THE Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council, preceded by the city officers and mace, walked in procession, from the councilchamber, to the ground where the foundation was dug. Immediately after them came the Free and Accepted Masons, in their proper cloathing and jewels, after the following order.

THE Tylers of the several lodges of Edinburgh and its neighbourhood.

SUCH Brethren as did not belong to the Grand Lodge, walking by threes.

THE Lodges as they stand enrolled; the youngest walking first, by threes; the Master being supported by the Wardens.

THE Officers of the Grand Lodge.

THE Nine Stewards, by threes.
THE Secretary, with his Clerks.
THE Treasurer, with his Purse.
THE Grand Wardens.

THE Grand Master, attended by those Brethren of distinction who did not represent any particular lodge. The President and College of Physicians walked in procession from their own Hall, The Surgeons from their Hall; and, along with them, several of the Lords of Session; the Dean, and many of the Faculty of Advocates; the Writers to the Signet; the Presbytery of Edinburgh; several of the Incorporations, and a

4

great

great number of persons of quality and distinc

tion.

WHEN the company came to the ground, the Grand-Master, and his brethren of the free and accepted Masons, surrounded the plan of the foundation hand in hand; and the Grand Master-Mason, along with the Preses of the Managers of the Royal Infirmary, having come to the east corner of the foundation where the stone was to be laid, placed the same in its bed; and after the Right Honourable the Lord Provost had laid a medal under it, each in their turns gave three strokes upon the stone with an iron mallet, which was succeeded by three clarions of the trumpet, three huzzas, and three claps of

hands.

SEVERAL Societies, and persons of condition, made large contributions, upon this occasion, for carrying on the work. Many gentlemen, and proprietors of stone-quarries, made presents of stones and lime. Merchants gave considerable parcels of timber. The farmers in the neighbourhood agreed to carry all the materials gratis. The journeymen masons furnished each a certain quantity of hewn stones. And, as this undertaking was for the relief of the diseased, lame, and maimed poor, even the common labourers agreed to work a day in each month gratis. So much money was raised by voluntary contribution

U 2

contribution as to carry on this useful and necessary work; and there appeared such a spirit in persons of all ranks to encourage it, that they expected to finish the building without the least encroachment upon the capital stock.

AFTER the ceremony was over, the Magistrates, attended by a great many of the company, returned to the borough-room, where many loyal and appropriate toasts and sentiments were given. A numerous and splendid Assembly, in the evening, for the benefit of the Royal Infirmary, crowned the festivity of the day.

III. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1738.

John Earl of Kintore, Grand-Master.
Captain John Young, Deputy Grand-Master.
John Douglas, Esq. Substitute Grand-Master.
Patrick Lindsay, Esq. Senior Grand-Warden.
George Drummond, Esq. Junior Grand-Warden.
Thomas Mylne, Esq. Grand-Treasurer.

John Macdougall, Esq. Grand-Secretary.
Mr Robert Alison, Grand Clerk.

It was reported to the Grand Lodge by George Drummond, Esq. one of the managers of the Royal Infirmary, that the directors of that institution, out of gratitude to the society of Free Masons, for their countenance and aid in build

ing the Royal Infirmary, had unanimously agreed, that preference should always be given to distressed and infirm Free Masons in one of the galleries of the Hospital.

SINCE the institution of the Grand Lodge, the principles of the craft had been so rapidly propagated through every part of the kingdom, that it was found necessary to appoint provincial Grand Masters over particular districts, who were empowered to hold general meetings, and to take cognizance of every thing relating to masonry, within the bounds of their district. In consequence of this resolution, Alexander Drummond, Esq. Master of Greenock Kilwinning, was appointed provincial Grand-Master over the lodges in the western counties of Scotland. Although this was the first appointment to that office since the institution of the Grand Lodge, yet there was an office of the same kind during the reign of James VI. of Scotland, as we have already stat¬ ed in the General History*.

See page 101, supra.

IV. GRAND

IV. GRAND ELECTION, Nov. 30. 1739.

James Earl of Morton, Grand-mafter.
Captain John Young, Deputy Grand-Master.
John Douglas, Esq. Substitute Grand-Master.
Henry Lord Cardrofs, Senior Grand-Warden.
Archibald Macaulay, Esq. Junior Grand-Warden.
Thomas Mylne, Esq. Grand-Treasurer.

John Macdougall, Esq. Grand Secretary.
Mr Robert Alison, Grand-Clerk.

Ir has been frequently and justly remarked, that those philosophers who speculate most upon universal benevolence, have been proportionably deficient in bringing it into action. This accusation, also, has been keenly urged against the 'abettors of Free Masonry, who are bound at their initiation to relieve the distresses, and supply the wants of their brethren of the order. It is proper, therefore, to do justice to the fraternity, by recording every extraordinary act of practical benevolence, which has been performed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The son of an operative mason in Edinburgh having been left, at his father's death, in the most friendless and indigent condition, was recommended to the patronage of the Grand Lodge. With a readiness which enhanced the value of the action, they agreed to take him under their own charge; to bind him to an operative mason for eight years, for the freedom