The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-06-16 00:00:00

LAYING THE FIRST STONE OF THE NEW
LONDON BRIDGE.
Yesterday was the day appointed for laying the first
stotteof the New London Bridge.
There is something peculiarly imposing and impressive
in ceremcnics of this description as they are usually con-
ducted, and we certainly do not recollect any previous
spectacle of a similar nature which can be said to have sur-
pawed in gtneral interest, grandeur of purpose, or splendid
. effect, than that which we are now about to record.
It is at all times aereeable to a philosophical mind, and
an undersanditig which busies itself, not only with the
surface and present state of things, but Also with their sub-
stance and remote tendencies, to contemplate the exercise
of human power, and the triumphs of human ingenuity,
whether developed in physical or mental efirts, in the put-
snit of objects which comprehend a mixture of both. And
perhaps it is in a good degree attributable to this secret im-
pulse of our nature, which operates in some degree upon
all, however silent and itimerctptible in its operation,
that the mass of mankind are accustomed to take
such an eager interest in cereinemiala like the present.
True ; show and preparation to bustle, and the excitement
consequent upon these, are the itnmediate and apparent
motives ; but it does not therefore follow that the other
seemons are inefficient, or that because they are less promi-
Mt and apparent, they are therefore inoperative. The
'erection of a bridge. without reference to the immediate
object or the extent of its design, is per se a triumph of
art over nature—a conquering of one of these obstacles,
which the latter, even in bet most boutitiflll atid propitious
disks", delights to present to man as if for the purpose of
calling his powers into exercise, and affording him the
quantity of excitement nenessary to the happiness of a
sentient being. And if ere do not entertain those s-nti-
ments and give them utterance in so many words, we ne-
vertheless
feel and act UpOn them. We delight to at-
tend spectacles like the present, where the first germ
of a stupendous work is to be prepared. We look
round on the complicated apparatue and the stem-
infer discordant and unorganised beam! and blocks of
wood and granite, end then we think of the simple struc-
ture, the harmonious and complete whole to which these
confused elements will give birth. Such a structure is
'pregnant with a multitude of almost indefinable thoughts
and anticipations. We bethink ourselves of Gib ftream of
human life, which, some five years hence, will flow over
the new London Bridge as thickly, and almost withal' little
cessation. as the waters of the Thames below : and then
we reflect upon the title of hopes and fears which that
human stream will carry in its bosom! One at our
first reflections will necessarily be of its adaptation
to trade and commerce, of which it will then oat-
stitute a new Intl immense conduit. Trade and science,
and learning, Ind war, will at various periods pass
across it. Nekt we consider what will be the immediate
and individual destiny of the structure :—is it to moulder
away after the lapse of many ages under the slow hut
effectual influence of Time, or to sufYr dilapidation sud-
denly from the operation of some natural convulsion
Will it fall before the wrath or wilfulness of man, or is it
to be displaced bY new improvements and discoveries in
like manner al its old and many-arched neighbour makes
way for it—and as tfut once,suPerseded its narrower and
shop-covered predecessor? These are questions which
the imaginative man may ask lii:nself ; but who is to
answer? However, even the man of butinest may be well
excused in indulging some speculatitibs such as these, upon
the occasion of the erection of a structure which is to con-
stitute a new artery to and fro in the mighty heart of
London—a faith vein through which that commerce wick
is the life-blood of our nititinil prosperity and greatness
will have to flow.
