Freemasonry In Poland.

the declared object of AAdiick is to fraternally unite the rich and the poor . This association , however , like its predecessors , met with a premature death . The Russian Government Avere no sooner aAvare of its existence , when it decreed its dissolution ; still ,

it continued as a secret society , under the designation of "The Philaretists , " or Friends of Virtue . Its members assumed the obligation of propagating the national spirit , and preserving the Polish tongue in its genuine purity and beauty . But it

was unable to eschew the persecutions of the most -despotic of all European Governments : it Avas soon -discovered , and its leader , Professor Zan , confined to the fortress of Orenburg . In spite , however , ¦ of these continual persecutions—in spite even of

the barbarous ukase that compelled the floAver of the youth of Poland to submit itself to the draft for military servitude in the Russian army , the Association did not cease to exist , but preserved its salutary influence on the spirit of the unfortunate nation .

In 1822 , a fusion took place betAveen the Patriotic Society and the Templars , established by Bro , Majenski in 1821 . These tAvo associations , whose primary object had been merely philanthropic , then became also occlesice militantes , a

great number of the most energetic and ardent patriots having been initiated therein . To the orig inal three symbolical degrees Avas added a fourth , the knig hts of which undertook to tend with all their power of active energy and passive

insistence , to spread and diffuse the ideas of liberty Eand national independence throughout the whole of the provinces of the late kingdom . The history of this congregation , from 1823 up to the time wlien Stanislas Soltyk assumed the Grand

Mastership , represents a long and painful epoch of state persecutions and imprisonment . At length arose the revolution of 1880 . The daAvn of liberation seemed to appear . The last remains of Freemasonry issued , as it Avere , from their

catacombs , and this time they Avere so far successful as to give the signal for the great revolution wliich , at this epoch , broke out m Poland . Since this last effort of the Polish nation was drowned in torrents of blood , those Masonic brotherhoods have not been heard of .

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A 1 ' ON BV THE PIUNCE OF WALK . — A correspondent of the Journal de Geneve says : — " Tho Prince of Wales made his first official pun the other day . At the dinner he gave to Count Lagrange , he wore a cravat with the colours of the winner of the Derby . 'This is an additional tie between France and England , 'he said to the count .

The Abolition Of Capital Punishment.

THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT .

AN APPEAL FROM A TUSCAN LODGE ON BEHALF OF JEFF . DAVIS AND HIS ASSOCIATES . The Lodge Amici Veri dei Virtuosi , in Leghorn , at its meeting of the 12 th ult ., adopted with unanimity the following resolutions : —

" Considering that Jefferson Davis and all his associates AA'I IO are excluded from the amnesty granted by the President of the United States of America are called on to answer for the crime of

high treason , of which they are accused . "Considering that this crime , according to Federal laws , is punished with death . " Considering the state of excitement which exists at present in the North , and the severe

declarations of President Johnson , which make us fear that the law will be applied in this case in all its rigour . " Considering that , if this should happen , the justice of the conquering republic might appear

like revenge . " Considering that , for the good of humanity , and to fulfil the mission of our institution ,

Freemasonry must take the initiative , and use all its efforts to prevent the accomplishment of such a deed . " Considering that it is the duty of the members of the lodges of Tuscany more than of any other

to take that initiative in this case , because they inhabit a country which was the first to cause to disappear from its laws that cruel anomaly—the pain of death—a regretful anomaly Avhich renders a judge through such so-called reparator of society ,

an inviolable homicide , and an absurd one , because wishing to punish a crime causes another to be committed on the plea of its relative utility .

"Considering that ifc is sorrowful to see the greatest democratic political institution of the Avorld maintain in its laAvs this cruel and useless practice of barbarity . " Considering that our lodge , by its recent

addresses of condolence to American . Freemasonry , to the Avidow of the illustrious Abraham Lincoln , and for the funeral ceremonies solemnly performed iu his honour , has sufficiently proved IIOAV ifc sympathises with the Union of America , it can

in no way be suspected of partiality for the upholders of slavery . "Considering that if to these men the lodge refuses its sympathies , it is nevertheless its duty to