THE OPERATIVES' PARLIAMENT. 357 



Union during the past year, was so overcome by the ceremonies he went 

 through on his admission, that he was literally deprived of reason, and 

 died in the agonies of raving madness. 



" DRAMATIS PERSONS. Outside Tiler* a member of the Union who keeps 

 guard on the outside of the room in which the members are assembled. Inside 

 Tiler ditto on the inside. Principal Conductor the person who conducts to 

 the Lodge those who are to be initiated into the mysteries of the Union. 

 President. Vice-President. Warden. Secretary. Members of the 

 Union. Workmen about to be made members. 



" The scene is usually the first floor of a tavern, which is doubly planked 

 throughout, and the interstices filled with wood-shavings, in order to pre- 

 vent any one overhearing the ceremonies. The time is 8 or 9 o'clock in 

 the evening, at which hour the above-named dramatis persona, with the 

 exception of the principal conductor, and those who are about to enter the 

 Union, are supposed to be collected together for the performance of the 

 following drama. On one side of the apartment is a skeleton, above which 

 is a drawn sword and a battle-axe, and in front stands a table, upon which 

 lies a Bible. The principal officers of the Union are clothed in surplices. 



" (Members say the following prayer} : ' O God, who art the author of 

 peace and lover of concord, defend us in this our undertaking, that we 

 may not fear the power of our adversaries, through the merits of Jesus 

 Christ our Lord. Amen.' (Outside Tiler knocks at the door.) 



" Inside Tiler ' Who comes here to disturb the peace and harmony of 

 this our most worthy and honourable order?' 



" Principal Conductor, from without ' I am not come here to disturb 

 the peace and harmony of this your most worthy and honourable order. I 

 am a brother with strangers, who wish to be admitted into your most 

 worthy and honourable order.' 



" Inside Tiler ' Most worthy President, Vice, Secretary, and brothers 

 all, a brother stands at the door with strangers, who wish to be admitted 

 into this your most worthy and honourable order.' 



<e President ' In the name of the Lord admit him/ 



u (Enter Principal Conductor, followed by the strangers with their eyes bandaged. 

 Members salute, and then sing a hymn. ) 



" Principal Conductor. 



" ( Strangers, within our secret walls we have admitted you, 

 Hoping you will prove honest, faithful, just and true ; 

 If you cannot keep the secrets we require, 

 Go hence, you are at liberty to retire. 

 Are your motives pure ?' 

 " Strangers ( Yes.' 



" Principal Conductor ( Do you declare they are?' 

 " Strangers ' Yes.' 



" Principal Conductor. 



" ' Then, brethren, to initiate these strangers we will now proceed, 

 And our most worthy master may proceed to read.' 



(Members sing a hymn. ) 

 " Warden. 



" ' Stand, ye presumptuous mortals ! strangers' steps I hear, 

 And I must know your trade and business here. 

 By my great power, there's nothing can from vengeance stay us, 

 If you come here intending to betray us.' 



* u ' Tiler' is technically a Masonic term, which originated in the circum- 

 stance, that on the first establishment of Freemasonry, those who were employed 

 to guard the door, were really the working tilers, who had joined the confe% 

 deracy." 



