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 FROM THE 
 
 BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY 
 
 COLLECTED BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 
 1854-1919 
 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
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 HS598.L84 N71 
 
 A centennial sketch of the history of th 
 
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 No. 235 OF THE ORDER OF ANCIENT FREE AND 
 ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND. 
 
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 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030301505 
 
"iy 
 
 A Centennial Sketch of the History 
 
 of 
 
 El)e Hotjge 
 
 of 
 
 1777— 1877. 
 
 Presented to the Brethren 
 
 AT THE 
 
 CENTENNIAL FESTIVAL, 
 
 Held at Long's Hotel, Old Bond Street, London, 
 On TUESDAY, MAY the 8th, 1877, 
 
 BY 
 
 Bro. WALTER WEBB, W.M. 
 
 4. ^J. , 
 

 A^i^^o /3^ 
 
'Co tljj ^flKceW, pa!St=9t?a0ter0, anti 3vn\iXtn ot 
 tje %otist of f^e iflinj 9i?us(c0» 
 
 Brethren, 
 
 |T has occurred to me that as this Centennial 
 Anniversary falls in the year during which I 
 have the honour, by your suffrages, to occupy 
 the position of Master in the Lodge, it would 
 fittingly mark my sense of the extreme interest of the 
 occasion, and might not be unacceptable to you, were I to 
 lay before you a slight sketch, from such materials as I have 
 been able to gather, of the history of the Lodge from its 
 foundation to the present time. I beg, therefore, to present 
 you with these brief notes, with the assurance of my most 
 brotherly regard, and with the earnest wish and hope that 
 during the second century of its existence, upon which we 
 now enter, the Lodge may be distinguished by a faithfulness 
 to the principles of Masonry, and be favoured with a general 
 prosperity, which shall at least show no falling off when 
 compared with history upon which we now look back. 
 
 WALTER WEBB, W.M., No. 235. 
 Uh May, 1877. 
 
C|)e ilotige 
 
 of 
 
 %\)t 0nt MviSts 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 NE hundred years ago the 
 Lodge of the Nine Muses was 
 constituted a regular Lodge 
 of Free and Accepted Masons, 
 its Charter, bearing date 25th 
 March, A. 5777, (a.d. 1777), 
 being granted by Lord Petre, at that time the 
 Most Worshipful Grand Master of this most 
 ancient and honourable Order in England. 
 
 There is no existing record, so far as I have 
 been able to ascertain, of the special considerations 
 which led to the adoption of the name by which 
 this Lodge has from the first been distinguished ; 
 nor has the Brother who originated this classical 
 and poetical designation handed his name down to 
 
 The 
 Lodge 
 constitu- 
 ted. 
 
 The name 
 or title liy 
 which the 
 Lodge is 
 known. 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 US. However, I think, we may congratulate our- 
 selves upon this mythological title appropriately 
 designating a Lodge formed to work our "beautiful 
 system of morality, veiled in allegory and illus- 
 trated by symbols." Our antient and scientific 
 Institution would naturally be an object of 
 especial solicitude to these Divine Maids who 
 presided over the Arts and Sciences. Perchance 
 it is owing to their watchful care during the past 
 century that we to-night are enabled to wear the 
 jewels of the late Bro. Cipriani, who was among 
 the first of those Artists who thus offered libations 
 to these daughters of Jupiter. An instance is 
 recorded in the Minutes of a Brother having 
 successfully invoked the Poetic Muse, for it 
 appears that at one of the banquets he burst 
 into song,-^the libretto being in honour of 
 the Lodge. Unfortunately, the Secretary ap- 
 pears to have been too much carried away by 
 the songster to have preserved a copy of this 
 poem ; but as it was received with rapturous ap- 
 plause, we may confidently assume that it was 
 the product of a true inspiration. And at any rate, 
 during this long period of a century in duration, 
 the meetings of the Lodge, and the relations of 
 the Brethren with each other, appear generally to 
 have been of the happiest kind. Those gracious 
 influences of light and harmony, which were sup- 
 posed to be imparted by the heavenly Nine to the 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 souls whom they favoured with their visits when 
 they descended to the earth, have not been 
 wanting among us. Tormenting cares have been 
 allayed in our assemblies, and the spirit of dignity, 
 harmony, and grace, which our name as a Lodge 
 appears to invoke, has prevailed, and manifested 
 itself in that brotherly love which is, according 
 to language familiar to i^p all, " the foundation 
 and cope-stone, the cement and glory, of this 
 antient fraternity." 
 
 The earliest document we possess relating 
 to the history of the Lodge is its Charter of 
 Constitution, the text of which I thought it would 
 be interesting to the Brethren to refer to, and I 
 have therefore given it in the Appendix to this 
 narrative. It is couched in the time-honoured 
 phraseology of the Craft, and contains the seven 
 following names: John Hull, Esq., Raphael 
 Franco, Esq., Richard Barker, Esq., Robert 
 Biggin, Esq., Abraham Teixeira, Esq., Isaac 
 Sequeira, Esq., M.D., and Bartholomew Ruspini. 
 The document also refers, without mentioning 
 names, to " several other Brethren." 
 
 Among the seven Brethren who, according to 
 rule, petitioned for the constitution of the Lodge, 
 we recognise with especial pleasure the name of 
 the Chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini, so honour- 
 ably known to us, and likely to be known to many 
 generations to come, as originator of the Royal 
 
 The 
 
 Charter of 
 Constitu- 
 tion. 
 
 The 
 
 Chevalier 
 B. Ruspini 
 one of the 
 first mem- 
 bers. 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 Sources of 
 informa- 
 tion on the 
 history of 
 the Lodge. 
 
 Masonic Institution for Girls— the oldest 6f our 
 Masonic Institutions — which, since its establish- 
 ment in 1788, has teen the means of conferring 
 iiiealculable beneiit upon hundreds of the orphan 
 children of members of the Craft. Mr. Ruspini 
 occupied the post of Dentist to His Majesty King 
 George IV,, and he used the influence which he 
 possessed as a professional man, enjoying a con- 
 siderable popularity in the upper circles of society, 
 for the furtherance of his benevolent ideas. His 
 connection with the foundation of this Lodge pre- 
 serves the tradition of readiness in philanthropic 
 endeavours, and should serve to stimulate us in 
 the mariifestatioh' of that true feeling of fraternal 
 compassion which has ever been regarded as oiie 
 of the characteristic virtues of the Freemason. 
 
 It is a matter for much regret that the books 
 containing the Minutes of the Lodge for several 
 years from the date of its constitution are not 
 to be found ; it is possible they are no longer 
 in existence. We have, however, some corri- 
 pensation for this loss, although not of course 
 an entirely satisfactory one, in a brief account of 
 the history of the Lodge, published in the 
 Freemasons' Magazine of February, 1796. In 
 Appendix III. this record is quoted in full. From 
 this account, and the list of names of Brethren 
 given, it is plain that the Lodge was very honour- 
 ably connected, in the persons of some of its 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 leading memliers, with Art, that it had an honour- 
 able social status, and a worthy reputation'. 
 Several of the members, it will be noticed, were of 
 Italian birth, and it is noteworthy in the history 
 of the Lodge that Brethren who have been pro- 
 minent and zealous in it have generally managed 
 to attract to it men of spirit and of associations 
 resembling their own. Different nationalities, as 
 well as different phases of social, professional, and 
 intellectual life, have thus been reflected in our 
 Masonic circle. 
 
