A Scottish Masonic Hall.

Infirmary , the foundation stone of which was laid with Masonic honours in 1738 , and to the erection of which the Journeymen contributed so largely , both in money and labour , that a portion of it ivas set aside for their special use . The primary design of the Lodge Journeymen AA'as the support of brethren iu sickness , aud the interment of them , with decent solemnities , at their

death . To carry these objects properly into effect , each member was called on to pay a considerable sum at his initiation , and make regular contributions afterwards . By a course of prudent and economical management , the Lodge ivas able not merely to meet all its liabilities , but to amass a reserve fund to a considerable amount . The proper disposal of this fund became a matter of serious concern , and after various deliberations it ivas at length resolved to invest it in the purchase of house property . The managers ,

ascertaining that tivo houses , situated in Hodge ' s-closc , at the foot of IHackfriar ' s-Avynd , and belonging to the l . ev . Thomas Tullideph , minister , St . Andrews , were for sale , met on the 10 th of January , 1743 , and after inspecting the houses with care resolved to purchase them provided they could be obtained at a reasonable price . Bro . James Paterson , one of their number , was therefore despatched to St . Andrews , and in due time brought a letter back from Mr . Tullideph , stating that he would dispose of the house of four storeys on the north , for seven and a half years'purchase ; and the one of tivo storeys , on the south , for ten years' purchase . This fetter ivas laid before a meeting of the managers on the 10 th of the same

month , when " it AA'as unanimously agreed to purchase the houses at the years offered aiid conform to a rental to be produced , and to pay up the money therefor against Whitsunday next to come . " The property thus acquired by tbe Journeymen is situated in one of those numerous narrow streets called closes ancl wynds , which slope down from the Hi gh-street on the north , to the Cowgatc on the south . The locality is IIOAV considered degraded and disreputable , beingkeptin a had state of repair

and inhahitated hy the poorest portion of the population ; but at the time at Avhich the Journeymen made their purchase , tiie New Town was wholl y unbuilt , and the most wealthy and respectable citizens had their dwellings , aud the civic corporations their places of meeting , in similar parts of the toAvn . _ The places immediately surrounding the property ofthe Lodge , are exceedingly rich in antiquarian interest . On the west still stands the metropolitan palace of the archbishops of St . Andrews , when Scotland was

a separate kingdom , and Roman Catholicism the established religion ; and there also is the spot on which stood the town palace of the St . Glairs , princes of Orkney , and hereditary Grand Master Masons of Scotland . On the east are the buildings of the Scottish mint , erected in 1574 , in which gold and silver , the produce of the mountains of Scotland , ivere coined down to the union of the tivo kingdoms in 1707 , and ivhich were invested with a sacred character , and gave protection to insolvent debtors for twentyfour hours . A little to the south are tho grounds once occupied by the Kirk of Field , and the monastery and gardens of the Blackfriars , ancl now by the University , the Royal Infirmary , the old High School , & c .

At a meeting held on St . John ' s day , December 27 th , 1752 , in the Royal Infirmary , the Journeymen taking into consideration the inconvenience of not han ' ng a proper place of their own in ivhich to hold the meetings of the Lodge , " unanimously agreed to take the under storey of their own land in Hodge ' s-close , Blackfriar's Wynd , presently possessed by Robert Clark , their tenant , AA-IIO IS to be warned to remove against Whitsunday , and his house to be fitted up after that term for a convenient Lodge for the society to meet in for the future , " On the 15 th of June , 1 . 753 . a special meeting