Memoirs Of The Freemasons Of Naples.

continuing in office , if for no other reason , from the disgraceful nature of his punishment . But the majority of the judges were firm in their vote , and the Junta replied to the royal message , that the proces were completed according to law , and were as ample as the ingenuity and skill of the inquisitors could

devise . Nothing was now wanting but the final trial , as this Junta had only been appointed for the pur ose of inquiry . The King , therefore , appointed another Junta , of which Yanni was the Procurator Eiscal . The proces , which had been declared complete , and which were now sent up for discussion , included the cases of

twentyeight persons , among whom were the names of men of high birth , such as Medici , Canzano , Di Gennaro , Colonna , Cassano ; and of others distinguished for learning , Maria Pagano , Ignazio Ciaja , Domenico Bisceglie , and Teotlore Monticelli . The Procurator Fiscal began with stating the accusations , the nature of the crimes , and the proofs which had been collected ; he

jiroceeaea to expatiate upon them , and taking the part against the accused , passed over iu silence all that might have been said in their favour , and demanded death for five , to be preceded by torture , " icitltout mercy , as upon dead bodies , " both to increase their punishment , aud to extract from them the names of their accomplices and the secrets of their society . He now emphatically

demanded that the torture should be applied to Medici , and three others pointed out by the Junta- of inquiry . Eor nineteen more lie proposed prolonged imprisonment and further examination , in the hope of extracting more ample proofs by confessions under torture , from time to time . The advocates who pleaded the cause of

the accused , although they ivere men appointed by the King , and devotedly attached to the monarchy , were interrupted by a torrent of abuse from 'Yanni ; yet they courageously defended the prisoners from all imputation of wi'ong . The judges gave a just sentence , honourably acquitting the prisoners , and restoring them their liber !;; . - . ( To oe conHiiiicd . )

Classical Theology.—Xlii.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XLII .

X , Yi _ . 3 T . i __ . __"_ . D _ . C'E _ ir __ : _ . E . The metaphysicians of antiquity , so far as we can understand from those portions of their writings which have survived the lapse of ages , classed certain spiritual beings under the head of good and evil geniuses . This

was , in fact , the personification of the good and evil influences which they believed to exist in the life of every man ; the benevolent genius , or Amuuv , being the protector , as tlie other was the malevolent agent to whom misfortunes ivere attributed . Hebrews , Greeks , and Eomans alike held this doctrinewhichindeedis

, , , extensively observable as an essential component of the ¦ writings preserved iu the Sacred Volume . The manner in whicli the passages ive refer to may be interpreted , depends of course upon the discrimination and learninoof the commentator ' ; we merely state that thew do exist beyond question .

The magic arts , which were considered by the Greeks to have been derived from the Persian ' Mai / oi , from whom , they thought , the Phamicians obtained them , were , it is said , introduced into Greece by Oethanes . That personage , attending Xerxes upon his invasion , disseminated some hasty and confused instruction of the theory and practice of the Magi ivheresoever he went , and could find an opportunity .

The renowned p hilosophical traveller , Democritus , some years later , availing himself of the mystical learning of some ancient Syrian writings , particularly of Phoenicia , reduced the science to its most reliable Pelasgic system . The " wise men" of the Scriptures were certain philosophers of Asia , from that very large tract of country ivhich was divided into Eebatana and Atropatia

, and called Media . These learned and profound thinkers at first were held in hi gh estimation and honour for their physiological inquiries and deep research into the wonderful connection of the soul with the body . The primal secret works , the mysteries of elementary and material nature in their organisation and ordination ,

also engaged their attention . These evidences of superhuman creation and order they attributed to the omniscience of their gods , Mitres , Oremasis , and Arimanis , the rulers of the universe . The Scriptures show that these fathers of science possessed a wonderful knowledge of those secrets of nature which lie concealed from vulgar eyes . The most ancient sciences were constructed upon their discoveries , and perhaps taught of old by them before

the aeluge ; certainly ,-at all events , before the building of Babel . At that period they became corrupted and obscured , their p hilosophy deteriorating more and more into a factitious and peculating system of Theomaney ( esoiiasrre : a ) . The great truths of religion became overlaid and obscured by the follies and abuses of judicial astronomy , practical necromancy , and natural ancl artificial

divinations and enchantments . Ultimately , to establish for the welfare of all the comprehensive exposition of truth , the Almi ghty himself , by the hand of His chosen servant Moses , showed forth His might and majesty in opposition to the power of Pharoah . With this prince , considered as the most learned and powerful king of his time ,

it would be irreverent to say that God alone contended , save only to that end for which the celestial and terrestrial invisible powers were suffered by Him to exercise their sway , that He might manifest himself to the world as the one Almi ghty God . It was thus manifested that to trust in another god , or gods , before Him , was to

show forth the thick darkness of ignorance impervious to the light , or wisdom and knowledge of His glory . And this , though Moses aud Miriam had sung' ¦ ' I will sing unto the Lord , for he hath triumphed gloriously : the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea . The Lord is my strength and my song , and he has become my salvation ; he is my God , and I will prepare him an habitation ,- my father ' s Go ' d , and I will exalt him . "

The Median sages ( or Magi ) ivere usually chosen to preside over the most solemn rites and ceremonies , including those of divine worship . They were held in such hi gh repute for their studious learning and scientific experience as to become the chosen attendants upon the kings of that nationto

in-, struct them in wisdom and policy , and especially to advise them at times of doubt or uncertainty . In short , the hi ghest places of dignity , honour , and trust , were conferred upon them . Let us not , however , confuse the right understanding of the holy mysteries , as the learned ignorant of our daj * are but too prone to do .

The best established facts of their history inform us that , after the Magi had evidently lost their real knowledge , and given up the search of the holy mysteries , they fell , consequently , from the contemplation and service of the Most High , from the study of nature , and the works of practical prudence , to the invocationand

, the interposition of suppositious demons . Thus , the estimation of their judgment , and their credit for profundity , became not only diminished , but all their pretensions to supernatural , prophetical , and p hil osophical proficiency proved socially unnatural and violentl y fallacious . Little