Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
354 ; Wm . M'Hwraith , Editor Ayrshire Express , St . John's , Thornhill , 252 ; together with the Master Wardens , & c , of lodge 127 . Meantime tbe lodges were "being marshalled at the station ground by the Prov . Sen . Gr . Warden , and six brethren from the Stewarton Lodge . The Prov . G . Lodge , accompanied by the Stewarton instrumental band , arrived on the ground about two o'clock . The procession with waving banners marched off
in the following order : —The cadgers , the trades of the town , accompanied by the Magistrates and Commissioners of the burgh of Stewarton , and the Masonic body , embracing deputations from the following lodges : —Caledonian , Dunlop , 311 ; Blair , Dairy , 290 ; Pollockshaws Royal Arch , 253 ; Garthland St . Winnock , Lochwinnoch , 205 ; St . Clement , Riccarton , 202 ; St . Mungo , Maucliline , 179 ; SI . John , Beath , 157 ; St . Andrew , Irvine 149 ; St . MirrenPaisley 129 ; St . JamesTarbolton
, , , , , 135 ; Thistle St . John , Stewarton , 127 ; St . Andrew , Kilmarnock , 126 ; St . Ma-mock , Kilmarnock , 109 ; Navigation , Troon , 86 ; Loudon Newmilns Kilwinning , 51 ; St . John Kilwinning , Kilmarnock , 22 ; Provincial Grand Lodge , Renfrewshire ( East ); Mother Kilwinning and Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire . On arriving at the Viaduct the procession halted , and , opening to tbe right and left , allowed the Provincial Grand Lodge and Mother Kilwinning to pass through the linesthe other lodges
, following according to their seniority . The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was then performed by the Provincial Grand Master , who afterwards addressed the assemblage as follows : — Ladies and Gentlemen and Bailie Brown , it is with peculiar pride and satisfaction I find that it falls to my lot , as Prov . G . Master of the Freemasons of Ayrshire , to take the prominent position which I now occupyand that it is my duty to address
, you on the occasion of laying the first stone of this noble effort of architectural and engineering skill , the Stewarton Railway Viaduct . Theoretically we have assembled to witness the laying of the first stone , whereas , practically , the work is very nearly completed , and we in truth have this clay witnessed a far more satisfactory Masonic ceremony , viz ., the laying one of the last if not the last stone of one of the finest specimens of useful architecture in the West of Scotland . There are several
reasons which make my own individual satisfaction singularly complete . First , by a curious concurrence of circumstances , I happen to hold the double honour of lieing the Prov . G . Master of Ayrshire , and also the Chairman of the Company , which , from the very commencement , has had the management of the useful aud important undertaking , of which this viaduct , though a noble work in itself , is in reality but a small portion , and in this capacityin conjunction with my brother directorssome of
, , -whom have honoured me with their support to-day , I , or I should rather say we , have been mainly instrumental ( or , correctly speaking , hope soon to prove that we have boen instrumental ) in providing rapid ancl cheap communication , suited to the wants and ever increasing demands of the trade of the present day , and opening up the eastern district of the County of Ayr , and placing her flourishing towns and villages in direct
communication with that great centre of commerce and industry , the Metropolis of tbe West of Scotland . Furthermore , we feel some little pride in knowing that we have had to encounter many great difficulties—difficulties which , I am bound to say owing to no fault , arose from the hesitation and doubt which at one time influenced the councils of the great company which adopted us as her step-children—difficulties which at one time appeared insurmountable and were indeed most grave , but , as
we have triumphed over them , we may now say that we have rescued our valuable scheme from that fate which lias so often overtaken many similar projects—viz ., a consignment to the limbo of unfulfilled hopes . Furthermore , I hope I may be forgiven in taking a pride in the fact that the line passes through the property which for generations lias been in the possession of my family , and through the district in which I take the greatest interest , and that it will be the means
of promoting the welfare of , and conferring immense substantial benefit on , my own immediate friends and neighbours . And , in a general and more extended point of view , I feel great pleasure in recognising in this work an evidence ( one of the many which are multiplying rapidly ) , not only of the public spirit and enlightened efforts of my own district , but also of the steady advance of improvement throughout our native country . Ladies and gentlemen , —perhaps one of the most useful subjects of study lor any thoughtful man who takes an interest in the past and present history of his native land , is that conflict which at
Scotland.
