The. Royal Albert Idiot Asylum, Lancaster.

the foundation stone of the Eoyal Albert Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles of the Northern Counties . After a few preliminaries a procession was formed , which was as follows : — Band of Music . Two Tylers , with Drawn Swords , Lodges according to their numbers , Juniors walking first .

Members and officers of the Grand Stewards Lodge . f A Cornucopia with Corn , borne by a ] Grand \ Master of a Lodge . Two Bwers with f Grand Steward . 1 Wine and Oil , borne hy Masters off Steward . C Lodges . ) Assistant Grand Pursuivant . Grand Pursuivant . Grand Organist .

Trowel , borne by a Past Master . Mallet , borne by a Past Master . Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies . Grand Director of Ceremonies . Past Grand Sword Bearer . Grand Superintendent of Works hearing a plate with the Inscription for the foundation stone . Past Grand Deacons .

Grand Secretary , with the Book of Constitution . President of the Board of General Purposes . Past Grand Registrars . Grand Registrar bearing the Great Seal . Grand Treasurer bearing a phial containing the coins to he

deposited in the Stone . Past Grand Chaplains . Past Grand Wardens . Past Provincial Grand Masters . Provincial Grand Master . The Corinthian Light borne by the Master of a Lodge . The Column of the Junior Grand Warden borne by the Mastei of a Lodge .

Ihe Junior Grand Warden with tho Plumb Rule . Grand Steward . Banner of the Grand Lodge . Grand Steward . The Doric Light borne by the Master of a Lodge . The Column of the Senior Grand Warden borne by the Master of a Lodge . The Senior Grand Warden with the Level . Junior Grand Deacons ( on the right ) . Grand (" The Grand Chaplain Bearing the Sacred" ) Grand

Steward , c Law on a cushion . i Steward . The Deputy Grand Master with the Square . The Ionic light borne by the Master of a Lodge . The Grand Sword Bearer . THE MOST WoEsnipptJi GEAND MASTEE . Senior Grand Deacons ( on the right ) . Two Grand Stewards . Grand Tyler . 10 th Lancashire Volunteer Rifle Corps with Band .

In addition to which the following also formed a portion of the procession : — Band . 24-th Lancashire Artillery Corps . Militia Fife and Drum Band . Independent Order of Oddfellows . Fife and Drum Band .

Druids . Clergy and Ministers . Magistrates , Gentry , and Inhabitants . Major and Corporation of Lancaster . Central Committee of the Asylum . At a few minutes past three o ' clock the ceremony commenced , and was conducted according to the

following order .- — The Grand Master having taken his seat , vessels of corn , wine , and oil borne by the proper officers , were placed on a pedestal on his left hand , placed for their reception . Dr . E . Denis de Vitre , chairman of the central committee of the Asylum , then presented an address to the Most Worshiful Grand MasterThe address

p . was as follows : — " To the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , K . T-, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England .

"Tbe Royal Albert Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles of the seven Northern Counties was projected in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four , aud had its immediate origin in the munificent offer of £ 2 , 000 by a gentleman to erect a small asylum in the vicinity of Lancaster . A few individuals deeply impressed with the urgent necessity for a large

establishment of this kind for the north of England , determined to take advautage of the gift thus opportunely offered , and ultimately ventured to appeal to the public for support to erect an asylum to contain from five hundred to eight hundred inmates . Every confidence was entertained that by supplying all available statistical in f ormation , and shewing the great benefits to be conferred

by a proper system of education and training to this most helpless class of onr fellow-creatures , the appeal would not be made in vain . It is with unspeakable thankfulness to the Almighty Disposer of all things that the central committee can now record the success which has so far attended their efforts . Her Most Gracious Majesty has not only subscribed

to the funds , but has permitted the asylum to be placed under her immediate patronage ; the nobility , gentry , and indeed all classes of society , havo nobly and cheerfully responded to the calls made on their liberality to

an extent which justified the committee in commencing operations by contracting for a building to contain five hundred patients . To complete this building and pay for the necessary land at least £ 20 , 000 will still be required , but tbe committee are animated by the same hope which has hitherto sustained their efforts , and they confidently depend on the continued liberality of the

public aud the generosity of all who sympathiso with suffering humanity . It is , my lord , for this asylum , founded for the most beneficent and humane purposes by the free contributions of a generous and enlightened people , that your lordship , as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England , has conferred

upon the central committee the special favour of accepting an invitation to lay the fonndation stone . Eor the very generous and unhesitating manner in which your lordship at once acceded to the invitation , thus evincing the deep interest your lordship and the Grand Lodge of England take in relieving the sufferngs of your fellow creatures , the central committee beg , with a deep sense

of obligation , to tender their very sincere thanks to your lordship and to all your brethren who may join in this very important ceremony , and devoutly pray that a Divine blessing may rest upon the sanction your lordship is about to give to this benevolent undertaking .

EDWD . D . DE VITHE , Chairman of the Central Committe . Lancaster , June 17 th , 1868 . " The Grand Master , in reply , said : Dr . De Vitro and Gentlemen , —I thank you sincerely for tbe address which you have just presented to me , and I assure you I take the liveliest interest in this institution . When I was

asked to give my assent to come down and lay this foundation-stone , I considered it a very high compliment —• a higher compliment than I deserved ; but I feared that at my age I might be prevented , through want of strength , to come so far to lay the foundation-stone . I assure you that you have my best wishes , and I am verv happy to think I am well enough to be able to perform

the duty , which I do most gladly . lam not sure whether I am a subscriber—I do not know whether my name is down or not—but it has always been my intention to subscribe .- If my name is not already down , I will be glad to place 100 guineas at tho disposal of tho committee . LAYING THE STONE . The upper stone having been raised , and the lower one adjusted , Bro . the Rev . Dr . Senior , P . G . Chap ., of Wakefield , offered prayers . Bro . W . G- Clarke , G . Sec ,