Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
districts , and to provide more ample means of communication between tbe north and south side of the city , the ancient bridge formerly called the Bishop ' s Bridge , and latterly the Stockwell Bridge , has been taken tlown ; and by the favour of the Almighty God , in the presence of Sir James Anderson , the Lord Provost , and the other magistrates and councillors , His Grace the Duke of Athol , Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Scotlandassisted by the other Lodgeslaid the
foun-, , dation stone of this bridge , to be called the Victoria Bridge , on the 9 th day of April , Anno Domini 1 S 51 , and of Freemasonry , 5851 , and in the 14 th year of the reign of our Gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria . " The names of the Lord Provost , magistrates , and councillors of the city , the names of the bridge trustees , of the builder , and other gentlemen connected with the erection of the bridge followed . The operatives having completed their part of the ceremony , the Grand AVardens
delivered to the Grand Master the level and the plummet . The Substitute-Grand Blaster delivered -to the Grand Master the mallet . Plis Grace then laid the foundation stone of the bridge , with all the honours usual on such occasions , pronouncing the benediction : — " May the Grand Architect of the Universe enable us successfully to carry on and finish the work of ivhich we have now laid the foundation stone , and every undertaking Avhich may tend to the advantage of the City of
Glasgow and its neighbourhood , and may this bridge be long preserved from peril and decay . " The Substitute Grand Master then delivered to the Grand Master a cornucopia , the Senior Grand and Junior Grand Wardens silver vases , with wine and oil . The Grand Master , having spread a sheaf of corn on the stone , and poured out ivine and oil ,
conformably to ancient custom , said : — "Braise be to the Lord , immortal and eternal , who formed the heavens , laid the foundations of the earth , and extended the waters beyond it—who supports the pillars of nations , and maintains in order and harmony surrounding worlds . AA'e implore Thy aid , and may the continued blessing of an all-bounteous Providence be the lot of these our native shores ; and may the Almighty Ruler of events deign to direct the hand of our Gracious Sovereign , so that she may pour down blessings upon her people ; and may her peopleliving
, under sage laws , and a free government , ever feel grateful for the blessings they enjoy . " At the conclusion of the prayer , the Brethren gave three cheers , while the bund performed the Masons' Anthem . The treasurer to the bridge trust then presented to the senior master builder , Bro . York , a purse of gold , saying , that it ivas the pleasure of the Grand Master that those ivho hewed the stones , and those who laid them , and all who assisted ,
should " rejoice in the light . " His Grace the Grand Master ascended the platform to the site of the stone , and addressed , the assembly . Sir James Anderson , Lord Provost of the city , then , in name of the bridge trustees , returned thanks for the services ivhich the Duke had rendered . He said , " When we contemplate , my lord duke , the state of things at the time Avhen the foundation of the former bridwas laid
ge , and contrast it with that which exists now , how striking is the change . ' At that time the population of this city probably was not the hundredth part of what it now is . The river , at the point , " at which we now stand , might have been , without much difficulty , waded across , and no vessel approached within many miles of the Broomilaw . Now there is an extensive harbour , crowded with ships from all parts of the world , and the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
districts , and to provide more ample means of communication between tbe north and south side of the city , the ancient bridge formerly called the Bishop ' s Bridge , and latterly the Stockwell Bridge , has been taken tlown ; and by the favour of the Almighty God , in the presence of Sir James Anderson , the Lord Provost , and the other magistrates and councillors , His Grace the Duke of Athol , Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Scotlandassisted by the other Lodgeslaid the
foun-, , dation stone of this bridge , to be called the Victoria Bridge , on the 9 th day of April , Anno Domini 1 S 51 , and of Freemasonry , 5851 , and in the 14 th year of the reign of our Gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria . " The names of the Lord Provost , magistrates , and councillors of the city , the names of the bridge trustees , of the builder , and other gentlemen connected with the erection of the bridge followed . The operatives having completed their part of the ceremony , the Grand AVardens
delivered to the Grand Master the level and the plummet . The Substitute-Grand Blaster delivered -to the Grand Master the mallet . Plis Grace then laid the foundation stone of the bridge , with all the honours usual on such occasions , pronouncing the benediction : — " May the Grand Architect of the Universe enable us successfully to carry on and finish the work of ivhich we have now laid the foundation stone , and every undertaking Avhich may tend to the advantage of the City of
Glasgow and its neighbourhood , and may this bridge be long preserved from peril and decay . " The Substitute Grand Master then delivered to the Grand Master a cornucopia , the Senior Grand and Junior Grand Wardens silver vases , with wine and oil . The Grand Master , having spread a sheaf of corn on the stone , and poured out ivine and oil ,
conformably to ancient custom , said : — "Braise be to the Lord , immortal and eternal , who formed the heavens , laid the foundations of the earth , and extended the waters beyond it—who supports the pillars of nations , and maintains in order and harmony surrounding worlds . AA'e implore Thy aid , and may the continued blessing of an all-bounteous Providence be the lot of these our native shores ; and may the Almighty Ruler of events deign to direct the hand of our Gracious Sovereign , so that she may pour down blessings upon her people ; and may her peopleliving
, under sage laws , and a free government , ever feel grateful for the blessings they enjoy . " At the conclusion of the prayer , the Brethren gave three cheers , while the bund performed the Masons' Anthem . The treasurer to the bridge trust then presented to the senior master builder , Bro . York , a purse of gold , saying , that it ivas the pleasure of the Grand Master that those ivho hewed the stones , and those who laid them , and all who assisted ,
should " rejoice in the light . " His Grace the Grand Master ascended the platform to the site of the stone , and addressed , the assembly . Sir James Anderson , Lord Provost of the city , then , in name of the bridge trustees , returned thanks for the services ivhich the Duke had rendered . He said , " When we contemplate , my lord duke , the state of things at the time Avhen the foundation of the former bridwas laid
ge , and contrast it with that which exists now , how striking is the change . ' At that time the population of this city probably was not the hundredth part of what it now is . The river , at the point , " at which we now stand , might have been , without much difficulty , waded across , and no vessel approached within many miles of the Broomilaw . Now there is an extensive harbour , crowded with ships from all parts of the world , and the