Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , Mb — : 0 : — The Isiac Tablet of Cardinal Bembo ; its Histonj and Occult Signification . By Bro . W . WYNN WESTCOTT , M . B . Bath : M . H . Fryar .
OUR able Bro . W . Wynn Westcott has recently edited a volume containing a copy of the curious Tablet termed the Isiac , with a convenient and appropriate commentary upon the same . Tbe Isiac Tablet , termed also Tabula Bembina , Mensa Isiaca , was for some time in the possession of Cardinal Bembo ; hence ifcs secondary
appellation . Its history is most singular and striking . As Bro . Westcott well puts it , " mysterious in its conception , and of unknown origin , " it " merits examination and research . " It is now in Turin , though it has passed throngh various startling vicissitudes .
Ifc was at Rome when the Constable Bourbon stormed and sacked the Eternal City . Ifc was then sold to Cardinal Bembo , and at his death came into the possession of the Duke of Mantua . When Mantua was besieged and taken , and plundered by the army
of the Emperor Ferdinand II ., ifc fell into the hands of Cardinal Pava , who presented it to the Duke of Savoy . It is , as we said before , at Turin , in the Royal Palace , and is now described as a " pretty large copper plate , with silver imagery inlaid
amid other steel enamel . Another description of it is as follows : — The Isiac Tablet is of bronze , the designs are inlaid upon its upper surface , and are composed partly of silver , and partly of a dark covered enamel , whioh has somewhat of the tint of steel , niello
work . It is 50 inches in length by 30 inches in breadth . The earliest writer by whom it is mentioned in print would seem to be , as Bro . Westcott points ont , Laurentius Pignorius , of Padua , who published an account of it , with a reduced drawing , at Venice in
1605 . A drawing of ifc , without any explanatory letter-press , was indeed published afc Venice in 1559 , by ___ . eas de Vico , and a second edition was also published at Venice in lfiOO by Jacques Franco . Other copies of it have since appeared , but none since that by Montfaucon in 1717 ,
it is believed , until the present edition . We may add the drawing of the Tablet was made by Brother Westcott himself , many years ago , and strikes us as exceedingly skilful , artistic , and accurate . This curions relic of fche past has
occupied the attention and student-labours of very many learned men , amongst whom may be cited such as Pignorius , Montfaucon , Shuckford , Kiroher , Warburton , Keysler , Caylus , Chifflet , the Abb « Bauier , the Abbe Pluche , Jablonski , Wilkinson , Eliphaz Levi , Bonwick and others .
About its age opinions have differed much , some believing it to be a very early specimen , some say of Roman art , while others accept it as a genuine relic of an Egyptian Temple , though its actual date is not quite so clear . We gather from Bro . Westcotfc's words that Egyptologists are
nofc " at one on this subject . Sir Gardner Wilkinson pronounces it a palpable forgery . M . Pierret , Keeper of the Antiquities of the Louvre , says it is purely Roman in art and idea , and not Egyptian afc all , and executed in the time of Hadrian , while the learned Winkelmann declares " this
monument has all the character of the most ancient Egyptian art . " It is undoubtedly in itself a most interesting specimen of the graving art , whether Italian or Egyptian , and whether it in truth
hails from the land of the Pharaohs , or is an early Roman Tablet in honour of Isis ; and it seems , therefore , to call for the candid consideration and close study of student-archaeologists , whether Masonic or non-Masonic .
It is , no doubt , certain thafc when the " Religiones Peregrina . " established themselves at Rome , the cult of Isis , like that of Mithras , seems to have been largely patronised by indigenous and foreign votaries . On the whole , the probability is , we think , clearlv educed , that
the Tablet represents , as Kircher has it ( he ia not , we know , a safe guide to follow ) , a Temple Tablet from one or other of the Egyptian shrines , deposited there , or suspended there , in honour and in veneration of Isis . Whafc it really represents i _ quite another aud verv difficult matter
to decide or explain . Ifc may be , as some one has suggested , a mystical Calendar of fche Seasons , or it may represent one of many Egyptian forms of occult meaning and Hieratic teaching . It may , on the other band , be nothing bufc a simple Egyptian
tributary tablet to Isis , or even Neifcb . Ifc may have reference to secret ceremonies , or even to the mysteries , of which the Greek and Latin nso was the reflex expression ; it may even have some connection with a portion of tho
mysterious ritual of the Book of the Dead . It certainly seems , when ifc is studied carefully , by v . hat we yet know of tho Egyptian hid . leu belief nnd . mythology , to cover ground reserved for esoteric docttincs and ritual " . iporreta . "
There must bo somo meaning attached to this artistic nnd peculiar grouping of figures , emblems , aud hieroglyphics . On this point we confess Bro . Westcotfc's explanations do not seem to us as clear aa thoy might be .
