Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland
was such as few have ever witnessed in this city , as not only were the windows of the houses adorned with their fair inmates , but the street also was lined with carriages , each bearing its goodly burden of attractive and admiring gazers . When the head of the procession reached the site of the new Hall in Georgestreet , the line again halted , and took open order . The Grand Lodge , followed by the other Lodges according to their seniority , passed between the ranks as before , towards the spot where the great ceremony of the day was to take place .
The entrance to the ground was handsomely and tastefully decorated by Mr . Scrymgeour with flowers and evergreens , and the walls were covered with fluted calico tapestry in columns of red , white , and blue . Inside , an enclosure was railed off for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge , and in the centre was erected a dais covered with crimson cloth , for the chief members of the Lodge . The band of the Lancers was stationed on a gallery at the south end of the ground . All being in readiness , the Grand Chaplain offered up an appropriate
prayer . The band then played the National Anthem , after which The Duke of Athole said— " I beg now to call upon the Grand Treasurer , the Grand Secretary , and the Grand Clerk to deposit the coins and other articles within the cavity of the stone . " A jar , containing a number of the coins of the realm , the Edinburgh Almanack , copies of newspapers of the day , a plan of Edinburgh , & c , was accordingly placed in the cavity of the stone .
The band then struck np the Old Hundredth , finishing with the Masons ' Anthem . and The Grand Master stepped from the dais , and , surrounded by the heads of the Lodges , lowered the stone to its resting-place , laying the mortar with an elegantly worked silver trowel . The moment level and square were adjusted , one loud hurrah broke from the assembled Masons ; a flag was immediately hoisted on the roof of the Hall , and in answer to this signal , the cannon in the Castle thundered forth their repeated salvos , announcing the completion of the laying of the stone of the new Freemasons' Hall of Scotland .
The following was the inscription on the stone : — "By the favour of the Almighty Architect of the universe , in the twenty-first year of the reign of Queen Victoria , and on the twenty-fourth day of June , in the year of the Christian era MDCCCLVIII , and of the Masonic epoch MMMMM . DCCC . LVIII , the
foundation stone of a new Hall for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge of representatives of the Ancient Fraternity of the Freemasons of Scotland , was laid with great solemnity , by his Grace George Augustus Frederick John , sixth Duke of Athole , Knight of the most ancient Order of the Thistle , Grand Master Mason of Scotland , assisted by the Grand Office-bearers , in presence of representatives of the R . W . Grand Lodges of England and Ireland , and of a great assemblage of the various Lodges and Brethren of Edinburgh and the provinces . —David Bryce , Architect ; Robert Hutchison , Master Builder . "
Rolls with the names of the Grand Officers , of the honorary members , the representative members , the Provincial Grand Masters , the Past Grand Masters , and the Board of Grand Stewards , were placed in the hollow of the stone . The band having again played the National Anthem , on its conclusion a gallant Mason . solicited " n cheer for the ladies / ' which was given with right hearty
goodwill . Cheers for various distinguished Brethren having been given , The Grand Master advanced to the edge of the dais and spoke as follows : — u R . W . and W . Brethren—On occasions like the present it is usual , I believe , for the Grand Master to make a short speech ; but , however , on thin occasion there is not so much to say as on other occasions where I have gone to lay foundation stories for public institutions . But I cannot but take this opportunity of saying how pleased and gratified I . have been in seeing that the Masons of Scotland have come forward to erect a grand hall —( loud applause)—for X am sure all the brethren must feel with myself the necessity there is for such a building ; and I must at the same time take this opportunity of thanking all the brethren for the very gratifying manner in ^ which they have turned out to-dayf
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland
was such as few have ever witnessed in this city , as not only were the windows of the houses adorned with their fair inmates , but the street also was lined with carriages , each bearing its goodly burden of attractive and admiring gazers . When the head of the procession reached the site of the new Hall in Georgestreet , the line again halted , and took open order . The Grand Lodge , followed by the other Lodges according to their seniority , passed between the ranks as before , towards the spot where the great ceremony of the day was to take place .
The entrance to the ground was handsomely and tastefully decorated by Mr . Scrymgeour with flowers and evergreens , and the walls were covered with fluted calico tapestry in columns of red , white , and blue . Inside , an enclosure was railed off for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge , and in the centre was erected a dais covered with crimson cloth , for the chief members of the Lodge . The band of the Lancers was stationed on a gallery at the south end of the ground . All being in readiness , the Grand Chaplain offered up an appropriate
prayer . The band then played the National Anthem , after which The Duke of Athole said— " I beg now to call upon the Grand Treasurer , the Grand Secretary , and the Grand Clerk to deposit the coins and other articles within the cavity of the stone . " A jar , containing a number of the coins of the realm , the Edinburgh Almanack , copies of newspapers of the day , a plan of Edinburgh , & c , was accordingly placed in the cavity of the stone .
The band then struck np the Old Hundredth , finishing with the Masons ' Anthem . and The Grand Master stepped from the dais , and , surrounded by the heads of the Lodges , lowered the stone to its resting-place , laying the mortar with an elegantly worked silver trowel . The moment level and square were adjusted , one loud hurrah broke from the assembled Masons ; a flag was immediately hoisted on the roof of the Hall , and in answer to this signal , the cannon in the Castle thundered forth their repeated salvos , announcing the completion of the laying of the stone of the new Freemasons' Hall of Scotland .
The following was the inscription on the stone : — "By the favour of the Almighty Architect of the universe , in the twenty-first year of the reign of Queen Victoria , and on the twenty-fourth day of June , in the year of the Christian era MDCCCLVIII , and of the Masonic epoch MMMMM . DCCC . LVIII , the
foundation stone of a new Hall for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge of representatives of the Ancient Fraternity of the Freemasons of Scotland , was laid with great solemnity , by his Grace George Augustus Frederick John , sixth Duke of Athole , Knight of the most ancient Order of the Thistle , Grand Master Mason of Scotland , assisted by the Grand Office-bearers , in presence of representatives of the R . W . Grand Lodges of England and Ireland , and of a great assemblage of the various Lodges and Brethren of Edinburgh and the provinces . —David Bryce , Architect ; Robert Hutchison , Master Builder . "
Rolls with the names of the Grand Officers , of the honorary members , the representative members , the Provincial Grand Masters , the Past Grand Masters , and the Board of Grand Stewards , were placed in the hollow of the stone . The band having again played the National Anthem , on its conclusion a gallant Mason . solicited " n cheer for the ladies / ' which was given with right hearty
goodwill . Cheers for various distinguished Brethren having been given , The Grand Master advanced to the edge of the dais and spoke as follows : — u R . W . and W . Brethren—On occasions like the present it is usual , I believe , for the Grand Master to make a short speech ; but , however , on thin occasion there is not so much to say as on other occasions where I have gone to lay foundation stories for public institutions . But I cannot but take this opportunity of saying how pleased and gratified I . have been in seeing that the Masons of Scotland have come forward to erect a grand hall —( loud applause)—for X am sure all the brethren must feel with myself the necessity there is for such a building ; and I must at the same time take this opportunity of thanking all the brethren for the very gratifying manner in ^ which they have turned out to-dayf