Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire. Provincial Grand Lodge.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND HUNTINGDONSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE .
THE holding of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of tho Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire at Peterborough , ou Thursday , afforded au opportunity for laying the foundation stone of tho new aisle which is to bo added to tho church of St . Mary in that city . The brethren began to assemble at half-past elevon at St . Peter ' s College , and after attiring themselves proceeded to tho Lodge-room , and took up tho positions assigned to them . Tbo Lodge wns opened
in dne form by tho W . M . of St . Peter ' s ( Bro . Waller ) , and shortly afterwards his Grace the Dnke of Manchester ( Provincial Grand Master ) and Bro . Butler Wilkins ( Deputy Provincial Grand Master ) , with the other Provincial Grand Officers , arrived , and tho business was proceeded with . Bro . R . Howes , 445 , Fidelity , was re-elected Treasurer : Bro . R . H . Griffin , 442 , St . Peter ' s , P . S . W . ; Bro . J . T .
Green , 3 fi 0 , Pomfret , P . J . W . ; Bro . tho Hon . and Eev . J . Courtenay Vernon , 607 , Chicheley , Chaplain ; Bro . the Eev . S . Westbrook , 373 , Socrates , Assistant Chaplain j Bro . Eawley , Registrar ; Bro . F . G Buckle , Secretary ; Bro . G . Gaches , 442 , St . Peter ' s , S . G . D . ; Bro . Percival , 445 , Fidolity , J . G . D . ; Bro . Jackson , 373 , Socrates , Snperiuteudent of Works ; Bro . Marson , Pr . D . of C . ; Bro . Molynenx , 607
Chicheley , A . P . D . C . ; Bro . Ward , 46 b , Merit , Sword Bearer ; Bro . Wargetts , 455 , Perseverance , Grand Pursuivant ; Bro . Eales , 737 , Wentworth , Standard Bearer . The Officers wero invested by the Bight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Buckle , assisted by the D . P . G . M . the P . G . S ., then read the report of the Board of Benevolence , who voted the sum of £ 25 and £ 20 to two widows in
tho province , £ 10 to the male fund of the Aged and Decayed , and £ 21 to the Boys' School . In Grand Lodge , jewels commemorative of the installation of H . R . H . tho Prince of Wales , K . G ., M . W . Grand Master ot England , were voted to tho stewards of Norths and Hunts , Bro . E . Cox , 360 , Pomfret , and Bro . J . Marson , 373 , Socrates . His Grace , the P . G . M ., then moved that an address of congratulation
be presented to H . ll . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., on his safe return from India . The W . M . of St . Peter ' s seconded , and it was approved . A voto of thanks to the brethren of that Lodge for tho handsome manner in which they had received tho Provincial Grand Lodgo was proposed by Bro . Butler Wilkins , D . P . G . M ., seconded and approved , and this concluded the busiuess .
The brethren wore then marshallod by Bro . Marson , Director of Ceremonies , in the quadraugle of tho College , and proceeded by the playground through tho Deanery , to the Cathedral , opening out right and left along the nave , so that the Provincial Grand Officers and Chaplain might pas 3 up tho centre , and then closing in and taking the seats allotted to them in the north and south trancepts .
Prayers were read by tho Ilev . W . Katterns , curate of St . Mary's , and the lessons by tho Assistaut Chaplain ( Brother F . S . Westbrook ) and Canon Argles respectively . Tho anthem was " O give thanks , " that most appropriate passage being introduced , " Tho stone which the builders refused has become tho headstone of tho corner , " and Handel ' s " Halleluiah Chorus " was finely rendered by tho lay clerks
and choristers after the anthem proper . The sermon was preached by tho Provincial Grand Chaplain ( Brother tho Hon . and llev . J . Courtenay Vernon ) , who took for his test , 1 Peter iii ., 8— " Be ye all of one mind . " He said he had selected tho words because he considered tliem appropriate to that day ' s business , and more particularly to tho Craft to which so many present belouged . One of tho
great beauties , and the chief essence of the brotherhood , was that in all its principles and precepts it inculcated and sought to instill into the mind unity amongst themselves , and goodwill and peaco to all mankind . Tho preacher then showed the wider significance of the words to Christians , and contrasted those who held the unity of the
faith with that false unity which was to bo found amongst the ungodly , but which rested on no solid foundation because there was no true love amongst thom . He concluded with au appeal on behalf of the building fnnd of St . Mary ' s and the Masonic Charities , and after the sermon the stewards collected amongst tho brethren . Tho
singing of tho hymn , " All people that on earth do dwell , was followed by the Benediction , and the servico being over , the brethren reformed , leaving the west part of the Cathedral in the following order Bros . Mills and Willson Sword Bearers ; Lodgo No . 737 , Wentworth ( Wellingborough ) , T . Cook , James , & c . ; Lodge No . 607 , Chicheley
( Thrapston ) , Bevs . Westbrook , Veruon , Hawthorn , & c . ; Lodge No . 466 , Merit ( Stamford ) , Orford , Peek , Wright , & o . ; Lodge No . 455 , Perseverance ( Kettering ) , amongst whom we noticed Bros . Miller P . P . J . G . D . and P . M ., Murgotls W . M ., Coles P . M ., Salmons P . M .. Standioy I . G ., Dainty and Beeby ; Lodgo No . 445 , Fidelity fiuweestor ) , G . Osborn , It . Howes , W . A . Howes , T . M .
