Masonic Festivities.

^ 6 , 000 . The speaker then referred to the proposal originating with the late Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Speirs , and now taken up by his successor , Bro . Montgomerie Nelson , for erecting a masonic hall in Glasgow , worthy alike of the Craft and of the city . What the Masons had to do , was , in his ( the speaker ' s ) opinion , to huild a palace that would look well in this age , and be a

credit to Glasgow in all time to come . The project was in right hands , and he believed that before two years had passed over their heads they would see such a hall . " Past Office-bearers of the Lodge St Mungo" was then given in a humourous address by the Croupier , coupled with the name of Bro . M'Taggart , whom he characterised as a faithful and worthy member of the lodge , who had

never left a duty undone during the three years of his office as Master . Bro . M'Taggart briefly replied , acknowledging , in the course of his remarks' the value of the coopei'ation he had received during his term of office from such worthy and esteemed office-bearers as Bro . Sinclair , Treas . ; and Bro . Pringle , their late Sec . "The Yisiting Brethren , " given by Bro . Sinclair , and responded to b

y Bro . Dalrymple ; and " The Ladies , " proposed by Bro . Cowan , and replied to , on behalf of his fair clients by the Croupier , exhausted a programme , which , under the circumstances , was commendably brief . The Chairman then pronounced "Happy to meet , " & c ., and after a vote of thanks for tho efficient discharge of his duties on this occasion had been awarded , on the motion of the

Croupier , declared the proceedings so far to be concluded An adjournment was then made to the ball-room , where dancing was resumed , aud kept up with spirit for about a couple of hours longer .

A Lecture.

A LECTURE .

Bcliveretl by Bro . JAMES FREDERICK SPURU , P . M ., at the Old Globe Lodge , Scarborough . The first subject which comes under consideration is the making use of hieroglyphic figures , parabolical and symbolical customs and ceremonies , secret words and signs , with different degrees of probation peculiar to free and accepted Masons .

It is well known that such customs and ceremonies are as ancient as the first ages of the world , the philosophers of which practised the method of inculcating their sublime truths and important points of knowledge by allegory and mythology the better to secure them from descending into the familiar reach of every inattentive and unprepared novice , from whom they miht

g not meet with the veneration they deserve , and thereby hecomo too familiar and contemptible ; for which reason they wero accustomed to nroceed with the utmost care and prudence . Thus tho ancient Egyptian philosophers had many sublime notions , which they kept secret and never discovered to the people but under the veil of fables and allegories ; also other Eastern nations

concealed secret mysteries under their reli gious ceremonies , a custom still retained by many of them . An interpretation therefore of these allegories , & c , as they como under notice shall be attended to , and will , it is pi'esumcd , exactly square with tho present purpose . Of all the symbols appropriated to . Jupiter , Mercury , & c , notice shall only bo taken of tho crown of rays , the

petasus , caduceus , & o ., with which they are represented . The first denotes the power of the Supreme Being ; the other that power ought to be accompanied with prudence , & c . The cock was a symbol peculiar to Mercury , as expressive of that vigilance which was so very necessary to himand destined to execute functions

, many ; as sometimes this emblem hath an ear of corn in his ' bill , which may serve to point out to man that plenty and happiness will bo the consequence of care and attention . The club is the symbol of Hercules , and denotes

A Lecture.

strength . The various symbols belonging to the goddess Diana were oxen , lions , griffins , stags , sphynxes , bees , boughs , roses , & c , which signify in a mythical sense the universe with all its productions . It will not be foreign to the subject to take notice that cities , rivers , regions , and oven the various parts of the lobe had their symbolswhich were so

g proper , many ensigns to distinguish them . Cities were s i gnified by women with towers on their heads . The East is represented by a woman mounted upon a car with four horses , rising as " they go . The West is signified likewise by a woman in a car drawn by two horses , a genius preceding her , together with the horses falling down , by which the west or sun-setting is denoted .

The symbol of Asia was a woman with a mural crown holding an anchor , to denote that the way thither was to cross the sea . Africa was represented by a woman with an elephant ' s trunk on her forehead . Thus were tho different parts of the world represented under their respective symbols and heiroglyphics . To improve properly on these mystical writings it will

be necessary to bring them home to ourselves by way of application first in a physical sense , for under tho various names of pagan deities are concealed the body and substance of natural philosephy . Under allegories the poets express the wondeful works of nature . ( To be Continued . )

Poetry.

Poetry .

BEAR AND FORBEAR . By Mrs . L . A . CZAKXECKI . How groat and good tho fooling is , but how oxcooding raro , Whon tried with many griovous ills , to boar and to forbear ; Tho dust of richos aud ambition is fair to many eyes ; They who walk in honest ways such tinsel do despise

For scanning with an earnest gazo into tho soul ' s true glass , Thoy seo tho sum of earthly joys a vain and hollow mass , They soo tho truth porvortod , or hold back iu many ways ; Thoy seo tho ungodly triumph , and shine in tho world ' s gaze , They often livo with thoso who doods of virtue soro decry , Whoso livos from first to last aro a baso aud wicked lie . Thoy often tread a path besot with briars and thorns , And oft ouduro tho pain of covert sneors and scorns .

Their solf-douying , tondoraots aro , alas ! misunderstood , Or ingratitude tho payment for work in doing good , Notwithstanding all tho shafts which fly from deadly foos , Thoy never turn thoir heart away from cheering other's woes , Whon diro affliction hoavos tho mind with sad aud heavy griof They como with healing balm of kind support to its relief , Of all tho sins and frailties which haunt a lifo of caro Gently thoy speak and think ; they boar and thoy forbear ,

Thoy feel and know it will not always bo a dreary gloom , Thoy hopo a glorious crown to win boyond tho silent tomb . Thoso aro tho Mon of Mark so noblo and so raro , Nothing on this oarth can with such men compare .

Scientific Meetings For The Week.

SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK .

Monday , Feb . 7 th . —Royal Institution , at 2—General Monthly Meeting ; Entomological Society , at 7 ; . Medical Society , at S London Institution , at 4 . Tuesday , Feb . 8 th . —Royal Institution , at 3 ; Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society , at 8 . 30 ; Institution of Civil Engineers , at 8 ; Photographical Society , -at S ; Ethnological Societat 8 Royal Microscopical Societyat 8— -Anniversary

y , ; , Meeting ; Archaeological Association , at 8 . Wednesday , Feb . 9 . —Geological Society , at 8 ; Society of Arts , at 8 . Saturday , Feb . 10 . —Mathematical Society , at 8 ; Zoological Society , at 8 . 30