Page 70 - Amo Amass A-muse is some of the fruit of a lifetimes love of Freemasonry - the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235

lADiES FESTivAl

OAST BEFORE COFFEE — “Her Majesty the QUEEN.”

TWhilst serving Coffee — The Stewards to distribute the Souvenirs to each Lady
and unaccompanied Brother.
W.M. to speak – Ladies and Brethren of the Muses,

Winifred and I would first like to welcome you all, especially the Ladies. More
especially we would like to welcome Euphan Beedle who has come all the way from
Scotland to be with us tonight. Her late husband was a brother Officer of mine and a Past
Master of the Muses. I would also like to thank my Stewards W.Bros. Patrick King and Bill
Dawson. If you are enjoying yourselves this evening, thank them, but if you feel that it is
a flop, blame me. After this, there will be informal chatting together and dancing. We can
break up as the spirit of the Muses takes us.
These Ladies Festivals were most popular amongst the Muses 150 years ago but they
then became less frequent and almost died out until modern times. Some of the early
festivals are recorded in our Minutes and are rich in the sentiment of those days. Perhaps
you will allow me to give you extracts from two of the choicest.
“On 24th June 1829, at the Star and Garter, Richmond, Dinner was served at 5 o’clock
and at 9 o’clock the company took tea. Quadrilles were then danced until half past ten.
At the Banquet, Past Master Turner proposed “Health to the Ladies” in a strain of most
pleasing eloquence and in happy style alluded to the circumstance of each Muse being
represented, Nine Ladies having honoured the Festival with their presence. The toast
was enthusiastically received. The Treasurer, who was a batchelor and the Senior Brother
present, was requested by the Master’s Lady to return acknowledgements for herself and
her friends. Sir William Rawlins then spoke with great animation and designated those
whom he had at the moment represented as the “Rosebuds of Creation”!
At another meeting, on 8th June 1830, “soon after 10 o’clock Carriages were ordered
but several of the party remained during the night at Richmond.”
I greet you well with Three times Three and may the spirit of the Muses be with us
tonight.