Historical Sketch Of Masonic Events During 1864.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MASONIC EVENTS DURING 1864 .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JUNE 17 , 1865 .

( Concluded from ' page 414 . ) ITALY . —In this country , a very large number of lodges have been established during the last feiv years , when prohibitive measures and persecutions were no longer resorted to to suppress Freemasonry . Few lodges , however , seem to be imbued

with the genuine spirit of Freemasonry , and a mania for high degrees is exhibited in a most alarming manner . At a meeting of many lodges . Garibaldi was , most improperly , proclaimed Grand Master , which appointment , however , he resigned

soon afterwards . It is to be hoped that the fermentation that still prevails in Freemasonry , ivill soon subside . A few of the lodges are working o O on a true Masonic plan ; some have founded popular libraries in Naples—a most excellent means

of enlightening the people who have been , hitherto , in dire penury of all and every intellectual cultivation .

FBANCE . —Here there exists two Masonic supreme authorities , viz ., the Grand Orient and the Supreme Council ; the Grand Master of the first named is Marshal Magnan * , who was originally "octroye , " but afterwards freely elected . He has

hitherto performed his duties in a most creditable manner . In the Grand Orient , the high degrees are still vegetating , many signs being continually exhibited of a better and sounder intelligence and appreciation of the real spirit of Masonry . Thus ,

e . g ., a Masonic library has been erected under the auspices of the Grand Orient , and thrown open for the use of all brethren—an example that certainly courts imitation . A revision of the fundamental constitution is proposed . Many schemes

and projects have been set forth by the various lodges , but it is perfectly incomprehensible wh y they do not mean to adhere to the original wordinoof the first clause , containing the definition of Freemasonry . The high degrees have been

abolished by several lodges . A lottery in favour of a brother in distress had been proposed , but the scheme was rejected , because , it was stated , " lotteries are in contradiction with the principles of Masonry ; " but other appropriations were made towards the relief of the poor brother . From

Lyons we hear that a relief fund has been estab _ lished , and a series of scientific " conferences " started . On the other hand , the election of a German President of the Havre Chapter was can-, celled , as contrary to the statute , he being- neither

born nor naturalised in France . It is to be greatly regretted that the principles laid down in the " statute" are in such glaring contradiction to the principles of Freemasomy itself . Besides these , there are most incongruous and adventurous ideas

on Masonry to be met with in many congregations . Thus , in one of the Paris lodges a resolution was carried , by which it is declared that , on principle , women also may be admitted within the precincts of the Craft . A Rouen Lodge has lately hit upon

a curious means of securing the attendance of the brethren at its meetings . Penalties had hitherto been enforced against the absentees , but without success ; but now it has been determined to award

recompenses in cash to those who attend . This lodge , it seems , is utterly unable to afford any mental or intellectual enjoyment to its members , or else it would never resort to such un-Masonio and reviling remedies like pecuniary rewards as

an inducement to attend at its gatherings ; no doubt , the latter will hardly prevent its final collapse , so richly deserved . A zealous Mason , Bro . Rebold , the author of a " History of Freemasonry in France , " lately published , has made some

proposals for a reform in Masonic institutions , and submitted them to the Grand Orient . He asks for return to the simplicity of the organisation of primordial Masonry , and especially the immediate abolition of the most glaring malpractices , that

clash with the original principles of equality in Masonry . Thus far his demands are perfectly reasonable and practical ; but he furthermore asks for the erection of institutions for the education of

orphans on a large scale , and likewise for the foundation of an universal Masonic union , comprising all Grand Lodges and the 8 , 200 working lodges of the globe . Such schemes are altogether impracticable , ab least , for many years to come ;

nothing but a very small portion of them might be realised , e . g ., a gradual approach by means of mutual representation in the several Grand Lodges , but even this very first step toward a universal fraternisation is opposed by the French Grand Orient .

ENGLAND . —In most parts of this country Freemasonry is perfectly ¦ ossified , and crystallised ( verknochert ) , and very peculiar views are adhered