PERU. As long as the Spaniards held an exclusive and undisputed possession of the country (1536 1782), and the Inquisition lent its aid to a fanatical priesthood, it cannot be a matter of surprise that Masonry was unknown in Peru. The introduction of the Royal Art, or even the fact of being a Mason, would have been a sufficient cause for the banishment, if not the death, of the offender. During the French'' invasion of Spain (1807-13), and the presence there of the English, many lodges were instituted in that coun try, and, among the troops sent from Europe to quell the war of Independence in Pern, there were many brethren ; these, however, being subjects of Spain, admitted none of the patriots ap members, and it was not until the Declaration of Independence, in 1821; when free intercourse was established between Peru and foreign nations, that Free masonry was introduced among the natives. In 1825, after Peru had achieved her complete independ ence, lodges were established in Lima and other parts, by authority of letters patent from the Grand Orient of Colombia. From this Grand Orient all the other Masonic bodies in Peru afterward derived their existence. The bodies worked in the Ancient and Accepted Scot tish rite. Nov. 2, 1830, a Supreme Council of this rite for the Republic of Peru was established. June 23, 1831, the Masters and Wardens of the symbolic lodges, as well as repre sentatives from the councils, chap ters, etc., assembled at the capital and installed themselves into an Independent Grand Lodge under the title of tha Grand Lodge of Peru, which was in the same year changed to Grand Orient. The political agi tations, which soon after disturbed the peace of the country, caused the lodges to be closed, and an attempt was made to drive Masonry from the country. In 1845. after a reeese
of some twelve years, a number et brethren assembled and reopened several of the lodges and chapters. Jan. 30, 1849, the Supreme Council was reopened, and lodges under its authority set to work. July 13, 1852, the Grand Orient of-Peru was reopened and reconstituted under the title of National Grand Orient of Peru. In 1852 the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland granted a charter to hold a Holy Royal Arch Chapter at Callao. This was the first Masonic body of the "Ancient York rite," opened in the Republic. This chapter was not recognized by any of the governing bodies. In May, 1857, an extensive schism broke out among the Frater nity, and many lodges and chapters were instituted by the disaffecthd party. None of the grand bodies throughout the world acknowledged the schismatics. At the present time (1866) there are no illegal bodies in Peru, except one at Callao —which is only a remnant of the former schisms. There are many lodges and chapters in Lima and Callao, in a healthy and prosperous condition. Beside the lodges and chapters under the Supreme Coun cil, working in the Scottish rite in Lima and Callao, the Grand Lodge of Ireland has two lodges, to one of which a Chapter of Royal Arch is attached, under its jurisdiction, all in Lima. The Grand Lodge of Scotland has, besides the Royal Arch Chapter, a Lodge of symbolic Masonry in Callao. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has a Lodge established in Arica. All these bodies, combined, form the Grand Orient of Peru, which admits into its bosom all recognized rites, con sistent with the general principles of Freemasonry.