| | |
| Damnant quod non intelligunt. [ 1 |  |
PRESCRIPTOF THE* *
What may this mean,
That thou, dead corse, again, in complete steel,
Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon,
Making night hideous; and we fools of nature,
So horridly to shake our disposition,
With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls?
An' now auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin',
A certain Ghoul is rantin', drinkin',
Some luckless night will send him linkin',
To your black pit;
But, faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin',
And cheat you yet.
|
| Amici humani generis. [ 2 |  |
Creed. We the * * reverently acknowledge
the Majesty and Supremacy of the Divine being,
and recognize the Goodness and Providence of the
Same. Preamble. We recognize our relations to the United States
Government and acknowledge the supremacy of
its laws. Appellation. Article I. This organization shall be styled and
denominated the * * Titles. Art. II. The officers of this * shall consist of
a Grand Wizard of the Empire and his ten Genii;
a Grand Dragon of the Realm and his eight Hy-
dras; a Grand Titan of the Dominion and his six
Furies; a Grand Giant of the Province and his four
Goblins; a Grand Cyclops of the Den and his two
Night Hawks; a Grand Magi, a Grand Monk, a
Grand Exchequer, a Grand Turk, a Grand Scribe,
a Grand Sentinel, and a Grand Ensign. Sec. 2. The body politic of this * shall be des-
ignated and known as "Ghouls." Divisions. Art. III. This * shall be divided into five de-
partments, all combined, constituting the Grand
* of the Empire. The second department to be
called the Grand * of the Realm. The third, the
Grand * of the Dominion. The fourth, the Grand
* of the Province. The fifth, the * of the Den. Duties of Officers. Grand Wizard. Art. IV. Sec. I. It shall be the duty of the Grand
Wizard, who is the Supreme Officer of the Empire
to communicate with and receive reports from the |
| Magna est veritas, et prevalebit. |
| Nec scire fas est omnia. [ 3 |  |
Grand Dragons of Realms, as to the condition,
strength, efficiency and progress of the *s
within their respective Realms. And he shall com-
municate from time to time, to all subordinates *s,
through the Grand Dragon, the condition, strength,
efficiency, and progress of the *s throughout his vast
Empire; and such other information as he may deem
expedient to impart. And it shall further be his du-
ty to keep by his G Scribe a list of the names (without
any caption or explanation whatever) of the Grand
Dragons of the different Realms of his Empire, and
shall number such Realms with the Arabic nume-
rals, 1, 2, 3, &c., ad finem. And he shall instruct
his Grand Exchequer as to the appropriation and
disbursement which he shall make of the revenue
of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have
the sole power to issue copies of this Prescript,
through his Subalterns and Deputies, for the organ-
ization and establishment of subordinate *s. And
he shall have the further power to appoint his Ge-
nii; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer
for his Department, and to appoint and ordain
Special Deputy Grand Wizards to assist him in the
more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab-
lishment of the * throughout his Empire. He is
further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu-
ties, to organize and control Realms, Dominions,
Provinces, and Dens, until the same shall elect a
Grand Dragon, a Grand Titan, a Grand Giant, and
a Grand Cyclops, in the manner hereinafter provid-
ded. And when a question of paramount impor-
tance to the interest or prosperity of the * arises,
not provided for in this Prescript, he shall have
power to determine such question, and his decision
shall be final, until the same shall be provided for
by amendment as hereinafter provided. |
| Ne vile fano. |
| Ars est celare artem. [ 4 |  |
Grand Dragon. Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Dragon
who is the Chief Officer of the Realm, to report to
the Grand Wizard when required by that officer,
the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress of
the * within his Realm, and to transmit through
the Grand Titan to the subordinate *s of his Realm,
all information or intelligence conveyed to him by
the Grand Wizard for that purpose, and all such oth-
er information or instruction as he may think will
promote the interests of the *. He shall keep by his
G. Scribe a list of the names (without any caption)
of the Grand Titans of the different Dominions of
his Realm, and shall report the same to the Grand
Wizard when required; and shall number the Do-
minions of his Realm with the Arabic numerals, 1,
2, 3, &c., ad finem. He shall instruct his Grand
Exchequer as to the appropriation and disburse-
ment of the revenue of the * that comes to his
hands. He shall have the power to appoint his
Hydras; also, a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exche-
quer for his Department, and to appoint and ordain
Special Deputy Grand Dragons to assist him in the
more rapid and effectual dissemination and estab-
lishment of the * throughout his Realm. He is
further empowered to appoint and instruct Depu-
ties to organize and control Dominions, Provinces
and Dens, until the same shall elect a Grand Titan,
a Grand Giant, and Grand Cyclops, in the manner
hereinafter provided. Grand Titan. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Titan
who is the Chief Officer of the Dominion, to report
to the Grand Dragon when required by that officer,
the condition, strength, efficiency, and progress
of the * within his Dominion, and to transmit
through the Grand Giants to the subordinate *s |
| Nusquam tuta fides. |
| Quid faciendum? [ 5 |  |
of his Dominion, all information or intelligence con-
veyed to him by the Grand Dragon for that pur-
pose, and all such other information or instruction
as he may think will enhance the interests of the *.
