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THE MASONIC WORLD
1957
have not yet been permitted to occupy or take over the entire building with its more than 700 rooms, for the greater part of it is being used as government offices. But our brethren have made the most of the rooms they do occupy, and these have been redecorated, and new furniture, elevators, and office equipment installed. Dr. Publio Cortini was not in Rome at the time of our visit but we contacted him at Padova (Padua) where he and Mrs. Cortini were taking the mud baths which he finds very helpful in his fight with arthritis. He has asked to be remembered to all of his American friends. While in Rome we also fulfilled another desire-a visit to Vesuvius and Pompeii. Of course Vesuvius no longer spouts its fiery fumes into the air but it still constitutes an impressive sight. But what Vesuvius has lost in the way of an attraction is made up by a view of the once-buried city of Pompeii. It is hard for us to imagine the work which has been done in uncovering this ancient city, which was a city of no mean importance even in the days of Christ, for it was founded four centuries before Christ. It was destroyed in 79 A.D. by the eruption of the nearby Vesuvius. Pliny, the Elder, was one of the victims; the excavations, although not completed, show baths, theaters, public squares, forum, dwellings, and paved streets. It is remarkable to be able to see in the pavement the ruts路 created by the wheels of chariots of 2,000 years ago. A nearby museum shows articles manufactured by the inhabitants of this city which are in use even today, although in different forms--jewelry, food, dishes, wagons, chairs. There are even some evidences of certain figures that might be regard,;d as Masonic in character although few now believe that Freemasonry was that old. But to return to Italian Freemasonry; there is yet another organization called a grand lodge existing in Italy. Actually it has little standing in Italy; in fact it has more standing outside Italy than it does in Italy. It even has some men of high calibre as members. All attempts to effect a consolidation with Grand Orient have proved in vain. Grand Orient does not wish to take over the irregular group intact; they would be willing to take over the better element but this process seems afar off and is probably brought about by some support given them by American grand lodges and other groups. Freemasonry cannot exercise its full influence in Italy as a divided fraternity. Our support in this country should be thrown in behalf of ONE grand lodge, and since Grand Orient has the recognition of some 37 American jurisdictions we feel it should have the support of all. No Continental grand lodge has recognized any other than the Grand Orient-showing what their neighbors think of it. THE WORLD PICTURE
The world picture for Freemasonry looks better than it has for years. ''''hile the conditions in Spain and Portugal are pitiful, yet we are inspired by the conditions existing in Germany, Scandinavia, the British Isles, the Philippines, Japan, the Far East, Holland, and some parts of South America. Here we must except Colombia where the persecution of Protestants and Freemasons goes on in a way which reminds us of the ancient Inquisition. Such meetings as the Havana Conference of Supreme Councils, the Toronto Conference, the Conferences of Grand Masters in our own country, the Inter-American Conference of South and Central America-all show a trend toward unity in Freemasonr.y. God speed the day when this shall be accomplished!