T H E C H A T E A U D A R A G O N IN M O N T P E L L I E R
l3k
1
ij'
t
A M O N T H L Y M O N O G R A P H F O R THE M E M B E R S O FA . M. O . R . C .
P R I V A T E L Y P U B L IS H E D AND CIRCULATEX BY T H E A M O R C C O L L E G E L I B R A R Y M E W Y O R K C I T YTH IS EDITfON !S LIMP D A ' .‘5 LLACH C O I > N U M B E R E D C O N SE C U T IV E L Y F O R
I D E N T I F I C A T I O N
CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE
AMORC COLLEGE LIBRARY
.<*6
O nly M em bers in good standing in the A. M. O. R. C. are eligible to M em bership in the A M O RC College Library. Before a Library M em bership Card can be issued, the applicant m ust show the Lodge Librarian his regular M em bership card, with dues paid within the time lim its of the Lodge.
Each Lodge will be served by a Lodge Librarian, appointed for the purpose of supplying the AM O RC M O N O G R A PH S to Library M em bers each m onth. M embers of Lodges cannot secure these M ono graphs in any other way.
In securing a M onograph from the Lodge Librarian, each Library M em ber m ust present a Library M em bership Card with coupons attached. The L ibrarian will demand one coupon each m onth in exchange for a M onograph. The Coupons bear the M em ber's number, as well as the Serial Num ber, on the copy of the M onograph. T he Coupons are, therefore, receipts from the Library M embers for M ono graphs received from this Library. All such coupons (receipts) are forw arded by the Lodge Librarians m onthly to the Chief Librarian at the Suprem e Grand Lodge and filed in each M em ber’s record envelope.
T he AM O RC M onographs, of which this is a copy, are loaned, not sold, to L ibrary M embers, for an indefinite term , as stated on the back of the M em bership Cards. Each M em ber is bound to return, upon demand from the Chief Librarian, every copy of these M ono graphs, when his or her interest or association with the O rder is term inated. T hese conditions of M em bership are agreed to by the acceptance of the M em bership Card and the giving of coupons
(receipts) m onthly.
Every copy of the AM ORC M O N O G R A PH S is the property of the A M O RC College L ibrary of the A. M. O. R. C.
M EM BERS M UST NO T LOAN T H IS M ONOGRAPH TO AN Y O N E. NO R CAN IT BE SOLD OR O TH ER W ISE D IS PO SED OF E X C E PT AS STATED ABOVE.
CopyriKbl, I9 !8 , by
T ilt- AMORC COLLEGE LIBRARY. NEW YORK. N V
t
THE VILLAGE OF THE DEVIL
sx*
IN T R O D U C T IO N
A t Ia i t the s t o r y is t o l d I S t r a n g e , m y s t i c a l a n d instructive, this story is one o f the oldest traditions o f our O rd er in F ra n ce. It is the tto ry told nt the fire sid es of the home* of the oldest m ystics of F ra n ce and one w h ich never fa ils to rev eal the m inds and lives of the p ro vin cials of F ranee in ihe d a y s when m ysticism w as in its g lo ry a n d so -c alled modern civ ilizatio n w as in the m aking.
T h e question has often been a s k e d : " D id ihe Im perator have a n y further ex p erien ces in F ra n c e a fte r his Initiation into ihe O rd er on the night o f A ugust
12. 1909?"
T h e account o f m y journey to F ra n c e , as published in the M a y , 1916, issue o f the A m e r i c a n R o s a e C r u c i s , w as replete w ith incidents and experience* w hich h av e interested m an y of our m em bers; but that account d id not ex p la in in d eta il the other personal ex p erien ces w hich constituted m y fu rth er schooling in the m ysteries of our O rd er an d w h ich a re o n ly v agu ely hinted at in various w ritings in our form er publication.
I have never felt at lib erty , how ever, to recount these sacred a n d m ore or less secret experien ces in a p u b lic m agazin e and h av e fe ll that most of them should be told in a m ore personal and h eart-to -h eart m anner. T h e opportunity is now offered fo r such p riv ate com m unication betw een m y B rothers and S isters and m yself, and I have in au g u rated the sto ry-tellin g b y offering this ta le o f the V illa g e of ihe D ev il in this issue of C R O M A A T .
I s a y this is a sto ry ; but in truth it is a m ixture o f fa c t, fiction an d trad itio n . O f the trad itio n al parts m uch also m ay be fa c t.
It m ay be o f interest to know how ihe story cam e to me. O n m y w a y north from T o ulo use to P a ris I stopped at v ario us cities w h ere there Were R osaecru cian* or R o saecru cian T em p les, shrines or relics, t w as guid ed in this jou rney through ih e R o saecru cian lan d of m ysticism b y M aste rs and B rothers of ihe O rd er who know w h ere the strangest sight* an d mosl w e ird ex perien ces a re to be fo un d. F in a lly I reach ed M o n tp ellie r * g ain . a fte r passing through N im e* a n d other lo calitie* d escrib ed in this »to ry. In M o n tp ellie r 1 met some of ih e oldest (a n d
re tire d ) officers o f our O rd e r in [• ranee and in a v e ry o ld b u ild in g w here once our O rd er h eld it* convocations, surrounded b y m an y relics an d in the m idst o f intense vibrations, 1 sa l and listen ed to the story w h ich I have augm ented for publication here.
B ut I w as not satisfied w ith the h earin g of ihe sto ry— nor should my read er be. 1 ask ed the p riv ileg e of visiting the V illa g e of the D ev il, and there, in person, e x p erien cin g ‘ the strange influences w hich possibly no other A m erican has ever ex p erien ced and w h ich even the most d etcim in ed tourists of F ran ee have no* su cceed ed in locating.
In ad d itio n to the p erscn al ex p erien ce, w hich venfied the g reater p art of the •lory, I spent sev era l d a y s search in g through the ra re R osaecru ctan arch iv es for h isto rical r.nd reco id ed ev id en ce o f the (acts and trad itio nal statem ents m ade in connection w ith the existence of the Village.
