your usual wisdom and be not too rash.

Let the wretch be dis

armed, bound and introduced, and let him reply to the interrogations that shall be put to him.

This degree appears to be but another version of that Intimate Secretary or Joabert's second slip. The sign is made by drawing two daggers with the right-hand and lifting it as if to strike in the front. The answer to it is, to shut the right hand, and the fist thus closed, is raised and turned quick. The token for him who asks is delivered, by erecting his thumb, while his right-hand is closed, and presenting it to his companion. The answer is to seize the thumb with an extended arm. The word is N--n--m.

SECOND ELECT OF NINE OR PEREGNON.

THE decorations are the same as in the foregoing degree, and it only differs by being lighted with twenty-seven lamps, disposed in groups of nine. The lodge is opened by the master's asking, if there are any other mysteries in quality of Master Elect than those of N-n-m. He is answered, that the appendage to the letter P is another mystery. The words of this degree are Romvel, Gravelot, Abiram. The ceremony concludes with telling the candidate, that the business of this degree is to prepare him for another, which is the

THIRD ELECT OR ELECT OF FIFTEEN.

THIS lodge is hung with black and decorated with three skeletons. It is opened with fifteen strokes and lighted with fifteen lamps. At a reception, only fifteen brethren are permitted to be present. The sign is to shut the right-hand, with the thumb elevated, as in holding a dagger, to place it under the chin and then to drop it.. as in the act of separating the body, indicative of the penalty of the obligation. It is answered by stretching out the hand, as if to cut off the neck with the thumb.-The token is to give little strokes of the fore finger upon the joint of the little finger. It is answered by taking the right-hand, with the fingers of the right-hand extended, and shaking it thrice, which signifies three times five, the number of the fifteen elect.-The word is Zeomet and the answer to it Eloham. (I have no further particulars of the last two degrees than those stated. R. C.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE OF THE PRIESTLY ORDER OF ISRAEL, OR PROVOST and judge.

This lodge is held in Solomon's private arch, under the sanctum sanctorum, and over the sepulchre of Hiram Abiff: in which place he was finally installed with his Jewel.

The officers are twelve; Tito Zadock, the High Priest, King Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre, with nine grand officers. The two kings are under the High Priest. The first of the nine grand officers is called Senior Provost.

The lodge is hung with red, and illuminated with twelve great lights, in the form of a triangle.

The high priest sits under a rich blue canopy, ornamented with purple, scarlet and gold, the four famous colours that adorned the veil of King Solomon's Temple and the Tabernacle in the wilderness, under Moses the great and inspired law giver.

Tito Zadok, in addition to the office of High Priest, bears that of Prince of Jerusalem and Harodium. Solomon and Hiram are styled royal chiefs. These three officers have each a sceptre in his hands. The two kings wear crowns and the High Priest the regular habit of his office.

The candidate for this degree, having been admitted and obligated, is thus addressed by the High Priest:

Brother Noodle, you, having taken the solemn obligation of this degree, I do, in virtue of the power to me given, constitute and appoint a Provost and Judge, with the title of High Priest of Jerusalem and Harodim and Grand Superintendant over the Architects of the Temple, in the place of your late Grand Master, Hiram Abiff. And we do here invest you with these four golden keys, suspended to this red ribbon, and with this apron, bound with the same colour, as an emblem of the ardour and zeal of Hiram Abiff. The first of these keys will open the private arch of King Solomon. The second will let you into the tomb of the immortal widow's son. The third will let you into the sanctum sanctorum or holy of holies. And the other will enable you to find the sacred treasure in the ark of the covenant.

Catechism.

Q. What is denoted by Tito Zadok.

A. Tito Zadok, the prince and high priest of Jerusalem.

Q. What means the second name.

A. It denotes the high priest to be just.

Q. What was the intention of King Solomon in forming this degree.

A. To appoint grand superintendants over the architects to carry into execution the plans of Hiram Abiff in the outer works of the Temple, and to honour the great servant of the most high lord, who was, for that purpose, created prince of Harodim and Jerusalem, set above the great and learned King of Tyre, and the most powerful king then on earth, whose wisdom far exceeded that of all men. This high priest was the first admitted by these two kings into this degree and within the holy place of the Temple.

Q. Who was the second Mason exalted to this degree.

A. Zadok, the great favourite of King Solomon, and to him was entrusted the four keys of the sacred treasures contained in the oracle, above it in the obelisk of Hiram Abiff, and below it in the sacred private arch of Solomon.

Q. In what manner did Zadok obtain admission into these sacred places,

A. Into the obelisk, he had free access without attendance. Into the sanctum sanctorum or holy of holies only with the permission and in the presence of Tito Zadok, the high Priest, who opened with his second key the door of the holy place leading to the sanctum sanctorum, and having the glorious veil of the Temple, which separated the holy place from the most holy sanctum sanctorum, thrown aside by twelve of the priesthood, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, he was permitted, during the reading of the law by the Senior Priest of the tribes of Israel, to view that glorious treasure exhibited in due form by the High Priest. Into Solomon's private Arch he entered accompanied by Solomon himself and Hiram, King of Tyre, while the nine grand officers guarded the nine arches that led from the residence of the King on Mount Sion to the arch under the holy mount Moriah. And with his fourth key, he entered the sepulchre of Hiram Abiff, under the Arch of Solomon, and, on that solemn and secret spot, he took the great obligation of this degree, in the presence of the kings of Jerusalem and Tyre.

