Freemasonry In France.

there are t > 3 French and 33 Scottish , in all 86 lodges , belonging to Paris and its environs . Paris itself has a total of 73 lodges , Marseilles 13 , Lyons 11 , Bordeaux 9 , Toulouse 5 , Havre 4 , Rouen 4 , Lille 1 , Montpellier 1 . Twenty-two out

of the 89 departments have not yet been "invaded" by Masonry . The most ancient of the French lodges are the folloAving : — Founded in Loge Anglaise , of Bordeaux 1732 Parfaite Union , of Rennes 1748

Parfaite Silence , Lyons 1762 Parfaite Union , Rodez 1762 Fran ? aise 6 hie Ecossaise , Bordeaux 1764 Coeurs-Unis , Paris 1765 Sincerite , Parfaite Union , Besan

Parfaite Sincerite , Marseilles 1767 St . Jean de Jerusalem , Nancy 1771 Themis , Caen 1772

Secret Sciences Of The Ancients.

SECRET SCIENCES OF THE ANCIENTS .

Among the practitioners of the magical arts , the Chaldeans Avere pre-eminent . They appear to have been one of the tribes or nations that made up the community at Babylon . Diodorus Siculus gives ns the best account of them , and describes them

as the more ancient Babylonians . After describing their varied skill in different branches of science , and their power in foretelling future events , he makes some approving observations on their method of study , stating that their knowledge was

transmitted traditionally from father to son , thus proceeding on long-established rules . He says : — " As they foretold things to come to other kings formerly , so they did to Alexander , who conquered Darius , and to his successors Antigonus and

Seleucus Nicator ; and accordingly things fell out as they declared . They also tell private men their fortunes so certainly that those AVIIO have found the thing true by experience have esteemed it a miracle beyond the art of man to perform . "

The historian is evidently very favourable in his remarks , and hence it is presumed he was a sincere believer in all the performances of the magical arts . It is , however , acknowledged that the attainments of this early people in the science of

astronomy were great , but that was rendered subservient to the practice of astrology or the attempt to read the future in the aspect of the stars . Their boasted acquirements were put to the proof by Nebuchadnezzar , when he commanded them to " shew the king his dreams . " ( Dan . ii . 2 . )

The Chaldeans in endeavouring to solve the vision of King Nebuchadnezzar failed in Babylon , as the magicians had done in Egypt under Pharoah , to explain Avhat was regarded as a prognostic of the future , and in both cases it Avas necessary

to call in the aid of one who had a direct communication from heaven . The same has been the case in all attempts to explain the future , and to disclose Avhat man Avas so desirous of knowing about the invisible Avorld . All reliance on

astrology , necromancy , oracles , dreams , and the revelations of the abstruse sciences , has failed . Astrology has ceased to be a science , and the stars are studied for other purposes than to disclose future events ; necromancy has ceased to be a

science , for no one hopes to be able to make a compact with the dead , in virtue of which they will disclose the secrets of the inArisible world .

The magic of the Chaldeans comprehended all the occult sciences . The learned Moses Maimonides reveals to us that the first part of their magic was a knowledge of metals , plants , and animals . The second indicated the times when

magical performances might be carried on , that is ,, when the system , the temperature of the air , the state of the atmosphere , favoured the success of physical and chemical operations , or permitted a well informed and attentive man to predict a

natural phenomenon , always unexpected by the vulgar . The third taught the actions , postures ,, Avords , intelligible and unintelligible , Avhich should accompany the proceedings of the thaumaturgist . Thus , the mystery of magic disappears : introduced into the sanctuary of occult sciences , Ave see there only a school in Avhich the different branches of

natural science Avere taught ; and we can admit in a literal sense all that mythology and history relate respecting men and women , whom skilful instructors had invested with the possession of the tenets of magic , and AVIIO frequently showed

themselves superior to their masters . It wassufficient that after having undergone prescribed trials to ascertain his discretion , the pupil devoted himself zealously to the study of the secret science , and that his perseverance and capacity allowed him to

advance it ; an advantage he subsequently retained for himself , or communicated only partially to the objects of his good will . Meteorology , or the knowledge of the physical causes which affect the atmosphere , or one affected by it , Avas , in ancient times , wholly unknown to all but the learned few , and these were the priests