Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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and those of the clubs , Lloj'd ' s , and the Stock Exchange . Hence , from want of personal experience , and want of classy from jealousy of the higher classes , there is a degree of passive resistance manifested among some of the Masons . The plea for objection is , however , the financial one , as it is alleged the Order ought riot to sacrifice the rent of the tavern , although it has ample
funds ; while , on the other hand , there are many who would sacrifice the whole income in consideration of the greater convenience and the riddance of the nuisance . The principle is affirmed for the present , and it is to be hoped that the Crand Lodge will persevere . The Board of General Purposes propose that the building shall be gradually brought to a uniform arrangement . They do not wish any large outlay to be incurred , but to apply the funds as opportunity allows r so that in time the structure may be
complete . The first thing the Board asked of the Grand Lodge was , that the principlejof the devotion of the buildings to Masonic uses should be adopted . The next proposition is , that a plm shall be niade of the existing buildings as a preparation for a competitiori . The plan for the arrangements they propose to put up to competition among the whole Masonic body , and to offor a sum m best design . If they restrict the competitiori to the Masonic body , then the
amount of premiums is not a matter of importance , as it will be a labour of love and an effort of duty on the part of the architectural members generally to contribute for such a purpose , without reference to the value of the premiums . Tfy however , the competition should be thrown open , it will become a riiatter of consideration what the amount of premiums should be ; and the Grand Lodge will be exposed to hostile criticism , if , as administering to a body so closely connected with architecture , an illiberal scheme of dealing is put forward , when it will be said it is the duty of Freemasons to give munificent encouragement and remuneration to architects .
In making the proposal , the Board of General Purposes have been , it appears , assisted by Mr . Hard wicke * and Mr . Cubitt , and they propose to avail themselves of the professional assistance of these and other members . There is some difference of opinion on two points : First , whether the competition shall be restricted to members , or thrown open to strangers ; and
second , what shall be the constitution of the body charged with the selection of the designs and the execution of the works . The Board of General Purposes , in consultation with the architects connected with the Grand Lodge , have proposed that designs shall be asked from members only ; and this seems reasonable on many grounds , for strangers cannot know what are the requirements for the purposes of the Order , and there is no call to cultivate the adhesion of men who have been too careless to enrol themselves
in the Masonic fraternity , or—as is the case with some of them—bitter haters and opponents of it as an impious institution . Why such men should be admitted to furnish designs it is very difficult to say , because the occasion is not one requiring a large architectural structure , but arrangements , fittings , and details of an existing building , to adapt it for Masonic ceremonies chiefly , and to which the formation of a library and refreshmentroom is only subsidiary . To go out of the Order , which has architectural
relations , to seek an architect , would be as undignified as for the Royal Institute of British Architects to go out of its own body for any architectural arrangements of its own buildings , or for the Architectural Union to do so now . We learn , however , that a clerical member actually proposed to throw the plans open to general competition , with the especial purpose of allowing Mr . G . G . Scott to compete , quite forgetful that there is a very sufficient mode of allowing Mr . Scott , or any oue else , to participate , by i F 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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and those of the clubs , Lloj'd ' s , and the Stock Exchange . Hence , from want of personal experience , and want of classy from jealousy of the higher classes , there is a degree of passive resistance manifested among some of the Masons . The plea for objection is , however , the financial one , as it is alleged the Order ought riot to sacrifice the rent of the tavern , although it has ample
funds ; while , on the other hand , there are many who would sacrifice the whole income in consideration of the greater convenience and the riddance of the nuisance . The principle is affirmed for the present , and it is to be hoped that the Crand Lodge will persevere . The Board of General Purposes propose that the building shall be gradually brought to a uniform arrangement . They do not wish any large outlay to be incurred , but to apply the funds as opportunity allows r so that in time the structure may be
complete . The first thing the Board asked of the Grand Lodge was , that the principlejof the devotion of the buildings to Masonic uses should be adopted . The next proposition is , that a plm shall be niade of the existing buildings as a preparation for a competitiori . The plan for the arrangements they propose to put up to competition among the whole Masonic body , and to offor a sum m best design . If they restrict the competitiori to the Masonic body , then the
amount of premiums is not a matter of importance , as it will be a labour of love and an effort of duty on the part of the architectural members generally to contribute for such a purpose , without reference to the value of the premiums . Tfy however , the competition should be thrown open , it will become a riiatter of consideration what the amount of premiums should be ; and the Grand Lodge will be exposed to hostile criticism , if , as administering to a body so closely connected with architecture , an illiberal scheme of dealing is put forward , when it will be said it is the duty of Freemasons to give munificent encouragement and remuneration to architects .
In making the proposal , the Board of General Purposes have been , it appears , assisted by Mr . Hard wicke * and Mr . Cubitt , and they propose to avail themselves of the professional assistance of these and other members . There is some difference of opinion on two points : First , whether the competition shall be restricted to members , or thrown open to strangers ; and
second , what shall be the constitution of the body charged with the selection of the designs and the execution of the works . The Board of General Purposes , in consultation with the architects connected with the Grand Lodge , have proposed that designs shall be asked from members only ; and this seems reasonable on many grounds , for strangers cannot know what are the requirements for the purposes of the Order , and there is no call to cultivate the adhesion of men who have been too careless to enrol themselves
in the Masonic fraternity , or—as is the case with some of them—bitter haters and opponents of it as an impious institution . Why such men should be admitted to furnish designs it is very difficult to say , because the occasion is not one requiring a large architectural structure , but arrangements , fittings , and details of an existing building , to adapt it for Masonic ceremonies chiefly , and to which the formation of a library and refreshmentroom is only subsidiary . To go out of the Order , which has architectural
relations , to seek an architect , would be as undignified as for the Royal Institute of British Architects to go out of its own body for any architectural arrangements of its own buildings , or for the Architectural Union to do so now . We learn , however , that a clerical member actually proposed to throw the plans open to general competition , with the especial purpose of allowing Mr . G . G . Scott to compete , quite forgetful that there is a very sufficient mode of allowing Mr . Scott , or any oue else , to participate , by i F 2