The Secret Societies Of Ancient Scandinavia.

Siggo or Odin was the chief of the . ZEsir , whose country must have been between the Pontus Euxinus and the Caspian Sea . Their principal city was Asgard . Odin , having united under his banner the youth

of the neighbouring nations , marched towards the north and west of Europe , subduing all the people he found in his passage , and giving them to one of his sons . After having settled his government , he directed his course toAvards

Scandinavia , passing through Cimbria , now Holstein and Jutland—these provinces made him no resistance . He passed to Funen , founded the city of Odensec , and extended his power to all the north . He

subdued the rest of Denmark , passed into Sweden , which he acquired without difficulty , and established at Sigtuua ( a city now destroyed , situate near the present city of Stockholm ) a supreme council , composed of twelve judges or pontiffs .

Their business was to watch over the public wealth , to distribute justice to the people , to preside over the new worship and instruct the people therein , and to preserve faithfully the religious secrets which Odin had deposited among them . He

established there the sacred mysteries , by the influence of which Scandinavia began to live a new life , emerge from obscurity , and gained a name aud place in history .

Odin resembled in many particulars Orpheus the Thracian ; like him , Odin is described as the most persuasive of men , nothing could resist the force of his Avords . He Avas also a great poet , the prince of magicians , and the inventor of the

runic characters ( an alphabet of sixteen letters ) . Odin , after having finished his glorious achievements , aud feeling his end drawing near , assembled his friends , in whose presence he gave himself nine wounds in the form or a circle with a

lance , and many other cuts in his skin Avith his sAvord , in consequence of Avhich he soon expired . His friends carried his body to Sigtuna , Avhere , confoi-mable to a custom introduced by him into the north , his body was burnt Avith much pomp

and magnificence . The ceremony of initiation of candidates into the sacrad mysteries of Scandinavia , is described as most imposing and solemn , and resembling that of the Eleusinian .

Another ancient Scandinavian Fraternity was the celebrated Military Order , formed by a Danish chief , named Palnafcoke , and known as the Society

The Secret Societies Of Ancient Scandinavia.

of Jomsberg , founded A . D . 942 , on the southern shore of the Baltic at Jomsberg . The object of the Society was mutual assistance . The order had its secret rites and signs of recognition , and the members were distinguished by badges

indicative of their degree and rank- The association became very powerful , and men of the highest rank — princes and even kings — joined them . Their rules were very strict , and they Avere devoted to a life of celibacy .

Masonic Jottings, No. 89.

MASONIC JOTTINGS , No . 89 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GEAND MASTER . THE IiEVIVAL A Leeds Brother writes that no intelligent Mason , who examines with common attention the

historical materials that we possess , can fail to see that our present Freemasonry in both its parts —in its outer part , and in its inner part— is , in the full sense of the word , a revival .

OUR MYTHS AND LEGENDS . A learned Brother asserts , that in our Myths and Legends , all appertains to our Speculative Masonry and its teachings , which does not appertain to our Operative Masonry .

TWO MANUSCRIPTS . A Correspondent Avill find that the learned Brother , of late known by the name of "A Masonic Student , " has expressed an opinion not only that the Manuscript published by Bro .

Matthew Cooke affords strong proof of a recognized difference between Operative and Speculative Masonry toAvards the end of the 15 th century ; but states that there is an earlier proof of this fact to be found in the Masonic Poem , first edited by

Mr . Halliwell , in 1842 . This poem Avas Avritten by a Monk towards the end of the 14 th century , and shows the same admitted difference between Operative Masonry and Speculative : and , moreover , alludes in express terms to the reception of non-Operative members into the Order .

CALCOTT'S PRINCIPLES OP MASONRY . One of those English Works which Bro . Findel in his history mentions as Avorks to be [ called to mind , is W . Calcott's Candid Disquisition of the