lundie of that ilk

The laying of the foundation stone of the national Wallace Monument, on the Abbey Craig, Stirling, was completed yesterday, under the most favourable auspices. The disagreeable state of the weather, for two or three days previously, had boded ill as to the success of the ceremonial; but, although yesterday morning opened heavily, the clouds remaining for some hours very portentous, the forenoon ushered in brighter prospects, and shortly after noon all was sunshine and smiles. In Stirling, as well as in some others of the smaller towns in Scotland, the event was celebrated as a holiday - the shops being shut at an early hour, various decorations adorning the principal streets, and flags flying in gay luxuriance from the most prominent points in the town. At an early hour, the town became crowded with visitors from all parts of the country; and, latterly, there could not have been fewer than 60,000 or 80,000 strangers in the place.

The occasion was very fitly seized for an inspection of the county Volunteer Rifle corps; and the Stirlingshire Administrative Battalion, under the command of Colonel Dundas, of Carronhill, were put through a variety of evolutions by Major Jones, Inspector of Volunteers of North Britain, to his entire satisfaction. About twelve o'clock, Provost Dick, the Magistrates, and Town Council of Stirling gave a reception to deputations from other municipal bodies in the Guild Hall, St John Street. The grand procession to the Abbey Craig commenced to form in the King's Park, at 12 noon; and shortly after one o'clock it began to move, passing along Park Terrace, Park Place, Port Street, Murray Place, Barnton Place, Bridge of Allan Road, and Causewayhead village, to the northern base of the Craig. The procession was under the direction of Lieut.-General Sir James Maxwell of Wallace, K.C.B., lineal descendant of the hero of Elderslie, Grand Marshal; Dr Stewart, Kirkintilloch, Captain Rochead, architect of the monument, and Chief Constable Meffen, Deputy Grand-Marshals. On the starting of the procession the public bells of the town were ringing. The Bannockburn Rifle Volunteers formed a guard of honour to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and met his Grace the Duke of Atholl and the members of the Grand Lodge at the railway station, attending them to the Court Room, where a Grand Lodge was opened at eleven o'clock. They afterwards accompanied the Grand Lodge to the King's Park, and therefrom to the scene of the ceremonial.

