Reopening Of The Lodge Of Pertuis, France. *

REOPENING OF THE LODGE OF PERTUIS , FRANCE . *

LONDON , SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 23 , 1867 .

With much pleasure we inform our readers that the Lodge of Pertuis was reopened on the 3 rd of January last . It will , doubtless , be remembered that this lodge , which was authorised to reserve its labours

by a decision of the Grand Lodge bearing date Aug . 14 th , 1865 , met with the most violent opposition on the part of the local authorities ; they succeeded in obtaining from the Prefect of Vaucluse a warrant forbidding any meeting of

Ereemasons at Pertuis . General Mellinet , Grand Master of Ereemasomy in France , was obliged to intercede with the Minister of the Interior ( the Home Office ) , with a view to obtain a withdrawal of this interdiction . We are happy in being able

to do justice to the Administration by saying that in these difficult and trying circumstances it continued firm and consistent .

Bro . Mellinet declared that it was impossible for him to remain at the head of Freemasonry , if the authority conferred upon him by the members of this Institution , was to be snatched from his hands , and to devolve upon the administrators of

the civil power . The Grand Master has given proof that he has too high a sense of his honour and dignity , ever to accept and recognise such a position , on which he has our most sincere congratulations .

We cannot here enter upon and enumerate all the passions , all the expressions of anger which have been excited in connexion with this affair . Bro . Bremond , member of the Council of Order , whose conduct entitles him to our highest praise , was appointed by the Grand Master as Instructing Master for the occasion .

By the instructions which he had received he was informed , " Neither directly nor indirectly have you anything to do with the local authorities . Any course of that kind is the exclusive prerogative of the Grand Master . "

However , Bro . Bremond felt that m common courtesy it was his duty to pay a visit to the Mayor of Pertuis , between whom and himself the most pleasant relations had always subsisted . He

found that officer at the Town Hall engaged with a Commissary of Police . Both of them , in very lofty tone , said " that they should take suchmeasures as the circumstances of the case should require . "

The Mayor repeatedly said , " never in my district shall a meeting be held without my permission . If you assemble to-day I will cause your lodge to be closed . An action at law shall be commenced

for an illegal assemblage . If you dine together , proceedings shall be entered upon against the waiter under a charge of selling liquors , and we shall see the result . " Beina' convinced that the Grand Master had

taken all the steps in his power by an appeal to the higher authorities , Bro . Bremond had no hesitation as to the propriety of' installing the lodge . During the banquet , the Commissary of Police

presented himself , and , in conformity with orders received from the Mayor , he stated that he had a warrant against all the brethren for holding an illegal meeting , and against the serving brother for the sale of drinks to be consumed on the spot . The Grand Master was informed of the

circumstances , and these warrants failed m producing any unpleasant effects . The lodge , subsequently , continued its labours in the midst of incessant annoyances , which appeared the more extraordinary , inasmuch as the

Mayor had , it seems , authorised meetings to be held by another lodge , which had no Masonic claim or title . But this state of things was not destined to last . On Jan . 15 th the Commissary of Police

intruded into the room where the lodge of Freemasons was being held , and declared that he had a warrant from the Prefect of Vaucluse ordering the lodge to be closed , but as the police officer had forgotten to bring the document , which he

had left at his house , the brethren did not immediately separate , and a few words were exchanged between them and the Commissary . According to an account published by a meeting of advocates , the following expressions were the

most important part of the offence : — " We have the permission of the Grand Lodge . We will not retire unless you use force to compel us . You may well fancy that you have to do with a number of good children , for you are able to wear out the Eternal Father ' s patience . " These words caused the brethren Sauze , proprietor of the hotel , aged