It is said , for instance , that the hieroglyphics are nofc readable by Egyptologists , and that they were formed by ono who neither understood tbe hieroglyphics or what they meant . This , if so , wonld necessarily settle the question as fco actual date . We may safely pass by good old Kircher's renderings , as none of them , here or elsewhere , have stood in the face of expert criticism
Reviews.
or the discovery of the key to the Hieroglyphic inscriptions by Young , Champollien , Birch , and others . But when we approach its real meaning , whether astronomical , mystic , or occult , in which latter our Bro . Westcott is a firm believer , we are confronted necessarily , and almost overwhelmed , by doubts ,
difficulties and gravest hesitation . We are inclined to repeat , " ex imo corde , " the words quoted by Bro . Westcott approvingly from an older writer , " Lector quisquis es , ant perlege , et si notes
perpende efc infcellige , aufcabsfcine a censura . Tha moment we touch upon occultism we reach to confines over which the greatest dimness , as well as the highest transcendentalism , reign supreme .
We cannot make an moursas into its " marvellous and far-extending domain , " without feeling at once how true was the great Newton ' a wise adage , thafc we are like children playing with pebbles on fche sea-shore ; all before us seems obscurity , uncertainty , mystery . We are as trembling neophytes halting afc fche door of the still
shrouded adytum . We seem to seek to raise—hnlf alarmedly , half hesitatingly—the intervening veil . The students of occultism have been comparatively few ; the snbject i immense , and is still , to a great extent , altogether
unexplored . It ia indeed an " undiscovered conntry , " except partially , and Eliphaz Levi , perhaps ifcs latest and most striking guide , has showed us thia , amidst many very significative explanations and startling dogmata , that the old Isiao sentence still is to the fore , and probably
will ever remain BO : — "lam Isis , and no mortal has ever yet withdrawn my veil . " Ifc is indeed possible that thafc remarkable writer and professor of occultism was right when he said thafc he saw in this Isiao Tablet an Hermetic , a mystic explanation of the lost Book of Thoth . By this he
means the key in fact to the alphabet of that fabled and incommunicable wisdom of prim _ eval epochs , whether found buried in fche tomb of Hermes or unfolded in the quaint terminology , the abstruse theories , the oryptio learning of Hermetic sages and Theosophists , hierophants , and mysfcagogues . This percolating throngh Oriental Hermefcicism ;
fche varions mysteries , Hebraic Kabbala , and Christianised Rosicradanism , tbe sagas and legends of the Sancfc Graal , and other consecutive legends forms an esoteric doctrine ever weird and sacred , which ha « possessed and still possesses a most lively interest for the " rapt student , " the thinking mind of all those who like to bury themselves
in the remains of primitive ages , and seek to unlock the mystic portals of the hidden wisdom and higher aspirations of mankind . Having said thus much , we prefer to leave Bro . Westcott to tell hid
own tale , which he does with equal lucidity and modesty . The students of the occult school seem increasing amongst us , and to them all we commend the perusal of this very striking and carefully compiled contribution .
VVe thank much Bro . Westcott for this his latest work on a subject he deals with con arriore and in such a workmanlike manner ; and wo trust it will not by any means be tho last contribution from hia pen .
Notices Of Meetings.
NOTICES OF MEETINGS .
