Preservation Of Life At Sea.

ful , strikingly false drawing of the Italian masters , the grotesque works of Dutch and German painters , and the later and more truthful efforts of modern times . In all this monument of loving devotion to a worthy hobby are included no less than 30 , 000 illustrations of various kinds ,

some of them worth from 50 dols . to 100 dols . each , and extracts from some thirty editions of the sacred text . Such a treasure ought speedily to find a purchaser in some of our few great libraries , where it Yvould be an unfailing spring of delig ht and instruction to artists and men of letters . —New York World .

Laying The Foundation Stones Of The Public Library And The Freemasons' Hall At Watford.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE FREEMASONS' HALL AT WATFORD .

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Public Library , in Queen-street , the building of Yvhich has just been commenced , excited some interest on Saturday last , inasmuch as it was laid by the Freemasons with their ancient ceremony . To many the occasion

Yvas one of much gratification , as there can be no doubt that the Public Library will supply a great want that has long been felt . Such an institution , under an Act of Parliament which is part of the local government system , and also under the Science and Art Department , has its

guarantee of stability and proper management . Its means of benefiting the neighbourhood have been from time to time set forth , and Yve have now to speak of the handsome building , which we have no doubt will be both an ornament and a blessing to the town .

The building , Yvhich will have a frontage of 80 feet , will contain , on the ground floor , two spacious public reading rooms , each communicating with the library or book-room , a large newsroom , committee and apparatus rooms . On the first floor the accommodation will be set apart

for the Science ancl Art Department , and will consist of two science class-rooms , convertible , by the removal of a deal partition , into a lecture hall , 51 ft . 6 in . long by 30 ft . wide ; an elementary class room , painting and modelling rooms , besides a master ' s room , cloak rooms , and

lavatories . The style of structure is that rendering of Gothic which has , of late years , been so successfully carried out in brickYVork , and is that by which English architecture is chiefly characterised . The main portion of the exterior will be executed with yellow bricks , the monotony of

Yvhich Yvill be effectively relie \* ed by the introduction of red ? nd black bricks and Bath stone dressings . I'he front elevation , facing Queenstreet , will be pierced on the ground floor by font large two-lig ht windows , with red Alansfield stone shafts and Bath stone decorations . The

entrance , with a massive stone superstructure , YviH be in the centre of the building , and will he embellished by a carved stone panel over the head of the door . On the left will rise a well pointed gable terminating in a carved linial , and

containing , as a chief feature , the large threelight window at the end of the lecture hall . On ihe right two decorative niullioned windows will rise with their gabled heads into tlie roof , and the wall heads will be finished with a red brick

cornice . Right along the whole length of the bu lding will be cut in media-val letters : " Watford Public Library and School of Science and Art . " The design for the building , which it will be remembered Yvas selected by the Committee with

great pains from several others in public competition , is by Air . Syme , of Messrs . Sedgwick and Son ' s office , Watford , and is acknowledged to be of great merit . The building is expected to cost about sS 2 , 30 o , and the contract has been taken by Mr . Aliskin , of St . Alban ' s .

To give the occasion of laying the fotnuhtio 1-stone an additional and uncommon interest , the Committee took advantage of the Watford Lodge of Freemasons being about to lay the foundation-stone of their new hall , to ask them

to lay that of the public library , as they did that of the Corn Exchange some years ago . Alrhough the time to make the arrangements Yvas very short , all the public bodies who could possibly take an interest in the building were invited to send deputations ,

Laying The Foundation Stones Of The Public Library And The Freemasons' Hall At Watford.

The different representatives assembled at the Corn Exchange , at two o ' clock , and formed a procession , which started for the site of the library at half-past two . The procession was headed by the band of the and Herts Rifles . Following were the Watford Company of

Volunteers , the Watford and Bushey Volunteer Fire Brigade , and the representatives of the trades of Watford , including engineers , carpenters , masons , printers , painters and wood turners . The Committee of the Library and the Directors of the Corn Exchange Company were almost all

included in the Alasonic body . On the arrival of the procession at the site , where a space had been covered in at the northwest corner of the building , the foremost gentlemen arranged themselves on either side , and allowed the performers of the ceremony , Yvith

Bro . T . F . Halsey , to pass to the front of the stone . Many ladies and gentlemen were accommodated with raised seats on either side that they might be enabled to obtain a view . Unfortunately at the time a drizzling rain made out-door proceedings slightly uncomfortable .

The ceremony commenced by Mr . A . O . Sedg-Yvick handing the plans to Bro . Halsey , Yvho , having , inspected them , addressed the assembl y in the following words : —Brethren , ladies and gentlemen , we are assembled here to-day for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone , in

accordance Yvith the rites and ceremonies of our ancient Craft , of the Watford Free Public Library , and after the custom on these occasions I take the opportunity of briefly expressing the satisfaction with which YVC assist in an object so Yvorth y of our support . Through this and

similar institutions it is placed in the power of the humblest in the land to obtain an amount of information which in former days was quite beyond their reach , and which must be of the utmost value to them in their dail y life , and fit them more and more to use those talents which

the Great Architect of the Universe has given them , to His honour and glory , and the Yvelfare of their fellow-creatures and themselves . Now you often hear it said , when a man leaves school , or college , or enters upon the profession which he may be going to follow , that his education is

completed ; but depend upon it , it is no such thing . A man ' s education ceases or should cease onl y with his life . The oldest and best and Yvisest amongst us have still something that they may learn . In fact , the greater knowledge a man acquires the more he sees his own ignorance .