In reference to the subject of the Monument, it may be proper here to state that the scheme of rearing a monument to Wallace has been advocated from time to time in the public journals for the period of about half a century. The first definite effort towards the object of which we remember took place in 1819, when the poet Motherwell and some other congenial spirits extensively agitated in the West of Scotland on behalf of a monument to the hero in the Fir Park of Glasgow, which now constitutes a part of the Necropolis. There was a public meeting, presided over by the late Earl of Buchan, and a large and influential committee appointed to raise funds. About £150 were subscribed, but the scheme lingered, and ultimately flickered into extinction - a balance of £50 being deposited in the Union Bank, Glasgow, where it remains till this day. Patric Park, the late ingenious sculptor, with his usual enthusiasm, formed the idea of raising a colossal figure of the hero somewhere about Edinburgh - probably on the Calton Hill - but after preparing a magnificent model of a colossal statue, he abandoned the idea of proceeding farther from want of encouragement, destroying with his own mallet the beautiful model which he had so ingeniously fashioned. The present enterprise took origin in the spring of 1856. The scheme had for some weeks agitated in the columns of a Glasgow daily newspaper, and Dr Rogers, of Stirling, was asked by one of the proprietors of it to join in awakening the public mind to the importance of the subject. In order to give the proposal a permanent shape, Dr Rogers suggested a public meeting should be held at Stirling by the Magistrates and others, and a provisional committee appointed to discover definitely as to public feeling on the matter. The proposed meeting accordingly took place in the Council Chambers, Stirling, on the 12th May, when, on the motion of the Doctor, the undertaking was formally initiated. A public meeting, on a large scale, it was afterwards resolved should be held in the King's Park, Stirling, on the ensuing 24th of June. And this meeting, it will be remembered, took place under the presidentship of Lord Elgin, and was attended by a large concourse of spectators; and perhaps it may not be deemed unworthy to mention, as indicating on the part of one individual no little confidence in the enthusiasm likely to be enkindled on the occasion, that while scarcely a single subscription had been intimated, the national meeting was got up at a at a prospective cost of between two and three hundred pounds. Subsequent to this public demonstration there was immediate and decided action on the part of the more prominent promoters. District meetings were held in Glasgow by some of the citizens interested in the movement, and the Rev. Secretary, accompanied by Mr Dodds, of London, since well known by his admirable work on the History of the Scottish Covenant, held meetings in the principal towns throughout the country. At these meetings local committees were formed, but we fear that the funds were not particularly augmented through this instrumentality. During the following season Dr Rogers visited the principal towns in England, waiting on the leading Scotchmen in these places with some advantage to the fund. In the meantime meetings had been held by Scotchmen in various parts of the world - at the gold diggings of Australia and California - the East and West Indies, in Canada, and many parts of the United States. The results of these meetings were not always equal to expectation. From Melbourne the sum of £400 was received, but contributions from other foreign places were generally of a much smaller amount. Two years ago, the committee thought of advertising for designs. There were two competitions; and it will be in the recollection of some of our readers that no small amount of angry feeling was excited on both occasions. At length a design by Mr Rochead, of Glasgow, met with almost unanimous approval of the committee. That design was chosen nearly two years ago, but the committee found itself far short of the funds required for its completion. During the course of last year, through the exertions of the Secretary, the sum of £1800 was realised to the fund, of which the sum of £600 was subscribed by the late Mr Patrick, of Roughwood, Ayrshire, and £100 by Lady Cunningham Fairlie, of Linn Hall, Dumfriesshire. In order to make up the amount necessary to proceed with building operations, Mr William Drummond, of Rochdale Lodge, Stirling, munificently guaranteed the sum of £1200; so that, in fact, every security is afforded to the public that the work commenced yesterday will be fully and satisfactorily completed.

The site of the monument is perhaps the most appropriate that could be fixed upon; and on this point we cannot do better than quote some remarks by Dr Rogers, in a small publication regarding the monument. The Doctor says: - "In our estimation it would be impossible to find a situation in all respects more suited for a national monument, or better adapted for a memorial cairn to the national hero. Abbey Craig is geographically in the centre of Scotland; it is likewise the centre of the Scottish battle-ground for civil and religious liberty. It overlooks the field of Stirling Bridge, where Wallace obtained his greatest victory; and the monument will surmount the spot where he is believed to have stood while surveying the legions of England crossing the bridge, in their path to destruction. This spot, the highest point of the craig, is 360 feet about the level of the river Forth. Around is a scene of picturesque and ennobling character. A plain of the richest variety of landscape, and teeming with fertility, is guarded on the north and south by undulating hill-ridges and pastoral heights, and bounded on the distant east and west by magnificent mountain-ranges. Westward, the stupendous Grampians, created by the lofty Benlomond, raise their majestic forms against the horizon. Eastward, the view terminates in the sloping hills of Cleish and Saline. The scene beneath is singularly enchanting. It has certainly never been contemplated by the poet or painter without emotion. Every point is replete with interest. The most fastidious scenery-hunter would be gratified with such a combination of hill and dale, wood and water, ancient ruin and modern villa, landward culture and heathy sterility. On the west is Craigforth, foliage-clad, and standing forth in isolated majesty. There - a little to the north-west - is the lofty brow of ancient Keir, celebrated by the poet - the seat of a poet - and the most poetical in its decorations of all Scottish country seats. Bridge of Allan, just two miles distant, ensconced under the umbrageous shelter of the wooded Ochils, is a picture of cleanliness and comfort. The undulating Ochil heights, ever beauteous, ever new, extend their picturesque masses far to the north-east. Immediately beneath the Craig, and on the sloping base of the Ochils, is Airthrey Castle, with its fine parks and lakes, once the seat of the noble Robert Haldane, now of the ennobled family of Abercromby. Villages fringe the base of the Ochils, far as the eye can reach, and the silvery Forth reposes, serpent-like, in the centre of the plain, having on both its banks a succession of elegant country seats. On a peninsula formed by the river, stands the hoary tower of Cambuskenneth, rejoicing in its seven centuries of age. Southward a few miles, are seen the Gillies' Hill, and the district of Bannockburn. The associations of the place (adds Dr Rogers) surpass even the glories of the prospect. Around is the conflict-ground of Caledonian freedom, while the Craig seems a high-alter, reared by Nature's hand, and consecrated a memorial of the nation's victories. In Airthrey Park was fought the engagement which gave the Scots supremacy over the ancient Picts. On the Craig's summit might have been heard the shout of victory raised by the army of Bruce, after the glorious achievement at Bannockburn. At Sheriffmuir, on the north, one bloody day terminated the first attempt of the House of Stuart to regain possession of a throne forfeited by crime. Stirling and its Castle are fraught with reminiscences of stirring deeds. Every spot on the plain has been the scene of contention, and the present beauty of the prospect has doubtless been enhanced by carnage, which once imparted to the district an aspect of desolation."

