[597] Pronounced Sauv. This was the Seva of the Hindoos, by which although they understood, indeed, as well generation as destruction to be symbolised; yet it is clear that they must have long lost the method of accounting for the reason why, otherwise than saying, that death and life meant the same thing; that is, that the cessation of existence in one form was but the commencement of existence in another.
[598] Freemasons’ Song.
[599] Ashe’s Masonic Manual.
[600] See p. 282, note.
[601] See p. 268.
[602] Isa. vii. 14.
[603] “The countenance of Christ was placid, handsome, and ruddy, so formed, however, as to inspire the beholders, not so much with love and reverence as with terror; his locks were like the colour of a full ripe filbert nut (auburn), straight, and entire down to the ears, from thence somewhat curled down to the shoulders, but parted on the crown of the head after the manner of the Nazarites; his forehead was smooth and shining, his eyes blue and sparkling, his nose and mouth decorous, and absolutely faultless; his beard, in colour like his locks, was forked, and not long” (Waserus, p. 63).
“At this time appeared a man, who is still living, a man endowed with great power, his name Jesus Christ. The people say that he is a mighty prophet; his disciples call him the Son of God. He quickens the dead, and heals the sick of all manner of diseases and disorders. He is a man of tall stature, well proportioned, and the aspect of his countenance engaging, with serenity, and full of expression, so as to induce the beholders to love and then to fear him. The locks of his hair are of the colour of a vine-leaf, without curl, and straight to the bottom of his ears, but from thence, down to his shoulders, curled and glossy, and hanging below his shoulders. His hair on the crown of the head disposed after the manner of the Nazarites. His forehead smooth and fair. His face without spot, and adorned with a certain tempered ruddiness. His aspect ingenuous and agreeable. His nose and his mouth in no wise reprehensible. His beard thick and forked, of the same colour as the locks of his head. His eyes blue and extremely bright. In reprehending and improving, awful; in teaching and exhorting, courteous and engaging; a wonderful grace and gravity of countenance; none saw him laugh, even once, but rather weep. In speaking, accurate and impressive, but sparing of speech. In countenance, the fairest among the children of men” (Attributed to Lentulus, predecessor of Pilate in the government of Judea, recorded by Fabricius in his Codex Apocryphus Novi Testamenti).
[604] The principal one I conceive to have been at the hill of Tara, which means the hill of the Saviour, and synonymous with mount Ida, which means the mount of the cross. See p. 453.
“The predominant style and character of the Pillar Tower,” says Montmorency, “in a great measure discloses the secret of its origin.” It is astonishing how, after this, he and his pupils of the academy should labour to assimilate that secret to a dungeon.