The Rite Of Misraim.

Avhich it Avould be rather difficult to go—and the grand conservators left its tradition in hieroglyphic characters , intelligible only to tho initiated . It might be asked , Avhat became of those mystic characters during the Flood ? But the answer silences all caidl , when we tell the reader that Noah himself ( previous to whom AVC give the genealogy ) was a grand conservator , and probably held a lodge of the eighty-seventh degree in one corner of tho Ark . From that date forwardnothing can be easier than to trace the

, progress of Misraimism CIOAVII to these latter days , Avhen , for Avant of that appreciation so largely accorded to it by the savans of antiquity , it has become extinct . I Avould cheerfully cite the names of all these distinguished conservators , but I fear the reader Avould tire of the enumeration , and tho publisher accuse me of Avriting against time . We will then take a cometlike sAveep over the lost ages , and come doAvn to the 9 th of April , 1815 ,

ivhen , according to Marc , the central authority Avas established in Paris , and at the same time representatives Avere named near corresponding powers in Naples , Milan , WarsaAV , and Jerusalem , from which it would appear that tho Order had previously existed in those places , though AVC find no proof of tho assertion beyond a piece of the cloth from Avhich the conservatorship of Noah is manufactured . Tho principal features of tho system thus established may be seen in the folloAving , from the pen of

the veritable Marc himself : — " The Masonic Order of Misraim is composed of ninety degrees , or grades , divided into seventeen classes , forming four series . The first series , called Symbolic , contains from the first to tho thirty-third degree ; the Sublime Chosen Knights are its chiefs , and superintend it . The second , from the thirty-fourth to the sixty-sixth , called Philosophical , has for chiefs , the Inspectors , Commanders AVIIO OA ersee this and inspect the first . The third , from the sixty-seventh to the soArenty-seArcnth , is called

Mystical ; tho Grand Inspectors , Intendants , regulators General are its Chiefs , and haA c its supervision , as AVCII as a superintendence OA er the first and second . Tho fourth is called Cabalistic ; tho Grand Masters ad vitam are its chiefs , and haA r e the general direction of the Order ; it contains from the soA cnty-cighth to the ninetieth and last degree . "The supreme dignity of Conservator is not a degree , but forms oxclusiA'ela part of the ninetieth and last degreeto Avhich belongs the

y , sovereign poAver and the supreme administration . "This grandiloquent composition should not frighten tho neivly initiated , AA 1 IO , after having pronounced the words Atehala- JBehahaba ( commencement and resignation ) , enter , for tho first time , on the career of the rough ashlar , Avhere they pcrceiA r e that mysterious ladder that astonishes their understandingthe feet of Avhich touch the earthand its top the heavens

, , , and rightly imagine that they have neither tho time , the courage , nor the intelligence to reach the summit . " Tho ninety degrees arc divided into soA enteen classes , which classes form , in turn , but four scries , in Avhich are dcA'olopcd the scientific acquirements of the philosophical , mystic , and cabalistic series , Avhich are summed up in four perfect points , knoAvn only to those masons who haA e arrived at the

summit of the institution , to Avhich every disciple of Misraim may hopie to arrive by zeal , labour , and perseverance . " Tho Patriarch Adam , Guardian and Superior Grand Conservator of the Order , faithful to the instructions ho had received from the Most Hi gh , formed the first lodge among his children , who aided him to the best of their ability , by using all their influence for the propagation of the art Avhich Ave profess . Seth , his third son , succeeded him as Grand Conservator , proAung himself eminently Avorthy of that mission , by the progress he made in the Order .