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366
HISTORY OF THE ROS1CRUCIANS.
was enough to make us forget all that was dear to us in
our own countries. Continually we met with things right
worthy of observation and relation, as indeed if there be a
mirrour in the world worthy to hold men's eyes, it is that
countrey.
One day there were two of our company bidden
to a feast of the fraternity, as they call it, and a most
naturall, pious, and reverend custome it is, shewing that
nation to be compounded of all goodnesse. It is granted
to any man who shall live to see thirty persons descended
of his body alive together, and all above three years old,
to make this feast, which is done at the cost of the State.
The Father of the fraternity, whom they call the R. C.,
two days before the feast taketh to him three of such
friends as he liketh to chuse, and is assisted also by
the governour of the city where the feast is celebrated,
and all the persons of the family, of both sexes, are sum-
moned to attend upon him. Then, if there be any dis-
cords or suits, they are compounded and appeased. Then,
if any of the family be distressed or decayed, order is
taken for their relief and competent means to live.
Then, if any be subject to vice, they are reproved and
censured. So, likewise, direction is given touching
marriage and the courses of life. The governour assisteth
to put in execution the decrees of the Tirsan if they should
be disobeyed, though that seldome needeth, such reverence
they give to the order of Nature. The Tirsan doth also
then chuse one man from amongst his sons to live in house
with him, who is called ever after the Sonne of the Vine.
On the feast day the father, or Tirsan, commeth forth after
Divine Service in to a large room, where the feast is cele-
brated, which room hath an half-pace at the upper end.
Against the wall, in the middle of the half-pace, is a chaire