all periods and in all countries , over since civilisation spread itself over the world ancl weaved the complex state of society which we see around us , has unceasingly taken place between progress and prejudice . And there is probably no phase in the history of our own internal economy which affords a better example of this conflict than the rise and development of the science of providing rapid and cheap means of travelling for the public . Our great national historian , the late Lord Maeaulay ,
has , in one of the most interesting chapters he ever wrote , described in clear and forcible language the social condition of our forefathers at tbe time of the Restoration . In this description he has included the condition of every class of society , the police regulations , the state of the public press , the postal arrangements , and even the world of fashion , the coffee-houses , and modes and places of amusement , and naturally lias not omitted the state of the public hihways and streetsand the facilities
g , or rather the difficulties which were amply provided for the traveller at that time . Towards the end of the 17 th century flying coaches , analagous to what we now call stage coaches , were first established for the use of the lieges , ancl in them we remark the first recognition of the necessity of a system of public provision for the conveyance of the traveller . At first these flying coaches—such was the comparative economy and expedition which they offered—were looked upon with wonder
and admiration . We who are accustomed to being able to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow before breakfast , transact our business , and return home in time for luncheon , may indeed smile when we are told that the admiration thus elicited arose from the fact that , by one of these flying coaches , a man could , if singularly lucky , perforin a journey of fifty miles on a long summer day ; and in winter , when the roads were bad and the days shortancl the difficulties and dangers proportionably
, greater , he might reasonably expect to find himself at nightfall twenty-five or thirty miles nearer to his destination . But as she has often done since , and probably will for ever continue to do , though we trust less and less , prejudice soon began to assert herself , and the satisfaction which had at first greeted this modest contribution to the ease and comfort of the public , soon gave place to selfish and narrow-minded opposition ; and , though at first sight it seems hardly credible , it is nevertheless the fact
that the great-grandfathers of men now living belonged to corporations and public bodies who petitioned the King in Council to pass an edict to the effect that the complement of no flying coach should exceed four bourses , for fear it should travel too quickly , and that no public vehicle should start ofteuer than once a week between London ancl the provinces , the reasons being—That the interests of the river ancl coasting trades would suffer ; that as such large private establishments would probably
be no longer necessary , various shopkeepers , such as saddlers , coach-builders , and others , would loose custom ; and , that as travellers would no longer find it necessary to rest so often on the road , the innkeepers would not drive so thriving a trade , and consequently would not be able to pay their rents . I may here remark that iu those days the bona fide traveller did not occupy the prominent position which he does just now , and that the noble chronicler has not recorded the remarks he made
during this controversy . But suffice it to say that eventually such evident convenience and economy overcame prejudice , and these flying coaches were the precursors of that magnificent system of mail coach travelling which preceded the days of railroads . But I am anticipating . The next phase in the development of inland communication which at this period attracted the attention of scientific men was the formation of navigable canals , and it is a curious fact that although the value of this mode
bad been recognised in the earliest ages , and that in the 17 tb century there were many magnificent canals in the continental countries , hardly one canal of any importance existed in Great Britain . The most notable instance of tho conflict of progress versus prejudice on this arena was the opposition which tbe great Bridgewater Canal met with , particularly from the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company . The Duke of Bridgewater , however , eventually overcame all opposition , ancl in turn the
proprietors of the canal changed their colours , went over to the enemy , and in later days became the firm champions of monopoly ancl prejudice against the noble and patriotic efforts of the great George Stephenson . It is indeed curious aud instructive to look back to the remote times and observe how history repeats herself . We read in Herodotus an account of the ignorance and superstition oftlie Cnidians , a tribe in Asia Minor , who , having entertained the idea of crossing tbe isthmus by a canal , and connecting the two seas , desisted from their intention