The monument is a Scottish baronial tower, having at the south-east side a keeper's house, between which and the tower is a courtyard, entered by a circular arched gateway. The apex of the tower exhibits the form of an open imperial crown, to be built of pure white sandstone, and which will consequently present a most interesting picture, seen against the sky. The tower is 220 feet in height, and 36 feet square at the base. An open octagonal winding staircase, projecting from the north-west angle, conducts to the coronal summit. In the interior, a succession of spacious and lofty halls will be appropriated to visitors' reception-rooms, and as museums for ancient armour and other remains illustrative of the national history. Should the funds admit, a marble statue of Wallace will be placed in the upper gallery or hall.

The procession, as we have stated, started from the King's Park a little after one o'clock, and could not have consisted of less than 8000 or 10,000 individuals. First came two horsemen in ancient armour, followed by Lieut.-General Sir James Maxwell Wallace, K.C.B., the Deputy Grand Marshal, and an instrumental band. Then came no fewer than seventeen companies of Volunteers, beginning with the 1st Stirlingshire Volunteer Artillery - John S. Mackay, Esq., Captain. … These were succeeded by the Curlers, consisting of the clubs of Cardross, Polmont and West Quarter, Shotts, Balmerino, Cambuslang, Meigle, Abercairney, Crossgate, Hopetoun, Partick, Strathendrick, Port of Monteith, Johnstone, Merchiston, Dollar and Devon Vale, Drummond Castle, and Lochgelly - these being interspersed with various pipers. The Gardeners' Lodges followed, including the Sir William Wallace Lodge of Free Gardeners, Stirling. … The Oddfellows' Societies of Grahamston, Stirling, Dumbarton, Helensburgh, and Denny followed; succeeded by the St Crispin Lodges of Edinburgh, Dundee, Linlithgow, Airdrie, Falkirk, Grahamston, and Stirling. The local institutions came next, and were followed by the Municipal bodies of Stirling, Ayr, Hamilton, Kilmarnock, Falkirk, Musselburgh, Cupar-Fife, Lanark, Airdrie, Rutherglen, Inverness, Elgin, Dunfermline, Peebles, North Berwick, Rothesay, Helensburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Dumbarton - the latter preceded by the Master-Gunner of Dumbarton Castle, bearing the sword of Sir William Wallace, in reference to which the following observations may not be out of place: - In size and shape it is similar in every respect to other two-handed swords of the period. One with which it may be compared is that of Sir Christopher Seton, the friend of Bruce, executed at Dumfries by order of Edward I in 1306. The weapon (now in possession of George Seton, representative of the Setons of Cairnston) is figured in Wilson's "Prehistoric Annals of Scotland;" and, with the exception of the handle, which is comparatively modern, might fairly stand for a sketch of the Wallace Sword. The latter, however, it is right to say, is neither quite so long nor so heavy as the Seton weapon. From point to point the Wallace Sword measures five feet seven inches, the handle being fourteen inches, the guard about an inch, and the blade itself four feet four inches. It varies in breadth from two inches and a quarter at the guard to three-quarters of an inch at the point, and weighs six pounds seven ounces. In explanation of the discrepancy between these and former measurements, it may be as well to explain that the sword was broken last year, and getting it welded for the present demonstration it was thought proper to add a few inches, with the view of restoring the blade to what there was some reason for believing was its original fair proportions. The last occasion on which it was publicly brought into notice was during the brief visit paid to Dumbarton Castle by the Queen and Prince Albert in August, 1849. It was then examined with much attention and interest by her Majesty and suite.

