CALEDONIAN and EGYPTIAN SYMBOLS 
O NCE more we fliall have recourfe to Oriental fymbols'for an illuflration of fome 
of thole on Callerlonian monuments. For correfponding fymbols of fuch unac- 
countable refemblance are to be obferved on thefe, that if they have not (by fome 
been derived from thofe of Egypt, it appears altogether inexplicable how fo re- 
gular and repeated a limilarity could have ever taken place. 
The attitudes and attributes of human figures and domeflic animals, as engaged in 
the common concerns of a pafloral life, or in the excrcifes and expreffion of warlike 
atchievement, may be common to all countries. On-the refemblance of thefe, there- 
fore, no great dependence could be given. 
Butin the peculiarities of defign, and refemblance to the correfponding archetypes, 
of the figures {’defied for the annexed plate, there is a more furprifing conformity, 
and the combinations are outofthe ul’uai courfe of nature, and can have little refer- 
ence as real pictures to the common concerns of life. Their import mull then be 
fymbolical, and their meaning taken from more remote allnfions to the ideas of which 
they are memorials, and to the inllrU&iofs and knowledge which the’y convey. 
We fliall not beie extend our enquiry far in to the original derivation of fymbols; 
as they proceeded from a deep and enlightened phiiofophy, which penetrated far 
into the relations which fubfifl between the material and intellectual world, and made 
choice of the moll expreffive chara&ers whereby their fublime conceptions could be 
conveyed. But there is fome rational pleafure in obferving the general outlines of 
the manner of applying thefe hieroglyphicks and fymbols, which through the early 
aeras ofhuman improvement were the only record of Divine Truth, and left memo- 
rials of the fublime communications which they involved, that commanded the ve- 
neration of the learned in every age. 
T he eagle as among the molt celebrated of fymbols, and by the quotations produced 
from the belt authorities on the fubjeCt, the applications of it proceeded from thefe 
{peculations. The eagle often afeending above the clouds, and pervading the higher 
regions of the air ; and looking down from thofe heights invifible, through the exten- 
five vifion of bis piercing eye, diltinCtly difeerns whatever is interefling in this lower 
world. Hence became an expreflive iymbol of that eye of Divine obfervation, which 
as from on high beholds all things. 
It feems to have beeti the influence which the fun had over the whole body of wa- 
ters — attracting and directing their courfe. This primary deduction of' philofophy, 
applied alfo in a metaphorical manner to that ineffable energy of which the fun was 
the fymbol, actuating and governing the material univerfe. 
This fymbol would hold a diltinguifhed place among thofe abraxas or amulets, 
which, in their original application, were given on initiation, and contained an in- 
feription which none could read but thofe to whom the divine communications were 
given at the fame time. Thefe were held as memorials of high efleem, and preferved 
with care as fomething facred ; and from that venerable origin, came in the progrefs 
of traditionary learning, to be fo valued in Caledonia, as to obtain a diftinguifhed 
place among the hieroglyphical monuments. That of the plate is taken from the obe- 
lifk in Rofs-Jhire , of which a representation is given in the firft Number; and the cor- 
refpondence of form and defign, is fo remarkable that it coulcl hardly be over- 
looked. 
Compared \ 
