clergyman, which they did not attempt to do. Addresses were delivered by Dean Coffey, Dr. Dease, Messrs. J. O'Shanassy, W . J. Dunbar, N. O'Connor, M . Lynch and others, and the folloyving resolutions were agreed to :— i. "That the Catholic Bishop, Clergy and Laity of the City of Melbourne, in public meeting assembled, do solemnly protest against any ceremonial partaking of the character of prayer on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Benevolent Asylum, conceiving such to be a departure from the liberal principle put forth in the prospectus of the Victoria Benevolent Society, and adopted by all denominations prior to any subscriptions being obtained." '2. "That in consequence of the violation of the rights of conscience involved in the proceedings adopted by the Building Committee of the Benevolent Asylum, the Catholics of Melbourne, Bishop, Clergy, and Laity, with deep regret deem themselves bound to withdraw their support from the Victoria Benevolent Society." 3. " That oyving to the invidious transactions detailed to this meeting in which more consideration is paid to the forms of a private Society than to the religious principles of the Catholic community, it is expedient to convene another meeting, for the purposes of considering the propriety of establishing a Catholic Benevolent Asylum, and to seek the aid of Government for that purpose." 4. "That the Catholic clergymen in the interior be informed of the proceedings of this meeting, and be requested to co-operate in carrying out its vieyvs." 5. "That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to His Excellency Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, Governor, His Honor the Superintendent, and the Committee of the Benevolent Society." The Catholic Benevolent Asylum fore-shadoyved above, never emerged from the region of shadows; and in due time, Dr. Goold, his Clergy and co-religionists learned " to forget their oyvn wrongs," and gave a generous and liberal support to an Institution yvhich bore refuge and solace to many worthy persons, whose sunset of life yvas darkened by clouds yvhich they had no power to avert. The St. Patrick's Society also yvithdrew from the procession, and the following semi-official announcement printed in one ofthe Monday newspapers thus justified their action :—"St. Patrick's Society. — The members of this body will not join the procession to lay the foundation-stone of the Benevolent Asylum to-day as intended. T h e reason for adopting such a course is that there is a difference of opinion amongst the members as to yvhether the Masonic ceremonial is one of such a religious character as to preclude the Society, in terms of one of its principal rules, from joining in it. A large proportion of the members think it is not, whilst another proportion think it is, and as it would be highly desirable that in the event of the Society co-operating in the day's proceedings, the utmost harmony and unanimity should prevail, those yvho believe that the Society ought to take part in the procession have not pressed the matter to a division; the more especially as, if they think proper, they will have an opportunity of lending their aid in the capacity of 'citizens,' for yvhich class a distinguished position is assigned in the programme of the proceedings."
The Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society also refused.
Laying the Foundation Stone.
The Anniversary of St. John was a fine bracing yvinter day, and though the Queen was too far ayvay to influence the Clerk of the yveather, the Saint must have contrived to put in a good word with him. It yvas a general holiday and bands of music played through the streets. A s noon approached, the Associated Bodies converged to the open space at the intersection of Swanston and Flinders Streets (the present St. Paul's), and thence in something like martial array set forthtotheir destination in the following order : City Chief Constable (on horseback). Native Police (mounted). The Various Schools. The Melbourne Total Abstinence Society. The Tents of Rechabites. Salford Unity of Independent Rechabites. " Apollo" and " Hercules " Lodges of Oddfellows.
