Monthly Masonic Summary.

by forgetfulness , of Avise cautions , and by a want of careful selection of members . It is one thing to admit a large number of members to swell our balance sheets and increase the funds of tlie Lodge ; but quality , not quantity , is

Avhat Ave should seek for , and numerical increase and material prosperity may after all be too dearly purchased . We Avish Ave could say that Ave thought the state of Freemasonry in France and Belgium satisfactory . We

do not ; and can only regard Avith the deepest anxiety recent proceedings in both Orders , which , if not arrested in time , and if not eventually over-ruled by the good sense of both Grand Orients , must lead inevitably , as far as Ave can

see noAV , to a severance , as betAveen Anglo-Saxon and French and Belgium Freemasonry . But Ave still hope for the best ,

Freemasonry In Rome.

FREEMASONRY IN ROME .

BY BRO . J . C . PARKINSON , P . G . D . As my recent visit to Home , and my reception by our Masonic brethren there have given rise to some misconception mid controversyit may be Avell to lace the

, p facts upon record . Signor Tamajo , the member for Messina , in the Italian Parliament , andDoputy Grand Master of ItalyAvas good enough to call upon mo at my hotel in Rome , and to invite me to visit the Lodge . I replied that I should not merely

liave pleasure ; 1 doing so , but that I Avould , if he pleased , accompany him to the Masonic Hall in the day time , and examine the furniture , appointments ; and symbols of the Lodge AA'ith greater minuteness and care than are practicable AA'hen

business is in full SAving , and the brethren aro apseinbled for Avork . This Avas arranged , and I made a careful inspection of the books and certificates of tho Grand Orient of . Italy ; of its correspondence Avith the other grand bodies of the Avorld , and of its furniture and symbols . Not

content Avith this , 1 cross-examined the Deputy Grand Master as closely and keenl y as I could , directing my questions chiefl y to tAvo broad points — Is Italian Freemasonry identical AA'ith Freemasonry as it is practised in England in the essential of the discussion

excluding of politics from the lodges 1 and , is belief in the inimortality of the soul and faith hi the great Architect of the Universe inculcated in tho ceremonies 1 The assurancps I received Avere ample and completeand after a

morn-, ing visit of considerable duration , and at Avhich the AVorshipful Masters of the four lodges noAV meeting in Koine , the Grand Orator , the Grand Secretary , and other dignitaries , about a dozen in allAvere presentSi Tamajo

, , gnor invited me to put any additional question Avhich occurred to me . But I really had nothing more to ask . I had seen the volume of the sacred laAV ( a bible in Latin and Hebiw ) Avhich is used in the lodge precisely as it is Avith us , and lies' open on a

pedestal in front of tho Worshipful Master ' s chair . On tho following evening , accompanied by three English friends , I visited tho special Lodge summoned by Signor Tamajo , and there found about one

hundred brethren assembled . The lodge Avas opened in due form , and Avith the usual invocations , and , after some prelimiuaries , cordial speeches of Avelcome Avere delivered by the Worshipful Grand Master , and by several brethren in and out

of office . Signor Tamajo , in an eloquent address , in AA'hich he named , in the most flattering Avay , certain public utterances of mine in favour of liberty of conscience and freedom of thought in Italy , presented meAvith a beautiful symbolical icture

very p , designed and executed specially for the occasion . I shall never forget the hearty demonstrations of cordial greeting with Avhich the brethren present accompanied this gift . I spoke in acknosvledgment as folloAvs ;—

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER oi ? ITALY AXD BRETHREN OP BOME . I thank you from my heart for tlrs soul-stirring and affecting welcome , ami I exchange Avith you the fraternal greetings Avhich belong exclusively to those linked together by our myst '