He shall keep, by his G. Scribe, a list of the names
(without caption) of the Grand Giants of the differ-
ent Provinces of his Dominion, and shall report the
same to the Grand Dragon when required; and he
shall number the Provinces of his Dominion with
the Arabic Numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., ad finem. And he
shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to
the appropriation and disbursement of the revenue
of the * that comes to his hands. He shall have
power to appoint his Furies; also to appoint a Grand
Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his department,
and appoint and ordain Special Deputy Grand Ti-
tans to assist him in the more rapid and effectual
dissemination and establishment of the * throughout
his Dominion. He shall have further power to
appoint and instruct Deputies to organize and con-
trol Provinces and Dens, until the same shall elect
a Grand Giant and a Grand Cyclops, in the man-
ner hereinafter provided. Grand Giant. Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Giant,
who is the Chief Officer of the Province, to super-
vise and administer general and special in-
struction in the formation and establishment of
*s within his Province, and to report to the Grand
Titan, when required by that officer, the condition,
strength, progress and efficiency of the * through-
out his Province, and to transmit, through the
Grand Cyclops, to the subordinate *s of his Pro-
vince, all information or intelligence conveyed to
him by the Grand Titan for that purpose, and such
other information and instruction as he may think |
| Fide non armis. |
| Fiat justia. [ 6 |  |
will advance the interests of the *. He shall keep by
his G. Scribe a list of the names (without caption) of
the Grand Cyclops of the various Dens of his Prov-
ince, and shall report the same to the Grand Titan
when required; and shall number the Dens of his
Province with the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, &c., ad
finem. And shall determine and limit the number
of Dens to be organized in his Province. And he
shall instruct and direct his Grand Exchequer as to
what appropriation and disbursement he shall make
of the revenue of the * that comes to his hands.
He shall have power to appoint his Goblins; also,
a Grand Scribe and a Grand Exchequer for his de-
partment, and to appoint and ordain Special Depu-
ty Grand Giants to assist him in the more rapid
and effectual dissemination and establishment of
the * throughout his Province. He shall have
the further power to appoint and instruct Deputies
to organize and control Dens, until the same shall
elect a Grand Cyclops in the manner hereinafter
provided. And in all cases, he shall preside at and
conduct the Grand Council of Yahoos. Grand Cyclops. Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Grand Cyclops
to take charge of the * of his Den after his election,
under the direction and with the assistance (when
practicable) of the Grand Giant, and in accordance
with, and in conformity to the provisions of this
Prescript, a copy of which shall in all cases be obtain-
ed before the formation of a * begins. It shall fur-
ther be his duty to appoint all regular meetings of
his * and to preside at the same—to appoint irregu-
lar meetings when he deems it expedient, to preserve
order in his Den, and to impose fines for irregularities
or disobedience of orders, and to receive and initiate
candidates for admission into the * after the
same shall have been pronounced competent and wor- |
| Hic manent vestigia morientis libertatis. |
| Curae leves loquntur, ingentes stupent. [ 7 |  |
thy become members by the Investigating Com-
mittee. He shall make a quarterly report to the
Grand Giant, of the condition, strength and ef-
ficiency of the * of his Den, and shall convey to
the Ghouls of his Den, all information or intelli-
gence conveyed to him by the Grand Giant for that
purpose, and all other such information or instruc-
tion as he may think will conduce to the interests
and welfare of the *. He shall preside at and con-
duct the Grand Council of Centaurs. He shall have
power to appoint his Night Hawks, his Grand
Scribe, his Grand Turk, his Grand Sentinel, and
his Grand Ensign. And he shall instruct and di-
rect the Grand Exchequer of his Den, as to what
appropriation and disbursement he shall make of
the revenue of the * that comes to his hands.
