three Degrees by the Grand Master and his Officers; after which the procession is resumed, and returns to the apartment whence it set out.

This is the usual ceremony at the Constitution of a new Lodge, which the Grand Master may abridge, or extend, at pleasure; but the material points are on no account to be omitted.

The Ceremony observed at laying the FoundationStones of Public Structures, &c. by the M. W. Grand Master.

This ceremony is conducted by the Grand Master and his Officers, assisted by the Members of the Grand Lodge only. No private Mason, or inferior officer of any Lodge, can be admitted to join in the ceremony. Provincial Grand Masters are authorized to execute this duty in their separate provinces, when they are accompanied by their officers, and the Master and Wardens of the regular Lodges under their jurisdiction; but the Chief Magistrate and civil officers of the place where the building is to be erected must be invited to attend on the occasion. The ceremony is thus conducted:

The Grand Lodge having been opened at a convenient place, and the necessary directions and instructions given, it is adjourned. The Brethren, being in their proper clothing and jewels, and wearing white gloves, the procession moves in the following order, viz.

Two Grand Tylers, with Drawn swords;

Music:

Brethren, not members of any lodge, two and two.
The lodges, according to their numbers;

Juniors going first;

Members of Grand Stewards' Lodge;
Officers of Grand Stewards' Lodge;

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Architect or Builder, with the Mallet;
Grand Organist;

Grand Superintendant of Works, with the plan;
Grand Director of Ceremonies;
Grand Deacons ;

Grand Secretary, with Book of Constitutions, on a Cushion;
Grand Registrar, with his bag;
Grand Treasurer with his staff;
Grand Chaplain;

Steward with wand.

Steward with wand.

Steward with wand.

Past Grand Wardens;

Past Provincial Grand Masters;
Provincial Grand Masters;
Past Deputy Grand Masters;
Visitors of Distinction;
Junior Grand Warden, with Plumb;

.

Standard of the Grand Lodge; {

Senior Grand Warden, with Level;
Volume of the Sacred Law, Square, 2
and compasses on a velvet cushion.
Deputy Grand Master, with Square;

Steward with wand.

Steward with wand.

Steward

Standard of the Grand Master; { with wand.

Grand Sword Bearer ;

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER;
Two Stewards with wands;

Graud Tyler, with drawn sword.*

* These processions are conducted with much greater splendour on the continent; although it is much to be doubted whether an augmented degree of pomp be more consistent with real dignity than the simple ceremonies which the wisdom of our governors has prescribed and sanctioned by the efficacy of their own example. The superior Officers of foreign Lodges wear splendid robes of silk and velvet, of the three pure colours, decorated with gold and precious stones. I copy from a ritual of Helvetian ceremonies in my possession, some other attendant circumstances, which are calculated to swell out the gorgeous magnificence of a Masonic procession. "The great Master walks under a purple, blue and crimson canopy, with fine linen and bells. The staves of his canopy are four or eight, which are borne by Master Masons, of the oldest Lodge present. On the right hand of the Great Master is a sword bearer, and on his left hand is a sword bearer. Before the Great Master is a standard, and behind him is a standard. All Masters of Lodges present are under blue canopies, each borne by four Master Masons of his own company. The canopies are six feet long, and three feet broad: the staves are six feet long; the frame work is of cedar, or pine or box wood; the covering hangs down not less than three feet on each side, and in the front likewise. In the middle of the procession is carried the Ark, covered over with the veil of blue, purple, and crimson, by four of the oldest Masons present."-EDITOR.

Having arrived within a proper distance of the spot, the procession halts, the Brethren open to the right and left, so as to leave room for the Grand Master to pass up the centre; he being preceded by his Standard, and Sword Bearer, the Grand Officers and Brethren following in succession from the rear, so as to invert the order of the procession. The Grand Master having arrived at his station, on a platform, an ode is sung or music played (as previously arranged). The stone being prepared, and the plate with the proper inscription, the upper part of the stone is raised by an engine; the Grand Chaplain repeats a prayer; and the Grand Treasurer having, by the Grand Master's command, deposited on the plate various coins of the present reign, the cement is laid on the lower stone, and the upper one is laid down slowly, solemn music playing. Being properly placed, the Grand Master descends to the stone, proves that it is properly adjusted, by the plumb-rule, level, and square, which are successively delivered to him by the Junior Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden, and Deputy Grand Master; after which the Architect or Builder delivers to him the mallet, with which the Grand Master gives three knocks. The Grand Master then delivers to the architect or builder the several implements for his use. The plan and elevation of the building are presented by the Grand Superintendant of the works to the Grand Master, for his inspection ; and, having approved them, he gives them to the architect for his guidance. The Grand Master reascends the platform, music playing. An oration suitable to the occasion is delivered. Some money for the workmen is placed on the stone by the Grand Treasurer.*

