Provincial.

The Chaplain ( the Rev . J . F . Ilewson ) then offered up a prayer , the parties taking part in the ceremonial being uncovered . The plans were then handed by the Provincial Grand Superintendent ( Bro . T . Truss ) to thc architect , who presented them to the Mayor , who , after inspection and approval , returned them to the architect . The'inscription of the plate was then read , ivhich was as follows : — " This stono ivas laid with Masonic ceremonies , the Riht AVorshiful the of ChesterJohn

by g p Mayor , Trevor , Esq ., on Tuesday , the Sth day of April , A . D . 1862 . Architects—Messrs . AA ' . ancl J . Hay , Liverpool ; Contractor—Mr . John Roberts , Chester . " The Treasurer of the corporation , Mr . E . S . Roberts , having by the Mayor ' s desire placed a bottle containing the current coins of the realm in the prepared cavity of the stone , the aperture was closed up with the brass plateand the cement

, having been spread underneath by the Mayor , the stone was slowly lowered , the A ' olnnteers presenting arms , and their band playing the National Anthem . Under the direction of tlie Superintendent of the AA ' orks , the Mayor then proved the stone to be properly levelled by the plumb rule , level , and square , which were successively presented to him hy J . AA * ., S . AV ., and AV . M ., of the Cestrian Lodge . The architect ( Mr . AA * . Kay )

delivered to the Mayor the mallet , ivith ivhich he gave the stone three knocks , and pronounced duly laid . TlieMAYOE then said— "May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on this foundation stone , ivhich we have now laid , ami by His providence enable us to finish this , and every good woz-k which may be undertaken for the good and advantage of this ancient city . " The cornucopia was then presented to the Mayor hy P . M .

Bro * GEBEAKD , who said—Brother Trevor , on laying the foundation stone , I present you with this vessel containing corn , v , hich is emblematical ofthe bounteousness ofthe Lord in providing sustenance for the use of mankind . AVhen God commanded man to replenish the earth and subdue it , He gave power to the seed of the earth to bring forth after his kind . So may we believe that God will sow the seed of His AA ' ord in our hearts , to bring forth good works , and a firm conviction that He will never let his children want tbe material blessings of this life , or faith in His promise of life everlasting .

Bro . BUEGHALL P . M . presented a silver cup containing wine to the Mayor , and delivered the following address : — Brother Trevor : I present you with this measure of wine , which is emblematical of the goodness of the Great Creator of all things , in providing not only the necessaries but the luxuries of this life ; and as in Holy AA ' rit the fruit of the vine indicated a land of plenty , so let this wine be received by you as a token that God may bless the work now in hand by

giving prosperity to this ancient city , and abundance to its inhabitants . Bro . CHOELTOI * , P . M . —Lodge of Light ( No . 172)—delivered a silver cup , containing oil , to the Mayor . He said- —Bro . Trevor , I present you with this measure of oil , being an illustration of the superabundance and profusian of the fruits of the earth provided for manwhoin . earning liis bread bthe sweat

, , y of his brow , fulfils his destiny , and enjoys and partakes of the ¦ fatness of the earth . As this oil may be used for a light to shine in darkness , so may He who rules all things enlighten our ways during our abode here , and finally lead ns by His divine radiance to the abodes of peace and immortality . Bro . PIGOT , P . M ., also presented h silver measure filled with saltand delivered an address as follows : —Bro . TrevorI

, , present you with this measure of salt . As in this happy country we are blessed with so many of the products of nature , not even salt is withheld ! , where can the bounty of our Creator he more shown than in thus providing that which gives a zest to our daily bread , for without this great gift all food would be savourless . May tills ceremony of pouring corn , wine , oil , ancl salt on this foundation-stone be not merely an empty form ,

but may it make a lasting impression on all present , by reminding us of thc gratitude we owe to the Almighty for His merciful care of our welfare . As the Mayor poured the contents of each cup on the stone he pronounced the following invocation : — " May the allbounteous Author of Nature bless this city with abundance of cornwineoilsaltancl with all the necessariesconveniences ,

