ANNUENTE DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO, QUO VICI EXTRA MONIA EDINBURGI, PRIMUM LAPIDEM POSUIT NOBILIS VIR GEORGIUS DOMINUS HADDO, OPUS, UTILE CIVIBUS GRATUM ADVENIS, TRANSLATION. By the blessing of Almighty God, in the reign of George the Third, the Father of his country, the right hon. GEORGE LORD HADDO, Grand Master of the Most Ancient Fraternity of Free Masons in Scotland, amidst the acclamations of a Grand Assembly of the Brethren, and a vast concourse of people, laid the first stone of this bridge, intended to form a convenient communication between the city of Edinburgh and its suburbs, and an access not unworthy of such city. This work, so useful to the inhabitants, so pleasing and convenient to strangers, so ornamental to the city, so creditable to the country, so long and much wanted and wished for, was at last begun, with the sanction of the king and parliament of Great Britain, and with universal approbation, in the provostship of James Hunter Blair, the author and indefatigable promoter of the undertaking, August the 1st, in the year of our Lord 1785, and of the æra of Masonry 5785.-Which may God prosper. An anthem was then sung; and the procession, being reversed, returned to the Parliament-house. After which the Lord Provost and magistrates gave an elegant entertainment at Dunn's rooms to the Grand Lodge, and the nobility and gentry who had assisted at the ceremony. The next public ceremony in which the Society bore a principal share was the laying the foundationstone of that valuable seminary of learning, the new College of Edinburgh. This University has for many years been esteemed one of the most celebrated in Europe, and has attracted a great number of students in physic, and other branches of science, from all parts of the world. The eminence of its professors in every branch of learning is universally admitted; and it is most fervently to be wished, for the honour of the kingdom, that the whole plan may be completely executed agreeably to the intention of the original promoters. As this is an event worthy of record in the annals of Masonry, I shall describe minutely the ceremony observed on the occasion. On the 13th of October 1789, Mr. Robert Adam, architect, presented the plans of the intended building, at a public breakfast given by the Lord Provost to the Magistrates and the Principal and Professors of the University of Edinburgh; and explained their uses, for the various schools, halls, and houses. The whole company having expressed the highest satisfaction at the design, it was immediately resolved, that a subscription should be opened to carry the plan into execution; and Monday the 16th of November was fixed for laying the foundation-stone of the new structure. On the morning of the day appointed for performing the ceremony, the Brethren assembled at eleven o'clock in the Parliament-house, to meet Lord Napier, who was at the time Grand Master of Scotland. When the Lodges were arranged, the Grand Master sent notice to the Lord Provost and Magistrates, who had assembled in the Councilchamber; and to the Principal, Professors, and Students of the University, who had met in the High Church. At half past twelve, the procession began to move in the following order: 1st. The Principal, Professors, and Students of the University, with their mace carried before them; Principal Robertson being supported on the right hand by the Reverend Dr. Hunter, professor of divinity, and on the left by the Rev. Dr. Hardy, professor of church history. The Professors were all robed, and each of the Students had a sprig of laurel in his hat. 2d. The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council in their robes, preceded by the sword, mace, &c.; the Lord Provost being supported on the right and left by the two eldest Baillies. 3d. A complete choir of Singers, under the direction of Signor Schetky, singing anthems as the procession moved. 4th. The Lodges, according to seniority, juniors preceding, wifh their different insignia. 5th. A complete band of instrumental music. 6th. The Grand Stewards, properly clothed, with white rods. 7th. The Noblemen and Gentlemen attending the Grand Master. 8th. A large drawing of the East Front of the New College, carried by two operative Masons. 9th The grand jewels, borne by the Past Masters of Lodges. 10th. Officers of the Grand Lodge, properly clothed. 11th. Past Grand Masters. 12th. Lord NAPIER, present Grand Master, supported on the right hand by Sir William Forbes, Bart., Past Grand Master, and on the left by the Duke of Buccleugh. A detachment of the 35th regiment from the castle, together with the city guard, lined the streets. At one o'clock the Grand Master reached the site of the college; when the foundation-stone was laid with the usual ceremonies.