 That Giovanni Batista Cipriani, who designed 
 and painfed the principal jewels of the Lodge, 
 was no mean artist, these exquisite evidences of 
 his skill remain to show. He was one of the 
 original members of the Royal Academy, and 
 was presented with a silver cup by that body in 
 return for the design for their Diploma, which 
 he furnished. He died much esteemed, Dec. 14, 
 1785, and was buried at Chelsea. He employed 
 himself chiefly in drawing designs, of which 
 Bartolozzi engraved a great number. Francesco 
 Bartolozzi was one of the most accomplished and 
 celebrated of the designers and engravers of his 
 time. His works are still greatly valued, and his 
 name finds distinguished mention in every com- 
 plete account of his branch of art. He spent 
 many years in England, and was also a member 
 of the Royal Academy. He left this country at 
 
 Brethren 
 of the 
 Lodge and 
 the Fine 
 Arts: 
 Cipriafti 
 and Barto- 
 lozzi. 
 
Dr.Dodd's 
 connection 
 with the 
 Lodge. 
 
 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 the invitation of the King of Portugal, and is 
 believed to have died in Lisbon in 1815 or i8ig. 
 It is an agreeable reminiscence of the early days 
 of our Lodge,— Bro. Cipriani and Bro. Bartolozzi, 
 after co-operating in the same field of Art during 
 the day, adjourning to Masonic labour and refresh- 
 ment, and feeling that although foreigners they 
 were perfectly at home among cordial English 
 Brethren. And surely Bro. Cipriani has left 
 behind him enduring evidence of the grateful 
 influence of these gatherings upon him, in the 
 beautiful jewels we wear. 
 
 It is with feelings of a very different kind that 
 we must look back to Dr. William Dodd's con- 
 nection with this Lodge. That notorious clergy- 
 man's association with us must have been of the 
 briefest kind. Indeed, as he was expelled from 
 Freemasonry before the date of the warrant of 
 constitution (25th March, 1777), and appears 
 simply to have been present at the preliminary 
 meeting in the preceding January, it is not 
 strictly accurate to call him a member of the 
 Lodge. As, however, hig name has been handed 
 down to us in this connection, we should per- 
 haps take notice of it. He was, as is well 
 known, hanged at Tyburn in the summer of 
 the year in which this Lodge was constituted. 
 He was no doubt an excessively vain man ; 
 and being also a popular parson, and an eager 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 13 
 
 place-hunter, he drifted into difficulty, and then, 
 hoping to save himself by the sacrifice of such 
 remnants of honour as were left to him, he com- 
 mitted the act of forgery, which in those stern 
 days met with its retribution on the gallows ; 
 although probably many more consummate evil- 
 doers have escaped unhung. This is a shadow 
 upon the early history of our Lodge, emblematical, 
 let me suggest, of that darkness in Masonry 
 which is the precursor of superior illumination. 
 
 The Minutes of the Lodge in our possession 
 date from January 28th, 1814, thus leaving a 
 gap of some eighteen years from the date of 
 the record in the Freemasons' Magazine. It is 
 to be noticed, however, that on the fly-leaf of 
 the First Book it is stated that the Minutes 
 are " continued from the last meeting [of the 
 Lodge] in the year 1813 [for] which see page 135 
 of the last hook." Therefore, the missing book 
 contained at least 135 pages of Minutes. An 
 examination of the two completed volumes in 
 our possession shows that this space almost 
 exactly represents the average space occupied 
 by the Minutes of any period of from seventeen 
 to eighteen years during the last sixty years of 
 our existence. This is sufficient to remove all 
 reasonable doubt that, from its constitution until 
 now, our Lodge has maintained an uninterrupted 
 existence, and has diligently observed the regu- 
 
 The first 
 and second 
 Minute- 
 Books. 
 
14 
 
 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 lations of the Craft. The Records of Grand 
 Lodge seem to confirm the presumption thus 
 .suppor,ted, as we have received the warrant 
 from .the M.W.G.M., His Royal Highness the 
 Prince of Wales, K.G., a copy of vvhjch is given 
 in the Appendix, en.titling us henceforward to 
 )year ithe Centennial Jewel, a distinction much 
 prized, a;nd not granted without satisfactory evi- 
 dence of continuous working. 
 
 From the Minutes of January, 1815, we find 
 that there were nine Brethren present at the 
 meeting of the Lodge on that day. The W.M., 
 or as he was then styled, the R.W.M., was Sir 
 William Rawlins, Knight. At this time, and for 
 twenty-three years afterwards, Sir W. Rawlins 
 appears to have been a highly popular and beloved 
 member of the Lodge. Indeed, during the greater 
 part of that long period, he was rarely absent 
 from the meetings, and may perhaps rightly be 
 said to have been the presiding spirit in those 
 gatherings. From 1814 to 1818 he occupied each 
 year successively the honourable position of 
 " R.W-M." of the Lodge. In January of the latter 
 year he retired in consequence of the rule of Grand 
 Lodge, then recently passed, and providing that no 
 Brother shall continue Master of a Lodge more than 
 two consecutive years. After an interval of two 
 years we find Bro. Sir W. Rawlins again installed 
 as R.W-M., which position he retained during the 
 
THE LODGE OF THE JSIINE MUSES. 
 
 IS 
 
 years 1831 apd i8;b2. For eleven years, fronj 
 1824 to 1835, he was Treasurer. The last date 
 on which his name appears on the Minutes is 
 November 14th, 1837. For some nionths previous 
 to this we observe that his attendance becomes 
 irregular — once we have a record of a resolution 
 expressing sympathy with him in illness ; but it 
 is rather singular that we have, so far as I have 
 observed, no record of his death. The w&ll-known 
 name drops abruptly from the list of Brethren 
 attending the Lodge, and the genial prese^ice, 
 which the constant references of these Minutes, 
 through a long series ,pf years, seem to make 
 pleasantly familiar to us, vanishes for ever. Sir 
 W. Rawlins, we learn from Debrett, was Knighted 
 in 1802, in which year he held the office of Sheriff 
 of London and Middlesex. The same authority 
 informs us that he was a bachelor, notwithstanding 
 that, as we have seen, he was fondly wedded to the 
 Nine Muses. 
 
 In the earlier years of the history of the Lodge 
 the Minutes were kept in a more copious fashion 
 than is usual in modern times. To this custom 
 we are indebted for a curious and interesting 
 record, of what I will venture to call the Episode 
 of the Candlesticks. It was with reference to 
 this part of our furniture that, in the days of its 
 youthful immaturity, our Lodge was brought into 
 something like collision with another company of 
 
 The 
 
 Episode of 
 the Candle- 
 sticks. 
 
i6 
 
 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 Extract 
 from 
 
 Minutes of 
 the Prince 
 of Wales' 
 Lodge. 
 