At an early hour of the morning the vicinity of the new
and old Bridges pratented an appearance of activity, bus-
tle, and preparation; and ercery spot that could command
even a bird's-eye view of the scene was eagerly and early
occupied by persons defirous of becoming spectators of the
intended spectacle, which, it was confidently expected,
would be extremely magnificent and striking ; and we
are perfectly ready to admit those anticipations were
in no way disappointed. On the Old, dr present bridge, as
we should rather call it, there were no spectators; all per-
sons beinF exeluded from B but those provided with ad-
mission tickets to view the ceremony ; and they of course
only made use of it, in tranxitu, on their way to the coffer-
dam. But the briiklings public or private that at all over-
looked the scene, were literally roofed with human figures,
clinging to them in all sorts of possible and impossible at-
titudes. Southwark bridge was clustered over like a bee-
hive; and the river between it and London bridge pre-
sented the appearance of an immense dock covered with
vessels of various descriptions; if it did not indeed more
closely resemble a vast country fair, so completely was the
water concealed by multitudes of boats and barges, and the
latter again hidden by thousands of Spectators and canvas
awnings, which, with the gay holiday company within,
made them not unlike booths and tents, and contributed to
strengthen the similitude we have fancifully endeavoured
to discover. The tops of the houses had many of them also
their flags and awnings ; anti, from the appearance of them
and the river, one might suppose the dry and level ground
altogether deserted, in this aquatic fete. worthy of Veni cc at
her best of times. The ships below London bridge were
ornamented with numerous flags and streamers.
Ou dry ground appearances were no less animating. The
line of streets by which the procession that accompanied
the Lord Mayor to the river was to proceed, could boast a
very respectable assemblage of spectators, anxiously await-
ing its arrival at so early an hour as twelve o'clock, though
the cavalcade was not expected to set out from Guildhall
till two, and fatally did not make its appearance till a much
later hour. As the day advanced the multitude increased
in the street, the windows of the shops were closed or other-
wise secured, and those of the upper floors became occupied
with such of the youth and beauty of the City as had not
already repaired to the river: and delightfully occupied
they were: and were the sun down, as it was not, it had
scarcely been missed—for there
" From every casement came the light
Of women's eves, le soft and bright,
Peeping between the nelliced bars,
A nearer, dearer heaven of stars!"
At length the long-expected cavalcade set out, and pro-
ceeded in the following order towards London bridge:—
A Division of the Artillery Company.
Constables.
Band of Music.
lilershalmen, City Marshal, Water Bailiff, and his Assistant.
Barge Blisters.
City Watamen, bearing Colours.
Remainder of the City Watermen.
Bridgman& and Clerk of the Bridgehuuse.
Contractor.
Model of the Bridge.
Engineer.
Blembers of the Committee.
Visitors and Members of the Committee ot the Royal Society.
High Bailiff of the Borough of Southwark.
Under
Clerk of the Peace of the City of London.
The City Solicitor.
The Remembrwicer.
The Secondaries.
The Comptroller of the Chamber.
The Common Pleaders.
The Judges of the Sheriff's Court.
The Town Clerk.
The Common Sergeant.
The Chamberlain.
limbers of Parliament (visitors).
The President of the Royal Society.
The Sheriffs.
The Aldermen below the Chair.
The Recorder.
The Aldermen who have passed the Chair.
Visitors (Privy Counsellors).
The Speaker of the House of Commons.
Visitors (Peers).
Great Officers of State.
Members of the Royal Ftnitly.
Music, Colours, and Insignia of the Lord Mayor.
Company (the Goldsmiths).
Miushalmen.

The Lord Msynr's Servants.
The City Marshal.
The Lord Mayor's Household.
The Lord Mayor, in his State Coach. '
The Artillery Company, u Guard of the Lord Xayor.
The place selected for the ceremonial of laying the first
stone, was in the coffer-dam, next the Southwark bank of
the river, and a communication had been opened between
it and London-bridge, by removing a portion of the battle-
'net, and laying down a flooring and stair of timber from
the one to the other. In the interior of the dam had been

constructed four galleries, rising in successive tiers one'
above the other ; the lower one was covered with crimson
cloth, both fluor and seats, and in it the granite block was
suspended which was intended to rise as the foundation
stone on the present oocasion. It is a splendid specimen
of Aberdeen stone, and weighs five tons. All the galleries
were provided with convenient seats, and flights of steps
sod passages had been construct ,s 1 in such a:Manner as to
affbrd every facility to egress and ingress, while the safety
of the spectators was amply provided for by the strength
mad solidity of the materials employed. The lowest floor of
the dam, which is 03 feet in length, and 36 in breadth, is
exactly 40 feet below high water mark, yet the company
sat in it perfectly dry, so admirable and successful had
been the precautions made use of to exclude the water.
