KNIGHTS AND NYMPHS OF THE ROSE. An Order of Adoptive or Androgynous Masonry, established in Paris toward the close of the eighteenth century; but its ex istence was brief. A full history of the ceremonies are furnished for the benefit of the curious. The place of meeting was called " The Temple of Love." It was ornamented with garlands of flowers, and hung round with escutcheons, on which were painted various devices and scenes of gallantry. There were two presiding officers, the man being styled Hierophant, the female the High-Priestess. The former initiated men, the latter women. The Conductor Assistant of the men was called Sentiment, that of the women Discre tion. The Knights wore a crown of myrtle; the Nymphs a crown of roses. The Hierophant and High-Priestess wore, in addition, a rose-colored scarf, on which were embroidered two devices within a myrtle wreath. One dull taper was the only light during the initiation; at the closing business the hall was illuminated by numerous wax candles. When a candidate was to be initiated, he or she was taken in charge by Sentiment or Discretion, divested of all weapons, jewels, or money, hood winked, and loaded with chains, and conducted to the door of the Temple of Love, where admission was demanded by two knocks. When admitted and presented, the candidate was asked his or her name, country, condition in society, and having answered these questions was asked, " What are you now seeking?" to this the answer was, "Happiness."
The interrogatory then proceeds a little further, "What is your age r and the candidate has, if a male, to reply, "The age to love;" the female, "The age to please and to be loved." The candidate's feelings and opinions on matters of gallantry are further probed, and all being satisfactory, the chains are removed and replaced by garlands of flowers, which are called "the chains of love." After some other probationary exercises of a like character, the 0 B is administered: "I promise and swear by the Grand Master of the Universe never to reveal the secrets of the Order of the Rose, and should I fail in this my vow, may the mysteries I shall receive add nothing to my pleasures, and, instead of the roses of happiness, may I find nothing but thorns of repentance." The candidates were then conducted to the mysterious groves in the neighborhood of the Temple of Love, and during the time there spent, slow and delicious music in march style is played. These trials ended, the novice is next con ducted to the altar of mystery, placed at the foot of the Hierophant's throne, and there incense is offered to Venus and her son Cupid; a brief space spent there, and after some more ceremonies of a like character, the bandage is removed from the novitiate's eyes, and with delicious music, and in a brilliantly lighted apartment, the signs and secrets are communicated.