The military detachment stationed at Melbourne marched in Indian file at each side of the procession. About eleven o'clock the various public bodies started from their respective assembly rooms, meeting opposite the Royal Hotel, Collins Street, whence they proceeded down Collins Street, through Swanston Street, to the site of the Bridge, when the business of the day commenced by the Masonic body advancing, accompanied by His Honor the Superintendent, and the Bridge was inaugurated as described in another chapter. After thisfirstceremony was completed the procession re-formed, and moved to the site of the Hospital, the line of route being along Swanston and via Lonsdale Streets. T h e proceedings were commenced by the Rev. A. C. Thomson, as Masonic Chaplain, reciting a prayer, which thus concluded :— " M a y all engaged in its erection be defended from accident and harm; and may it remain to be a blessing to the latest posterity. M a y all in any way connected with it, or receiving benefits therefrom, live to praise and magnify Thee, who, for the Redeemer's sake, forgivest our sins and healest our diseases, and crownest us with loving kindness and tender mercies, and givest life everlasting." Masonic response : — " S o MoLe it be." The stone was then partly lowered, and a bottle covered with leather deposited in the cavity prepared for its reception. This bottle contained various coins ofthe realm, and a vellum scroll thus inscribed : — Valetudinarii Melbournensis, donis et Oblationibus Civium plerumque, Struendi atque Sustiniendi Fundamenta posuit, Sodalitate Architectonica Antiquissima Adjuvante, J A C O B U S F R E D E R I C U S P A L M E R , A R M I G E R , Civitatis Melbournensis, Prcetor.
A.D. XIII. Kalendas Aprilis, Anno Salutis Humanre, M D C C C X L V I . Regni VICTORI/K Britanniarum et Hibernian, Reginre, Nono : — Novre Cambriae Australis Prcefecto, G E O R G I O GIPPS, E Q U I T E , Australia; Felicis Procuratore, C A R O L O J O S E P H O L A T R O B E , Armigero. Architecto, S A M U E L O J A C K S O N ; Fabricatore, G E O R G I O B E A V E R .
For the benefit of the uninitiated the following translation is appended :— TIIE F O U N D A T I O N O F T H E M E L B O U R N E HOSPITAL, To be Raised and Maintained chiefly by the Donations and Offerings of the Public, Was laid by JAMES
FREDERICK
PALMER,
ESQUIRE,
Mayor of the Town of Melbourne, With the assistance of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, On the 20th of March, in the year of our Lord, 1846, In the Ninth year of the Reign of VICTORIA, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland ; SIR G E O R G E G U T S , K N I G H T , being Governor of N e w South Wales ; C H A R L E S J O S E P H L A T R O B E , E S Q U I R E , Superintendent of Australia Felix ; S A M U E L J A C K S O N , Architect; G E O R G E B E A V E R , Builder.
The aperture in the stone was then covered with an iron plate secured with molten lead, and the Rev. Mr. Thomson made the following invocation :— " M a y the Great Architect of the Universe bring this work to a successful completion, and prosper the design for which it is founded, that the sick may here find health, and that kindness and compassion may here do the work which H e teacheth us to perform one towards another, to the glory of His name." Masonic response :—" So Mote it be." Corn, wine and oil were laid on the lower stone by Brother A. H . Hart, and another invocation from the Chaplain followed :— "May the bountiful Hand of Heaven ever supply this Province with abundance of corn, wine and oil, and all the necessaries of life. A n d may the sick poor, here partaking of the gifts which Thy Providence enables the charitable to dispense, be restored to health and strength, and rejoice in the goodness, and the effects of brotherly love. A n d may the Hand of Omnipotence long preserve this Hospital from peril and decay. Masonic response :—" So Mote it be." A hymn was next chanted, after which the Mayor laid the stone in the customary manner.