The Wallace Committee and speakers followed - along with parties bearing the swords of King Robert Bruce, Sir John de Graeme, the Laird of Lundin, the friend of Wallace, supposed to have been used at the Battle of Stirling; and the sword of the Black Douglas. These were succeeded by the Masonic Lodges, according to the seniority on the Grand Lodge Roll. There were altogether about 1000 masons from Glasgow alone. Of the Grand Lodge of Scotland the following members were present: - the Duke of Atholl, the Most Worshipful Grand Master; Geo. Whyte Melville, Esq., D.G.M.; J. Wolffe Murray of Cringletree, S.G.M.; Harry Inglis, Esq., S.G.W.; Sir Peter Arthur Hackett, S.G.W.; Rev. Dr Arnot, Grand Chaplain; G. A. Laurie, Grand Secretary and Grand Sword Bearer; A. C. Cruickshank, Deputy-Assistant Commissioner General, and Barrier Bearer to the Grand Master; Charles S. Law, Grand Director of Ceremonies; Thomas Dryburgh, Senior Grand Deacon; Colonel Kinloch, Junior Grand Deacon; John Deuchar, Morningside, Grand Bible-bearer; John Coghill and John Lawrie, Grand Marshals; W. M. Bryce, Grand Tyler; Lord James Murray, Representative of the Grand Lodge of England; C. W. M. Meller, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Saxony; Sir Alexander Gibson Maitland, P.G.M., Stirling; Sir Archd Alison, P.G.M., Glasgow; Donald Campbell, D.G.M, Glasgow; D. Murray Lyon, P.G., Junior Warden, Ayrshire. …

The procession arrived at the village of Causewayhead shortly after two o'clock, when the public bodies opened up, dividing on each side of the turnpike, allowing the Most Worshipful the Grand Master (the Duke of Atholl), the Grand Lodge, the members of the Wallace family, the speakers, the Committee, the patrons of Cowan's Hospital, deputations from Municipal bodies, and other parties provided with tickets for the pavilion erected on the summit of the Abbey Craig, to pass. The various bands, whose number were almost legion, instantly struck up the "Merry Masons". The portion of the procession not going to the Craig were conducted through the beautiful grounds of Airthrey, commanding a view of those engaged in the ceremonial. The ground was protected by police, under the charge of Chief Constable Gordon, of Perthshire; and there was a detachment of 50 of the Glasgow police force present, under the efficient superintendence of Inspector Harding. The summit of Abbey Craig was occupied by a large number of ladies and gentlemen, among whom were - Her Grace the Duchess of Atholl, accompanied by Miss McGregor, Colonel Leith Hay, and Sheriff Tait; and many others.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master arrived on the summit of Abbey Craig at five minutes past three o'clock, and was received there by John Tait, Esq., Sheriff of Clackmannanshire, within the bounds of which the Craig is situated.

The Rev. Dr Arnot, Edinburgh, Grand Chaplain, having invoked the divine blessing on the proceedings, the foundation stone of the monument was laid by the Grand Master with the usual solemnities.

