Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Europe During The Past Century.
doctrines . Immediately after issuing his orders , twenty-five persons , of whom susp icions were entertained as being Freemasons , were dragged in chains to confinement ; but the subsequent arrests were so numerous that no correct account is obtainable , nor can their ultimate fate be recorded . On the 30 th March , 1818 , Ferdinand again vented his spleen against the Order , by dictating the punishment of Freemasonry to be deathtransportation to Indiaconfiscation of estates & c . & c . ;
, , , but in March 1820 General Ballasteros , by order of the Cortes and Provisional Government , ordered the release of all persons confined for Freemasonry ; fresh Lodges were warranted , and the previous reinstated . If we were to judge of the future by the past , we should say Freemasonry could not have a long or lasting footing in Spain ; in proof of ivhich we find a law of August 1824 , commanding all Masons to declare themselvesand deliver up all their papers and documentsor be
de-, , creed traitors . His minister of war , Aymerich , on the following 16 th October , by proclamation , outlawed every Member of the Craft ; and in 1827 seven Members of a Lodge in Grenada were executed . The civil war ensued after the death of Ferdinand , and the abandonment of the kingdom by Don Carlos enabled Mendizabel , himself a Freemason , and others , to act with toleration , and at present it is pursuing its objects without molestation .
ITALY , So naturally presents itself after Spain and Portugal ; the religion , manners , and habits of the people so much assimilate , and the Papal sway is regarded as so absolute , that it might be said the history of Freemasonry in the one would suffice for all ; but we will give the best account in our power in each locality . The Duke of Dorset ' s son , Lord Charles Sackville , established the first Lodge of Freemasons in Florence ,
anno 1733 ; but John Gaston , the last of the Medician Dukes of Tuscany , as early as 1737 , evinced his feelings to the Order by the publication of stringent laws against them ; in the following year , however , we find them protected against the injustice of France , where persecution was then the order of the day . This clemency was not to effect the spread of Masonic knowledge ; for it was restricted and encompassed by every dangerbut still the extirpation of Masons was not ht
, soug . About the middle of the 18 th century Naples became the scene of action . A Greek resident founded a Lodge , which in a comparatively short period was joined by the most celebrated statesmen and citizens . Naples was then under the dominion of Charles the Third , of Spain , and was not likel y to remain undisturbed . He declared himself on the 10 th July , 1751 , unfavourable , and that he considered all Freemasons
dangerous and turbulent subjects . The punishment for those who continued to oppose his wishes , in this respect , was to be the same as acknowledged revolutionists . Rumours , however , of subsequent conversion to better feelings were rife . He certainly appointed out of the Craft one of the tutors to his son ancl successor ( afterwards Ferdinand the Fourth ) , and this man ultimatel y became his confessor . Upon this , courage took possession of the disorganized Masonic body , and they became of the
one provinces of the Grand Lodge of England , on which foundation a Grand Lodge of their own was formed , intimately connected with the German Lodges . On the 27 th February , 1764 , tms Orrand Lodge was duly installed by Dieque Naselli , consisting of tmrty-one members . Bernardo Tanucci , Secretary of State , had sufficient influence to induce the same Ferdinand the Fourth ( who had been VOL . II . v n
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Europe During The Past Century.
doctrines . Immediately after issuing his orders , twenty-five persons , of whom susp icions were entertained as being Freemasons , were dragged in chains to confinement ; but the subsequent arrests were so numerous that no correct account is obtainable , nor can their ultimate fate be recorded . On the 30 th March , 1818 , Ferdinand again vented his spleen against the Order , by dictating the punishment of Freemasonry to be deathtransportation to Indiaconfiscation of estates & c . & c . ;
, , , but in March 1820 General Ballasteros , by order of the Cortes and Provisional Government , ordered the release of all persons confined for Freemasonry ; fresh Lodges were warranted , and the previous reinstated . If we were to judge of the future by the past , we should say Freemasonry could not have a long or lasting footing in Spain ; in proof of ivhich we find a law of August 1824 , commanding all Masons to declare themselvesand deliver up all their papers and documentsor be
de-, , creed traitors . His minister of war , Aymerich , on the following 16 th October , by proclamation , outlawed every Member of the Craft ; and in 1827 seven Members of a Lodge in Grenada were executed . The civil war ensued after the death of Ferdinand , and the abandonment of the kingdom by Don Carlos enabled Mendizabel , himself a Freemason , and others , to act with toleration , and at present it is pursuing its objects without molestation .
ITALY , So naturally presents itself after Spain and Portugal ; the religion , manners , and habits of the people so much assimilate , and the Papal sway is regarded as so absolute , that it might be said the history of Freemasonry in the one would suffice for all ; but we will give the best account in our power in each locality . The Duke of Dorset ' s son , Lord Charles Sackville , established the first Lodge of Freemasons in Florence ,
anno 1733 ; but John Gaston , the last of the Medician Dukes of Tuscany , as early as 1737 , evinced his feelings to the Order by the publication of stringent laws against them ; in the following year , however , we find them protected against the injustice of France , where persecution was then the order of the day . This clemency was not to effect the spread of Masonic knowledge ; for it was restricted and encompassed by every dangerbut still the extirpation of Masons was not ht
, soug . About the middle of the 18 th century Naples became the scene of action . A Greek resident founded a Lodge , which in a comparatively short period was joined by the most celebrated statesmen and citizens . Naples was then under the dominion of Charles the Third , of Spain , and was not likel y to remain undisturbed . He declared himself on the 10 th July , 1751 , unfavourable , and that he considered all Freemasons
dangerous and turbulent subjects . The punishment for those who continued to oppose his wishes , in this respect , was to be the same as acknowledged revolutionists . Rumours , however , of subsequent conversion to better feelings were rife . He certainly appointed out of the Craft one of the tutors to his son ancl successor ( afterwards Ferdinand the Fourth ) , and this man ultimatel y became his confessor . Upon this , courage took possession of the disorganized Masonic body , and they became of the
one provinces of the Grand Lodge of England , on which foundation a Grand Lodge of their own was formed , intimately connected with the German Lodges . On the 27 th February , 1764 , tms Orrand Lodge was duly installed by Dieque Naselli , consisting of tmrty-one members . Bernardo Tanucci , Secretary of State , had sufficient influence to induce the same Ferdinand the Fourth ( who had been VOL . II . v n