I he story as I now tell it contains a ll the verifica'ion s which w ere possible to ob tain. I h av e w ritten the story in the form of a p erso n ally conducted tour to the v illa g e , not in the w a y in w h ich I p e rso n ally reach ed the p lac e, but in the m annts by whicK our B rothers an d Sister? m ay " ’arh it. In fact, when our p arty of R o sa ccru cia n tourists from A m e ric a reach F ran ce in 1919 on their w a y to 'I oulouse and e v en tu a lly E gyp t, I hope to p erso n ally conduct the p arty to the Village of the D ev il in just the m anner d escrib ed in this story.
M y read ers w ill note w ith w h at d etail and exactness I have given the location of the V illa g e an d of a ll the points n ecessary in reach ing it and ap p re ciatin g its ex istence 1 here has been no attem pt to veil its location or w ith old a single fact rela tin g to m y jo u rn ry there. A ll that the student of the story w ill require to m ake p lain the precise environm ent c f the V illa g e w ill be n m ap of Southern F ra n c e ; and on the large r m ap?, such as those issued by the F ren ch governm ent, (a n d to be found in a ll lar^ e A m erica n lib ra r ie s ) one w ill find the cities of M o n tp ellie r and M o n tp elh eretle an d the other v illa g e s m entioned. A n d , even on the common maps o f F ra n c e one m ay sec in the south o f the country the mountain range m arked O v e n n c s M ountains and the R iv e r T a r n . In that section w here the T a m passes t'irough the C evenncs are the B la c k M ountains— the can yon s to w hich one must trav el to visit the V illa g e of the D ev il.
T here is one oucstion w hich w ill p ro b ab ly be asked b y m any read ers unless 1 an tic ip a te it. W h y have you not shown some pictures of the V illa g e ? " I
v n o t show them because I d id not m ake a n y . I w as w arn ed not to attem pt to m ake a n y p ictures r f the V illa g e and a cco rd in g ly 1 d id not take m y cam era with
me on this trip. P ictu res have a lw a y s been fo rb idden and I trust that none w ill ever be taken of this p la c e ; for those w h o w o uld see the sights d escrib ed herein must jo u rn ey to the p lace and p e rso n ally v iew the sights. T h e V illa g e of the D ev il i* more than a p la c e w hich can be p ic tu red ; if is tru ly condition of m ind and soul as w e ll. w h ich cannot be pictured.
A n d now let me p rid e my read ers to F ra n ce on a p e rso n ally conducted tour. S it co m fo rtab ly in an e a s y ch air w h ere a ll is quiet an d jo u rn ey w ith me across great spaces to a m ystic l.-nd, leav in g behind you the modernism of today a n d the consciousness o f yo u r p h ysic al presence w h ile m en tally von p ro ject yo u r rea l self to the la n d w e love so d e a rly .
W e a r e in d e b t e d to th e M u s te r o f D e lta L o d g e , N o. I, A . M . O . R . C ., in P h ila d e l p h ia , P a ., fo r th e b e a u t if u l f r o n tis p ie c e c t c h in ,, of i h e C h a t e a u D ’A r a g o n
m M o n tp e llie r . Thf. Auth o r.
6
C H A P T E R O N E
ft is generally conceded that Europe possesses the most interesting monuments of history. Americans especially make Europe their ulti mate goal when planning a genuine sight-seeing trip, and few indeed are there of wealth or even moderate means who do not harbor an innate love for the beauties of France, England, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.
It cannot be said that this love for Europe is inspired by the fact that only in Europe can we find the ear-marf(s, so to speak, of the birth of the human race. W hile admitting that abroad n>e see the monumental evidences of the beginning of civilization, we are forced to admit, of at least give credence to the theory, that the earliest material evidence of human existence upon this earth is to be found in the caves or cliff- dwellings of the early mound-builders whose peculiar constructive work is still to he found along the Ohio R iver in the U nited States; and while we accept the scientists' claims that these prehistoric edifices anfe- date all known records of men, we may or may not accept the theory that the Ohio valley was the original “Carden of E den."
T he charm of Europe, however, does not exist altogether in its magnificent ruins and inspiring historical remains; but in the more subtle magnetism of its poetic romance and the mysticism of its traditions.
In this respect France is the most popular, and, rightly, the most interesting. Its history from the days of the Cauls through the 8th, 9th» / Oth and up to the 15th century is one continuous tale of mystery, romance, valor, sacrifice and achievement. Its literature of these days — the songs of the troubadours m their romance tongue, and the monkish latin historical documents— alike revel in the delightful incidents so dear to the lover of French history and French mysticism.
The Courts of Love, the Flower Fetes, the various royal ceremonies in the chateaux of the Counts, D ukes, Lords and Kings, the imposing crusades, the romantic struggles for the hands of the beautiful heiresses, and the regal wars against religion, the suppression of vice and (he loss of property and title— all these vie in their impressiveness and emotional tellings. These were the days of pleasure, love and war, and France more than any other country, was the stage upon which the truly great scenes of life have been so wonderfully and fatally portrayed.
Should one wonder, then, that the Frenchman is proud of his country, of its history and of its thousands of historical monuments, of which many lie in forlorn ruin and equally as many have been restored or rebuilt by a commission of scientists, architects and historians% which labor diligently to preserve for future generations of history-loving tourists, the most ancient and historical of the many chateaux, citadels, castles, forts, walls, churches and mystic shrines?
I1 is apparent to even the most casual tourist of Southern France that the provincial natives consider these monuments of history as personal assets. They bring to their villas a continuous train of tourists from all parts of the world, who by their extended[ visits., patrpnize their hotels, restaurants, stores, road-houses, garages and, local means of transporta tion. The native finds in the tourist an incentive to keep thoroughly posted on the facts relating to existing r p in sth e legends of those now gone and the history of those being preserved. H e is always alive to :
the opportunity to act as a guide— at a small fee— and takes spccial > delight in being able to point out mapy^new and unsuspected Wonders.
Is it not strange, then, that in Southern France, in the midst of sections where tourists travel the most, where artists wander yearly pre paring the many books we now have on the ''Chateaux of France" and > the "M onum ents of France," and where the natives are ever seeking new points of alluring interest to the tourist, there should have existed, unknown to the outer world until 1883, one of the most marvelous, weird and mysterious cities in the whole W orld? A n d , stranger still is the fact that until the present time, in the. story the author now presents, this city of mystery has been unchronicled, its true history untold, and its beauty unpictured.
