it , yet I must confess that "M . M . " has not given us any proof that he is qualified to judge upon the first point ; and Air . Hamilton adopted a very peculiar method of displaying his amiability of temper and honesty of purpose , when he employed all the machinery of a department where he was placed as a servant ofthe public , and coolh' and deliberately wrote a book to prove b j' inference that Bro . Payne Collier was guilt } - of fraud

and forger } ' —to blast the reputation of a veteran in literature , and to dash him down from the high pedestal upon which a life of erudition and industry had placed him—and this attempted hy a mere literary Joseph Surface at the instigation of men who used him as a fit instrument for doing that ivhich they were ashamed to avow openly , and publish under their own names . I sincerelhope that "M . M . " is not blessed with the same

amiy ability of temper and honesty of purpose . I should not have occupied my time or your valuable space in discussing this matter had not your correspondent expressed opinions ivhich are calculated to bring the Craft into contempt . Masonry was never intended to fetter the thought , speech , or pen ; and when its influence is used for such a purpose , it will become an organized hypocrisj ' , a refuge for those who are destitute of

all moral worth ; and all who serve it for the love they bear toivards the self-denying and moral-elevating principles inculcated by its teaching will not be fulfilling one of their highest duties unless they condemn the perversion and prostitution of all that is pure and good , to purposes mean and selfish . I remain , Sir , yours truly and fraternall y , Of . M . PASSEXGEK . Southampton , May Sort , 18 G 0 .