Freemasonry In France.

of Masonry at the same time as the laws of tho country , for Marshal Magnan had declared to those who had refused to recognise his authority as Grand Master of Freemasons would expose themselves to legal punishments . To the summons of the Marshal M . Yiennet sont the following answer : —

" M . le Marechal , —You call on me for the third time to recognise your Masonic authority , and this last summons is accompanied by an order which pretends to -dissolve the Supreme Council of the old ancl accepted Scotch rite . I declare to you that I shall not attend tp your injunction , but shall consider your order as null and void . The Imperial decree which named Grand

you Master of the Grand Orient of France , that is to say , of a Masonic rite which has only existed since 1772 , has not placed under your orders the ancient Masonry , which dates as far back as 1725 . You are not , in a word , as you pretend to be , the Grand Master of the Masonic Order in France , and you have no power to exercise with regard to the Supreme Council , over which I have the

honour to preside . The independence of the lodges under me has been openly tolerated , ever since the decree on which you support your pretensions without having a right to do so . The Emperor alone has the power to dispose of us . If His Majesty thinks proper to dissolve us I shall submit without protest , but as there is no law to compel us to be Masons against our willI shall

, , for my part , withdraw myself from your domination . " I am , & c , " YIENNET . " The probability is that the Supreme Council will be dissolved forthwith by Imperial decz-ee .

Grand Lodge Property.

GRAND LODGE PROPERTY .

The following suggestions for the appropriation of the Grand Lodge Property have been issued by Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , P . G . D . : — The first portion of the property comprises the Hotel , marked A , in the occupation of Mr . Bacon , and the workshops , marked B . in the occupation of Mr . J . H . Mann ,

both of which are let on lease to Mr . J . H . Mann for a term of years , at the rent of £ 240 per annum , which lease expires in December , 1868 . The portion marked C designates the workshops let to Mr . John Lambert , at the rent of £ 50 per annum , clear of all taxes , except property tax , subject to cpiit at a quarter ' s notice .

The space marked B designates the yard , called Middle Yard , which is common to the workshops , and likewise comprises a right-of-way to the offices of the tavern , ancl for light and ventilation to the rear of tho hotel .

With respect to the hotel , it seems to me not only desirable but essential that it should always be continued as a separate establishment , and that when the lease shall fall ont the internal arrangements shall be , modified and improved , and that further accommodation shall be afforded by pulling down the workshops , and erecting on the site a spacious assembly-room ancl dining-room , " and other with

requisites , an ample corridor of communication therewith from the rear of the hotel . All these additions , modifications , and improvements should be done by the new lessee , ancl from whom an increased rental might also be expected . The remaining portion of the property is that which requires the present consideration of the Grand Lod

ge , and comprises nearly a pallelogram of about 132 feet wide , from east to west , i . e . from the west party wall of the hotel to the extreme west , and about 200 feet deep from north to south , i . e . from the front in Great Queenstreet to the rear of the premises ( except that portion behind the temple , E , marked F on the ground plan ) , and should be appropriated as follows : —

Grand Lodge Property.

The whole of the buildings at present- on the site on each side of Queen ' s-place , G H , and the houses JNb . 59 ancl 60 , Great Queen-street , I K , should be pulled down , and such other portions of the present buildings should be removed as may be required for the purpose of the various additions , alterations , ancl improvements , and requirements , hereafter suggested .

The requirements , whether for Masonic purposes or otherwise , we may fairly assume to be as follows : — First . Say six rooms for lodges and chapter meetings , with appropriate ante-rooms , and six dining rooms of various sizes , capable of accommodating from 20 to 120 persons respectively , at their banquets . SecondlA spacious coffee-room and library conti

y . guous , for the general use and accommodation of the society . Thirdly . The temple , E ( which is much too low ) should be considerably altered , and properly ventilated and decorated .

Fourthly . The Hall , L ( probably tho most beautiful apartment in London ) , which is in a very dilapidated state , should be repaired generally , several modifications made therein , the gallery reconstructed , the lighting modified and improved , an improved system of ventilation introduced , and the decorations judiciously carried out . _ Fifthly . A spacious apartment should be erected conti to the west side of the hall

guous , with an easy communication with each other . The new hall to be used as a music-room or dining-room , & c , as occasion mayrequire , and to haye ante-rooms and a grand staircase attached , and a series of water-closets and urinals conveniently situated for general accommodation . Memo . For the of ingress and to the

purpose egress new building under the new music or dining-room , I would recommend to Grand Lodge that it would be desirable for them to empower the Board of General Purposes to purchase a small portion of the property either on the west side or at the south end for access thereto , at an expense , every matter connected therewith , not exceeding one thousand pounds .

Sixthly . Suitable apartments for the Grand Master , so placed as to allow a convenient communication with the temple and hall . A general committee-room and ante-room , offices and private room for the Grand Secretary , offices for the clerks , with muniment room or registry and strong room attached , offices and committee-rooms for the charities , and apartments for ther Grand Tyler .

Seventhly . The several rooms and offices for the culinary departments . The particulars jotted down by Monsieur Francatelli , chef-de-cuisine of the Eeform Club , as to the requirements of this portion of a large establishment , are worthy of consideration ; but I may be allowed to observe , in addition to what has been pointed out by him , that there will be several lifts required , the proper

places for which will entirely depend on the arrangements of the upper stories . A separate servants' hall should also be provided , capable of accommodating from fifty to sixty men-servants , to prevent as much as possible the demoralising influence occasioned "b y mixing the sexes indiscriminately , where ribaldry and obscene jesting are continually going on ; and also that a lavatory

and clothes-room and a plate-room should be attached , and a spacious housekeeper ' s-room , still-room , and storeroom contingent . The various rooms and offices requisite for the tenant , and proper and sufficient dormitories for the tenant and servants of the establishment generally . Eighthly . An elegant ancl symmetrical facade ( in the

classical style of architecture ) extending from the west party wall of Bacon's Hotel to the west extremity of the property lately purchased ( viz .. "So . 59 , Great Queenstreet ) , having two separate entrances ( with porches ) communicating with a handsome and spacious entrance hall , with vestibule and corridor leading to the various parts of the premises , a separate entrance to the offices , and a separate entrance to the coffee-room and library ,