Percival , W . H . Liuuell , Crowley , G . Wil ' cox-Smith , J . Tunnard , & c . ; Lodge No . 373 , Socrates ( Huntingdon ) ; Lodge No . 3 oU , PomfreL ( Northampton ) , represented by J . T . Green P . G . J . W ., J . Stanton P . M ., M . E . Jones , H . J . Atkins , T . Whitehouse P . G . S . and J . W ., H . W . Parker , H . Spoor , E . Ashford , A . Richardson , J . Bingley , Gadsby , \\ uod , II . Brown , llev . S . J . W . Sanders , J . H . Williams ,
Winter S . W . and Dean ; Lodge No . 442 , St . Peter ' s , Junior Members , Past Masters , tho Cornucopia containing wheat and the trowel , Bro . Voigette S . W ., with ewer of wine , cud Bro . Gaches J . W ., with ewer of oil , Dr . Waller W . M . of -J 42 , with mallet of the Lodge . Past Provincial Grand Lodge Officers of Norths aud Hunts ; Visitors of the other Provincial Graud Lodges , Juniors in front and
Wardens aud Deputy Graud Masters in the rear , the Graud Lodge Officers ; Superintendent of Works and Registrar , the latter with bottle containing newt-papers , also copies of FUEKMASON ' S CIIKONIOLE , and Freemason , to put nndcr tho stone ; the Secretary and Treasurer , the latter with coins to put under the stone ; Senior Warden with level , and Junior Warden with plumb rule ; Assistant Chaplain and Chaplain of Provincial Grand Lodge j the Deputy Provincial Grand
Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire. Provincial Grand Lodge.
Master , Bro . Butler Wilkins , with a square ; the Director and Assistant Director of tho Ceremonies ; Standard Bearer , Sword Bearer ; his Grace the Duke of Manchester P . G . M . ; Bros . Dixey and Pilcher , Stewards . It may be easily conceived that the procession was one of which the liko has not been seen of late in Peterborough . The inhabitants , no doubt , were gratified by the sight , and tho profuse use of flags ,
streamers , and banners , many of which wero inscribed with "Hearty Good Wishos , " showed that something ont of the ordinary way had been anticipated . As the procession moved through the Minster and out of the west gateway , to the Market-place , and then turned along the Causeway , in tho direction of the New-road , the route , admirably kept by tho Stewards , assisted by the police , was lined by hundreds
ot people , many of whom wero , no doubt , discussing with much curiosity tho clothing , so richly adorned with gold and silver , and tho jewels , which in the case of the Provincial Grand Officers , literally covered their breasts . On arriving at tho Church of St . Mary ' s , tho hymn , " Wo love Thy place , 0 God , " was sung , and tho brethren having opoued ont and faced inwards , the Duke , and those who wero to tako
part in tho ceremony , walked through to tho site of the stono-laying . Canon Argles heartily welcomed his Graco , who had como with so many of his brothren to assist tho work of enlarging a chnrch which was so much reqnired for an increasing population . Thero was still a deficiency of £ 400 , and thoy had looked forward to something being done that day by tho powerful Masonic body , of which hi 3 Graco wa 3
the head . The bottle containing coins of the realm and newspapers , among the latter being a copy of the FKEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , was thou placed in a cavity of tho stone , and covered ; after which his Graco ( the P . G . M . ) spread the mortar with the trowel belonging to tho St . Peter ' s Lodge , and tho stone was lowered with three drops . The plumb rule , level and square wero next applied , and the Duke
then tapped it with the gavel or mallet , and pronounced ifc well and truly laid , in tho name of tho Father , Son , and Holy Ghost . The mallet nsed on this occasion has a history , as tho inscription on the plate shows . It is as follows : " By order of the Worshipful Grand Master , his Royal Highness tho Duke of Sussex and Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Antiquity , and with tho concurrence of the
brethren of the Lodge , this plate has been engraved and affixed to this mallet , A . L . 5831 , A . D . 1827 , to commemorate that this being the same mallet with which his Majesty King Charles the Second levelled tho foundation stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , A . L . 5679 , A . D . 1675 , was presented to the old Lodgo of St . Paul , now the Lodge of Antiquity , acting by immemorial constitution , by Bro . Sir Christopher
