A Scottish Masonic Hall.

of the members was summoned to consider the plans for altering and seating the house for the neiv hall , and these having been approved of , Bro . Adam Burnet , wright was , instructed to execute the work with all convenient speed ; and nearly all the brethren present contributed liberal sums to assist in defraying the necessary expenses . Bro . Burnet prosecuted his labours with diligence ancl zeal , ancl the consequence was that the brethren were able to hold their first meeting in the neiv hall on St . Jolm's-day 27 th December following . Tin ' s hall continued to accommodate the

Journeymen till the year 1788 , and being then found too small to hold the brethren comfortably , a neiv hall IAMS constructed of a much larger size by making use of additional portions of the property . This is the hall in AA'hich the Journeymen hold their meetings at the present time , —and which is capable of containing , when closely seated , about tAvo hundred persons . The principal entrance is IIOAV from Toddrick ' s-Avynd , on the east , instead of Blackfriar's-AA'ynd , on the Avest , as formerly .

This hall , on the outside , has very little to distinguish it from the adjacent buildings , but internally it is fitted up with considerable elegance . On entering , the attention is first attracted by the Master ' s chair , AA'hich is richly ornamented with the compass and square , with two emblematical pillars and capitals , and ivith gilt representations of the sun , moon , and seven stars , and is surmounted by a crimson canopy richly festooned . On the cove of the ceiling , immediately above the chair , the Masons' arms arc

most beautifully emblazoned , and on each side of them , at a little distance , are an eiiAvreathed cross ancl the holy bible . On other parts of the cove are representations of the owl , the bee-hive , the mallet , trowel , and other Masonic symbols , together with tivo finely executed scrolls , containing the following inscriptions : — "Hear instruction and ho wise , " and "Remember the poor and needy . " The orchestra , Avhich fronts the Master ' s chair and raised dais , has an ornamental railing , hung with blue cloth—the colour of the clothing of the Lodge—on which are a gilt harp with the level on one side of it and the plumb rule on the other . On the ceiling of the orchestra

the arms of the city of Edinburgh are represented , indicating the original connection of the Journeymen with one of the city corporations . The ceiling of the hall itself is divided into three compartments . The tivo at each end arc finely embellished with the five points : and the double equilateral triangle , Avhile the centre one has representations of the all seeing eye , the twelve signs of the zodiac , the sun , moon , and stars , the circle and point with the tivo parallels , & c . Around the Avails , in niches , are a number

of classical figures holding the gas brackets by whicli the hall is lighted , and also on richly ornamented brackets are busts of four distinguished Scotsmen and Freemasons , viz . —Sir Walter Scott , Dr . Chalmers , Professor Wilson , and Robert . Burns . In a niche on one side of the hall is a clock , bequeathed to the Lodge by Bro . Peter Wathcrston , in 1802 , and held in very high estimation , not merely as the gift of a very worthy Brother , but as a relic of his mother , whose property it was . Isabel

Wathcrston , AVIIO flourished during the latter part of last century , kept an alehouse at Jock ' s Lodge , about a mile and a half from Edinburgh , and was renowned for her strong sense , her ready ivit , and particularly for her manufacture of Scotch puddings , and from this latter circumstance she was commonly known by the name of " Pudding Lizzie . " The sign board above her door had a representation of two cocks fighting , with the inscription— " The thickest skin stands langest out , " and her hostelry ivas largely frequented by those youths AVIIO wished to obtain refreshments and a frolic at small expense . On her death , in 1796 , the poet Gall composed her elegy , in which he describes her peculiarities , and eulogizes her rare enter-