Masonic Festivities.

themselves a shibboleth for the detection of intruders and enemies ! Although the groundwork of our Order may have been of this Utilitarian character and have passed through many gradations and changes , ifc has been the repository and the guardian of divine truth—not only of the written word of truth , but the channel [ through which knowledge has been communicated and kept from generation to generation . The most notev / orthy change which has occurred in Freemasonry in recent

times has been the transition from operative to speculative Masonry ; a change mostly of an outward character , and not affecting the grand principles of the Order—brotherly love , relief , and truth I In its existing phase . Freemasonry had adapted itself to the conditions of these later times , even as it has always represented the requirements of times that are past . Still , Masons have not lost their appreciation of the science of

architecture . They not only build temples for themselves , but are ever ready to assist in the erection of all stately and superb edifices . Nothing [' can more conclusively prove the adaptation of our Order to tho spirit of the present age , that ifc corresponds now as of yore to human wants and sympathies , and fulfils the demands of modern society , than the rapid progress it has madeparticularly within the last twenty years .

, Referring only to the Registry ofthe Grand Lodge of England , we find numerous new lodges opened , not only in England , but in our colonies and dependencies all over the globe ; and the number of Masons has multiplied far beyond the mere increase of lodges . We may point with pride , also , to the spread of Masonry in this part of the principality , and with satisfaction to ourselves compare its present flourishing state with the

comparatively recent period when one lodge only existed in North Wales . Another evidence cf tho progress and stability of Freemasonry is the increase which has taken place within the last few years in the number of Masonic halls . In many of our large cities , lodges have become so numerous that ifc has been found necessary to erect special buildings for their use , and ifc may be generally stated that wherever a Masonic temple has

been built there also has Masonry been edified and strengthened , and the additions to the ranks of the brotherhood been greatly increased . And so it has come to pass that we are now assembled under your auspices , Right Worshipful Provincial Grand

Master , to celebrate the completion of the Llandudno Freemasons' Hall , and to assist at its formal opening , with feelings of reverence and gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe , in our hearts as well as with the outward signs of joy and exultation . Ifc will not be inappropriate to introduce here a short description of the hall , for which I am indebted to the architects , Bros . Lloyd Williams and Underwood , of Denbih . The building has been designed in the most simple

g and substantial manner , in accordance wifch a true Masonic feeling , neither meritricious pretensions nor extraneous ornament being allowed in auy portion . The style used , as admitting of a free adaptation , is early French Gothic , as being characterised bybreadth , boldness , aud stability ; and considering that Masonryis universal , French or Italian , or any other style is equally applicable , as we are bound to no country and to no school . In

considering the plan of building , we had to keep in view the lodge room as the key , and all the other portions have been made subservient . Tho room , which is upon the first floor of 'die building , has waiting and ante-rooms in connection with it , and is approached by a separate entrance from the street , up a bold flight of stone stairs . The dimensions of the rooms are 56 ft . Sin . long 30 ffc . wideand 27 ft . highexclusive of a gallery

, , , 35 ft- long by lift , wide , which , upon ail occasions , will serve as an orchestra , & c . This gallery is recessed and ciin be screened off . The ceiling of the hall is semicircular , and supported on curved and moulded principals , the feet of which rest on moulded stone corbals . At night the hall will be lighted byone of Defries aud Son ' s sunlights , the ventilation being effected by the same means , aided by the windows , some portion of which

open . Light is obtained in the day by two light windows ) three in each end . Underneath the hall is a very line shop and restaurant , the shop being 30 ft . by 27 ft ., and 12 ft . high , and the restaurant 28 ft . 6 in . by 40 ft . ( Jin . Below this , again , are the offices , kitchens , bakehouse , beer cellars , & c . A lift communicates between the kitchen and the rooms above . These premises have been designed speciallfor the restaurant and

y confectionary business , for which purpose they are to be let off . The material used in the construction of the building is the blue stone of the county and free stone from Cefn , the whole of the piers of arches , windows , doors , ifcc , being in the latter , The shop front consists of three openings , the centre

one being much wider than the other . The arches spring from richly but delicately carved cups , into which Masonic emblems have been admirably introduced . The piers are of freestone , moulded on the angle , and having bold carved bases . The entrance to tho hall , as before stated , is a separate feature , and consists of a bold archway , with circular opening in the tympanum . Above the ground floor the face of the hall breaks forwardor rather thafc portion over the hall door is recessed