The following documents were deposited in a crystal vase and placed in the cavity of the foundation stone: - 1. "Wallace and his Times," by Jas. Paterson; 2. "Life of Wallace," published by Murray & Son; 3. "Burns' Poetical Works," Galt & Inglis' edition; 4. "Lady of the Lake;" 5. "A Week at Bridge of Allan;" by the Rev. Dr Rogers; 6. "Stirling, Stirling Castle, &c.," by the Rev. Dr Rogers; 7. British and Colonial Masonic Calendar for 1861, compiled by Donald Campbell, Esq.,; 8. "Alloa and its Environs;" published by James Lothian; 9. "The National Wallace Monument, the Site and the Design", by the Rev. Dr Rogers; 10. Inscription on Vellum, with list of Wallace Committee, and of Town Council of Stirling, by whom the site was granted; 11. Masonic Inscription, prepared by the Grand Lodge, with list of Grand Lodge Office-bearers; 12. Circulars, Programme and Poem on occasion of the Ceremonial, by Mr James McFarlan; 13. Coins; 14. New Testament; and 15. Medal.

The large assemblage, as soon as the laying of the foundation stone was completed, raised a loud and prolonged shout, which resounded far and near. A flag was then raised to the top of the Abbey Craig flagstaff, and this signal to the Castle was answered by a salute of artillery from the ramparts of the Castle, in honour of the occasion. The whole of the musical bands immediately played the Queen's Anthem.

Those bearing the swords of Wallace, Bruce, the Black Douglas, and Sir John de Graeme were then ranged in front of the platform, on which the speakers were stationed.

Sir ARCHIBALD ALISON then said - My Lord Duke, Ladies and Gentlemen, - It is now my pleasing duty, in the name of this great assemblage, to congratulate the meeting upon the great and distinguished and unhoped for success of this great undertaking, and to return our cordial thanks to the Committee of Management and the Building Committee, for the energy, and perseverance, and ability with which they have discharged the duty that was imposed upon them. Like every other undertaking of a generous character, which proposes to do honour to the past rather than serve the present, they incurred great difficulties at first; but these difficulties have all vanished, as the clouds of this morning have vanished before the rays of the noon-day sun - (hear, hear) - and we now see this great undertaking brought to a prosperous issue, with the cordial consent, and approbation, and admiration of the whole people of Scotland. (Loud cheers.) While I am now speaking, the guns of Stirling Castle announces that the Sovereign of the realm - the descendant of Robert Bruce - has given her cordial consent to the movement. (Cheers.) The Duke of Cambridge, in the name of the army, has presented the meeting with the sword of Sir William Wallace. Lord Elgin, the lineal representative of Robert Bruce, has sent the sword of that noble sovereign, and the Duke of Montrose, the Lord lieutenant of the county, has sent the sword of his illustrious ancestor, Sir John de Graeme. (Applause.) The highest in rank, the first in station, all have combined in this great movement. But more striking still has been the proof of the universal and deep sense of gratitude and admiration in which the services of Wallace to his country are now held, after a lapse of 600 years, by his grateful countrymen. Upwards of 25,000 men in uniform have assembled here to-day from all parts of Scotland, to do honour to his memory - above double that number have come as spectators. There has been no assemblage like this at Stirling since the day that the army that fought at Bannockburn was assembled under this eminence. (Great applause.) there has been no such assemblage of beauty to grace it since the day that the Ladies' Rock was studded with all the beauty of Scotland, seeing their fathers, brothers, and sons fighting for their country on the field of Bannockburn. (Cheers.) Let us rejoice, then, that this undertaking has come to such a prosperous issue; and I beg now, in the name of this meeting, and through it, in the name of the people of Scotland, to return to the Building Committee their warmest acknowledgements and thanks, for the ability, perseverance, and the energy with which they have, in this manner, given vent to the universal feeling of the nation. (Loud cheers.)

