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Literature.
next dilates upon thc principles of the Order , Avhich arc quaintly but not forcibl y delineated , and g lances at some various opinions upon the origin of Freemasonry . He then discourses , as follows , upon the earliest knoAvn architects : — " As architecture could onl y be preceded by agriculture itself , it must have been in this science that the first efforts of human skill wore tried , and in which man must have first experienced success in extending his
dominion over thc works of nature . The first architects , therefore Avould be philosophers . They alone required the assistance of art , anil they alone would endeavour to obtain it . The information which was acquired individually , would be imparted to others of the same profession ; an association would be formed for the mutual communication of knowledge , and the mutual improvement of its members . In order to preserve among themselves that information which they alone collected ; in order to incite amongst others a higher degree of respect for
their profession , and prevent the intrusion of those who were ignorant oi architecture , and consequently could not promote the object of the institution , appropriate words aud signs would be communicated to its members ; significant ceremonies would be performed at their initiation , that their engagement to secrecy might be impressed upon their minds , and greater regard excited for the information they were to receive . Nor is this mere speculation ; there exist at this day , in the deserts of ^ gyptsuch architectural monuments as must have been reared in
, those early ages which precede the records of authentic history ; and the erection of those stupendous fabrics must have required an acquaintance with the mechanical arts which is not in the possession of modern architects . It is an undoubted fact also , that there existed in those days a particular association of men to whom scientific knowledge was confined , anil who resembled the Society of Free Masons in every thing but the nanio . "
This theory it must be confessed is hi ghly ingenious , and perhaps not without foundation ; but the speculative opinions of modern antiquaries and the various interpretations of ancient authors hardl y warrant an historian in accepting as " undoubted facts " such assertions as the foregoing—at least , unless he has stronger proofs in reserve than are in the present instance given to the public .
Having traced the inarch of civilization from Egypt to Greece , Bro . Laurie revives the much discussed question of the identit } ' of the Eleusinian mysteries with those of Freemasonry ; and with considerable ability states thc case of their being one and the same . He combats the objections -which were entertained by many good men in those bygone ages to partake in the knowledge of the secrets of the Dyonisia and Eleusinia ; yet , somewhat inconsistently , after
claiming a high origin for these ceremonies and comparing their morality to the pure precepts of our Order , be adds that their suppression dates from the fifth century , when the " pagan theology " was overturned—surel y this is not a very high standard by which to estimate our principles . Much more ably defined is the similarity between the fraternity of Dionysian artificers and our own brethren . Bro . Laurie says : — " The Dionysian Artificers who were very numerous in Asia , and existed under the same appellation in Syria , Persia , and India . About three hundred years before the birth of Christ a great number of them were
incorporated , by command of the kings of Pergamos , who assigned to them Teos as a settlement , being the city of their tutelary god . The members of this association , who were profoundly learned in the Dionysian mysteries , Avere distinguished from the unitiated inhabitants of Teos by the science which they possessed , and by appropriate words and signs whereby they could recognize their brethren of the Order . Like Free Masons , they were divided into Lodges which were distinguished by dillerent appellations . They occasionally held convivial meetings in
houses erected and consecrated for this purpose ; and each separate association was under the direction of a master , and presidents or wardens . They held a general meeting once a year , which was solemnized with great pomp and festivity , and at which the brethren partook of a splendid entertainment provided by the master , after they had finished the sacrifices to their gods , especially to their patron Bacchus . The more opulent artists were bound to provide for the exigencies of their poorer brethren ; and in their ceremonial observances they used
particular utensils , some of which were exactly similar to those that are employed by tho Fraternity of Free Masons . The very monuments which were reared by these Masons to the memory of their masters and wardens remain to the present day in the Turkish burying grounds at Sivevlnssar and Eraki . The inscriptions upon tUe . m . express iu strong terms the gratitude of tho Fraternity for their disinterested exertions in behalf of the Order ; for their generosity and benevolence to its individual members ; for their private virtues , as well as for their public conduct . "
Some interesting speculations of Bro . Laurie's upon the ancient sects of the Essencs and thc Kasideans in thc Holy Land arc wOrthy of attentive perusal ; and did time and space permit , Ave should be tempted to dilate upon them . The connection between the tenets of the Pythagorean and other ancient philosophical bodies and those of Masonry are ably touched upon , and the fact
of tho unmerited persecution which both in common have received at various periods of the world ' s history , is certainly AVCII established , though it hardly proves their identity . Wc shall return to this subject next Aveck . NOTES ON LITERATURE , SCIENCE , AND ART .