The massy beams necessary for the cons;ruction of the cod%
dam, were rendered subservient not only to security, but to
ornament, having been decorated with colours, flags, and
draperies, in the most tasteful and pleasing manner. The
dam appeared to us capable of accomodating about 1,500
spectators, awl we should think there were that number
present, including the individuals who composed the pro-
cess! to. Tickets, entitling the possessors to admission to
the galleries to witness the ceremony, had been issued, and
eagerly sought after. Refreshmeota, ices, wines, fruits,
and confectionary, were liberally provided, and altogether
the arrangements were of a nature calculated to harmonise
with the importance of the ceremony, its ultimate object,
and the splendour and dignity of the first commercial city in
the world.
It has been the practice, upon the performance of the
ceremony of laying a first stone, to erect seats of such
flimsy materials as are likely to give way upon the applies-
' thin of an unaccustomed weight; but, as we have inti-
mated, the Committee most effectually secured themselves
from any charge of this nature; the seats are as firm
as if they were intended to form part of the abLtment, and
the different passages through which the processiu moved
presented equal security.
The whole of the arrangements, in fact, were such as to
defy accidents from within; and for the purpose of pre-
venting accidents from without, the dam was surrounded by
the workmen, with orders to keep oft' all boats. During
the course of the afternoon, and previous to the arrival of
the procession, the company were amused by a band placed
in a temporary orchestra erected at the top of the dam, who
played a variety of pleasing and favourite airs.
At twenty minutes past four o'clock, his Royal Highness
the Duke of York, accompanied by the Lord Mayor and
the city authorities, arrived, and their arrival was im-
mediately announced by loud cheers and the discharge of
the Tower guns. The band and quire which was in at-
tendance struck up " God Save the King," and the united
edict, joined with the enthusiastic shouts of the spectators,
'was exceedingly gratifyinn and impressive. The cerenumy
then proceeded, the City Clerk reading the inscription on
the plate to he placed beneath the stone, which is tiom the
pen of Dr. Copleston, of Oriel College, Oxford, and so
remarkable for the pureness of its Latinity, and the
simple elegance of its style, that we think it right to sub-
join it, for the gratification of our classical readers.

Ponds Vetter'
Qvvm Propter Crebras Nimis interiectas 31oles
Impedito Cvrav Flvmioia
Nasky's* et Rates
Non Levi Seepe lacier* et Vitae Pericvlo
Per Angvstas Farces
Praecipiti Aqvarvin Im_ per Ferri Solerent
civiorAs LONDINENSIS
Ills Incommodis Remedivm Adhibere Volens
Et Celeberrimi Simel in Terris Emporii
Vti:itatibvs Coneylens
Regni insvper Senates Avetoritate
Ac 31vnificentia Adiria
Pontem
Sitv Prorsys Novo
Amplioribvs Spatiis Corstrvendern Decrevit
Ea Scilicet Forma ac litagnitruine
Qvae Regiae Vrbis Maiestati
Tandem Responderet.
Neve Alio .lagis Tempore
Tantvm Opvs Inchoandvm Draft
Qeam Cvm Pawn Ferme Toro Terrarvm Orbe
IMPERIVM BRITANNICVM
Fama Opibvs 31vIntvdine Civivni et Concordia Pollens
PRINCIPE
Item Gavderet
Artivm Favtore at Perrino
Criss Svb Avspiciis
Naves Indies Aedillciorvm Splendor Vrbi Aecederet.
Primvm Opens Lapidein
Posvit
lOANNES GARRATT ARMIGER
PRAETOR
XV. Die Ivnii
Moo Regis Oeoegii Qvarti Sexto
A. J. M.D.CCC.XXV.
loanne Rennie, S.R.S. Architecto.
