Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland
usual formalities , the reception of the deputies from the sister Grand Lodges of England and Irelana were received with the stately ceremonial which the Brethren love to practise on such occasions . The deputation from the Grand Lodge of England consisted of the R . W . Lord Panmure , D . G . M . ; the Hon . Fred . Dundas M . P . ) , S . G . W . ; Wyndham Portal , J . G . W . ; and P y . Jennings , G . Dir . of Cers . The deputation from the Grand Lodge of Ireland consisted of Bros . Quinton , G . Treas ., and Dr . Hindman , G . Sec . After the necessary business had been gone through , the Grand Master adjourned the Lodge . The Brethren who were not members of the Grand Lodge having in the meantime been marshalled in the Palace yard , the grand procession was then set in motion , the junior Lodge taking the lead .
Notwithstanding the great numbers present , and the difficulty of moving large bodies of men unaccustomed to march in concert , the arrangements were so expeditiously carried out that less delay took place than might reasonably have been expected , and the proper order of the Lodges was maintained without the slightest confusion . As the Lodge of Edinburgh , Slary ' s Chapel , No . 1 , which as the most ancient Lodge of Scotland , had the privilege of immediately preceding the Grand Lodge , began to move off the ground , the office-bearers of the
Grand Lodge were seen issuing from the portals of the palace . The vast procession , without a break in its magnificent entirety , then moved along the densely crowded Canongate , escorted by guards of honour , while the line on each side was kept clear by the military . The scene was one of the most astonishing kind . The procession itself was full of varied interest . The quaintly decorated flags , the diversified costumes of the several Lodges , and the gorgeously decorated office-bearers , presented a unique and dazzling picture , while the usual numbers that took part in the procession imparted to it great dignity and impressiveness .
Scarcely less extraordinary , however , than the procession itself was the aspect of the streets . Although the roadway was thronged with human beings , the crowds there seem to have afforded no relief to the living swarms congregated in , on , and about the houses . Every window had its cluster of human faces . Every balcony was crowded . The gabled housetops , the roofs of the churches , the most inaccessible ledges of wall , had all their contingents of gratified spectators . No spot from which a glimpse could be gained of what was going on was without its
occupant . When the head of the procession reached the High Church , the line halted , and formed open order . The Grand Lodge , preceded by a band of music , passed up through the ranks , the Lodge of Edinburgh , and the other Lodges according to their seniority , following . Arrived at the High Church , the Grand Lodge proceeded to the gallery , the other Lodges following into the body of the building . The Rev . Dr . Arnot , the Grand Chaplain , then delivered an able and most appropriate discourse , selecting for his text the 8 th verse of the 13 th chapter of Genesis . At the same time the Rev . Andrew Bonar , minister of the first
charge of Canongate , who had agreed to act as assistant chaplain on this interesting occasion , conducted divine service in West St . Giles . The reverend gentleman delivered some judicious remarks in reference to the ceremony that was about to bo performed , and warmly impressed upon the Brethren the nature of the obligations which all Masons had taken upon themselves . At the conclusion of
the services the procession was re-formed in the same order it had taken up at its departure from the Palace . The route then lay along High-street , Bank-street , the Mound , Princes-street , Charlotte-street and square , into George-street . Along this line of road , the interest manifested , and the anxiety not to miss any of the more striking features of the procession , were evidently as great as had been exhibited during the inarch from the palace to the church . The whole course was
lined with spectators , and every available spot from which a good view could be obtained was filled up . The aspect of the procession in this portion of its career fully justified the curiosity so generally displayed . As it passed down the Mound and wound into Princes-street , a more variegated , picturesque , and attractive spectacle could scarcely be imagined . Probably no gayer acene has ever been witnessed in that locality ; and old inhabitants state that they cannot recall any event which excited , and deservedly , so much enthusiasm , except perhaps the visit of George IV . The display of beauty and fashion throughout the whole length of Princes-street
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland
usual formalities , the reception of the deputies from the sister Grand Lodges of England and Irelana were received with the stately ceremonial which the Brethren love to practise on such occasions . The deputation from the Grand Lodge of England consisted of the R . W . Lord Panmure , D . G . M . ; the Hon . Fred . Dundas M . P . ) , S . G . W . ; Wyndham Portal , J . G . W . ; and P y . Jennings , G . Dir . of Cers . The deputation from the Grand Lodge of Ireland consisted of Bros . Quinton , G . Treas ., and Dr . Hindman , G . Sec . After the necessary business had been gone through , the Grand Master adjourned the Lodge . The Brethren who were not members of the Grand Lodge having in the meantime been marshalled in the Palace yard , the grand procession was then set in motion , the junior Lodge taking the lead .