And for any small offense he may punish any mem-
ber by fine, and may reprimand him for the same:
And he may admonish and reprimand the * of
his Den for any imprudence, irregularity or trans-
gression, when he is convinced or advised that the
interests, welfare and safety of the * demand it. Grand Magi. Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Magi,
who is the Second Officer, in Authority, of the Den,
to assist the Grand Cyclops and to obey all the
proper orders of that officer. To preside at all
meetings in the Den in the absence of the Grand
Cyclops; and to exercise during his absence all the
powers and authority conferred upon that officer. Grand Monk. Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Monk,
who is the third officer, in authority, of the Den, to
assist and obey all the proper orders of the Grand
Cyclops and the Grand Magi. And in the absence
of both of these officers, he shall preside at and con-
duct the meetings in the Den, and shall exercise all |
| Dat Deus his quoque finem. |
| Cessante causa, cessat effectus. [ 8 |  |
the powers and authority conferred upon the GrandCyclops. Grand Exchequer. Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Exche-
quers of the different Departments of the * to keep
a correct account of all the revenue of the * that
shall come to their hands, and shall make no appro-
priation or disbursement of the same except under
the orders and direction of the chief officer of their
respective departments. And it shall further be
the duty of the Grand Exchequer of Dens to collect
the initiation fees, and all fines imposed by the
Grand Cyclops. Grand Turk. Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Turk,
who is the Executive Officer of the Grand Cyclops,
to notify the ghouls of the Den of all informal or
irregular meetings appointed by the Grand Cyclops
and to obey and execute all the lawful orders of that
officer in the control and government of his Den.
It shall further be his duty to receive and question
at the Out Posts, all candidates for admission into
the *, and shall there administer the preliminary
obligation required, and then to conduct such can-
didate or candidates to the Grand Cyclops at his
Den, and to assist him in the initiation of the same.
And it shall further be his duty to act as the ex-
ecutive officer of the Grand Council of Centaurs. Grand Scribe. Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Scribes
of the different departments to conduct the corres-
pondence and write the orders of the chiefs of their
departments, when required. And it shall further
be the duty of the Grand Scribes of the Den to keep
a list of the names (without caption) of the ghouls
of the Den—to call the Roll at all regular meetings
and to make the quarterly report under the direc-
tion of the Grand Cyclops. |
| Droit et avant. |
| Cave quid dicis, quando, et cui. [ 9 |  |
Grand Sentinel. Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Senti-
nel to detail, take charge of, post and instruct the
Grand Guard under the direction and orders of the
Grand Cyclops, and to relieve and dismiss the same
when directed by that officer. Grand Ensign. Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of the Grand Ensign
to take charge of the Grand Banner of the *, to
preserve it sacredly, and protect it carefully, and to
bear it on all occasions of parade or ceremony, and
on such other occasions as the Grand Cyclops may
direct it to be flung to the night breeze. Election of Officers. Art. V. Sec. 1. The Grand Cyclops, the Grand
Magi, the Grand Monk, and the Grand Exchequer
of Dens, shall be elected semi-annually by the
ghouls of Dens. And the first election for these
officers may take place as soon as seven ghouls have
been initiated for that purpose. Sec. 2. The Grand Wizard of the Empire, the
Grand Dragons of Realms, the Grand Titans of Do-
minions, and the Grand Giants of Provinces, shall
be elected biennially, and in the following man-
ner, to wit: The Grand Wizard by a majority vote
of the Grand Dragons of his Empire, the Grand
Dragons by a like vote of the Grand Titans of his
Realm; the Grand Titans by a like vote of the
Grand Giants of his Dominion, and the Grand Gi-
ant by a like vote of the Grand Cyclops of his Pro-
vince. The first election for Grand Dragon may take
place as soon as three Dominions have been organ-
ized in a Realm, but all subsequent elections shall
be by a majority vote of the Grand Titans, through-
out the Realm, and biennially as aforesaid. The first election for Grand Titan may take place |
| Dormitur aliquando jus, moritur nunquam. |
| Deo adjuvante, non timendum. [ 10 |  |
as soon as three Provinces have been organized in a
Dominion, but all subsequent elections shall be by a
majority vote of all the Grand Giants throughout
the Dominion and biennially as aforesaid. The first election for Grand Giant may take place
as soon as three Dens have been organized in a
Province, but all subsequent elections shall be by a
majority vote of all the Grand Cyclops throughout
the Province, and biennially as aforesaid. The Grand Wizard of the Empire is hereby cre-
ated, to serve three years from the First Monday
in May, 1867, after the expiration of which time,
biennial elections shall be held for that office as
aforesaid. And the incumbent Grand Wizard shall
notify the Grand Dragons, at least six months be-
fore said election, at what time and place the same
will be held. Judiciary. Art. VI. Sec. 1. The Tribunal of Justice of this
* shall consist of a Grand Council of Yahoos, and
a Grand Council of Centaurs. Sec. 2. The Grand Council of Yahoos, shall be
the Tribunal for the trial of all elected officers, and