The following is a translation :
The Free Course of the River
Being Obstructed by the Numerous Piers
Of the Ancient Bridge.
And the Passage of Boats and Vessels
Through its Narrow Channels
Being often attended with Danger and Loss of Life
By Reason of the Force anti Rapidity of the Current,
THE CITY OF LONDON.
Desirous of Providing a Remedy for this Evil
And at the same time Consulting
The Convenience of Commerce
In this Vast Emporium of all Nations.
Under the Sanction and with the Liberal Aid or
Parliament,
Resolved to Erect a Bridge
Upon a Foundation altogether New
With Arettes of Wider Span,
And of a Character Corresponding
To the Dignity and Importance
Of this Royal City :
Nor does any other Time seem to be more Suitable
For such an Undertaking
Than when in a Period of Universal Pears
THE BRITISH EMPIRE
Flourishing in (Dory, IVealth, Population, and Domestic Union,
Is Governed by a Prince,
The Patron and Encourager of the Arts,
Under whore Auspices
The Metropolis has been Daily Advancing in Elegance and
• Splendour,
The First Stone of this Work
. IV* Laid
BY JOHN GARRATT, ESQUIRE,
Lord Mayor,
On the 13th Day of June,
In the Sixth Year of Ring George the Fourth,
And in the Year of our Lord

M.D.CCC.XXV.
John Rennie, F.R.S. Architect.
The Lord Mayor then addressed his Royal Highness,
and the atone was lowered with the usual ceremonies (the
coins, medals, subscriptions, &c. having first been depo-
sited beneath it), and his Lordship went through the ordi-
nary formula, and pronounced the work complete. Three
cheers, a salute of artillery, and the band, announced the
laying of the foundation atone, and the assembly separated
soon after five o'clock.
With respect to the intended bridge, we have only to
observe that It will be constructed of Scottish granite, con-
sist of five arches (in that manner, as is hoped, obviating
the many dangers and inconveniencies arising from the
numerous and narrow arches of the present bridge), and it
will be nearly level, the ascent being very trifling, if we
may judge by the model. The architect is Mr. Rennie.

THE DINNER.
After the ceremony at the Coffer-41am was concluded, the Lord
Mayor and the Visitant proceeded to the Mansion House. His
Royal Highness the Duke of York expressed his regret that a pre.
view engagement with his Majesty prevented him doing himself
the honour of dining with the citizens on returning. His Royal
Highness and the Lord Mayor were saluted by the Gentlemen of
the Artillery Company. By a little after six o'clock the whole of
the company of rank, and the members of the Corporation who had
taken a part in the ceremony, arrived at the Mansion House, to
partake of the hospitalities to which his Lordship invited his fellow
citizens. Nearly 400 persons sat (town to dinner in the Egyptian
Hall, which was laid out in the same splendid manner as when the
Easter Festival was given. Amongst the company present were—
the Earl of Darnley, Lord Kenyon. Mr. W. Wynn. the Bishop of
Chester, the Members of Parliament for the City, for Southwark,
and for Surrey, besides Mr. W. Williams, and several who had
taken an active share in the promotion of the undertaking;
the President sod Council of the Royal Society, Sir Peter
laurie, Mr. H. Martin, and a number of the must respectable
citizens, connected with the trading interests of the city. In
all 376 guests sat down in the Egyptian Hall, and about
200 members of the Artillery Company dined in the outside Halt.
The champagne, claret, hock, sherry, and other wines, were
brought up in great plenty. Many considered that the demand was
too readily supplied, and, indeed, the want of some check in this
respect was very speedily manifested by the inattention of the goats
to all that went forward at the upper table.
After the cloth wan drawn, the lard Mayor proposed the usual
loyal toasts, which were drank with becoming respect. His Lord.
ship, in propcsing the health of the Duke of York, stated that the
city was untler peculiar obligations to his Royal Highness for