Literature.

LITERATURE .

EBVIEWS . Beeton ' s Illustrated Family Bible . S . 0 . BEETON , Strand . The first number of this bible , which is to be completed intiventy-four parts , has come to hand , and certainly , looking at the excellence and extent of the illustrations , is remarkably cheap . The paper on which the bible is printed

is good , the type clear and sharp , and the illustrations appropriate . Nothing but a very large sale can repay the publisher for his enterprise in producing such a bible , which we feel assured on its becoming known it will obtain .

The Englishwoman ; s Domestic Magazine for August . S . 0 . BEETON , London . This is more than an average number , both as regards the literary contents and the illustrations . The latter consists of a steel plate of the fashions , a coloured pattern for a bead mat , a sheet of embroidery and their patterns , with diagrams of a knickerbocker suit , & c . The volume opens

with anew tale , entitled "Wayfe Summers , " which , judging from the chapters published , promises to be of considerable interest . The " Pamily Secret" is brought to a conclusion , whilst the " Marchoiness of Aurebourne , " and the " Old Man in Love , " improve as they advance . " The Domestic History of England" is also continued , and certainly throws great light on the manners and customs of our ancestors , which cannot prove otherwise than both interesting and instructive . The "Notes of the Month , " are also well worthy of perusal .

The Boys' Own Library ; Wild Spirits of the World . No . 4 , S . 0 . BEETON . This work goes bravely on , and we can scarcely add anything to the words of commendation with which we welcomed the earlier numbers . This number is devoted to the Rhinoceros and the Tiger . The plates are excellent , and in addition to the usual illustrationsthis number contains an

, admirably executed map of South America . This is an admirable work for a boy to take back to school with him . The Boys' Oivn Magazine for August . We can only repeat that this Magazine is marvellousl y cheap , the literature well selected , and adapted for the class to whom it is addressedand the illustrationsnumerous and

, , good . A new tale , "The Wild Man of the Woods , " will no doubt become a favourite with the boys . We particularly recommend to attention the chapter on manly exercises , as there is nothing to equal gymnastics in developing the strength and growth of boys , and as a rule they have been too much neglected in our schools .

Something for Everybody , and a Garland for the Year , by John Timbs , F . S . A . Lockwood & Co ., Stationers' Hall Court . Wo never take up any of the works of Mr . Timbs without being certain that we shall derive not only amusement but information , for if there is not much that is new in them he has such a happy tact in bringing his materials

together , that he gives in one small volume the essence of half a libray . The work is formed something on the model of Hone ' s Every Day Booh—and hence the second titled Garland for the Year , giving descriptions of the various customs which now hold or have hold sway at the different seasons ancl holidays of the year . Then again we have descriptions of many of the well known places in and around London

, A chapter on domestic arts and customs , most curious and woeful withal , and for the ladies' "Prompt Remedies and Small Services , " showing what to do in various pases of emergency before the doctor comes . Indeed , this is truly a book for all and Something for Everybody should be found alike in the library , the parlour , and the drawing room . It is indeed what the author styles it , "A Book for House and Homo . " Mr . Timbs having well carried out what he states to have been his design to convey " such information as may be useful without being dry , and amus-

Literature.

ing without trifling .- his main object being to render the book cared for beyond the moment ; and that when read aud laid down , it may be taken up again and re-read , and in each case contribute to the gratification of the reader , while it adds to his store of serviceable knowledge . " We can promise Mr . Timbs that those who once read his book aro not likely to lay it down without again recurring to its pages—and that not once , but many times .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed hj Correspondents ANCIENT AND MODERN MASONRY . LETTER II . 10 THE EDITOK 01- IHE EllEEltiSOSS JliGiZKTE AJTO MASOSIC UlimOIt . Dear Sir and Brother . —Freemasonry , though essentially

Catholic in its tendency , is Hebrew in its type ; and the early Christian Masons were not only assailed by the idolatrous heathen , hut were equally obnoxious to their Jewish brethren . The Masonic Christian convert would naturally add the sacred symbol of his salvation to the numerous emblems depicted on the tracing board of his lod and it would be

ge ; only one step further to use secret signs and words to distinguish those of his own creed when assembled hi lodge , from his brother Masons . We have indeed no authority to suppose that Christian lodges were actually instituted at so early a period , but at our Saviour's death Freemasonry was only an adaptation of the mysteries of Isis to a new and purer faith , and the proscribed Christian was compelled to

worship in caverns and secret places , and the inner and outer guard was then a stern fact , not as now merely a dramatic fiction . The imagination of the inspired poet or artist can conceive no sublimer spectacle than that of a-

Christian bishop reading , to his ardent but trembling flock , assembled in the murky recesses of some ancient vault or deserted heathen temple , illuminated only by tho lurid light o torches , one of St . Paul ' s Epistles to the Hebrews . Such , in reality , my brethren , was the first Christian lodge . There can be no doubt , however , that Freemasonry would have languished , if not have utterly perished but for the existence

of the Guilds or Fraternities of Operative Masons , associated under papal bulls , and patronized by the wealthy ecclesiastical dignitaries and powerful monarchs of Christendom , under whose auspices arose those noble cathedral minsters and abbey churches that attest alike the unrivalled architectural skill , the deathless piety , and unbounded munificencewhichin the days of oldcharacterized the much

, , , defamed members of the Catholic church ; whilst the remains of the conventual buildings , with the humble cell for the monk or nun , and the spacious refectory ancl dormitory for the accommodation of the always welcome guest , bear eloquent witness to the hospitality afforded alike to prince or peasant by these unjustly maligned religious recluses .

" I envy them , those monks of old , Theu- prayers they said , and their beads they told , To human softness dead and cold , And all life ' s vanity . They dwelt like shadows on the earth , Free from the penalties of birth , Nor let one feeling venture forth , But charity . —G-. P . B , James .

Modern critics decry high art , and they arc right ; they cannot appreciate it , and if they could the punj ^ genius of the present day might as well attempt to cope with the giant intellect of the Elizabethan era , as the modern artist , strive to rival the jiencils of Raphael , Titien , Gnido , and Rubens ; they may exhibit Virgins or Magdalens , but the Messalinas of Regent-street or the Palais Royal stand confessed

upon their gaudy canvas . And why ? The godlike masters of old had faith , and would as soon have slandered their own mothers as have defiled their glorious conceptions with any earthly taint . Why is modern sculpture so cold and deathlike ? For the same reason the Venus was an Incarnation , nota Cyprian .