History Of Masonic Imitations.

good . For ourselves we see no use in the system at all , beyond a temporary gratification to the candidates , and a pandering to the natural curiosity which all ladies have to know of what nature is that lodge bnsinesswhich keeps husbands , brothers ,

and sons out at late hours of the night , and makes them so earnest and zealous in what appears to jhem but a pompous display and idle amusement . Our old Brother Oliver , in his " Revelations of a Square , " takes a position which we may say

embodies our views on the subject : — "AFrench woman may be pleased with such frippery , and gratifiedby the adulation and subserviency which accompanies it ; but our country women look forward to the more rational pursuits and amusements of their sex—to the pleasures of domestic

happiness , surrounded by their beloved children ; to the delights which flow from the practice of Christian benevolence ; visiting the sick ; relieving the distressed ; comforting the afflicted ; and last , though not least , of superintending the morals of

their poor neighbours , and crowning their humble dwellings with industry and content practising , in a word , all the moral duties of Masonry without being troubled with its details . This is the glorious career of an Englishwoman , which she would not

barter for all the Masonry in Christendom , if it were freely offered for her acceptance . Nor can I be led to believe that if Masonry were thrown open to the females of this land to-morrow , any ¦ educated or respectable person would consent to be a candidate for initiation . "

The first society of male and female Freemasons 0 f which we have any detailed account was founded about 1743 , under the name "L'Ordre de Felicitaires , " the Order of the Happy Ones . Its terms and phrases were nautical . There were four

degrees—Midshipman , Master , Commander , and Admiral . Piloted by the brethren , the candidate took an emblematical voyage to the Island of Happiness . A solemn oath of secrecy was enjoined , and the brethren vowed " never to anchor in any

port where one of the vessels of the Order was already stationed , " while the sisters swore " never to admit a strange vessel into port , as long as one of the vessels of the Order was there at anchor . " This society gave place to another , almost

precisely similar , ancl styled " The Knights and Heroines of tho Anchor . ' It was somewhat of a more refined nature than its predecessor . A few years prior to this , however , when the Bull of the Pope , Clement XII ., had abolished

History Of Masonic Imitations.

Freemasonry in Germany , some of the Catholics , not wishing to lose the opportunity of a friendlyreunion in a lodge , got up a sort of secret club called the Mopsi , and invited the attendance of ladies . A dog , the symbol of fidelity , was adopted

as the emblem ; and . the club flourished pretty well until Freemasonry was re-established in the country . This , and many similar mixed societies , there is no doubt , were formed merely as a means of

promoting social harmony . Of such character was " Les Ohevaliers et Oheualieresses de la Joie , " at Paris , whose protecting deities were Bacchus and Cupid ; and the standard of puritj * , with such protectors , could scarce have been the highest . An

order similar was formed iu Spain , and called the " Ohevaliers et Nyruphes cle la Base . " They met in gorgeous chambers , called the Temple of Love , the decorations and furniture were most

magnificent ; costly pictures m the richest frames adorned the ornamented walls ; shields bearing amorous devices were interspersed among them , and the air was heavy with perfumes and the breath of newly woven festoons of flowers . Superb mirrors reached

from floor to ceiling at each end of the room , crimson and gold hangings , statues and busts , the richest Turkey carpets , in which the feet sank to the ankle , aud the sparkling cut glass chandeliers made an abode fit for a Sybarite . The chief officers

were a Grand Hieorphant and Grand Priestess ; the former initiated the male , and the latter the female candidates . The aspirants were introduced by a knight named Sentiment and a maiden named Discretion , who assisted in the mysterious

ceremonies . Brother and sister were the titles employed ; the knights were crowned with myrtle , and the nymphs with wreaths of white roses . While the candidate was beinsr received the room

was darkened , save the light of a lamp held by Discretion ; but when the initiation was completed lights streamed from hundreds of tapers of scented wax inserted in the chandeliers , the novice finding herself suddenly surrounded by a number of well

dressed men " sandwiched " between lovely girls in pure white robes and blue sashes , from which were suspended jewels of gold . Then she took the following oath of fidelity : — I promise and swear in the name of the Great Master of the

Universe never to reveal the secrets of the Order of the Bose . If I break the oath , may I , instead of the roses of pleasure , find nothing but the thorns of repentance . "