The Sentence On The Freemasons At Porto Rico.

THE SENTENCE ON THE FREEMASONS AT PORTO RICO .

IT seems that , on the 22 nd of April last , sixteen Freetnansons received from "Mr . le Dr . Don Jose Conrado Hernandez , Judge of "Premiere Instance" at Porto Rico , a sentence of imprisonment for two years , and perpetual loss of all civil rights . " The names of the Brethren so sentenced are

as follows : —Don Jose dc C . Balzac , D . Francois-Marie Quinones , D . Manuel Rodugnez , D . Juan , D . Francois and D . Manuel Antongcorgi , D . Antoine Fravxioni , D . Michel Ramirez , D . Antoine Ramirez , D . Antoine Riviera , D . Antoine Lebron , D . Ezia Fabiany , D . Pompie Bellony , and the Dr . Ange Franco .

They were accused of being members of an illegal secret society , of not having a permit to be so assembled , of having arms without a licence , and also of the fact of being Masons , forbidden by the Article 210 of the Penal Code , and on these four charges were sentenced , as before stated .

"When they were arrested by the Civic Guard , under a certain Brigadier Torres Navarro , and Sous-Brigadier , Antoine Vara , they were supposed by thc guard to be secret gamblers , so they assert ; but finding that they were Masons , they al once took possession of the furniture , arms , books , as well as their persons .

The Freemasons asserted that they had a licence to meet , signed by the Alcalde of Sabana Grande . The Government prosecutor states that this

statement is untrue , and that if they had any permisssion , it was only one to Bro . C Balzac , to entertain his friends at supper . The Lodge was held in Bro . C . Balzac ' s house .

AVith regard to the arms seized—two cutlasses , two sabres , a revolver , and a double-barrelled gun—it appears that no licence for the same was produced . Under these circumstances , the rigorous sentence was pronounced , against which an appeal was made by the

Masons ; but , so far , we do not know with what effect . Now we cannot , according to our known principles , approve of Brethren meeting illicitl y or surreptitiously any where " contrateeges . " and we feel that both as regards unto that point , and the want of an arms licence—we have

nothing to say . But we certainl y may , and must protest against any law in any country , which makes Freemasonry a crime , and Freemasons criminals , simply as such—though if such a law exist—until it be repealed , Freemasons are bound , we hold , to obey it . For

we emphatically deny that Freemasonry is either a political fraternity , or a secret revolutionary association ; and we affirm that its aim is good , and its principles most loyal . We deeply regret that any State can be so sti gmatize a beneficient , an honourable , an orderly , and charitable society

like that of Freemasonry . And we can only hope that in the progress of civilization and the developement of more liberal ( in a good sense ) and tolerant views , such penal enactments and such hostile theories may be among the things of the past .

But until that happier epoch arrives , Freemasons are bound to obey the laws of the country where they live pro tempore , or which is their Mother Land , or which gives them its privileges as traders , or affords them its protection as peaceable citizens . While , then , wc deeply deplore the fate and

thc sentence of our Brethren at Port Rico , we regret that a manifest error of judgment , and perhaps some emotions of Masonic zeal not tempered with discretion , should have led them to contravene these munici pal regulations as those general laws , which , as true Freemasons and good patriots , they were ail equally bound to comply with , ancl bear in mind .

'I wo brothers , D . Francois Sena , and Dr . Francois Yanque have been acquitted , ancl set at liberty , and we hope that the same happy lot may befall our brethren , if the Court of Appeal confirms the sentence of the " Premiere Instance " on a proper appeal to thc authorities , and an honest recognition of the binding nature

The Sentence On The Freemasons At Porto Rico.

of thc laws of the land , and of the infraction committed by themselves . We feel that we are bound to say this muchsince as Freemasons , we in Anglo-Saxon Masonry especially , ever avow respect to lawful authority , and complete deference and cheerful obedience to the enactments of the supreme

Legislature , wherever we ourselves are to be found in any quarter of the world . AVe have taken this precis of- the case , leaving out a large number of the reasons of the sentence , which , in our opinion , are not material to the matter , from the "Monde Maconnique , " of November .

