Classical Theology.—Lvi.

announced his return , aud the nearer approach of their promised union . Thus Avas Psyche happy ; she had no desire to see her lover— "but as yet only a brief period had elapsed , and Cupid had not consented to her holding any communication with her relations . On the contrary , on pain of impending ruinhe fervently Avarned her to

, receive no visitors for the present . To depart from these injunctions Psyche probably had no particular desire , but being left by herself , she could not but at times feel lonely ; it was , perhaps , therefore not Avithout some apparent pleasure Psyche one evening informed Cupid that she had encountered a stranger

near her grotto , who assured her she Avas the . Nymph of the Grove , and could tell all that Avas to happen , or she might Avish to happen to her , she being able to predict future events . Cupid , with manifest consternation , assured Psyche he Avas convinced the so-called visible goddess Avas the presiding oracle of one of the

idolatrous shrines AA'hich had j ust been set up hy men . " Let me persuade you , my sweet Psyche , " he said , " it would be the cause of much unhappiness to you should she induce you to follow her advice . For our mutual good , and as you value our unalterable love , depend upon my Avord of warning—yor . had better

refuse to have any intercourse Avith her , or any of her likeness . " Psyche promised to be upon her guard , yet she mentally concluded that there could be little or no harm in forming an acquaintance AA'ith one so youthful , condescending , ancl attractive in appearance as this professed fortune-telling Dryade . On the folloAving morning the Nymph of the Grove called at the palace , and , as might be surmised , Psyche

thought she would he acting unkindly in objecting to see her . In fact , the guileless spirit Avas no match for the subtle goddess . Consequently , the latter soon 'obtained from her A'ictim all she Avas desirous of knowing concerning her . This point gained , Psyche was secretly laughed at by the Goddess . Dissembling , howevershe artfully observed that the inexplicable

, contrivance insisted on by her highly eccentric , if not sly adorer , of preventing her recognition of him Avas enough , she should think , to dissipate all the pleasures by which she Avas surrounded . " So to act , " she said , " he might be tlie most hideous of monsters ; , and 1 . cannot refrain from telling you it is rumoured he is

as malignant as he is known to be capricious . I suggest that you can at least manage just to take a peep at him Avhen he is asleep ; behold , in case he should attempt to murder you , I leave Avith you this golden 2 > oignard . " So saying , she disappeared from off the seat she had occupied , like a vision .

Spiteful curiosity , or the tempting spirit of J . nquisitiveness had now entered the embodiment of the soul of Psycho , the affianced one , though not yet united to the God of Love . Contrary , therefore , to the affectionate prohibitions of Cupid , Psyche impatiently Avaited for the moment of stealing upon his sleep .

With lamp in one hand , and the golden weapon in the other , she cautiously advanced unto the couch Avhereon he calmly slumbered . So great then ancl ecstatic became her astonishment on seeing and contemplating the heavenly fairness and serene beauty of the reposing God , that her armed hand relaxed its grasp , and the fatal poignard in its fall , wounding Love ' s breast , awoke liim . " Ungrateful aud unhappy Psyche , " exclaimed Cupid , with sorrowful concern , on beholding her dis-

Classical Theology.—Lvi.

obedience , "the Queen Venus , my mother , envious and offended Avith all she has heard respecting you commanded me to attach you to a monster for a hel pmate , and I , seeing you , betrothed you to myself . HOAV have you rewarded my unfailing tenderness ? This bleeding wound in my breast may he typical of

woman's affections ; I go hence ; great are the trials in store for you ; we may never more see each other or meet again ; most sari is my fareAvell ! " Thus reproachfully condemning her conduct , he made himself invisible , and Psyche felt he had abandoned her . Insufferable was now the dismay and anguish of the

wretched mortalised Goddess , or Spirit , the Princess Psyche . Distractedly , and not knowing AA'hat she did , she rushed forth from her palace , and Avould have destroyed herself by a leap from a precipice , or into the sea , had not her agony of mind brought on a- comaor fainting fit , and the restoring relief of a swoon , deep and death-like , into which she sank .

Masonic Facts.

MASONIC FACTS .

( Continued from p . 405 J . 230 . The celebrated Monastery of Batalha , Portugal , commenced about 1388 . —A Portugese historian ( Joze Soares de Sylva ) says that the architect Avas named David Hacket , who then lived in Vianna de Camhinha as may be seen in one of the memoirs of Pr . Antonio

de Madureira , a Domonican Priar and a celebrated genealogist . Pr . Luis cle Souza , tlie historian of the Monastery , says that the King ( Don John ) invited from distant countries the most celebrated architects that could . be found , and collected from all parts the most dexterous and skilful stone-cutters ; to some he held out honours , to some great wages , and to some both . The King ordered an agent , ivith the title of Surveyor , of the Works , to reside in the vicinity , to

Fi ^ . Uli . —Masons' JIai-ks from ( he I . ' a' . hallia . whom a great number of workmen of different trades , Avere allowed , as often as there was necessity , to build or repair any part ; these he honoured Avith certain exemptions and privileges . And that there mig ht be no fault or delays in accolishing everything that

mp Avas Avanting , he commanded that they should be numerous , to Avit 125 stone-cutlers , 50 quarrymen , 20 carters , 10 labouers , 1 smith , and only 2 carpenters , there being no timber in the structure excepting the doors .