Untitled Article

inconvenience he might experience , and again receive those smiles and shakes of the hand ^ which ^ were an index to what was felt by the heart . The R . W . the G . M ^ had told , them that time and tide waited for no man : neith er would railways nor telegraphs , or one of their excellent friends would have been present , but he was summoned to a distant place by the telegraph that morning ; and because time was on the wing he would not detain them , or he might talk at great length , were he to yield to those feelings which were suggested by a visit to Monmouthshire . There was something in Monmouthshire which always entwined itself around his heart . It was in Monmouthshire that he first associated himself

with Masonry . He was glad to say that the sun of Masonry had risen at Newport , the intellectual powers of which town were developing themselves every day , and in nothing more so than in Masonry , taking this day as an exponent of the intellect of Newport . He could recollect when the Newport Lodge was not recognised as it was now ; but a change had taken place , and now it had become the centre and focus of the Masonic genius and mind . As they passed along in the procession , he said to his friend , that that beat what they undertook

when the Newport docks were opened . There was no such gathering on that occasion , when the Masonic body quietly gave in their adhesion at the nuptials of the Usk and the Severn . On this occasion , by the manner in which Newport had come out , it was in effect saying , " These are the men in whom we can trust . " He was sure that none but Masons could have produced such a mark of admiration as had been afforded , and have passed through such living walls and received such acclamations in voices and heart , as they had done .

The Chairman gave "The Mayor and Corporation , and success to the trade of Newport /' Bro . Alderman Mullock returned thanks , and hoped the Mayor would be a Mason before their next meeting . After a few more toasts , one of which , "To the Memory of our Immortal Bro . Robert Burns , " was drunk in solemn silence , and many good and humorous songs , the Brethren separated .

The new building , of which the foundation-stone was laid with the ancient Masonic ceremonials , is being built by subscription , the shares being entirely held by brethren of the mystic tie , and by the trust-deed is strictly confined to them . The management is by a Board of Governors , of which Charles Lyne , Esq ., the Prov . Grand S . W . of the Province , is the chairman . The shares taken amount to upwards of £ 1 , 400 in value ; and the amount of the contract is £ 1 , 770 , but no difficulty is anticipated in increasing the number of shares to £ 1 , 850 ; which amount the entire expenditure , including furnishing and decorating , in the most

complete manner , is calculated not to exceed . A short description of the building will , we have no doubt , prove by no means unacceptable to our readers . The whole building has a frontage of 109 feet , of which 41 feet is to Dock-street , and 68 feet to Buperra-street ; the angle , which is made circular , being appropriated to the Masonic entrance ; and , from its peculiar and commanding situation , will form a conspicuous feature in the building . The whole of the basement is vaulted over , and will be appropriated for cellarage , to which there is a great demand in the neighbourhood ; a separate entrance will give access to the cellars from

Buperra-street . The whole of the ground floors in both streets , as well as a portion of the other two floors in Dock-street , will be let as'chambers , and for these , which will be commodious and well situated , numerous applications have already been received . The staircases and entrances to these chambers are quite distinct from those appropriated to the Masonic Hall , and every care seems to have been contrived to guard the precincts of the hall from the eyes of intruders . From

the principal entrance , fronting the angle of the building , a stone staircase , with handsome balustrade , leads to a lobby on the landing , which forms the inner entrance to the Lodge . On the left of the lobby is placed the committee-room , 19 feet long by 13 wide , and 12 feet high ; this room will also be occasionally used as a refreshment-room . On the right , is the Tyler ' s room , and in which also the muniments and ornaments of the Lodge will be kept ; and , leading out of the