GROVE LODGE , No . 410 . A REGULAR meeting of this Lodgo was held at tho Sun Hotel , Kingston-on-Thames , on Saturday , 3 rd inst ., when tho Worshipful Master , Bro . H . J . F . Dumas presided , supported bv Bros . H . J . P . Dumas as S . W ., Geo . White J . W ., A . C . Greenwood I . G ., W . E . Potter junior . Visitor—Bro . Hugh 0 . Dumas S . D . 859 , Lodge was openeil in form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and
cou-irmei . ; after which ifc was advanced , and Bros . Alfred Craven Greenwood and William Etty Potter wero raised to the snblime degree , the ceremony being performed in very efficient manner by the Worshipfnl Master . Subsequently a ! . tter wns road from Bro . Charles Greenwood P . P . G . R ., Prov . G . S ., t __ c . cri . _ g his resignation of the
Secretaryship of tho Lodge , an office which he has tilled some years . The reason assigned was , that in consequence of numerous professional engagements and Mnsonic duties in eonaeefci on with his appointments as Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Scribe E . for Surrey , he was unable to devote such time to the duties , as he
wished and considered necessary . He expressed regrefcat the severance of thafc connection with the Grove Lodge which lie hud so long enjoyed , but _ o should . o . .. intie to take an interest , in its welfare , and come amongst them as often as possible . Tho announcement was received with regret , and Bro . Greenwood ' s services to the Lodge as ifcs
Secretary wore spoken of io the most eulogistic terms . The Worshipfnl Master then invested Bro . Alfred Craven Greenwood as Assistant Secretary , asking him to convey the request to his brother to continue in office as Secretary until tho next installation meeting , as he did not consider ifc would be to the interest of the Lodge to disturb existing
arrangements afc an ordinary regular meeting . Some routine business having been disposed of , Lodge waa closed in harmony , and the brethren afterwards partook of a sumptuous banquet , " when tbe ctiRto . i _ . ry Masonic and other toasts were honoured , and a pleasant evening . ¦ moved .
LODGE OF LOYALTY , No . 1 G 07 . 'nil . 1 annual installation meeting of this comparatively young , -1- though assuredly progressive Lodge , was held on Saturday , 10 th inst ., at tho London Tavern , Fenchurch-stiv . t , Citv , E . G ., under the presidency of Bro . J . R . Large W . M . - Bros . Tl S . Gushing S . W ., A . J . Clark . / . VV . The other Officers and brefc ' reu in attendance were F . Brown P . M . Treasurer , J . Newton P . M . Secretary , E . Holds-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , Mb — : 0 : — The Isiac Tablet of Cardinal Bembo ; its Histonj and Occult Signification . By Bro . W . WYNN WESTCOTT , M . B . Bath : M . H . Fryar .
OUR able Bro . W . Wynn Westcott has recently edited a volume containing a copy of the curious Tablet termed the Isiac , with a convenient and appropriate commentary upon the same . Tbe Isiac Tablet , termed also Tabula Bembina , Mensa Isiaca , was for some time in the possession of Cardinal Bembo ; hence ifcs secondary
appellation . Its history is most singular and striking . As Bro . Westcott well puts it , " mysterious in its conception , and of unknown origin , " it " merits examination and research . " It is now in Turin , though it has passed throngh various startling vicissitudes .
Ifc was at Rome when the Constable Bourbon stormed and sacked the Eternal City . Ifc was then sold to Cardinal Bembo , and at his death came into the possession of the Duke of Mantua . When Mantua was besieged and taken , and plundered by the army
of the Emperor Ferdinand II ., ifc fell into the hands of Cardinal Pava , who presented it to the Duke of Savoy . It is , as we said before , at Turin , in the Royal Palace , and is now described as a " pretty large copper plate , with silver imagery inlaid
amid other steel enamel . Another description of it is as follows : — The Isiac Tablet is of bronze , the designs are inlaid upon its upper surface , and are composed partly of silver , and partly of a dark covered enamel , whioh has somewhat of the tint of steel , niello
work . It is 50 inches in length by 30 inches in breadth . The earliest writer by whom it is mentioned in print would seem to be , as Bro . Westcott points ont , Laurentius Pignorius , of Padua , who published an account of it , with a reduced drawing , at Venice in
1605 . A drawing of ifc , without any explanatory letter-press , was indeed published afc Venice in 1559 , by ___ . eas de Vico , and a second edition was also published at Venice in lfiOO by Jacques Franco . Other copies of it have since appeared , but none since that by Montfaucon in 1717 ,
it is believed , until the present edition . We may add the drawing of the Tablet was made by Brother Westcott himself , many years ago , and strikes us as exceedingly skilful , artistic , and accurate . This curions relic of fche past has
occupied the attention and student-labours of very many learned men , amongst whom may be cited such as Pignorius , Montfaucon , Shuckford , Kiroher , Warburton , Keysler , Caylus , Chifflet , the Abb « Bauier , the Abbe Pluche , Jablonski , Wilkinson , Eliphaz Levi , Bonwick and others .
