Star.
London, England, 1825-06-16 00:00:00

the plate of copper intended to cover them. Before she
plate was .put.down, the Town Clerk read from it the
• following•inscription, which we understand is the con:-
position of Dr. Contattc•se, Mater of 0 iel College,
Orford, and late Professor of Poetry in that University :
it is remark: Isle for its simple style and pure Latinity.
Ponds Vetvsti
(Item Propter Cretin's Nimis interiectas Moles
• Impedite Offs', Flrminls
Navicvlae et Rates
Nnn Levi Nepe lactvra et Vitae Perictio
leer Anrovstas Favces
Praecipiti Agvar. r Imretu Ferri Solercr.t
CIV•IT AS N DIN ENSIS
liar Ivomtnotlis Rerardivin Adhibere
t Celebeirimi Simel in Terris &word
V tilitatilns Conwiens
T.egni insv-,er Senate:. Arctoritate
Ac Mynificentia Adhta .
Pontem - •
Sitv Prorsys Novo
Amplioribvs Spatiis Constrvendvm Decrcvit
EA Scilicet Forma se Magnitudine
Qvae Regiae Vrbis Maiestad
• Tandem Responderet
• Neqve Alio Nagis Tempter*
Tamen) Opva Inchoandwn Dvait
Qvam Cvm Pacato Ferree Toto Terrarvm Orbe
IMPERIVM BRITANNICVM
• Fame Opibvs Mvititvdine Civivm et Concordia Pollens
PRINCIPE
Item Gavileree
Artivm Porta. ac Patron*
• Cvivs Svb Avspicils
Novvs Indies Aedificiorvm Splendor Vrbi Accedetet.
Primvm Operis Lapidem
Poet ic
lOANNES GARRATT AP MIGER
PRAETOR
XV. Die ivnit
Antic Rees Georgil Qvartl Sento
A.S. NI.D.CCC.XXV.
Dunne Rennie. &R.& Architecto.
TRAWSLATION.
" The free course of the River being obstructed by the nume-
rous piers of the ancient Bridge, and the passage of boats and ves-
sels through imnarrow channels being often attended with danger
and lessor Ilisr by reason of the force and 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 of Parliament, resolved to ,suet a Bridge apse a inn.
dation altogether new, with arches of wider spas, and of a chuacter
corresponding to the dignity and importance of this Royal City:
nor does any other time seem to be mere suitable for sea an on.
dertaking than when in a period of universal pease, tbe British
Empire. flourishing in glory, wealth. population. end domestic
union. is governed by a Prince. the Patron and Encourager of the
Arts, under whose auspices the l'iletruWis has been daily ad.
framing inelegance and splendour. The First Stone of this Work
was laid by Joan Gaasarr, Esq. Lord Mayor. on the XVth Day
of June, in the Sixth Year of Kum Osoaoa the Foomw, and in the
Year of Out Lam SLACCCXXV. Joan Roan; F.ILL Ar.
chitect."
Preparations were then made to place upon this plate
the foundation-stone, which, as it weighs neatly nine
tons, was not done without some lapse of time. As
soon as it was placed upon it, the Lord Mayor, after
going through the usual formalities observed upon such
occasions, addressed the meeting in the following terms:
—" It is unnecessary for me to say much upon the
purpose for which we are assembled this day, for its
importance to this great commercial city must be evis
dent ; but I cannot refrain from offering a few obser-
vations, feeling as I do more than ordinary interest in
the accomplishment of the undertaking, of which this
day's ceremony is the primary step. I should not con.
sder the present a favourable moment to enter into the
chronology or detailed history of the present venerable
• structure, which is now, from the increased cotamerce
• of the country, and the rapid strides made by the
sciences in this kingdom, found inadequate to its pur-
poses, but would rather advert to the great advantages
which will necessarily result from the execution of this
n tional work. Whether it be taken into consideration
tie rapid and consequently dangerous currents arising
- ft crn the obstructions occasioned by the defects of the
arc ent edifice, which has proved destructive to human
lire and to property, or its difficult and incommodious
approaches and acclivity, it must be a matter of sincere
congratulation, that we are living in times when the
resources of this highly•favoured country are compe-
tent to a work of such great public utility. If ever
there was a period more suitable than another for mu-
- barking in national improvements, it must be the pre.
• sent, governed u we are by a Sovereign, patron of the
arts, un.ler whose mild and paternal sway (by the bles-
sings of Divine Paovinancs) we now enjoy profound
peace ; living under a Government, by whose enlight-
ened and liberal policy our trade and manufactures are
in a flourishing state; represented by a Parliament,
whose acts of munificence shed a lustre upon their pro-
. ceedings ; thus happily situated, it is impassible not to
hail such advantages with other feelings than those of
gratitude and delight. I cannot conclude these remarks
• without acknowledging how highly complimentary I
feel it to the honourable office I now fill, to view such
an auditory as surrounds me, among whom are his
Majesty's -Ministers, several distinguished Nobles of the
land, the Magistrates and Commonalty of this ancient
• and loyal city, and. above all, (that which must ever
enlighten and give splendour to any scene) a brilliant
assembly of the other sex, all of whom, I feel assured,
will concur with me in expressing an earnest wish that
the New London Bridge, when completed, may reflect
credit upon the architects, prove an ornament to the
Metrorlis, and redound to the honour of its Corpora-
tion. I offer up a sincere and fervent prayer, that in
executing this great work there may occur no alamity ;
that in performing. that which is most particularly in-
tended as a prevention of future danger, no mischief may
occur to mar the general admiration of the undertaking."
At the conclusion of this speech, which was received
with great cheering, the Lord Mayor proceeded to
spread the mottat, to try whether it was placed square
by the plummet, to beat it with the mallet, and to per-
form all the ceremeniesehich custom requires on !hese
-oicasions. -As soon as thin was effected, a flag was
lowered-on the top of the dam- as.a signal that the stone
• was laid. A discharge ef cannon immediately took
place, and was followed by thtee times three cheers
from all the surrounding multitude. On their sub-
siding, God save Me King was again song ; three
cheers were then given to the Duke of York, three more
to the City of London, and then three more to the ar-
chitect, Mr. Rennie. This was.the termination of the'
ceremony. Immediately afterwards, the Lord Mayor
and the Duke of York took their departure, and were
followed by the chief members of the procession, which
returned to the Mansion-hous.; we believe, in the same
• order-as that in which it proceeded from it. We arc
happy to say, that though so many thousand persons
• •Nieere present to witness this magnificent spectacle, we