The morning call., 1894-06-24

nique Piccoli. and the honorary president,
the Bishop of Antioch, announced
the beginning of the solemn cere-
mOny. As they took their places. the
chevaliers presented arms, and after several
prayers the candidates. Nj. Lantiers OF
Clermond-Ferrand and DR.. Dubois of Va
lenclenneS, were ushered into the OratOry
by the master of ceremonies. NJ. Lantiers
knelt at the altar and the prior said: My
brother, You are about 10 become a cbeva-
ller. Not in order to be rich, not to be
honored-in that way you would not be of
service TO the Militia; but to be model
to your brothers by the nobility Of your
aspirations, by your generous abDegation
and to serve as a valiant Christian the
house of the Militia of Jesus Christ"
The almoner then blessed the cross and
sword that had been placed on the altar.
A dignitary placed the red cross on the
candidates breast and attached his spurs
Another threw over his shoulders a chew
alters mantle. made of black velvet, lined
with white satin. After the prior had
girded his sword the candidate knelt and
the prior struck him with the sword three
times on the shoulder, saying: Through
God. Our Lady and the holy Father ST.
Dominique L make you chevalier."
The new chevalier rose, recited the creed,
then, placing his sword on the Gospels,
took the following oath: Here | renew
the promise | made TO Omnip0tenr God, to
the Virgin Mary, to ST. Dominique and to
all the saints, 10 observe ali my life the
commandments of God, to fulfill the du-
ties imposed on me by the constitution of
the order, to show obedience and fidelity
TO the grand master, TO practice with my
brothers the sentiments of charity and
love-thus following the example of our
Lord Jesus Christ"
Basphemy, acts of oppression, abuse of
power IL not corrected alter warnings, re-
proofs and degradation. give the right TO
exclusion from the order To submit to
punishment for these offenses was another
clause of the oath. After the admission of
the second candidate bread was broken,
the doors of the chapel closed and the
evening finished by a causerie around a
bowl OF punch.
Another discovery made by me this week
is that in the department of the Sa0ne and
Loire are sui found remnants of Druid
ism. The modern DruidS are called
"Bancs," because the priests wear long
W hite robes. Their reunions are noctur-
nal. in The depths OF forests. around oak
trees. OF these there are four yearly, but
the most solemn ceremony is held near
Clayette, under the superln tendence of the
high priest. The Biancs are treated as
outcasis, but are noted for their honesty.
The women are so attached TO their religion
that they never consent 10 marry outside
If the faith. But the number Of Blancs is
of the inhabitants of the country near the
Saone ana Loire.
Perhaps the last remnants of the Commune
are the ruins OF the Cour des Comptes, ruins
that the Government has intended to re-
build ever since the devastation of 1871.
The ,Cour des Complies. on the Quai
d'0rsay. burned by the Communists. has
for twenty-three years been monument
to the fury of the French people.
The duty of The Cour des Complies is to
verify all accounts presented from the
custom-hOuse. tax offices and pOstOffices-
In short, from every Government depart
ment. President Carnot expresses grea;
regret at the state of the old Cour des
Complies, and thinks that. whether de-
molished or rebuilt, the ruins should dis
appear. The building occupies a surface
5000 meters square. and one meter of an
ordinary ed fee costs 1000 francs, so that
to build something in place OF the Cour
des Complies would cost 100000 or $780,
600 francs.
The moment that sum is mentioned in
Parliament there are cries of alarm, and
it is probable the Government Will never
grant the amount REQ aired. At present
the three offices of the Cour des Complies
are established in the Palais-Royal and
Pavilion Marian. aud the Government OBJ
tanned with great difficulty from Parlia-
ment the money necessary for their ar
rangemen.
BARONESS ALTHEA SALVADOR