Cumbria Family History Society

 Saturday 28 Jun 1823   (p. 4, col. 5-6)
 

The first stone of the Chapel of the new County gaol, now erecting in this city, was laid on Monday last, with all the ceremony of 'free and accepted masonry.'
 
As we had expected, a great number of persons flocked into the town from the surrounding country; and all the workshops and manufactories of the city and neighbourhood poured out their inmates; so that, about mid-day, English-street, the Market-place, and the upper end of Castle-street, were literally blocked up.
 
The brethren assembled at the Coffee-House between eleven and twelve—consisting of deputations from the Lodges mentioned below in the order of procession; and the Provincial Lodge, at 'high noon' (twelve o'clock, the high noon of the rest of the world) was opened 'in ample form and solemn prayer.'
 
The room was decorated with evergreens and flowers. At the upper end towered the throne of the Provincial Grand-Master (Geo. BLAMIRE, Esq.) surmounted by a handsome canopy of flowers, crowned with the rose, thistle, and shamrock, arranged in the form of the triple plume of the Prince of Wales—at once intended, we presume, as a compliment to the illustrious Grand Patron (late Grand Master), and a symbol of the fourth division of the empire. The BLAMIRE arms and the emblems of the Lodge of Harmony, 'as the oldest Lodge present,' were placed on each side the P. G. M.'s seat. The deputation from the Concord Lodge, Whitehaven, formed the Provincial Grand Lodge, as far as their members would permit.
 
About half-past one, the procession moved from the Coffee-House in the following order—the brethren in regulation aprons and gloves, and dressed in black, military members excepted:—
 

In this order they slowly passed up English-street; and the display would have been very gratifying, had not the closely-wedged crowd pressed in upon the line of march, and in a great degree destroyed its effect: even the numerous spectators at the windows saw little more than the flags and the hats of those who took part in the pageant.
 
As soon as the van of the procession reached the entrance to the scite of the intended new building, near the Court-Houses, it halted at the sound of trumpet, opened out, faced inwards, and allowed the Provincial Grand Lodge to pass up the centre, in reversed order, and in that manner the whole entered the area.



[to be continued]

 
 
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives

 
The procession having passed the gate-way, a tremendous rush of the crowd towards it took place, the barriers were partially broken down, and many persons, including some of the musicians, were thrown upon their backs and faces, and for some moments were in imminent danger of being trampled to death: but, fortunately, a few bruises only were the extent of the damage sustained.
 
Galleries had been erected for spectators, who were admitted to them by tickets, at one shilling each. A great many ladies and gentlemen had taken their seats on them long before the arrival of the procession. A platform was also erected near the scene of the ceremony, whereon stood a chair for the accommodation of the P. G. M.
 
The Brethren ranged themselves round the foundation-stone in due order; and the crowd poured in like a torrent, for some minutes, taking possession of the vacancies on the galleries, clambering the broken face of the old city wall, and perching aloft its frail summit: a projecting part of it, near the foundation, assumed, from the weight pressing upon it, a particularly dangerous aspect, and threatened to crush by its fall all who stood beneath it.
 
It was soon seen that the galleries were inadequate to sustain the immense mass of people which had rushed upon them, notwithstanding the assurance of a hand-bill that they 'would be inspected by proper workmen, to preclude the possibility of disaster.' That nearest the chair of the P. G. M. gave timely notice of dissolution by gradually sliding outward from the wall against which it stood; and many persons took the hint and hastened down even faster than they had ascended. At this moment a crash was heard, followed by a terrific scream of female voices! All the other galleries had given way, and those upon them were seen tumbling down, in mass, they hardly knew how, to the utter discomfiture of many a fine frill, flounce, and furbelow, fragments of which were left hanging to the rugged planks. For some moments the confusion was dreadful: numerous broken limbs, and even death itself, were at first the predicted result; but, most providentially, a few slight scratches and bruises, and one or two sprains, at the utmost, were all that we have to deplore—we are sure that many persons present will think their escape a miracle—I was certainly at first much hurt at the disaster (says one of the superintendents in a note addressed to us), but, on reflection, I must say that it was fortunate the scaffolding gave way when it did. The crowd, rushing on it from the top of the wall, jumping down a height of six feet or upwards, naturally, by the continued shock, threw the galleries forward, and caused most of those on them to get down with precipitation. Had the accident happened a little later, with a still greater weight, the consequences might have been fatal. As it was, nothing material happened, except the loss raiment."
 
After such a scene as we have described, it will be anticipated that the subsequent ceremony was deprived of much of its interest, and was steadily attended to by only a small part of the vast body of people present before the accident. Hundreds at once retired, particularly females.
 