Roman Catholic Intolerance And Desecration Of The Dead.

ROMAN CATHOLIC INTOLERANCE AND DESECRATION OF THE DEAD .

The accompanying narrative will in all probability prove of melancholy interest to many of your readers , as it shows the amount of intolerance still existing in Chili : — A little more than a month ago there died at Serena , Bro . James Wallace , son of Mr . Samuel

Wallace , of that city ; the deceased being a Protestant was buried at Guayacan ; the body had to be coaveyed by rail , and as the station is some distance from thc city a hearse had to be procured ; application was made in the proper quarter for hire of same , but the request was only granted after

considerable delay , the ecclesiastical authorities being quite indisposed to permit the use of it ; the body , however , at last reached Guayacan cemetery , where , after the usual religious ceremonies , it was interred with some simple Masonic rites , the deceased brother being a member , and , I believe , one

of the founders of the Sevena Lodge . I may here mention that this Lodge was always held under circumstances of the greatest difficulty and danger , for La Sarena is notorious as being the hotbed of Roman Catholicism and the point from which mauy denunciations of the most vindictive character

have lately issued against Masonry and its sympathisers . However , to proceed , on the 21 st of October , some boys playing in or about the cemetery , found a plate bearing the name of Jas . Wallace , and on

examination his grave was found open , the corpse exposed and mutilated ; on thc adovc wall , immediately opposite the grave , was found deeply cut a cross , thus showing that some muttered threats which had been heard at the funeral had been

earned into effect . The body was immediately removed and sent to Valparaiso ( 196 miles ) for interment . It may now be remarked that the spirit of intolerance which refuses to allow the ashes of those who in life professed different beliefs , to commingle together in one God's common acre is bad

enough , but the fanaticism which prompts to the desecration of thc dead is infinitely worse . It is , however , some consolation to know that there is no surer sign that fanaticism and bigotry are being driven from their ancient strongholds , than when , in despair , they seek to regain power by profaning

the ashes of the dead . The desecration of our deceased brother ' s remains will be , in all probability , thc death-knell of bigotry and priestcraft in Serena , for since that occurrence Masonry has received such a large accession of members in Serena as must , before long ,

work out many great and salutary changes in that part of thc country . Every effort is being madeas may be supposed—by the priests to shield their dastardly agents . But a leward of 500 dols . has been offered , and it is to be hoped that a just punishment for their cowardly and barbarous act

will soon be meted out to the perpetrators . Nothing short of this will satisfy public opinion , the affair having called forth expressions of thc deepest indignation throughout thc coast of South America . Mr . Samuel Wallace , thc father of Bro . James Wallace , has since died very suddenly , it is said from the effects of the shock caused by thc occurrence mentioned .

La Serena is close to Coqucmbo , a well-known port , 196 miles north of Valparaiso , and is the scat of a Roman Catholic Bishop . Guayacan is a mile or two south of Cociuembo . TAV . P .

The Alexandra Palace.

THE ALEXANDRA PALACE .

Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of thc weather , there was a numerous attendance at thc Alexandra Palace on Saturday , nth inst ., to hear the second performance of " Esther . " It is simply marvellous that this oratorio has been heard only twice

, in its entirety , since its great composer ' s death ; wc trust , however , that ere long " Esther " will become almost , if not quite , as popular as the " Messiah" and other works from the pen ofthe illustrious Handel . The performance from the commencement to thc end was most satisfactory .

The Alexandra Palace.