Notwithstanding the great numbers present , and the difficulty of moving large bodies of men unaccustomed to march in concert , the arrangements were so expeditiously carried out that less delay took place than might reasonably have been expected , and the proper order of the Lodges was maintained without the slightest confusion . As the Lodge of Edinburgh , Slary ' s Chapel , No . 1 , which as the most ancient Lodge of Scotland , had the privilege of immediately preceding the Grand Lodge , began to move off the ground , the office-bearers of the
Grand Lodge were seen issuing from the portals of the palace . The vast procession , without a break in its magnificent entirety , then moved along the densely crowded Canongate , escorted by guards of honour , while the line on each side was kept clear by the military . The scene was one of the most astonishing kind . The procession itself was full of varied interest . The quaintly decorated flags , the diversified costumes of the several Lodges , and the gorgeously decorated office-bearers , presented a unique and dazzling picture , while the usual numbers that took part in the procession imparted to it great dignity and impressiveness .
Scarcely less extraordinary , however , than the procession itself was the aspect of the streets . Although the roadway was thronged with human beings , the crowds there seem to have afforded no relief to the living swarms congregated in , on , and about the houses . Every window had its cluster of human faces . Every balcony was crowded . The gabled housetops , the roofs of the churches , the most inaccessible ledges of wall , had all their contingents of gratified spectators . No spot from which a glimpse could be gained of what was going on was without its
occupant . When the head of the procession reached the High Church , the line halted , and formed open order . The Grand Lodge , preceded by a band of music , passed up through the ranks , the Lodge of Edinburgh , and the other Lodges according to their seniority , following . Arrived at the High Church , the Grand Lodge proceeded to the gallery , the other Lodges following into the body of the building . The Rev . Dr . Arnot , the Grand Chaplain , then delivered an able and most appropriate discourse , selecting for his text the 8 th verse of the 13 th chapter of Genesis . At the same time the Rev . Andrew Bonar , minister of the first
charge of Canongate , who had agreed to act as assistant chaplain on this interesting occasion , conducted divine service in West St . Giles . The reverend gentleman delivered some judicious remarks in reference to the ceremony that was about to bo performed , and warmly impressed upon the Brethren the nature of the obligations which all Masons had taken upon themselves . At the conclusion of
the services the procession was re-formed in the same order it had taken up at its departure from the Palace . The route then lay along High-street , Bank-street , the Mound , Princes-street , Charlotte-street and square , into George-street . Along this line of road , the interest manifested , and the anxiety not to miss any of the more striking features of the procession , were evidently as great as had been exhibited during the inarch from the palace to the church . The whole course was
lined with spectators , and every available spot from which a good view could be obtained was filled up . The aspect of the procession in this portion of its career fully justified the curiosity so generally displayed . As it passed down the Mound and wound into Princes-street , a more variegated , picturesque , and attractive spectacle could scarcely be imagined . Probably no gayer acene has ever been witnessed in that locality ; and old inhabitants state that they cannot recall any event which excited , and deservedly , so much enthusiasm , except perhaps the visit of George IV . The display of beauty and fashion throughout the whole length of Princes-street