[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 28 Jun 1823 - Masonic Ceremonial (3)

[Petra Mitchinson]

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

 

MASONIC CEREMONIAL. 

 

[continued] 

 

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After the cloth had been withdrawn, and a bottle of cold punch placed before each person present, the chairman called for a bumper,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. 

 

 

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