shall be composed of officers of equal rank with the
accused, and shall be appointed and presided over
by an officer of the next rank above, and sworn by
him to administer even handed justice. The Tribu-
nal for the trial of the Grand Wizard, shall be com-
posed of all the Grand Dragons of the Empire, and
shall be presided over and sworn by the senior
Grand Dragon. They shall have power to summon
the accused, and witnesses for and against him, and
if found guilty they shall prescribe the penalty and
execute the same. And they shall have power to
appoint an executive officer to attend said Council
while in session. |
| Spectemur agendo. |
| Nemo nos impune lacessit. [ 11 |  |
Sec. 3. The Grand Council of Centaurs shall be
the Tribunal for the trial of Ghouls and non-elective
officers, and shall be composed of six judges appoint-
ed by the Grand Cyclops from the Ghouls of his Den,
presided over and sworn by him to give the ac-
cused a fair and impartial trial. They shall
have power to summon the accused, and
witnesses for and against him, and if found guilty
they shall prescribe the penalty and execute the
same. Said Judges shall be selected by the Grand
Cyclops with reference to their intelligence, integri-
ty and fair-mindedness, and shall render their ver-
dict without prejudice or partiality. Revenue. Art. VII. Sec. 1. The revenue of this * shall
be derived as follows: For every copy of this Pre-
script issued to the *s of Dens, Ten Dollars will
be required. Two dollars of which shall go into
the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the Grand Gi-
ant; two into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of
the Grand Titan; two into the hands of the Grand
Exchequer of the Grand Dragon, and the remaining
four into the hands of the Grand Exchequer of the
Grand Wizard. Sec. 2. A further source of revenue to the Empire
shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of the
Realms, and a tax upon Realms, when the Grand
Wizard shall deem it necessary and indispensable
to levy the same. Sec. 3. A further source of revenue to Realms
shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Domin-
ions, and a tax upon Dominions when the Grand
Dragon shall deem such tax necessary and indispen-
sable. Sec. 4. A further source of revenue to Domin-
ions shall be ten per cent. of all the revenue of Pro- |
| Patria cara, carior libertas. |
| Ad unum omnes. [ 12 |  |
vinces, and a tax upon Provinces when the Grand
Titan shall deem such tax necessary and indispen-
sable. Sec. 5. A further source of revenue to Provinces
shall be ten per cent. on all the revenue of Dens,
and a tax upon the Dens, when the Grand Giant
shall deem such tax necessary and indispensable. Sec. 6. The source of revenue to Dens, shall be
the initiation fees, fines, and a per capita tax, when-
ever the Grand Cyclops shall deem such tax indis-
pensable to the interests and purposes of the *. Sec. 7. All of the revenue obtained in the man-
ner herein aforesaid, shall be for the exclusive ben-
efit of the *. And shall be appropriated to the
dissemination of the same, and to the creation of a
fund to meet any disbursement that it may become
necessary to make to accomplish the objects of the
*, and to secure the protection of the same. Obligation. Art. VIII. No one shall become a member of
this *, unless he shall take the following oath or
obligation: "I, ———— of my own free will and accord, and in
the presence of Almighty God, do solemnly swear
or affirm that I will never reveal to any one, not a
member of the * * by any intimation, sign,
symbol, word or act, or in any other manner what-
ever, any of the secrets, signs, grips, pass words,
mysteries or purposes of the * * or that I am
a member of the same or that I know any one who
is a member, and that I will abide by the Prescript
and Edicts of the * *. So help me God." Sec. 2. The preliminary obligation to be adminis-
tered before the candidate for admission is taken
to the Grand Cyclops for examination, shall be as
follows: "I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never |
| Deo duce, ferro comitante. |
| Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. [ 13 |  |
reveal any thing that I may this day (or night)
learn concerning the * *. So help me God." Admission. Art. IX. Sec. 1. No one shall be presented for
admission into this *, until he shall have been
recommended by some friend or intimate, who is a
member, to the Investigating Committee, which
shall be composed of the Grand Cyclops, the Grand
Magi and the Grand Monk, and who shall investi-
gate his antecedents and his past and present stand-
ing and connections, and if after such investigation,
they pronounce him competent and worthy to become
a member, he may be admitted upon taking the ob-
ligation required and passing through the ceremo-
nies of initiation. Provided, That no one shall be
admitted into this * who shall have not attain-
ed the age of eighteen years. Sec. 2. No one shall become a member of a dis-
tant * when there is a * established and in
operation in his own immediate vicinity. Nor
shall any one become a member of any * after
he shall have been rejected by any other *. Ensign. Art. X. The Grand Banner of this * shall be
in the form of an isosceles triangle, five feet long
and three wide at the staff. The material shall be
Yellow, with a Red scalloped border, about three
inches in width. There shall be painted upon it,
in black, a Dracovolans, or Flying Dragon[55] with
the following motto inscribed above the Dragon, "Quod Semper, Quod Ubique, Quod ab Omnibus."[56] Amendments. Art. XI. This Prescript or any part or Edicts
thereof, shall never be changed except by a two-
[55] See Webster's Unabridged Pictorial.
