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Article CEREMONY OF OPENING WEARMOUTH BRIDGE; ← Page 8 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ceremony Of Opening Wearmouth Bridge;
Low Road to the Land Arch—wdiere the Grand Master and all the Masons heing in front , and having then a full view of the Bridge , a halt was made , and the Grand Honours given . They then moved toAvards the Pan-ferry , and on to the Bridge , by the East side and North gate . The Gentlemen , Avho Avere not Masons , were disposed at each end of the Bridge . Tylers AA'ere placed ; and the Grand Lodge formed
in the centre . The Lodge-lights , & c . were deposited—Lodge unveiled , and Masonic business transacted . The Tools were returned to the Grand Master by Brother WILSON , Architect of the Work . Brother NESFTELD then delivered the following Oration : c BRETHREN , ' Having been selectedhy your partiality , to address you on the
, eminent- occasion of laying the Foundation-stone of this beautiful structure , I little thought I should again be so speedily called upon to celebrate the event of its completion . It falls not often to the lot of an individual to witness , in the space of his short hour , works of magnitude and immensity begun , and brought to perfection ; but when I reflect , that , in the course of some few revolving months ,
this noble pile , on which Ave are HOAV assembled , has been reared , I cannot but consider it as a joyful event of my life , and a matter of the highest gratification to you , my Brethren .-' At the commencement of this work , I maj- haA'e been supposed to have paid a compliment to good intention , and to useful speculation . I stand indeed excused , even if I pressed you to industry , and to all the great exertions Avhich I thought conducive and necessary
to expedite this singular and Avonderful project . If at that time , Brethren , when the prospect of success but scarcely glimmered on my mind ; Avhen 1 thought the undertaking but the fabric of a vision;—if at that time , I say , inducements-were by me thought wanting to stimulate and encourage the prosecution of the Avork ; Avhat must I now thinkwhat must I now feelwhen all that I thought impossible
, , stands realized before me , and when' compliment and exhortation have given Avay to substance and effect ? My language can alone be the language of praise , and that unmixed with any possibility of flattery : for flattery is the most sordid act that can be complied with ; but praise , when bestowed as the recompense of merit , both just and commendable .
' Flat ! the AA'ork , HOAV accomplished , been' effected in . the times of peace ; in times more favourable to the works of art , or more propitious to the cultivation of the sciences ; even then , could there havebeen found amongst us one who had not contributed his unfeigned applause to an undertaking so novel and so vast ? But w'hen it be remembered , that the foundation was laid , and that the structure has been perfected , in the times of War ; in times Avhich may truly be styled , " S ( cv . x et inftsta artibus- ; " * Avhen the labour of man has
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ceremony Of Opening Wearmouth Bridge;
Low Road to the Land Arch—wdiere the Grand Master and all the Masons heing in front , and having then a full view of the Bridge , a halt was made , and the Grand Honours given . They then moved toAvards the Pan-ferry , and on to the Bridge , by the East side and North gate . The Gentlemen , Avho Avere not Masons , were disposed at each end of the Bridge . Tylers AA'ere placed ; and the Grand Lodge formed
in the centre . The Lodge-lights , & c . were deposited—Lodge unveiled , and Masonic business transacted . The Tools were returned to the Grand Master by Brother WILSON , Architect of the Work . Brother NESFTELD then delivered the following Oration : c BRETHREN , ' Having been selectedhy your partiality , to address you on the
, eminent- occasion of laying the Foundation-stone of this beautiful structure , I little thought I should again be so speedily called upon to celebrate the event of its completion . It falls not often to the lot of an individual to witness , in the space of his short hour , works of magnitude and immensity begun , and brought to perfection ; but when I reflect , that , in the course of some few revolving months ,
this noble pile , on which Ave are HOAV assembled , has been reared , I cannot but consider it as a joyful event of my life , and a matter of the highest gratification to you , my Brethren .-' At the commencement of this work , I maj- haA'e been supposed to have paid a compliment to good intention , and to useful speculation . I stand indeed excused , even if I pressed you to industry , and to all the great exertions Avhich I thought conducive and necessary
to expedite this singular and Avonderful project . If at that time , Brethren , when the prospect of success but scarcely glimmered on my mind ; Avhen 1 thought the undertaking but the fabric of a vision;—if at that time , I say , inducements-were by me thought wanting to stimulate and encourage the prosecution of the Avork ; Avhat must I now thinkwhat must I now feelwhen all that I thought impossible
, , stands realized before me , and when' compliment and exhortation have given Avay to substance and effect ? My language can alone be the language of praise , and that unmixed with any possibility of flattery : for flattery is the most sordid act that can be complied with ; but praise , when bestowed as the recompense of merit , both just and commendable .
' Flat ! the AA'ork , HOAV accomplished , been' effected in . the times of peace ; in times more favourable to the works of art , or more propitious to the cultivation of the sciences ; even then , could there havebeen found amongst us one who had not contributed his unfeigned applause to an undertaking so novel and so vast ? But w'hen it be remembered , that the foundation was laid , and that the structure has been perfected , in the times of War ; in times Avhich may truly be styled , " S ( cv . x et inftsta artibus- ; " * Avhen the labour of man has