Memoirs Of The Freemasons Of Naples.

MEMOIRS OF THE FREEMASONS OF NAPLES .

( Continued from page 302 . ) The Junta of State commenced the trial of prisoners , many of whom had been confined upwards of four years . Their proceedings were inquisitorial , the proofs against the accused parties were given in Avriting , secret accusations and denunciations were accepted as evidenceand

, even the testimony of paid spies was sufficient to condemn prisoners to death . But in many instances the friends were unable to obtain any information regarding them—both the crime and the punishment was an equal mystery . We before observed that tlie office of Heggenla dell-a

Vicaria had been bestowed upon Luigi de Medici , in 1792 . He was a young man , of noble birth and 'wellknown rectitude in the discharge of his magisterial duties . He had formerly been a zealous [ Freemason , and became a member of two lodges in Naples ( both being under the Grand Lodge of Germany ) . In these

he had filled all the higher offices of the Order ; but when he discovered that political societies were springing up on all sides , and members of his own fraternity Avere joiniug them , he proposed a resolution in each of the lodges— "That any brother becoming a member of a political association should be immediately reported

to the lodge , and the W . M . reprimand him for so doing ; and if the brother still persisted in attending such meetings , he should be expelled from the Masonic society ; " but iu neither lodge was this resolution received . lie then declared that they were acting

contrary to their principles as Masons , and that lie should no longer belong to their body . We afterwards find him a member of " Loggia della Yerita . " This lodge still retained its connection with the Grand Lodge of England , and their principles seem to have accorded with his own disposition ; but when he was appointed to his magisterial officehe devoted himself entirely to its

, duties , and was considered by all an upright and honest judge , and was never known , either by act or deed , to have shown favour to any party . This brother had acquired such an unusual degree of credit , that it awakened in the mind of Acton fears that , at some future time , he would gain sufficient power to deprive him of the

monopoly of influence he himself possessed ; he therefore determined upon effecting De Medici ' s ruin . The King and Queen had such unlimited confidence in Acton that he could turn their minds any way thatbest suited his interest . He reported to them that the late trials , imprisonments , and executions , far from

quelling the conspiracies formed throughout the kingdom , had only added fresh fuel to the flame , and that there were at that very moment new societies springing up . more diabolical in their designs than any of the former ; and that they were patronised , uot onl y by inconsiderate youthsbut by men of hih standing ' and

, g authority , amongst' whom mi ght be named the Chevalier Luigi de Medici , who was their leader . He at the same time stated that he possessed undoubted proofs of whut he asserted .

The . King and Queen were both taken by surprise , as they had the greatest respect for De Medici , who at all times had admission to the Court , and desired further evidence before they were convinced of his crime . Accordingly , on the following day , Acton placed before their Majesties sundry documentsto his

state-, prove ments— -. Firstly , there were confessions , extorted partly by torture , and partly by promises of reward , from one of the principal persons condemned by the Junta , named Annibale Giordano ; but his statements amounted only to this , that be had formerl y belonged to a Masonic

lodge , and was a frequent attendant at them meetings Other persons gave evidence , who were common informers , and willing to state anything that Acton dictated ; they testified that they had seen him in close conversation with members of secret societies , and that they had heard treasonable words pass between them . The Queen was at first dissatisfied with this

information ; but Acton , determined not to be foiled in his scheme , brought forward a witness in the person of a young nobleman , who had received many favours from De Medici , and had always been on the most intimate terms of friendship . This witness stated that De Medici had of late been frequently at the house of one Michele

Sciarone , where secret meetings were held affecting the state . This worthy citizen we have mentioned previously , as collecting his friends together , during the earthquake , to make an humble appeal to the G . A . O . T . TJ . When the convulsions of nature ceased , this worthy man prepared a room in his own house , and besought his

friends to attend there , to acknowledge the power of the Almighty , and to offer their thanks and praise to Him that they had been preserved from death , and asking the help of the Holy Sp irit to enable them wisely to consider these warnings from Heaven as intended for their eternal welfare , and devoutly praying that in their path through life they mi g ht ever remember His power , wisdom , and goodness .

These were the meetings that De Medici attended . Always first in every good and virtuous act , he admired the conduct of this man , and assembled , with others who had the same sentiments , twice a week , for the purpose we have described . A striking contrast ivas observable in the mass of the community , for they returned to their houses like the man in the parable" taking with

, them seven devils worse than the first . " Crimes of all kinds abounded ; their passions were under no control , and theft and murder were of ei'ery day occurrence . But this nobleman , whose name we will not mention , for even now his family occupy a high position at . Naples , and he himselfshortly after this occurrencemet his

, , death in fighting- for his country—he ( probably bribed by Acton ) falsely and maliciously stated that he heard a conspiracy planned , at a particular meeting at which he was present , and that a communication had been entered into with the Jacobins of France . The King and Queen , were now satisfied of his guilt , and ordered the

indictment of all persons concerned . They also authorised the formation of a special inquisitorial Junta to try these cases alone . It was accordingly convoked , and of course consisted of the satellites of Acton . The persons appointed were , Tamil Guidobaldi , and the Prince Castelcicala . as President . The newly-formed Junta acted entirely according to the instructions of Acton ; they received all private communications as evidence , ancl became the instruments of his private hatred and

vengeance . Acton obtained from the King , in private council , an order for the arrest , of the Chevalier de Medici . This order was put into execution in . November , 1791 . The Chevalier , being warned of his danger , went to the palace ; and , though not permitted to see the Queen , obtained an audience of the King , who , however ,

vouchsafed no reply to his arguments and entreaties , but the following day deposed him from his office , and shut him up in the fortress of Gaeta . The Junta declared the meeting at Michele Sciaronne ' s house was revolutionary and treasonable , and an order was made to arrest Bishop Forges , Pagano , Ciaja , Monticelli , and other distinguished persons who were greatl y respected for their learning aud virtue . The government offered gifts , offices , and a free pardon to whoever could reveal