Wren , W . D . G . M ., Worshipful Master of this Lodge , and architect of that edifice . " Bro . F . G . Hodson , P . P . G . Chaplain , said he had been requested to address a few words to thom in connection with the ceremony thoy had just witnessed . When engaged in a work liko that they were but performing tho natural duties of their Order . They wero Masons . In Masonry and all akiu to it some of their deepest
sympathies were enlisted , especially in such Masonry as that which , when completed , they had reason to believe would add to the glory of God and the good of their fellowmen in that city . It was the pride of true Mason > y to lend both its sanction and its help to all works which wero consecrated to the honour of tho great Architect of the Universe , and the eternal welfare of their brethren in the
world . ITo reminded them of what was done at the last general meoting of the Grand Lodge of England to commemorate the safo return of tho Grand Master , the Princo of Wale 3 , and said that , being influenced by a similar spirit , their Provincial Grand Lodge felt itself at home in tho good work in which it was engaged . Doubtless that addition to St . Mary ' s Church was a good work , for the church was at
present inadequate to the wants of the increasing population , and there could not bo so many worshippers as would otherwise avail themselves of the privileges offered . Tho remembrance of the glories and fair proportions of Solomon ' s magnificent temple came to the mind of tho Mason on such occasions as that and stirred within him a desire to make God ' s honso more beautiful and majestic than
was His own house then . Many of the noble sentiments of their Craft were intimately connected with that grand old temple afc Jerusalem . God grant that thoy might so influence their minds as to cause them to freely open their purses and freely lend their aid to all kindred institutions . In reply , his Grace , the P . G . M ., said he had been very much favoured in being requested to lay the stone
and he hoped that success might attend their efforts in getting funds to complete the building . The brethren had already done something towards reducing the deficit , and in any case he hoped tho services would still bo continued for the benefit of their fellowmen and to the Glory of God . His Grace then scattered wheat upon tho stone as an emblem of the blessing they desired to be poured npon them by
Him whom they honoured , and the Masonic part of the ceremony being concluded , the public wero invited by Canon Argles to contribute to the building fund . The stone laid was inscribed as follows : — " Dei gloria . This corner stone of the north aisle as an addition to the Church of Saint Mary , Peterborough , was laid on the 1 st of June , 1676 , by his Graco the Dnke of Manchester , P . G . M ., and
the officers and brethren of Norths aud Huuts . " The now aisle , Vv'o may add , will be 14 ft . 9 in . wide , and 62 ft . long , aud will be seated with chairs so as to accommodate 20 S persons . The north wall will bo removed and iu the place of that will be an arcade like that on the south side , while the windows will be utilized for lightiug >}•<; new aisle , and it will thus accord more closely with the other part of
the church , which has but little claim to notice architecturally . Ifc is also inteuded at the same time to construct a tower , which will be carried up to the new roof r . nd covered , to that a spire can be added hereafter . The total cost of the work is upwards of £ 1 , 000 , of which L ' iOO has yet to be obtained . Mr . H . M . Townshend is the architect , and Mr . J . Thompson tho builder .
After the ceremony of laying the stone the brethren re-formed in procession and walked to the Great Northern Hotel , where the banquet had been prepared in a tastefully decorated marquee . The canvas was lined with red , white and blue , and green bunting , and shields bearing Masonic emblems wore affixed to the poles . Thero were three or four gathers in ease artifigal light was needed , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire. Provincial Grand Lodge.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND HUNTINGDONSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE .