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
354 ; Wm . M'Hwraith , Editor Ayrshire Express , St . John's , Thornhill , 252 ; together with the Master Wardens , & c , of lodge 127 . Meantime tbe lodges were "being marshalled at the station ground by the Prov . Sen . Gr . Warden , and six brethren from the Stewarton Lodge . The Prov . G . Lodge , accompanied by the Stewarton instrumental band , arrived on the ground about two o'clock . The procession with waving banners marched off
in the following order : —The cadgers , the trades of the town , accompanied by the Magistrates and Commissioners of the burgh of Stewarton , and the Masonic body , embracing deputations from the following lodges : —Caledonian , Dunlop , 311 ; Blair , Dairy , 290 ; Pollockshaws Royal Arch , 253 ; Garthland St . Winnock , Lochwinnoch , 205 ; St . Clement , Riccarton , 202 ; St . Mungo , Maucliline , 179 ; SI . John , Beath , 157 ; St . Andrew , Irvine 149 ; St . MirrenPaisley 129 ; St . JamesTarbolton
, , , , , 135 ; Thistle St . John , Stewarton , 127 ; St . Andrew , Kilmarnock , 126 ; St . Ma-mock , Kilmarnock , 109 ; Navigation , Troon , 86 ; Loudon Newmilns Kilwinning , 51 ; St . John Kilwinning , Kilmarnock , 22 ; Provincial Grand Lodge , Renfrewshire ( East ); Mother Kilwinning and Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire . On arriving at the Viaduct the procession halted , and , opening to tbe right and left , allowed the Provincial Grand Lodge and Mother Kilwinning to pass through the linesthe other lodges
, following according to their seniority . The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was then performed by the Provincial Grand Master , who afterwards addressed the assemblage as follows : — Ladies and Gentlemen and Bailie Brown , it is with peculiar pride and satisfaction I find that it falls to my lot , as Prov . G . Master of the Freemasons of Ayrshire , to take the prominent position which I now occupyand that it is my duty to address
, you on the occasion of laying the first stone of this noble effort of architectural and engineering skill , the Stewarton Railway Viaduct . Theoretically we have assembled to witness the laying of the first stone , whereas , practically , the work is very nearly completed , and we in truth have this clay witnessed a far more satisfactory Masonic ceremony , viz ., the laying one of the last if not the last stone of one of the finest specimens of useful architecture in the West of Scotland . There are several
reasons which make my own individual satisfaction singularly complete . First , by a curious concurrence of circumstances , I happen to hold the double honour of lieing the Prov . G . Master of Ayrshire , and also the Chairman of the Company , which , from the very commencement , has had the management of the useful aud important undertaking , of which this viaduct , though a noble work in itself , is in reality but a small portion , and in this capacityin conjunction with my brother directorssome of
, , -whom have honoured me with their support to-day , I , or I should rather say we , have been mainly instrumental ( or , correctly speaking , hope soon to prove that we have boen instrumental ) in providing rapid ancl cheap communication , suited to the wants and ever increasing demands of the trade of the present day , and opening up the eastern district of the County of Ayr , and placing her flourishing towns and villages in direct
communication with that great centre of commerce and industry , the Metropolis of tbe West of Scotland . Furthermore , we feel some little pride in knowing that we have had to encounter many great difficulties—difficulties which , I am bound to say owing to no fault , arose from the hesitation and doubt which at one time influenced the councils of the great company which adopted us as her step-children—difficulties which at one time appeared insurmountable and were indeed most grave , but , as
we have triumphed over them , we may now say that we have rescued our valuable scheme from that fate which lias so often overtaken many similar projects—viz ., a consignment to the limbo of unfulfilled hopes . Furthermore , I hope I may be forgiven in taking a pride in the fact that the line passes through the property which for generations lias been in the possession of my family , and through the district in which I take the greatest interest , and that it will be the means
of promoting the welfare of , and conferring immense substantial benefit on , my own immediate friends and neighbours . And , in a general and more extended point of view , I feel great pleasure in recognising in this work an evidence ( one of the many which are multiplying rapidly ) , not only of the public spirit and enlightened efforts of my own district , but also of the steady advance of improvement throughout our native country . Ladies and gentlemen , —perhaps one of the most useful subjects of study lor any thoughtful man who takes an interest in the past and present history of his native land , is that conflict which at
Scotland.