[56] "What always, what every where, what by all is held to betrue." |
| O tempora! O mores! |
| Ad utrumque paratus. [ 14 |  |
thirds vote of the Grand Dragons of the Realms, in
Convention assembled, and at which Convention
the Grand Wizard shall preside and be entitled to a
vote. And upon the application of a majority of
the Grand Dragons, for that purpose, the Grand
Wizard shall appoint the time and place for said
Convention; which, when assembled, shall pro-
ceed to make such modifications and amendments as
it may think will advance the interest, enlarge the
utility and more thoroughly effectuate the purpo-
ses of the *. Interdiction. Art. XII. The origin, designs, mysteries and
ritual of this * shall never be written, but the
same shall be communicated orally. Register. | | 1st—Dismal.
2nd—Dark.
3rd—Furious.
4th—Portentous.
5th—Wonderful.
6th—Alarming. | 7th—Dreadful.
8th—Terrible.
9th—Horrible.
10th—Melancholy.
11th—Mournful.
12th—Dying. | | II | | | | | I—White.
II—Green.
III—Blue. | IV—Black.
V—Yellow.
VI—Crimson. | | | VII—Purple. | | III | | | | | 1—Fearful.
2—Startling.
3—Awful.
4—Woeful.
5—Horrid.
6—Bloody. | 7—Doleful.
8—Sorrowful.
9—Hideous.
10—Frightful.
11—Appalling.
12—Last. |
Edicts. I. The Initiation Fee of this * shall be one
dollar, to be paid when the candidate is initiated
and received into the *. II. No member shall be allowed to take any in-
toxicating spirits to any meeting of the *. Nor
shall any member be allowed to attend a meeting
when intoxicated; and for every appearance at a
meeting in such a condition, he shall be fined the |
| Cavendo tutus. |
| Astra castra, numen lumen. [ 15 |  |
sum of not less than one nor more than five dollars,
to go into the revenue of the *. III. Any member may be expelled from the *
by a majority vote of the officers and ghouls of the
Den to which he belongs, and if after such expulsion
such member shall assume any of the duties, rega-
lia or insignia of the * or in any way claim to be
a member of the same, he shall be severely punish-
ed. His obligation of secrecy shall be as binding
upon him after expulsion as before, and for any
revelation made by him thereafter, he shall be held
accountable in the same manner as if he were then
a member. IV. Every Grand Cyclops shall read or cause to
be read, this Prescript and these Edicts to the *
of his Den, at least once in every three months,—
And shall read them to each new member when he
is initiated, or present the same to him for person-
al perusal. V. Each Den may provide itself with the Grand
Banner of the *. VI. The *s of Dens may make such addition-
al Edicts for their control and government as they
shall deem requisite and necessary. Provided,
No Edict shall be made to conflict with any of the pro-
visions or Edicts of this Prescript. VII. The strictest and most rigid secrecy, con-
cerning any and everything that relates to the *
shall at all times be maintained. VIII. Any member who shall reveal or betray the
secrets or purposes of this * shall suffer the ex-
treme penalty of the Law.
Hush, thou art not to utter what
I am. Bethink thee; it was our covenant.
I said that I would see thee once again. |
| Ne quid detrimenti Respublica capiat. |
| Amici usque ad aras. [ 16 |  |
L' Envoi. To the lovers of Law and Order, Peace and Jus-
tice, we send greeting; and to the shades of
the venerated Dead, we affectionately dedicate the * *
|
| Nos ducit amor libertatis. |