Freemasonry In Rome.

joice , therefore , to learn of the consolidation and spread of the craft in Italy . Let those who dread li ght , and Avho believe that ignorance is the mother of devotion , protest against Freemasonry . For my part , this evening , Avithin the Avails of ancient Rome , Avhere the eternal principles of our Order are now proclaimed and enforced in the centre of the most solemn relies in the

world , AVIII ever live in my memory as one of the most interesting I have known . Proceed , most AVorshipful Grand Master and brethren , in your chosen path . Your open Bible and your masonic light will guide you to all truth , direct your steps in the paths of happinessand point out to

, you the Avhole duty of man . Be neither discomforted by opposition , nor irritated by hostility . Love the brotherhood , and live in charity Avith all men . Do good to those that despitefully use you , fear God , uphold the laAv , respect and conform to the

constitution of your country , and ever remember that Avhile man is a fleeting shadow , AVIIO cannot remaio long in one stay , principles are eternal , and that Avhen our place knoAveth us no move , and ouv very names are as if Avrit in water , even then

The actions of the just , Smell sweet and blossom in the dust . Signor Bacei , the Grand Orator , translated my remarks literally , and AA'ith Avonderful elocution and eloquent expression . Several brethren present

understood English perfectly , and folloAved my remarks Avith ease as they Avere delivered , but Signor Bacei ' s translation brought them home to every man present . It is a significant ansAver to allegations as to the revolutionary and atheistic professions of

Masons in Rome , to say that my address Avas cordially approved , and its sentiments endorsed . When the lodge Avas closed , I AA'as told , again and again , that I had defined very faithfully the spirit of Freemasonry as it is understood and practised

by those present . To English readers there is nothing neAV in anything I said . Some portions of my address Avill be recognised as being in the A ery words of our charge ; but , in the teeth of recent comments , it may be useful to point out that it Avas purposely made to include an humble acknoAvledgment of , and

profound reverence for , the Supreme Rules of the universe . But what has appeared to excite the -wrath , and rouse the fears of the Ultramontanes Avas the publicity given to this festival , and to my reception and remarks by nearly the Avholeof the Italian Press . The

" Opinions , " which is sometimes called the " Times " of Italy , and the chief organ of the Government ; the " LibertJt , " an influential journal Avhich is Avidely quoted on the continent ; the " Diritto , " the leading organ of the Left , the party UOAV in

poAver j and the "Poppolo di Roma , " all gave prominent notice of the affair , accompanied by favourable , and in some cases , exulting comments . The press , throughout the length and breadth of Italy , did , as I am informed , follow suit , and it Avas but

natural that a groan of Avrath and pain from the extreme Catholic party should folloAV . There is nothing to be surprised or annoyed at in the statements of the " Unitil Cattolicii . " Such phrases as " blasphemy" " atheism" " revolution "

, , , " protestant , " are merely synonyms for dislike and fear . The reverential attitude of the brethren I saw , the orthodox conservativisni of their ceremonies , their honest

confession of their difficulties and shortcomings occasioned by long years of suppression and persecution , and their anxiety to conform minutely with English working , formed , to my mind , a sufficient ansAver to the aspersions sought to be cast upon Italian Masonry . How far the control

of the Grand Orient of Rome extends over her subordinate lodges , and Avhether Freemasonry , as sanctioned and practised there , is folloAved out throughout her jurisdiction , I had no opportunity of personally verifying . But I accept the

assurance I received from the highest authorities with implicit good faith , and hold it to be the duty of an English Freemason , who saAv and heard what I did , to do all in his poAver to strengthen and encourage the craft in Italy , and I hold this to be even

more than usually incumbent upon one in times like these , when some other Grand Lodges on the Continent are betraying an utter disregard of Avhat Englishmen hold to be Masonic obligations . It is because I believe the Grand Orient of Rome to be as incapable as our OAVU Grand Lodge of the acts attributed to the Grand Orients of France and Belgium , that I rejoice at hav-