Provincial.

was next called upon to apply the implement of his office , namely , the plumb ; after which , the Prov . S . G . AV . tested the stone with the level . The D . PROA ' . GRAND MASTER : In the name of the Groat Architect of the Universe , I pronounce the foundation stone of the Dewsbury Public Baths to be properly and surely laid ; and T trust that the building may exist for the benefit of the inhabitants for all time to come . ( Then tapping the stone . ) Thus

, and thus , and thus , I declare the stone to be duly laid . Bro . Dr . SENIOR , Prov . G . Chap , of England , then proceeded to scatter corn over the stone , at the same time expressing- a hone that a full fruition of God's blessing would attend the labours of the clay , and that it would please Him to smile upon the land , ancl favour us with an abundant and glorious harvest . He next poured wine on the stone as an oblationand in humble

, prayer to Almighty Gocl that He would continue to pour down His goodness upon the people of this district , so that they uiio-ht go on prospering and flourishing in the pursuit of commerce until time should be no more . Lastly , the stone was anointed Avith oil , and here the Almighty ' s blessing was again invoked for all , rich and poor , the lofty and the lowly . Might they all be bound together in the golden chain of love , and

mig ht they all walk in fear of His power , ancl rejoicing in His benevolence and wisdom for ever and for ever . The R . W . D . PROA * . GRAND MASTER having pronounced a benediction upon the stone , ancl expressed a hope that all present might be perpetually blest with the comforts which corn , wine , and oil symbolised , went on to address the audience . He said that on such an occasion , the like of which had never taken place in Dewsbury to his recollection , to some who were not

initiated m the Order , it might appear to be au unmeaning ceremony . He would now endeavour briefly to explain to them that every form , symbol and ornament , and all things else , both so far as regarded external appearances , and tbe interior of the hall in which they assembled , conveyed an iea of some moral virtue , ahd inculcated its practice . ( Applause . ) Some might be disposed to smile at the srnnllness of the implements , but they were simply intended as emblems , though constructed as

accurately as those in general use . The operative mason applied his plumb , so as to ascertain if the stone was perpendicular . So the plumb kept by the Freemasons admonished them to walk npi-ightly in their respective stations—to hold the scale of justice in equal poise—to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure , and make their passions and prejudices coincide with the line of their duty . ( Applause . ) The operative mason applied [ his levelto see that the stono was evenl

, y faced . ( Hear , hear . ) The Freemasons had their level too—( Hear , hear . )—which served to remind them of their equality , ancl that they had all sprung from the same parent stock , partook of the same nature , and shared the same hope , and that though distinctions among men were necessary to preserve subordination , yet no eminence of station would make them forget that they were brethren , and that he who was placed on the lowest spoke of fortune's wheel miht be entitled to their

reg gard , because the time would come , and the wisest of them knew not how soon , when death , the great leveller , would reduce all to the same level . ( Cheers . ) The mallet taught them to lop off excrescences , and make the surface smooth , or , in other words , to correct irregularities and reduce themselves to the proper level , so that by quiet deportment he might , in the school of discipline , leax-n to be content . ' AVhat tho mallet was to the

workwan , enlightened reason was to the passions ; it curbed ambition ,, repressed envy , moderated anger , and encouraged good dispositions , whence arose the comely Order"Which nothing certainly gives , or can destroy , The soul ' s calm sunshine ancl the heartfelt joy . " He would now congratulate them on the good work they had just inauguratedfor though the le of Dewsbury "

, peop were sometimes slow to move in public matters , yet when they did move they not only brought forth their energy , but what was equally as good—their perseverance ( applause ) . He hoped to see the fabric raised and completed , and that it would prove a solid benefit to the public . AVhen he loooked back and saw so much Progress had been made , he felt proud that the Architect of the Universe had blessed the neihbourhood with large

g so a Measure of prosperity . He would ask the ladies and gentlemen Present to unite with him in the hope that that prosperity Might be continued , and that they might go on increasing and multiplying as they had done . ( Cheers . ) The loyal anthem was then sung , and afterwards , at the

suggestion of the Mayor , cheers again and again repeated were given for the success of the institution . This was " followed by cheers for the Queen , the Mayor , and the ladies , on whose behalf his worship bad the gallantry to return thanks . The procession was then re-formed , and wended its way back to the Masonic Hall , where the brethren were dispersed .

