Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Weymouth Royal Hospital And Dispensary.

" But thou hast needy brethren here , Partakers of Thy grace , AVhose humble name Thou wilt confess Before Thy Father ' s face . "Iu them Thou may ' sfc be clothed and fed , And visited and cheered ; And in their accents of distress , Thy pleading voice is heard .

" Thy face with reverence and with love , AA e in Thy poor would see , For while we . minister to them , AVe do it Lord , to Thee . " Tlio AVorshipful Alaster of the Weymouth Lodge , Bro . J . Tizard , then handed several coins of the present reign to the Mayor , who deposited them iu . a large glass bottle , and handed it to Sir Frederick JohnsonPresident of the Institution . Bro .

, P . Arden , giving to the baronet a copy of tho " Times '' of that day to place in it . This was a work of considerable difficulty , and the " Times ' ¦ ' had to be stripped of its supplement before it would pass through the narrow neck of the bottle . In addition to the newspaper , the documents relating to the building were also placed in the bottle , when Bro . Arden fitted the cork , and Air . F . C . Stoggall applied some red wax , aud stamped it

with tho Corporate seal . The bottle was then handed to Bro . Cockeram , Prov . G . Registrar of Dorsetshire , who read the inscription placed inside , which was as follows : — " AA ' eyuiouth . James Alilledge , Esq ., Alayor . Tlie foundation-stone of the Weymouth Royal Hospital and Dispensary was laid by Joseph Gundry , Esq ., Grand Alaster of Freemasons for the Province of Dorset , assisted hy Sir F . G . AV . Johnstone , of Westerhall , Bart .,

On Monday , the 29 th day of Alav , 1871 . " The covering stone was then raised , and tlie bottle returned to Sir Frederick , who deposited it in a cavity made for tbe purpose , and covered it with a stout slato slab , on which was engraved the names of the architect and builders . Air . England then placed some mortar on the stone , which was spread by Sir Frederick Johnstone , a very handsome silver trowel being handed to him for that purpo ' se . The top stone being brought

into proper position , the signal was given to lower it , aud amid the strains of the band , playing " Behold I bring you glad tidings , " the covering stone gradually descended into the place appointed . _ - _ The trowel used on the occasion was supplied by Mr . Cole , of Bond Street , and was a most elaborate piece of workmanship . Around the sides was some very handsome embossed work - , and in tho centre was the following ' inscription , surmounted by the

borough arms : — " James Alilledge , Alayor . This trowel was used in laying the foundation-stone of the AA ' eymouth Hospital and Infirmary by Joseph Gundry , Esq ., Prov . G . AL of Dorset , who with the Provincial Grand Lodge , performed the ceremony agreeably to the ancient AlasouicY . i'ms , on the 29 th Alav , A . D . 1871 , A . L . 5871 . " After the stone had boon deposited , Bro . Heath , Prov . G . AV .,

handed the plum rule to Bro . Gnndry , Prov . G . AL , who tested the stone in order to ascertain that it was level , after which the Deputy Grand Alaster handed him the square in order to prove the stone bv that instrument , returning each to the architect , Bro . G . lt . " Crickmay . Bro . Jacobs , Prov . G . AL then stepped forward and presented the Provincial Grand Master with a mahogany mallet , saying that i ; was fche one which was used in laying the foundation stone nf the bridge more than 50 yea- 's

ago . The Provincial Grand Alaster then tapped tlie stone three times , saying : " This corner stone has been tested by tho proper implements , and has been duly tried and placed in its position by the craftsmen . I find it trusty , well laid , and sound , and I declare , therefore , tliis stone is fitly placed as the corner stone of the AA ' eyuiouth Hospital . " Bro , Harper , P . M ., the bearer of the corn , then advanced to the stone , and presented the Provincial Grand Alaster with a ancient silver-gilt corn

very measure , on receiving which he poured out the corn on the stone , saying : " I scatter this corn as a symbol of goodness and mercy . Alay the blessing of Heaven be showered down upon this our undertaking . May the poor , the sick , the afflicted , and tho needy derive from it all the benefits we wish they should have or they desire , and may our hearts he ever filled with thanksgiving , gratitude , and praise . " The choir then chanted , " Glory to God in tho highest . " j / fhe bearer of the wine , Bro . Smith , P . M .,