If the building be for a charitable institution, a voluntary subscription is made in aid of its funds.

The procession then returns to the place from which it set out, and the Lodge is closed.

The Ceremony observed at the Dedication of Masons' Halls.

On the day appointed for the celebration of the ceremony of Dedication, the Grand Master and his Officers, accompanied by all the Brethren who are members of the Grand Lodge, meet in a convenient room adjoining to the place where the ceremony is to be performed; and the Grand Lodge is opened, in ample form, in all the Degrees. The order of procession being read by the Grand Secretary, and a general charge respecting propriety of behaviour given by the Deputy Grand Master, the lodge is adjourned, and the procession formed

as follows:

Two Tylers, with drawn swords;

Music;

Members of the Grand Lodge, two and two;
A Tyler in his uniform;

Past Grand Stewards;
Grand Tyler;

Present Grand Stewards, with white rods;
Secretary of the Steward's Lodge;
Wardens of the Steward's Lodge;
Master of the Steward's Lodge;
Choristers;

One Brother carrying a gold Pitcher, containing corn;
Two Brethren, with Silver Pitchers, containing wine and oil;
Four Tylers carrying the Lodge, covered with white satin;

Architect;

Grand Sword-bearer, with sword of state;
Grand Secretary, with his bag;

Grand Treasurer, with his staff;

Bible, Square, and Compasses, on a crimson velvet cushion;
carried by the Master of a Lodge, who is
supported by two Stewards;

*Where the Bible is mentioned, it applies to whatever is considered to be the law of God.

Grand Chaplain;
Provincial Grand Masters;
Past Grand Wardens;
Past Deputy Grand Masters;
Past Grand Masters;

Chief Magistrate and Civil Officers of the Place;
Two large lights;
Grand Wardens;

One large light;

Deputy Grand Master;

Constitutions, carried by the Master of the oldest Lodge;
GRAND MASTER;

Two Stewards close the procession.

The ladies are then introduced, and the musicians repair to their station. On the procession reaching the Grand Master's chair, the Grand Offi. cers are separately proclaimed according to rank, as they arrive at that station; and on the Grand Master's being proclaimed, the music strikes up, and continues during the procession three times round the Hall. The Lodge is then placed in the centre, on a crimson velvet couch ;* and the Grand

The Helvetian ritual, already referred to, contains some good remarks relative to the furniture of a Lodge, which may be usefully inserted in this place. "A good lodge may be well known by its ornaments; in many Lodges all sorts of decorations are heaped together without the slightest attention to propriety. There should be no picture, statue, nor emblem of heathen deities; no bust, picture or statue of the heathen philosophers. The proper images or emblems are to be taken from the Bible, and the Bible only; as it contains the authentic records of ancient Masonry. Paintings of figures, to represent the virtues or properties of the mind, such as Charity, &c., are in bad taste. The decorations should be Masonic emblems, intersecting triangles,, square and compass, &c. These, if properly managed, can be made highly ornamental. A picture of Solomon, or Moses, would be appropriate. A marble slab, containing the names of the founders of the Lodge, and the date, should be let into the north wall. Window curtains, as in rooms, there are none; but one great curtain, very thick, draws across all the windows, along a brass rod, on brass rings. There is no valance, or fringe, or other ornament. The colour of the curtain is purple, crimson, and blue, in alternate stripes; each stripe the common breadth of moreen, or other stuff furniture. The curtain is made of woollen, and not of linen. Silk may be used if worsted is not liked, but no cotton or linen; the lining is black. The Master's