The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-20 00:00:00

INAUGURATION OF THE MONU-:
MENT TO SIR WALTER SCOTT.
EDINBURGH. SATURDAY.—The inauguration of the
splendid monument erected in this place to the memory
of Sir Walter Scott, took place to-day, and as the occa-
sion was regarded as a truly national one, multitudes of
people were collected from all quarters to witness the in-
teresting ceremonial. Unfortunately the day opened
most unpropitiously, and till after cue o'clock the rain
descended almost without intermission. In this respect
it would appear as if a sort of fatality attended such de-
monstrations in Scotland, for it is a somewhat singular
coincidence that the three most imposing pageants that
have occurred in this northern part of the kingdom for
many years—the Eglinton tournament, the Burns' fes-
tival, and now the inauguration of the Scott monument
—have been grievously marred in their effect by the
untoward state of the weather. Happily, how-
ever, the sombrous clouds which obscured the
sky, and spread a gloom over the city, began to clear
away abort two o'clock, and for a short period a respite
was obtained from the pelting of the pitiless rain, It
was all the more grateful that this happened at the very
time when the procession was about to move from the
place of marshalling. The day was very generally ob -
served as a holiday, and but for the broken state of the
weather, all seemed desirous to render homage to the
memory; of the great novelist, whose writings have added
so much lustre to his native city.
The public bodies and others who were to take part in
the procession assembled in the grounds of the High
School at one o'clock. After being marshalled accord-
ing to their rank or seniority, they proceeded along
Waterloo-place and Princes- street, to the Monument, in
the following order:—
Mounted Military Band.
Auxiliary Scott Committee, in threes.
Scott Monument Committee, in threes.
Magistrates of Easter Portsburgh,
their Constables, and Suite.
Magistrates of Wester Portsburgh,
their Constables, and Suite.
Magistrates of Canongate, with their Constables,
those of Calton, and Suite.
Magistrates of Mussulburgh, with
their Constables, and Suite.
Magistrates of Portobello, with their
Constables, and Suite.
Magistrates of Leith, with their Constables, and Suite.
Magistrates of Edinburgh,
with their Constables, and Suite.
Freemasons, consisting of various Lodges, and the Grand
Lodge of Scotland, marshalled in the following order:—
Grand Tyler. (With drawn swords.) Grand Tyler.
Grand Steward. (With white rods.) Grand Steward.
Compass. (Carried by operatives.) Level.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Square. (Carried by operatives.) Plumb.
Grand Steward. ;rand Steward.
Mallet. (Carried by an operative.)
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Cup. Cornucopia Cup.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Grand Director oft Grand Bard. {Grand Director of
Ceremonies. C Music.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
'Usher of White Z 5 Usher of White
Rod. J Bible Bearer.
Rod.
Grand Chaplains in their Gowns.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Grand Secretary. Grand Treasurer. Grand Clerk.
Grand Steward_ Grand Steward.
Senior Grand } { Junior Grand
Warden. (With Batons.) Warden.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Past Grand Deputy Grand Substitute Grand
Master. Master. Master.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
(White Rods.) Grand Sword Bearer. (White Rods.)
GRAND MASTER.
Grand Steward Master of Grand Stewards Grand Steward
with (Carrying Grand with
(White Rod). Master's Rod). (White Rod).
Grand Steward. Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Provincial Grand Masters.
Past Grand Masters.
Past Grand Wardens, &c.
Grand Steward. Grand Steward.
Mounted Escort of Dragoons.
The distance between the High School and the monu-
ment is about a quarter of a mile ; and it took fully
twenty minutes for the procession to pass any particular
point on the route. The Freemasons, with their banners
and insignia, had a very picturesque appearance; and
the magistrates, arrayed in their robes of office, with
their respective suites, were not a whit behind them.
Altogether the pageant was a very grand and imposing
sight. Having entered the Prince's-gardens, in which
the monument is situated, the Freemasons and others in
the procession arranged themselves round the structure,
while the magistrate;, representatives of public bodies,
and officers of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, took up
their position on the steps of the raised basement on
which the statue is placed. The signal was given, a
cannon was fired, and the statue was in a moment un-
veiled to the admiring eyes of the congregated thousands
who raised a cheer which made the welkin ring. The
statue is a splendid work of art, and is the production of
a native artist—Mr. J. Steele. It represents Sir Walter
in a sitting posture, with a shepherd s plaid round his
shoulders, and his favourite deg, Maida, at his feet. It
is executed in grey Carara marble, of colossal dimen-
sions, awl the living likeness of the Author of " Wa-
verley," in one of his most appropriate moods, with a
hook in his hand, and his mind absorbed in deep
thought.
Atter an eloquent prayer by the Rev. Dr. STEWART,
of Douglas.
Lord GLENLYON, the right worshipful master of the
grand lodge of Scotland, performed the ceremony custo-
mary on such occasions, and then came forward and
said—My Lord Provost, magistrates, and gentlemen
of the original and auxiliary committees, I have
to congratulate 3 ou, this day, on the completion of this
,plendid monument, which will stand to future genera-
tions as a memorial of that illustrious poet and novelist,
the late Sir Walter Scott.—(Applause.) I am sure that
.til of you must have experienced the greatest delight in
participating in the proceedings of this day. It was, 1
think, in 1840, that wy PzedecessoT laid the feundation