then advanced with an elegant silver ewer , which lie handed to the Provincial Grand Alaster , who poured the contents upon the stone saying : " I pour out this wine as the symbol of joy and gladness . Alay the blessing of the Almighty be plenteously bestowed upon us this day , and may the poor , the afflicted , and the suffering ever raise their voices in thankfulness aud joy iu honour of the Alost High . " After this invocation the choir chanted " Glory to God . " Bro . Lundie , P . AL , the hearer of the

oil , next advanced with a silver flask , and presented it to the Provincial Grand Alaster , wdio , after pouring the oil upon the stone , said : " I pom- forth this oil as tlie symbol of benevolence and charity . May charity , which is tho bond of goodness , rule in our hearts , and may we always feel rejoiced in doing good to those who need it . " The solemnity of the occasion was again enhanced by the choir chanting " Glory to God in the Highest . " Bro . Coombs , PTOT . G . S ., then commanded silence whilst the

Provincial Grand Chaplain offered prayer ; and in the course of this the clergyman asked God to bless the building , to make it a place of refuge for the sick and afflicted , and to preserve from accident those who might he engaged iu its construction . Bro . AVyndham , Prov . G . Sup . of Works , then handed the plans of the new building to the Provincial Grand Alaster , who , after inspecting them , returned the same to the Architect , Bro . Crickmayobserving : "I have much leasure in banding you

, very p these plans , and for two reasons—first , that from what I know of your ability you will do justice to the building about to be erected ; aud secondly , that in this instance I have the pleasure of dealing , not only theoretically but practically , with a Mason . " Bro . Arden then read the list of subscriptions and donations to the building , . and in addition to those already made public , said he had received £ 20 from tho Rev . T . A . Greavos , and £ 5 from Air . G . A . Brown . He had also received three guineas from

Aliss Drew , being the result of a ladies' collecting card , and the first which had been returned . There were several others out , aud ladies might assist the institution very materially by endeavouring to collect money in this way . The Alayor informed the lion , secretary of the institution that lie had received £ 5 5 s . from Air . Alderman Thomson , and £ 5 from Dr . Rhodes . Bro . Coombs , Prov . G . S ., announced that the result of the

collection iu the Lodge amounted to £ 25 . Bro . Crickmay , said that tbo church collection amounted to £ 24 15 s . 4 d ., and that Air . Gaskill had given a second donation of £ 10 , making his subscription amount to £ 20 . The Alayor said tho result of the offertory at Trinity Church on Sunday last was £ 8 12 s . Tlie Mayor announced that Air . AA . Talbot would give £ 5 5 s ., and that the builders would given similar sum . Dr . Alorehoad

had also given an additional subscription of £ 10 . Bro . Coombs , Prov . G . S ., again commanded silence whilst the Provincial Grand Master addressed the meeting . Bro . Gundry , Prov . G . AL , said : Sir Frederick Johnstone , Air . Alayor , Ladies and Gentlemen , —It would certainly not be right or consistent with the general duties which devolve upon a gentleman filling the situation which I have had the honour of filling to-daywere I to allow to separate without ing

, you say some few words relative to tlio occasion ol our meeting-. As we have hoard to-day , to a certain extent the first known commemorative instance of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset having been employed in laying the foundation-stone of any place iu AA'eyuiouth was upon the occasion when the foundation-stone of the bridge was laid , which I apprehend was more than fifty years ago . The next occasion in which the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset assisted in such a ceremony was iu the laying of the

Park Wall . The next occasion was the laying of the foundationstone of tho Town Hall ; and now I have the honour to preside over tho Provincial Grand Lodge of this province in assisting for tho purpose of laying the foundation-stono of this most excellent institution . It is not for me to tell yon how much good has already resulted from this institution , of which we have met here to lay- the foundation-stone of very considerable and important extensions . In addition to this—from what I can see from tbe

plans which have been handed to me by your architect , and which show that very large addition has been made for the general accommodation of the patients—there is one thing which attracts my notice , aud which you will permit mo to say I mos fc heartily approve of . It is that ward for accidental injuries . This is one of tho most useful in a building of this description , and which cannot fail to be productive of great benefit . 1 cannot conclude without saying a few words to you belonging to th