Freemasonry In France.

FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE .

LONDON , SATURDAY , OCTOBER 26 , 1861 .

The Grand Orient was to have met on the 14 th inst ; for the election of a Grand Master—under the adjournment from May last—and as the Prince Napoleon had refused to stand for the office , it was hoped that the election would be allowed quietly to take place ; bnt no ! it

¦ was at the last moment announced by the Prefect of Police that the meeting must be further adjourned until May nest , when the brethren will be allowed to proceed with the election of a Grand Master , should that illustrious brother , the Emperor , have determined the

principles on which the Grand Lodge may be allowed to exist , it being clear that his Imperial Majesty's Government intend to lay down some regulations on the subject , though to what extent we are as yet kept in ignorance .

At present , however , the Grand Lodge is virtually suppressed under a circular which the Minister of the Interior , M . de Persigny , has addressed to the Prefects of Police in the various departments of the Empire . It is not our province in the EEEEMASOITS' MAGAZUTE

to discuss the policy of the Emperor of France , or of any other Government , but cheerfully admit that whilst any form of government exists in a country , it is its duty , if it would retain its position , to see that its measures are not thwarted by any class of its subjects , either

through the instrumentality of secret societies or otherwise . It is well known that for a considerable period the Jesuits and other bodies of ecclesiastics have

endeavoured to raise a spirit of hostility in the people to the Government of the Emperor , in consequence of the assistance which he has given to the re-establishment of the kingdom of Italy , in which all true-hearted Englishmen , be their political opinions or creeds what they may , will rejoice , and to its being pretty generally understood

that the Government of the Emperor is not averse to , if he is not prepared in time to enforce , the separation of the spiritual from the temporal power of the Pope—by which the head of the Catholic Clmrch will be deprived of earthly honours , though still maintained in the

rank of a spiritual prince . Throughout France there exists many charitable institutions of a religious character , such as the St . Yineent de St . Paul , St . Francais-Eegis , and St . Francois de Sales—the objects of which are most excellent , being not only to relieve the poor ,

but to educate , improve , and elevate the working classes . But these institutions , it is reported , have become the hotbeds of clerical agitators for the purpose of thwarting the Government in its efforts to assist in the pacification of Italy , and lessen the power of the Popes

of Rome . It is admitted that these are not political societies , being formed of " religious men belonging , without distinction , to all opinions , " and combining , " among their ranks , a great number of public functionaries , and devoted friends of the Government ; " but it is objected-that the | Society of St . Vincent de Paul ,

for that appears to be the chief oifender , not only has local committees , but that it has a superior council sitting at Paris , of which the Government cannot approve , as it " is not nominated by local societies , but of its own sole authority , elects its members , arrogates the right of governing the others , in order to make them a sort of

occult association , the ramifications of which it extends " beyond the frontiers of " France , ancl which possesses a budget levied from the conferences , of which the employment is unknown , " although we have no doubt it is shrewdly guessed at .

The result is that , hy this circular of M . de Persigny , the Prefects of Police are requested to remind these societies of their legal position , that they must eonfine themselves to their own districts , and all central authority be suppressed . Ancl this circular includes the

Freemasons , which are admitted to be bound together for " purely philanthropic objects "—and now consists of 470 lodges—the Craft having ever " shown itself animated with a patriotism which has ne \ -er been in default under important circumstances ; " and whilst , at the

present moment , these lodges are warned , with other societies , of their legal position , it is expressly admitted , that " such is the order and spirit which reign in this association that , with the exception of its central

organisation , the mode of election of which being of a nature to excite rivalry between the different lodges , and to disturb ther good harmony , calls for some modification ; it cannot " but be advantageoiis to authorise and recognise its existence "—and futher , we are informed that societies wishing for a central representation , are to give their

reasons for such wish , when the Minister will "have the honour to take the Emperor's orders to decide on what basis , and according to what principles that central representation may be organised . " We are glad to see the testimony borne hy the French

Minister to the readiness with which the brethren of France bow to the laws of their country—no matter what their individual opinions—and trust that , though a cloud is for the present hanging over the institution , that it may be quickly dispersed , ancl that the regulations

of the Government for its recognition may be such as can be accepted with dignity , and add to the usefulness of the Craft . Being so , there can be then no mistake as to the real governing body of Freemasons in France , which should at once be acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of England—whilst if each province is toheleftto

itself , it will be impossible to discriminate the genuine from the false Mason , and we shall have no other alternative than that , which all Avould regret , of closing the portals of our lodges against all French Masons . It has always been a matter of regret to us that England

has hacl no relations with the Grand Orient of France , and we , therefore , look forward with jileasure to the day when , being officially acknowledged by the Government of France , we can make no error in extending towards it the right hand of fellowship , so that out of apparent evil may come good , and Freemasonry be yet