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Article THE FIRE AT FREEMASONS' HALL. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE FIRE AT FREEMASONS' HALL. Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Fire At Freemasons' Hall.
work of extinguishment was mnch easier than would have born the cnso had not Messrs . Spiers and Pond taken timely precaution to furnish the Tavern , in September Inst , with Messrs . Merrvwenther and Son ' s system of Fire hydrants and hose . It appears most , marvellous that the destruction of property was so limited , ns it , is impossible to say what proportions tho flames
would have assumed but for tbo promptitude with wlvoh they were attacked , nnd the praiseworthy measures taken to confine thorn . The Tavora h ~ 3 sns'i'iiinxl btii ? , ?? v . notice ! r raltio cf clnmos . 'o , '' . r-P . V r ' rs ¦ . faoie ' ¦ ' ' " thr ftv . h ' t' of > " ! : •= H ' -iX' . <> rho , ! rhinT M »« Tnnini " . rr > , v > -r . i intact . The ibliowiu" is s-r . c .-oitoai . - < •/th' : iaaT-:. > t" dc > :: e : —
'Tho South a'" < fi of th ? 3 no-r ;; ig oonairfiifirl and foilm Ir . u . ri . t v > i ; . f » cellar honenth ; rest of flooring and carpet slightly damaged with water . The handsome fluted pilasters , ornamental skirting and wainscoting , with the beautiful ceiling and roof consumed , as far as concerns the south end , and remainder damaged bv heated smoke .
The handsome marble statue of the Into Dnke of Sussex blackened with smoke , a " bow " broken off the shoe of one of the feet , and tho linen covering consumed . The front case of organ charred , a few pipes damaged , and tho ivory keys destroyed . The Grand Officers' seats partly consumed and otherwise damaged .
The ton valuable paintings of Past and Present Grand Masters comp letely charred , and the features of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales are alone distinguishable , while the gilt frames for the most part remain intact ; thus showing tho rapidity with which painted canvas is ruined when subjected to highl y heated smoke , because
actual fire did not reach nnv of the pictures . The Deacon ' s chairs are greatly damaged , but the Grand Masters' and two Grand Wardens ' chairs are untouched . The preservation of the main portion of the two blocks of buildings is due alone to Merry weather's fire extinguishing appliances , and the creditable application of them by the Tavern employe ' s .
In reference to this subject an article appeared in the Daily Telegraph of Saturday last , which we take the opportunity of reproducing : — Free and Accepted Masons in every part of the United Kingdomand , indeed , all the world ovpr—will regret the burning of the "Temple" attached to the Freemasons' Tavern in Great .
Qnoenstreet , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields . This magnificent hall— architecturally one of the handsomest rooms in England —wns the headquarters of tho influential Craft presided over by His Roval Highness the Prince of Wales ; it was the meeting-place of Grand Lodge , whpnee the entire English Masonic system is ruled and regulated . Fortunatel y , th ° valnahlfi regalia nnd the "throne" have been saved intact , and bnt
little damage has bepn inflicted on thp . beautiful white marble statue of the late Duke of Sussex , the work of the eminent sculptor BaiWagreatartist and a good Mason . For the rest ,, this splendid nnnrtment , decorated at immense cost and in perfect harmony with the purpose to which it has been applied , is a mass of wreok and min . The fnll-length portraits of a long series of Pa » t Grand
Mastersall save a likeness of tho late Dnke of Kent—are burned out of their frames in the wainscot , blistered and peeled beyond recognition or revival , or rent into shreds by the action of the flames . In parts the flat gilded woodwork is entirely consumed , showing the brick wall behind , in parti it is charred nnd splintered . Galleries , cnrw ' cps , flntH
columns have given way and tumbled down , a confused mass of blackened rubbish . Scarcely anything remains of the mvstical and wonderful roof with its splendid snn in burnished gold , and its exquisitely wrought signs of the Zodiac . All that the loving pains of William Cox designed to be tho masterpiece of his nrt has perished in a few hours . The gilded sea's of the Officers of Grand