Two of the , brightest ornaments of tho modern literature of our language have within the last few days gone to their final rest—Thomas De Quineey and Washington Irving . Of the former a contemporary well remarks : — " His conversation had an inexpressible charm—with all that beauty of language , subtlety of thought , variety of illustration , aud quaintness of humour that distinguish his writings . His talk never either became pedanticor degenerated into soliloquy or monologue ; it
, was that of a highly accomplished scholar and gentleman . A nature so deep aud tender drew towards itself affection as largely as admiration ; and with profound esteem for the learning , the power , tho genius of the writer , will always mingle much of love for the man . It will be longbefore the literature of England can boast a renewal of such a rare combination of scholarship , of analytic force , of acute reasoning , and
courageous speculation , with such imaginative power and deep allembracing sympathy as this generation has had the privilege of knowing in Thomas De Quiueey . " Mr . De Quiuccy was upwards of seventyyears of age ; he expired at his residence at Lasswade , near Edinburgh , surrounded by his family . Washington Irving died a few weeks ago at his beautiful residence" Simuyside" at the venerable age of seventy-six .
, , He was born on the 3 rd of April , 1783 , in New York City . His early studies were in view of the law , but a love of literature was even then predominant , and seemed to be engrafted in his nature as its master passion ; and before he was twenty-one he began his career as a writer .
After having achieved a popularity as an author rarely equalled in England aud in America , the brilliant author of the " Conquest of Granada , " was in 1329 appointed Secretary to the American embassy in Spain , and resided in Europe till 1 S 32 . Iu 1 S 42 , Mr . Irving was honoured with tho appointment of Minister to Spain , and at the end of his official term in 1846 , he returned to this country . In 1 S 4 S , he superintended a revised edition of his works ; in 1 S 49 , published his
delightful biography "Oliver Goldsmith ; " and , in 1 S 50 , " Mahomet and his Successors "—and then " Wolfort's Roost . " Irviug ' s heart , for several years had been fixed upon a "Life of Washington , " and the completion of a graceful narrative , which will over be a . monument to his industry and patriotism , was the crowning work of a literary career equalled by few of his contemporaries . It is said that the first order given to the printers by the publishers
of the Oornhill Mtitjm ' mc was for 00 , 000 copies . Mr . Thackeray ' s New Year ' s appearance in the character of editor is heralded by whispers of thc contents of No . 1 . A new story hy the editor , entitled " Lovell , the Widower , " with illustrations by the writer , and the first of another series of papers by tho same hand are mentioned . Also the commencement of a new story , by Mr . Anthony Trollopo ; a paper on China , by
Sir John Bowring ; another by Mr . CI . II . Lewes , on Animal Life ; a discourse on our Volunteer Force , by Sir John Burgoyno ; and the . " Private Journal of an Oflicer of the Fox" - —all for the starting number . The Jiviex Gazette says : — " We understand that Mr . Anthony Trollope will succeed Mr . George Neal as post office surveyor for this district . Mr . Trollopo is a son of Mrs . Trollope , the celebrated writer , and is himself a talented and popular author . " Mr . Josiah Allen , of Birmingham , has in thc press a facsimile edition of the Duke of Devonshire ' s quarto copies of "Hamlet , " of 1003 and
1 ( 304 . The second volume of Mr . Buckle ' s " History of Civilization , " is stated to bo in preparation by Messrs . J . V . Parker and Son . The same publishers announce the third volume of Mr . Massey ' s " History of England during the reign of George III ., " and the fifth and sixth volumes of Mr . Fronde ' s "History of England . " It' common report , lie not indeed a common liar , there are some prizes
still left in the lottery of the press . Mr . W . IT . Russell , the Times correspondent , is said to have received from Rotitledgo ; Gl ,. . O 0 for his Indian diary . Tho Leader newspaper is about to change its entire form . On and after the 7 th of January it will assume more of the tone and character of a magazine , and will be called Thc Leader and . Saliirdai / Anuli / sl . It will consist entirely of original articles , analysing fhe /_ current events in politics , literature , science , and the fine arts . In their address the managers say : " The new career thus designed for the Leader is / indeed , only
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Literature.
