On Monday, the 7th of October, 1872, the corner-stone of the Standish monument was laid. It was indeed a gala day in the ancient town of Duxbury. It is estimated that ten thousand people were present. The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, of Boston, acted as escort to the procession. Several Masonic Lodges, with their glittering paraphernalia took part in the imposing ceremonies. As the long procession wound up the slope of Captain’s Hill, thousands of spectators lined their path on either side. A memorial box was deposited under the corner-stone with a metallic plate which bore the following inscription: THE CORNER STONE OF THE STANDISH MEMORIAL, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CHARACTER AND SERVICES --OF-- CAPTAIN MYLES STANDISH, THE FIRST COMMISSIONED MILITARY OFFICER OF NEW ENGLAND, Laid on the summit of Captain’s Hill, in Duxbury, under the Superintendence of THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY OF MASSACHUSETTS, In presence of THE STANDISH MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, BY THE M. W. GRAND LODGE OF FREE MASONS, OF MASSACHUSETTS M. W. SERENO D. NICKERSON, GRAND MASTER, ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF OCTOBER, A. D. 1872. Being the Two Hundred and Fifty-second Year since the First Settlement of New England BY THE PILGRIM FATHERS. SITE CONSECRATED AUGUST 17, 1871. ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED MAY 4, 1872. ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED, AND GROUND BROKEN, JUNE 17, 1872. CORNER OF FOUNDATION LAID AUGUST 9, 1872. This fine shaft rises one hundred and ten feet from its base, and is surmounted by a bronze statue of the Captain, in full uniform, twelve feet in height, and is said to be a truthful likeness. The diameter of the shaft, at its base, is twenty-eight feet. The structure is of the finest quality of Quincy granite. I will close this brief narrative with the eloquent words of Gen. Horace Binney Sargent: