EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE. The two Pillars represent two imaginary columns, supposed to be placed at the equinoxes, to support the heavens. The one on the left is called Boaz, and indicates Osiris, or the Sun: the one on the right is called Jachin, and designates Isis, the symbol, both of the earth and its productions, and of the Moon. The Arch, supported by the two pillars, is a representation of the semicircle made by the apparent course of the sun in the upper hemisphere, from Aries to Libra inclusive; from whence originates the name of the royal arch degree of masonry.. The Seven Stars, are the Pleiades, "a small platoon of stars, says Pluche, very remarkable, most known, and easiest to be distinguished, of all the constellations. They were particularly useful to regulate the informations given to the disciples of the priests, by means of an atlas." "They were, says Bailey, very famous among men, because they intimate the season of the year." The Blazing Star is Anubis, the Dog-star; whose rising forewarned the Egyptians of the approach of the overflowing of the Nile. Hence the great veneration in which it was held by them, and which has descended to the Freemasons. The G indicates Geometry, the knowledge of which was of vast importance to the Egyptians in measuring their lands,-the boundaries of individual property being removed by the inundation of the Nile. This science, consequently, was considered by them divine; and acquired a sort of mystical union with the Deity. The G, however, was not intended as the initial of the word God, that term being unknown to the Egyptians. The Square and Compass, as instruments in the science of geometry, became an emblem of justice; because through their means, every one had his "old land-marks" restored to him. The Cornucopia, or Horn of Abundance, was a symbol used by the Egyptians to denote the sun's being in the sign Capricorn, when the harvest was gathered, and consequently an abundance of provisions laid up in store. The Armorial Bearings are those of royal arch masonry; for an explanation of which, see Cherubim, page 243. The Checkered Flooring, called mosaic or musaic work, represents the variegated face of the earth in the places where the ancients used formerly to hold their religious assemblies. This imitation was made when temple-worship was introduced, to reconcile the people to the change. For the origin of the term mosaic, or musaic work, see page 288. The Cenotaph, or Mock-Coffin, used in the anniversaries, is typical of the death of the sun in the inferior hemisphere, under the name of Osiris; who is personated by the Hiram of masonry. The Mysterious Trunk, on the left of the coffin, is a copy of those used by the ancients for a deposition of memorials of past events; and the box, on the right, is the form of those used by Freemasons for a similar purpose. Among the emblems of masonry, in Cross's Chart, is the figure of a Key, which is also generally displayed in masonic Monitors. The key was the attribute of Anubis, the Dog-star, in aftertimes denominated Mercury, and indicated the closing of one year, and opening of another; because the Egyptians formerly commenced the year at the rising of this star. Its employment was afterwards extended to the opening and shutting the place of departed spirits. The Popes of Rome, consequently, now claim it as their appropriate badge of office. The meaning of this symbol not having been preserved in the lodge, is there assigned to its Treasurer. ADVERTISEMENT. As some works, frequently alluded to in this volume, may not be familiar to readers in general, it is requisite to describe them more particularly than was convenient to do when making references to them. In fact, often the names of the authors only are mentioned; of such, therefore, I will here give the titles more fully, with the dates of the editions. The work of Bailey, from which many quotations are made, is entitled "An Universal English Dictionary of Words, and of Arts and Sciences, illustrated with 260 cuts." London, 1759. This is a continuation of his etymological dictionary, but entirely distinct from that work. "An Exposure of Freemasonry;" published in London, 1825, in a periodical, entitled "The Republican," edited by Richard Carlile. "Light on Masonry." By Elder David Bernard: Utica, 1829. This work contains an exposition of 48 degrees of Freemasonry. "A Ritual of Freemasonry, illustrated with numerous engravings." By Avery Allyn Boston, 1831. This volume treats of 33 degrees of the order. Volney's Ruins, here made use of, is the New-York edition of 1828. ERRATA.-Many errors, which may appear in some copies, were corrected after a few sheets were struck off. Those which mar the sense, and mistakes in the spelling of classical words, as well as others in the learned languages, which the general reader could not correct, will alone be taken notice of. For Et foror and conjux, Page 22, Line 13, read, Et soror et conjux.-p. 28, 1. 10, repofitum and Ofiridis; repositum, Osiridis.-p. 11, 1. 38, Nemefis; Nemesis.-p. 30, I. 32, Jevov; Jehov.-p. 35, 1. 26, that their founder of colony; that founder of their colony.-p. 40, 1. 9, Dionyisus; Dionysius.-p. 41, 1. 10, Sabio; Saboi.-p. 49, 1. 27, Hannadi; Hannabi.-p. 52, 1. 12, Daedalus; Dædalus.-p. 56, l. 7, Pegassus; Pegasus.—p. 56, l. 13, Stabro; Strabo.-p. 86, 1. 14, covering; convening.—p. 86, 1. 15, That; Thus. N. B. Ibid., page 152, line 10, refers to Moore's Epicurean, to which the preceding extract from Dupuis should have been credited. The running title of Ch. III, should have commenced at page 142, instead of 156. In page 318, the Defence of Freemasonry is referred to as having been before noticed, whereas that article was printed subsequently. The extract commencing at page 333, and ending at 335, should be credited to Fontenelle's History of Oracles. CONTENTS. Origin, Nature, and Object, of the Ancient Mysteries; abridged from Bishop Warburton's Divine Legation of Moses; with An Examination of Virgil's Sixth Book of the Eneid: in which it is shown, that the allegorical descent of Eneas into Hell, is no other than an enigmatical representation of his initia- The Metamorphosis of Apuleius: and the Amour of Cupid and Psyche. Also: a Sketch of the Life and Doctrines of Pythagoras, the founder of the sect that bore his name: DEGREES IN FREEMASONRY, OF WHICH NOTICE IS TAKEN IN THIS VOLUME. 48 5 25 62 67 70 72 Page. 281 292 294 307 311 324 339 343 344 352 400 INTRODUCTION. THE original object of the secret rites of freemasonry has been a subject of inquiry for upwards of six hundred years, and the enigma seems not to have been satisfactorily solved. The initiated, as well as those without the pale of the order, are equally ignorant of their derivation and import. What mote it be? is a question as difficult of solution now as when first propounded by king Henry VI. of England. The intention of this work is to endeavor to unravel the intricate web in which the mystery is involved, by tracing the order back to its source, and, by showing its intimate connection and similitude to institutions more ancient, put it beyond a doubt, that it sprang from, and is a continuation of the rites and ceremonies observed in those establishments. Had a work, taken notice of by the Abbe Barruel, fallen into the hands of the editor, he would probably have been saved much trouble in the prosecution of this research." We recommend, says he, to our reader to peruse the treatise of a most learned and zealous mason, dedicated Demen die es Verstehen, or To those who can understand. He leaves no stone unturned throughout antiquity to prove the identity of the ancient mysteries of Eleusis, of the Jews, of the Druids, and of the Egyptians, with those of freemasonry." In pursuance of this course, it becomes necessary to take a transient view of the dogmas and customs of Egypt in the remotest |