 Brethren of the Craft, — the only instance of the 
 kind, be it observed, in the history of the Lodge 
 of the Nine Muses. The first Minute upon the 
 subject is dated February 25th, 1814, when a 
 communication from the Prince of Wales' Lodge 
 was laid before the Lodge of the Nine Muses, 
 consisting of a letter and a series of Resolutions 
 relating to the candlesticks already mentioned. 
 The following is a copy of the Minute : — 
 
 A letter was read from Bro. Stratford Robinson, the Secre- 
 tary to the Prince of Wales' Lodge, dated January ii, 18 14, 
 with an extract of the Minutes of the proceedings of the said 
 Lodge, held the 3rd June, 1813, which letter and extract were 
 ordered to be entered on the Minutes as follow, viz. : — 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " I am sorry you incurred the displeasure of any of 
 
 the members of your Lodge by having returned me the 
 
 copies of the Resolutions I sent you on the subject of the 
 
 candlesticks. It was solely to oblige the late Chevalier 
 
 Ruspini, who had not seen them, that I requested the return 
 
 of them. I mentioned to the Prince's Lodge at the last 
 
 meeting the displeasure expressed on account of your having 
 
 returned the papers, and your request of having [sic) them 
 
 again, and I was then desired to send you the enclosed. It 
 
 is probable, otherwise, you would have heard no more of the 
 
 matter. You will see by the enclosed that we relinquish all 
 
 claim to the candlesticks. We only think the Nine Muses 
 
 might have acted with less rudeness. Their conduct on the 
 
 occasion was not such as would have been expected from 
 
 such accomplished ladies. 
 
 "I am, dear Sir, yours truly, 
 
 ,,„ , ^ „, "STRAT. ROBINSON. 
 
 Gray s Inn Place, 
 
 " i\th January, 1814. 
 
 " To Fredk. Turner, Esq., 
 
 " Secretary of the Lodge of the Nine Muses." 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 17 
 
 The following is the Extract of Proceedings referred to in 
 the foregoing letter of Mr. Robinson, viz. ; — 
 
 " Extract from the Minutes of the Prince of Wales' Lodge, 
 at a meeting held the 3rd June, 1813. 
 
 " The Report of the Committee on the subject of the 
 candlesticks presented to the Lodge by Bro. Ruspini was 
 read, when the following Resolutions were proposed by the 
 R.W.M., and unanimously carried — 
 
 " First. That the Lodge, finding from the Report of their 
 Committee, that by persisting in their claim to the candle- 
 sticks in question they may probably involve their Bro. 
 Ruspini in an unpleasant dispute with the members of the 
 Nine Muses, do therefore relinquish all claim thereto, at the 
 same time entertaining, and being anxious to express towards 
 their Bro. Ruspini, the same grateful respect and attachment 
 as if his munificent donation had remained in their hands. 
 
 " Secondly. That the Lodge cannot conclude this matter 
 without expressing their very great regret that the Lodge of 
 Nine Muses should not have thought it expedient, in the 
 first instance, to have offered a temperate and amicable 
 representation to them on the subject in dispute ; and that 
 they feel it due to themselves, and to the Society of Free and 
 Accepted Masons in general, to express their strongest indig- 
 nation at the forcible and hostile measures resorted to by the 
 members of that Lodge for securing to themselves the 
 possession of the articles in question — measures equally incon- 
 sistent with the principles of the Masonic Institution and 
 the liberality, courtesy, respect, and decency, the observance 
 of which should invariably regulate the conduct of Masons. 
 
 " Third. That copies of the above Resolutions be sent to 
 the Lodge of the Nine Muses." 
 
 It must be admitted that this strong language 
 betokens considerable warmth of feeling on the 
 part of the Brethren of the Prince of Wales's 
 Lodge, but an impartial review of the circum- 
 stances of the case, so far as they are indicated 
 here, (such as at this distance of time we are able 
 
 B 
 
 The 
 
 probable 
 facts of the 
 case. 
 
1 8 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 to give), inclines us to believe that justice and 
 right were on the side of the Nine Muses. It 
 seems probable that the whole difference arose 
 out of a misunderstanding as to the actual pro- 
 prietorship of the candlesticks. We gather that 
 Bro. Ruspini (whose death was reported to the 
 Lodge January 28th, 1814), had for some cause 
 unknown withdrawn from the Nine Muses Lodge, 
 and joined the Prince of Wales's ; that he had 
 presented to the latter Lodge the candlesticks in 
 dispute, which had previously been used by the 
 Nine Muses Lodge, but which Bro. Ruspini 
 looked upon as belonging to him, although he, as 
 we infer, had at least granted the Lodge the use 
 of them. The Nine Muses, however, took a 
 different view of the question of ownership, and 
 considered the candlesticks their own, and accord- 
 ingly took occasion, when their attention was called 
 to this, as they thought, unwarrantable transfer 
 of the property of the Lodge to other hands, to 
 repossess themselves of it. The Muses have ever 
 been jealous of their rights, and as it was by pre- 
 suming to interfere with their prerogative that 
 the Sirens lost their feathers, which the Muses 
 afterwards wore, so perhaps a somewhat similar 
 cause contributed to assure to the Muses these 
 much-coveted Prince of Wales's feathers. However 
 this may be, at the next meeting (March 25th, 1814) 
 of the Lodge of the -Nine Muses the following 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 19 
 
 Resolutions were adopted in reply to those 
 quoted : — 
 
 " That this Lodge do acknowledge the receipt of copies of 
 certain Resolutions of the Prince of Wales' Lodge, dated the 
 3rd June, 1813, numbered i, 2, and 3, transmitted by their 
 Secretary on the nth January, 1814, and presented to this 
 Lodge on the 25th February last. 
 
 " That as to the Resolution No. i, the Lodge of the Nine 
 Muses perceives with satisfaction that the members of the 
 Prince of Wales' Lodge have relinquished any claim to the 
 candlesticks belonging to this Lodge ; and that the remaining 
 part of that Resolution, relating to matters between the late 
 Bro. Ruspini and the Prince of Wales' Lodge, does not 
 require any observation. 
 
 " That as to so much of the second Resolution, whereby 
 the Prince of Wales' Lodge have expressed their ' very great 
 regret that this Lodge should not have thought it expedient 
 in the first instance to have offered a temperate and amicable 
 representation to them on the subject in dispute,' this 
 Lodge cannot refrain from the expression of their extreme 
 surprise that the Prince of Wales' Lodge should have accepted 
 of a valuable present of furniture bearing the marks and 
 emblems and consequently identified as the property of the 
 Lodge of the Nine Muses, from an individual meinber of that 
 Lodge, under whatever pretence such a supposed present 
 was made. And more especially, that the said Lodge should 
 have so far forgotten the ' respect and courtesy ' due to the 
 Lodge as to omit the smallest inquiry whether the property 
 so identified COULD belong to the individual who offered it to 
 them. 
 
 " That for want of such a communication this Lodge was 
 not informed of such proceedingyi?^ a series of years, until 
 by accident the two Lodges held their meeting on the same 
 evening, and when the Lodge was not permitted to have 
 the use of its own furniture, upon a pretetice that Bro. 
 Ruspini had made a present of it to the Pi ince of Wales' 
 Lodge ! ! 
 
 " That as to the remaining part of the said second Reso- 
 lution, whereby the Brethren of the Prince of Wales' Lodge 
 express their ' indignation ' as to the acts done by the Lodge 
 
 B 2 
 
 Reply of 
 the Nine 
 Muses to 
 the Prince 
 of Wales' 
 Lodge. 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 in dealing with their own property, they are perfectly in- 
 different to the ' indignation ' so expressed. Nor do they 
 hold themselves accountable to the Prince of Wales' Lodge 
 for the removal of their own property frqrn one place to 
 another. That this Lodge can only consider such expressions 
 of indignation (for a cause so inadequate) as the effect of 
 momentary irritation, originating in an imperfect view of the 
 case ; and therefore this Lodge, in that spirit of charity and 
 goodwill so peculiarly the attributes of the Masonic Institu- 
 tion, returns hearty good wishes for the prosperity of the 
 Prince of Wales' Lodge, and success to the Brethren thereof 
 in all their lawful undertakings.'' 
 
