The History Of Freemasonry In Portugal.

perfect impartiality with regard both to facts and to men . Acknowledgment must be made of the great assistance received in this labour of love afforded by an investigation of the archives of the Grand Orientof Lusitania , thoseof its worthy Grand

Master , the " Memorias em defeza da Maconnaria por un Macjon Portuguez fiel as rei e a patria , " a very interesting work published at Lisbon , 1861-2 , and the estimable Portuguese Masonic journal , " A Expressao da Verdade , " of which th e estimable Bro . Jesuino Ezechiel Martins is the

editor . We have endeavoured to follow the vicissitudes of the Grand Orient of Lusitania which political strife occasioned , now spreading verdant branches ready for the ruthless hatchet of the woodman to destroy , and cast wounded and bleeding to the earth .

The other Masonic bodies of the country have also elecited attention , and in consideration of the melancholy consequences , we weep over the ruins of Portuguese Masonry , like Marius over the remains of Carthage .

Having set forth the course of events during the prevalence of the civil wars which raged in the country , preventing the proper development of the Grand Orient of Lusitania , we have kept before our readers the circumstances which have happened

from that period to the happy awakening which Portuguese Masonry has experienced , by means of its own magical power , and the devotion of its distinguished adherents .

The history of its actual existence , the account of its fraternal alliances with- other Masonic bodies , its progress , its abstinence from politics , its efforts to rally together in one band the Freemasons of Portugal , its failures , and its hopes in this respect ,

the protection it accorded to Spanish Masons , who had lost all courage and hope under tyrannical oppression—in a word all its doings , with its days of joy and those of sorrow , all have been freely related without prejudice or favour . If then the

history of the Grand Orient of Lusitania does her honour—if the traits of her devotion , of her courage in misfortune , of her attachment to the sacred laws of our divine institution , of her perseverance in following the paths of truth and virtue , are

worthy a meed of praise , her reception and acknowledgement by other Masonic powers , and her frequent marks of stedfast friendship , the approval of her own conscience , and above all the

protection of the Great Architect of the Universe , be the reward for her exertions . NOTE . —The last sheet of this work was already in the press , when intelligence was received of

renewed efforts being made to effect the consolidation of Portuguese Masonry . The Hon . Bro . Joseph da Silva Mendes Leal , Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Portugal has communicated to the Comte de Paraty , the

Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Lusitania , a proposition for the union into one body the whole of the Masons in the country . Should this union be happily accomplished , it will carry joy into the heart of every true Mason ,

The long wished for day is at hand . If the fusion takes place , the most ardent desire of the devoted brethren of the Grand Orient will be accomplished . May the Supreme Architect of the Universe guide and direct to a successful issue , this latest effort on the part of Portuguese Masonry .

Masonic Jottings.—No. 20.

MASONIC JOTTINGS . —No . 20 .

BY A PAST PROVINCIAL GEAND MASTER . MASONIC PRINCIPLES . Masonic Principles should be looked for—first , in the early lodges ; next , in the Schools of Philosophy ; and lastly , in the Christian Church . Our principles are a compound coming from these three sources .

A NEW COUNTRY . Imagine , if you will , the discovery of a new country and a new people , and the people somewhat advanced in civilisation ; and that a large edifice is building . Be sure there will be a loclge adjoining the edifice , and that the lodge will have its Masonry .

ROHAN COLLEGES-OLD LODGES . If in corresponding parts of the Roman Colleges and the Old Lodges , a substantial resemblance is found , why should it not be inferred that the latter were imitations of the former ?

ANALOGOUS CIRCUMSTANCES . When circumstances are analogous ,-results are commonly much the same . The Loclge of antient times would resemble the Lodge of mediasval times ; and the Lodge of mediceval times would resemble the Lodge of antient times . The Masonry of the Lodge of antient times would