The Rev. F. STANLEY, Provincial Grand Chaplain, commenced by offering up a prayer for a blessing on the undertaking, not a word of which could we hear, though standing at a very short distance from the Rev. Speaker. A bottle containing the silver and copper coins of the present reign, the Carlisle newspapers for June 21, and an engraved inscription, were then deposited in an excavation of the stone, the lime was spread, and as soon as the stone had been adjusted, the P. G. M. said—"I declare this stone duly and properly laid according to the ancient usages and customs of Masonry." A large covering stone, of two or three tons weight, suspended above the foundation by machinery during the ceremony, was then lowered, and the Rev. Mr. STANLEY immediately ascended it, and spoke at considerable length, in a very able and impressive manner. His address largely partook of the nature of a sermon. He began with the creation of the world, and touched, in succession, on the fall of man, the expulsion of our first parents from Eden, the progress of evil, formation of society and human institution, the captivity and release of Israel, the building of the Temple of Solomon, Christ's advent, and, chronologically, down to our times; tending to shew that the principles of Masonry were the earliest recognized by civilized man, and still continue to operate most beneficially among all who profess and properly appreciate them. He was permitted to say thus much, that the emblems which had been exhibited that day, were symbolical of sacred things, and the most important obligations. The Society, he observed, could boast of Royal patronage, Royal members, and members distinguished for rank, talent, influence, and high religious and moral character. It was its proud distinction, that while other associations had been suspected, and many put down, not a doubt of the loyalty and patriotism of Freemasons was ever even whispered by any one. Firm to their principles, justly proud of their connection, they were on all occasions found among the faithful; ever forward to support the honour and dignity of their country, and ready to extend the hand of benevolence to Brothers of whatever nation, tongue, or kindred. Rank and title gave way to cordial union. Was a brother distressed, his wants were at once relieved as soon as they were known; he found a home if in a strange land, the grasp of fellowship wherever he met with a mason. Coming more particularly to the business of day, Mr. STANLEY stated that in erecting the new prison, the magistrates had adopted every practicable plan for the benefit of those unfortunate persons who may hereafter become its inmates, consistently with their safety. And in reference to the edifice, upon the corner-stone of which he stood, here it was that the weary and heavy laden must come to find the only true consolation: here might the criminal repair and pour out his sorrows, and learn how to repent of his offences; here might he receive assurance that if he would turn from the error of his ways, pardon awaited him—were his sins as scarlet, they should become, by the blood of the Saviour, white as snow. In conclusion he exhorted those who heard him to cherish good principles and practice good works; for Religion and Virtue alone conferred durable happiness on earth, and led to that exceedingly great reward in another world which the eye of man hath not seen, nor the heart of man conceived.
 
Here the ceremony ended; and the Procession returned to the Coffee-House in the order of its advance.



[to be continued]

 
 
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives

 
The following is a copy of the inscription deposited in the stone:— "This foundation stone was laid by George BLAMIRE, Esquire, P. G. M. of Masons for the County of Cumberland, assisted by his Masonic Brethren, in the fourth year of the reign of his Majesty King George the Fourth, and in the year of our Lord, 1823, June 23. William GATE, builder."
 
At four o'clock, the Brethren, 107 in number, sat down to a good dinner in the Coffee-House Assembly-room; the Rev. F. STANLEY in the chair. Several persons not belonging to the fraternity—chiefly connected with the press—were invited.
 
The infirm health of the Provincial Grand Master did not allow him to dine.
 
After the cloth had been withdrawn, and a bottle of cold punch placed before each person present, the chairman called for a bumper, and proposed 'The King.' Though his Majesty, said the Rev. Gentleman, for reasons of state, is no longer a member of our society, yet we have still the honour of looking up to him as our Grand Patron; and as such we will drink him, in addition to those claims which as Sovereign he has upon us as Englishmen and good Masons. Drank with 4 times 4, and loud applause.
 
Song—'God save the King,' in fine style, by Mr. HEYWOOD, of Whitehaven, chorussed by the whole company.
 
The next toast was 'The Duke of Sussex, the Grand Master of Free Masonry.' I need not, said Mr. STANLEY, add any thing to this toast as I have given it, when we consider the very high character which his Royal Highness possesses: but let us not forget that he is a member of that illustrious family to whom we owe our liberties. Drank with 3 times 3.
 
The Chairman now said that the time was come when those present not belonging to the society would be obliged to retire. He trusted that, though they had not seen sufficient to shew them what masonry really was, they still had witnessed enough to convince them of the good conduct and good principles of the fraternity, and to induce them to become candidates for admission on some future day. At present he would propose the health of the strangers present, and he hoped that they would retire and spend as pleasant an afternoon as they (the masons) were sure to do.
 
The toast was drank with every mark of respect; but the strangers could not help feeling surprise at the abruptness of the intimation to retire, as they (we speak for ourselves, at least,) had been assured that it would only be necessary to withdraw for a few minutes, at a later period of the afternoon. It certainly was exceedingly absurd to invite strangers at all under such circumstances—and it is this only of which we complain.
 
Among the toasts which followed, were, we understand,
 
"The Grand Master and Office-bearers of the Grand Lodge of Scotland."
 
"The Grand Ark of Ireland."
 
"Sir J. DOYLE, Deputy Grand-Master, and the Grand Office-bearers of the Grand Lodge of England."
 
"George BLAMIRE, Esq., P. G. M. of Cumberland."
 
"William MILLER, P. G. M. of the Southern District of Scotland."
 
Captain HEATLEY, of Whitehaven, in an appropriate and complimentary speech, then proposed the health of "The Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev. Edward STANLEY."
 
Mr. STANLEY returned thanks. The several Lodges present were next proposed and drank in rotation. The company spent the afternoon in great cheerfulness, and with the usual good-fellowship of the ancient and honourable Society.
 
The Rev. STANLEY left the chair at eight o'clock; and the whole of the company quitted the room before ten.
 
 
Reproduced with kind permission of British Newspaper Archives