FERLE. Solemn religious festivals celebrated by the early Romans. They met on the Alban mount, where, under the direction of the magistrates of Rome and the several cities, they offered sacrifices to Jupiter, and under sanction of this ceremony took oaths to preserve their mutual friendship and alliance. It continued but one day originally, but in process of time four days were devoted to its celebration, and during that time it was unlawful for any person to work. The days on which the feria were observed were called by the Romans festi dies, because dedicated to mirth, relaxation and festivity.
EIiSSLER'S SYSTEM, or, as it is sometimes called, "FESSLER'S RITE." This is the most elaborate, learned and philosophical illustration and application of the Masonic degrees. Bro. Fessler was a professor of the civil law and Deputy Grand Master of the Lodge Royal York a. Amitie, at Berlin. He was a man of profound learning, and took great interest in all things pertaining to Masonry. He at
first undertook to destroy the high degrees, but finding it impracticable, he accepted, in 1798, an appointment to revise and rectify them. lie thus created nine degrees, the first three of which, Apprentice, Fellow-Craft and Master Theo soph, are the symbolic degrees, with slight variations. these came 4th, the Holy of Holies; 5th, Justification; 6th, Celebration, 7th,• The True Light, or Passage; 8th, The Country, or Fatherland; 9th, Perfection. The last degree was never completed; and the six last were taken from the rituals of the Rose Croix of Gold, those of the Strict Observance, of the Chapter Illuminatus of Sweden, and the Ancient Chapter of Clermont. It is said that the system, though incomplete, was approved by Frederic William in 1797. It is at present practiced by only a small number of Lodges in Prussia.