an afflatus of several actions, forms, and circumstances, serving to render a thing more magnificent and solemn; particularly used to denote the external rites of religious worship, the formalities of introducing ambassadors to audiences, &c.

Master of the Ceremonies, an officer instituted by king James I. for the more honourable reception of ambassadors and strangers of quality: he wears about his neck a chain of gold, with a medal under the crown of Great Britain, having on one side an emblem of peace, with this motto, beati pacifici; and on the other, an emblem of war, with dieu et mon droit: his salary is three hundred pounds per annum.

Assistant master of the Ceremonies is to execute the employment in all points, whensoever the master of the ceremonies is absent. His salary is one hundred and forty-one pounds thirteen shillings and four pence per annum.

Marshal of the Ceremonies is their officer, being subordinate to them both. His salary is one hundred pounds per annum.