Lodge , of the Master , Wardens aud Deacons , aro parMv burnod partly smashed to pieces , nnd what wore tho pedestals havo entirely disappeared . Strangply enough tho vast carpotted flooring , though strewed with debris and soaked with water appears to be intact everywhere , except in one corner in close contignitv to a pair of iron doors which shut off Grand Lodge from the large banqneting
hall of the Freemasons' Tavern . The party wall stood the tpst of the flames wonderfully well , for while the "Temple" is completely gntted , the great room on the other side of tho brickwork remains untouched by fire , and apparently free from damage . This nobly proportioned and elegantly and elaborately ornamented chamber was ninety-two feet long , forty-three broad , and moro than sixty
feet high . Although it is not deemed discreet to disclose even the minor details connected with the ancient secret and imprpssive Ritual of Freemasonry , there is no harm in saying that the Craft Will feel keenly a misfortune which deprives them of a resort associated with the best work , and dpdicated to virtue , universal charity , and benevolence . The loss is the more to be regretted because thp
Temple" was the first home which English Freemasons conld call their own . ¦ yr e on sin of the Craft is shrouded in mvstery ; and what learned ¦ Masons know of its foundation they do not disclose tn the uninitiated . Just enough to tantalise inqnisitiveness and not sufficient to satisfy the thirst for knowledge is aa much as they will confide to the outer
World . Here , again , there is no offence in revealing the fact that the brotherhood is devoted to charitable works , and to say that its mem . berg cannot bo bad men and good Masons at one nnd the same time . Ihey who know nothing whatever of the Crnft pretend that there is 110 Secret , otherwise it wonld long ago havo leaked out . Freemasons ,
however , do not resent , or even regard , that kind of criticism . Thev aow what they know , and , while leading the lives of worthy and respectable citizens , and attending to their work , suffer rancour to say its worst . Enough for them that the Craft speaks all languages , •jncl is nnited in a common brotherhood on sea and shore , in every country and clime . One most learned and accomplished Mason dates
The Fire At Freemasons' Hall.
its history from the creation of tho world . Others are satisfied to iwrai nearer our own time , and do not pretend to fin'l tho Masonic famil y tree planted in the Garden of Eden . Of course the Temple of King Solomon was built by the brethren on the top of Mount Moriah , over against Mount Olivet ; and all the Freemasons employed on the
work , exclusive of the two ft . Wardens , amounted tn one hundred and thirteen thousand . Pvthagoras belonged to the Craft ; but whether he learned what ho knew in Egypt and India , or elsewhere , is not ,-: n ' .- - ; . v ,, i- ~ ITJ . "V ^ , I | IB I " ? O"V ' ' 'r > •] " : ' . ' " ' \\ T •\i ~ r > : ' : •. ' '" . ! -iwo- ' nf Theo ^ -
:. u $ . Mii-iro ' i'e . > ii •: u- <¦) . ¦ . ?• . ' . ! ' -. ' B . "h . i <' .. - . m ; ' ; y .- ± v . ;? vc . YI ' . O ' . ' •jht Wi-Jft M & u or S .-. nws \\ vx oi ? < b < ••'i .- fri .:-. " /!!? r ^ e-ru- ' . . yevo compotent ro ; a ' . i'rv ; o hi" ' . > I ;' . "o : air rtj' ^ vi'ite . b iri ae . Mf » i . oriof \ i . feet : liat hi ritfidisd uncldi' Pho ' :-. c « yUoc , ot' . synij , - jiriei fceliaYj : in tile immortality of the soul . Whether "Pythugoias intended his Freemasonry to bo a political protest against the tyranny of Polycrates , tyrant of Samos , and to what extent ho meant it as a bond of
contented and refined Communism , is open to dispute ; but what he taught at Crnfnna rema ins the foundation of a great deal of onr modern Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . How much English Freemasonry retainsof India , Egypt , Judea , Greece , and Rome is a matter for Masons , if they can do so , to decide among themselves . It wi 1 be enough for those wbo are not of tbe Craft to recognise that tho In . stitntion in England is associated with several noble and most
praiseworthy Charities . Freemasonry has been of two kinds , Operative and Speculative . Formerly , at least in this country , the vast majority of tho brethren were more or less connected with the building trades , either as patrons , as designers , or as handicraftsmen . The Ancient Britons , the Romans , and the Saxons had among them initiated persons ; and