 With this communication this singular dispute 
 closed. The length of the quotation will be par- 
 doned on account of the exceptional character 
 and the spirited tone of the controversy. We 
 cannot but feel that, with much seriousness on 
 either side, there was also a touch of banter, 
 which shows that the principles of fraternity were 
 not abandoned, and that there was a brotherly 
 remembrance of the homely proverb, " Hard 
 words break no bones." The fact that the candle- 
 sticks were used on an occasion when the two 
 Lodges met, and that there was thus evidently no 
 concealment made of the matter on the part of the 
 Prince of Wales's Lodge, affords evidence of the 
 bona fides of that body ; and the expression of their 
 feeling towards Bro. Ruspini after the property 
 had been restored to its lawful owners, and the 
 right of Bro. Ruspini to present them to any body 
 had been impugned, tends further to show that 
 the whole matter originated in nothing worse than 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 a misapprehension, which it must be confessed 
 appears to have been rectified by the Nine 
 Muses in a rather summary fashion. One in- 
 quiry suggested by the event we cannot satisfac- 
 torily answer, viz., how it was possible that 
 furniture belonging to the Nine Muses Lodge 
 could thus be allowed, without express permis- 
 sion, to be used by another Lodge. It is plain 
 that the custody of the property of the Lodge 
 was not adequately cared for, and an illustration is 
 afforded of the importance of maintaining the ex- 
 clusive possession of our furniture, jewels, and 
 other property, and of keeping an inventory 
 thereof, which ought to be annually examined 
 and revised by the proper officers. In deference to 
 this view, I append a complete list'of your jewels 
 and furniture to this date. 
 
 In going through the Minutes of the Lodge 
 during these early years of the present century 
 {1814 — 15), one naturally looks with interest for 
 any indications that the inner life of the brother- 
 hood was affected by the great military and political 
 events which were then shaking the fabric of 
 European civilisation. But the peaceful flow of 
 Masonic intercourse appears to have been undis- 
 turbed, except by such ripples on the surface as 
 that which we have noticed. Empires rose and 
 fell ; kingdoms were established and overthrown ; 
 mighty armies met in the shock of battle ; the | 
 
 The Lodge 
 
 not 
 
 affected 
 
 seriously 
 
 by external 
 
 events in 
 
 1814-15. 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 star of a consummate military genius, which for 
 twenty years had been in the ascendant, set in 
 clouds of darkness and seas of blood ; England 
 added the name of Wellington to her heroes, and 
 of Waterloo to her fields of gallant prowess and 
 of decisive victory ; and the civilised world seemed 
 as if wrung with the birth-pangs of a new era in 
 the history of the progress of humanity. But in 
 the records of our Lodge we find no reflection of 
 this external strife and movement and perturbation 
 — except, indeed, this solitary and modest entry, 
 dated January 28th, 1814 : " The Secretary read 
 a letter from Messrs. Willis, of the Thatched 
 House Tavern, respectfully soliciting an addition 
 of IS. 6d. per head for the dinners, on account of 
 the high price of provisions ! " Such is the simple 
 record, and the Minutes do not afford material for 
 gratifying the curiosity of any Brother who may 
 be anxious to know whether the humble request of 
 the keepers of this ancient hostelry was granted 
 or not, for they merely inform us that the Lodge, 
 being laudably anxious to avoid rash steps of any 
 kind, ordered the application "to be considered 
 at the next meeting." But, after all, this entry 
 in our books must not and will not be looked upon 
 by Brethren of the Craft as a mere anti-climax, 
 when considered with reference to the remarkable 
 events then transpiring beyond the precincts .of 
 the Lodge. Masonry is not a political institution. 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 23 
 
 It concerns itself with those more profound prin- 
 ciples of human action, and relations of human 
 life, which are essentially the same in all countries 
 of the world, and in all ages of the history of 
 mankind ; and while Masons are prepared to play 
 their part, and do their work, in every department 
 of activity, and all the more effectually because of 
 their Masonic associations, they have as Masons 
 nothing to do with the mere external course of 
 events, which often pass by with so much din and 
 clatter, although they touch but the surface of the 
 abiding life of man. 
 
 The Minutes furnish us with various references 
 to the Jewels of the Lodge. A list, with a detailed 
 description of these, is given in Appendix V. The 
 Jewels of the — Master, Senior Warden, Junior 
 Warden, and Secretary are products of the 
 brotherly and artistic labour of Cipriani, and are 
 engraved (it may be remarked with much elegance 
 as works of art worthy of a permanent place in 
 the records of Masonry) in the Freemasons' Maga- 
 zine, 1796. A curious circumstance with regard to 
 the Master's Jewel may be mentioned here. At the 
 meeting of the Lodge on the 24th November, 1815, 
 it was reported that one Brother Harper claimed 
 the sum of £10 los., as a set-off against the demand 
 made on him of £i2 i8s., for three years' arrears, 
 that sum (ten guineas) being due to him for a 
 Master's Jewel made by him for the Lodge. The 
 
24 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 receipt for this amount was handed to the Assist- 
 ant Treasurer " to enable him to get the money 
 from H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex, who had pro- 
 mised to pay for it, the Jewel having been made 
 by his order, as a substitute for the Master's Jewel 
 which had been lent to H.R.H. , and which H.R.H. 
 stated that he had lost." Just four years after- 
 wards,- however, we find (October, 1819) that 
 " Brother Sir W. Rawlins reported that H.R.H. 
 the Duke of Sussex, M.W.G.M., had found the 
 Master's Jewel belonging to this Lodge (which had 
 been lent to H.R.H. several years ago and mis- 
 laid), and that H.R.H. was desirous of returning 
 the same to the Lodge ;" and it was ordered, by 
 a Resolution of the Lodge, that Brother Sir W. 
 Rawlins " be requested to wait upon H.R.H. to 
 receive the said Jewel." Notwithstanding this 
 Resolution, singular to say, it was not until more 
 than two years had elapsed that the lost Jewel was 
 actually restored once more to its place among 
 the treasures of the Lodge. In a Minute dated 
 January 14, 1823, we read : " The W.M. informed 
 theLodge that he had received from H.R.H. the 
 Duke of Sussex the Master's Jewel, which had been 
 lent to H.R.H., and mislaid by him, and the 
 W.M. now restored it to the Lodge." Since the 
 restoration of the original Master's Jewel, which 
 we now possess, the Jewel provided by Bro. 
 Harper as a substitute, seems to have been 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 25 
 
 devoted to the use of the immediate Past 
 Master. 
 
 It is noteworthy that the Minutes of former 
 years testify that there was a punctuality and a 
 systematic method in dealing with most of the 
 affairs of the Lodge which are worthy of commen- 
 dation, and it may be added, of imitation at the 
 present time. Regularly every year the Reporf of 
 the auditors upon the accounts was laid before 
 the Lodge, and entered in extenso on the Minutes. 
 It is eminently desirable that these good customs 
 should be adhered to, for a careful and business- 
 like attention to our affairs undoubtedly tends 
 to strengthen the basis on which the Brethren 
 meet, and to prevent possible causes of disturb- 
 ance of fraternal peace and harmony. 
 
 Another feature which strikes the reader of our 
 Records is, that pleasant glimpses are every now 
 and then afforded us of the common interest felt 
 by the Brethren in the private and domestic affairs 
 of members of the Lodge ; and of the cultivation 
 of pleasant relations with those who, if not 
 within the Masonic circle, were closely connected 
 by domestic ties with the members of the Lodge. 
 More than once we find that what are known, 
 in the euphemisms of polite society, as " inte- 
 resting domestic events," such as occasionally 
 occur even in the best regulated families, hap- 
 pening in the domestic circle of some respected 
 
 Business- 
 like 
 
 character 
 of the 
 Lodge. 
 