THE holding of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of tho Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire at Peterborough , ou Thursday , afforded au opportunity for laying the foundation stone of tho new aisle which is to bo added to tho church of St . Mary in that city . The brethren began to assemble at half-past elevon at St . Peter ' s College , and after attiring themselves proceeded to tho Lodge-room , and took up tho positions assigned to them . Tbo Lodge wns opened
in dne form by tho W . M . of St . Peter ' s ( Bro . Waller ) , and shortly afterwards his Grace the Dnke of Manchester ( Provincial Grand Master ) and Bro . Butler Wilkins ( Deputy Provincial Grand Master ) , with the other Provincial Grand Officers , arrived , and tho business was proceeded with . Bro . R . Howes , 445 , Fidelity , was re-elected Treasurer : Bro . R . H . Griffin , 442 , St . Peter ' s , P . S . W . ; Bro . J . T .
Green , 3 fi 0 , Pomfret , P . J . W . ; Bro . tho Hon . and Eev . J . Courtenay Vernon , 607 , Chicheley , Chaplain ; Bro . the Eev . S . Westbrook , 373 , Socrates , Assistant Chaplain j Bro . Eawley , Registrar ; Bro . F . G Buckle , Secretary ; Bro . G . Gaches , 442 , St . Peter ' s , S . G . D . ; Bro . Percival , 445 , Fidolity , J . G . D . ; Bro . Jackson , 373 , Socrates , Snperiuteudent of Works ; Bro . Marson , Pr . D . of C . ; Bro . Molynenx , 607
Chicheley , A . P . D . C . ; Bro . Ward , 46 b , Merit , Sword Bearer ; Bro . Wargetts , 455 , Perseverance , Grand Pursuivant ; Bro . Eales , 737 , Wentworth , Standard Bearer . The Officers wero invested by the Bight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Buckle , assisted by the D . P . G . M . the P . G . S ., then read the report of the Board of Benevolence , who voted the sum of £ 25 and £ 20 to two widows in
tho province , £ 10 to the male fund of the Aged and Decayed , and £ 21 to the Boys' School . In Grand Lodge , jewels commemorative of the installation of H . R . H . tho Prince of Wales , K . G ., M . W . Grand Master ot England , were voted to tho stewards of Norths and Hunts , Bro . E . Cox , 360 , Pomfret , and Bro . J . Marson , 373 , Socrates . His Grace , the P . G . M ., then moved that an address of congratulation
be presented to H . ll . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., on his safe return from India . The W . M . of St . Peter ' s seconded , and it was approved . A voto of thanks to the brethren of that Lodge for tho handsome manner in which they had received tho Provincial Grand Lodgo was proposed by Bro . Butler Wilkins , D . P . G . M ., seconded and approved , and this concluded the busiuess .
The brethren wore then marshallod by Bro . Marson , Director of Ceremonies , in the quadraugle of tho College , and proceeded by the playground through tho Deanery , to the Cathedral , opening out right and left along the nave , so that the Provincial Grand Officers and Chaplain might pas 3 up tho centre , and then closing in and taking the seats allotted to them in the north and south trancepts .
Prayers were read by tho Ilev . W . Katterns , curate of St . Mary's , and the lessons by tho Assistaut Chaplain ( Brother F . S . Westbrook ) and Canon Argles respectively . Tho anthem was " O give thanks , " that most appropriate passage being introduced , " Tho stone which the builders refused has become tho headstone of tho corner , " and Handel ' s " Halleluiah Chorus " was finely rendered by tho lay clerks
and choristers after the anthem proper . The sermon was preached by tho Provincial Grand Chaplain ( Brother tho Hon . and llev . J . Courtenay Vernon ) , who took for his test , 1 Peter iii ., 8— " Be ye all of one mind . " He said he had selected tho words because he considered tliem appropriate to that day ' s business , and more particularly to tho Craft to which so many present belouged . One of tho
great beauties , and the chief essence of the brotherhood , was that in all its principles and precepts it inculcated and sought to instill into the mind unity amongst themselves , and goodwill and peaco to all mankind . Tho preacher then showed the wider significance of the words to Christians , and contrasted those who held the unity of the
faith with that false unity which was to bo found amongst the ungodly , but which rested on no solid foundation because there was no true love amongst thom . He concluded with au appeal on behalf of the building fnnd of St . Mary ' s and the Masonic Charities , and after the sermon the stewards collected amongst tho brethren . Tho
singing of tho hymn , " All people that on earth do dwell , was followed by the Benediction , and the servico being over , the brethren reformed , leaving the west part of the Cathedral in the following order Bros . Mills and Willson Sword Bearers ; Lodgo No . 737 , Wentworth ( Wellingborough ) , T . Cook , James , & c . ; Lodge No . 607 , Chicheley
( Thrapston ) , Bevs . Westbrook , Veruon , Hawthorn , & c . ; Lodge No . 466 , Merit ( Stamford ) , Orford , Peek , Wright , & o . ; Lodge No . 455 , Perseverance ( Kettering ) , amongst whom we noticed Bros . Miller P . P . J . G . D . and P . M ., Murgotls W . M ., Coles P . M ., Salmons P . M .. Standioy I . G ., Dainty and Beeby ; Lodgo No . 445 , Fidelity fiuweestor ) , G . Osborn , It . Howes , W . A . Howes , T . M .
