Grand Lodge.

lution , and he wished to explain why they had departed from that rule . Tho Grand Lodge requested them to inquire into the cost of decorating that noble hall , and when the committee began that inquiry they were hardly prepared for the cost of it . That hall was constructed in 1780 , and had been iu tbe hands of the Craft during the whole of that time , but it had suffered a good deal of dilapidation . They found that the roof was in

a bad state ; tbe stone coping would have to be renewed and the walls required security , and the cost of putting the roof and the other works in proper repair would amount to £ 1 , 328 , and although that might appear to he a large sum , if they wished to have the walls and the roof worthy of a temple for Freemasons , and give them every comfort they required , they must go to that

-expense , for it could not be done for less . The lights too of the hall were worn out , and as modern science had devised the means of making the lighting of public buildings adopted to the purposes of ventilation , they proposed that the lighting of -the hall should be from the ceiling instead of as at present , from the hanging chandeliers . As to the magnificent ceiling with its

splendid enrichment and cornices , he thought there ivould be a desire on the part of the brethren to maintain this part of the fabric of the hall . The panels were all good on account of the ¦ excellence of the workmanship , but at the back they were rotten , and the committee iu considering the matter referred to them , had applied a great deal of time and trouble to the

consideration as to how they should agree upon a plan that should make that noble hall worthy of being the chief temple of Freemasonry . Lord Eliot at the last Graud Lodge referred to tbe acoustic properties of the ball , and the difficulty he experienced in hearing what was said , and he might then inform their noble brother that since then the committee had been engaged in trying a number of experiments , and Bros . Cubitt

and Cockerell were of opinion that by closing up the ladies gallery , which formed no portion of the original structure ; by closing up the coves and the one over the dais , the acoustic defects will be overcome . They also believed by covering all the windows , and other alterations , the reverberation of sound would be destroyed . The committee did not intend to go blindly to work , but would

carry on a series of inexpensive aud careful experiments , and do nothing until they were thoroughly satisfied themselves . The committee did not propose any substantial resolution , but if Graud Lodge wished them to carry out the work he hoped some brother would propose such a resolution , so that the work might be carried out iu a proper manner , and that the hall be restored

to its proper and noble objects . He should then leave the matter entirely in the r hands of the Grand Lodge , and would simply move that the report be received and entered on the minutes . If , at the same time , it was the wish of the Grand Lodge that they should proceed with the work , on receiving such a suggestion , if necessary , he would propose a resolution .

The motion was then put and unanimously agreed to . Bro . HAVERS then came forward and moved , " That the committee do carry out the restoration of the hall in the manner proposed in the report of the Building Committee . " Bro . GREGORY said that Bro . Havers had rendered excellent services in regard to the restoration of that temple and

buildings , although he said that he was a little out of order in the ¦ observations he thought right to make just before . As to the acoustic defects , he said he was willing to receive any suggestions , and he ( Bro . Gregory ) saw that they had made a commencement by shutting up the ladies' gallery . He was aware that this was a very difficult subject , aud it had engaged the attention of their architect , but he sincerely wished that the recommendation contained in the report might be carried out .

Bro . Havers had asked for suggestions , and he thought that an improvement might be effected by an alteration in the arrangement of the seats . In the House of Lords , of which tho noble lord in the chair was a member , the arrangement of the seats was the same as in that hall , where the same defect prevailed . He submitted for the consideration of the committee ,

before they concluded their experiments , to try the effect of the seats being raised , and the dais being placed at the side of the hall instead of at the end , so that the speakers might be brought nearer together , and tiie distance would therefore be less for the voice to travel . He seconded the resolution , and would give support to the committee , as he was gratified with

their labours , which had now extended over many years . Bro . M . COOKE said that from singing he knew the difficulties that weie experienced where the acoustic properties of a building were defective . He knew a certain church where the reverberation was so great that the sound came back to the speaker aud travelled so fast that one word overtook another .

They hit upon a plan , which was by collecting all the cassocks , surplices , and curtains round the church , and the result was , that the defect was remedied , and it was now quite a pleasure to speak or sing in that church . If something of the kind was done in that hall , and they tried the effect of hanging up green baize between the pilasters and columns , he thought they would come something nearer to what thev were trying to

gain . The GRAND MASTER wished to express his own strong feelings on the importance of properly decorating that hall , which was the great temple of Freemasonry iu this country , aud his desire was that it should be as convenient and as beautiful as they were able to make it . There were few questions more difficult than those connected with the acoustic properties of

public buildings , aud at the present day they seemed to knowvery little about acoustics . Iu the assembly to which he had the honour to belong , and which had been referred to by Bro . Gregory , they ivere as bad off as they were iu that Hall , and if the committee were able to make that hall perfect , he would give notice of motion so that they might be called upon to

improve the House of Lords . The resolution was then put and carried . Bro . HAVERS said he felt a certain degree of gratitude that the Grand Lodge was still willing to trust the committee , although they asked them for such a large sum of money ; but he could assure them that they would not spend one shilling more than was necessary . He could also assure his Bros .

Gregory and Cooke , that their suggestions should be carefully considered . As the Tavern Company had been referred to that evening , he need not further allude to it than to congratulate the Grand Lodge , as they were now well aware , that there were no further differences between them . Bro . Warren had asked when the subscription to the coft ' ee-room would commence . He ( Bro . Havers ) had paid his , and had been almost prevailed upon to take

it back . He hoped brethren would enrol their uames as members of the coft ' ee-room , but they would not be called upon for any subscriptions until it was finished , and he trusted that it ivould be ready in ten days or a fortnight . As to a member introducing a friend to the coffee-room , the committee did not originally intend that any stranger should be introduced there , but as the

arguments used iu the last lodge were so cogent the committee had been induced to alter their opinion . They therefore proposed " That any subscriber to the coft ' ee-room shall be at liberty to introduce two visitors each day into the coffee-room , such visitors being Masons , and not resident in London . " Bro . SAVAGE seconded the motion . In reference to the acoustic pronorties of the room , in a room where he was in the