Mr Sheriff GLASSFORD said - Sir Archibald Alison, ladies and fellow-countrymen, I have the honour to propose that we avail ourselves of this opportunity to record a vote of thanks to the subscribers to the Wallace National Monument. They are very numerous - they are composed of every class from the highest to the lowest - they belong to every town and village in Scotland - they are scattered far and wide through all our colonies, from the frozen north to the burning south. Widely as they are diffused, one electric spark has united them all. To them no country is so dear as Scotland - no virtue more inherent than patriotism - no patriot through the ages more worthy of regard than Wallace. With his name, as with a talisman, the general heart has been stirred. Some have come forward with their hundreds, and some with whatever mite they could afford, but all with an eager desire to be allowed to throw a stone on the magnificent cairn which Scotland's gratitude is about to erect on this romantic hill. We live in heroic times - not in times, thank God! when we are called upon to struggle for our national independence, but in times when we are obliged to show a bold front in the face of Europe, Asia, and the world - in times when we have occasion to send forth the best and oldest of our warriors to many a well-fought field - in times when the martial spirit of our youth, long repressed, but never extinguished, has burst out spontaneously with a bright and pure flame which shall be seen burning from afar - "Till danger's troubled night depart, And the star of peace returns!" I look upon this movement but as a reflex of the spirit of the age. I see our Volunteers there, upon the hill side, and in the valleys beneath, glittering in rank and file; is it wonderful that they should rejoice to behold on this fair eminence that which will be not only a noble record of patriotism, even greater than their own, but a visible testimony that Scotland through all generations, and irrespective of the flight of centuries, preserves the memory green of those who fought and fell, who lived and died for her, who preserved her liberties untarnished, who gave her a glorious past, who made her what she is? If there be those, as I have heard there are, who affect to sneer at the sentiment which has inspired, and the energy which has gone forward to the execution of a work like this, I for one do not envy the sneerers. … I doubt whether such cold cynicism will make them happier men, or more respected by their fellow-countrymen. I doubt whether that "Hardening of the heart which brings Irreverence for the drama of youth." is a consummation more to be desired than the retaining of those fresh impulses fostered in childhood and deeply interwoven with our earliest associations - impulses which prompted us to gaze with deepest affection on the ancient tree under whose boughs the Wallace wight once found shelter, which led us to touch with awe the grand traditionary sword which was ever "light in his terrible hand," and which brought us willing pilgrims for many a mile to the scene of that crowning victory which "laid the proud usurper low" beneath yonder castle rock, and stained with the best blood of a lawless invader the waters of yonder winding river. Shall I, in this presence, ask whether any progress of civilisation, and change of time and circumstance, has made it necessary for us to blot out the grand heroic annals of our native land? Would England or Ireland do so? True, we are not now separate, but united kingdoms. True, we have all reaped great gain from that good and holy alliance. May it be indissoluble! But because a gallant bridegroom leads a fair bride to the alter, does it therefore follow that all reminiscences of the early days of each are to cease - all looking back upon their childhood's home - all grateful recollection of the lessons which were then taught, and the characters which then were formed? No! The very ancestral feuds which may at one time have divided the families make the union the sweeter now. Blood is stronger than water; and, if either individual or national character be worth a farthing, it is not to be annihilated by any union - the multitudinous seas will not wash it out. As well might we be told that we should cease to take delight in the great features of our national scenery, as that we should cease to cultivate the recollection of the great incidents of our national history. We are all proud of the name of Briton; it is a name common to both Englishmen and Scotchmen; but the Englishman would not be the man he is if he could ever forget the glories of old England before she could claim a foot of land to the north of the Tweed; and the Scotchman would be but a base dependant of those who bled with Wallace and conquered with Bruce if he did not thrill with an emotion at their name which no Englishman can ever know. Scotland and England now stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder - "The Percy and the Douglas both together Are confident against the world in arms." But we were rocked in different cradles - we were nursed by different mothers - we are each our "Simple, honest, independent selves." So let it ever be! and let no man grudge us this monument. The living pulse of Scotland beats in it. It is reared in no boastful spirit, but is that of reverence and love for the great and the noble of all time. In its architecture it is national, massive, and appropriate; it stands upon a site which it will not desecrate but consecrate; to thousands upon thousands the royal diadem which is to grace the summit will speak, when we are all away, of the unconquered son of an unconquerable country! It is because I cherish this belief, and am not ashamed to avow it, that I have the greatest satisfaction in being permitted to move a vote of thanks to the subscribers. (Loud cheers.)

