Reviews Of New Books.

be prepared for the last great change which must remove us for ever from the toils , anxieties and misery of this sublunary sphere . These subjects are earnestly and faithfull y treated , and if the writer cannot lay claim to airy great ori ginality in his remarks upon these matters , he deserves and ivill receiA-e , the praise of having put forth n-ell kuoivn doctrines in an attractive and eloquent form . j \ o treatise on the beauties of our Order would be complete without a dissertation on charity and its sister , sympathy ; of the development of the latter sentiment our Brother brings the followinoillustration , which ivill be new to most Brethren : — a

" A friend , subsequently a Brother , was engaged in military service in Spain , when the troops , of ivhich he ivith others had the command , were in occupation of a monastery , and were sadly distressed for want of a supply of food , and the officers for want of money to supply their necessities . On one occasion , a monk was found prowling about the building , and was brought in as a prisoner ; the Masonic recognition took place ; the friendly grip ivas exchanged ; such ofthe officers as were Masons , in full dependence on the honour and safe conduct of their newlfound brother led blindfolded to

y , were a subterranean cavern beneath the edifice , in which , on the removal of the bandages from their eyes , they found the monks who had been dispossessed of their dwelling assembled ; their personal wants were supplied ; money AA'as liberally furnished them ; and they ivere led back in safety , to be the ivonder of their brother officers , who , not being members of the Craft , Avere surprised at this change in their fortunes ; and thus , enemies were recognized as friends in the persons of those who had been driven from their home , and from Avhom anything rather than sympathy and assistance might have been expected . "

Our author does' not confine himself to grai-e observations entirely . There are some li ghter touches interspersed here and there . Perhaps ( we only venture a surmise ) Bro . Hopkins ivas desirous that his appearance in the character of an author should not deteriorate from his popularity with the fair sex , ivith whom ive have little doubt he is a favourite ; at any rate some pages of his little book are deA'oted . to a recommendation to the Brethren to studthe leasures of their wives and sisters b

y p y providing balls , _ concerts , and pic-nics for their delectation ; this is thrown in , we must in candour add , as a sort of sugar-plum to take away the bitter taste of certain paragraphs in which the female weakness of want of reticence is rather strongl y demonstrated . Some curious speculations are interspersed Avith weightier matter , amongst ivhich ive find the folloivineuponFreemasonry in the East : — J

Although Freemasonry has for many years been generally supposed to exist among the Mahometans , and traces of it were found in Turkey by the Russian officers after the campaign of 1 S 39 , yet they were too slight to prove the fact ; and it is only Avithin the last few years , that it was satisfactoril y demonstrated ' by a German Freemason happening to pass through Belgrade , where he discovered a Masonic Lodge , to which he was invited , and where he met Avith a hospitable reception . It appears now to be proved beyond all doubt , that the Turkish brothers Avho exercise then- Masonic duties under the of dervishes to all

name , are intents and purposes the same as our own Order of Freemasons , Avith but very little difference in their customs and ceremonies , and making use of exactly the same signs words , and grips , to recognize each other . The Turkish Freemasons appear to be in a more elevated state of civilization than is usual among the Orientals generally Iherr vieAvs of religion are far higher than those imposed by Islamism ; they reject polygamy , contenting themselves with one single Avife ; and at the Masonic banquets the women unveiledstriking of the mutual confidence

appear , a proof ivhich tlie brethren repose in each other . " The remarks which Dr . Hopkinson makes on various points in the government and economy of the Craft are not Avithout value . In his pages ive are 0 2