B efore attempting to take my reader upon a personally conducted lour to ihis Wonder of wonders, it is well that I describe some of the historic features of the surrounding cities in order that one may the more naturally comprehend the significance of the fmlorv and legend of the V IL L E D U D IA B L E . A n d this can be accomplished more interestingly by describing the ordinary route to this city from that of
Paris. ^
Paris is the hub from which the. various railroad lines radiate and we can make the trip to Southern France by night .by leaving at about 7 :3 0 P . A f. and go by way of Dijon and Lyon to A vignon, where we must change cars. W e arrive here early in the morning, and after a breakfast we find that there are several Iwurs in which we can con veniently i>ien> the monuments of this city.
Avignon is a city of 4 1 ,0 0 0 inhabitants, the capilol of the depart- . ment of V aucluse. It is situated on the leSl bank ° f the Rhone and in
,
the background rises an. immense, rock upon which we see the ancient . Palace of the Popes, where from 1 305 to 1377 seven successive Popes,
reigned here prior to ihe establishment of the Vatican al R om e. W e-.examine ihe City W alis built in the 14lh century by the Popes, then visit the Cathedral built in :l I th century (plainly showing where il has . been rebuilt and remodeled) and then, desiring to reach our destination as quickly as possible, we lake /in omnibus and cross the river lo Vdle- neuve-les-Avigr.on to visit the Fort St. Andre. This beautiful monu ment of architecture is considered one of the rarest of the kind built in ih e . middle ages. Its imposing front, ils mighty and war-like • appearance; showing plainly• i?iamj evidences of sIruggU and strife, do not lead one to think that ’ within its walls and towers are a peaceful convent and several houses containing veri; poor families.
.. W e return to the C A R E 'a n d depart for Nimes, ihe next important '. city on our route.
11 is necessary lo spend one whole day in N im es in order to become 1 acquainted with the many antiquities of special interest to the mystic.
W e find this city lo tie a typical, prosperous provincial town of about 70,000 inhabitants, beautifully located al the Southern extremity ''of hills which join the Cevcnhes (the R ocky M ountains of France) ' Before us is spread a beautiful boulevard whose trees amply shade us
us we retreat from the hot sun. Before visaing the man$ sights u»e inquire regarding the history df the city and learn that in B . C. 121 .this city Was called N E M A U S U S b y the Romans and that il Was
the capital of the Voleae Arecomici. 11 became one of the principal colonies of the Cauls who took particular delight in embellishing it and in erecting many of ihe beautiful buildings and monuments n»c are about
to see. Daring the 1 Oth and • 1 l//i centuries this city was the properlx of and ruled by the Counts of Toulouse, from Guillaume in 8 0 0 A . D. .to the long line of R aym unds ending in 1222.*’ Until 1704, during the wars of religion, it suffered nuich because three-fourths of its pop ulation had embraced Protestantism ’ and it is today an important town in this respect.
It was also the seat of'nh ith strife during the 1 2th century when the Raym unds V ! and VIT'W ere being prosecuted and excommunicated for permitting heretics and mystics in their domains. and everywhere , we-find evidences of war, rebellion and defeat.
Passing up the main .'boulevard (Feucheres) from the Care, we see before us, facing the Esplanade, ihe Arena, or Amphitheatre. It was built during the Is/ or 2nd centuries and is tvpical of th Rom an architecture: Il is in the form of an ellipse. 146 yards long, H I wide and 70 feet high. Ils exterior is in belter condition than those of Rom e i because, of ihe Commission & constant restoration and because here, on
* T h e genealogy and history of these R aym unds was sel forth irt an article in the Novem ber, 1 9 1 7
.
issue of ihe American R O S A Emanp Sundays throughout the year, as many as 2 4 ,0 0 0 spectators see typical Spanish Bull-fights; the city being under Socialist government the money thus derived from a pleasure which the provincial natives themselves abhor is used for the good of the community.
W e turn and follow the beautiful boulevard V IC T O R H U C O , where we find an open square, and facing T H E T H E A T R E we see the ancient and strange M A IS O N C A R R E E . It is one of the finest and best preserved Rom an temples in existence, 76 feet long, 4 0 feet wide and 40 high, with 30 unusually beautiful Corinthian columns. The date of its building is unknown, it being credited to the period of Augustus and the Antoinines; and foundations discovered recently show that it was probably located in the centre of other important buildings. It is this building, whose perpendicular and horizontal lines are strangely curved, that was imitated when the N otre D am e was built in Paris. T he M aison Carree now contains ancient French coins and tome sculptures.
W e continue a few blocks further and there We enter the J A R D I N D E L A F O N T A IN E , with its strange canals which feed water to this city in summer when water is very scarce and have their origin in the R om an baths beyond. This garden and ils canals were originally of Rom an construction but were greatly beautified and enlarged by many miles by King Louis in the I Sift century.
A t the side of the garden is the ancient Tem ple of Diana, a beautiful sight and still showing in its ruins the rooms of Diana and the rare carvings. Close by are the old R om an baths for men and Women; the former being a stagnant pool now, enclosed by high marble walls; and we are warned not to approach the steps leading lo the water too closely for *'no one has ever learned the depth of the pool, and all who have fallen into it never returned." says the pleasing guide. The women’s baths, so often referred to in romances and at often pictured in paintings and etchings are really magnificent and are below the street level under a private Walk an{l enclosed by row
«
of columns.Further on, outside of the city, wc see the mysterious Rom an rums of some unknown building, never as yet given a name except that of “L et Trois Piliers
W e now hasten on lo M ontpellier, another ancient city and one which has considerable connection with the history of the Village of the D evil.
B u t before entering this city we must begin the strange and romantic story which links these two cities together and which, for the first time, reveals the legendary secret of our strange mysterious goal.
to
C H A P T E R T W O
The whole Southern pari of France was at one time part of the R om an Empire, and Caesar in his "Commentaries" describes these regions as C A U L . Its history from ihen until its possession by the Franks, ihe Normans and the English is exceedingly interesting, but has no place here except to introduce into this slory one of the characters heretofore unknown as associated in any way with the Village of the Devil.