 The 
 
 domestic 
 interests of 
 Members 
 of the 
 Lodge. 
 
26 
 
 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 Hospita- 
 lity of 
 various 
 Brethren. 
 
 The pre- 
 sence of 
 ladies 
 sought and 
 valued. 
 
 Brother, formed the subject of a congratulatory 
 Resolution at the ensuing meeting. It is evi- 
 dent, too, that the occasional gatherings of 
 members of the Lodge, which took place under 
 the hospitable roof of Brethren, were not the 
 least prized opportunities of social and harmo- 
 nious intercourse. On these occasions the Muses 
 were permitted to mingle with their own sex, 
 which no doubt added not a little to the charm 
 of the evenings which were thus spent. For the 
 time being the more serious duties and attention 
 to the mysteries of the Craft were laid aside ; and 
 while the peculiar fraternal relations established 
 and maintained by Masonry no doubt acted 
 upon the assembled Brethren with their wonted 
 influence, it must be confessed that the gracious 
 presence of the ladies seems to have been the pre- 
 dominating source of the inspiration of those happy 
 hours. Of the Nine Muses, Terpsichore appears 
 then to have principally exercised her sway, and 
 the breaking of the morning light upon the un- 
 wearied dancers must on several occasions (judging 
 from the Minutes) have testified to the potency of 
 the spell of that graceful goddess. The Minutes, 
 be it observed, of these occasions are generally 
 brief, but very emphatic. Indeed, we may note 
 here and there an energy and glow in the curt 
 records of the proceedings, which suggest that the 
 Secretary had encountered during the evening 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 27 
 
 another pagan divinity, usually represented as of 
 almost infantile years and of the stronger sex, and 
 that the worthy officer had been " badly hit." The 
 summer meetings of the Lodge, too, were observed 
 for many years with a religious regularity, which 
 perhaps may be partly accounted for by the fact 
 that at them also the presence of ladies was sought 
 and secured. For a long series of years the 
 favourite and regular place of resort was the old 
 " Star and Garter," at Richmond. There many a 
 joyous and delightful day has been spent by our 
 Lodge ; and it can scarcely be mere fancy which 
 makes it appear to the reader of the brief records 
 of these occasions that whenever the Lodge tried a 
 change, and took its pleasure elsewhere, the success 
 of the summer meeting was not quite so complete. 
 It will not do, however, to dwell at greater length 
 upon this tempting theme; but, in taking leave of 
 it, it may be worth while to suggest whether it 
 would not be desirable, as it certainly is in accord- 
 ance with our traditions, and with the associations 
 suggested by our name as a Lodge, for us to intro- 
 duce occasionally into our assemblies the elevating, 
 refining, and delightful influences of some of the 
 fairer half of human kind. 
 
 With regard to the discharge of those duties of 
 benevolence and liberality towards the members of 
 the Craft and their families when in distress — 
 duties specially enjoined upon us by the laws and 
 
 Summer 
 Meetings 
 at Rich, 
 mond. 
 
 The duties 
 of benevo- 
 lence and 
 liberality. 
 
28 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 principles of the Masonic order — it is gratifying to 
 find that, so far as the Minutes afford evidence 
 upon the point, the readiness of the Lodge to 
 respond to calls in this direction appears to have 
 increased in recent years. A special opportunity 
 for the exercise of the benevolent disposition for 
 the discharge of this high Masonic obligation is 
 afforded to us by the existence of those noble insti- 
 tutions for the divinely compassionate purpose of 
 providing for the orphan children of members of 
 the Craft, in the establishment of one of which 
 a distinguished founder of the Lodge, as has 
 already been mentioned, took so prominent a 
 part. 
 
 It is certain that, by a sympathetic and liberal 
 regard for the claims of our poor and distressed 
 Brethren, we are both carrying out the true idea of 
 Masonry so far as it bears upon the development 
 of noble individual character, and also are taking 
 a course which, by a natural and necessary reaction 
 upon our sympathies and affections, tends to give 
 strength and beauty to the fraternal ties which 
 unite us one to another. 
 
 Our records show the places which our Lodge 
 has used for its ordinary meetings. From its 
 foundation onwards, apparently without inter- 
 ruption until 1821 — a period of forty-four years — 
 the meetings of the Lodge were held at the 
 Thatched House Tavern, an old-fashioned inn of 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 29 
 
 good repute, which stood upon the hallowed 
 site now occupied by the building in which it 
 has been my pleasure to welcome the members of 
 the Lodge, and which has for some years past 
 afforded me shelter. In April, 1821, the Lodge 
 met for the first time at Freemasons' Tavern. 
 There the meetings were held for forty-three 
 years. The experiences in this house of the 
 Lodge do not appear, however, to have been 
 altogether satisfactory, and an occasional grumble 
 finds its way into the Minutes. The reason 
 which finally led to removal appears to have been 
 the dissatisfaction of the Brethren with the 
 dinners which were provided. In 1864 the 
 meetings were removed to the Clarendon Hotel, 
 Bond Street ; nine years later (1873) to St. 
 James's Hotel, Piccadilly ; in 1874 to Freemasons' 
 Tavern again for one meeting, then to the 
 Queen's Hotel, Cork Street ; and then in De- 
 cember, 1875, to the present place of assembly, 
 Long's Hotel, Old Bond Street. We trust that no 
 necessity for a further change may arise for many 
 years ; for undoubtedly it contributes much to 
 the pleasure of our gatherings to have them from 
 time to time amidst surroundings which gradually 
 become familiar. The flow of our intercourse as 
 Brethren is most free and most delightful when 
 each Brother occupies his accustomed place at the 
 board, and when the eye learns to associate the 
 
 Undesira- 
 bleness of 
 frequent 
 changes. 
 
3° 
 
 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 Eminent 
 Members 
 of the 
 Lodge. 
 
 The Pro- 
 gress of 
 Masonry. 
 
 different portions of the room and furniture with 
 particular faces and personalities. 
 
 In glancing over the names of those Brethren 
 who have occupied the exalted position of Master 
 (a complete list of which, so far as procurable, is 
 given in Appendix V.), I think it right to call 
 special attention to four Brethren, who during the 
 latter half of the century have rendered signal 
 service to the Lodge, and, by their able and 
 devoted attention to its interests, have especially 
 contributed to the maintenance of its efficiency 
 and prestige. They are Bro. John Propert, who 
 filled the chair no less than four years, in 1822, 
 1823, 1836, and 1846, and who was for a consider- 
 able time Treasurer ; Bro. Francis Kearsey, who 
 was W.M. in 1847 and 1850 ; Bro. C. B. Claydon, 
 W.M. in 1842 and 1849 ; and Bro. J. M. Clabon, 
 W.M. in 1863 and 1869, and who most efficiently 
 discharged the duties of Secretary for several 
 years. 
 
