were invited in the beginning of 1842. The merits and demerits of half-a-dozen sites were considered, and each place had its adherents. Public opinion was split into half-a-dozen segments, in favour ofthe sites of the present Post Office, the Bank of Australasia, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Town Hall, the Mint, and, singularly too, that whereon the new Law Courts are now erected. A new Gaol had been commenced off the Northern side of Latrobe Street, and as the propriety of placing the new Court-house near the new Gaol obtained a general acquiescence, that course was determined on. As the day approached for the laying of its foundation there was excited expectation, for the good people, mistaken or otherwise, affected to regard it as a day "big with fate," and the feeling was intensified by the preparations being made to give éclat to the occasion. His Honor the Superintendent manifested a warm interest in the event, whilst Judge Willis was in a paroxysm of weak delirium, for to his other failings he added an egregious self-sufficiency, and nothing could convince him that he was not the people's idol. The day was proclaimed a general holiday; there was to be a grand spectacular exhibition through the streets; the stone was to be laid with Masonic honours, and the "Brethren of the Mystic tie," including the Freemasons' and the Oddfellows' Societies, were to march in full regalia. This was the first thing of the kind in Melbourne. Printed programmes were circulated, and the most elaborate precautions taken to avert anything of a hitch occurring. The 22nd July, 1842, was originally fixed for the ceremony, and it rained so incessantly that a postponement to the 25th was unavoidable. Even then appearances were so unpromising that glum were the looks, and bitter the disappointment, when the morning broke frowning and bad-tempered. Anon the rain poured down, but towards noon the face of the heavens expanded with pleasant smiles, and by "high twelve" the sun wore a genial face. From an early hour in the morning preparations were made for witnessing the procession by persons of all degrees, and a universal desire was apparent to have something like a "day of it." The open space in front of the old Court-house was the appointed rendezvous, where the processionists should meet, and complete all the necessary preliminary formalities for the start, and as noon approached streams of people were flowing to this gathering ground from every quarter.
Two hundred Freemasons left their Lodge-room at the Royal Exchange in Collins Street, accompanied by all the paraphernalia of their Order, about half-past eleven, and marched to the Courthouse, where, forming into line, they were followed by the Oddfellows, about sixty in number, decked in aprons, gloves, ribbons, and other insignia peculiar to that Order. Passing through, the Masons formed in front, where the Town Band was stationed, and which struck up a lively air. The children of the various schools in town paraded next in full procession, and after marching and counter-marching, marshalling and re-marshalling, the animated mass moved forward in the following order:—
The Ranger on Horseback, Mounted Police, Melbourne Police, Band, The Schools, Oddfellows;
The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, in the following order:—
Tyler, Banner of Faith, Masters of Ceremonies, Terrestrial and Celestial Globes;
Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, Six Junior Masters, Deacons with Wands , Secretary with Roll, Treasurer with Bag
Six Masters, Deacons, Corinthian Light, Junior Warden, Six Masters, Doric Light, Senior Warden;
Banner of Hope, The Lodge (borne by four Masters), Cornucopia, Pitcher with Wine;
Pitcher with Oil, Organist and Choir, Stewards, Architect and Builder, Bible, Square, and Compasses;
Banner of Charity, Chaplain, Clergy of all Denominations (two and two);
Installed Masters, Ionic Light, Book of Constitutions, Royal Arch, Knights Templars;
The Past Master, Worshipful Master, Inner Guard, Civil Officers of Government, Chief-Constable on Horseback;
Magistrates of the Colony (two and two);
Civil Officers of the Government Heads of Departments (two and two), Tipstaff of the Court;
Members ofthe Bar, Police Magistrate and Staff;
The Resident Judge, supported by the Officers of his Court, followed by the Members of the Legal Profession—
The Attornies—(two and two), Inhabitants.
The Cavalier, who, under the somewhat uncircumscribed definition of "Ranger," pioneered the movement, was the well-known and experienced Mr. William Wright, the Ex-Chief-Constable, who had been recently appointed to the executive head of an Association established for the suppression of horse and cattle stealing, and as such, was denominated "The Ranger," on account of the almost illimitable field of operations over which his jurisdiction would range. Several thousands of men, women, and children either accompanied the procession or lined the streets. The route lay along Bourke, William, Collins, Elizabeth,