next dilates upon thc principles of the Order , Avhich arc quaintly but not forcibl y delineated , and g lances at some various opinions upon the origin of Freemasonry . He then discourses , as follows , upon the earliest knoAvn architects : — " As architecture could onl y be preceded by agriculture itself , it must have been in this science that the first efforts of human skill wore tried , and in which man must have first experienced success in extending his
dominion over thc works of nature . The first architects , therefore Avould be philosophers . They alone required the assistance of art , anil they alone would endeavour to obtain it . The information which was acquired individually , would be imparted to others of the same profession ; an association would be formed for the mutual communication of knowledge , and the mutual improvement of its members . In order to preserve among themselves that information which they alone collected ; in order to incite amongst others a higher degree of respect for
their profession , and prevent the intrusion of those who were ignorant oi architecture , and consequently could not promote the object of the institution , appropriate words aud signs would be communicated to its members ; significant ceremonies would be performed at their initiation , that their engagement to secrecy might be impressed upon their minds , and greater regard excited for the information they were to receive . Nor is this mere speculation ; there exist at this day , in the deserts of ^ gyptsuch architectural monuments as must have been reared in
, those early ages which precede the records of authentic history ; and the erection of those stupendous fabrics must have required an acquaintance with the mechanical arts which is not in the possession of modern architects . It is an undoubted fact also , that there existed in those days a particular association of men to whom scientific knowledge was confined , anil who resembled the Society of Free Masons in every thing but the nanio . "
This theory it must be confessed is hi ghly ingenious , and perhaps not without foundation ; but the speculative opinions of modern antiquaries and the various interpretations of ancient authors hardl y warrant an historian in accepting as " undoubted facts " such assertions as the foregoing—at least , unless he has stronger proofs in reserve than are in the present instance given to the public .
Having traced the inarch of civilization from Egypt to Greece , Bro . Laurie revives the much discussed question of the identit } ' of the Eleusinian mysteries with those of Freemasonry ; and with considerable ability states thc case of their being one and the same . He combats the objections -which were entertained by many good men in those bygone ages to partake in the knowledge of the secrets of the Dyonisia and Eleusinia ; yet , somewhat inconsistently , after
claiming a high origin for these ceremonies and comparing their morality to the pure precepts of our Order , be adds that their suppression dates from the fifth century , when the " pagan theology " was overturned—surel y this is not a very high standard by which to estimate our principles . Much more ably defined is the similarity between the fraternity of Dionysian artificers and our own brethren . Bro . Laurie says : — " The Dionysian Artificers who were very numerous in Asia , and existed under the same appellation in Syria , Persia , and India . About three hundred years before the birth of Christ a great number of them were
incorporated , by command of the kings of Pergamos , who assigned to them Teos as a settlement , being the city of their tutelary god . The members of this association , who were profoundly learned in the Dionysian mysteries , Avere distinguished from the unitiated inhabitants of Teos by the science which they possessed , and by appropriate words and signs whereby they could recognize their brethren of the Order . Like Free Masons , they were divided into Lodges which were distinguished by dillerent appellations . They occasionally held convivial meetings in
houses erected and consecrated for this purpose ; and each separate association was under the direction of a master , and presidents or wardens . They held a general meeting once a year , which was solemnized with great pomp and festivity , and at which the brethren partook of a splendid entertainment provided by the master , after they had finished the sacrifices to their gods , especially to their patron Bacchus . The more opulent artists were bound to provide for the exigencies of their poorer brethren ; and in their ceremonial observances they used
particular utensils , some of which were exactly similar to those that are employed by tho Fraternity of Free Masons . The very monuments which were reared by these Masons to the memory of their masters and wardens remain to the present day in the Turkish burying grounds at Sivevlnssar and Eraki . The inscriptions upon tUe . m . express iu strong terms the gratitude of tho Fraternity for their disinterested exertions in behalf of the Order ; for their generosity and benevolence to its individual members ; for their private virtues , as well as for their public conduct . "
Some interesting speculations of Bro . Laurie's upon the ancient sects of the Essencs and thc Kasideans in thc Holy Land arc wOrthy of attentive perusal ; and did time and space permit , Ave should be tempted to dilate upon them . The connection between the tenets of the Pythagorean and other ancient philosophical bodies and those of Masonry are ably touched upon , and the fact
of tho unmerited persecution which both in common have received at various periods of the world ' s history , is certainly AVCII established , though it hardly proves their identity . Wc shall return to this subject next Aveck . NOTES ON LITERATURE , SCIENCE , AND ART .