Percival , W . H . Liuuell , Crowley , G . Wil ' cox-Smith , J . Tunnard , & c . ; Lodge No . 373 , Socrates ( Huntingdon ) ; Lodge No . 3 oU , PomfreL ( Northampton ) , represented by J . T . Green P . G . J . W ., J . Stanton P . M ., M . E . Jones , H . J . Atkins , T . Whitehouse P . G . S . and J . W ., H . W . Parker , H . Spoor , E . Ashford , A . Richardson , J . Bingley , Gadsby , \\ uod , II . Brown , llev . S . J . W . Sanders , J . H . Williams ,
Winter S . W . and Dean ; Lodge No . 442 , St . Peter ' s , Junior Members , Past Masters , tho Cornucopia containing wheat and the trowel , Bro . Voigette S . W ., with ewer of wine , cud Bro . Gaches J . W ., with ewer of oil , Dr . Waller W . M . of -J 42 , with mallet of the Lodge . Past Provincial Grand Lodge Officers of Norths aud Hunts ; Visitors of the other Provincial Graud Lodges , Juniors in front and
Wardens aud Deputy Graud Masters in the rear , the Graud Lodge Officers ; Superintendent of Works and Registrar , the latter with bottle containing newt-papers , also copies of FUEKMASON ' S CIIKONIOLE , and Freemason , to put nndcr tho stone ; the Secretary and Treasurer , the latter with coins to put under the stone ; Senior Warden with level , and Junior Warden with plumb rule ; Assistant Chaplain and Chaplain of Provincial Grand Lodge j the Deputy Provincial Grand
Northamptonshire And Huntingdonshire. Provincial Grand Lodge.
Master , Bro . Butler Wilkins , with a square ; the Director and Assistant Director of tho Ceremonies ; Standard Bearer , Sword Bearer ; his Grace the Duke of Manchester P . G . M . ; Bros . Dixey and Pilcher , Stewards . It may be easily conceived that the procession was one of which the liko has not been seen of late in Peterborough . The inhabitants , no doubt , were gratified by the sight , and tho profuse use of flags ,
streamers , and banners , many of which wero inscribed with "Hearty Good Wishos , " showed that something ont of the ordinary way had been anticipated . As the procession moved through the Minster and out of the west gateway , to the Market-place , and then turned along the Causeway , in tho direction of the New-road , the route , admirably kept by tho Stewards , assisted by the police , was lined by hundreds
ot people , many of whom wero , no doubt , discussing with much curiosity tho clothing , so richly adorned with gold and silver , and tho jewels , which in the case of the Provincial Grand Officers , literally covered their breasts . On arriving at tho Church of St . Mary ' s , tho hymn , " Wo love Thy place , 0 God , " was sung , and tho brethren having opoued ont and faced inwards , the Duke , and those who wero to tako
part in tho ceremony , walked through to tho site of the stono-laying . Canon Argles heartily welcomed his Graco , who had como with so many of his brothren to assist tho work of enlarging a chnrch which was so much reqnired for an increasing population . Thero was still a deficiency of £ 400 , and thoy had looked forward to something being done that day by tho powerful Masonic body , of which hi 3 Graco wa 3
the head . The bottle containing coins of the realm and newspapers , among the latter being a copy of the FKEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , was thou placed in a cavity of tho stone , and covered ; after which his Graco ( the P . G . M . ) spread the mortar with the trowel belonging to tho St . Peter ' s Lodge , and tho stone was lowered with three drops . The plumb rule , level and square wero next applied , and the Duke
then tapped it with the gavel or mallet , and pronounced ifc well and truly laid , in tho name of tho Father , Son , and Holy Ghost . The mallet nsed on this occasion has a history , as tho inscription on the plate shows . It is as follows : " By order of the Worshipful Grand Master , his Royal Highness tho Duke of Sussex and Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Antiquity , and with tho concurrence of the
brethren of the Lodge , this plate has been engraved and affixed to this mallet , A . L . 5831 , A . D . 1827 , to commemorate that this being the same mallet with which his Majesty King Charles the Second levelled tho foundation stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , A . L . 5679 , A . D . 1675 , was presented to the old Lodgo of St . Paul , now the Lodge of Antiquity , acting by immemorial constitution , by Bro . Sir Christopher