all periods and in all countries , over since civilisation spread itself over the world ancl weaved the complex state of society which we see around us , has unceasingly taken place between progress and prejudice . And there is probably no phase in the history of our own internal economy which affords a better example of this conflict than the rise and development of the science of providing rapid and cheap means of travelling for the public . Our great national historian , the late Lord Maeaulay ,
has , in one of the most interesting chapters he ever wrote , described in clear and forcible language the social condition of our forefathers at tbe time of the Restoration . In this description he has included the condition of every class of society , the police regulations , the state of the public press , the postal arrangements , and even the world of fashion , the coffee-houses , and modes and places of amusement , and naturally lias not omitted the state of the public hihways and streetsand the facilities
g , or rather the difficulties which were amply provided for the traveller at that time . Towards the end of the 17 th century flying coaches , analagous to what we now call stage coaches , were first established for the use of the lieges , ancl in them we remark the first recognition of the necessity of a system of public provision for the conveyance of the traveller . At first these flying coaches—such was the comparative economy and expedition which they offered—were looked upon with wonder
and admiration . We who are accustomed to being able to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow before breakfast , transact our business , and return home in time for luncheon , may indeed smile when we are told that the admiration thus elicited arose from the fact that , by one of these flying coaches , a man could , if singularly lucky , perforin a journey of fifty miles on a long summer day ; and in winter , when the roads were bad and the days shortancl the difficulties and dangers proportionably
, greater , he might reasonably expect to find himself at nightfall twenty-five or thirty miles nearer to his destination . But as she has often done since , and probably will for ever continue to do , though we trust less and less , prejudice soon began to assert herself , and the satisfaction which had at first greeted this modest contribution to the ease and comfort of the public , soon gave place to selfish and narrow-minded opposition ; and , though at first sight it seems hardly credible , it is nevertheless the fact
that the great-grandfathers of men now living belonged to corporations and public bodies who petitioned the King in Council to pass an edict to the effect that the complement of no flying coach should exceed four bourses , for fear it should travel too quickly , and that no public vehicle should start ofteuer than once a week between London ancl the provinces , the reasons being—That the interests of the river ancl coasting trades would suffer ; that as such large private establishments would probably
be no longer necessary , various shopkeepers , such as saddlers , coach-builders , and others , would loose custom ; and , that as travellers would no longer find it necessary to rest so often on the road , the innkeepers would not drive so thriving a trade , and consequently would not be able to pay their rents . I may here remark that iu those days the bona fide traveller did not occupy the prominent position which he does just now , and that the noble chronicler has not recorded the remarks he made
during this controversy . But suffice it to say that eventually such evident convenience and economy overcame prejudice , and these flying coaches were the precursors of that magnificent system of mail coach travelling which preceded the days of railroads . But I am anticipating . The next phase in the development of inland communication which at this period attracted the attention of scientific men was the formation of navigable canals , and it is a curious fact that although the value of this mode
bad been recognised in the earliest ages , and that in the 17 tb century there were many magnificent canals in the continental countries , hardly one canal of any importance existed in Great Britain . The most notable instance of tho conflict of progress versus prejudice on this arena was the opposition which tbe great Bridgewater Canal met with , particularly from the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company . The Duke of Bridgewater , however , eventually overcame all opposition , ancl in turn the
proprietors of the canal changed their colours , went over to the enemy , and in later days became the firm champions of monopoly ancl prejudice against the noble and patriotic efforts of the great George Stephenson . It is indeed curious aud instructive to look back to the remote times and observe how history repeats herself . We read in Herodotus an account of the ignorance and superstition oftlie Cnidians , a tribe in Asia Minor , who , having entertained the idea of crossing tbe isthmus by a canal , and connecting the two seas , desisted from their intention