Egyptian Book Of The Dead.

' hymns or dirges of very much more ancient dale , which are believed to have been chanted over the entranced body of the Neophyte in his reception as an Epoptac . These were the Cryptic Masons of the period , and the Myslae rrpresent the ordinary Mason . It was such Epoptac as Origen . Clement , and Synesius , the pupil of the martyred Hypatia , that introduced the

Serapian Culteand the Arcane Discipline into thc early Church , and everything they wrote must be read between the lines . The last-named informs us that the Hierophants themselves wrought in the crypt of the temple the sculptured statues of the gods upon some fixed plan , and that thc ordinary Mason was not allowed participation .

In later times the religious and mystic ceremonies of the Epaptci passed lo various other associations , amongst which were the Alchemists and their successors the Rosicrucians , and it is clear from the language of Thomas Norton , in 1477 , The ll '/' ir Man ' s Crown , 1663 , \ c , that when the educated Mason desired to extend his researches into hidden mysteries of nature and science he became an initiate of the Alchemists and Rosicrucians .

However , it is not my object to enter into this 111 a fuller manner , but to call theattention of the Crall to the fact that G . P . Putnam ' s Suns , of London , have brought out a very fine copy of the Egyptian Rook of the Dead , with facsimiles of the Hieratic Louvre MS ., and the Heiroglyphic Turin MS ., in 99 plates , 12 by 14 inches , together with a full translation of the latter and various

chapters and other piates on the gods and mythology of Egypt , by C . H . S . Davis , M . D ., Ph . D ., tec . The book is bound in cloth , and it is now sold at a price lo the public which places it within the reach ol all classes , namely , thirty shillings . The impression is understood to be a small one , and is sure to advance greatly in price .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Assembly Rooms , Derby , on the 20 th inst . Lircat interest was taken in the gathering owing to the promised attendance of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . his Grace the Duke of Devonshire , and the number of brethren who intimated their intention to be present made it apparent that the Masonic

Hall would not be large enough for the Prov . Grand Lodge . Accordingly the Assembly Rooms were utilised , and bright and attractive the place looked when the Prov . Grand Lodge was opened by the Prov . Grand Master , who was accompanied by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . II . C . OkeJver , and the Prov . G . Officers . The officers for the ensuing year were installed as follows :

Bro . Victor Cavendish , M . P . ... ... Prov . S . G . W . . „ T . Cooper Drabbel , P . M . ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . W . B . Stamper ... ... ¦¦¦ la n , -. „ Rev . D . R . P . Hills , P . M . ... ... j Prov - G > Cha P - „ A . G . Taylor , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . H . Bowden , P . M . ... ... . * .. Prov . G . Reg . „ William Naylor ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ G . Caldwell , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Moir , P . M . ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . Jones , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ G . Parger , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . V . Edwards , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ G . Wild , P . M . ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, S . J . Sanders , P . M . ... ... ,., )„ ,-. , „ „ Holderness , P . M j Prov . G . Std . Brs . ,, W . GIossop ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Cutting ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . S . „ W . O . Plowright ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, Thomas ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Purst . „ T . C . Eastwood ,.. ... ... " ) „ S . Bennett , jun . „ J . Smith ... ... ... ,.. \ Prov . G . Stwds . „ j . T . Quail ... „ G . S . Smith ... ... ... ... J „ T . Day ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Bro . W . H . Marsden was elected as representative of Prov . Grand Lodge at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in February . In subsequently addressing the Grand Lodge , the Duke of DEVONSHIRE said : I beg to offer in a few words my congratulations to the brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge upon the flourishing and prosperous condition

in which , after I regret to say many years' absence , I find Masonry in this province . Since I last had the honour of presiding over the lodge I find that a considerable number of lodges have been added to our list , and at the same lime the reports which have been received Iroin old as well as new lodges show that these additions have not in any degree impaired the prosperity or efficiency of the old ones . 1 observe that this time last

year Bro . Okeover—to whom I am deeply indebted for having so efficiently filled the place which had been almost completely resigned into his hands—that in commenting upon the great increase in Masonry Bro . Okeover impressed upon the members the necessity of exercising some caution and discrimination in their introductions , and I see , too , by one of the reports that those hints appear to have been acted upon . I need not say that the aim which we must all desire is that the numbers ,

wealth , and prosperity of our lodges should increase . Nevertheless it should be a more urgent object that thc high position and reputation which the Freemasons had always held , should not only be upheld , but increased , though in saying that I should add that I have no reason whatever to believe that due care and attention in this respect is neglected by those responsible for the management of our lodges . I need only , in conclusion , to say one word to express the great satisfaction it gives me to see the increasing progress of Masonry in the [ province , and the attention wh ch is given to the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

Masonic Chanties , which is one of the most important aims and objects of our Institutions . You have heard the report of thc Charity Committee . I have not had sufficient time to study it or to make any observations in detail upon it , but the reports of the Worshipful Masters in individual lodges show

that this subject is regarded as of paramount importance , and has received the greatest attention from our brethren . I need now only express the gr . at satisfaction which I feel at being once more permitted to take the chair at your proceedings , and most heartily congratulate you on the state in which I find Freemasonry in the province .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Gloucestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE .

The annual meeting vl Prov . Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Gloucestershire was held at the Bell Masonic Hall , Gloucester , on Friday , 21 st inst . The Right I Ion . Sir Michael E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., presided as Grand Supt . of the province , and the officers of Prov . G . Chap ' . er also present were —Comps . K . V . Vassar Smith , P . Z . S 2 and 839 , Prov . G . Princ . II . ; Geo .