in later times all our grat historical structures , ecclesiastical or lay , were built by members of tho Order . Henry VT . took a lively interest in the Craft ; " Bluff King Hal" was Master of a Lodge , as was also the "Merry Monarch . " It is an indisputable fact that St . Paul ' s Cathedral is tinctured with the science from the foundation-stone to the top of the golden cross . Not only was Sir
Christopher Wren the father of Modern Masonry , but from the time when he flourished may be dated its present peculiarly specnlative character . When the " famous architect grew old and weary , the Lodge of St . Paul , over which he presided , fell off in numbers and influence ; and it was agreed among the few remaining members that the Order , its privileges and mysteries , shonld be thrown open to
mon of other professions . Prior to the reign of Queen Anne , a few non-practical Masons were initiated , but " speculative" brethren were rarely to be met with . Then , and for along time afterwards , the Craft were without , headquarters . A Lodge used to meet at the Goose and Gridiron , in St . Paul ' s Churchyard , the second part of which sign may possibly have suggested the ridiculous notion that a certain humble
piece of ironmongery is associated with the ceremony of initiation Another Lodge met at the sign of the down ; in Parker ' s-lane , Drnry-laue , another at the Rummer and Gripes , in Channelrow , Westminster , and a fourth at the Apple Tree Tavern , Charlesstreet , Covent-garden . It was at the Apple Tree that a few old Masons constituted themselves a Grand Lodge in the year 1717 .
From that date English Masonry has grown and flourished ; and , thongh it has had its troubles and its schisms , is now more than ever powerful and useful . Based on the principle of equality of man , it owes not a little of its prestige to the friendliness and companionship nf Roval and noble personages . Continuing to extend the sphere of its influence , the Craft gradually amassed property , and in the year
1771 . tho Honourable Charles Dillon , Depnty Grand Master , introduced n bill in the House of Commons to incorporate the Society by Ant of Parliament . The measure was opposed , and at tho desire of many of the brethren was withdrawn on the second reading . Freemasonry , however , having made for itself a recognised name , was no longer content to date from a tavern , and the members of Grand
Lodge , held at the Crown and Anchor , in tho Strand , sought for themselves a local habitation . Tn the year 1772 , Lord Pehre boing at that time Grand Master , a large snm was subscribed for the purpose of building a suitable hall ; and , two years later , they purchased a plot of ground , consisting of a couple of fino houses and a large garden , the site of Thursday ' s fire . Afterwards a further sum of
money was raised bv tontine . The bnilding progressed quickly , and nn the 23 rd of May 1776 , the Grand Lodge of England , which used to meet in inns and in the halls of the City Companies , was first installed in that beantiful home which is now no more . Although ifc is morally certain that a " Temple" as fine or if not finer than the
building which has perished so suddenly will in due time rise from its ashes , yet Freemasons as a body will lament the loss of their first , and heretofore their grandest and best-beloved shrine , associated for more than a century with countless noble and g lorious memories that cannot die .
According to the Keystone , the Oriental Hall , Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , was crowded with brethren afc the last meeting of Montgomery Lodge , No . 10 , on Thursday evening , 5 th April , to listen to a eulogy delivered by Bro . William A . Sinn P . M . Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge , on
the death of Bro . James Reynolds P . M . Bro . Sinn , from his long personal acquaintance with the deceased , and his close connection with him during his Masonic career , was eminently fitted for the task , which he assumed . As Bro . Sinn arose , his stalwart form , and his sympathetic , aud yefc
clear and distinct enunciation , claimed the profound , attention of all present . His reference to the Past Masters was very effective , and the Grand Tyler surprised his friends by his eloquent aud masterly address . The resolutions attached were unanimously adopted , and a copy of the proceedings will be sent to the family of the deceased .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Fire At Freemasons' Hall.
