Masonic Notes And Queries.

the notion of a Saerecl Measure , solid ancl liquid ; a "house" for the sacred measure ; the universal application of the standard ; and the significance of the vessel being without a lid . One of the verses may be read in special connection with the " orientation " questionand the symbolic proportions of the

gal-, leries . Now , tlie " discovery" is this : The porphyry coffer is the Sacred Standard of Measure ( the very word "pyramid" meaning a " wheat-measurer" ); and it bears a pot-portion to the length of the earth's axis , whicli fits it to be a standard for all time .

It is added that this standard was set up in antiidolatrous times—this particular pyramid showing no hieroglyphics ( an indifferent reason , surely ) , and that , as it was totally impossible that the ancient astronomy could have found out for itself the axis-proportion displayed in the coffer—the maker must have been "inspired . " This question I leave alone . The

subject of "inspiration , " in whatever sense the word is used , considered in its relation to the cyclical development of human knowledge , the subject of that development , its returns upon itself , and its lateral movements iu the shape of " progress "—all this cannot be touched upon here .

But to come to what will be called the " practical " part of the book , and that matter of " our inheritance " in the pyramid . I confess I had not the least idea , until reading this book of Professor Smyth , of the astouudingly discrepant measures in use in this country ; of the legislative confusion that exists in the matter ; of the enormous difficulty there is in

finally settling the standard ( owing to the contraction or expansion of metals ) ; or , lastly , of the importance whicli scientific men attach to fixing the " standard " at some quantity which is " earth-commensurable . " For all this , reference must be made to the book itself . It is impossible to exaggerate the interest , naytho fascinationof the pyramid question . To

, , have solved this wonderful old problem was enough to turn anybody ' s head ; and smile , as no can help doing , at the stupendous weight which is here put upou the great Inch question , our amusement is soon forgotten . The book is , for all its erudition , as readable as a fairy tale and full of interest . Having very imperfectly

condensed its salient features , I would inquire where I may see some account of the Great Pyramid which treats of it as a Masonic structure ? I have long regarded it as such , but can give no definite reason for my belief . Perhaps you , or some of your readers , will kindly indicate such sources to—THE AXCIEXX EGYPTIAN .

[ This is not h y ^ aay means a new theory . It has been broached many times before , and we printed one of these essays in a previous number . " The Ancient Egyptian" need not be disturbed in his Masonic theory , as it has far stronger grounds to rest on . In The Classical Journal , edited by Valpy , is a most

remarkable series of papers on " The Pyramids of E gypt , " written by a distinguished Freemason . For the convenience of reference we ivill give the -precise places where they may be found . Part I ., vol . 28 ( date 1823 ) , pp . 46-53 . Part IL , same vol ., pp . 295-305 . Part III ., vol . 29 ( date 1 S 2 J- ) , pp . S 7-96 . Part IV .,

same vol ., pp . 266-272 . Part V ., vol . 30 ( date 182-1 ) , pp . 210-217 . Part VI ., and last , vol . 31 ( date 1825 ) , pp . 16 G-17 G . The arguments , inferences , and deduc-

Masonic Notes And Queries.

tions iu this series of papers are as conclusive of the Great Pyramid being the great lodge room as the ample erudition of the brother who wrote it was above ordinary scholarship . Belzoni , Sir Gardner Wilkinson , Denon , Champollion , and hosts of other worldwide celebrities on the subjectbear out every remark

, in that truly valuable series of papers . With the array of talent which points to a mj'stery having its chief seat in the Pyramids— -with The Classical Journal pointing out what that mystery was—ivith the Temple Church reproducing the mystery—with the analogy between Egyptian Freemasonry ancl Templary

and the derivation of Craft Masonry through both" The Ancient Egyptian" may rest perfectly contented that the Pyramids were designed for something far more important to untold millions of men than the fact that three barleycorns make one inch . ]

DEATH-BED OE A PEEE 1 IA . SOX , A . D . 1772 . A few days ago , whilst examining the MS . volume , known to several of my Kentish brothers under the title of my Denton Court Jottings , in search of certain Masonic anecdotes , copied from notes of a conversation ( Paris 1838 ) , with old Marshal Oudiuot

, , Duke of Reggio , my task was suddenly interrupted by domestic matters , just as the page was reached containing the ensuing extracts . Previously to a resumption of the task , I venture to forward the extracts to the FEEEMASOXS' MAGAZINE as appearing to me not unworthy of a place amongst its

interesting " Notes aud Queries . "— " La veille de sa raort . Toussaint invita Thiebault son collogue a passer le leudemain a dix hemes du matin , cbez lui pour y etre temoin d ' une ccremonie religieuse qui y aurait lieu . Avant do recevoir le viatique des mains du cure , Toussaint en presence de sa fern me et de ses enfauts , qui etaient a geuoux aiusi qui Thiebault , demauda

pardon a Dieu du scandale qu'il avait domic par sa conduifce et par ses ecrits , declarant que si , dans . ses ouvrages ou dans ses diseours , il s ' etait montre pen Chretien , ce n ' avait jamais etc par conviction , mais par vaaite , et pour plaire a quelques personnes * * * * * Le refus du Prince Henri de l ' admettre dans la Loge Maponniquedont il etait le Chef

, , acheva de le desesperer . II tomba dans une maladie de langueur , a laquelle il succomba apres une annec cle souffrances . " These extracts do not seem to stand in need of any comment . I will only add that the death-bed scene passed in 1-772 , that Toussaint and Thiebault were litterateurs of considerable reputation ;

and that both were professors in Frederick the Great ' s Military School at Berlin . M y manuscript book , after stating that Toussaint had been initiated into our mysteries at Strasburg , records that inquiries made by mo to ascertain whether Thiebault was a Freemason , had been unattended with success . — ClIAHLES PUETOX COOPEE .

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Tire great bed of Ware lias been purchased , it is said , for Mr . Charles Dickens for £ 100 . The sale took place at ths Saracens Head Inn , Wave , on the Gtli inst ., and Mr . II . Willinott , of tlie JKaihvay Tavern , Hertford , offered £ 100 at the first bidding , at which sum it was knocked down without opposition . We believe Sir Frederick Koe possesses the old oak bedstead which was sold some years ago at Leicester as that upon which Richard the Third had slept previous to the battle of Ijosworth Field . These Sliakesperian relics should have their whereabouts recorded . The Header .