* After which the Grand Master addressed himself to the Lord Provost and Magistrates as follows: *The particulars of this part of the ceremony were exactly similar to those observed at laying the foundation-stone of the South Bridge, see p. 260. MY LORD PROVOST, and MAGISTRATES, of the City of Edinburgh, In compliance with your request, I have now had the honour, in the capacity of Grand Master Mason of Scotland, to lend my aid towards laying that stone, on which it is your intention to erect a new College. I must ever consider it as one of the fortunate events in my life, that the Craft of Free and Accepted Masons should be called forth, to assist at an undertaking so laudable, and so glorious, during the time that, from their affection, I have the honour of sitting in the chair of the Grand Lodge. The attention to the improvement of this city, manifested by the Magistrates, your predecessors in office, has for many years excited the admiration of their fellow-citizens. The particular exertions of your Lordship and your Colleagues have merited, and it gives me infinite satisfaction to say, have obtained, the universal approbation of all ranks of men. The business of this day, equally to be remembered in the annals of this city and of Masonry, will transmit your names with lustre to posterity. Thousands yet unborn, learning to admire your virtues, will thereby be stimulated to follow the great example you have set them, of steady patriotism, love of your country, and anxious desire to advance the welfare, and increase the fame, of the city of Edinburgh. In the name of the Craft of Free and Accepted Masons, and in my own, I sincerely implore the protection of the Supreme Architect of the Universe on your lordship and your brethren in the magistracy! May you long continue here the ornaments of civil society; and may you hereafter be received into those mansions, those lodges, prepared in heaven for the blessed! To this address the Lord Provost, in the name of the Magistrates and Town Council of the City of Edinburgh, made a suitable reply. The Grand Master then addressed the Principal, as representing the University of Edinburgh, in the following words : REVEREND SIR, Permit me to congratulate you as Principal, and your brethren as Professors, of the University of Edinburgh, on the work in which we have this day heen engaged; - a work worthy of your Patrons, who (ever considering the public good) will not permit the seat of learning, established in this ancient metropolis, t bear the appearance of decay, at a time when so much attention is be stowed on the elegance and convenience both of public and private edifices. Permit me, likewise, to congratulate my country on the proba N bility of seeing the different chairs of the magnificent structure now to be erected filled by men so distinguished for their piety, so eminent for their learning, and so celebrated for their abilities, as those to whom I now have the honour to address myself. Any panegyric that I can pronounce must fall so far short of what is due to you, Sir, and your honourable and learned brethren, that it would be presumption in me to attempt to express my sense of your deserts. Suffice it to say, that the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the Lodges depending on it, are most happy, in having this opportunity of assisting at, and witnessing, the laying the foundation, whence it is their earnest wish a building may arise, which in future ages may be as renowned for the excellence of its teachers, and as much respected for the propriety of conduct in its students, as the University now is, over which you have the peculiar satisfaction of presiding. May the Almighty Architect, the Sovereign Disposer of all Events, grant, that the Principal and Professors of this College may continue to deliver their instructions, and the students receive their admonitions, in such a manner as may redound to the glory of God, the promoting of science, and the extension of all useful learning. To which the rev. Principal made the following reply : MY LORD, From very humble beginnings, the University of Edinburgh has attained to such eminence, as entitles it to be ranked among the most celebrated seminaries of learning. Indebted to the bounty of several of our Sovereigns-distinguished particularly by the gracious Prince now seated on the British throne, whom, with gratitude, we reckon among the most munificent of our royal benefactors and cherished by the continued attention and good offices of our honourable Patrons, this University can now boast of the number and variety of its institutions for the instruction of youth in all the branches of literature and science. With what integrity and discernment persons have been chosen to preside in each of these departments, the character of my learned colleagues affords the most satisfying evidence. From confidence in their abilities and assiduity in discharging the duties of their respective offices, the University of Edinburgh has become a seat of education, not only to youth in every part of the British dominions, but, to the honour of our country, students have been attracted to it from almost every nation in Europe, and every state in America. One thing still was wanting. The apartments appropriated for the accommodation of Professors and Students were so extremely unsuitable to the flourishing state of the University, that it has long been the general wish to have buildings more decent and convenient erected. What your lordship has now done gives a near prospect |