work of extinguishment was mnch easier than would have born the cnso had not Messrs . Spiers and Pond taken timely precaution to furnish the Tavern , in September Inst , with Messrs . Merrvwenther and Son ' s system of Fire hydrants and hose . It appears most , marvellous that the destruction of property was so limited , ns it , is impossible to say what proportions tho flames
would have assumed but for tbo promptitude with wlvoh they were attacked , nnd the praiseworthy measures taken to confine thorn . The Tavora h ~ 3 sns'i'iiinxl btii ? , ?? v . notice ! r raltio cf clnmos . 'o , '' . r-P . V r ' rs ¦ . faoie ' ¦ ' ' " thr ftv . h ' t' of > " ! : •= H ' -iX' . <> rho , ! rhinT M »« Tnnini " . rr > , v > -r . i intact . The ibliowiu" is s-r . c .-oitoai . - < •/th' : iaaT-:. > t" dc > :: e : —
'Tho South a'" < fi of th ? 3 no-r ;; ig oonairfiifirl and foilm Ir . u . ri . t v > i ; . f » cellar honenth ; rest of flooring and carpet slightly damaged with water . The handsome fluted pilasters , ornamental skirting and wainscoting , with the beautiful ceiling and roof consumed , as far as concerns the south end , and remainder damaged bv heated smoke .
The handsome marble statue of the Into Dnke of Sussex blackened with smoke , a " bow " broken off the shoe of one of the feet , and tho linen covering consumed . The front case of organ charred , a few pipes damaged , and tho ivory keys destroyed . The Grand Officers' seats partly consumed and otherwise damaged .
The ton valuable paintings of Past and Present Grand Masters comp letely charred , and the features of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales are alone distinguishable , while the gilt frames for the most part remain intact ; thus showing tho rapidity with which painted canvas is ruined when subjected to highl y heated smoke , because
actual fire did not reach nnv of the pictures . The Deacon ' s chairs are greatly damaged , but the Grand Masters' and two Grand Wardens ' chairs are untouched . The preservation of the main portion of the two blocks of buildings is due alone to Merry weather's fire extinguishing appliances , and the creditable application of them by the Tavern employe ' s .
In reference to this subject an article appeared in the Daily Telegraph of Saturday last , which we take the opportunity of reproducing : — Free and Accepted Masons in every part of the United Kingdomand , indeed , all the world ovpr—will regret the burning of the "Temple" attached to the Freemasons' Tavern in Great .
Qnoenstreet , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields . This magnificent hall— architecturally one of the handsomest rooms in England —wns the headquarters of tho influential Craft presided over by His Roval Highness the Prince of Wales ; it was the meeting-place of Grand Lodge , whpnee the entire English Masonic system is ruled and regulated . Fortunatel y , th ° valnahlfi regalia nnd the "throne" have been saved intact , and bnt
little damage has bepn inflicted on thp . beautiful white marble statue of the late Duke of Sussex , the work of the eminent sculptor BaiWagreatartist and a good Mason . For the rest ,, this splendid nnnrtment , decorated at immense cost and in perfect harmony with the purpose to which it has been applied , is a mass of wreok and min . The fnll-length portraits of a long series of Pa » t Grand
Mastersall save a likeness of tho late Dnke of Kent—are burned out of their frames in the wainscot , blistered and peeled beyond recognition or revival , or rent into shreds by the action of the flames . In parts the flat gilded woodwork is entirely consumed , showing the brick wall behind , in parti it is charred nnd splintered . Galleries , cnrw ' cps , flntH
columns have given way and tumbled down , a confused mass of blackened rubbish . Scarcely anything remains of the mvstical and wonderful roof with its splendid snn in burnished gold , and its exquisitely wrought signs of the Zodiac . All that the loving pains of William Cox designed to be tho masterpiece of his nrt has perished in a few hours . The gilded sea's of the Officers of Grand
Lodge , of the Master , Wardens aud Deacons , aro parMv burnod partly smashed to pieces , nnd what wore tho pedestals havo entirely disappeared . Strangply enough tho vast carpotted flooring , though strewed with debris and soaked with water appears to be intact everywhere , except in one corner in close contignitv to a pair of iron doors which shut off Grand Lodge from the large banqneting