 In bringing this slight outline of our history 
 to a close, it may perhaps not be out of place that 
 I should refer for a single moment to the great 
 progress which has been made in the spread of 
 the arts and mysteries of the Masonic Craft since 
 our Lodge was founded. During the past cen- 
 tury Masonry in England has unquestionably 
 made great advances. Probably it never num- 
 bered so many illustrious and worthy adherents 
 
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 31 
 
 in England as at this day. It is no longer 
 regarded, as in former times, as a dangerous 
 secret Society, subversive of the interests of 
 order and social well-being. Masonry, it is true, 
 is based upon principles which have an intrinsic 
 nobility — the nobility of truth — and does not 
 derive its true power and value from its associa- 
 tion with great names. Nevertheless, we rejoice 
 in the acknowledgment of the significance and 
 importance attaching to our Order by eminent 
 personages, to whom all look up with sincere 
 respect, and whose circumstances and natural 
 gifts cause them to be recognised as among the 
 leaders of the first society in the world. Our 
 present M.W.G.M., His Royal Highness the 
 Prince of Wales, in occupying the proud position 
 in Masonry to which he has been called, worthily 
 follows the traditions of his House ; and we re- 
 joice to observe and to recognise the same spirit 
 in our Senior G.W., the Duke of Connaught, and 
 in our J.G.W., Prince Leopold. And we .cannot 
 but regard with profound satisfaction the fact 
 that the position of Pro G.M. is filled by so 
 eminent and enlightened a statesman as the Earl 
 of Carnarvon. It is well to remember, how- 
 ever, that Masonry depends for its real influence 
 over our personal and social life upon its inherent 
 merits, its sublime principles, its changeless 
 and undying truths ; and it may be permitted 
 
32 THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES. 
 
 me, in a last word, to remind the Brethren how 
 much the prosperity of the Lodge depends upon 
 the spirit and conduct of each individual member. 
 It is incumbent upon each of us to uphold our 
 discipline, to maintain the dignity of our calling, 
 and to exemplify the true and noble principles 
 inculcated upon us by our Ancient and Honourable 
 Order. The grant of our Centenary Warrant, 
 while it suggests a review of the past, may also 
 serve to mark the starting-point of a new and yet 
 more honourable career. 
 
 Let me ask the Brethren to regard these jottings 
 from our history, with the observations which 
 have accompanied them, as a Sprig of Acacia to 
 mark the position of the Lodge of the Nine Muses 
 on this occasion of its Centenary ; and while we 
 figuratively burn incense to the honour and glory 
 of the Most High for favours already received, 
 let us entreat Him to be pleased to bestow peace 
 and prosperity on the Lodge during the ensuing 
 century. 
 
PPENDICES. 
 
 I.— The Nine Muses. 
 
 II. — The Warrant of Constitution of the Lodge of the 5Jine 
 Muses. • 
 
 III. — The Centenary Warrant. 
 
 IV.— Extract from The Freemason^ Magazine for February, 
 1796, giving "Some Account of the Lodge of the 
 
 Nine Muses." 
 
 V. — List of the Masters of the Lodge. 
 
 VI.— List of Furniture, Jewels, and Books of the Lodge of 
 the Nine Muses, No. 235. 
 
 VII. — List of present Officers, Past Masters, and Members. 
 
P E N D I C E S. 
 
 ^f. 
 
 I. 
 
 
 On the fly-leaf of the first Minute-Book in our possession 
 the following memorandum appears : — • 
 
 " Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, 
 Polyhymnia, Caliope, Urania — The Muses — were daughters 
 of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. They presided over Music, 
 Poetry, Dancing, and all the Liberal Arts. The Palm-tree, 
 the Laurel, and all the fountains of Pindus, Hellicon, Par- 
 nassus, &c., were sacred to the Nine. The Muses were also 
 called Pierides, from having conquered the daughters of 
 Pierus, a king of Macedonia, who had challenged the Sacred 
 Nine to a trial in music, but failing, were changed into 
 magpies.'' 
 
 C 3 
 
36 APPENDICES. 
 
 II. 
 
 %\z Sfllarrant of Constitution of tfie Hotige 
 of t^e Jl5ine S©u0e0. 
 
 r 
 
 PETRE, G.M. 
 
 ©To ALL AND EVERY our right Worshipful 
 and loving Brethren, WE, Robert Edward 
 Petre, Lord Petre, Baron of Writtle, in the 
 County of Essex, Grand Master of the Most 
 
 No. 502. ' 
 
 Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and 
 Accepted Masons, Greeting : 
 
 Know ye, that we, at the humble petition of our right 
 trusty and well-beloved Brethren, John Hull, Esq., 
 Raphael Franco, Esq., Richard Barker, Esq., Robert 
 Biggin, Esq., Abraham Teixeira, Esq., Isaac Sequeira, 
 M.D., Bartholomew Ruspini (sic) and several other 
 Brethren, do hereby constitute the said Brethren into a 
 regular Lodge of Free and accepted Masons, under the title 
 or denomination of the Lodge of THE Nine Muses, to be 
 held at the ThatcKd House Tavern, in Saint James's Street, 
 Westminster. And do further, at their said petition, of the 
 great trust and confidence reposed in every of the same 
 above named Brethren, hereby appoint the said John Hull, 
 L.J.G.W., to be Master ; Raphael Franco, Esq., Senior 
 Warden ; and Richard Barker, Esq., Junior Warden, for 
 opening the said Lodge, and for such further time only as 
 shall be thought proper by the Brethren thereof It being 
 our will that this our appointment of the above Officers 
 shall in no wise affect any future election of Officers of the 
 Lodge, but that such election shall be regulated agreeable 
 to such bye-laws of the said Lodge as shall be consistent 
 with the general laws of the Society contained in the Book 
 of Constitutions. And we hereby will and require you, the 
 
APPENDICES. 37 
 
 said John Hull, to take special care that all and every the 
 said Brethren are, or have been, regularly made Masons, 
 and that they do observe, perform, and keep all the rules 
 and orders contained in the Book of Constitutions ; and 
 further, that you do from time to time cause to be entered in 
 a book kept for that purpose an account of your proceedings 
 in the Lodge, together with all such rules, orders, and regu- 
 lations as shall be made for the good government of the same. 
 That in no wise you omit once in every year to send to 
 us or our successors, Grand Masters, or to Rowland Holt, 
 Esq., our Deputy Grand Master, or to the Deputy Grand 
 Master for the time being, an account in writing of your 
 said proceedings, and copies of all said rules, orders, and 
 regulations, as shall be made as aforesaid, together with a 
 list of the Members of the Lodge, and such a sum of money 
 as may meet the circumstances of the Lodge, and reasonably 
 be expected towards the Grand Charity. Moreover, we 
 hereby will and require for the said John Holt, as soon as 
 conveniently may be, to send an account in writing of what 
 may be done by virtue of these presents. 
 
 Given at London, under our hand and seal of Masonry, 
 this 2Sth day of March, A. 5777' (a.D. 1777). 
 
 By the Grand Master's command. 
 
 RD- HOLT, 
 
 D.G.M. 
 Witness, 
 
 Jas. Heseltine, 
 G.S. 
 
38 APPENDICES. 
 
 III. 
 
 etc Centenary ataaaatit. 
 
 ALBERT EDWARD, G.M. 
 
 To the Master and Wardens and other Officers 
 and Members of the Lodge of Nine Muses, 
 No. 235, and all others whom it may concern. 
 
 Greeting. Whereas, it appears by the Records of the 
 Grand Lodge, that on the 25th day of March, 1777, a 
 Warrant of Constitution was granted to certain Brethren 
 therein named, authorising and empowering them and their 
 regular Successors to hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted 
 Masons, at the Thatched Pouse Tavern, St. James' Street, 
 London, and which Lodge was then registered in the Books 
 of the Grand Lodge as No. 502. But in consequence of the 
 Union of the two Grand Lodges, and the formation of the 
 United Grand Lodge on the 27th December, 1813, it became 
 No. 421 ; since which, owing to the general closing up of 
 the numbers in 1832 and 1863, it has become and now 
 stands on the Register as No. 235, meeting at Long's Hotel, 
 Old Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex, under the 
 Title or Denomination of The Lodge of the Nine 
 Muses. 
 
