BURNING OF THE LONDON FREEMASONS' HALL.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1276, 27 July 1883, Page 2

BURNING OF THE LONDON FREEMASONS' HALL.

We take the following pai*ticulai-s concerning the burning of the Free masons' Hall, London, from the Kvening Standard of May 4 : — — -Just Wotq I' 2 o'cloekjasfc.iiiglit a fire was discovered in the Grand Lodgerooni, known as " the Temple,' in Freemasons' Hall, and so rapidly did it spread that within an hour the historic hall, so rich in associations with the craft during more than a century, was nearly destroyed. When a full investigation of the damaged hall could be made it was found thai the new furniture of the Lodge was burned to ashes, and that all the fine portraits adorning the panels round" the room of the Graud Masters from 1775 to the present time (with the exception of the Marquis of Eipon) were com pletely destroyed. This is the most serious part of the matter, as their loss is irreparable. TJie portraits on the east side were those of George IV (when Prince of Wales), the Bnkes oi Cumberland, Sussex, and Kent, and the late Earl of Zetland, while on the west side were Lord Pefcre (Grand Master when the hall was dedicated, 108 years ago), the Duke of Manchester, Earl of Moaira, Duke of Athole, and the present Grand Master (the Prince of Wales). Nearly all of these are completely destroyed, while those left in the frames are blistered out of all recognition. At the upper end of the room, immediately in rear of the throne, is a statue of the Duke of Sussex, which, though a good deal blackened by smoke, is not otherwise materially damaged. The organ is, however, wrecked. Fortunately all the records of the Grand Lodges are safe, as. are also the three principal chairs presented by his Majesty George the Fourth, which wwp ftigfonnrJ in n cupboard. A search this morning reveals the fact that the tire originated in a flue, from the kitchen of the hotel under the basement, at the northeast corner of the temple, and adjoining the party wall separating it from the Great -Hall of the tavern. It was probably smouldering for a considerable time, but once alight the dry character of the surroundings made the fire spread over the whole of the walls and roof as though they had beeu tinder. The hall is insured in the Queen Office, but the loss in articles highly prized for their associations nothing can repay. Built over 100 years, the fiist stone being laid in 1775, the Masonic Hall, from designs by Thomas Sandby, It. A., was described by Elmes as " the first house built in this country with the apppropriate symbols of Masonry, and with the suitable apartments for the holding of lodges, the initiating, passing, raising, and exalting of brethren."