Palimpsests are rescripts or copies of ancient writings, first written on parchment, but then as the material was costly and scarce, the original writing was partly erased or washed off and a new subject inserted, as it were above, the old. In more than one striking sense every Masonic symbol may be styled a palimpsest.

There is an outer or evident meaning which, unlike the hierotic writings of the Nile, may in general be comprehended at a glance.

Thus the joined hands, the broken column, the coffin, spade and setting maul, &c., cannot fail of being understood in their first meaning by every beholder. Then there is a seconder primary concealed meaning, imparted only to the initiate, which like the first is perfectly natural, rational, and simple. And here, truth compels me to say the majority of the Masonic brethren stop. Like the sinner first converted to Christ, they are delighted with their first view and too often, like too many of those who profess the blood-bought interest, they are satisfied with what they see and go no farther. This is is truly unfortunate. It was once the boast of Freemasons "that they were wiser than other men;" now their claim would be " they are in the way of more knowledge than other men," but what a falling-off is this. The third meaning, more profound yet equally attainable to every initiate, lies beneath the first two. It is altogether rational, no way forced or unnatural, satisfies the mind, answers a thousand enquiries. It lies at the basis of the writings of the philosophic Oliver* and Scott, — writings which have imparted a new impulse to Masonry. It is so perfectly harmonious with admitted facts that when received the mind is compelled to wonder that it did not sooner occur to it.

It is the sap of the roots of Masonry without which, root and trunk, and bud and flower must wither. It is this, not the work of Masonry, not the ordinary lectures of Masonry, this that has proved to be the vitality of Masonry for more than twenty-eight centuries. It is this that brings to bear the unexampled wisdom of Masonry's royal founder, Solomon, and gives us an insight into that unexampled mind, alas too soon corrupted by wordly influences. In this, however, is displayed his vigor and greenness of intellect, before lust had brutalized or tyranny enfeebled it.

Those who stop short of this, may well enquire, "what to us is the antiquity of Masonry!" they may even declare that "Paul nor John, nor Zerubbabel, nor Solomon, nor Moses, nor Enoch were Masons!" for without this Masonry is but a thing of unmeaning ceremonies and puerile usages, scarcely more elevated than the thousand and one secret societies (save the mark!) of the nineteenth century, and it will admit of uncounted innovations, and improvements.

The difference between those who teach the superficials and the fundamentals of Masonry is well illustrated by comparing botanists of the Linnean school with those of an earlier date. The latter taught from the flower downward, the former adopted the bolder and more rational process of instructing from the root upward, and the progress of botanical science under his method has been unexampled.

What Linnasus was to Botany, philosophical instructors of Freemasonry will be to this science. We may well hope that more palimpsests will arise, who can decypher the passages hidden from so many, and bring them clearly out upon the Masonic Trestle Board.