Our Architectural Chapter.

room , and is used by Lodge No . , 140 as well as by the Chapter , and for the ordinary purposes of the proprietor in connection with his trade . I believe that I am quite correct in making this assertion , having visited it within a year . A new Masonic hall has just been opened at Birmingham by the Athol Lodge , 2 ^ o . 88 , the members of which have recently purchased the building , used for many years ( to my personal knowledge more than forty ) , as a synagogue , lately rendered vacant by the removal of the Jews to a new and handsome edifice . I am told that the brethren of No . 88 have thus obtained possession of a hall admirably adapted for the purpose . "

" IT . PL" gives too , a most valuable account of tho mode b y which tho Howe Lodge lias acquired a Hall , and which is a practical example for other . Lodges . We have to chronicle that last week , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bucks and Berks laid , on the 23 rd of March , the iirst stone of a Masonic Hail at Heading , redeeming that province from the , stigma of beiii " without a Masonic Hall .

Wo think it desirable , as we gave some particulars before of the new Masonic Hal ! at Edinburgh , to record a more detailed account , although we still want full particulars from the architect , Bro . David Bryce . " The ball , which occupies the area extending- from behind George-street to Bose-street-lanc , is a spacious and well lighted apartment , upwards of

seventy -five feet long , thirty-six feet wide , and with a height of thirty-three feet from the floor to the top of the arched ceiling . It ' is modelled in the style of an Ionian temple . The ceiling , which is in ' the form of an elliptical arch , is supported by broad fluted Ionic pilasters , ranged round the walls , and surmounted by an entablature the frieze of which is ornamented by a floral scroll running round the room . The ceiling is divided into panelled compartments with ornamental mouldings . The pediment at the south end

of the hall , fronting the entrance is tilled up with a sculptured group in white marble , representing St . Andrew , supported by Faith , Hope , and Charity . The figures are of life size , and have been executed by Mr . John Thomas , of London . At the north end , and over the entrance , ' is placed a handsome balcony , which will be used as an orchestral gallery for balls , assemblies , & c . The hall is li ghted by three large windows in the south end , and by a scries of glazed apertures in the roof . The large windows

are double sashes , the inside sasiies being filled with stained glass , after designs prepared and executed by Mr . James Ballantyne . By an arrangement of gas jets between the sashes , these beautiful windows will be as effectively displayed at night as during the day . 'The hall is entered from George-street , by an elegant porch , and a corridor , whose length corresponds with the breadth of the tenement behind which the new building is placed . From this corridor rise staircases , giving access to the Grand Lodge committee room , the library , the Grand Secretary's and Grand Clerk's rooms , & c , which occupy the three storeys over the shop flat . "

It will be noticed as a peculiarity deserving of imitation , and which we wore not before aware of , that the sashes are double to stop inner anil outer sound , and that by placing gas jets within tho inner painted windows are illuminated " at night . The extension of the committee rooms and Grand Lodge offices was a most desirable measure .