Memoirs Of The Freemasons Of Naples.

MEMOIRS OF THE FREEMASONS OF NAPLES .

LOA DOA , SATURDAY , FFBRXTAST 23 , 1801 .

( Continued from p . 121 ) . No . II . " "Who is this daring man , " said Pallante , "who ventures into a place where no one enters without permission ? " Eho replied that he was introduced hy Massini . At these words a person entered . " This" said he" is

, , the worthy man of whom I had the honour to speak to your Excellence . " Having said this , he left the apartment . Pallante approached Eho , and after having attentively surveyed the portraits hung up in the room , he asked him if he knew them . He answeredyes ; and was

, obliged twice to repeat they were the portraits of the Kings of Spain and Naples . " Very good , " says Pallante , " it is from these princes I have received orders to watch the Ereemasons , ancl to extirpate this evil from the State . And you , unfortunate man ! I know you are a Freemason . " Eho confessed he was , and felt obliged to

give an account of his initiation . "Miserable wretch , " replied Pellante , " I hesitate now whether I shall condemn you to the galleys or to death . " To remove every doubt , Pallante informed him who he Avas . One may easily imagine the situation in which Eho saw himself at this discovery . The very name of Pallantetoo much

, known at Naples , was sufficient to make him tremble . Entering into the house in hopes of meeting with a new master , he in lieu received sentence of death . Trembling and pale , he at length ventured to ask wh y , as Naples was thronged with Ereemasons , he , an indigent stranger , and abandoned by every one , should alone become tlie

victim of justice ? "Do you see that , " said Pallante , showing to him his two lists ; " in my right hand I hold poignards and chains ; in the other , rewards , protection , and gold . Tou have the choice of either . " " I have determined , " replied Eho , pointing at the same time with his finger to the left hand , and fetching his breath . "Very good" says Pallantetendering to him his hand

, , as a pledge of reconciliation ; " here is the key of my left hand . I am ordered by the Kings of Spain and Naples to surprise a lodge of Freemasons ; I want your assistance in this enterprise . " "What Pallante then said was not true . Eho protested 'that he never assisted at any lodge , and that what he wanted of him was impossible

for him to do ; he said there was a man in Naples named Peyrol who made it his business to enrol Ereemasons . This Peyrolwas a poor , unfortunateman , whose misfortunes had overpowered him in spite of his exertions ; a poor Frenchman , who came to Naples to get his living , and not being able to procure it as a linguistwas searching who

, he could dupe , and had already met with people simple enough to suffer themselves to be smoked , to use the phrase of tlie Italians . He continued— " Eho is a person who , to get money , will take upon him the commission which you oiler me . " Pallante , who had already formed his planadded that Peyrol might address himself to a

, certain Pole , who , as he was told , intended to get admitted as a Freemason . This Pole , whose name was Albert Sayupner , was valet de c / iambre to a German , resident at Naples , who . assumed the title of Count de Hubsch .

He had been a Mason about three years ; in short , he was one of those who , unfortunately for society , have introduced themselves into these meetings . Pallante had engaged b y gifts and the promise of immunity , to get himself admitted a second time into another lodge , that he might inform against the society , and deliver them into his power .

Eho was charged to speak to this man , who was , by means of bribery , to engage Peyrol to convene a lodge . The Milanese , deceived and inveigled into this disgraceful intrigue , did not fail to search for Spadincorpo , who , knowing what had passed , waited for him at the door , and finished his seductions by the promises of money . The hatred he bore Ereemasonry prompted his

decision . He reconciled himself to Spadincorpo , who had sold him to Pallante , and agreed that the profits of this league should be shared between them . They did not fail to meet the Pole , the friend of Spadincorpo , and who was waiting for them . He affected a mysterious air , and confessed to them the desire he had of becoming

a Mason . Spadincorpo took the hint , ancl in the same confidential way advised hitn to apply to Peyrol for his reception . The Pole affected great thankfulness , and testified an ardent desire to execute this design , and prayed them to engage Peyrol to assemble a lodge , which lie at the same time observed would be difficult , on account of the late edicts .

Eho , little experienced m > impostures , was afterwards informed by Spadincorpo that the Pole was in intelligence with Pallante that he was then a Freemason , ancl interfered in this scheme only to surprise a lodge by his being made a second time . This new secret appeared to him horrible ; but as he had advanced some way already in this plothe was drawn on to tlie rest by

interest—, he had no power to recede . All threes-repaired to Peyrol , and in confidence informed him that there was in Naples a wealthy Polish gentleman , who ardently desired to be made a Freemason ; through his exertions , in a reputable lodge , under the promise of a premium proportioned to his fortune , and tho favour

which lie requested . Peyrol was dazzled by the prospect of gain , but at the same time , wishing to assume the air of a Master of a lodge , desired to see before him the person and physiognomy of hiin who wished to be admitted . Spadincorpo , knowing who he was dealing with , said , -with a loud laugh , " Physiognomy ! It is his purse which is the present question . " Peyrol acceded ,

but he proposed a previous feast , with which they could better cement a familiarity with the stranger , and be better acquainted with his circumstances . This was all related to Pallante , and they fixed on the morrow for the feast . The Polish valet de c / iambre had no trouble in representing the man of fortune , like many more of his profession . He told Peyrol that he had heard him

spoken of as one of the most distinguished of the Society of Freemasons , and assured him of his earnest wishes to have a better acquaintance with a man of his character , and on account of his introducing him to a society so respectable . He remarked that he set a very high value on that favour , and more especially when he

recollected the danger there was in convening a lodge at that crisis . The unfortunate Peyrol , flattered at hearing himself so much applauded , returned a multitude of compliments , and declared he would admit him on the first favourable moment . He concluded by requesting some cash of the Pole , who did not hesitate in giving him some , tlie better to mako sure of the man for the

next scene . Peyrol , who thoroughly understood the art of promising without performing , sought how to make him his dupe . Once invei gled himself , he ivas afterwards accustomed to cheat others ; he thought lie would at least exhibit the appearance of a lodge . For this purpose he conferred with a Swede named Berensera soldier in a

, Swiss regiment at Naples , who , after having been an officer in Erance , was obliged , by a succession of misfortunes , to turn soldier at Naples . He also made a small gain hy the office of servant iu a national lodge of