Our Architectural Chapter.

spicnous , and that there would be risk from hurricanes and earth- , cpiakes . If the situation allowed it , we should prefer only two floors , as thereby the Lodge , the two anterooms , and the banqueting room , would be got en suite . There may , however , be local reasons for the arrangement described , The situationopposite to the harbourwith the words " Masonic

, , Hall" being plainly visible , resembles that of the Hall at Singapore , ancl presents equal advantages ; for St . Thomas ' s is likewise a great steam centre , as although a Danish island , it is worked as the central station of the Royal West India Steam Navigation Company ; and thus all passengers to the West Indies , Central America , Honduras , West MexicoDemeraraGuianaVenezuelaNew GranadaEquator

, , , , , , Bolivia , Peru , and Chili ; and from England to the eastern parts of Guatemala and Mexico , to California , Oregon , Washington , Columbia , Vancouver , ancl Hawaii , and all those returning—touch at St . Thomas ' s , and have time to go ashore . Some have to change steamers there for the intercolonial stations , and there the steamers coal . Thus many passengers are brought there , and there are besides the captains and

officers of the steamers , the captains ancl officers of men of war , ancl the masters of merchantmen , among all of whom many brethren are to be found . Therefore it was a thoughtful provision to make the Hall so conspicuous , as many brethren will avail themselves of the library ancl the opportunity afforded of conversing with those who frequent the Hall , as is the wont in towns whicli have Masonic Halls . While we praise ancl recommend this publicity , in another situation we should think it desirable that the site of a hall should be selected

for privacy and seclusion . Considering the number of visiting brethren likely to benefit by the library and news room , we believe it would be a praiseworthy ancl Masonic act for brethren here to contribute to the library , newspapers , periodicals , books , maps , ancl music . They should be addressed" Harmonic Lodge , Masonic Hall , St . Thomas ' s . " The mail goes twice

a month . Heavy books and book parcels would be taken charge of by Bro . H . G . Warren , Freemasons' Magazine office , 2 , Red Lion-court , Fleet-street , London , E . C , Bro . Warren being the representative of the Lodge in England , will ivith p leasure undertake tliis duty . Any London or country paper , professional publication , illustrated journal , periodical , magazine , review , or transactions of societies , comes

acceptably to the passenger who is away from home . A provincial paper , of no local use after it is read at home , may gladden the heart of many a wanderer who cannot make arrangements to receive such a publication . This is a form of Masonic benevolence which will recommend itself to many brethren seeking an occasion to be useful , and having limited means for gratifying their desires . What is useless to

them may acquire a merit by its proper bestowal , for it is the gift and not its cost which confers on it a value . We recommend the like measure for the benefit of Singapore , Hong Kong , Malta ancl Gibraltar , and generally where tlujie is a Masonic