hall of the Freemasons' Tavern . The party wall stood the tpst of the flames wonderfully well , for while the "Temple" is completely gntted , the great room on the other side of tho brickwork remains untouched by fire , and apparently free from damage . This nobly proportioned and elegantly and elaborately ornamented chamber was ninety-two feet long , forty-three broad , and moro than sixty
feet high . Although it is not deemed discreet to disclose even the minor details connected with the ancient secret and imprpssive Ritual of Freemasonry , there is no harm in saying that the Craft Will feel keenly a misfortune which deprives them of a resort associated with the best work , and dpdicated to virtue , universal charity , and benevolence . The loss is the more to be regretted because thp
Temple" was the first home which English Freemasons conld call their own . ¦ yr e on sin of the Craft is shrouded in mvstery ; and what learned ¦ Masons know of its foundation they do not disclose tn the uninitiated . Just enough to tantalise inqnisitiveness and not sufficient to satisfy the thirst for knowledge is aa much as they will confide to the outer
World . Here , again , there is no offence in revealing the fact that the brotherhood is devoted to charitable works , and to say that its mem . berg cannot bo bad men and good Masons at one nnd the same time . Ihey who know nothing whatever of the Crnft pretend that there is 110 Secret , otherwise it wonld long ago havo leaked out . Freemasons ,
however , do not resent , or even regard , that kind of criticism . Thev aow what they know , and , while leading the lives of worthy and respectable citizens , and attending to their work , suffer rancour to say its worst . Enough for them that the Craft speaks all languages , •jncl is nnited in a common brotherhood on sea and shore , in every country and clime . One most learned and accomplished Mason dates
The Fire At Freemasons' Hall.
its history from the creation of tho world . Others are satisfied to iwrai nearer our own time , and do not pretend to fin'l tho Masonic famil y tree planted in the Garden of Eden . Of course the Temple of King Solomon was built by the brethren on the top of Mount Moriah , over against Mount Olivet ; and all the Freemasons employed on the
work , exclusive of the two ft . Wardens , amounted tn one hundred and thirteen thousand . Pvthagoras belonged to the Craft ; but whether he learned what ho knew in Egypt and India , or elsewhere , is not ,-: n ' .- - ; . v ,, i- ~ ITJ . "V ^ , I | IB I " ? O"V ' ' 'r > •] " : ' . ' " ' \\ T •\i ~ r > : ' : •. ' '" . ! -iwo- ' nf Theo ^ -
:. u $ . Mii-iro ' i'e . > ii •: u- <¦) . ¦ . ?• . ' . ! ' -. ' B . "h . i <' .. - . m ; ' ; y .- ± v . ;? vc . YI ' . O ' . ' •jht Wi-Jft M & u or S .-. nws \\ vx oi ? < b < ••'i .- fri .:-. " /!!? r ^ e-ru- ' . . yevo compotent ro ; a ' . i'rv ; o hi" ' . > I ;' . "o : air rtj' ^ vi'ite . b iri ae . Mf » i . oriof \ i . feet : liat hi ritfidisd uncldi' Pho ' :-. c « yUoc , ot' . synij , - jiriei fceliaYj : in tile immortality of the soul . Whether "Pythugoias intended his Freemasonry to bo a political protest against the tyranny of Polycrates , tyrant of Samos , and to what extent ho meant it as a bond of
contented and refined Communism , is open to dispute ; but what he taught at Crnfnna rema ins the foundation of a great deal of onr modern Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . How much English Freemasonry retainsof India , Egypt , Judea , Greece , and Rome is a matter for Masons , if they can do so , to decide among themselves . It wi 1 be enough for those wbo are not of tbe Craft to recognise that tho In . stitntion in England is associated with several noble and most
praiseworthy Charities . Freemasonry has been of two kinds , Operative and Speculative . Formerly , at least in this country , the vast majority of tho brethren were more or less connected with the building trades , either as patrons , as designers , or as handicraftsmen . The Ancient Britons , the Romans , and the Saxons had among them initiated persons ; and
