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368
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS. .
many priviledges, exemptions, and points of honour, granted
to the father of the fraternity ; it is stiled and directed,
" To such an one, our well beloved friend and Creditour,"
which is a title proper only to this case, for they say the
King is debtor to no man but for propagation
of his sub-
jects. The seal set to the King's charter is R. C., and the
King's image embossed or mouled in gold.
This charter the
herald readeth aloud, the father, or Rosie Crucian, standing
up, supported by two of his sons. Then the herald mounteth
the half- pace and delivereth the charter into his hands, and
with that there is an acclamation
"
Happy are the people
"
Then the herald taketh into his hand, from
of Apanua !
the other childe, the cluster of grapes, which are daintily
enamelled. If the males of the Holy Island are the greater
number, the grapes are enamelled purple, with a sun set on
the top.
If the females prevaile, they are enamelled into a
greenish yellow, with a crescent on the top. The grapes
are in number as many as the descendants of the fraternity.
This golden cluster the herald delivereth also to the Rosie
Crucian, who presently delivereth it to that sonne formerly
chosen to be in his house with him, who beareth it before
his father as an ensign of honour when he goeth in publick
ever after. After this ceremony, the father, or Rosie
Crucian, retireth, and after some time commeth forth again
to dinner, where he sitteth alone under the slate none of
his descendants sit with him, except he happ
Holy House. He is served only by
to be of the
his own male children
upon the knee ; the women stand about him, leaning
against the wall. The room below the half-pace hath tables
on the sides for the ghests, who are served with great and
comely order. Towards the end of dinner (which
in their
greatest feasts never lasteth above an hour and an half)