The Sepulchre Of Hiram, King Of Tyre.

enhanced by the dark blue background of the Great Sea . On no better resting-place could they have laid him in his last deep sleep , than here in the scene of all his glories . Apart from all its sublime and mournful

surroundings , this Tomb , though simple almost to rudeness , possesses an air of grandeur unrivalled by any similar work in Palestine . In form or design no better emblematic memorial could have been raised ; there it has stood for nearly 3 , 000

years , a veritable Pillar of Strength . Perhaps its architect worked at Solomon ' s Temple , and there aequired such perfection of skill NotAvithstanding nearly thirty centuries have elapsed since its erection , this monument is still in

good condition , and it is only on the northern side that the ravages of time are markedly visible , this being due to the severe Aveather that side has to encounter .

What is said to be the sarcophagus is a single stone about 6 ft . high , of 12 ft . lOin . by 7 ft . 3 in . in area ; the cavity in which the corpse is supposed to have been deposited is 6 ft . 5 in . in length , 2 ft . deep , and but barely 1 ft . Sin . in breadth . Resting

on this sarcophagus is a stone of similar area of about 3 ft , in thickness , forming a lid ; but there are no traces of any inscription or carving on the top , though , as may Avell be expected , this lid is deeply honeycombed and furrowed by its long

exposure . The upper tier of the pedestal is composed of four stones of equal size , covering an area of 15 ft . by 9 ft . 7 in ., and about 3 ft . 3 in . in hei ght ; this tier , and the basement project about 8 in . beyond

the two intermediate tiers , thus forming a sort of cornice round the top and bottom of the pedestal . The third tier , composed of five stones about 2 ft . lOin . high , has an area like the second tier of about 13 ft . Gin . by 8 ft . 5 iu .

The second tier is composed of four stones , about 4 ffc . in height , Avhich are very singularly arranged . At first sight this tier seems to consist of only three stones ; viz ., a large square stone Avith a slab on each of two opposite sides ,

but a closer scrutiny proves the existence of four stones , one laid across each end of the basement , while the space between is filled up by two other stones laid longitudinally between them , thus affording great facility for the concealment of any object of large size , in a space that may possibly exist between the inner sides of these four stones .

The Sepulchre Of Hiram, King Of Tyre.

The lowest tier or basemeut rests on a foundation of concrete , but is now almost entirely concealed by earth ; it is about 3 ft . in height , and of the same area as the upper tier of the pedestal . The north-eastern end of the sarcophagus has

been broken off , and the interior rifled of its contents ; but that the body of Hiram was ever laid in this cavity seems to me a matter of great doubt .

Tne ancients Avere as Avell aware as ourselves of the fate that probably aAvaited the remains of their dead , unless most carefully concealed . In the Volume of the Sacred LaAv , Job , cursing his birth , wishes for death ( Job , chap . III . ) , that he

might be at rest " Avith kings and councillors of the earth AA'hich build desolate places for themselves . " He also speaks of digging for hidden treasures , Avhich rejoiceth and maketh exceedingly glad those that can find the grave . With such a

proof of the knoAvledge possessed by the people of those days , it seems highly improbable that the body of Hiram should ever have been perched up in such an exposed and precarious position , one especially inviting violation .

May not this so-called sarcophagus be merely a cenotaph , the cavity in it being intended to contain some of the articles of value used in those ages in the funeral ceremonies Gf persons of distinction , while the corpse is remotely and much

more carefully concealed beneath the pedestal , or perhaps in a cavity that may exist between the four stones of the second tier .

Let us hope that such is indeed the case , and that the remains of the great Hiram never have been or will be disturbed till the rising of the bright Morning Star , Avhen earth aud sea will give up their dead , and the great trump shall summon Mason and cowan alike to the pedestal of the Great Architect of the Universe .

Masonic Discipline.—Vii.

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . —VII .

BY CEUX . That there are many points of difference in the laws and regulations of the English , Irish , and Scotch " Constitutions , " we are perfectly aware of , and there are some Avhich might be regarded

as presenting a greater descrepancy than the assumed universality of Masonry ought to permit . We drew attention in our last article to a report hat appeared in our columns of the 1 st inst . of