in later times all our grat historical structures , ecclesiastical or lay , were built by members of tho Order . Henry VT . took a lively interest in the Craft ; " Bluff King Hal" was Master of a Lodge , as was also the "Merry Monarch . " It is an indisputable fact that St . Paul ' s Cathedral is tinctured with the science from the foundation-stone to the top of the golden cross . Not only was Sir
Christopher Wren the father of Modern Masonry , but from the time when he flourished may be dated its present peculiarly specnlative character . When the " famous architect grew old and weary , the Lodge of St . Paul , over which he presided , fell off in numbers and influence ; and it was agreed among the few remaining members that the Order , its privileges and mysteries , shonld be thrown open to
mon of other professions . Prior to the reign of Queen Anne , a few non-practical Masons were initiated , but " speculative" brethren were rarely to be met with . Then , and for along time afterwards , the Craft were without , headquarters . A Lodge used to meet at the Goose and Gridiron , in St . Paul ' s Churchyard , the second part of which sign may possibly have suggested the ridiculous notion that a certain humble
piece of ironmongery is associated with the ceremony of initiation Another Lodge met at the sign of the down ; in Parker ' s-lane , Drnry-laue , another at the Rummer and Gripes , in Channelrow , Westminster , and a fourth at the Apple Tree Tavern , Charlesstreet , Covent-garden . It was at the Apple Tree that a few old Masons constituted themselves a Grand Lodge in the year 1717 .
From that date English Masonry has grown and flourished ; and , thongh it has had its troubles and its schisms , is now more than ever powerful and useful . Based on the principle of equality of man , it owes not a little of its prestige to the friendliness and companionship nf Roval and noble personages . Continuing to extend the sphere of its influence , the Craft gradually amassed property , and in the year
1771 . tho Honourable Charles Dillon , Depnty Grand Master , introduced n bill in the House of Commons to incorporate the Society by Ant of Parliament . The measure was opposed , and at tho desire of many of the brethren was withdrawn on the second reading . Freemasonry , however , having made for itself a recognised name , was no longer content to date from a tavern , and the members of Grand
Lodge , held at the Crown and Anchor , in tho Strand , sought for themselves a local habitation . Tn the year 1772 , Lord Pehre boing at that time Grand Master , a large snm was subscribed for the purpose of building a suitable hall ; and , two years later , they purchased a plot of ground , consisting of a couple of fino houses and a large garden , the site of Thursday ' s fire . Afterwards a further sum of
money was raised bv tontine . The bnilding progressed quickly , and nn the 23 rd of May 1776 , the Grand Lodge of England , which used to meet in inns and in the halls of the City Companies , was first installed in that beantiful home which is now no more . Although ifc is morally certain that a " Temple" as fine or if not finer than the
building which has perished so suddenly will in due time rise from its ashes , yet Freemasons as a body will lament the loss of their first , and heretofore their grandest and best-beloved shrine , associated for more than a century with countless noble and g lorious memories that cannot die .
According to the Keystone , the Oriental Hall , Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , was crowded with brethren afc the last meeting of Montgomery Lodge , No . 10 , on Thursday evening , 5 th April , to listen to a eulogy delivered by Bro . William A . Sinn P . M . Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge , on
the death of Bro . James Reynolds P . M . Bro . Sinn , from his long personal acquaintance with the deceased , and his close connection with him during his Masonic career , was eminently fitted for the task , which he assumed . As Bro . Sinn arose , his stalwart form , and his sympathetic , aud yefc
clear and distinct enunciation , claimed the profound , attention of all present . His reference to the Past Masters was very effective , and the Grand Tyler surprised his friends by his eloquent aud masterly address . The resolutions attached were unanimously adopted , and a copy of the proceedings will be sent to the family of the deceased .