13G Transactions. 



Providence diffuses amongst us the blessing of plenty. And it 

 may be observed, as suggesting another agreeable reflection, that 

 this seminary reckons among the contributors to the present 

 undertaking many of her own sons, into whose opening minds 

 she instilled the principles of useful knowledge, and whose 

 breasts she inspired with the love of virtue, and all those liberal 

 and manly sentiments which prepared them for filling their 

 various situations in society with such credit as distinguishes 

 them among their contemporaries, and reflects honour on the 

 place which gave them birth. The masters, we doubt not, will 

 ever esteem it their first duty and their greatest pride to support 

 the dignity of their profession ; and we indulge the pleasing hope 

 that their scholars now standing around us, and thousands yet 

 unborn, admiring the virtues and talents of those who have gone 

 before them, will be stimulated to follow their example, and even, 

 if possible, to excel thera in every noble and worthy pursuit. I 

 congratulate you, gentlemen — I congratulate the public at large 

 — on the business of this day, and it is my prayer to the Supreme 

 Ruler of the universe, whose blessing we should implore on all 

 our designs, that he would prosper the present undertaking, and 

 enable us to bring it to a happy conclusion ; that He would 

 bless those patriotic and public-spirited men by whose influence 

 and generous efforts it has been promoted, and continue to 

 watch over the interests of our Academy, the object of whose 

 institution it is 



To rear the tender thought ; 



To teach the young idea how to shoot ; 



To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind ; 



To breathe the enlivening spirit, and to fix 



The generous purpose in the glowing breast.' 



After this address was finished a general huzza was thrice re- 

 peated, and the procession returned in the same order as it came. 

 The town bells rang during the procession, and the Dumfries 

 Volunteers kept off the crowd. The greatest regularity was 

 observed, and no accident happened during the whole business of 

 the day. The gentlemen present retired to the George Inn, 

 where they dined, and spent the afternoon with the greatest 

 conviviality and good humour. The following is a copy of 

 the inscription on the plate of brass deposited on the foundation 

 stone — 



