The Sun.
London, England, 1822-07-11 00:00:00

NEW BRIDGE AT WINDSOR.

Yesterday the ceremony of laying ;the first stone of a New
;Bridge over the Thames at Windsor was, performed by his
Royhl Highness the Duke of Yonk, with Masonic ceremonies,
and '.he interest which was excited on the occasion was . very
greatH-At an early hour the town was filled by fashionable
visitors, and during the morning. the ;roads, leading thither
were lined with every species of vehicle, and at length the
town was thronged, to such excess“ that accommodation
was obliged to be refused to numpers of individuals woo
arrived ' on the spot. the early part of the morning
it commenced raining, and a dismal gloom pervaded the
sky ; but this did not seem to iinpetle, the disposition
of the anxious travellers, who were flocking front- Lon-'
don in barouches, gigs, &c. containing Freemasons and their
families, it being announced that his Royalnighness was to at-
tend as High Steward of the Grand Lodge of England in full
costume, and assisted by many Gentlemen of the Craft.—Every
arrangement was made for the accommodation of the Masons,
who attended most numerously, and were introduced to the
Toxin Hall, Windsor, where several Noblemen and Gentlemen
otdistinction, high in that order, were. ready to receive them,
and crowds of persons were _attracted round the place, and
many Military officers, together with' some elegantly dressed
ladies-otationed themselves in the balcony of the: White Hart
Tavern,.opposite the Town Hall, in the expectation of viewing
his ROyal Highness the Duke of York on his arrival. • Several
headboronths were in attendance with long staves ; they were
stationed Oiiposite, the entrance to the Town flail, so as to form
a passage tor his Royal Highness and the intended procession
to pas. .11rOugh. The Ist Regiment of Life Guards were also
ordered to be in attendance, and those who were Freemasons
were intended to join.the procession in full dress. The officers
of this regiment attracted great attention ; their peculiarity, of
dress had so striking an appearance ; instead of wearing
.helmets, they had cocked hats with white weeping feathers.
The town, on the whole, never presented a more interesting
appearance. The day was observed as a holiday, and the
whole of the tradesmen , closed their shops.—At about two
o'clock his Royal Highness the Duke of York arrived at the
Town Hall, wherehe was received by the Gentlemen forming
the Grand Lodge, and others of the Craft. Amongst the Gen-
Aleinen present, we partieularly noticed the Earl of Harring-
ton,. Lord Harcourt, Lord Rede,sdale,. Lord Gore, the Hon.
Harry Beecher Lygon, General Sir John Doyle, Col. Caven-
dish, Colonel Cormack,' Williams, Esq. M.P., and many
other persons of distinction. The procession shortly after com-
menced, and the town by this time presented a most lively and.
interesting 'appearance ; every window and situation that could
be possibly occupied, were filled by ladies,. &c., and the spec-
tacle presented to public view surpassed all description ; suf-
fice it to say, that the whole of the beauty and fashion of this
pleasant little town was now shown off to great advantage.
The streets through which the procession had to pass were so
thronged, that it was almost incredible that Windsor could
contain such a body of persons. The procession moved on
slowly in the following order,' proceeding out of the West en-
trance of the Town Hall, .from thence down High.street- and
Thames-strect„ to the sate of the foundation, on the Windsor
side Of, the intended new Bridge..
„ .
ORDER QF
.TIIE PROCESSION.
• Beadle and' Peace Officers.. •
Two Tylers withdrawn swords.
Boys of the Charity School.
Clerk and Sexton.
- ' The Bachelors' Committee;
Visiting 'Brethren, two and two.
•KI Lodges belonging to-the Province.
Gentlerhen, not Members of the Corporation nor Maions.
The Inscription Plate; the Builder bearing a Silver Trowel
and the Coint.
The Architect, bearing the Plans of the Bridge.
Military Band of Music.
Banner of the Grand Lodge.
Provincial Secretary.
Provincial Grand Treasurer. •