New Masonic Hall And Tavern.

NEW MASONIC HALL AND TAVERN .

LONDON , SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 11 , 1 S 65 .

The disproportion between the expectations entertained by the Craft and the show hitherto made by the new buildings is due mainly to the obstruction ( so difficult to estimate beforehand ) arising from the necessities of the Tavern business , which has been carried on with as little hindrance

as possible throughout the course of the work . In the first place , it has been , as was originally announced , necessary to carry out the work in several sections . But , besides this , there have been , and will yet be , in each section minor

obstructions , caused by various conveniences which could not be removed until they had been provided elsewhere . The first section , which lias now been in use for six months , is known to the Craft , and needs no description . It must be

understood , however , that a greatly improved effect may be expected when the painting shall have been done . This must , of course , be deferred until the whole of the work is thoroughly dry .

The second section is now in progress , and will be completed early in next year . It consists of the far , ade and a series of rooms between it , and

the present Tavern aud new staircase . The entrance will be in the centre , and will lead directly to the entrance hall and grand staircase . On the right hand on entering will be a reading room , and on the left a coffee room ( with access for

service from the Tavern ) for the use of the Craft . Above the coffee room , on the first and second floors , will be dining rooms corresponding to the old dining and Cambridge rooms ; these will be used for Masonic banquets only . Above the

reading room , on the first floor , will be the Grand Master ' s and Grand Officers' robing rooms , which will be reached from the staircase . On the second floor will be a lodge room and ante room . Thus there will be in all five lodge roomsbesides two

, or three smaller rooms for committees , furniture , & c . The third floor will be used as bed rooms for the Grand Tyler ancl servants , and for the Tavern .

Thefar . ade , which is 88 ft . long , will be divided mto three compartments by rusticated piers rising from the plinth to the level of the second floor windows , ancl surmounted by seated figures representing four Masonic attributes , namely , Wisdom , Fidelity , Charity , and Unity . The

entrance door , as before stated , will be in the centre , and has a polished granite moulded architrave , and a second architrave or style of carved laurel leaves , and is surmounted by a group of boys bearing a shield with the Masonic emblem .

The ground floor is broad and simple , with deeply recessed windows . On the first floor is a range of detached columns of the Corinthian order , divided by the rusticated p iers into three divisions of three bays each . These columns are already

in their place . Between the caps of the columns , and forming with them a continuous frieze from end to end , will be sags of small flowers , with shields or discs bearing heads which represent the sun , the moon ,

and the five stars . The order will have a low entablature bearing a balustrade , which forms a balcony to the second floor windows . On the level of the second floor , a large arch springing from the level of the top of the rusticated piers

Avill embrace the whole of the centre compartment . Its archivolt will be decorated with signs of the zodiac , and there will be a carved shield over the keystone . The whole will be surmounted by a deep cornice , with consols rising into a pediment

over the centre compartment . The parapet , behind which the edge of the curb roof will be visible , is to be broken rip into a rich line of scroll-work . The whole front will be of Portland stone .

The Tavern will be built in two sections , the first of which was begun in August last . It will occupy the site of the old Masonic offices and the temple , which are still standing , and are at present used by the Tavern . It will also

embrace the site of the workshops which formerly stood in Middle Yard . It will consist of a large hall , 43 ft . wide , adjoining , and parallel with the old hall , than which it will be some 14 ft . longer . The hall will have a richly decorated ceiling , and

columns and caryatides at the ends ; these , however , will in no way obstruct the space . It will be lighted from above . The new lobby , which forms the entrance to the present hall , will be continued along the ends of the two halls , but

there will be a partition with a large doorway aud glass in the upper part , and separating the Masonic buildings from the Tavern . Opposite to the entrance to the new Hall will be a circular lobby , with eight columns and adorned ceiling , t rom which the first flight of a staircase will lead