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Article PBOVIUCIAL, ← Page 6 of 9 →
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Pboviucial,
years ago . I have had the command of as fine a regiment of yeomanry cavalry as ever existed in any county . I have had the honour of representing , for six successive parliaments , one of the most intelligent , independent , and patriotic constituencies in the kingdom—that of Bridgwater . But , gentlemen , these are times gone by . I have no public position in the county , save the one which I hold on this spot . The unfortunate failure of my sight prevents my continuing in the command of that regiment . I have also retired from the labours and honours of
the House of Commons , and I am not in the House of Lords , though I ought to have been there thirteen years ago ; for by the law and constitution of the realm , I proved my claim to an hereditary peerage , and proved it by evidence so satisfactoryy-that Lord Lyiidhurst , than whom there could be no greater authority , and who was lord chancellor at the time , said that he had never known a clearer case made out . There Avas no other person who put in a single claim , or single syllable of evidence whatever , either to substantiate any other claim , or to
Adtiate mine . But so it is , other parties are bearing the dignity of that ancient family . I am not in possession of those honours , and therefore there is no title for me to give glory or dignity to these proceedings . But there is an incident , and a rather curious one , and I will mention it , although it relates to myself , because it may afford interest to some of our archaeological friends in this toAvn and neighbourhood , and it can do no harm to any one . Brethren , we are told that King Henry VII . lahl the foundation stone of the late magnificent building with Masonic forms as Grand Master of Masons . Since his time it has been found
necessary for the Grand Master to have the assistance of other Grand Masters , and there are Grand Masters appointed in every province , vested with his powers , and with his authority to represent him . I stand in that position now . Brethren , King Henry VII . Avas assisted by his Senior Grand Warden , a person of the highest accomplishments in his day , particularly skilled in ecclesiastical architecture . He was withal a gallant Avarrior , and won honours on the field of battle . This was
a proper man for such a man as King Henry VII . to work Avith , and he made him his friend , his lord high treasurer , and his prime minister , and consulted him on all occasions ; and it is no wonder that when he applied to such a man , that such a production came forth as that magnificent tower which has just sunk into decay . " It was in the year 1485 that King Henry came to the crown , and it was after that time that he laid the foundation of the tower . It is therefore somewhat
within 400 years—no space of time for such a beautiful edifice to sink and to fall into decay . Well , that building was one of the most beautiful—if not the most beautiful—specimen of that fine order called Tudor . King Henry was a Tudor . It is rather singular that I should stand here in the place of the Grand Master ; and it is also singular that I myself am now called upon to replace a perfect Tudor structure . I have mentioned this incident , because it is somewhat applicable to the case , and it is rather singular also , I now call upon my brother officers and assistants to assist me in adjusting the corner-stone of this new edifice , which , we trust , may prove more lasting ; and 1 hope the materials of Avhich it will be constructed will be more durable than that Avhich has already perished . "
The Provincial Grand Master then called upon tlie Masonic Brethren who officiated with him to assist in their several capacities . As the different tools were handed , and the gallant old colonel had used them , lie said—¦ " I declare that stone to be perpendicular . "
" I declare that stone to be level . " u I declare that stone to be square . " The following were then placed in a cavity purposely made in the stone : — corn , wine , oil , and coin . The plate was then laid on , after which Colonel Tynto called upon the Provincial G rand Chaplain to offer up a prayer to Almighty God upon this solemn occasion .
The Prov . G . Chaplain then offered up a most beautiful and touciung ^ prayer , suitable to such an event . The stone was then laid in tlie usual manner . The Prov . G . M . then declared the foundation stone of St . Mary Magdalene ' s tower to be laid iu true Masonic form , to the glory of God .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pboviucial,
years ago . I have had the command of as fine a regiment of yeomanry cavalry as ever existed in any county . I have had the honour of representing , for six successive parliaments , one of the most intelligent , independent , and patriotic constituencies in the kingdom—that of Bridgwater . But , gentlemen , these are times gone by . I have no public position in the county , save the one which I hold on this spot . The unfortunate failure of my sight prevents my continuing in the command of that regiment . I have also retired from the labours and honours of
the House of Commons , and I am not in the House of Lords , though I ought to have been there thirteen years ago ; for by the law and constitution of the realm , I proved my claim to an hereditary peerage , and proved it by evidence so satisfactoryy-that Lord Lyiidhurst , than whom there could be no greater authority , and who was lord chancellor at the time , said that he had never known a clearer case made out . There Avas no other person who put in a single claim , or single syllable of evidence whatever , either to substantiate any other claim , or to
Adtiate mine . But so it is , other parties are bearing the dignity of that ancient family . I am not in possession of those honours , and therefore there is no title for me to give glory or dignity to these proceedings . But there is an incident , and a rather curious one , and I will mention it , although it relates to myself , because it may afford interest to some of our archaeological friends in this toAvn and neighbourhood , and it can do no harm to any one . Brethren , we are told that King Henry VII . lahl the foundation stone of the late magnificent building with Masonic forms as Grand Master of Masons . Since his time it has been found
necessary for the Grand Master to have the assistance of other Grand Masters , and there are Grand Masters appointed in every province , vested with his powers , and with his authority to represent him . I stand in that position now . Brethren , King Henry VII . Avas assisted by his Senior Grand Warden , a person of the highest accomplishments in his day , particularly skilled in ecclesiastical architecture . He was withal a gallant Avarrior , and won honours on the field of battle . This was
a proper man for such a man as King Henry VII . to work Avith , and he made him his friend , his lord high treasurer , and his prime minister , and consulted him on all occasions ; and it is no wonder that when he applied to such a man , that such a production came forth as that magnificent tower which has just sunk into decay . " It was in the year 1485 that King Henry came to the crown , and it was after that time that he laid the foundation of the tower . It is therefore somewhat
within 400 years—no space of time for such a beautiful edifice to sink and to fall into decay . Well , that building was one of the most beautiful—if not the most beautiful—specimen of that fine order called Tudor . King Henry was a Tudor . It is rather singular that I should stand here in the place of the Grand Master ; and it is also singular that I myself am now called upon to replace a perfect Tudor structure . I have mentioned this incident , because it is somewhat applicable to the case , and it is rather singular also , I now call upon my brother officers and assistants to assist me in adjusting the corner-stone of this new edifice , which , we trust , may prove more lasting ; and 1 hope the materials of Avhich it will be constructed will be more durable than that Avhich has already perished . "
The Provincial Grand Master then called upon tlie Masonic Brethren who officiated with him to assist in their several capacities . As the different tools were handed , and the gallant old colonel had used them , lie said—¦ " I declare that stone to be perpendicular . "
" I declare that stone to be level . " u I declare that stone to be square . " The following were then placed in a cavity purposely made in the stone : — corn , wine , oil , and coin . The plate was then laid on , after which Colonel Tynto called upon the Provincial G rand Chaplain to offer up a prayer to Almighty God upon this solemn occasion .
The Prov . G . Chaplain then offered up a most beautiful and touciung ^ prayer , suitable to such an event . The stone was then laid in tlie usual manner . The Prov . G . M . then declared the foundation stone of St . Mary Magdalene ' s tower to be laid iu true Masonic form , to the glory of God .