During the first few centuries after Christ, France was governed mostly by the various Counts and Lords of its provinces. A fang at that time was nominal as far as his influence over these southern S E N E C H A U S E E S n>u5 concerned.
Toulouse and ils county of the same name, known to the Romans as Tolosa, was always the centre of external strife and warfare; for i/s possession meant not only powerful ruler ship of vast lands and wealthy towns and products, but such rulership gave influence to conquer and rule over other adjoining counties and towns. Thus, the zeal to become Count or Lord of Toulouse was shown by every European nation, and after Pepin (he Short ceased lo exercise such rulership, Charlemagne, ihe great ruler of France and Cermany, under took to sclect the second Count. This, of course, was a new method lo those who had believed lhal warfare and possession of the land gave governing authority.
The man chosen by Charlemagne was Guillaume. In these days there were no fam ily or surnames and this Guillaume, like many others.
Was given a second name because of some peculiarity, and thus D>c find him called Guillaume Corlnez (from A U C O R T N E Z .).
H e was a son of Count Theodoric and as Count of Toulouse this Guillaume had mediate or immediate rule over the County of Toulouse with its many villas, and also over the important and ancient cities of, Beziers, N im es, A gde. M aguelon, Lodeve and Uzes. The history of this man, in the many peculiar French manuscripts, is remark able for ils numerous legends, chronicles and poems of praise, notablv: L E C H A R R O Y D E N IS M E S and L E M O IN A C E D E G U IL L A U M E . H e D>as a sincerely religious man and a lover of peace and justice.
In a rare account of his life find the following incident of interest lo this slory:
" H e sought a place for a monastery where those, like himself, sincere in their religious beliefs and desiring quiet and peace, might
worship undisturbed by the wars constantly being Waged about them. H e found, in ihe mountains of Lodevc ( in ihe. very distric t where we shall visit-the Village of ihe D evil) one gorge closed and profound, favorable by ils IS G L M E N T , for meditation and prayer. In effect, in the middle of the savage sight, surrounded by enormous masses of
granite Was this beautiful plateau, whereon Guillaume decided to
build cne of the mosl famous monasteries of Europe."
The monastery n>cs built elaborately and magnificently of lhal rare while granite which is so plentiful in this section of France; and it rose majestically amid the other rocks of dark °nd tinted colors. Guillaume's intention v>as to call lh:s monastery the A b b ey de Gellon, a name which is often used for it in ancient manuscripts; but after Guillaume's death, when il was consecrated by the Pope, il was named the abbey of S A IN T -G U IL L E M -D U -D E S E R T , in honor of its founder and in souvenir of ils deserted location.
Guillaume died in 612 or 813 . fn two ancient charts, dated in ihe 34th year of the reign of Charlemagne (8 0 4 A . D .) there appears the fa d that he left, besides several sons, two daughters, Albane and Berthe. Il is with these two sisters that we musl begin the foundation o f the known history of the Village of the Devil.
I f we are to believe the troubadours and the monks of these days, who were so careful to chronicle the smallest detail, we must believe that these two sisters were extremely beautiful. Beauty in those days was not of the standard of today. These girls were French, not of the Parisian, but of the Rom an type. It is features such as they possessed, the beautifully modeled chins, lips, nose and forehead, that ti>e see in the rare paints of the old masters; it Das the highest type of that Latin charm now almost extinct.
A n d they were young at the time this story begins. In these days knighthood was in flower. The ambition of every young man was lo become a Lord. The strong, the brave and fearless became the Counts, the D ukes and Princes. Professions there were none, and the trades with other manual work, rvere left lo the masses. W arfare, gallantry and love were the occupations of ihe young men, and, con sequently, the beautiful and wealthy D A M E S were fervently and steadily courted by these aspiring Princes.
It n>as in these days that the art of serenading became so popular. To be a successful troubadour, n>as to be the admiration of all ihe noble and gentle ladies, and the envy of every man in the kingdom. H ere we. find the origin of the b ea utifu l rom ance language and ihe w eird a nd
captivating poems of love. T he troubadour, young or old, wilh some musical instrument strung over his shoulder and clad in the knee
breeches and cloaks so popular then, Was alw ays w elcom e a t the royal ceremonies, and the Queen s chamber or court u?as always open to
him. H e "would sit for hours, and, surrounded by these noble girls and rxwmen, would compose and sing words of love and admiration, while they would shower upon him flowers of many colors. Here, too, U»as the origin of the famous Flower Fetes, and the Courts of Love.
ft was in this manner that A lbane and Berthe were courted. B eautiful, young and noble, they were fam ed for their virtue. Their home was a strange old stone castle built upon the pinnacle of a large rock situated in the mountains leading to the Village of the Devil. H ere they led a most enjoyable life, constantly courted by Dufies, Lords, Counts, Viscounts and Princes and at all times the centre of every conceivable form of entertainment.
In addition to their charms, they were wealthy. Considerable properly had been given to them by their father, and since it covered a large and prosperous territory, there were always among their admirers those who sought to obtain possession of it through marriage.
A n d thus the two sisters eventually became engaged to two brothers, M s. Jean and Pierre D e A lm ond. Little is known of these two, except that they were gallant, romantic in their songs and ardent in their seemingly sincere love for the two girls. They were not of noble birth, but cunning as a fox, and diligent in their aspiring fortitude A lw ays together, always intoxicated with plans for overthrowing km g“ doms with their power, and always holding themselves aloft from the other gallants of the day, it is little wonder that they were considered as suspicious characters.
" The D evil's pair" was a common name for them; and “Frers du D iable" seemed to be the most apt description of John and Peter de A lm ond.
Their home was situated in ihe mountains in the vicinity of M illau; and these black mountains seemed to cloak the actual location of their claimed chateau. A t least no positive knowledge is evidenced as to its exact situation, but from circumstances now lo be related, it is apparent that their chateau or castle must have been in the immediate vicinity of The Village of the Devil.
Certain it is. that all this land was owned by these two V IR G IN S , Albane and Berthe, a name given to them because of their undoubted purity even though in constant company with such suspicious characters as these two brothers. A n d still more certain is the fact that these two brothers desired to marry A lbane and Berthe only that they might obtain possession of this land.
