Classical Theology.—Lix.

golden ringlet of wool , on which she had reason to believe her life depended . By following these directions so harmoniously given , Psyche was again enabled to baffle the envy of her persecutor . But Venus , on being presented with the object she had demanded , much more offended than pleased , instantly ordered her victimas though she were a slave to her hate

, and whims , to procure a goblet of a curious jet black water from a fount guarded by huge and ferocious dragons . Psyche , however , had not far to go , for scarcely had she arrived within view of the place , ere a royal eagle , resembling one of those of Jupiter , possessed himself of the calixor goblet which was of

, silver , and having filled it at the fountain , restored it to her ; and it is said the spirits of Psyche were exhilarated with a feeling of triumph when she placed it in the hands of Venus . "It is all veiy well , " said the goddess , looking exceedingly annoyed , " yet a further proof of your obedience

and alacrity in our welfare is required of you . Therefore we must command that you set off at once to the dominions of Pluto , king of the Hades , and obtain at our gracious request , of her Majesty , the Queen Proserpine , called our Lady , a small vase of her famous ointment , known as cos-mica imr / vcnta . Go , tarry not ,

nor lose it , if you wish to escape our just chastisement , " and so saying she gave Psyche a box on the ear . Venus trusted , through the efficacy of this sovereign unguent , or most vitally perfumed essence of essences of the world , to be able to restore the bloom to her cheeks , and the calmness to her brow , which her fits of jealousy and convulsion of malignity had very visibly destroyed . Psyche , instead of descending into the bowels of the earth , ascended to the top of a high

tower hewn out of the solid rock , to attempt the transit to that lower world by a leap from its summit ; or , we should say , to contemplate such an end for some other and higher purpose . In this act a voice , whose breath seemed to pass over her face , told her not to be afraid of anything ; her conscience was God's witness . " Love" it said " procures virtuevice

pro-, , duces hatred : if conscious of no fault , do not fear , " and directed her to a secret recess appertaining to a cavern in Campania , where she would find access to the main road conducting to the abode of the unangelic souls , and the court to which she was confidentially bound .

Polio wing these directions , Psyche became fearless and courageous . Thus self-secured in the trust of innocence , as she advanced towards the lake dedicated to Pluto , every obstacle vanished before her . In her descent beneath the Avernus , the shades of the deceased of all classes smiled upon her and gave her

welcome . ' Cerberus growled not , nor did Charon demand his fee . The Queen of Erebus , with remarkable condescension , presented the vessel of ointment , and even extended to Psyche her royal hand , and escorted her in person some part of the way to the upper world .

Here , having safely arrived , she was induced by the spirit of Curiosity to to open the case containing the precious gift , whereupon there' exhaled a vapour that enveloped her in so powerful a fragrance as to deprive her of her senses . Cupid , now visible in person , hastened to revive her , and having given her a tender embrace of reconciliation , and secured the casket , informed her that he had obtained the consent of his .. father to the solemnisation of their marriage in pre-

Classical Theology.—Lix.

sence of all the chiei deities . He , however , required Psyche , who no longer had any dread of Venus , to take Proserpine ' s gift to his mother , he having , in the meanwhile , to attend the court of Olympus . The ruler of the highest Heaven ( JSwwmi Bec / nator Olympi ) , after some prescient and warning advice to his son , convened the highest assembly of the gods

and goddesses , and announced to them that " as Cupid had discovered Psyche to have been a creation of happiness , and that immortality and mortality would be alike eternal punishment without the happiness that they ( Cupid and Psyche ) were together able to give to existence , he had come to the conclusion that they should be now and here presently united . " Olympus , in full assembly , with one accord expressed their approbation , for even Venus dared not so much as to

murmur . The great Olympus himself then , having commanded the presence of Psyche , with his own hands administered to her the immortalising ambrosia , " Know , " he said , " by this reserved proof of our favour , lovely , and to be ever loved Psyche , you partake of the immortality of ourselves . Cupid and Psyche , with my benediction , I pronounce your union to be celebrated to all eternity—Jubiliatus , Julilo , Jiibilum . "

Amongst the nuptial assemblage , the Goddess of Beauty was observed to be as well pleased and as ' gay as any of them . As in heaven , so in earth , there was a never-to-beforgotten jubilee . The happy couple , in course of time , added to the celestial deities a young daughterwho became famous

, for her beauty , under the name of Volupia or Volupta , one of the tutelar goddesses presiding over adult persons , and of pleasure . In whatsoever manner Cupid and Psyche have formed the themes and paintings of poets and the groups of many scultorsthey were never more

p , truthfully and beautifully , though emblematically , represented than at the present day . The Cupid and Psyche , found on Mount Aventino , and placed in the Sola del Pauno of the Capitoline Museum , is statuary now only valuable for being a piece of antiquity . But Volupia was not the only offspring of Cupid and

Psyche . " Mercy and truth endureth for ever . " By the mystical union of love and the soul , salvation came into the world through that God in whom all must place their trust .

Impromptu.

IMPROMPTU .

On a young Freemason saying to R . E . S . " I wish I could work like you . " The queen of flowers once stoop ' tl to see The lahours of a liuinhlo Bee , And found , from every fragrant flower In every wood , in every bower , In every grove , in every dell From TuliEoseand lil ' s cell

p , , y , The little chemist culled his store ; His silver and his golden ore , And stowed it in his waxen cone , From her or any other drone . If nature or grim want should ask The fruits of his laborious task . Pleased with the siht at firstsaid she

g , , " I wish I could but work like tliee . " " Why Madam , so you could , " ciied he , If you would taste its sweets like me , Your simple . ' working humble lee . " —Babbicomoe Bay .