The R. C. Degree requires three Chambers, and if possible an outer or preparation room, for the reception of Candidates, where the following degrees, to the 17th inclusive, are to be given by name, unless the same is done in extenso.

The first is named the BLACK ROOM. This should be hung with black, the floor covered with oil cloth, representing a Mosaic Pavement in black and white squares or lozenges. In the East, two black curtains, arranged so as to be drawn asunder entirely, and sufficiently open to show the Altar, which should be raised with three steps, and covered with black with a white border, and on which Silver or White Swords are worked (vide Tracing Board). Behind and above the upper step, a transparency, on

which are represented three Crosses (vide T. B.); the centre and highest Cross should have the Mystic Rose (black) placed on the centre of the Cross, and surrounded by a crown of thorns; the other two Crosses should have a Skull and Cross-bones depicted at their feet. Behind the Curtain, and at the foot of the Altar, should be a triangular table, covered with black cloth and a white fringe, round the edge of which must be placed three wax lights, a Bible, Compasses, Square, and Triangle. Beside the Altar, there should be a Couch for the M. W. S. to recline on. On the Altar, before the transparency, at the foot of the Cross, should be placed a Rose made of black crape. In the centre of the room must be the Tracing Board, and on the floor a painting of Seven Circles in white upon a black ground, and in the centre a rose. the North, South, and West, there must be three pillars six feet high, on the Capitals of which must be inscribed Faith, Hope, and Charity, or

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on small tins or cards suspended by a hook to each pillar. Each column must be surmounted by eleven lights, disposed in a box having eleven holes

divided into two by a second black curtain behind the Altar; at all events, there must be a passage thence to the Red Room, according to the position of the apartments.

From the Black Room should open the Chamber of Death, and thence the Red Room; but if this cannot be managed, the Candidate, after being refused admittance in the Second Point of the Ceremony, must be sent into the Reception Room, and the Black Room transformed into the Chamber of Death.

The CHAMBER OF DEATH must have the Emblems of Mortality strewed about, and sundry obstructions so placed that the Candidate

may have some difficulty in groping his way to the black curtain, behind which a lamp of spirits of wine and salt must be placed, the wick of the lamp also strewed with salt, and two or three persons in w...g s...s grouped around it as c...s. The Chamber of Death may be lighted by transparencies representing Skulls, Cross-bones, &c., or by seven flambeaux fixed in Skulls and Cross-bones.

The THIRD CHAMBER, or RED ROOM, must be brilliantly illuminated, and all the Brethren, in their highest costume, ranged with their Banners behind them. The room hung with red. In the centre, the representation of the mysterious ladder of Seven Steps; on the Altar must be Seven Steps, and thirty-three lights. Behind the Altar, a transparency representing the Blazing Star with seven points, in the centre of which the letter G. On the top step of the Altar must be the Cubic Stone, in the front of which a red rose opened with

The ALTAR must be profusely ornamented with roses, and perfumed with attar of roses. No Cross should appear in this part of the degree, but the Word, when found, can be suspended to a silk thread stretched across, by small hooks behind each letter, and above the Cubic Stone, when they can be easily removed previous to the Word being burnt. The last part of the Ceremony is given in the Red Room, arranged as above, except that the Ladder is to be removed, and a pedestal covered with a white cloth placed at the east end of the Tracing Board, on which are placed a salt cellar, and a salver with biscuits or passion cakes; on each side a cup, one containing the loving mixture, the other spirits of wine, with chloride of strontian, in which to burn the Word.

In conferring the Degree of Rose Croix, you will first give the degrees by name from the 4th to the 14th (both inclusive) in a Grand Lodge of

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