Reviews Of New Books.

dovclopes" or that , the " actions" develope ; or that the mind "developes " with the "ray of the intellect , " whatever that , process may be—or is there any meaning in the sentence at all ? These are , however , merely two specimens from a host of brilliant examples ; indeed , almost every page of . this remarkable work contains one or more of these jewels of composition ; nor , as far as we can recollect , did we ever before have to bestow so much

labour upon one book to extract so small an amount of meaning from so large a quantity of words . The author confidently disposes of all other theories as to the ori g in aud founders of our Order - , indeed , as if to show that he will not brook contradiction or discussion , the work before us is styled a " history" —not a conjecture as to the facts—but a " history" of the tune , place , and persons with whom the institution originated . Of Dr . Oliver , he has but a poolopinion , and will imbibe none of his wisdom . He says : —

"AVe aro no disciple of Dr . Oliver , and neither are we believers in his speculative fancies , that Enoch was installed Grand Master and presided over a Grand Lodge in tho presence of Adam , Seth , Jarocl aud Methusaleh , or that a spurious Freemasonry existed at that early period . It was an easy task for the learned Doctor to transpose the sermons which he preached before his congregations into Masonic lectures , by substituting the word Freemasonry in place of religion . "

Having summarily , if not satisfactorily , disposed of all previous writers and thinkers upon the subject , Bro . Hynemau produces his own discovery , which a very few words will suffice to explain . It is simply this : —Joseph , when ruler of Egypt , after his brethren had settled in the land of Goshen , being fearful lest they should lapse into forgetfuhicss of the lessons of piety and virtue taught them b y their father Jacob , and fell into the habit ., _ : > d usages of the Egyptians—invented the Masonic system as a means of preserving the descendants of his race in the knowledge and practice of true religion ,

"Tbo occaswii- demanded that . Joseph - mould resort to some extraordinary p lan . ' in order to prevent so great a misfortune as his brothers falling into the habits and belief of the Egyptians , which they might be led to do from frequent commingling with them , especially as he had reason to believe from experience that the principles of virtue , of right and wrong , were not so deeply implanted but what they might lie led into error if circumstances should favour their inclination to do so . Tho influence of his presence and example in his high position might be a sufficient cheek so long as he livedto keep them steadfast to their faith and to live in the

, fear of God ; but Joseph knew that life was uncertain , and that at any moment he might bo ' gathered to his fathers , ' and in such an event there would be nothing to restrain his brothers from falling into the practices of the people around them , ' ¦ 'A great responsibility rested upon Joseph . Interests of great moment depended upon him . If ho should die , and his brothers lapse into the idolatries of the Egyptians , the promises made to Abraham , to Isaac , and to Jacob , aud the bright , and glorious future which thoy saw in prophetic vision , and which formed the

. 'subject of their dreams by night and their thoughts by day , would , like the evanescent pleasure of our first parents , result in the loss of that paradise of glory which they hoped their descendants would enjoy for ever . Joseph could not do . . thenvise than reflect seriously upon this subject , and thoughts similar to those wo havo suggested would present themselves , aud his active and vigorous mind call into exercise its strongest powers' to prevent so great an evil . His position enabled him to into effect any plan ho might devise , and his influence to cause such

carry plans to receive the most favourable consideration by his brothers . To cause his hi-others lo assume an obligation—ia bind themselves by a sacred -vow to continue steadfast in their belief in ( Jod . to venerate and adore Him to imitate the example and , - practice , the rirtnu of their father , was not only the most consistent , but the onlv effective plan which Joseph could adopt under tho circumstances in order to ^ o T o O L 3