Rum ors began to spread that Jean and Pierre held nightly con ferences with his Satanic M ajesty; for, did not many see, in the mountains near L A R O Q U E S T E . M A R G U E R IT E , midnight fires of brilliant red? A n d , were not these conferences and signals follow ed by dire results in war and pestilence ?
14
N o wonder that these mountains became forsaken in the localities where small towns were situated! The provincial French were a mystic people and were awaiting the predicted second coming of Christ or the end of the world; and the year 1000 (when this was to take place) was rapidly approaching, bringing with il every conceivable form of superstition. Thousands were forsaking their homes, their friends and their wealth to journey to Jerusalem, that the coming of the Lord might find them within H o ly precincts; and ihe thieving and cunning took advantage of these fears of ihe ignorant to secure power and wealth.
Just why these two brothers and two sisters never married is a matter of conjecture. B ut the legends relate that it became fairly Well established lhat John and Peter were in some mysterious way associated with all that was evil, unfortunate and repulsive and that, literally, if not in fact, they were F R E R F S D U D IA B L E . W hen this idea had implanted itself into the minds and hearts of A lbane and Berthe, and when they discovered that possession of their property n>as the brothers' only motive, il was only natural that they should look with scorn upon their proposals and reject them with rebuke and disdain.
B ut this added only wrath lo their many evil qualities and soon these two brothers were the subject of much discussion throughout the kingdoms of Southern France; and much attention at the time was directed to the Canons of the Tarn where, in the B lack mountains, was supposed to dwell these two in some mysterious village.
A lbane and Berthe, disappointed not only in their love, but in their faith in mankind in general. agreed henceforth to live a life of celibacy and religious activity, and a few months later retired to a convent built by order of their father some time previous lo his death and which was located in the mountains some distance from that bearing his name.
Their chateau, built upon the rocl(s, and now deserted, was given the name of P E C H D E S D E U X V IE R C E S * This chateau became fam ous as the birth place of a brother of these two virgins, known as St. Fulcran, who was at one time a bishop of Lcdeve.
In the " L IF E O F S T . F U L C R A N . B IS H O P O F L O D E V E ” t n>e find these fa d s set forth, and in a rare and precious manuscript which was discovered at Campous, where many monies retired after their expulsion from the abbey of St.-Guillem -du-Deseri in 1 790. and which is now among ihe manuscripts possessed by M . A uguy de V iiry, of Cignac, France. we find the following interesting fads: * T h e R ock ° f the T wo Virgins.
"|’A very rare manuscript of unusual interest lo mystics.
t
> <
"T here is a legend in a manuscript regarding St. Guillaume, en titled 'L E G A L L IA C H R IS T I A N A N O V A L E P L A C E L E 3 4 ’ which states that the T w o Virgins (D eux Vierges) rverc of the antique fam ily of M ontpeyroux. One can still sec, on the cratcr of a mountain, situated on one side of M ontepeyroux a hermitage in ruins and some vestiges of this chateau where was horn Saint Fulcran who ivas its Lord. It was called the C H A T E A U D E S D E U X V IE R G E S because of two sisters of the same Saint Fulcran who lived in celibacv A N D O N E O F W H O M IS T O T H IS D A Y K N O W N A S A S A I N T ."
B ut before these two virgins retired to the convent, they expressed their utter disgust for earthly matters by renouncing all claim to their property. Their particular motive was lo make barren all that section of their property which was within the precincts of ihe black mountains.
B ut in doing this they realized that the many little villas situated therein would suffer and many would be deprived of their homes and lands. Consequently these two sisters decided to found a large city where all who then lived if> the B lack M ountains might have free ground and the other necessities of life. A fte r careful consideration they selected as the site for this new city (wo divisions of iheir land situated on the banks of the Lez, about ten miles from the Mediterranean Sea. These two sections they called M O N T P E L IE R and M O N T P E L - I E R E T T E (from memory of the great bald mountain, M O N T -P E L E , which Was situated in the mist of ihe B lack M ountains).
These facts are verified by statements to be found in V E R - D A L E 'S R E C O R D S in the following w ords:
"From all time there has been a well-founded tradition supported by the public archives, which slates that two sisters founded the city of M ontpellier. One possessed M ontpellier and the other MontpelUerette adjoining. T hey were of ancient nobility, for il is proven that they were sisters of goodly Saint Fulcran, one lime beloved Bishop of Lodeve."
In ihe testament of this St. Fulcran, which may be found in the ancient archives of Lodeve, and which is dated: "m ade on ihe 4 th of February under the reign of Jesus Christ while hoping for a K ing." he mentions these two sisters, and calls them D A M E S D E M O N T P E L L IE R , "because," says the commenlor, "they were responsible for the origin of this village."
The two sisters demanded that a commission be appointed to govern this city and that it should be built, managed and maintained on progressive lines for the general education and uplift of its inhabitants. H o w well these plans succeeded may be seen by visiting the city today, and noting, as we shall do in a few minutes, the many historical sights.
Gradually every home in the B lack M ountains was deserted; and, when the year 1 0 0 0 camc and G od did not visit the earth or cause its destruction, thousands returned to France from the. H o ly Land to begin life anew. M ontpellier, with its strange boundary walls, became thickly populated and by the middle of the 1 I th century all knowledge of the old villages in the B lack M ountains, and especially the village where lived the B R O T H E R S O F T H E D E V IL , was forgotten and one part of France, once famous and infamous, Was lost in oblivion.
I
I
i
I
10C H A P T E R T H R E E
Let us now continue our journey by leaving the station at M ont pellier and walking up the main street,— R U E M A G U E L O N E . IV e notice that modern M ontpellier is a city of about 5 7,000 inhabitants, clean and cheerful and strangely white. This is due to the while lime stone of ihe ground which lies pulverized upon the roads and streets and which the high winds keep constantly blowing over the buildings made of white rod(. The appearance is like a city in a snow storm, for even the trees are always covered with this while powder and all the buildings are closely blinded with shutters thus whitened. W hile the effect is pleasing, and cooling in the shade, il requires one to kccP well veiled when travelling, especially in automobiles; and in the sun il is anything but pleasing to stare into ihe reflected glaze of white light.
