Provincial.

others the Hebrew language was the most susceptible of allegorical imagery ¦ ; giving as instances thereof various portions of Isaiah arid the Book of Job . He then alluded to the similarity which appeared to exist between the architecture and sculpture of the Egyptians and Assyrians and that of the royal house and temple of King Solomon , illustrating the latter by extracts from Dr . Oliver ' s works .

The W . M . then gave in detail a description of the architecture and sculptures of the dead city—of Nineveh—twin-sister of Babylon ; which , like the caterpillar , though buried in the earth , had cast aside its crysalis or shroud and been brought forth , revealing to an astonished world monuments of its former glory , and giving additional proofs of the antiquity of the science of Freemasonry ; that the Assyrians ' knowledge of architecture was inferior to that of the ancient Egyptians , and though they knew the value of fire-burnt bricks , their buildings were constructed of those

which were siin-burnt only . The use of the arch was known to the Assyrians , for at Khorsabad there was discovered one which was fifteen feet in span . The richness of decoration of what may be termed mud edifices contrast with the simplicity of their construction , the walls of the interior being covered with beautifully sculptured slabs of gypsum , consisting of illustrations of warfare , divinities , symbols used by the first propagators of the mysteries , & c „ The W . M . also contrasted the sculpture of the Assyrians with that of the ancient

Egyptians ; for whilst the latter was hard and indestructible in material and compact in design , presenting nothing that could be broken without violence—no limb being separated , and the action which would require that never represented —the Assyrians carved their figures in alabaster , and represented them in mction ; but , strange to say , whilst the tempest had for centuries howled around the monuments of Egypt and left its obelisks , colossal statues , and exquisitely carved capitals in their pristine beauty ( save were the hand of man had marred

them ) , even so had the shroud of sand from the desert for 2 , 000 years preserved the monuments of Assyrian glory . The Lecturer concluded by drawing attention to the Assyrian writing , which was cuneiform , or wedge and arrow shaped , but derived from the Demotic style of the Egyptians , observing that the inscriptions at Khorsabad proved that though the Assyrians had national deities , and Bellis the protector , mother of the gods—they worshipped the G . A . O . T . U ., called by them Assara , —the Great Lord—King of all the great gods—the Supreme God of Heaven—the Excellent .

OXFORDSHIRE . Oxford . —Testimonial to Bro . Beech . —On the 2 nd June , being the first day of the Commemmoration-week , a Grand Masonic dejeHner was given in Worcester College Gardens , in honour of W . W . Beech , Esq ., of Oakley Hall , Hampshire , M . A . of Christ Church , Past Prov . G . S . W . of Oxfordshire , and twice W . M . of

the Apollo University Lodge . The object of this gathering was to present to Mr . Beech a piece of plate as a testimonial of his zealous and efficient conduct as W . M . of the Apollo Lodge for two years , of his devotion to Masonry , his praiseworthy efforts in the cause of charity , and his affability and courtesy to the Fraternity generally .

Upwards of 100 invitations were issued and accepted ; and when we mention the fact that the company embraced , in addition to the Heads of Colleges and their families , nearly all the distinguished visitors staying in Oxford , it will be seen how difficult it is to give anything like a list of the company . The P . G . M . of Oxfordshire , Bro . Capt . Bowyer , presided , and was supported by the guest of the day , Bro . Beech , the Vice-Chancellor and Mrs . Cotton , the Mayor and Mayoress , the Earl of Carnarvon , Bro . Pickard , W . M . of the Apollo Lodge .

Among the company present were the High Sheriff , W . Evetts , Esq ., Sir C . Anderson , Bart ., Sir W . Napier , Sir W . Gierke , Admiral Lempriere , Lord Lincoln , Lord Vaughan , Lord Skelmersdale , Sir M . II . Beech , Count Safh , Hon . A . P . Herbert , Lieut .-Col . Capel , Col . Vernon , Col . Dillon Browne , Capt , E . Bichards , Capt . F . Scott , Major Starkey , Hon . Ooh Spencer , Hon . and Rev . 0 . Spencer , the Senior and Junior Proctors , and the Head of almost every College and Hall , with their families . The dejettner was served in a spacious tent , and a more brilliant or animating