, , , , , and comforts of life . " The Mayor , having been assisted on to the stone , proceeded to address the assembly . In the first place he begged to thank the magistrates and the members of the Town Council tor their attendance , and for the very high honour they had paid him in

presenting him with the trowel with which he had done his part of the good work that day . In tbe next placo , be begged to thank his fellow-citizens for the very kind and cordial manner in which they had assisted in the ceremony , ancl for their veryku-o-e and influential attendance . In the next place , his thanks were due to the Masonic body , of which ho was happy to say he was a member , for their participation in the ceremonial that clay ;

and more particularly ivould he express his thanks to Field-Marshal A'iscount Combermere , for the great honour he had conferred upon him in deputing him to perform this pleasing Masonic ceremonial . Further , he had to thank the A ' olnnteers , that noble body of our city , who had assembled in such large numbers to form a guard of honour on the occasion , ancl giving an eclat and brilliancy to the proceedings which they ivould otherwise not have possessed . Alsoalthough perhaps he ought

, to have mentioned it first , he begged to tender his thanks to the ladies of Chester for their attendance , for they shed a halo of beauty on the ceremony . ( Cheers . ) It was principally his concern for the ladies that he was induced to press forward the newmarket scheme , hecause tbey often had to make their purchases at much inconvenience in the present market , but when the new building was erected they would be able to transact their domestic affairs with comfort . ( Cheers . ) His iVarm and hearty

thanks were duo to Alderman Humberston , who had presented him with the trowel , for his kind expressions towards him in his excellent speech . He ( the Mayor ) cordially agreed in every sentiment Alderman . Humberston had uttered respecting the welfare ancl prosperity of the city . Chester had no nobler son nor one ivho regarded her local interests more than Mr . Humberston , who was always first and foremost in every

good work connected with the city . ( Cheers . ) He did not intend to detain them long , hut he would just mention one or two facts to show that Chester was progressing as fast as any other place ofthe same population . In the year 1 S 01 the population was 15 , 052 ; in 1811 it was 16 , 4-00 ; in 182119 , 949 ; in 1831 21 , 344 ; in 1841 23 , 866 ; in 1851 27 , 766 ; in 1861 , 21 , 101 ; which proved that it had more than doubled itself in GO years . It had increased 10 , 000 in 30 years , while within the last ten years it had gained 3 , 335 , being the largest increase . Not only had tlie population progressed , but the rateable value of the property

had also increased . In 1843 it was £ 58 , 000 ; in 1851 £ 62 , 664 ; in 1856 £ 66 , 259 ; in 1858 £ 73 , 100 ; in 1859 £ 73 , 781 ; in 1860 £ 74 , 941 ; in 1861 £ 75 , 120 ; being an increase in the last eighteen years of £ 17 , 120 ; and the last ten years of £ 13 , 456 . These short statistics would prove that Chester was progressing in population and prosperity . He believed that there was not a more orderly people to be found anywhere than those of Chester ; and since the Improvement Act of 1846 was obtainedthey had

, " mended their ways" as all good citizens ought to do ; the streets were better , drains had been carried underneath the place in every direction , and the town now stood higher than ever it did at any previous period in a sanitary point of view . ( Cheers . ) The citizens of Chester were noted as much as those of any other town for attending places of worship ; no ' population , bad attteded to their religious duties better , whether Church

people , Nonconformists , or Roman Catholics . ( Hear , hear . ) There were numerous public schools in the city , and there was no population in the kingdom that gave their children a more sound religious and secular education . ( Cheers . ) He would now briefly allude to the local government of tho town . Although there were parties of different political and religious views in the municipal body , and although they might occasionally disagree ,

as in Parliament , their measures had generally met with universal approval . ( Hear , hear . ) Ho thought lie might say , that the Chester Town Council , of ivhich ho ivas at the head , had shown by their deliberations that they felt an earnest desire not only in the improvement of the town , hut also in the increase of its trade ; they were always ready to defend its rights and privilegesancl advance the general prosperity of the people .

, ( Loud cheers . ) He would just mention that , as respected the new markets , the foundation stone of which he had just laid , the whole of the credit was not due to himself , for his friend Mr . Alderman Peacock initiated the purchase of the land , and afterwards threw'the affair into his ( the Mayor ' s ) hands . Had it not been ibr the generous support he received , from the Town Council and the citizens of Chesterhis ability to do

any-, thing ivould have been slight indeed . He believed there was not a dissentient voice as to the utility of the market , and _ he had no doubt it would prove a boon to the city . Their object ought to be to offer as many inducements as possible to persons of substance at a distance to liye amongst them , as it would be