Norman , P . Z . S 2 , Prov . G . Princ . J . ; Jas . B . Winterbqtham , P . Z . 82 , Prov . G . S . E . ; Dr . J . Campbell , P . Z . 839 , Prov . G . S . N . ; VV . Rembick , P . Z . 493 , Prov . G . P . S . ; R . P . Sumner , P . Z . 839 , Prov . G . Asst . S . ; . Rev . P . Hattcrsley-Smitli , M . E . Z . S 3 , Prov . G . 2 nd Asst . S . ; J . Bryan , P . Z . 839 , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . David , P . Z . 839 , Prov . G . Reg . ; \ V . B .

Wood , S 39 , Prov . G . S . B . ; E . L . Baylis , II . S 2 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; E . N . Wilchcll , 839 , Prov . G . D . C ; J . A . Matthews , 82 , Prov . G . Viz . ; LI , Evans , 82 , Prov . G . Asst . S . E . Other members present included—Comps , Rev . R . P . Bent , P . P . G . S . of Eng . ; | . Albin Roberts , P . Z . 839 , P . P . G . T . ; W . R . Fclton , P . Z . 82 , P . P . G . S . N . ; H . S . Crump , P . Z . 403 , P . P . G . S . N . ;

Jas . Bruton , P . Z . 839 , P . P . G . S . N . ; J . L . Butler , P . Z . 82 , P . P . G . R . ; F . W . Fisher , P . Z . 493 , P . P . G . R . ; J . A . Matthews ( ex-Mayor of Gloucester ) , P . Z . 493 , P . P . G . R . ; A . Woodward , P . Z . 493 , P . P . G . R . ; . VV . C . Ferris

P . P . G . A . S . ; 11 . T . Jew , M . E . Z . 493 ; R . J . Weston , J . 493 ; G . Pike , P . Z . 839 , P . P . G . A . S . ; J . W . Drew , J . 82 ; G . L . Wenden , 839 ; E . Lea , 493 ; Horace Fisher , 82 ; R . Chester , 82 ; F . Cullis , 493 ; B . Loudon , 493 ; Arthur Helps , 839 ; and others .

Thc proceedings were generally of a routine character , but a motion expressing the congratulation of Prov . G . Chapter with Prov . G . H . upon his restoration to comparative health , proposed by Comp . WOODWARD , had

more than formal endorsement , and the cordiality of its terms and of the manner ol its reception was fully acknowledged by the Comp . VASSAR * SMITH , who stated that though he might still hive to ask some little indulgence , he hoped to gradually re-assume his accustomed work in the

province . Comp . J . Bryan having been unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treas ., the officers for the ensuing year were invested by the S . G . Supt . as follows ;

Comp . R . V . Vassir-Smith , P . Z . S 2 and S 39 ... Prov . G . H . ,, James Bruton , P . Z . 839 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Jas . B . Winterbotham , P . Z . 82 ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Alfred Woodward , P . Z . 493 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ { . Bryan , P . Z . S 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ " Rev . P . Hattersley-Smith , M . E . Z . 82 ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . P . Sumner , P . Z . S 39 ... ... Prov . G . P . Soj . „ H . T . Jew , M . E . Z . 839 ... ... Prov . ist A . G . Soj , „ J . VV . Drew , J . 82 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . Soj „ R . J . Weston , J . 493 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ VV . B . Wood , H . 839 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ E . N . Witchell , M . E . Z . 839 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . A . Matthews , 82 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Llewellyn Evans , 82 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . ,, Sergt .-Major Carroll ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

During the meeting , and at the subsequent banquet , reference was made lo the approaching consecration of a new chapter at Stroud , which has been fixed for Tuesday , January 7 th . Comp . VASSAR-SMITII expressed his satisfaction at the addition about to

be made to the roll of the province , and remarked that he hoped to see a Royal Arch chapter in connection with every nourishing Craft lodge , holding as he did that the'degree formed a necessary complement to Craft working . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach returned to Cheltenham after the banquet , and spent the night at Charlton Park as the guest of Comp . Vassar-Smith .

WILLIAM P RESTON . —Was born 1742 :, and died in 1 S 18 . He was originally a printer . When he was initiated is not clear : it has been said , at a lodge which met at the White Hart , in the Strand , in 1760 , under the Athol warrant . He swms to have belonged to -several lodges under the moderns , and at last joined the famous "Antiquity" Lodge . He was Deputy Grand Secretary under Bro . Hescltine , and is said to have prepared the " History of Remarkable O -. currences . " He resigned this office probably in 1779 , when an unfortunate dispute arose

between Grand Lodge and the Antiquity' Lodge . During the next 10 year * he remained out of the Grand Lodge , and applied to thc Grand Lodge of York for a warrant to form a Grand Lodge south of the Trent . Such a warrant was granted , though , of course , " extra vires , " and officers were appointed . In 17 8 7 , however , a reconciliation was happily made , and Wm . Preston , who had been expelled Grand Lodge hastily and unjustly , as we think now , was restored to his former honours , and the Grand Lodge south

of the Trent came to an end . In 178 7 he founded the order ot Harodim—a somewhat doubtful proceeding . His famous " Illustrations of Masonry" were first published in a modest volume in 1772 . The second edition was issued in 1775 ; and before his death he had seen no less than nine editions , and some say twelve . Several editions of his famous work have been published in America and

Germany . He may be fairly called the father of Masonic history , and his work will always be a standard work for Masons . He was a painstaking and accurate writer ; and though we have access to MSS . which he never saw , yet on the whole his original view of Masonic history remains correct . It is , in fact , essentially ihe guild theory of Anderson . He died in 1818 , as we said before , and is buried in St . Paul ' s . The name of Win . Preston will always be greatl y honoured among Freemasons . —Kenning ' * Encyclopedia , of Freemasonry .