Freemasonry In Italy.

FREEMASONRY IN ITALY .

IN the January number of le Mond Ma <; onnicpie is an article on the present position and prospects of Italian Freemasonry ; and as we are told it emanates from a distinguished brother , the following translation will , perhaps , be acceptable to our readers .

If it is commendable in a young society to maintain its position in spite of the many and grave difficulties which surround it ; assuredly Italian Masonry is worthy of the very highest praise . Not only has it been able to preserve itself pure , independent , and honoured , but every day that

has passed since the last Assembly has brought with it increased power and estimation . Italian Masonry embraces two principal rites ; the Scottish and the Symbolical , the rite of Memphis being hardly , if at all , represented . It was greatly to be feared

that this division might lead to , if not a moral , at all events an administrative , separation . There were even rumours abroad on this point , and the perfidious enemies of the Order already seemed to triumph . Hence the Masonic world

was anxious to learn what line of policy the new Constituent Assembly would pursue . It behoves us then to acknowledge that this body has not only not disappointed , but has greatly surpassed the reasonable expectations of all good Masons .

It is needless to enlarge on the brotherly feeling which governed the labours of the Assembly ; the world knows this already . So profound , indeed , was this sentiment as

almost to prove harmful , if that , indeed , can be so described , which summarily cut short every discussion , even on questions of the greatest moment , in order to arrive at a final vote which , as the event proved , was almost

unanimous . The constitution of Italian Masonry , based as well on freedom and the complete development of its rites as on the independence and unity of administrative power , is in perfect accord with those principles of liberty which

govern the modern world , and for the accomplishment of which Masonry has laboured so strenuously and endured go much . The new elections of the Constituent body have , in great measure , confirmed the government of the Order as settled by the Assembly of 1872 , a fact which proves

that those who were at that time entrusted with the governance of the Craft have never ceased to possess the entire confidence and affection of all the brethren . The new element imported into the Council of the Order , and

among the GG . MM . thereto affiliated , has brought with it a considerable accession of weight and influence together with a spirit of hearty co-operation both effective and fraternal . When once have been established the bases of a

system destined to endure , to prosper , and to perfect itself indefinitely , then Freemasonry in Italy will vastly extend its beneficent influence , its power and authority , and will make itself respected even in the outer world . The new Lodges which have been established in all parts

of the Italian peninsula have largely increased both the number and moral weight of the Order . Many old Masons , whom the incertitude of the earlier steps kept aloof , have again knocked at the door of temple , and it has been opened in order to welcome them with that

fraternal regard which displays itself in the domestic circle when some dearly loved but long absent member returns to its bosom . Some Lodges—which had been led astray by the well-known mar-alls which are a reproach to the Order ,

and which , for some time past , had been excluded from the ranks of the Italian brotherhood—have recognised their error , in most cases involuntary on their part , and have returned full of confidence in the success of their labours .

vain were the efforts of the men we have spoken of to seduce them once again from their purpose . The calumnies they invented , the silly recriminations they indulged in , only served to unmask them more and more . True there are still some small refractory centres , but we may safely assert

that if these are honest , they will not long delay rejoining the G . O . of Italy . On the other hand , if the elements of which they are composed are at all unworthy of regard , the discredit into which they have already fallen , will place them beyond the power of doing harm .

This work of increase has induced another , far more engrossing in its details , and of far greater difficulty . We mean the work of purification . It was necessary to eliminate all those elements which , if not absolutely bad , would bring to the Craft neither esteem , nor community of principles and views . This operation is still being carried

Freemasonry In Italy.

out by means of a single diploma of the third degree , emblem distinctive and modest of the brethren , but above all , sure guarantee and indispensable passport for the

members of every grade , in order to secure for them due recognition as regular Masons . Thus purified , Italian Masonry will pursue its labours , many of which are more than commenced , and already approach completion .

The Lodges of Italy remain faithful to the grand principles of the Craft , and are before all things setting themselves to the task of tightening those bonds which unite in one brotherhood the Masons of the whole world .

They are working prudently , and devoting themselves , with philosophic tolerance , to the consideration of those questions which the modern world must sooner or later solve . It is thus , that with unshaken constancy and never failing prudence , the Masons of Italy are gradually

fashioning the stone , which at the same time they are polishing . This task is at present sustained by 165 Lodges , organised and regulated in their labours by the superior authorities of each rite , as established in the chief

provinces of the Peninsula . Between May and December of last year the work of re-organisation thus undertaken by the brethren in Italy , led to the establishment of 25 Lodges , all prosperous and in working order . But in order to give an idea of the stringent resolutions , which actuate

the G . O . of Italy on the subject of the purification and reconstitution of the Order in that noble country , it ia well to point out that , for diverse reasons , 25 Lodges have been broken up , while the same fate awaits many others . It is the fixed and immovable determination of those who

rule Italian Freemasonry , to have done with all those meetings which are Masonic in name only . By way of crowning the edifice of Italian Masonry , there is , at this moment , being prepared , in the very heart of Rome itself , a temple , which will be elegantly decorated ,

though not to the extent demanded by the grandeur of that ancient city , which was once the seat of Empire of the world . It will suffice , however , to demonstrate the

power which Masonry exercises . We rejoice to see this work approaching its completion , and cordially felicitate our Italian brethren thereon . Henceforth the pilgrims of civilisation who shall visit Rome in order to admire these

new triumphs of Liberalism will have a common point of meeting , where they will encounter that fraternal welcome which is the special as it is certainly the finest characteristic of our cosmopolitan society . There the representatives of all the Masonic powers of the world will be able at all

times to knit more closely together those bonds of love and solidarity which for some time past have Jinked the youth of Italian Masonry with the older and more venerable members of the Masonic family . Thus it is that Freemasonry in Italy , which has rendered such invaluable

service in the regeneration of that magnificent country , replies on the one hand to the malignant insinuations of its enemies , and on the other , to the splendid anticipations of those who have always appreciated its merits at their true value .

Masonic Minstrelsy.

MASONIC MINSTRELSY .

LEST the title of this article should mislead the reader , we take leave to assure him at the outset that we have no intention of discussing those lyric flights of fancy which sometimes enliven the post-prandial proceedings of the brethren . We never heard on any of these occasions

a song with any pretensions to Masonic ori gin , except the one devoted to the E . A ., and that we always regarded as the first crude conception of the nonsense verse so popular in our own time . It has been our lot upon more than

one " occasion" to " gaze on an estimable brother " Mason " struggling with lines terminating in the words we have just quoted , and always with a sense of wonder

that any person could be brought to utter such incredible bathos of commonplace . The singer whose " tuneful throat " informs us that

"Antiquity's pride We have on onr side , Which nxaketh men just in their station , "

must be a lineal descendant of the immortal Gamp , or a humourist of the highest order , if he preserves his gravity through such an ordeal . That this remarkably bald , and for the most part incomprehensible lyric , should rival tho