Q. What was the result of the anticipation of Zadok the High Priest into this degree.

A. He was so struck with admiration, in beholding the furniniture of this holy place, in the bowels of the earth, that he fell prostrate and pronounced J.

Q. What does that denote.

A. The glorious light of God. King Solomon perceiving him in that attitude, at the instant the words were pronounced advanced and raised him, exclaiming Jaz--b.

Q. What does that denote,

A. The sight of God. Solomon delivered to him the four keys belonging to this degree, by which his knowledge was daily increased.

Q. What else was to be seen in that sacred lodge.

A. A triangle in the middle of a circle, and in the centre of it

the TT two crosses, like the cross of mount Calvary.

Q. What is denoted by the two roses.

A, The white rose represents the purity and innocence of Hiram Abiff, and the red, on the circle stone his blood open for the honourable course of masonry.

Form of closing.

High Priest.Companions and explorers of the bowels of the earth, be pleased to assist me in closing the lodge of Judges of the holy city of Jerusalem. Pray, Senior Companion, what is the last duty?

Senior Provist.-To seal the sepulchre of our departed grand master, lock up our secrets, and retire in peace from the mansion of the dead,

H. P. Take the emblems of your office and see that duty faithfully performed.

The Senior Companion receives from the two kings their seals:, the one with the arms of Jerusalem; the other with the rod of Aaron budding; with which he closes the tomb and seals the sepulchre of Hiram Abiff.

The high Priest does the same with his seal, which represents the arms of the twelve tribes.-Each joins the proper report as pointed out, and the lodge is closed.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE OF PROVOST AND JUDGE OR IRISH MASTER.

Form of the Lodge.

THIS lodge is hung with red and illuminated with five great lights; one of which must be in the centre and the others at the four angles, The master is placed in the east, under a blue canopy bespangled with golden stars. The master's title is that of thrice illustrious and puissant. He represents Tito Prince Harodim, the eldest of the Provosts and Judges, first grand warden and inspector of the three hundred architects, who draw plans for the workmen of the Temple. The second senior master acts as seniorTM warden, and the brethren are to be placed to the right and left according to seniority. The wardens sit in the west.

Form of opening.

The thrice illustrious and puissant master strikes four quick and one slow, which is repeated by the warden. The master asks the following questions.

Q. Illustrious brother warden, are we tiled.

A. Thrice illustrious and puissant master, we are tiled and can begin to work.

A. To supervise the conduct of the workmen, to attend to the business done by them, and to render impartial justice to each of them.

Q. What is the clock.

A. It is break of day, eight o'clock, two o'clock, seven, o'clock.

The master strikes four and one on the altar, which is repeated by the wardens. The master says:-As it is eight, two and seven o'clock, it is time for the workmen to begin their work.The lodge is opened and the brethren clap four and one.

Form of Reception.

The master holds a sceptre in his hand and orders the grand master of the Ceremonies to go and prepare the candidate. He goes, brings him to the door and knocks as before, which the warden repeats and after him the master. The warden informs the master, that somebody knocks as Provost and Judge. The master sends to enquire who is there, which being done, the answer returned is: Brother Noodle stands at the door and solicits the favour of being admitted to the degree of Illustrious Mas ter Provost and Judge. The master desires the candidate to be examined and admitted. The master of the ceremonies introduces him, places him between the wardens and retires. The senior warden takes the candidate by the hand, makes him kneel and pronounce Civi, and lays his naked sword on his shoulder. Thus he remains a while until the Thrice Illustrious and Puissant Master pronounces the word Ky. Then the Junior Warden raises him and leads him seven times round the lodge. At the first round, he gives the Apprentice's sign, and every other in rotation as he goes round. He is now brought to the footstool of the throne and thus addressed by the master :

Respectable brother, it gives me pleasure to have it in my power to reward your zeal for masonry and your attention and attachment for the master of masters. This I do by appointing you a Provost and Judge over all the workmen of this lodge; for, as we are fully convinced of your discretion, we do not scruple to confide in you and to communicate our most important secrets to your bosom, which will encourage you to do your duty in this degree, as you have done in the former, to which you had the honour of being admitted. I trust you with the key of the place, where lies deposited the heart and remains of Hiram Abiff; but you must bind yourself by a solemn obligation, that you will never divulge the secrets. Kneel and contract your obligation. Noodle. I promise to render strict and impartial justice, to pay just and due obedience to the regulations and orders of the council of the Princes of Jerusalem, with all my former obligations: so God keep me in truth, equity and justice. Amen. Amen. Amen.

The candidate is ordered to rise: the master gives him a stroke on each shoulder with his sceptre and thus addresses him:Brother Noodle, by a power to me given and with which I am