The objects of the author in the preparation of the present work has been to place in the hands of every Royal Arch Mason a book in which he may find a lucid explanation, so far as the laws of our institution will permit, of all that has excited his curiosity or attracted his interest in the Chapter degrees, and above all, to furnish an elementary treatise of easy comprehen- sion on the symbolism of Royal Arch Masonry.The plan upon which it has been written is a novel and hitherto untried one. Yet he thinks that he knows enough, from past experience of the wants of young as well as of old masons, to authorize him to anticipate, with some confidence, its favorable acceptance by the craft.