And if that is true in the case of those who have received the blessing of a good education in earl y youth , it must be so in a far higher degree with our humbler brethren . From the very fact of their being obliged to earn their bread , they must of necessity receive only the most elemenlarv

instruction in their youth . I cannot help thinking lhat to such as these an institution of this nature must be a priceless boon . Here they will have access to bocks and information which they cannot otherwise obtain , and Yvhich must be of of great service to them , and help them to git

their living , by raising them more and more from the position of mere machines to that of intelligent and reasoning beings , and make them of increasing value to their employers , and render them better able to fight the brittle of life and discharge those duties which they owe as citizens in this their native land . Time Yvill not allow

me to expatiate more on the advantages of this institution ; but though I have , in the words I have said , alluded more especially to the humbler classes , yet the remarks I have made apply Yvith equal force to all . There is no man , high or low , rich or poor , learned or unlearned , who may not

derive some benefit from access to a well-chosen library . Therefore , I will conclude by expressing , on behalf of the brethren present and those assisting me to-day , our sincere hope that within this building , the foundation-stone of which YVC

are about to lay , many may lay in themselves foundation stones of knowledge , and raise thereon vast superstructures of improvement and mentil elevation , through which they may be rendered more useful to themselves and of benefit to all around them . I also trust that those YVIIO with

so much spirit have promoted this institution may be rewarded by watching it for many years through a long career of prosperity and ' usefulness in this important town and neighbourhood .

Laying The Foundation Stones Of The Public Library And The Freemasons' Hall At Watford.

The Treasurer , Mr . C . F . Hubert , theiTdeposited the phial containing coins , newspapers , 8 cc , in the cavity of the lower stone , and the Chaplain , the Rev . N . Price , offered up the following prayer r— "Almighty God , framer of the

worlds , without whom our labour is " in vain , vouchsafe to prosper the work of our hands , and grant that this building , begun in Thy name , may be happily completed , to the setting forth of Thy glory , and peace and harmony , prosperity and happiness of this town . Alay we here learn

to cultivate and wisely use the good gifts of intellect which Thou hast given us , for our true improvement , the service of our felloYv men , and the hastening of Thy kingdom . Bless and reward Thy servants who have given of their substance for the furtherance of this Yvork , anr >

preserve them ever , both in body and soul , through , & c . " The cement Yvas then placed on the upper face of ths bottom stone , and Bro . Halsey adjusted it with a trowel , after which the upper stone YY * as lowered slowly , the band playing

" Rule Britannia . " Bro . Halsey then proved the just position and form of the stone by the plumb , level , and square , which were handed to him by the Junior and Senior Wardens and W . M . 404 . He then gave the stone three knocks Yvith the maul , and said : " I declare this

stone to be well and trul y laid . " The cornucopia was next called for , and handed to Bro . Halsey , who strewed the corn over the stone saying , " I scatter the corn as an emblem of plenty . May the blessing of heaven be showered upon us , and may we enjoy the blessings of

plenty . " On pouring out the wine , he said , " I pour out this wine as an emblem of love and rejoicing . Alay we enjoy the blessings of divine truth , and may virtue flourish as the vine . " The sprinkling of the oil Yvas accompanied with these words , " I sprinkle this oil as an emblem , of

peace . Alay peace and prosperity , brotherly love and unanimity ever flourish within this building . " The Chaplain then pronouueed the benediction r " The blessing of God Almighty be upon this work , and remain with it for eY'er . " The band here played the National Anthem .

The procession Yvas then formed again , and proceeded in the same manner to the site of the Freemasons' Hall , Yvhich is at the back of the Essex Arms Hotel . The new building will consist of a hall and general room , to be used also by the proprietor of the hotel , about 40 feet

by 24 feet , approached , as was the old hall , through an anteroom in the hotel , and also , by a neYv and commodious staircase and corridor , to be erected instead of the present staircase at the rear of the Corn Exchange . There will be lodge-rooms adjoining , exclusively for the use

of the Freemasons , about 2 $ feet by 18 feet , with lobb y for Tyler , lavatory closet , wine closet , and other conveniences . The hall and lodgeroom are lofty and lighted Yvith sunlights . The whole building is carried on brick piers and iron girders , without intervening columns , as Yvas the

case in the old building . The building is of the simplest description , both externally and internally , but it is hoped that the interior may eventuall y be suitably decorated , the design admitting of the hall and lodge-room being made very handsome . The architect is Mr . J . T

Christopher , of Watford , and the builder Air . Miskin , of St . Alban ' s , who is also building the Public Library . The foundation-stone is in the brick pier at the north-west corner , a few feet from the ground . A platform Yvas erected , on which the

Masons peforming the ceremony stood . The ceremony was precisely similar to that already described . When Bro . Halsey had inspected the plans handed to him by Mr . Christopher , he gave the following address : — " Brethren , ladies and gentlemen , we have assisted in laying the

foundation-stone of a public building , and we now have to provide a domicile for ourselves . It will be in the recollection of those present that the old hall , which stood somewhere about on this site where we are now standing , and in which

we held our meetings for many years , was burnt down three or four years ago . Of course , various difficulties arose Yvhich have retarded the rebuilding of it up to the present time , but now I am glad to think that these difficulties have been all settled , and we are about to lay the