The streets arc short and crooked, narrow and roughly paved. The buildings arc generally very old and if wc turn into some of the alleys n?e find many historical buildings being occupied by industries of modern limes; for M onlpcllier is still progressive ajtd cares naught for its antiquities.
O n one side street or alley, unnamed, n>e can see ihe old C haleau de Aragon, where D ona M arie, L ady of M ontpellier, lived and from which home she emerged in stately robes to become ihe Queen of Aragon in 1200. It is interesting, as a typical experience, to enter this old stone chateau. Its broad entrance, seen even in modern French buildings, designed lo allow passage for horses and carriages, is paved inside the building with cobble-stones, and to one side is a very narrow door leading to circular stone stairs, about three feet wide, which give entrance to the various stone rooms and halls. W hile ihe main building looks small from ihe outside, we find that inside the adjoining buildings are all connected with secret passages and in many of ihe secret and oddly closed rooms one may slill see beautifully carved mantles, doors and arches. This building, in 1909, while worthy of preservation for visitors, was occupied by a wholesale grocer as a storehouse, and in one o f ihe prison rooms a coffce-roasling plant was in constant operation, much lo the disgust of the antique and history-loving visitor, while on two upper floors there were old Rosaecrucian Lodge rooms which had been used from 1843 to 1859 by a Grand Lodge of M ontpellier.
A t the end of R ue M aguclone is the Place de la Comedie, adorned with the graceful F O N T A IN E D E S T R O IS -G R A C E S , built in
!7 7 6 and which faces the Thealrc. A t another part of the town we see ihe P E Y R O U , a fine promenade and park, and at the sides of the great radings of the P E Y R O U we sec two stone groups, strangely, yet eloquently, telling the tale of ihe two sisters who founded the city; one group represents L O V E O V E R C O M IN G S T R E N G T H , and the other, S T R E N C T H V A N Q U IS H E D B Y L O V E . A t the end of ihe park is the famous C H A T E A U D ' E A U , constructed in 1753.
Lei us now continue on our journey to M illau, situated about 6 0 miles distant from M ontpellier on the left bank of the river Tarn. This city was called A E M I L I A N U M C A S T R U M by the Rom ans and is today a city of about 16,500 inhabitants.
H ere n>e enter the C A N O N D U T A R N and ihe B lack M oun tains. A s the name indicates, the Canon of ihe Tarn is comparable with the celebrated Canyon of Colorado and is as wonderful in beauty, if not more wonderful in construction, than the former. It is the m ost
curious of the gorges produced in ihe C A U S S E S by the erosion o f
the streams during the glacial epoch in the C E V E N N E S .
A s We enter ihe Canon we notice ihe sheer rocks which rise to a height of from 8 0 0 to 1 10 0 feet and that the distance between ihcif summits varies from one-half io three-quarters of a mile. H ere in this section is ihe original B lack M ountains, formerly mentioned, and it is difficult to imagine anything more weird and impressive. Gigantic ramparts and perpendicular cliffs al one time overhang the R iver Tarn and in other places they retire in terraces formed of several strata of the limestone and as varied in outline as they arc in those peculiar and delicate colors which seem lo vie with each other in assuming strange markings; the rocks themselves are shivered into a thousand different shapes and there appears yellow limestone, black schistous marl and brown and pinl( dolmite.
In passing through the Canon, and especially through the B lack M ountain section. We must lake strange winding courses in order to
follow any sem blance o f a path. A l times we are upon some high and mighty ridge overlooking a vast and bottomless valley; al other
limes we seem to be descending into the very bowels of ihe earth and as
the D-'ap grows darker and the many small and uninviting caverns are
brought to our nolice, we do not remember that this place Was claimed as the domain o f his Satanic M ajesty. A n d , were it not for ihe occasional spring, the fe w beautifully colored flowers and some vegetation and vines, we W ould feel that we were passing through Jules Verne’s volcanic entrance to the center of the earlh and immediately retrace our steps.
B ut we hasten on to ihe village of Peyreleau, situated on the banks o f ihe Jonte, reaching there by way of modern paths and easing our walk upon the backs of mules. H ere we prepare for our interesting journey to the strange, mysterious city of The Devil.
C H A P T E R FO U R
In order properly to enjoy and appreciate our visit to the Village of The D evil, we should spend al least two days there, but since the village is uninhabited, il is necessary to spend the nights al M aubrel. a hamlet several miles distant, which boasls of only a few beds and accommodations for but two or three tourists al one time.
Nevertheless me prepare for one whole day by taking ihe neces sary provisions, food being unattainable en route. 11 is necessary to dress comforlably, but suitably for mountain climbing and with as little luggage as possible.
There are several methods of transportation, each having ils advantages and disadvantages, but at Le Rozicr, the village adjoining Peyreleau, we may hire a carriage seating three for 15 franks ($ 3 ) and proceed to M aubert, a ride of two hours. H ere we secure a guide and the question of transportation to the Village of The D evil is decided according lo ihe guide we select. M . Lavinne, the most popular of the two rival guides possesses a typical French mule-curt sealing from two lo four persons, and his enthusiastic arguments relative lo ihe advantages of his guidance and means of transportation arc convincingly explained by as many gestures as words, and it is amusing to see him hold up his hands in horror and derision when mention is made of M . R obert who possesses a few mules and who likewise, though less strenuously, claims his guidance and mule-ride the safest means of traversing the mountains.
I f n>e are alone we accept the mule ride, but if there are three or four of us We arc tempted to ride in ihe carl. A bout one-half mile distant we enter the borders of the Village of ihe Devil, and before actually passing through its stone G A T E S we ascend the mountains on the right, where there is situated the ancient C IT A D E L , form ed of rocks, and where, il is said, the D evil and his brothers who sought lo marry Berthe and A lbane, sent forth their midnighl signals of fire and where the ghastly and villainous consultations were held. From this position We can overlook the cily in general and stop a few moments to consider the slory of the discovery of this city.
A s formerly slated, this village was unknown lo worldly history or research until ihe year 1883. 7 his will not appear strange to those who have taken ihe journey. Unlit after its discovery there were no, public guides to show ihe winding way, and the city of M aubert, if it m ay be called a city, Was then unborn and there was no inducement
for any tourist, no matter how keen his delight in mountain climbing, to pass through these black mountains without food or place to rest.