Wren , W . D . G . M ., Worshipful Master of this Lodge , and architect of that edifice . " Bro . F . G . Hodson , P . P . G . Chaplain , said he had been requested to address a few words to thom in connection with the ceremony thoy had just witnessed . When engaged in a work liko that they were but performing tho natural duties of their Order . They wero Masons . In Masonry and all akiu to it some of their deepest
sympathies were enlisted , especially in such Masonry as that which , when completed , they had reason to believe would add to the glory of God and the good of their fellowmen in that city . It was the pride of true Mason > y to lend both its sanction and its help to all works which wero consecrated to the honour of tho great Architect of the Universe , and the eternal welfare of their brethren in the
world . ITo reminded them of what was done at the last general meoting of the Grand Lodge of England to commemorate the safo return of tho Grand Master , the Princo of Wale 3 , and said that , being influenced by a similar spirit , their Provincial Grand Lodge felt itself at home in tho good work in which it was engaged . Doubtless that addition to St . Mary ' s Church was a good work , for the church was at
present inadequate to the wants of the increasing population , and there could not bo so many worshippers as would otherwise avail themselves of the privileges offered . Tho remembrance of the glories and fair proportions of Solomon ' s magnificent temple came to the mind of tho Mason on such occasions as that and stirred within him a desire to make God ' s honso more beautiful and majestic than
was His own house then . Many of the noble sentiments of their Craft were intimately connected with that grand old temple afc Jerusalem . God grant that thoy might so influence their minds as to cause them to freely open their purses and freely lend their aid to all kindred institutions . In reply , his Grace , the P . G . M ., said he had been very much favoured in being requested to lay the stone
and he hoped that success might attend their efforts in getting funds to complete the building . The brethren had already done something towards reducing the deficit , and in any case he hoped tho services would still bo continued for the benefit of their fellowmen and to the Glory of God . His Grace then scattered wheat upon tho stone as an emblem of the blessing they desired to be poured npon them by
Him whom they honoured , and the Masonic part of the ceremony being concluded , the public wero invited by Canon Argles to contribute to the building fund . The stone laid was inscribed as follows : — " Dei gloria . This corner stone of the north aisle as an addition to the Church of Saint Mary , Peterborough , was laid on the 1 st of June , 1676 , by his Graco the Dnke of Manchester , P . G . M ., and
the officers and brethren of Norths aud Huuts . " The now aisle , Vv'o may add , will be 14 ft . 9 in . wide , and 62 ft . long , aud will be seated with chairs so as to accommodate 20 S persons . The north wall will bo removed and iu the place of that will be an arcade like that on the south side , while the windows will be utilized for lightiug >}•<; new aisle , and it will thus accord more closely with the other part of
the church , which has but little claim to notice architecturally . Ifc is also inteuded at the same time to construct a tower , which will be carried up to the new roof r . nd covered , to that a spire can be added hereafter . The total cost of the work is upwards of £ 1 , 000 , of which L ' iOO has yet to be obtained . Mr . H . M . Townshend is the architect , and Mr . J . Thompson tho builder .
After the ceremony of laying the stone the brethren re-formed in procession and walked to the Great Northern Hotel , where the banquet had been prepared in a tastefully decorated marquee . The canvas was lined with red , white and blue , and green bunting , and shields bearing Masonic emblems wore affixed to the poles . Thero were three or four gathers in ease artifigal light was needed , and