Constitution Of Italian Freemasonry.

CONSTITUTION OF ITALIAN FREEMASONRY .

LONDON , SATURDAY , OCTOBER 3 , 1803 .

The extension of Freemasonry throughout the various nations of the earth must always be gratifying to the true Craftsman ; hut though Italy was at one time the chosen field of those Masons whose works added so much lustre to the middle ages , it has of late years been almost trodden out through priestly

influence and the absolutist governments which have prevailed . Tlie reconstitution of the Kingdom of Italy—albeit not so complete as its ardent friends would wish—and the establishment of constitutional government , have naturally led to the revival of

Freemasonry ; and we have now before us the preliminary laws which have been framed for its government , pending the formation of the regular Constitutions . Many of these laws appear to be somewhat

contradictory , but experience of the working will soon enable our Italian brethren to digest and modify them so as to enable them to form a good workable Code of Constitutions , in which we wish them all success , and that Freemasonry may once more take a firm and healthy footing on classic ground , hallowed by so

many beautiful monuments of the Mason ' s art . Believing that these Constitutions of the Italiansthough they are at present regarded as only provisional—cannot be otherwise than interesting to the English brethren , we have had them expressly translated for THE MAGAZINE , and now proceed to lay them before our readers : —

CAP . I . Eomi AND OBJECT or ITALIAN FREEMASONRY . ART . I . Italian Freemasonry is a union of freemen , joined together by the bonds of universal Masonry , and these statutes .

Its object is tho promotion of benevolence on the broadest possible basis . ART . 2 . Italian Masonry recognises , as essential to benevolence , the following principles : — Independence and unity among nations , and their

fraternisation . Toleration of all religions , and absolute equality of education . Moral and material progress of thc masses . ART . 3 . Italian Freemasonry will strive to attain this

threefold object by all legal and peaceable means , and the influence which she possesses through the virtues of her members , their union with each other , and with the whole Masonic world . ART . 4 . Italian universal calls God tho

Masonry , as Masonry , Great Architect of tho World . To the old device of Universal Masonry , " Liberty , ^ quality , and Fraternity , " Italian Masonry adds , " Independence , Union , and Fraternity among the nations . "

ART . 5 . Italian Masonry has only the three grades , —Apprentice , Craftsman , and Master . Such of her present or future members as may be in possession of higher grades may retain their titles , but such grades do not admit them to any of the privileges appertaining to the grade of Masterthe highest in

, Italian Freemasonry . CAP . II . CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION OE ITALIAN MASONRY . ART . 6 . Italian Masonry consists of regularly constituted local

unions , called lodges . Of a central board of control , sitting in the capital of the kingdom , called the Grand Orient of Italy . Of regular and extraordinary general meetings . ART . 7 . No person can become an Italian Mason unless

admitted as such by a lodge dependent upon the Grand Orient , and of which lodge he remains a member . ART . 8 . The number of the members of the Italian lodges is unlimited . Italians and aliens are alike eligible . The Grand Orient of Italy may have lodges iu any part of the world .

ART . 9 . . Every lodge must consist of—A President ( Yenerabile ) . Two Vice-Presidents ( Sorveglianti ) . A Secretary , whose chief duty is to conduct the correspondence , & c . A Speaker , who has to see to the proper observation

of the Constitution , tho rules and rituals , and to care for the interests of thc lodge in general , and the instruction of the brethren in their duties . A Treasurer . An Almoner . An Architect , to whom is confided thc care of the inventory ( inventor ) of the lodge .

An Expert , who is responsible for the covering of the lodge . The office of the Expert may be combined with that of the Almoner . A lodge may also elect such other officials as it may find necessarv .

All the officers of a lodge shall be elected from among its Masters , by thc whole of the members , in the month of March in each year , —the Yenerabile and the Sorveglianti by an absolute , and tho remaining officials by a relative majority . In the absence of the Vcnerabile he will be represented by one of the Sorveglianti ; but the places of the

Sorveglianti themselves will be filled , in their absence , by the other officers in rotation , in an order to be decided upon by the Yenerabile . Where other officers aro ivanting , their duties may be entrusted by thc Yenerabile to other members , being Masters ; and , where there is a deficiency of Masters , to the most competent among the Craftsmen or Apprentices .

ART . 10 . All thc members of a lodge must meet , where no obstacle exists , at least once in every month , under tho presidency of the Yenerabile or his representative , in a place adapted to the purpose , for the discussion of questions concerning the affairs of the lodge , according to the rank of the meeting .

No Masonic meeting can bo held elsewhere than in the lodge , with the exception of those to define thc rules , and ritual concerning the ceremonies , and funeral processions .