Provincial Lodges.

MONMOUTHSHIRE . NEAV MASONIC HALL . —Wednesday , August 29 , was a gay and bustling day in Newport , the occasion being a grand ceremonial by the Freemasons of this town . Having taken steps to secure a handsome and commodious building in Dock-street , at the corner of Ruperra-street , they fixed upon that clay for laying the foundation stone of their templeand invited a large body of their brethrenfrom BristolBath

, , , , Monmouth , and other places , headed by Col . Tynte , M . P ,, the P . G . M . of the province of Monmouthshire ; and from the preparations which were made , it was cpiite evident that , weather permitting , an effective demonstration would be secured . Although recent weather was changeable , Wednesday , in that respect , was a " Queen ' s clay , " and everything else pertaining to an out-door show was as gratifying , we should think , as the Craft could desire . As a brief description of the intended building may be acceptable , we appended

the following : — The styie of the building is an adaptation of Italian , which is now universally admitted , by its general use throughout Europe , as that which is the best adapted for street architecture . In this case the architect has obtained , a grand ancl striking effect at comparatively little expense and without any sacrifice of interior accommodation . The angle formed at the junction of the streets is in this case very obtuse , and makes the plan more than ordinarily difficult to arrange ; it is , therefore , rounded

off and treated in a slightly different manner to the other fronts of the building , and forms a conspicuous feature in the elevation—very properly marking thereby the principal entrance to the Masonic Hall . This entrance is approached by four wide circular steps , and is flanked on either side by a column of the Ionic order and of peculiar and characteristic design . From the porch , a geometrical staircase , proposed to be formed of tho beautiful Forest of Dean stone , and having a handsome iron balustrade , will lead to the Lodge Room , a beautiful room , 45 feet long by 24 feet wide , and 22 feet high , and enriched with noble cornices and plaster Avork . The other rooms appropriated to Masonic purposes will consist of an inner porch , a large

committee-room , treasury , and Tyler s-room , which seem very conveniently arranged . A balcony OA'er the entrance-door is likewise approached from the landing of the staircase , and the large window is also flanked by columns , but which are in this case , of highly enriched design , and of the Corinthian order . The whole of the building is crowned by a boldly projecting cornice , over which is a parapet and ornamental ballustrade , which we think will have a good effect in so commanding a situation . There are two other entrances to the building . These lead to seven sets of chambers ,

which are piroposed to be let as offices for professional men , & c . The whole of the basement is arranged for warehousing purposes , and is approached by a gateway from Ruperra-street . The new Masonic Hall and Chambers are from the designs of Mr . R . G . Thomas , of this town , to whom Newport is certainly being indebted for several fine buildings of classic design ; and the works are being proceeded with with all due despatch by Mr . Henry P . Bolt , the builder , and the masonry by Mr . Williams , of Park-place . The contract price is 1770 / ., and another 100 / . will probably be spent in decorations , before final completion .

Around the place Avhere the stone was to be laid were placed five " pillars , " one of which was higher than the rest , and topped by a handsome crown , of large dimensions , formed of evergreens , flowers , and gilded bays . The pillar itself was also entwined with flowers . The banners of England , France , Turkey , and Sardinia were suspended from that pillar . The four less pretentious pillars were situated at the corners of the ground , and were similarly covered with evergreens , floAvers , and banners . The triangle bwhich the stone was to be lowered into its destined lace

y p , was decorated with flowers , & c . This , however , was not the only spot where there were decorations , Dock-street , Commercial-street , and High-street , were literally covered with flags , most of which Avere upon cords stretched from one side to the other . Adjunctive to the decorations , we report that the bands of the North Devon Militia and the Royal Glamorgan Militia , occupied an important position during the day , their strains lending an indispensable attraction to the scene .