 And Whereas the Brethren composing the said Lodge are 
 desirous, when it has completed the Centenary of its 
 existence, on the 25th day of March, 1877, to be permitted 
 to wear a Jewel Commemorative of such Event, and have 
 prayed our sanction for that purpose. 
 
 Now kttow Ve, that we, having taken the subject into our 
 consideration, have acceded to their request, and in virtue 
 of our prerogative DO HEREBY GIVE AND GRANT to all and 
 and each of the actual subscribing Members of the said 
 Lodge; being MASTER Masons, permission to wear, in all 
 
APPENDICES. 39 
 
 Maso'nic Meetings, suspended to the left breast by a sky- 
 blue ribbon, not exceeding one inch and a-half in breadth, a 
 Jewel or Medal, of the pattern or device that we have 
 already approved of, as a Centenary Jewel. But such 
 Jewel is to be worn only by those Brethren who are bond fide 
 subscribing Members of the said Lodge, and for so long only 
 as each shall pay his regular stipulated subscription to the 
 Funds thereof, and be duly returned as such to the Grand 
 Lodge of England. ' 
 
 Given at London, this 6th day of April, A.L. 5877, 
 A.D. 1877. 
 
 By Command of the M.W., Grand Master, His Royal 
 Highness the Prince of Wales, K.G , &c., &c., &c. 
 
 JOHN HERVEY, G.S. 
 
40 APPENDICES. 
 
 IV. 
 
 dKrtratt from '"STIie jfreemason^' a^affajine," 
 
 .JFebruarp, 17SH5. 
 
 Pp. 75-76. 
 
 Some account of the Lodge of the Nine Muses, with an 
 elegant engraving of the Master's J.ewel. 
 
 On the 14th January, 1777, a Meeting was held at the 
 "Thatched House Tavern," St. James's Street, by the 
 following : — 
 
 Brethren : 
 John Hull, Esq., as R.W.M. 
 Raphael Franco, Esq., as S.W. 
 The Rev. Dr. William Dodd,* as J.W. 
 Robert Biggin, Esq., as Treasurer, and 
 The Chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini. 
 
 Visitors : 
 Richard Barker, Esq. 
 William Porter, Esq. 
 Jean Baptiste Cipriani, Esq. 
 — . Borghi, Esq. 
 
 On the 23rd following, having obtained permission of the 
 Grand Master to assemble as Masons, and to make and 
 raise Masons, till a constitution could be made out, Brother 
 Cipriani was raised to the degree of a Master Mason. 
 
 At this Meeting Brother Biggin very generously offered 
 to furnish a Bible and Jewels ; at the same time Brother 
 Cipriani engaged to suggest suitable and proper designs. 
 
 * He was expolled on the 13th February following, " having behaved unbe- 
 coming a man of honour and a Mason," 
 
APPENDICES. 41 
 
 An engraving fcom the elegant painting of the Right 
 Worshipful Master's Jewel is given in this number, executed 
 by Leney, of whose abilities as an engraver we consider it 
 as no inconsiderable specimen. Brother Rapliael Franco, 
 not willing to be outdone in liberality, engaged to supply 
 the Lodge with three candlesticks, of which peculiarly 
 elegant furniture we shall give a particular description at a 
 future opportunity. Among those who have been made 
 Masons, and admitted Members in this respectable Lodge 
 at different periods since its institution, we find the following 
 distinguished characters, and have considered it not unim- 
 portant to annex the dates respectively of their initiations or 
 admissions : — 
 
 Francis Bartolozzi, Esq., made February 13th, 1777. 
 
 Augustus Carlini, Esq., and Charles Frederick Abell, Esq., 
 admitted December nth, 1777. 
 
 — . Cramer, Esq., admitted January 8th, 1778. 
 
 FeUci Giardini, admitted March 12th, 1778. 
 
 Count Siedlecki, Chamberlain to the King of Poland, 
 admitted June nth, 1778. 
 
 Lord Viscount Tamworth, rnade December 8th, 1778. 
 
 His Excellency General P.aoli, Count Guiseppe Poll, 
 Count Aubains GentiUi, and Count Cambiagi, made January 
 14th, 1779. 
 
 Earl Ferrers, admitted June, 1779. 
 
 His Excellency Count Cavelli, Venetian Ambassador, 
 admitted February JSth, J779, 
 
 Earl of Effingham, admitted March 15th, 1779. 
 
 His Excellency Francis D'Ageno, Minister from the Court 
 of Genoa, made April 19th, 1779. 
 
 Right Hon. Lord Cranstown, made December loth, 1779. 
 
 John Zoffani, Esq., and Right Hon. Earl Kelly, admitted 
 December 20th. 
 
 Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, Bart., admitted April 17th, 
 1780. 
 
 The Hon. Washington Shirley, made April 4th, 1782. 
 
 Hon. Wm. Ward, made January 9th, 1783. 
 
 Marquis Paul de Arconati, Viscount of Milan, made 
 February 13th, 1783. 
 
 Lord Macdonald, admitted ditto. 
 
 Count de Ceyras, made November 7th, 1783. 
 
42 APPENDICES. 
 
 Count Soderini, Venetian Ambassador, made February 
 2nd, 1787. 
 
 Count Gaetano Tosio, of Venice, and Count Barziza, 
 made February 13th, 1787. 
 
 Marquis Trotti, admitted ditto. 
 
 Count Andrea Boselli, made March 2nd, 1787. 
 
 Count Savedra, admitted ditto. 
 _ Count Lavezari, Venetian Resident, admitted June 
 6th, 1787. 
 
 Sir Nicholas Nugent, Bart., admitted 1785. 
 
 Baron de Starck. 
 
 Sir John Ingleby, Bart. 
 
 This Lodge continues to meet numerously and respectably 
 on the 2nd Friday in the month, at the " Thatched House 
 Tavern," St. James's Street. 
 
 The present Officers are : — 
 
 The Chevalier B. Ruspini, R.W.M. 
 William Blackstone, Esq., S.W.* 
 Samuel Beazley, Esq., J.W. 
 Charles Carpenter, Esq., Treasurer. 
 Mr. Simon Stephenson, Secretary. 
 Thomas Tinson, Esq., Mas. Cer. 
 
 * Son of the late able Commentatof on the "Laws of our Country.* 
 
APPENDICES. 
 
 43 
 
 V. 
 
 %\^t Of tlie 91^a0teL*0 of ttie ILotiffe. 
 
 1777- 
 
 Bro. John Hull. 
 
 1847. 
 
 Bro. F. Kearsey. 
 
 * 
 
 ■* 
 
 * * * 
 
 1849. 
 
 5J 
 
 Chas. B. Claydon 
 
 1796. 
 
 Bro. The Chevalier 
 
 1850. 
 
 )» 
 
 F. Kearsey. 
 
 
 
 RUSPINL 
 
 1851. 
 
 n 
 
 J. C. Pleydell. 
 
 * 
 
 « 
 
 * * # 
 
 i8S3- 
 
 )) 
 
 R. Chapman. 
 
 1 8 14. 
 
 Bro.SirW.RawlinSjKt. 
 