About its age opinions have differed much , some believing it to be a very early specimen , some say of Roman art , while others accept it as a genuine relic of an Egyptian Temple , though its actual date is not quite so clear . We gather from Bro . Westcotfc's words that Egyptologists are
nofc " at one on this subject . Sir Gardner Wilkinson pronounces it a palpable forgery . M . Pierret , Keeper of the Antiquities of the Louvre , says it is purely Roman in art and idea , and not Egyptian afc all , and executed in the time of Hadrian , while the learned Winkelmann declares " this
monument has all the character of the most ancient Egyptian art . " It is undoubtedly in itself a most interesting specimen of the graving art , whether Italian or Egyptian , and whether it in truth
hails from the land of the Pharaohs , or is an early Roman Tablet in honour of Isis ; and it seems , therefore , to call for the candid consideration and close study of student-archaeologists , whether Masonic or non-Masonic .
It is , no doubt , certain thafc when the " Religiones Peregrina . " established themselves at Rome , the cult of Isis , like that of Mithras , seems to have been largely patronised by indigenous and foreign votaries . On the whole , the probability is , we think , clearlv educed , that
the Tablet represents , as Kircher has it ( he ia not , we know , a safe guide to follow ) , a Temple Tablet from one or other of the Egyptian shrines , deposited there , or suspended there , in honour and in veneration of Isis . Whafc it really represents i _ quite another aud verv difficult matter
to decide or explain . Ifc may be , as some one has suggested , a mystical Calendar of fche Seasons , or it may represent one of many Egyptian forms of occult meaning and Hieratic teaching . It may , on the other band , be nothing bufc a simple Egyptian
tributary tablet to Isis , or even Neifcb . Ifc may have reference to secret ceremonies , or even to the mysteries , of which the Greek and Latin nso was the reflex expression ; it may even have some connection with a portion of tho
mysterious ritual of the Book of the Dead . It certainly seems , when ifc is studied carefully , by v . hat we yet know of tho Egyptian hid . leu belief nnd . mythology , to cover ground reserved for esoteric docttincs and ritual " . iporreta . "
There must bo somo meaning attached to this artistic nnd peculiar grouping of figures , emblems , aud hieroglyphics . On this point we confess Bro . Westcotfc's explanations do not seem to us as clear aa thoy might be .
It is said , for instance , that the hieroglyphics are nofc readable by Egyptologists , and that they were formed by ono who neither understood tbe hieroglyphics or what they meant . This , if so , wonld necessarily settle the question as fco actual date . We may safely pass by good old Kircher's renderings , as none of them , here or elsewhere , have stood in the face of expert criticism
Reviews.
or the discovery of the key to the Hieroglyphic inscriptions by Young , Champollien , Birch , and others . But when we approach its real meaning , whether astronomical , mystic , or occult , in which latter our Bro . Westcott is a firm believer , we are confronted necessarily , and almost overwhelmed , by doubts ,
difficulties and gravest hesitation . We are inclined to repeat , " ex imo corde , " the words quoted by Bro . Westcott approvingly from an older writer , " Lector quisquis es , ant perlege , et si notes
perpende efc infcellige , aufcabsfcine a censura . Tha moment we touch upon occultism we reach to confines over which the greatest dimness , as well as the highest transcendentalism , reign supreme .