Two of the , brightest ornaments of tho modern literature of our language have within the last few days gone to their final rest—Thomas De Quineey and Washington Irving . Of the former a contemporary well remarks : — " His conversation had an inexpressible charm—with all that beauty of language , subtlety of thought , variety of illustration , aud quaintness of humour that distinguish his writings . His talk never either became pedanticor degenerated into soliloquy or monologue ; it
, was that of a highly accomplished scholar and gentleman . A nature so deep aud tender drew towards itself affection as largely as admiration ; and with profound esteem for the learning , the power , tho genius of the writer , will always mingle much of love for the man . It will be longbefore the literature of England can boast a renewal of such a rare combination of scholarship , of analytic force , of acute reasoning , and
courageous speculation , with such imaginative power and deep allembracing sympathy as this generation has had the privilege of knowing in Thomas De Quiueey . " Mr . De Quiuccy was upwards of seventyyears of age ; he expired at his residence at Lasswade , near Edinburgh , surrounded by his family . Washington Irving died a few weeks ago at his beautiful residence" Simuyside" at the venerable age of seventy-six .
, , He was born on the 3 rd of April , 1783 , in New York City . His early studies were in view of the law , but a love of literature was even then predominant , and seemed to be engrafted in his nature as its master passion ; and before he was twenty-one he began his career as a writer .
After having achieved a popularity as an author rarely equalled in England aud in America , the brilliant author of the " Conquest of Granada , " was in 1329 appointed Secretary to the American embassy in Spain , and resided in Europe till 1 S 32 . Iu 1 S 42 , Mr . Irving was honoured with tho appointment of Minister to Spain , and at the end of his official term in 1846 , he returned to this country . In 1 S 4 S , he superintended a revised edition of his works ; in 1 S 49 , published his
delightful biography "Oliver Goldsmith ; " and , in 1 S 50 , " Mahomet and his Successors "—and then " Wolfort's Roost . " Irviug ' s heart , for several years had been fixed upon a "Life of Washington , " and the completion of a graceful narrative , which will over be a . monument to his industry and patriotism , was the crowning work of a literary career equalled by few of his contemporaries . It is said that the first order given to the printers by the publishers
of the Oornhill Mtitjm ' mc was for 00 , 000 copies . Mr . Thackeray ' s New Year ' s appearance in the character of editor is heralded by whispers of thc contents of No . 1 . A new story hy the editor , entitled " Lovell , the Widower , " with illustrations by the writer , and the first of another series of papers by tho same hand are mentioned . Also the commencement of a new story , by Mr . Anthony Trollopo ; a paper on China , by
Sir John Bowring ; another by Mr . CI . II . Lewes , on Animal Life ; a discourse on our Volunteer Force , by Sir John Burgoyno ; and the . " Private Journal of an Oflicer of the Fox" - —all for the starting number . The Jiviex Gazette says : — " We understand that Mr . Anthony Trollope will succeed Mr . George Neal as post office surveyor for this district . Mr . Trollopo is a son of Mrs . Trollope , the celebrated writer , and is himself a talented and popular author . " Mr . Josiah Allen , of Birmingham , has in thc press a facsimile edition of the Duke of Devonshire ' s quarto copies of "Hamlet , " of 1003 and
1 ( 304 . The second volume of Mr . Buckle ' s " History of Civilization , " is stated to bo in preparation by Messrs . J . V . Parker and Son . The same publishers announce the third volume of Mr . Massey ' s " History of England during the reign of George III ., " and the fifth and sixth volumes of Mr . Fronde ' s "History of England . " It' common report , lie not indeed a common liar , there are some prizes
still left in the lottery of the press . Mr . W . IT . Russell , the Times correspondent , is said to have received from Rotitledgo ; Gl ,. . O 0 for his Indian diary . Tho Leader newspaper is about to change its entire form . On and after the 7 th of January it will assume more of the tone and character of a magazine , and will be called Thc Leader and . Saliirdai / Anuli / sl . It will consist entirely of original articles , analysing fhe /_ current events in politics , literature , science , and the fine arts . In their address the managers say : " The new career thus designed for the Leader is / indeed , only