, , so as to mark the hall distinctly . The design of the windows is Masonic , the heads being filled with tracery , symbolical of the five points of Fellowship . To this statement of the architect I will merely add that , when we consider the moderate sum expended on this structure , the varied uses which it is intended to fill , and the completeness of all the arrangements , both for Masonic and business purposes , we cannot award too

much praise to them , and to the contractor , Mr . John Jones , of this town , for the excellent manner in which the work lias been executed . Such , then , is the Llandudno Freemasons ' Hall . Begun and finished within the space of one year , with a degree of energy and spirit which could not be exceeded , it will not be thought too much to bestow a meed of praise on the Lodge of St . Tudnoand those brethren whonot being

, , members of thafc lodge , have promoted the work by becoming shareholders . Afc the head of those who are not members of the lodge stands , the R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Sir Watkin W . Wynn , who has displayed his interest in Freemasonry by becoming one of the largest holders of shares in this undertaking ; and ifc would not be becoming to allow this occasion to pass b y without allusion to the noble conduct of the W . M . of St .

Tudno's Lodge , Bro . Win . Bulkeley Hughes , to whose Masonic zeal and great munificence ifc is mainly due thafc the hall has been erected . Having referred to what has been done , ifc may not be inopportune to consider that whieh remains to be done " . The building , truly , has been in all material points completed ; but there have been accessories in addition to the contract—some things unforeseen , which ifc has been

necessary to do ; and some things required for comfort and adornment whieh ifc is yet desirable to do , and this additional expense bas yet to be provided for . As a considerable number of the shares in fche company have not yet been taken up , ib

will be well we should remember in the midst of our solemnities and our rejoicings to-day that a further obligation remains to be discharged . And there is yet another duty which devolves upon us . The primary object which we Masons have had in view in the construction of this hall is , that ifc should redound to tho honour of our glorious institution , promote the good of man , and the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe , whose sacred name we invoke in all our proceedings . It behoves

us to take care that this hall should not be profaned by anything that is contrary to the teachings of Freemasonry ; that here may be taught and practised not only that charity which is twice blest—which blesses him that gives as well as him that receives ; but also that charity which suffereth long and is kind ; that envioth not , vaunted not itself , is not puffed up ; that doth not behave itself unseemlyseekefch not her ownis not easily

, , provoked , thinketh no evil ; thafc rejoiceth in the truth ; that beareth all things , bolieveth all things , hopeth all things , endureth ail things ; thafc , here , peace and concord may ever reign , and every moral and social virtue may be both inculcated and practised ; and so shall we hereafter have cause to rejoice over the proceedings of this day ; so , and so only , shall we prosperand do honour to the sublime professions of

Freema-, sonry ; and , with these aspirations in our hearts , may we piously petition our Grand Master above— " Prosper Thou the work of our hands—prosper Thou our handiwork . ! ' " A prayer was afterwards uttered a second time b y the Prov . G . Chaplain , when the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master stood forward , and with Masonic ceremony commanding the attention of the body , declared the Freemasons' Hall " of Llandudno

opened . This was followed by grand honours and a Masonic anthem , after whieh the Prov . G . Lodge was closed in due form , ancl the brethren descended to the banqueting room . Amongst those present were the E . W . Bro . Sir Watkin Williams Wynn , Bart , M . F .. Prov . G . M . ; Bros . W . Hughes , M . P ., W . M . ; R . Jasper More , 3 I . P . ; W . J . Clement , il / . P . ; P . M . ; E . H . DymockDeputProvincial Grand Master ;

, y Herbert Llovd , Provincial S . G . D . ; F . W . Goldsbro , Prov . S . G . W . ; B . H . Bulkley Owen , Prov . S . G . D . ; John Morgan , Chaplain 755 ; T . C . Koden , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W . ; f . C . Fourdrinier , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W . ; W . Swanborough , P . M ., P . Prov . G . D . ; J . Preeee , P . M ., P . Prov . S . D . ; K . Fan-ant ,