[From Selections from Calcutta Gazettes, Vol. V]

Thursday, February 18, 1819

ON Friday last the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the New Calcutta Custom House took place, and afforded a very interesting Masonic spectacle.

The Officers of the provincial Grand Lodge and the Members of the other Lodges in Calcutta met, as had been previously arranged at the Exchange Rooms at four o'clock and afterwards proceeded to the site of the Fort in the following order: -

MUSIC

Grand Marshall

LODGES:

Lodges Courage with Humanity
Aurora Lodge
Moira Lodge
Marine Lodge
Humility with Fortitude
True Friendship
Industry and Perservance
Star in thc East
Each Lodge preceded by its own Tyler
Superintendent of the Building with the plan
Provincial Grand Lodge Tyler
Inscription Plate, carried by a Brother
Golden Mallet, carried by a Brother
Three Silver Cups, with Wine, Oil and Corn, carried by Three Brethren
Golden Compasses, carried by a Brother
Golden Square, Level and Plumb, carried by three Brothers.
Grand Stewards
Grand Secretary
Grand Registrar
Grand Sword Bearer
Grand Treasurer
Holy BIBLE, carried by a Brother
Grand Chaplain
Senior Grand Deacon
Junior Grand Deacon
Senior Grand Warden
Junior Grand Warden
Provincial Grand Master with Deputy Provl. Grand Master
Two Grand Stewards

Around a portion of the ground, on which the intended building is to be raised, a bamboo railing had been placed, having an arched entrance from the road upon the East side. After passing through this entrance the music turned to the right and proceeded round the stone to the West side of the enclosed area, where it halted and continued playing. The Provincial Grand Lodge followed and halted on the East side of the stone, the Provincial Grand Master taking his seat at the Pedestal, supported on the right by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Chaplain and Senior Deacon, and on the left by the other Grand Officers. The Lodges arranged themselves round the area according to seniority, and when all had reached their places the music ceased.

The Plan of the Building was then presented by the Superintendent to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Brother Balquiere, who handed it up to the Provincial Grand Master, Brother the Honorable C. R. Lindsay, who, after inspecting it, returned 'it to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, desiring him to lay the cement and fix the Inscription P)ate. He advanced with the provincial Grand Chaplain, Brother the Rev. H. Shepherd, supported by the 'Grand Stewards, to the East side of the stone, and after the Provincial Chaplain had delivered an appropriate prayer, the phials that contained the coins were placed in the niches, and the Deputy Provincial, Grand Master read the Inscription, as follows: "In the 59th year of the reign of his most gracious Majesty George III, and under the auspices of the most Noble the Marquis of Hastings, K. G. Governor General and Commander in Chief or India, who, in his wise and enlightened government of this great empire, regarding the welfare and prosperity of its commerce, increased and extended by the blessing of general peace with Europe, and the opening of a free intercourse with this country; and considering the present inefficient state of this harbor, sanctions the construction of commodious warehouses to secure ample accommodations to trade.

"The Honorable Charles R. Lindsay, Provincial Grand Master of Bengal, at the solicitation of Sir Charles D'Oyly, Boronet, Collector of Custom" laid the foundation stone of this Custom House; a structure commensurate with the large requisitions of the port of Calcutta calculated to afford to the numerous vessels arriving from every part of the globe, protection and security to their cargoes, ease and facility to mercantile transactions, and prosperity to the British Government in India; this 12th February in the year of our Lord 1819, of the Era of Masonry 5823, Geo. Lindsay, Lieutenant of Engineers, being architect. May the undertaking prosper by the blessing of Almighty God."

The Plate was then fixed in its place, and the cement spread, after which the Provincial Grand Master advanced to the Stone, supported by the Grand Wardens and other Officers, and ordered it to be lowered in its place by the three regular stops, which was accordingly done. The Square, Level and Plumb were then handed successively by the Provincial Grand Wardens to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who again handed them to the provincial Grand Master, and he, having tried the Stone by them returned them to the' Deputy.

The Golden Mallet having been next handed to, the Provincial Grand Master, he gave three knocks on the Stone with it, accompanying the ceremony with the following benediction: "May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant a Blessing on this stone, which we have now laid, and by his Providence enable us to finish this and every other work undertaken for the benefit or embellishment of this City".

A piece of Solemn Music was then performed by the band, after which the Cornucopia and Silver Cups were delivered with the same formalities as before to the Provincial Grand Master, who poured the wine, com and oil that they contained upon the Stone, saying:

"May the All-Bounteous Author of Nature bless this City with abundance of Corn, Wine and Oil and with all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of life, and may the same Almighty Power preserve this City from decay to the latest posterity."

On this the band struck up "Rule Britannia," The provincial Grand Master then delivered an address suitable to the occasion, which was answered by the Collector of the Customs, Sir Charles D'Oyly. The Provincial Grand Master, having1 then returned to the Chair, delivered the plan of the Building to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who returned it to the Superintendent off the Building, Lieutenant Lindsay, with a suitable address, and the ceremonies closed, the band playing "God save the King."

The British Ensign was then hoisted over the stone, and a royal salute was fired from some pieces of artillery that had been placed near the 'spot. Various salutes were also fired by vessels laying off town in the river.

The Lodges then returned in procession to the Exchange in reverse order, the band leading.

The whole of the ceremony had an imposing; effect, and was witnessed by a very large assemblage of spectators. Immediately to the Northward of the Stone several rows of benches, rising behind each other and surmounted by an awning were placed for the accommodation of the ladies who graced the spectacle with their presence, and a number of carriages were drawn up round the north-east angle of the enclosure, from which an the proceedings of the occasion were conveniently viewed.

Guard

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