practicalguideto00unse_0

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Europe to the benighted savage in the wildest wastes of
Africa. This Grand Lodge of All England, after flourishing
several hundred years, gradually declined, and held its last
meeting August 23, 1792, its functions being taken over by
the Grand Lodge of England (London). From this latter
the present Lodge, No. 236, received its warrant of constitution
in July, 1777 ; it is now in a flourishing condition,,
with upwards of 150 subscribing members, and celebrated'
its centenary in 1877. The hall contains several objects of
great Masonic interest. The meetings are held at 7 p.m. on
the first and third Monday in each month from October to
March inclusive, and on the third Monday in each month
from April to September inclusive.
MERCHANTS' HALL,
In Fossgate, is of great antiquity. Over the entrance
gateway are the arms of the company, sculptured in stone,,
with their motto, " Dieu nous donne bonne adventure,''^
The hall itself is approached by an ascent of steps from
the court-yard, and consists of two rooms (formerly one),
each 65 by 25 feet. The inner room contains numerous
portraits of former Governors of the Company, and is
used for guild meetings. The first entered room is used
for a Sunday School. By permission of the Governor,,
these rooms are occasionally let for religious assemblies. The
small room on the right is used by the York Penny Bank.
On opening a large trap-door, at the end of the first large
room, steps are discovered leading to a chapel, in which
service is performed only once a year, generally in April,
when the members of the company are expected to attend
in guild dress ; the chapel has but this one singular entrance.
MERCHANT TAILORS' HALL
Is a building of brick at the bottom of a court in Aldwark
is now used as a mixed National School and for the Eye
Institution. The guild formerly numbered amongst its
members kings, dukes, and earls, and still continues to hold
its meetings in one of the small rooms of the building.
POST OFFICE,
Lendal, a plain substantial stone building, erected in 1840,,
recently enlarged and improved.