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The Freemason , SATURDAY , J 8 , 1871 .

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TUB FREEMASON is published ou Saturday Mornings in time for he early trains . The price of THE FREKMASON is Twopence per week ; annual subscription , los . ( payable in advance ) . AU comnwmcaiioTis , tellers , Stc , 10 lie addressed to thc EDITOR » , 3 , and 4 , Little Britain , E . C . The Editor will pay careful attention to all MSS . entrusted to him Ut cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by postage ptamps .

In Rome.

IN ROME .

ROME the capital of Italy ! Rome the seat of a Masonic Grand Lodge ! Such are the events of the day , and they may well arrest the attention of Europe—and

especially of the Craft—even in this age of startling changes . Not a twelvemonth has elapsed since the dogma of Papal infallibility was launched from the Vatican ; and

now we find the champions of reason installed under the shadow of St . Peter ' s dome . But a few years ago , by a solemn curse , which ought to have swept

Freemasonry away for ever , every member of the Brotherhood was consigned to perdition . And now the Grand Master of

Italy dates his decrees from thc city of the Caesars , in sublime forgetfulness of the ill-advised and impotent malediction .

Truly , Time has reversed the verdict of the past , and many bitter memories of grief , of pain , and persecution are blotted out in the radiant hopes of the present . It

is simply a matter of history that ever since the promulgation ofthe bull of Pope Clement XII ., in 1738 , against the Masonic Society , the Court of Rome has denounced

the Fraternity in every land to which its influence extended , or where its voice could be heard ; and not content with denunciation and proscription , there are well-

In Rome.

authenticated instances that it has often , by means of the detestable tribunals of the Inquisition , satiated its vengeance in the blood of Masonic victims . If the prison

walls of the Castle of St . Angelo could -speak , many a hideous tale would be told , and many a scene of horror revealed . But we have no desire to dwell

upon such a dismal subject now that the day of light has more than dawned , and when the sun of Freedom and Fraternity

rides high over the walls of the Eternal City . It is the future of Freemasonry in that classic seat with which we are now

concerned , and it is upon the results to be achieved by our Italian brethren in their onward march that we would fain rivet the attention of our readers . The Craft in

Italy has suffered much from persecution , but more , incomparably more , from the mistaken policy of some misguided members within its pale . Every one knows how

injurious to the progress of true Masonry was the rise of such associations as the Illuminati during the eighteenth century ; and , beyond doubt , the evil which

Weishaupt ' s band accomplished in Germany was equalled , if not excelled , by the Carbonari in Italy . The doctrines of the latter resembled in all essential points the

teachings of the Bavarian professor , and their natural sequence was the disruption of every social tie by the rude process of revolution . Like Weishaupt , Maghclla

ancl other leaders of the Carbonari sought proselytes amongst the ranks of the Masonic community , and , unhappily , with too great success . At the same time , it

must be remembered that fifty years ago the political condition of Italy was lamentable in the extreme . The nation groaned under the misrule of foreign despots , and

insignificant princelings lorded it over the descendants ofthe conquerors of the world . A system of espionage prevailed , of which we in free England can form no adequate

conception , and hence the rapid spread of secret political societies , whose members endeavoured to veil their proceedings under thc mask of Masonry . This is a

circumstance greatly to be regretted , but it by no means follows that thc Carbonari were a branch of Masonry because several Masonic brethren took part in their proceedings , or

were implicated in their designs . It only proves that a good and useful institution sometimes suffers through the faults and errors of its quasi-supporters . Not that

we wish to brand the political opinions of some of the Carbonari with particular reprobation—many of its members were unquestionably honest men , who strove to

compass the regeneration of their country by what they considered perfectly legitimate means , and much of their programme of liberty has since been practically

achieved by kindred spirits . Our protest is levelled against the introduction of Freemasonry into thc arena of politics at

allno matter what may be the pretext , or however laudable the objects sought to be attained .

In Rome.

In thus glancing at the past , our desire more especially is to warn , with all the emphasis at our command , our brethren of Italy against the pitfalls into which not a few Continental Masons have been

allured , to their own destruction , and to the disgrace of the Masonic Order . The Italian Craft has a glorious prospect before it , but in the fulfilment of its destiny great

wisdom as well as resistless strength will be required on the part of its rulers . Freemasonry to be respected must be untrammeled by extraneous associations : must be

unconnected with political parties , although its development may be somewhat modelled upon peculiar national idiosyncracies . The Masonry of England and America may

not in its entirety be adapted to the tastes or views of Masons in Italy , Spain , or Sweden , and a colourless uniformity cannot be expected to prevail in all

nations . But the fundamental principle of non-interference in politics must be rigidly observed by all who desire to remain within

the fold of ancient Freemasonry . No alliances with Communism , Carbonarism , or Fenianism can be tolerated . The Craft has a

constitution of its own , and membership is incompatible with habitual infractions ofthe pure and primitive laws therein contained . Let the Italian Masons copy the example set

by England in the practice of the great principles—Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . Let them steadily ignore the factions whose watchwords are hatred and revenge .

Let them persevere in the promulgation of true and genuine Masonry , and they may rely upon the recognition and the support of all good Masons . The English Craft

will watch with a >* dent hope , not unmingled with anxiety , the future career of their brethren in Italy . The leaders of the Grand Orient now seated in Rome have

a brilliant but arduous task to encounter . Repressing all animosities , merging all minor differences of opinion , they may consolidate the union of their country by

the cultivation and dissemination of those peaceful and fraternal ideas which are the basis of the Masonic Order . Failing this , their advent to the capital will be

remembered merely as an epoch of great opportunities wasted , and the very lustre of their present success will serve but to exhibit the depth and darkness of their shame .

WE have pleasure m calling attention to an article extracted from tlie Daily Neivs , and published in this issue , because we know that the sentiments expressed by the writer are sincere , and therefore worthy of respectful

consideration . The installation of the Prince of Wales as the Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge is an event which , of course , may be regarded as the sequel to His Royal Highness's initiation into the Craft : but still we are all

plensed to find that the Prince has determined to fulfill the role of a working Mason in our ceremonial assemblies , as well as in the advocacy of those charities which crown the Masonic structure in England . Our esteemed confrere of the Daily Neios—whose personal acquaintance we