Freemasonry In The Levant.

to establish a link of fraternity amongst the various races , and cultivate Masonry in those quarters where it has been , up to the present day , entirely disconnected and isolated ; every lodge existing separately , and without any participation in the

general interests of the Craft . In consequence , however , of Bro . Veneziani , the W . M . of the Italia , supporting Bro . Treu ' s endeavours , it is to be expected that all the great centres of population in Turkey will soon have lodges of their OAVU ,

in which the various Oriental races , Turks , Armenians , Greek , Bulgarians , Arabs , Roumanians , Russians , & c , will co-operate with their Occidental brethren toAvards a universal fraternisation .

It is to be hoped that a correspondence Avill be established amongst all the Levantine lodges , and the intellectual link being thus realised , a general congress of Oriental brethren brought about . Unfortunately , the English brethren are the most

behindhand in these movements . They deem themselves superior to the eommun des mortels , and keep aloof from the aspirations tending towards the redemption of the races of the East , and will not admit that any , even the slightest

reform in the organisation of Masonry is due to the spirit of the time Ave live in . Bro . Scipione Salvotti , of Trienfc , the Orator of the Lodge Italia , Avho belongstotheParis Lodge Renaissance par les Eniules d'Hirani , and advocates its vieAvs tending to

organise Masonry as a new religion , has just left Constantinople , resigning the office of attache to the Italian Consulate in that toAvn . On Bro .

Salvotti's motion , the Italia submitted to the Florence Masonic Congress a UBAV system of ten degrees , called "Rito Filosofico Italiano . " The first four degrees of this scheme were as folloivs : — 1 st . Elect of nature ( eletto della natura ) .

2 nd . Astrometer ( Misuratore degli Astri ) . Srd . Balanced by purification ( Eqnilibrato della purificazione ) .

4 th . Regenerate -to abnegation and victory ( Regenerate dal sacrificio e dalla Vittoria ) . These degrees would correspond exactly to the 9 th , 14 th , loth , and 18 th degrees of the Scottish system of 33 degrees . According to Bro . Salvotti ' s

plan , the ritual would be based upon a rational and scientific symbolism , tending to develope the fundamental laws of the natural sciences . The three highest degrees would be—1 st . Persistent in virtue ( equal to the 30 th Scotish degree ) .

Freemasonry In The Levant.

2 nd . Philaletes , or sublime adept of truth ( 32 nd degree , Scot . ) Srd . Illustrious illuminated of reason ( 32 nd degree , Scot . ) Bro . Salvotti has found a great many supporters

for his new system among his countrymen in the East ; the Lodge Italia would , no doubt , have adopted it had its promoter continued to reside in Constantinople .

Italy.

ITALY .

The Monde Mae , onnic [ ue , for December , publishes the following correspondence that has taken p lace between the new French lodge , Les Amis de L'Avenir , Jersey , the illustriousBro . Garibaldi , and the Supreme Council of Palermo , at the time of Garibaldi ' s election as Grand Master , previous and subsequent to his resignation .

Orient of St . Helier , August 15 , 1864 , V . E . The R . Lodge of the Amis de L'Avenir , to the most illustrious Bro . Joseph Garibaldi , Grand Master of the Orient of Italy . Dearest Brother , —We hail ivith delight your

election to the dignity of Grand Master of the Orient of Italy . The choice of the Italian lodges could not fall upon a man representing better than you do the spirit of universality , which is the essence of Freemasonry . Your nomination opens

to us a new era , the era of Masonic unity , realised by the true fraternity of the rites . To open this era the man was called upon Avho has devoted bis life to the propagation of our threefold principle , viz ., Liberty , Equality , Fraternity ; the citizen who has realised the unification of his native country merely as the first step toAvards the union

of all nations . In you is embodied the great Masonic tradition , from which the 18 th century has elicited the revolution for the good of the world . Our lodge will be most happy , illustrious brother , to enter upon a fraternal intercourse Avith the Italian lodges , and

to join its labours to their aspirations . Please to communicate our Avishes to the lodges of your circle , and to transmit to them the fraternal greeting Avhich we send to you as the representative of the whole Italian Masonry . ( Signed )

PH . BAUDIN , W . M . T . DELAMARE , S . W . F . GIRAUDOT , J . W . RONDEAUX , Speaker . E . ALAVOINB , Secretary . A . DESMOULINS , Keeper ofthe Seals . In reply to this letter the Bro . Secretary of the