The Grand Lodge Property.

the ground of expense , and still keeping the Craft too closely in connection with a tavern . In giving our opinion against a tavern , we wish it to be distinctly understood that , whilst we do hold one , we believe that we could get no better tenants than

Messrs . Elkington and Co ., who have certainly raised it to a reputation to which it had long been a stranger . "We would suggest that , if a tavern be deemed desirable in Great Queen-street , that the property which we now possess to the west of the present tavern should be

let for the purpose of building it—the Craft having nothing to do with the expenditvu'e , though of course the design must be subject to the approval of Grand Lodge , and that it should take some other name than that of the Ereemasons' —the Queen ' s was suggested by

Bro . Shrewsbury , one of the present lessees—and then the present tavern , with the Grand Secretary ' s offices , could be made available for the purposes of the Craft ,

and all the requisite alterations carried out at a moderate cost , and within a reasonable time . To arrive at anything like a satisfactory conclusion on the matter , however , we feel that it ought to be taken out of the hands of the Board of General Purposes , and placed in those of an independent committee of Grand

Lodge , whose attention could be directed to the one subject alone , ou which they should be bound to report within a given time—six months being ample—for we look upon the present proposition of the Board of General Purposes to be one which—if the brethren do

not bestir themselves—will merely shelve it for three or four years more , if indeed , anything be then done . In fact , without the Grand Lodge does take the matter into its own hands , and that speedily , we do not see any chance of any improvements in the property until it shall be

destroyed by fire , or one of the houses tumble down , which the one immediately adjoining the tavern threatens to do at no distant day .

An Expensive Grand Lodge

AN EXPENSIVE GRAND LODGE

Bro , J . W . Simons , Grand Master of New York , in the course of his address at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of that State on the 4 th of June last , said : — " From a state of such prosperity as to enable us to accumulate a reserved fund beyond our necessary expenditures , we have gradually fallen into the habit of making appropriations to a greater amount

than our receipts , thus placing ourselves under the necessity of calling on that i'nnd which it should be our care to increase , rather than diminish . In evidence of which , it is proper to state that , during the past year , not only has the eutire revenue been expended , but it has been necessary to take from the Permanent Fund the sum of one thousand dollars ; in addition to which , a loan of fifteen hundred dollars has been negotiated on the private responsibility of

Grand Officers , to meet imperative engagements , and relieve our worthy Grand Treasurer from the necessity of advancing his private means to sustain tho credit of the Grand Lodge ; and , with all this , I believe that some of the appropriations made last year still remain unpaid , showing our excess of expenditure beyond receipts of about three thousand dollars . Whence , it is clear , that unless our expenses he curtailed , the remnant of the Permanent Fund will soon

disappear , and the Grand Lodge be obliged to increase its rate of taxation to meet the current demands of its treasury . To guard against this event , the Finance Committee should be instructed to make a careful estimate of receipts , with a fair allowance for con-

An Expensive Grand Lodge

tingencies , before sanctioning any appropriations whatever . Tho feverish life of our people , even in peaceful times , the revulsions that burst upon us like tropical storms , almost without warning , forbid a too implicit reliance on continued prosperity , and suggest a more business-like attention to our financial affairs . Commercial revulsions , it is true , do not immediately affect our operations as they do the relations of life more closely depending on the prosperitof

y trade , yet it is evident , that , as they grow in intensity with the length of time they continue , they must eventually circumscribe our means by the depressing influences they exercise over all classes of society and all enterprises , whether of a benevolent or purely material nature . In the present deplorable state of public affairs , it cannot be unreasonable to expect a marked diminution ot income , nor to suggest a more careful attention to the various items of

expenditure . " In this connection , I renew the suggestion made by my predecessor , that ' our Grand Lodge is becoming too nnwieldly for the prompt and easy dispatch of business . While hearing in mind that an attendance of each of the Masters and Wardens bring us all closer together , and cements the relations of brotherly love which exist among us , it is not to be denied that a smaller body would be

more efficient . ' Past experience has taught us that radical changes are not wisely attempted unless the general mind has heen preaared by a frank exposition of motives and mature reflection as to results , and as this contemplated reform involves the voluntary surrender of rights on the part of representatives , it must , if ever accomplished , be their act , and not one of direct legislation . I wouldthereforecommend it to the thoughtful attention of the

, , Grand Lodge . Deflect , my brethren , that the annual communication involves a direct expense of at least ten thousand dollars , or about one half the entire revenue of a prosperous year , and then , without suffering your minds to wander into the regions of poetic fancy , imagine what you could do for the poor oppressed and distressed of our household , if this item of expense were reduced one half or one thirdTen of such would make the

. years economy Hall and Asylum practical realities , and not , as at present , dim visions to be perhaps realized by remote posterity . " Only consider one of our English meetings costing £ 2 , 500 ! Where would the money come from ?

Architecture And Archæology.

ARCHITECTURE AND ARCH ? OLOGY .

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL . Only a very few years ago , architecturally speaking , the condition of inostof our cathedrals was , as every one knows , deplorable in the extreme , and that at Lichfield proved no exception . Although one of the most symmetrical in plan , and choice in its detailsits beauty could not save it from the mischief

, inflicted by careless or wanton hands , and though one of the smallest as regards size , evsry effort seemed to have been made , in that part at least available for use , still more to ruin its proportions and cramp its space . We allude here to the choir , where , of course , there were the inevitable high pews and appurtenances , but it will scarcely be credited that the beautiful arches communicating with the side aisles

wore deliberately walled up with solid masonry , and that the noble western arch , opening into the tower , was filled in behind the organ ( which stood in its then usual place upon a cumbrous screen ) with veritable mullions , tracery , and glazing like a window , showing that ingenuity had been taxed to tho utmost to render the buildings above all things comfortable and snug . This state of things happily no

longer exists . Tho present cathedral authorities , alive to tho absurdity and the disgrace , had for some time praiseworthily laboured , as far as their means would allow , to remove this stigma by gradual and judicuous repairs and improvements , until , it being determined that a more comprehensive sphere of action should be essayed , a public appeal was made , and a consulting committee formed , the result

of whose deliberations was embodied in a report which the Dean and Chapter took for their guide , and then , by way of professional adviser , selected for their architect , Mr . Gilbert Scott . One of the earliest undertakings entered upon was in 1856 , viz .: —tbe complete warming of the cathedral , which has been admirably managed on the hot air and hot water system , at a cost , including the double glazing of the windows in the choir , of £ 1555 . Tbe preparations for the warming appa-