3-011-930 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Prince Leopold laying the Foundation-Stone of the Royal Albert Infirmary at Bishop's Waltham, Hants., 1864. 'The little town of Bishop's Waltham, in Hampshire, was enlivened on Thursday week by the presence of a youthful member of the Royal family [Prince Leopold was a son of Queen Victoria]...During the performance of the National Anthem the young Prince stood facing the stone, with Earl Granville on his right and Prince Louis of Hesse on his left. He appeared to be in remarkably good health, but, as was very natural, seeing that this was the first public ceremony in which he took part, a little nervous and excited. The anthem having been sung, the Bishop of Winchester read a form of prayer adapted to the occasion, after which the architect handed to his Royal Highness a beautiful silver trowel, with which Prince Leopold spread the mortar over the stone in a very neat and expeditious manner. The stone having been lowered into its place, the Prince gave it three taps with the mallet, and, having applied the square and plumb-line, pronounced the first stone of the building laid. Three hearty cheers followed, after which the 100th Psalm, "All people that on earth do dwell," was sung by the choir, the people joining'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.