Scotland.

scroll running- round the room . The ceiling is divided into panelled compartments Avith ornamental mouldings . The pediment at the south end of the hall , fronting the entrance , is filled up ivith a sculptured group in Avhite marble , representing St . Andrew , supported by Faith , Hope , and Charity . The figures are of life size , and have been executed by Mr . John Thomas , of London . At the north end , and over the entrance , is placed' a handsome balcony , Avhich will be used as an orchestral gallery for balls , assemblies , & c . The hall is lighted by

three large windows in the south end , ancl by .-a series of glazed apertures in the roof . The large AVIUCIOAVS are double sashed , the inside sashes being filled with stained glass , after designs prepared and executed by Mr . James Ballantync . By an arrangement of gas jets between the sashes , these beautiful Aviudoivs will be as effectively displayed at night as during the clay . The hall is entered from Georgestreet , by an elegant porch , and a corridor , whose length aoa-esponils with the breadth of the tenement behind which the neAV building is placed . Prom this corridor rise staircasesiving access to the Grand Lodge committee roomtlie

, g , library , the Grand Secretary's and Grand Clerk ' s rooms , & c , which occupy the three storeys over the shop flat . The hall was decorated for the occasion with banners and masonic insignia . The Rev . Messrs . A . R , Bonar , and \ V . Grahame , officiated as Grand Chaplains . The M . AV . Grand Aiaster , the Grand Officers , and Grand SteAvards , met in the anteroom of the great hall , \ vhere , having beeu clothed in the proper regalia of their respective offices , the Grand Lodge was opened in ample form . A procession

Avas then formed , ancl the Grand AIaster , preceded by the Grand Stewards ivith their rods , together with other Office Bearers , & e ., passed into tbe great hall , Avhere they were received by the brethren , all standing , Avith the usual Alasonic honours , during Avhich the organ played until the Grand AIaster was conducted to bis place . The Grand AIaster having taken the chair , ' stated to tho brethren that the Grand Lodge , according to ancient custom on similar occasions , had been already opened . The V ' . AV . the Grand Chaplain then commenced the ceremony of consecration , by offering up the folloiving prayer : —

" 0 adorable Lord God , Maker of all things , ancl Judge of all men , regard , humbly beseech thee , AA'ith thy special favour , this our present undertaking , and grant that the ivork AA'hich Ave now commence in thy name may conduce to _ thy glory , and to the good , temporal and eternal , of thy dependent creatures . Let a scrupulous regard to the obligation which , in thy name , ancl under thine all-seeing eye , AA'e have entered into , distinguish all upon whom our privileges have been conferred , —that they , abounding in all holy conversation ancl godliness , may become true aud worthy members of our venerable Order , and that their practice

may , in all things , correspond witli their profession . " Response by the bretliren— " So mote it bo !" The grand honours having been given by the brethren , aud solemn music played , an oration ou ths "Nature aud Objects of Alasonry , " A \ 'as delivered by the V . AV . the Grand Chaplain . The anthem " AVhen earth's foundation first was laid , " Avas next sung . The Grand Architect then laid upon the table the jewels of the Grand Master , who desired the President of the Grand Stoivards to deliver to the proper officers

the jeivels of their respective offices , viz ., the compasses and square to the Deputy Grand AIaster ; the square to the Substitute Grand AIaster ; the level to the Senior Warden ; and the plumb to the Junior AA arclen ; Avhich being clone , the Grand Secretary , in an address , informed the AI . AV . Grand AIaster that it was the Avish of . the Fraternity to dedicate the hall to Alasonry ; after ivhich the Alasonic anthem , " Great light to shine , " Avas sung , folloived by the chauntiug of verses 1 to 7 of the , 95 th Psalm . The V . AA " . the Grand Chaplain next offered up the folloAving prayer : —

" Great Architect of the universe ! Maker and Ruler of all worlds ! deign , from Thy celestial temple , from realms of light and glory , to bless us , in all the purposes of our present assembly . AA e humbly invoke thee to g ive us at this , and at all times , wisdom in all our doings , strength of mind in all our difficulties , and the beauty of harmony in all our communications . Permit us , 0 thou Centre of light and life , great source of love and happiness , solemnly to consecrate this , hall to thy honour and glory , Amen , ''