 1855. 
 
 »i 
 
 A. Warner. 
 
 1818. 
 
 
 Hy. Martin. 
 
 1857. 
 
 )) 
 
 J. S. TuUoch. 
 
 1820. 
 
 
 Sir W. Rawlins. 
 
 1859. 
 
 J, 
 
 J. Addison. 
 
 1822. 
 
 
 John Propert. 
 
 1861. 
 
 jj 
 
 R. B. Oakeley. 
 
 1824. 
 
 
 Harper. 
 
 1862. 
 
 „ 
 
 0. L. Rasch. 
 
 1826. 
 
 
 F. Turner. 
 
 1863. 
 
 » 
 
 John M. Clabon. 
 
 1828. 
 
 
 Joseph Arden. 
 
 1864. 
 
 
 Jas. Thompson. 
 
 1830. 
 
 
 Samuel Page. 
 
 1865. 
 
 )j 
 
 W. H. Thompson 
 
 1832. 
 
 
 Walsh. 
 
 1866, 
 
 '> 
 
 G. W. Holt. 
 
 1834. 
 
 
 R. E. Arden. 
 
 1867. 
 
 )» 
 
 H. H. Gideon. 
 
 1835- 
 
 
 Clarkson. 
 
 1868. 
 
 )> 
 
 N. Solomon. 
 
 1836. 
 
 
 Whitsed, M.D. 
 
 1869. 
 
 )> 
 
 John M. Clabon. 
 
 1837. 
 
 
 Rowley, M.D. 
 
 1870. 
 
 j» 
 
 R. W. Jones. 
 
 1838. 
 
 
 T. F. Savory. 
 
 1871. 
 
 ,, 
 
 H. Heather Bigg. 
 
 1839- 
 
 
 John Propert. 
 
 1872. 
 
 t» 
 
 Edwin Fox. 
 
 1841. 
 
 
 Wm. Browne. 
 
 1873- 
 
 „ 
 
 F. J. Heseltine. 
 
 1842. 
 
 
 C. B. Claydon. 
 
 1874- 
 
 ,, 
 
 E. Emanuel. 
 
 1843- 
 
 
 J. D. Finney. 
 
 1875. 
 
 )» 
 
 Hy. Robinson. 
 
 1844. 
 
 
 J. Pilcher. 
 
 1876. 
 
 ,, 
 
 G. E. A. Ross. 
 
 1846. 
 
 
 John Propert. 
 
 1877. 
 
 j> 
 
 Walter Webb. 
 
 *** It was hoped that this list might have been made 
 complete, and application was made to the G.S. of the 
 Grand Lodge for the names required. Unfortunately, how- 
 ever, the Books of the Grand Lodge do not furnish the 
 information. 
 
44 
 
 APPENDICES. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Hisftjof ifurniturf, lletoelsf, anli 25oofe0 of t^e 
 ILotiffe of IJine I«u0e0, iI3o. 28&. 
 
 {Corrected to %th May, 1877.— W. W.) 
 
 The Warrant, in Gilt Frame. 
 
 Centenary Warrant. 
 
 Mahogany Jewel Box, 
 containing 11 Jewels, 
 l.o Collars. 
 
 One Bible. 
 
 Three Chairs 
 
 Three Pedestals. 
 
 Three Brass Candlesticks. 
 
 Three Ivory Gavels. 
 
 One Rosewood Gavel. 
 
 One Maul. 
 
 One perfect Ashlar and Tri- 
 angle. 
 
 One rough ditto. 
 
 A Temple for collecting 
 Money for Charity. 
 
 Particular description of the Jewels : — 
 
 The W.M:s Jewel. 
 An oval enamel, set in silver gilt. A figure (Apollo) 
 standing, holding the square in his right hand. 
 
 The Immediate P.M.'s Jewel. 
 An oval enamel, set in frame, with stones. A figure 
 standing by a pedestal, holding a square in her left 
 hand. Inscription at back: — "Presented to the Lodge 
 of Nine Muses, by Brother G. M. Brighty, S.W., as a 
 testimony of his regard, 22nd November, 5816." 
 
 Two Wands. 
 
 24-inch Gauge. 
 
 One Iron Skirret. 
 
 One Iron Chisel. 
 
 One Iron Gavel. 
 
 One Dagger. 
 
 Three-FoldingTracingBoard 
 
 for the three degrees. 
 One pair Gauntlets for the 
 
 W.M. 
 One Velvet Cushion. 
 Silver Square & Compasses. 
 One Box of Tools (for 
 
 instalhng W.M.). 
 One Ballot Box. 
 
APPENDICES. 45 
 
 Tke S. W.'s Jewel. 
 An oval enamel, set in silver gilt. A female figure stand- 
 ing, holding the level in her left hand. Inscription at 
 back ; — " Lodge of Nine Muses.'' 
 
 7 he J. W.h Jewel. 
 An oval enamel, set in silver gilt. A female figure stand- 
 ing, and holding the plumb in her right hand. Inscrip- 
 tion at back : — " Lodge of Nirie Muses." 
 
 The Treasurer's Jeweh 
 An oval enamel, set in silver gilt. A female figure sitting 
 by a pedestal, a purse in the left hand ; the keys in the 
 right hand. Inscription at back : — " Lodge of Nine 
 Muses.'' 
 
 The Secretary's Jewel. 
 An oval enamel, set in silver gilt. A female figure sitting 
 by a pedestal, writirtg. Inscription oil back : — " Lodge 
 of Nine Muses." 
 
 Two Deacon's Jewels. 
 Silver Doves. 
 
 Jewel of Master of Ceremonies. 
 Silver Cross-Wands in Wreath. 
 
 Steward's Jewel. 
 
 Silver Cross-Staves in the Tie and Wreath. 
 Outer Guard's or. Tyler's Jewel. 
 
 Silver Sword. 
 
 Books of the Lodge. 
 
 Minute Book, from 1 8 14 to 1836. 
 
 „ „ „ 1837 to December, TSI75. 
 
 „ 1876. 
 Bye- Laws. 
 
 Treasurer's Account Book. 
 
 Book for Signatures of Members and Visitors attending 
 Lodge Meetings. 
 Rough Minute Book. 
 
 Book for Signature of Candidates for Initiation. 
 Book of the Constitutions, of Masonry. 
 
46 APPENDICES. 
 
 VII. 
 
 ILi0t of pce0ent <3Dfi8ter0, ^a0t Sl^a0tEt0, 
 anO 9^emliec0. 
 
 Officers : 
 
 Bro. Walter Webb, W.M. 
 
 Bro. E. Hyde Hewett, S.W. 
 
 „ J. Home Payne, J.W. 
 
 „ G. Sangster Green, S.D. 
 
 „ A. S. Wildy, J.D. 
 
 „ Joseph Kincaid, I.G. 
 
 „ Hy. Staples, D.C. 
 
 „ G. F. Carlyon-Simmons, Treasurer. 
 
 „ E. Hyde Hewett, Secretary. 
 
 Past Masters : 
 
 Bro. H. Heather Bigg. 
 „ Edwin Fox. 
 „ F. J. Heseltine. 
 ,, E. Emanuel. 
 „ Hy. Robinson. 
 „ G. E. A. Ross. 
 
 Members : 
 
 Bro. James Brend Batten. 
 „ T. CoUingwood Chown. 
 „ Robert O'B. Fitz-Roy. 
 „ T. Ridge Jones. 
 „ W. Geo. Nixey. 
 
UNWIN BROTHERS, PRINTERS.