THE DINNER . The dinner was provided by Mrs . Knowles , of the Man and Saddle Inn , and it was served in the public Hall , in a very superior style . Dr . Fearnley , ( the Mayor ) presided , supported by the tProv . G . Chap ., the Grand Chaplain of England , the Prov . Grand Officers , and the Corporation ; and , after , the cloth was withdrawn , he proposed the usual loyal toasts , which were drunk with cheers , the Dewsbury quadrille band playing God Save the Queen and Rule Brittannia . The Rev . AV . Appleyard , Prov . Grand Chap ., proposed " Our National Defences . "

Captain Addyman responded . He said that , as a volunteer , it would not have become him to sit down without saying one word . Having the sincerest respect for the army and navy , and believing that on all occasions they would do their duty as they had done , he might be permitted to say , on behalf of the volunteers , that if ever they were called on to fight they would not shrink from the work . He thanked them for the manner in which they had responded to the toast . ( Cheers ) .

Bro . Henry Day proposed " The Health of their much-respected and esteemed friend Dr . Fearnley , the Mayor of the borough who w « s thoroughly respected everywhere ancl by every one . " ( Cheers . ) He could give them no better idea of his character than was conveyed in his own words when asked to assist in laying the foundation stone . He said that he should be very glad , and in any way else he could serve the interests of the borough , they might depend on him . ( Hear , hear . ) They ought

to do donour to a person who has the disposition to do good where he can . ( Hear hear . ) And they had done him honour , for they had elected him to the highest dignity . they could confer on him , for he was now the Mayor—the first Mayor and the first magistrate of the borough . He hoped that he would long live in health and strength among tbem , enjoying the respect of the people . The toast was drunk with cheersthe band playing "The fine

, old English Gentleman . " The R . W . D . PROV . GRAND MASTER ( the Mayor ) then rose , and was received with cheers again and again repeated . He asked to be allowed sincerely to thank them for the honour conferred on him , ancl particularly allow him to thank the Chairman of the Dewsbury Bath Company lor the polite manner in which he had pvoposecl the toast . It was true that he had great

pleasure in serving his townsmen in any capacity , and it would be a painful thing if he were to do anything which would cause him to reflect afterwards that he had not done his duty . ( Hear , hear . ) He believed that this was the beginning of great improvements in their borough . He supposed he must call it a borough , though he was not tired of the name "good old town ; " but he believed that before the days of the Norman Conquest this was an ancient boroughand that it was one of

, the oldest Saxon places in the kingdom of any note . But he would leave this to gentlemen more learned than himself ; in fact , he had expected a gentleman would be there Avho Avould give them every information—he meant Mr . Leland . ( Voices - - He is here , Doctor . ) He was glad to hear it ; but at all events , whether they were a new borough or an ancient one , which had lapsed for a timeit had pleased the Queen to grant them the

, privilege of a Charter of Incorporation , and they must do the best they could to improve the borough ; and , seeing that they occupied a central position and a useful one , he trusted that they had all the elements of success . ( Cheers . ) He was not born in the borough , but he had so many intimate associations with the inhabitants that he migbt almost consider himself a native , and he could say that from the time he came he had met

with nothing but undeviating kindness from all . ( Cheers . ) This was the first opportunity he had had to thank them for their kindness in conferring on him a high honour by elevating him to the chief post in the town , ancl he now took the opportunity —in the presence of the strangers who Avere with them—to say how deeply he thanked them for their kindness . He was glad that , iu connection with their time honoured Craft , that which had been done that day ( in accordance ivith ancient custom from almost time immemorial ) was to impress the inhabitants with sentiments of virtue , and with the desire to do good to their