(No. 7).—The Masonic Temple, St. Helier.

the Grand Lodge . It is therefore much to the credit of Her Majesty's Norman subjects—to quote Father Sarchet—that they have succeeded in a task which others under far more favourable circumstances , have feared to attempt . Surely after

this Manchester men who , like the Americans are so proud of being able to " whip creation , " will awaken to a knowledge of the fact that if they have built a noble Free Trade Hall , they have not taken the lead in everything .

In alluding to the Jersey Masonic Temple we 'Cannot do better than give the following excellent -description of it , which appeared in the Jersey Hxpress for May 26 th , 1864 : — " The buildings form two sides of a square , the

principal front being in Stopford-road , and the other in Oxford-road , to which it is intended to add a third side , so as to provide a large room , 90 ft . by 36 ft ., for general use , distinct from the Masonic portion , to be let out for concerts , balls ,

lectures , public meetings , & c . The access to the edifice is by two flights of granite steps , one on each side of a handsome portico , supported by

Corinthian pillars . On entering the entrance hall , there is a large room ou the right , 26 ft . by 20 ft ., intended for the library of the institution . On the left is onother apartment , to serve as an anteroom to the Temple , which opens from it by large

folding doors , and also by a smaller one beyond them . The Temple is 47 ft . long , 25 ft wide , and 30 ft . high . At its east or remote end from the door is a semi-circular recess for the chair of the presiding Master , having on each side of it a

semicircular Corinthian pillar against the wall , and there are similar pillars opposite to them at the west end of the room , one on each side of the room , one each side of the entrance . The

flatdoor leading into the chapter room . Turning to the right , there are two ehambers , one beyond the other . Descending ihe staircase again to the basement , on the right is a door leading into the banqueting room , which is 50 ft . in length , 25 ft .

in width , and 15 ft . in height . It is lighted by three handsome gas chandeliers , and at the west end are folding doors leading into an ante-room similar to the one over it . Under the library is the kitchen , with every arrangement requisite for

cooking on a large scale , and on the right and left before entering it are a pantry , and a scullery with a copper boiler . The cellar is beneath the portico , and there are little conveniences about the building which it is unnecessary to enumerate .

We have thus given a concise description of the accommodation afforded , without any attempt at criticism , and iu conclusion we cannot but congratulate the Freemasons on the possession of so commodious a building , aud the town on the handsome addition thus made to its public edifices ,

alike creditable to the society , the architect , and the builders . " The Temple so far as our experience goes has only one defect , and that is about to be remedied . At present its acoustic proprieties are bad , but

when that fault is put right a nobler edifice for Masonic purposes could not be desired . The foundation stone was laid on the 17 th Dec , 1862 , by the Provincial Grand Master , assisted by Bro . His Excellency the Lieut .-Governor Sir R . D .

Douglas , Bart . The consecration and opening took place on the 25 th May , 1864 , when eclat was given to the proceedings by a public Masonic procession , and by the presence of a large body of visitors from France , England , and the sister

province of Guernsey . Bro , Dr . Hopkins who then resided in the island , was selected to pronounce an Oration on the occasion , and delivered a oarefully prepared address which is well worthy of general perusal , . being full of sound and eloquent expositions of the principles of the Craft .

It will scarcely be imagined that any human being of ordinary intelligence would be opposed to the building of a Temple dedicated to Masonry , but such is the perversity and selfishness of humanity that the founders of the Jersey Temple

had no easy work to accomplish . Previously the lodges had met at public houses , and consequently vested interests were in the way . There were also the usual number of idle-cynical people who pronounce every good work " Utopian" until

ness of the side walls is relieved by pilasters with Corinthian capitals . Light is obtained from a large skylight in the vaulted ceiling , pendant from the centre of which is a handsome gas chandelier with twenty branches . Behind the east end of

the Temple is a small room , to be used as a store for furniture , which is entered by a door on each side of the recess , The entrance hall to the building is divided by folding doors , cutting off the back from the front part . Passing through these ,

and ascending the staircase , on the left over the library is the Royal Arch Chapter room , with a vaulted ceiling , and decorated with a broad cornice and pilasters having Ionic capitals . Opposite the top of the staircase is a small apartment , with a