may be observed that during the initiation of a candidate, the virtues of Confidence, Sincerity, Humility, are typified by certain conditions of the right arm, the left knee, and the left breast; while Fidelity, Secrecy, Beneficence, are inculcated by other signs and ceremonies equally significant. Now it will be scarcely necessary to add that the practice of these and many similar duties and virtues which have been embodied in Freemasonry, is not to be confined exclusively to the Lodge room, but, for the credit of the institution, should extend beyond its limits. Society will entertain a very indifferent opinion of the Order if the Masonic profession shall fail to display its fruits. But Masonry has provided a remedy against any deviation from the true principles of rectitude. If its recommendation of Temperance be belied by a course of hard drinking and ebriety, the erring Brother may be privately admonished by a simple guttural sign, which is of sufficient importance to be denominated one of our principal Points, even amidst the largest company, without being observed by any but the Brethren present, which ought to, and perchance may, operate as a check and restraint to his irregular appetites, and induce him to keep within compass, which is the Masonic method of avoiding evil and pursuing good. If this admonition should fail, its use will cast no reflection on the society, although the conduct of such an impervious Brother might inflict a dangerous wound.

The practical application of Masonic signs is so extensive that there is scarcely a vice to which

human nature is addicted, but it may be counterchecked by an appropriate token; so anxious has the society ever shown itself to preserve its purity uncontaminated by infidel principles and immoral and unchristian practices. Again, if the pretensions of a Mason to the virtue of Brotherly Love are contradicted by a propensity to quarrel with his friend on trifling occasions; if his Truth be perverted by a habit of equivocation; if his Relief be counteracted by parsimony, his Faith by recklessness of living, his Hope by indifference, and his Charity by envy, hatred, and malice, the world will be apt to entertain an unfavourable opinion of a society which thus nullifies its profession by its practice.

Our ancient Brethren were rather more profuse and practical in the use of these admonitory signs than ourselves. Perhaps we consider that the inward grace is more desirable, and of greater utility than the external sign. Still, however, we use the familiar tokens of recognition, which have been handed down to us from time immemorial whenever we meet as strangers. If a Mason travels in other quarters of the globe, where he has no friends, and is absolutely ignorant of the language, customs, and religion of the inhabitants, he still possesses a medium of communication, by the use of which he is sure to be recognized and conversed with, even though he be deaf and dumb; or if the world be enveloped in midnight darkness, where no sign or gesture can be distinguished.

Our forefathers of the eighteenth century were a symbolical generation, and were rather more amused

with the gloss of outward observances than consists with the taste of modern times, when knowledge has made a gigantic stride towards perfection, and we possess many beneficial secrets and useful applications of art and science to the necessities and convenience of social life, which our ancient Brethren never contemplated even in their wildest dreams. And therefore, although the same signs and tokens are still applicable to the same series of Landmarks, they are not brought into such constant use as aforetime, because they are considered only as the indexes of the treasure which lies at the bottom of the ivory box or secret cabinet of knowledge.

Every Brother at his initiation is solemnly charged to explicate in his private dealings the sublime precepts which he hears inculcated in the Lodge. They are easy to be understood and not difficult to practise. He is then told that if he cannot make up his mind to this prudent course it would be better to abandon the Institution on the threshold, and at once to withdraw himself from Masonry. These practical virtues, as they are enumerated in the Lectures, consist of ruling and governing the passions, keeping a tongue of good report, practising secrecy, maintaining charity, and living in unity and brotherly love. And, in truth, this is the great and enduring secret of the Order; for these holy principles are not only unalterable Landmarks, but fundamental tests which indicate its purity and point out the general tendency of its moral disquisitions. And the worthy Brother who habitually displays them in his dealings with mankind, will not only attain the reputation of being

a bright Mason, but, which is of much greater consequence, will enjoy the comfort of an approving conscience in this world, with the hope of an everlasting reward in another and a better.

LECTURE XXVII.

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF MASONRY.

"A universal language has been much desired by the learned of many ages. It is a thing rather to be wished than hoped for. But it seems the Masons pretend to have such a thing among them. If it be true, I guess it must be something like the pantomimes among the ancient Romans, who are said to be able, by signs only, to express and deliver any oration intelligibly to men of all nations and languages."-LOCKE.

"Gestures are, as it were, transitory hieroglyphics; for as words pronounced vanish, writings remain; so hieroglyphics, expressed by gestures, are transient; but painted, permanent; as when Periander being consulted with how to preserve a tyranny, he bid the messengers stand still, and walking in his garden, topped all the highest flowers; the meaning of which was, the taking off the heads of the chief nobility, thus keeping the rest down."-BACON.

DR. ANDERSON and his editors, Entick and Noorthouck, unite in propagating the legend that when the building of Babel was arrested by the Most High, the dispersed people went off at various times in tribual companies, travelling north, south, east, and west, with their Masonical skill, which they found of essential service in settling their new colonies. From Shinar the science and art were carried to the distant parts of the earth, notwithstanding the confusion of dialects, by the Masonic practice of conversing without speaking, and of