The Knights Templars.

statements , protested their innocence of the crimes laid to their charge , and demanded to be conducted to the presence of the Pope , that before him they might maintain the cause of the Order , and prove its perfect sanctity . The cardinals returned to

Poictiers , and handed to the Pope a report of the manner in which they had discharged their mission . The reader will be surprised at the terms of this document . It bore that the cardinals hacl caused

the depositions taken at Paris to be read over to the Grand Officers on three different days . They thereafter examined the Grand Master , the Prince Dauphin the Grand Prior of France , and the Preceptor of Pictou , on the 17 th of August , when

they all four confessed to having denied Christ and spat upon the cross . The Grand Prior of Aquitaine confirmed his deposition upon the 19 th and 20 th , and the Grand Prior of Cyprus did the same . The latter , to render the truth of his

deposition the more authentic , begged the cardinals to hear a lay brother , who could confirm the facts contained in his corfession . " After this the Grand Officers , falling upon their knees and shedding copious tears , humbly requested to be reconciled

to the Church , which was granted them . " The cardinals gave them absolution , as the Pope had instructed , ancl wrote to the King , with a copy of the proceedings , desiring him to use every indulgence towards the penitent guilty . What can we

say to the conduct of these Princes of the Church , these right holy cardinals , who could give in a report which contaided not one single word of truth ? Not only did the Grand Officers deny every word of the depositionsbut the depositions

, said to have been read over to them at Chinon , were totally different from the originals taken at Paris . It is inconceivable the utter want of anything like consistency displayed in these proceedings . The seventy-two Templars brought before

the Pope at Poictiers , and the Grand Officers , were thereafter sent back to their prisons . ( To be continued . )

The New Masonic Hall At Southport.

THE NEW MASONIC HALL AT SOUTHPORT .

For a long time there has existed a praiseworthy desire among the brethren in this town to posses a private hall or temple exclusivel y devoted to their own purposes , and available on all occasions without tho inconvenience of regular and sometimes tedious preparation . At len gth , a few

months ago , the opportunity offered itself , ancl , after due consideration , negociations were opened and concluded for the occupation upon lease of the premises occupied for many years as the residence ancl offices of Mr . Richard Wright in ,

Wright-street . Having secured the premises , the next objectwas to secure their adaptation to the required purposes of the craft . In this respect the most considerate and generous arrangements were entered

into by Mr . Walter Smith , owner of the property j ancl Mr . W . Hodge , architect and builder , upon , an explanation of the requirements of the body ,, speedily devised the necessary alterations audi additions . To form one large and well

proportioned lodge-room , three smaller rooms have been incorporated , ancl the result is an excellent clear room of 80 ft . by 18 ft ., with adjoining ante-rooms .. This portion of the work was well and expeditiously performed by Mr . Hodge .

The appropriate decoration of the room was thenext item , and this was entrusted to Messrs * . Wansbrough and Co ., who have succeeded with

wonderfully pleasing effect . Behind the chairs of the three principal officers , the Doric Ionic ; and Corinthian orders of architecture are introduced ,, skilfully shaded to simulate recesses . The wallsthroughout the remainder of the room are painted ,

in light green , beautifully panelled in maroon and gold . The ceiling is double coved , with a supporting beam in the centre painted in has relief , and it is elaborately but chastely decorated in a manner - designed to give the room an appearance of

increased height . The cove is ornamented with a frieze in the Italian style , mounted with gilt mouldings , ancl a three-inch roll beneath , gilt in ornatal design design . The ceiling in the flat

partsis clouded to represent sky , studded with giltstars , giving a very beautiful effect ; and the < spaces betAveen the frieze and the clouded ceiling are filled in with long ornamental panels . The ventilation of the room is secured by a shaft in each

of the flat portions of the ceiling , and the openings are relieved by two gilt centre pieces representing suns , with emblems of appropriate character . The decorations are thoroughly in character with the purposes of the room , and give

it a most pleasing appearance . The furnishings of the room consist of the usual appropriate chairs for the officers , and around the-Avails are placed richly stained seats , upholstered , in maroon , morocco , supplied to order by Messrs * .