FRENCH RITE. The French or Modern rite was estab lished by the Grand Orient of France about the year 1786. to preserve the high degrees; and for the purpose of sim plifying the system the number was reduced to seven, viz• Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft, Master Mason, Elect, or First Order of Rose Croix, Scotch Order, or Second Order of Rose Croix, Knight of the East, or Third Order of Rose Croix, and the Rose Croix, or ne plus ultra. The peculiar signs and secrets of the two first symbolical degrees under this rite are in reverse of those adopted by the Grand Lodge, or Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted rite, of France, in which the practice is the same as in our own Grand Lodge. In the 3d degree the Lodge has a very solemn ap pearance, being hung with black drapery, and displaying many somber and awe-inspiring emblems. The Master is designated Tres Respectable (Very Worshipful), and the members Venerable Masters; all the brethren appear covered. In the 4th degree there are three chambers—the Room of Preparation, the Council Chamber, and the Cavern, The lesson inculcated in this degree is intended forcibly to imprint on the mind of its recipient the certainty with which punishment will follow crime. The 5th degree requires also three chambers, the second of which is most elaborately fur nished and decorated with various Masonic attributes; in the East is a triangular pedestal, on which is placed the cubical stone; in the center of the chamber is a column, and by it a table, having upon it the corn, wine, and oil; and in the North is a sacrificial altar. The. Lodge is illuminated by twenty-seven lights, in three groups of nine each; it repre• sents the Temple completed, and its whole appearance is most gorgeous. The Lodge is denominated Sublime; the
presiding officer is Res Grand (Very Great), and the brethren are Sublime Masters. The 6th degree also requires three chambers; the second, which is called the Hall of the East, represents the council of Cyrus at Babylon, and is composed of that prince, seven principal officers, and other Knights. The decoration is green, and requires fifteen lights. Be hind the throne is a transparency, representing the vision of Cyrus, in which he received the injunction, "Restore liberty to the captives." The candidate, in passing from the second to the third chamber, has to cross a bridge of timber over a stream choked with rubbish; and having at length arrived at the last, or western chamber, he perceives the Masons reposing among the ruins of Jerusalem. The room is hung with red, and illuminated by ten groups of candles of seven each. In the center is the representation of the ruined Temple. The Sovereign Master represents Cyrus; the chief Officer, Daniel the Prophet,. The badge is of white satin, bordered with green; the sash, of water green, is worn from left to right; the jewel is the triple triangle, crossed by two swords. The 7th degree is precisely like that of the 18th degree of the Ancient and Accepted rite. A rite, slightly differing from the preceding, and called the " Ancient Reformed rite," is now practiced in Holland and Belgium.