The Rev. Dr ROGERS, in proposing a vote of congratulation to the members of the Wallace family, said, after some preliminary remarks - There has been in connection with this movement, alike at its inauguration and at the present ceremonial, a peculiar appropriateness in respect of those who have principally engaged in it. Could Wallace have desired other than a Bruce to inaugurate his monument, other to lay the foundation stone than a Murray, the ducal representative of that Andrew Murray with whom he was associated in the Government of Scotland? Could he have desired one to preside on this occasion more admirably adapted for the duties than the present Historian of Europe, who is, I am informed, in the direct line of descent from King Robert Bruce? (Cheers.) Aye, it would have cheered the heart of the hero still further could he have looked forward in a vision of the future to the vast assembly of all ranks of his countrymen who have this day met on these plains to do honour to his memory - could he have seen fulfilled the prediction uttered five years ago by a Scottish working man, who has thus anticipated the proceedings of this day -

"Brave workers with the head or hand,
Who guide or guard our mountain land,
From bothy low and stately hall
Came peer, came peasant, one and all,
And bade a cenotaph arise
To Wallace 'neath our northern skies -
A nation's tribute raised to thee,
Thou high-souled Knight of Ellerslie."

(Loud applause.) … Yes, gentlemen, in discharging the duty intrusted to me of offering on this occasion some words of congratulations to the members of the Wallace House, I am led to remember that few families in the kingdom have more nobly fulfilled their mission, or proved more worthy of their race. It has been said by the noble author of the "Lives of the Lindsays," that none bearing the name of that grand old sept has ever been found guilty of violating the laws of honour. I might show, if time permitted, that the descendants of Sir William Wallace are entitled to a higher praise. Why, gentlemen, the sept has produced many of our greatest men, both in the past and in the present. The Baillies of Jerviswood are descendants of William Wallace. The administrative power with which Lord Canning now wields the Government of India may be traced to his being lineally descended from the great Patriot Governor of Scotland. The blood of Wallace has been united with that of Bentinck, and the Duke of Portland is a representative of the hero. The Earl of Moray, who was one of the first subscribers to this monument, owns his descent from the Knight of Ellerslie. And in speaking of the descendants of Wallace, am I not entitled to associate with them, those who are animated by the spirit of the hero, "Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled." Every Scotsman who rejoices in his national privileges, who hates oppression, who loves liberty, who rejoices, whether on the tented field to defend the honour of his country abroad, or as a Rifle Volunteer to maintain her dearest interests at home - these and such as these Wallace hails and blesses as sons. (Hear, hear.) The event of this day will henceforth be associated with the history of this country, and our hero, of whom it has been well said that he "Left the name Of Wallace like a wildflower All over his dear country" - will henceforth have one monument especially his own. There shall it stand, as stony sentinel, guarding the battle-ground of Scottish liberties - proclaiming in all the stern dignity of Gothic architecture that Scotsmen dare to be free, and telling the passing traveller - "While Scotia's hills majestic rise With towering peaks would pierce the skies - Till Time itself with age decays - A Wallace name Will win a nation's ardent praise, And gather fame." And should the question be put - Who reared these stones? let answer be given in the poetical words of a Scottish artisan - "Peer and peasant came To aid in building this most glorious pile; The hearts of high and humble beat the same, While maidens cheered them on with loving smile." (Loud applause.)

