Travelling Notes.

and hear . But it is marvellous that there was no provision of well informed guides , philosophers , and friends to direct them . Herein is the weak point of the day's proceedings . Ladies , and the free and accepted fraternity ,

and other ladies with those Avho had not yet been accepted , however , walked about and got into each other's Avay , and were turned back from one door by the Force , but with gentle force only , and , making for another door , Avere again turned

back by members of the Craft , and perhaps , as several testify , with even less gentleness and temper . And the fluttering muslin , gradually mixed up in lobbies and corridors , and on unfinished staircases , with resplendent Grand Officers

¦ g littering like zodiacs , their symbols and emblems became mysterious objects of Avonderment to many a laughing houris inspecting the Masonic attributes , somewhat as a geologist would treat a piece of primitive trap mixed with conglomerate .

The building , Ave all know , is an imposing Gothic structure , singularly fitted for the purpose to Avhich it is designed , and internally admirably adapted

for its requirements . Sincere and hearty Avere the inaudible , as Avell as the demonstrative compliments paid to the Agamemnon of Masons , the unpretending and modest Bi * o . Stephen Barton Wilson , of whom it is no slight praise to say , he'is as perfect

¦ an adept in operative as he is in speculative Masonry ; and his teachings in the latter science are as admirable as is his practice in the former art —a rare combination of talent which , perhaps , never before was joined in the same individual .

To Bro . Wilson is due the carrying out , and the Teduction to practical execution , of the design adopted two years ago . Justice requires a faithful chronicler to record the name of the architect

who won the first prize at the competition two ¦ years ago , but defect of memory may , pei'haps , cause a miscarriage of justice in attributing the original design to Mr . Edwin Pearce . The rooms are judiciously disposed—lofty and airy—and can

accommodate two hundred boys with sufficient space for the staff of attendants . There is one dormitory giving to the front Avith a bay AvindoAA ' , a most delightful room , aud I could- almost be ill with pleasure if I Avere to be nursed in the sick

ward , or get Avell in the cheerful convalescent ward . The dining-hall , and principal schoolroom , and the library , are noble apartments , with open dark oak roofs . The former has a gallery at one end , in which a sweet-toned organ has been

erected . Externally , the building forms three sides of a quadi-angle—the area being the playground , and a shed for retreat in wet weather occupies the fourth side . Here is also a SAvimmiugbath .

After some skirmishing between the ladies , and men , and Masons , and some blocking up of corridors , the popular Most Worshipful Deputy Grand Master the Earl de Grey and Ripon arrives , and shortly afterwards Grand Lodge is opened in the large school-room Avhich had been prepared for the occasion .

A Masonic procession is formed , AA'hich issues from Grand Lodge , around the door of which the profane Avorld had crowded , in the vain hope of learning something of the hidden mysteries within The procession emerged from the building , Avhere

it was joined by the brigade of boys , and the flying infantry of the girls—pupils of the tAvo Masonic Schools—and by military bands ; and after perambulating the boundary of the property , returned in order to the large dining-hall , Avhich

had been fitted up for the ceremony of the formal dedication of the building . This Avas then proceeded with in the presence of numerous ladies . Anthems were sung , oil and wine were shed , and corn sprinkled , and addresses delivered—not the

least interesting portion of the ceremony being the presentation of purses of money collected by ladies , and by sons of Masons . This finished , the urbane Deputy Grand Master returned to Grand Lodge to close it Avith becoming formality .

Then came the " Quart o' heure de Rabelais , the Avaiting for dejeuner . Indications of an impending banquet Avere indeed visible , in two large tents , erected in tlie quadrangle at the rear of the building—table-cloths and knives and forks and

plates Avere indeed there , but time crept on , and on this occasion time Avas not the edax rerum , for there Avas nothing to eat—a Barmecides feast had been prepared . It was Sancho Panza's dinner of steAved lampreys Avhich are too indigestible to eat .

Two hours by Shrewsbury clock did Ave Avait , — would that Brother ShreAVsbury himself had been there , and then the guests themselves Avould not have been the Avaiters . The peril of death by starvation was imminent . No one could

understand the cause of the delay . There Avas nothing hot to serve up , and no gravy to be spilled or sauces to spoil silk dresses . The prices charged for the good we were going to receive were high