Freemasons' Hall.

Freemasons' Hall .

'"PHEKK can be little doubt that a concensus of Masonic I opinion favours the rebuilding , or at least the reconstruction , at no distant date , of a considerable portion ot the existing structure in Great Queen Street . The tavern and its capacity for accommodating the increasing number of lodges meeting at the head-quarters of Masonry is

notoriously inadequate , and compared with the many structures that have sprung up since its erection , it lags far behind present da }* requirements . The expiration of the lease of the latter premises in 1 905 appears to offer a favourable opportunity for the consideration of the whole question , and we do not doubt that the Masonic authorities will seriously undertake the duty of dealing with it .

In this connection it may be of interest to quote from the Illustrated London Sews of March 21 st , 1866 , a description of the present building then in course of erection . An engraving of the large hall of the tavern which appeared in the same issue is also reproduced on page 15 : — " NKW FRK . ICMASOXS' HALL . —This building , of which

we present an engraving , has been for a considerable time in progress . It occupies a portion of the site of the old Freemasons' Tavern , so long known as a place for public dinners and meetings , as well as a large space on each side of it , while the greater portion

of the old tavern is incorporated with the new buildings . It had long been considered by the Freemasons that the meetings of so large and wealthy a body , and the extensive business connected with its Charities , etc ., required a building devoted exclusively to these purposes . B y degrees , therefore ,

the tavern and the adjacent properties were purchased ; and , in 186 3 , designs for a great Masonic building were invited in public competition . The design which we engrave this week was selected among a large number of competitors . "The general plan of the building consists of three parallel blocks , each about 45 ft . wide by 200 ft . deep from front to

back . The centre block embraces the old hall and some of the larger rooms of the old tavern . That to the east of it will form , with the old rooms above mentioned , the new tavern , which will comprise a large hall , 9 6 ft . by 43 ft ., to which will be attached a noble suite of rooms for public entertainments , with spacious lobbies , staircases , and corridors .

The western block , to which is added the site ot the trout rooms of the old tavern , forms the exclusively Masonic portion of the building . It contains live large lodge rooms , with ante-rooms , etc ., on the lirst and second Doors , while the ground Door is occupied by the offices for the business of the Craft . The staircase and corridors are very spacious ,

and of a highly architectural character . The old hall , which , when the new hall is completed , will be used exclusively for the meetings of the Grand Lodge , is approached from the first lloor by a spacious lobby , with a broad llight of steps . There is also a communication between the Masonic

building and the tavern , for the use of Masons only . Besides the rooms above mentioned there are a board room and robing rooms for ( he Grand Master and Grand Officers ; and on the ground lloor there are a coffee room and library for the use of the Craft . The front , which is 8 9 ft . in length ,

and embraces the Masonic portion as well as the rooms in front of the old tavern , is built entirely of Portland stone , the remaining portion of the frontage , 45 ft . in length , embracing the new tavern , will be of a different character , and will be built of red bricks , with Portland stone dressings .

I he whole of the tavern is let to the lavern Company , Limited , and will , when completed , cease to bear the name of the Freemasons' Tavern . The architect is Mr . F . P . Cockerell , son of the late Professor Cockerel ! , R . A . The sculpture , including the four figures representing Wisdom , Fidelity , Charity , and Unity , are executed by Mr . W , G .

Nicholl , who is already advantageously known as having executed the sculptures of the pediment of St . George ' s Hall , at Liverpool , from the design ot the late Professor Cockerell ; and that of the Fitzwilliam Museum , at Cambridge , from the design of the late Mr . Bassevi . The builder is Mr . Rider ,

of Union Street , Southwark . Owing to the necessity of providing for the continuation of the business of the tavern during the erection of the new building , it has been necessary to proceed with the building in sections , so that the progress has been necessarily slow . The first section , comprising the

greater part of the Masonic building , was completed in May last , and has been in use since that time . The second section , consisting of the front and adjacent rooms , will shortl y be completed . It is intended that the whole shall be open to the public within a year . "

HIS MA . IKSTV riii-: Kixti i . Avixn Tin- ¦ ¦ orxii . mox-sToxK OF TIII * XI : \ V i . iVKitroor , CATIII ' DUAI . OX TCF . SHAY , . iri . v l-n-n , ion .