History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

ANNALS OF LYNN 1 86/. 25
A little before noon, the exercises commenced in the vestibule,
with a prayer offered by Rev. J. W. F. Barnes, of the First
Methodist Church. Mayor Roland G. Usher then delivered an
Address, which was followed by a Poem by Cyrus M. Tracy.
The Tablet, facing the main entrance, was then unveiled. Next
came a brief address, retrospective and prospective, by James R.
Newhall, which closed the forenoon exercises.
A liberal collation was served in the basement, which was
partaken of by a multitude of citizens and many visitors from
other places. Subsequently a number of prominent citizens
addressed the
crowds in the Council Chamber and other convenient
parts of the building. Among these speakers were John
B. Alley, James N. Buffum, George H. Chase, Charles E. Kimball,
Peter M. Neal, and Thomas B. Newhall. There were likewise
several speakers from abroad.
The entertainment was continued till late in the evening,
the large company of ladies and gentlemen, young and old,
promenading whithersoever they would, about the beautiful apartments,
and enjoying themselves in decorous ways of their own
choice. At the instance of the Mayor, about ten o'clock, the
whole company were called to join in singing " America." And
after that the majestic strains of the Doxology, in Old Hundred,
floated upward. This closed the interesting exercises. As this
is not the place that requires any thing beyond a mere statement
of facts, it would perhaps be unwise to volunteer censure
even if there were points that might justify it, or to offer laudatory
remarks where they are not needed, The addresses and the
poem were published in the newspapers of the day, and afterward
in a neat little volume ;
and they can all "testify of themselves."
It need only be remarked here that the proceedings throughout
were received with liberal applause.
The cost of the building, in round numbers, may be stated
at ;^3i2.ooo. Some claimed that it was an unnecessarily elegant
and costly structure, and of course, after the usual custom, indulged
in a little harmless grumbling. But it was soon apparent
that its superior conveniences would save expense in many ways ;
and that it was giving an improving tone to the architecture
of the city, a thing that had been long and sorely needed. Before
a year had passed, there were few who did not take a real pride
in pointing to it as the great lion of the city, or who entertained
any lingering regrets that it had been reared. It certainly marks
a period when a wonderful advancement in the architectural
aspect of Lynn commenced.
The first number of the Lynn Transcript, a weekly newspaper,
established by Rufus Kimball, Thomas P. Nichols and Abel G.
Courtis, appeared on Saturday, Dec. 21, from the office on the
southwest side of Market street, near South Common.