Reviews.

subject , but even questions arise as to the exact relation , that some dialects bear to a common derivation , and even to each other . Will it , hoVever , startle our readers to he told that among the million millions of inhabitants of this great earth of ours , there certainl

y are not less than 2 , 000 variations of language . The idea is in itself a very large one , and leads tho mind of the thoughtful to much of serious consideration . But there is great pleasure , it appears , to itsvery much of fascination in the

, study of Philology , though we must he on our guard against much of this mis-directed imagination , and unsound views on a very diferetit and intricate subject , which would

almost seemtobe gainingground amongst us . AVe would , however , recommend this little useful work , most carefully compiled , cordially and sincerely , to the notice of our readers , as a very convenient compendium on the subjectfar too vast in itself

, for the individual memory . AVe have perused two little Provincial Calendars Avith much interest . Tho one is Masonic Meetings for East Lancashire ; the other is the Masonic Calendar for

AVanvickshire and Staffordshire . The Masonic Calendar for AVanvickshire and Staffordshire is particularly well got up , and is a very useful little pocket companion . AV .

Our Archaeological Corner.

Our Archaeological Corner .

THE LI 02 T AS A MASONIC SYMBOL .

A . C . MACKEY . The lion was the symbol of strength and sovereignity in the human-headed figure of the JSimrod gateway and in the other Ikbylonish remains . In E gypt it was Avorshipped at the city ofLeontopolis as

. typical of Dorfi , the E gyptian Hercules . Plutarch says that the Egyptians ornamented their temples with gapin- ' lions ' mouths , because the Nile began to rise Avhen the sun Avas in the constellation Leo . Among the Tahuudists there Avas a tradition

of the lion which has been introduced into the higher degrees of Masonry . Hut in tho symbolism of Ancient Craft Masonry where the lion is introduced , as in the third degree , in connection with the " lion of the tribe of Judah , " he becomes

Our Archaeological Corner.

simply a symbol of the resurrection , thus restoring tho symbology of the media 3 A al ages , which was founded on a legend that tho lion ' s whelp was horn dead and onl y brought to life by tho roaring of its sire . Philip de Thaun , in his Bestiary , written

in the tAvelth century , gives tho legend , which has thus been translated by Mr . Wright from the original old JMorman French : "KnoAV that the lioness if she brings forth a dead cub , she holds her cub and the lion

arrives ; he goes about and cries , till it revives on the third day . * * * * KHOAV that the lioness signifies St . Mary , and the lion Christ , AA'ho gave himself to death for the peojile ; three days lie lay in the earth to gain our souls . * * * * By the cry of the lion Ave understand the power of God , by which Christ Avas restored to life and robbed hell . "

The connection of Solomon , as the chief of the tribe of dud ah , with the lion , Avhich was the achievement of that tribe , has caused the expression to be referred in the third degree to him Aidio brought life and immortality to light . The old Christian

interpretation of the Masonic symbols here prevails , and in Ancient Craft Masonry all allusions to the lion , as tho lion ' s paw , tho lion ' s grip , etc ., refer to the doctrine of the ressurection taught by him Avho is known as "tho lion of the tribe of Judah . " The expression is borroAved from Apocalypse , ( v . 5 . ) " Behold , the lion Avhich is of the tribe of Judahtho root of Davidhath

, , prevailed to open tho book and to loose the seA en seals thereof . " AA e have seen that tho lion was a mediaeval symbol of the resurrection , the idea being founded on a legend . The poets of that age were fond of referring to this legendary symbol in

connection with the scriptural idea of tho " tribe of Judah . " Thus Adam do St . A ictor , in his poem De ResurrectHone Domini , says : " Sic de Juda leo fortis , Fractis portis dirte mortis

Die aui'git tertia , Kugiente voce Patris . " i . e . Thus the strong lion of Judah , The gates of cruel death being broken Arose on the third day , At the loud sounding voice of the Father ,

AVOESHIPFUL AS A TITLE . Originally the word " to worship" meant to pay that honour and reference which is