B ui in 1883, M ons. L . de M alafosse, a Rosaecrucian. whose chauteau is near M ende, 35 miles distant, made the wonderful explora tion of its location and called the attention of scientists to it. The matter greatly interested M ons. E . A . M artel of the French A lpine Club, who immediately visited the village and drew a plan of its S T R E E T S A N D B O U L E V A R D S .
T he village is situated upon a plateau one and one-half miles square and it Would seem that this plateau itself was especially created by nature for the sole purpose of supporting a village; for, in such a moun tainous region a level plateau of such extent is remarkable and there is no parallel to it in the whole of Europe, except possibly the much smaller B O IS D E P A I O L IV E .
N ow , while M ons. de M alfosse made an explanation of its location and called the attention of scientists to its existence, I have ample proof that the Village of the Devil and its surrounding Valley of the D evil was known to a fetv mystics and learned men many years before 188 3; for I haire in my possession a rare record of the legends of Auvergne in which mention is made of the supposed council of the D evil and his two brothers as heretofore described and giving an original sketch of these devils holding one of their midnight councils; and while this rare record, which was first brought to light in 1838, gives a few minor details as to what was believed to exist in the Valley of the Devil, it does not attempt to give the complete story of the existence of the village and of the romance connected with it.
Therefore, M ons. dc M alfosse did not discover an hitherto unknow n
village, but, rather, rediscovered what was publicly and generally unknown. To quote de M alfosse in his original report: " W e cannot, without having seen it, form an idea of this collection o f apparent ruins, where, by the side of rocks representing gigantic monsters are
facsimiles of imposing monuments. The whole entangled mass o f
streets, arches, passages and projecting cornices, sometimes intersecting one another at right angles, as in a town laid out by line, sometimes forming a crescent or square, is a veritable labyrinth of about 500 acres. Isolated rocks, in the shape o f towers or pyramids, are more than 300
feet high and some of the S 7 R E E T S pass between row s o f
E D IF IC E S 100 to 2 0 0 feet high. The whole of this huge space is abandoned to complete solitude."
This description presents the picture we see from the old citadel on its borders. N o w let us descend the rock ond enter the city itself by of the main street, called the B O U L E V A R D D IA B O L O .
W e are at once impressed with the fact that no hand of man ever laid out this city; for n>e cannot believe that there ever existed a brain
22
so fertile in fantastic creation and so weird in constructive detail, as the intelligence which must have guided the building or planning of this strange city. A n d yet! W ho can say that nature alone, even in her wildest dreams and most deluding schemes, ever produced the mystifying sights we now see? W e try to be logical, reasonable and sane in our conclusions, but we are haunted with the possibility, yes even probability, that some diabolic power was manifesting itself when this city was built. The very atmosphere, heavy with the silence of death and laden with the pallor of solitude, mystery and forgotten life, makes us whisper in reverence,— reverence for what W A S and what M I G H T H A V E B E E N . N o revelry or mirth here and no heart that can help but feel that in this forsaken place C od and Devil, happi ness and sorrow, love and hatredt power and Weakness and life and death meet upon the border-line.
The ground before us is level, smooth, and in some places actually presenting a stone surface, like a paved street. O n either side rise high B U IL D IN G S carved by the mysterious hand into the semblance of chateaus, forts, and cottages. W indows, broad and imposing, door
ways, passages and even B A L C O N IE S are in evidence and we cannot help wondering at the strange sight of an occasional sloop or arch at some entrances and at the finely projecting cornices of the higher buildings.
W alking through this main street we come to what might be called a corner, for here we notice a cross street, at exactly right angles, and faced on either side by similar structures. Further on we come to an imposing structure with an enormous entrance and we rightly name this H O T E L D U V IL L A , or C ity H all; and with little stretch of the imagination we can picture the silent mysterious figures of the former inhabitants of this city walking slowly and dejectedly into its court to plan the diabolical work accredited to them in the years 8 0 0 to 1000.
I'urlher on we enter a C IR Q U E or circle, such as are so artistically built in modem cities. W e are told that this circle, one of the smallest in the city, is called the C IR Q U E D E S R O Q U E T T E S and that Us longer diameter is 1652 feet, the shorter diameter 6 5 0 feel and the walls 380 feet high. A s we gaze upon this sight we allow our minds to wander and think of the legend of the Brothers of the D evil who lived here and try to picture the use they may have made of this cirque. W ere the many men and women who strangely disappeared in their time brought here and put to an ignominious death? W ere the fires of pestilence, plague and suffering km dled here, or were these brothers partly human after all and here worshipped a master of some km d? The human mind is fickle, its paths of reasoning arc oddly branched with byways of enticing illogical pictures and when awakened and alive with
the subtle pow er o f suggestion We im agine m any things; this m ay account fo r our sudden aversion to this cirque, fo r, do D>e not see in the interior gloom o f this arena the transparent and lum inous figures o f m en and w om en on b en ded knees begging fo r m ercy a nd h elp ? a nd cannot we hear the agonizing cries of children and the silencing groan o f a life departing in agony w hile everyw here w e see the dark crim son stain o f innocent b lo o d ?
Horror fills our souls; we try to rise above the power that grapples with our reason, but we are held fast, captive in the hands of the same unseen and unknown might that wielded the instrument which carved the fantastic sights surrounding us.
W e turn to the East and pass through another street unnamed but magnificent in its structures and passages covered with arches which darkened the unknown interiors of the courts; for while one may boast of having entered the various caverns of the Ccvennes, especially those at R oquefort, where the famous chcese is made, and at other places where the environment may be as gloomy, still one would never attempt an entrance to the interior of these unknown courts and we arc held, it seems, in iron bonds, and our feet refuse the mental volition to trespass.
Before us we see the C IR Q U E D U L A C , which is similar in
construction to the Cirque just visited, but which at one time contained
water. N ow , however, as if to add to the forsaken, forlorn and cheer less aspect of the scene, the cirque is dry and we cannot help feeling that perhaps nature has refused to furnish to this ungodly place one of its
most bountiful, sustaining gifts.
