3-008-893 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Preston Guild Festival: the mayor laying the foundation-stone of the north-east corner of the new townhall, 1862. 'The first stone was...laid with masonic honours...the cortege presented a very imposing appearance as it wound its way to the Market-place, the site of the proposed building. All Preston seemed to have emptied itself into this arterial thoroughfare, and not only Preston but the neighbouring towns and villages, besides the thousands of people who came from more distant localities...After a fatiguing walk in heavy robes, the Mayor mounted a platform erected around the stone...the Provincial Chaplain of the order read a most appropriate prayer for the Divine assistance and blessing on the undertaking in hand. The Mayor then went on his knees to deposit various bottles in the cavity of the stone and spread the mortar. An ode was sung by the brethren while the block was lowered, libations of oil and wine, with corn and salt, were poured out from various gold and silver vessels...An impressive prayer by the Provincial Chaplain then followed, at the close of which there arose upon the impressed air the grand strains of the "Hallelujah Chorus," the choir being supported by the band of the Preston volunteers'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.