architecture. It has a small portico in front, with pillars of the Ionic Order. On the top of the building are three figures extremely well executed, symbols of masonry. On the left corner is FAITH-in the centre, CHARITY with an infant-and on the right, is HOPE. On the architrave is the following inscription: "FREEMASONS' HALL, A. L. 5817." The idea first originated with Mr. Witney, a distinguished Chemist, the corner of Union-Passage, Cheap-Street; and by his perseverance it was erected and finished. The plan of the above Hall also entirely belongs to Mr. Witney. The Architect, Mr. Wilkins, is the author of Magna Grecia. In the front of the building is a long range of Grecian iron-railing, quite nouvelle in Bath. The whole of the structure is strictly masonic, even to the triangular knockers outside of the doors.

The interior of the building is very complete and convenient in all its various parts; and well worthy of being visited. The great room, or hall, is 50 by 30 feet. It has two fire-places, with fluted pillars against the wall. Opposite the entrance from the hall-door, at the bottom of the room, stands the Master's chair, upon an elevation, with an ascent of three steps of black and white chequered marble, supported by two lions, the left and right foot of each are on balls, to correspond. Over the chair is a neat gallery, supported by light elegant pillars, in the centre of which is an exquisitely fine-toned organ. In the front of the gallery is the "all-seeing eye," handsomely painted; and opposite to which, over the hall-door, is a compass and bevil to cor

respond. In the centre of the hall are two beautiful well-skylights, with handsome composition ornaments, and two elegant glass-chandeliers suspended by a chain from the top. It is about 25 feet high; and upon the whole it has a pleasing and interesting appearance: but is only used on particular occasions. Behind the Master's chair are two doors, one of which leads to the west staircase, with handsome iron rails and a mahogany top, down to the LODGE-ROOM, close to which is a small apartment for the Tyler. In this room, the lodges belonging to Bath, four in number, meet upon alternate nights. It is large, with two fire-places in it, and an elevation at the bottom of the room for the chair; it receives its light from two handsome Gothic windows. A double Gothic cornice goes all round the room, which has a very pretty effect. As a decided proof that the secrets of masonry are not all of a purely intellectual nature, contiguous to the Lodge-Room is a kitchen, which is rather narrow in dimensions, but furnished with cooking utensils, amply sufficient to furnish food for a large company at the London Tavern. The range is six feet eight inches long, two feet in depth, and its round bars, two inches thick. Its weight altogether is 900lbs. To the right of the range is a large stove, on the left an oven, and in the area, two very large coppers. The whole of the building cost £3000. Upon laying the first stone, the following inscription, engraved on a copper-plate, was placed under it :

"The foundation-stone of this Masonic Hall was laid with the usual ceremonies, July 28th, A. D. 1817, in the 57th year of the reign of his present Majesty, George III. and the

year of Masonry 5817, in the presence of the Masters and Wardens of the Bath Lodges, viz. The Royal Cumberland Lodge, No. 55. The Royal Sussex Lodge, 69.* The Royal York Lodge of perfect Friendship, 245; and the Royal Lodge of Virtue, 311. His Royal Highness Frederick Duke of Sussex, being most worshipful Grand Master of the United Lodge of England, and Arthur Chichester, Esq. R. W. Provincial Grand Master for the County of Somerset. Royal Cumberland Lodge, Charles Geary, W. M. Samuel J. Browne, S. W. Mark Watt, J. W. Royal Sussex Lodge, John Browne, W.M. John Morris, S. W. Josh. Pinker, J. W.-Royal York Lodge of perfect Friendship, Thomas Witney, W. M. John Ashley, S. W. William Redman, J. W.-Lodge of Virtue, Wm. Underwood Whitney, W. M. Jas. Webber, S. W. Jas. Hiscocks, J. W.-Brother Wilkins, Architect- -Walter Harris, Builder.-Engraved by W. Lanter, 48, Corn-Street, Bristol."

In consequence of the long indisposition of the Queen, the grand meeting for the opening and dedication of the above Hall, which was to have been honoured with the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, was unavoidably postponed to a more convenient period; but on Monday, the 28th of September, 1818, the W. MM. the P. MM. the S. and J.WW. the S. and J. DD. and the various officers and brethren of the Royal Cumberland Lodge, the Royal York Lodge of perfect Friendship, and the Lodge of Virtue, assembled at the New Freemasons' Hall, for the purpose of opening the Lower Lodge-Room, previous to the intended visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, and for holding their future masonic meetings. The Rev. the Chaplain of the Royal York Lodge invoked the blessing of the Almighty upon the undertaking, in most impressive terms; after

*Were not present,

which, and previous to the consecration, the Director of the Ceremonies (Dr. Geo. Gavin Browne Mill, of Marlborough-Buildings, the J. W. of the Royal York Lodge) delivered a most elegant oration, replete with classic lore, and enriched with genuine effusions of piety, and eloquent recommendations of the moral and social virtues. Brother R. M. Payne (the W. M. of the Royal Cumberland Lodge) presided. On this occasion the new organ was opened, and its soft and beautiful tones added considerably to the effect of the solemnity.

Upon leaving the Freemasons' Hall, cross StallStreet and proceed through the Colonnade in Bath-Street, on the left of which, at the bottom, and near to the Cross Bath, is a neat little building, containing the "BATH ANTIQUITIES." To the lovers of research, an hour or two may be fully employed in examining the various relics of ancient times, which have been preserved and collected together, and deposited in this building, erected at the expense of the Corporation; and which might be said not only to have filled up a vacant niche, but has given a sort of finish to the Colonnade and Cross Bath. It is open at all times of the day to public inspection; the remuneration depending entirely on the liberality of the visitor. A quarto volume (which answers as a catalogue) printed in 1793, written with much industry and talent upon the subject, by the Rev. Mr. WARNER, Curate of St. James's, Bath, (to whom the inhabitants of this elegant City, for his able and acute researches to render the most explicit information upon so dry a subject in a perspicuous point of view, are much indebted),

and dedicated to the Mayor and Corporation, will sufficiently assist the visitor in his examination of the above fragments of masonry and sculpture. The remains of the Temple of Minerva form the most remarkable objects in the collection; and testify that the building to which they belonged, was equal in magnificence to any specimen of classical architecture in the kingdom. Besides the above fragments are several inscriptions and specimens of Roman masonry. Here is also a thin quarto manuscript, written by JOHN CRANCH, a native of Bath, respecting the Walcot Collection; which collection, it appears, has been presented by the above person to the Corporation of Bath, consisting of Imperial Coins, relating to the most obscure time of Great Britain under the subjugation of the Romans. On pulling down a house in Westgate-Street, in 1784, thirty-two various pieces of money were found belonging to Trajan, Antonies, &c. halfpence of King James, silver coins of Queen Elizabeth, &c. Also several coins were found in the copse of Cheynes-Court Farm, in 1813. It is however admitted by all the writers respecting the Antiquities of Bath, that the information is very scanty and imperfect; but the conclusion of Mr. CRANCH is so very forcible and decisive upon the darkness of the subject, that nothing but a real antiquarian would (if the expression can be pardoned by this most patient of all other societies) waste his time in farther research, upon reading the following passage :-"Not one native writer from Jeffery of Monmouth, down to Wood the Architect, inclusive, has left any ac