N ear here are several A M A T S or public S Q U A R E S and again n>e slop to question whether nature alone constructed this village where there are so logically arranged and attractively located these circles and squares; and if further circumstantial evidence of this possibility we need only
walk
a short distance and view a perfectly proportioned F O R U M , in outline and contour similar to those often seen on the continent.B u i perhaps the most weird and suggestive view of all is that of the B O U L E V A R D M O N U M E N T , where are located seventeen obelisks
or monuments, ranging in height from 100 to 300 feet. They stand cl various open spaces between the numerous castles and each is different in shape and, apparently, designed to express symbolically the incident in memory of which they were erected. O f course, these are likewise mere freaks of nature, like the trembling rock in the near locality, which trembles every midnight so violently that one fears it may fall and injure the bystander. Y et, like the trembling rock, legend says that these obelisks were erected by the D evil and his two brothers in memory of the terrible plagues. W ars, dcalhs and crimes planned and consummated by litem.
24
A s we stand here and view these strange monuments in the lifeless city and note jusl outside of its boundary line the beautiful vines, the arbutes and holly flourishing al the base of the majestic pines, and, rais ing our eyes see the same blue sky• the same sun, and the same spotless groups of clouds as pass over more cheerful and divine dwellings, Wc
marvel at what these strange streets may have once been, what the buildings may have contained and wlml the inhabitants of this I illage of the D evil may have done that C od and nature in evident chagrin, sorrow
and repulsion, should have brought death, barrenness, infamy and dis
consolate gloom upon only one section of the world and this in the midst of fertile regions, surrounded by wondrous beauty. Cod-fearing people and progressive, active and religious nations.
Passing to the South n>c leave the Village by one of its main entrances consisting o f an arch typical of the Rom an P O R I and
flan ked on cither side by what may be called the Village W all. W e stand for a fe w minutes on a slight elevation which affords another general view o f the streets and buildings and it is only at this time that
We fully realize that all wc have seen, the remarkable structures, the C IR Q U E S , arenas, forum s, amphitheatres, castles, obelisks, etc.. were
the result o f som e strange frea k ° f nature and that no human hand
w as concerned in the smallest detail of the construction of the village;
that even the imposing courts, the doorways and windows Were made by the action o f Water, wind and other elements in ages gone by and
w hen all this part o f the world was unknown to man.
Thus I leave you, my reader, on your way back to M ontpellier
a n d the land o f the living. Your journey has been safe and interesting
and We will rest a while in M ontpellier while you review the wonders
o f the sights yo u have seen and I hasten on to my many other duties. I will meet yo u again in M ontpellier shortly, and from that old
city lve shall take a second journey to another strange city near by and there attend a few of the Rosaecrucian mystic convocations such
as are unknown to this country and equalled perhaps only in E gypt in the Temples of our Order.
i55?5SbdS5b[i5£5B55bti555E5H5g555555555S5E5Bbd3ti5j
THE SUPREME MATRE EMERITUS
RAISED TO THE HIGHER REALMS
O n January 21, 1918, there passed from this material plane to the H igher Realms, the soul of our dearly beloved Supreme M atre Emeritus, M ay Banks-Stacey, widow of the late Col, M . H . Stacey.
M rs. Stacey was a direct descendant of Oliver Cromwell and an indirect descendant of M ary Stuart and Napoleon.
She was a native of Baltimore, her father having been an eminent jurist. She was seventy-six years of age at the time of her passing to the beyond, and leaves a daughter and two sons, both of whom hold high military positions.
M other Stacey was a deep student of mysticism. She was a graduate physician and a graduate lawyer. She had travelled t:> nearly every foreign land and has been entertained by mere potentates than possibly any other American woman.
W hile journeying through India her attention was given to the mystic teachings of the Hindus and these started her long career of research in that field. A fter having lived a while and studied with many cults, she finally visited Egypt and there came in contact with the Rosae crucian M asters. T his was a few years prior to the coming of the O rder to Am erica.
M rs. Stacey desired the privilege of bringing the O rder’s teachings to Am erica and so expressed her desire, pointing to the fact that her Am erican parents and relatives had been among those who established the first M asonic Lodge in Baltimore and Philadelphia and that she was not only a member of the Eastern Star but a Daughter of the Am erican Revolution, Colonial Dames, etc. It was pointed out to her, however, that the O rder could not come to Am erica until the year (9 1 5 . It was further explained that when the O rder did come it would come through the sponsorship of France.
Mrs. Stacey was given by the M asters in Egypt a certain mystical Jewel of the O rder and several sealed papers which she was requested to hold until such time as another came to her with a duplicate of one of the seals and requested her assistance in establishing the O rder in America. M rs. Stacey then returned to India and after showing the recognition she had received at the hands of the M asters in Egypt she was duly initiated into our O rder there and was given other papers signed by the Supreme Council of the W orld.
In writing of her part in the establishment of the O rder in Am erica, M rs. Stacey has put upon official record in the Archives of the Supreme G rand Lodge in New Y ork the following statement:
“ I further state that the said Jewels and IN C O M P L E T E 26
instructions were delivered into my hands by the R . C . Master* of India, representing the Supreme Council of the W orld, and that I was there made an initiate of the O rder and a Legate of the O rder for America. I also state that the said Jewels and papers were represented to me as coming direct from Egypt and France, and that they were given to me to be formally handed to that man who should present certain papers, documents, jewels and key in Am erica. Such a person having m atu re d and being Brother H . S. Lewis, I did the duty
expected of me, fulfilled my commission and with pleasure express the joy at seeing the work so well under way in accordance with the prophecy made in India to me in person.
“ T he history of the Jewels and papers are, to my knowledge, exactly as stated herein and as described by M r. Lewis, our Imperator, in the History of the O rder as published in the Official M agazine.'
M rs. Stacey retired as active M atre of the Supreme G rand Lodge after its first year and has since devoted her time to deep study and research.
She was greatly loved by all who knew her. H er kind smile and ever cheerful disposition as well as her deep knowledge of human nature and the trials of life cn this earth, made her truly a M other to all her “ children” of the Lodge. A s one of the co-founders of the O rder in Am erica her name ever shall be cherished and we know that in another incarnation she will take up the work which she was unable to complete at this time.