Dr GILLAN said, - Sir Archibald Alison and brother Scots, this is the second time I have had the honour of taking part in this great public tribute to the memory of a hero of whom humanity may be proud. (Applause.) I was present at the inaugurating of it - I am here at the founding of it - and perhaps I may live to witness, and be present at, its completion. (Hear, hear.) Surely I shall be regarded by those at a distance as an intensely intensified Scotchman. (A laugh.) I shall be pictured as draped, not in the cloth to which I belong, but in some blazing garb of Old Gaul, with the hilt of a dirk peeping out from among its folds. (Laughter.) I shall be thought of as eating nothing but oat-cakes and bannocks, and drinking a decoction of blue bells and heather. (Renewed laughter.) I shall be drawn full length, as big and curly, with very high cheek-bones. Well, though this is not quite a photographic likeness, still I don't mind yielding to the soft impeachments which it implies. (Laughter.) I am fain to confess that my heart does warm to the tartan and to own before all other countries that "there's nae place like home". (Applause.) At Dryburgh I long ago beheld an image of Wallace - a big red sandstone fellow, rising out of a hill side. A statue of him graces the town of Lanark, which, if set up in Gath, would be mistaken for that of Goliath. (Laughter.) A better thing lately has been created in Ayrshire, much to the credit of its projector. But we still want a recognition of him - not from a private purse, but from public patriotism - and this is the tribute we met this day to award. (Great applause.) And is it not charming - is it not cheering, to see each of our social conditions, met for such a purpose, on the very battle-field of our national independence? And well it becomes them all to rally round this point, and countenance, or take part in this great celebration, from every corner of the land. Our nobles should come - for pardon me, ye honourable ones, if I say, that your coronets were not worth the wearing till Wallace rescued them from the tarnish of servility and servitude. Our commoners should be here, and they are so in thousands, for by that same man's gigantic effort, their lives and their properties were secured. Our warriors should be here of all ranks, for he, the gentle knight, taught them how to do battle against the country's foe. Our civilians should be here in their civic representatives, for, without him, the freedom of any city had been but the badge of slavery. Our agriculturalists should be here, for it was by our rural populations mainly that Wallace fought and conquered. Our merchants should be here, for that same man of valour formed a commercial alliance with a neighbouring Continental state. Our ecclesiastics should be here - or, at least, our Protestant divines, as that national independence, first struck for by Wallace and completed by Bruce, is the only solid platform of religious liberty; - and above all, our Volunteers should be here - as they are - for Wallace was the father of their movements - the heroic, self-devoted volunteer - standing out first and alone - on the forefront of our romantic histories. (Loud and continued cheering.) And then, learned President, our freemasons are here in fine full force to-day; and right glad are we to see them. They are in their very niche - if mutual protection, combination, fraternity, equality, charity - have any place in their mottoes. We venerate their order for its antiquity - for whether it can be traced back to Seth - or even so recent as Abraham - (a laugh) - at any rate it is most ancient. … Therefore, learned President, permit me to ask a vote of thanks to the whole masonic fraternity who have honoured us on this day with their valuable assistance, by laying a stone which for ages will sustain a structure which all the world will hear of and all the world will admire. (Cheers.) And, connecting this vote with the Most Worshipful Grand Master, our high-titled Highlander who wears the escutcheon of the House of Atholl need not fear that the ducal bonnet will sit less gracefully on his brow from his having graced this great gathering of dear old Scotland's many kilted clans with his presence. (Loud and continued applause.)

Mr JAMES DODDS, London, in a few well-put sentences, moved a vote of thanks to the Town Council of Stirling … for granting the site; which was acknowledged by Provost Dick.

On the motion of Sheriff TAIT, a vote of thanks was passed to Sir Archibald Alison for presiding

Three cheers were then given for success to the Monument, and the procession then returned to the town.