We cannot make an moursas into its " marvellous and far-extending domain , " without feeling at once how true was the great Newton ' a wise adage , thafc we are like children playing with pebbles on fche sea-shore ; all before us seems obscurity , uncertainty , mystery . We are as trembling neophytes halting afc fche door of the still
shrouded adytum . We seem to seek to raise—hnlf alarmedly , half hesitatingly—the intervening veil . The students of occultism have been comparatively few ; the snbject i immense , and is still , to a great extent , altogether
unexplored . It ia indeed an " undiscovered conntry , " except partially , and Eliphaz Levi , perhaps ifcs latest and most striking guide , has showed us thia , amidst many very significative explanations and startling dogmata , that the old Isiao sentence still is to the fore , and probably
will ever remain BO : — "lam Isis , and no mortal has ever yet withdrawn my veil . " Ifc is indeed possible that thafc remarkable writer and professor of occultism was right when he said thafc he saw in this Isiao Tablet an Hermetic , a mystic explanation of the lost Book of Thoth . By this he
means the key in fact to the alphabet of that fabled and incommunicable wisdom of prim _ eval epochs , whether found buried in fche tomb of Hermes or unfolded in the quaint terminology , the abstruse theories , the oryptio learning of Hermetic sages and Theosophists , hierophants , and mysfcagogues . This percolating throngh Oriental Hermefcicism ;
fche varions mysteries , Hebraic Kabbala , and Christianised Rosicradanism , tbe sagas and legends of the Sancfc Graal , and other consecutive legends forms an esoteric doctrine ever weird and sacred , which ha « possessed and still possesses a most lively interest for the " rapt student , " the thinking mind of all those who like to bury themselves
in the remains of primitive ages , and seek to unlock the mystic portals of the hidden wisdom and higher aspirations of mankind . Having said thus much , we prefer to leave Bro . Westcott to tell hid
own tale , which he does with equal lucidity and modesty . The students of the occult school seem increasing amongst us , and to them all we commend the perusal of this very striking and carefully compiled contribution .
VVe thank much Bro . Westcott for this his latest work on a subject he deals with con arriore and in such a workmanlike manner ; and wo trust it will not by any means be tho last contribution from hia pen .
Notices Of Meetings.
NOTICES OF MEETINGS .
GROVE LODGE , No . 410 . A REGULAR meeting of this Lodgo was held at tho Sun Hotel , Kingston-on-Thames , on Saturday , 3 rd inst ., when tho Worshipful Master , Bro . H . J . F . Dumas presided , supported bv Bros . H . J . P . Dumas as S . W ., Geo . White J . W ., A . C . Greenwood I . G ., W . E . Potter junior . Visitor—Bro . Hugh 0 . Dumas S . D . 859 , Lodge was openeil in form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and
cou-irmei . ; after which ifc was advanced , and Bros . Alfred Craven Greenwood and William Etty Potter wero raised to the snblime degree , the ceremony being performed in very efficient manner by the Worshipfnl Master . Subsequently a ! . tter wns road from Bro . Charles Greenwood P . P . G . R ., Prov . G . S ., t __ c . cri . _ g his resignation of the
Secretaryship of tho Lodge , an office which he has tilled some years . The reason assigned was , that in consequence of numerous professional engagements and Mnsonic duties in eonaeefci on with his appointments as Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Scribe E . for Surrey , he was unable to devote such time to the duties , as he
wished and considered necessary . He expressed regrefcat the severance of thafc connection with the Grove Lodge which lie hud so long enjoyed , but _ o should . o . .. intie to take an interest , in its welfare , and come amongst them as often as possible . Tho announcement was received with regret , and Bro . Greenwood ' s services to the Lodge as ifcs
Secretary wore spoken of io the most eulogistic terms . The Worshipfnl Master then invested Bro . Alfred Craven Greenwood as Assistant Secretary , asking him to convey the request to his brother to continue in office as Secretary until tho next installation meeting , as he did not consider ifc would be to the interest of the Lodge to disturb existing
arrangements afc an ordinary regular meeting . Some routine business having been disposed of , Lodge waa closed in harmony , and the brethren afterwards partook of a sumptuous banquet , " when tbe ctiRto . i _ . ry Masonic and other toasts were honoured , and a pleasant evening . ¦ moved .
LODGE OF LOYALTY , No . 1 G 07 . 'nil . 1 annual installation meeting of this comparatively young , -1- though assuredly progressive Lodge , was held on Saturday , 10 th inst ., at tho London Tavern , Fenchurch-stiv . t , Citv , E . G ., under the presidency of Bro . J . R . Large W . M . - Bros . Tl S . Gushing S . W ., A . J . Clark . / . VV . The other Officers and brefc ' reu in attendance were F . Brown P . M . Treasurer , J . Newton P . M . Secretary , E . Holds-