Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Deputy then standing on the eastern side of the stone , the P . Grand AVardens on the western side , the Magistrates on the south , and the Committee of the Building on the north , the P . Grand Master for Bengal , addressing Brother Burlton , said , " ¦ W . J . G . AA ' arden , what is the emblem of your office ? " To which the reply was , "The Plumb , R . AV . Sir , and I nowpresent it for your use . " The level and square having been in the same manner presented by Sir E . Ryan and Brother
Blacquiere , the various implements were applied by both the P . G . Masters to the stone , and the P . G . M . for Bengal then taking the mallet from Brother Gray , handed it to Brother Burnes , who struck the stone three times with it , and then returned it to Brother Grant , who completed the laying of the foundation stone , by also striking it three times , and repeating the following prayer : — " May the Grancl Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on this stonewhich we have now laid , and
, may we be enabled by his Providence to finish this and every other virtuous undertaking ; " the Grand Officers and Brethren giving the response , and the usual Masonic honours . Cornucopia ancl cups of wine ancl oil were then presented by the respective bearers , through the P . G . Wardens and the D . P . G . Master to the P . G . Master of Bengal , who having poured them all on the stone , said" May the All-bounteous author of nature bless this city with
, abundance of corn , wine , and oil , and with all the necessary conveniences ancl comforts of life . " The Brethren gave the usual response , and the Masonic honours . The stone having been laid , the Provincial Grand Master of Bengal , Brother J . Grant spoke as follows : —
" Gentlemen of the Committee of the Metcalfe Testimonial , I believe I am not assuming too much upon myself in saying that the public are much indebted to you for the great trouble you have so long kindly taken , and the judicious and able manner in which you have , to the best of your power , fulfilled the wishes of the subscribers to the Metcalfe Fund , in furtherance of the object they had in view . On the part of the Freemasons of Calcutta , again I have to express our thankful
appreciation of the excellent arrangements you have made in aid of the fraternity , and to enable them to conduct the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the intended building in a proper manner . " My Lord Auckland , Miss Eden , Miss Frances Eden , and Ladies and Gentlemen , —It is a very different thing te address au assemblage like this , under the blue canopy of the sky , and to throw off an unpremeditated speech at a social convocation of the Fraternity in their own
Hall ; supported as I should be in the latter case by the sense of feelings common to us all , and the conviction of a relative sympathy . And yet have we not all a community of feelings and interests even here ? I am very sensible that there are present many of the Masonic Fraternity who ivould appear before you to much greater advantage than myself ; but poor spirited must be the man who , being called upon to perform so honourable a dutywould shrink from itformidable as it
, , may be to address so numerous and highly respectable an assembly , comprising in itself all that is eminent in rank and station , no less than the beauty , grace , elegance , ancl intelligence of the British metropolis of the East . Poorer still must be the man ( and here I am not unconscious that I may be testifying to my own deficiency ) , who would not kindle into some animation of sentiment , on the occasion of so auspicious and noble a solemnity as that which has brought us together .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
India.
Deputy then standing on the eastern side of the stone , the P . Grand AVardens on the western side , the Magistrates on the south , and the Committee of the Building on the north , the P . Grand Master for Bengal , addressing Brother Burlton , said , " ¦ W . J . G . AA ' arden , what is the emblem of your office ? " To which the reply was , "The Plumb , R . AV . Sir , and I nowpresent it for your use . " The level and square having been in the same manner presented by Sir E . Ryan and Brother
Blacquiere , the various implements were applied by both the P . G . Masters to the stone , and the P . G . M . for Bengal then taking the mallet from Brother Gray , handed it to Brother Burnes , who struck the stone three times with it , and then returned it to Brother Grant , who completed the laying of the foundation stone , by also striking it three times , and repeating the following prayer : — " May the Grancl Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on this stonewhich we have now laid , and
, may we be enabled by his Providence to finish this and every other virtuous undertaking ; " the Grand Officers and Brethren giving the response , and the usual Masonic honours . Cornucopia ancl cups of wine ancl oil were then presented by the respective bearers , through the P . G . Wardens and the D . P . G . Master to the P . G . Master of Bengal , who having poured them all on the stone , said" May the All-bounteous author of nature bless this city with
, abundance of corn , wine , and oil , and with all the necessary conveniences ancl comforts of life . " The Brethren gave the usual response , and the Masonic honours . The stone having been laid , the Provincial Grand Master of Bengal , Brother J . Grant spoke as follows : —
" Gentlemen of the Committee of the Metcalfe Testimonial , I believe I am not assuming too much upon myself in saying that the public are much indebted to you for the great trouble you have so long kindly taken , and the judicious and able manner in which you have , to the best of your power , fulfilled the wishes of the subscribers to the Metcalfe Fund , in furtherance of the object they had in view . On the part of the Freemasons of Calcutta , again I have to express our thankful
appreciation of the excellent arrangements you have made in aid of the fraternity , and to enable them to conduct the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the intended building in a proper manner . " My Lord Auckland , Miss Eden , Miss Frances Eden , and Ladies and Gentlemen , —It is a very different thing te address au assemblage like this , under the blue canopy of the sky , and to throw off an unpremeditated speech at a social convocation of the Fraternity in their own
Hall ; supported as I should be in the latter case by the sense of feelings common to us all , and the conviction of a relative sympathy . And yet have we not all a community of feelings and interests even here ? I am very sensible that there are present many of the Masonic Fraternity who ivould appear before you to much greater advantage than myself ; but poor spirited must be the man who , being called upon to perform so honourable a dutywould shrink from itformidable as it
, , may be to address so numerous and highly respectable an assembly , comprising in itself all that is eminent in rank and station , no less than the beauty , grace , elegance , ancl intelligence of the British metropolis of the East . Poorer still must be the man ( and here I am not unconscious that I may be testifying to my own deficiency ) , who would not kindle into some animation of sentiment , on the occasion of so auspicious and noble a solemnity as that which has brought us together .