Madame Nouver proved an excellent substitute for Madame Blanche Cole , who was unable to attend through indisposition . Mr . Vernon Rigby being again absent from the same cause , his place was supplied most efficiently by Mr . AV . Shakspeare . Madame Nouver was especially successful in

" Praise the Lord , " " Tears assist me , " and in the lovely duett , " AVho calls my parting soul ? " with Mr . Shakspeare she also gave " Flattering tongue no more 1 hear thee" with great dramatic effect . Madlle . Enriquez's exquisite rendering of the pathetic air , " O Jordan , Jordan , sacred tide , " must

not pass unnoticed ; she was also equally effective in the "Invocation" immediately preceding the chorus " He comes to end our woes . " Mr . Shakspeare was exceptionally good in " Who dares intrude into our presence ? " and in . Hainan ' s song " Dread not , righteous queen , the danger ; " but he

deserves special praise for his expressive rendering of the lovely air , " O beauteous queen , unclose those eyes . " Mr . Wadmore obtained an encore in the recitative " Turn not , O queen ; " he also gave with much feeling , "How art thou fallen . " Mr . Howell sang with great expression , but his

voice did not appear sufficiently powerful for so large a Hall ; we imagine those at the extreme end of the hall would have great difficulty in hearing him . The choruses , " Ye sons of Israel mourn , " and "He comes to end our woes , " were given with remarkable effect , while the magnificent final chorus ,

with solo , " The Lord our enemy hath slain , " was almost beyond criticism . Thc orchestral accompaniments were admirably played , Mr . Weist-Hill conducting with his accustomed ability . AVe cannot lose this opportunity of publicly expressing our intense disapprobation at the thoughtlessness and

bad taste evinced by those persons who persist in leaving their seats during the performance , and thereby causing extreme annoyance to the musical portion of the audience , who wish to listen undisturbed to the whole ofthe oratorio ; this practice seems to be considered quitert «/»// amongst acertainclass

at the Alexandra Palace ; such a proceeding would not be tolerated at Exeter Hall , nor even at the Crystal Palace to the same extent , and we can see no reason why it should be permitted in one case more than another . There is ample opportunity nfforded those desirous of leaving before the end

to do so between the pieces or during the interval . The practice we so strongly deprecate is most uncomplimentary to the artistes who take part in the performance , and surely the smallest tribute we can offer to the memory of those who have bequeathed

us the gems of their immortal genius is that of listening to the same with silent and respectful attention . We earnestly trust that this slight reproof will produce the desired effect , and that in future neither Mr . AVeist-Hill nor anyone else will be disturbed in a similar manner .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

I have been startled not a little to read a letter signed by " AV . M . " respecting his Lodge holding a Charter from the Grand Lodge of AU England and that the members thereof have the privilege ot wearing a jewel by virtue of such Charter , confirmed at the Union of 1813 . There surely must

be a mistake in these statements by " AV . M ., " for there was not a single lodge in existence , under thc authority of the Grand Lodge of All England , held at York , to take place at the Union of 1813 , the lodges uniting being those under the Grand Lodge of England (• ' Moderns" ) , and the Grand Lodge , according to the old Constitutions ( "Ancients" )

respectively , under the Grand Mastership of H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , and H . R . H . the Duke of Kent . Will "W . M . " kindly inform us of the character of the jewel mentioned , and thc name and number of his lodge , so that we might investigate the matter , and prove that the assertions are incorrect or otherwise .

AViu . iAM J AMES HUGHAN , Author of " Memorials of the Masonic Union of 1813 . Ellis and White , of 29 , New Bond-street , have a copy of Caxton ' s Polycronccan for sale , of 1 S 43 ( circa ) / 210 . Would it not be well to secure this

for one of our Jl / asouic Libraries , or for thc Grand Lodge Library ? Its value is very great indeed , and was , in our opinion , the basis of the major portion of thc historical reproductions to our old charges from 14 th century , the chronicle having previously existed in MS . from early in the 14 th century , apparently being the work of one Roger

Monk of St . Werbcrg , in Chester , amplified by Ralph Higden of the same monastery , who died prior to 1360 , of which several copies are still extant in MS . In 138711 was translated by Trcvisa into English , and was revised about a hundred years later by Caxton , which he finished on July 23 nd , 1842 , and printed soon after . The above is