Page 122 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

122 An Account of the

Three years later things had evidently got worse, for the minutes for 24
February 1838 give a report of the Audit Committee, who say:

Your Committee examined the state of the Furniture, Jewells, and Effects of the
Lodge, a list of which is annexed, they have to regret that the Chairs which have
been very handsome are now in so dilapidated a state, as to be ufeless, the Secretary
was ordered to ascertain the probable charge of repairg them and a workman has
since stated the amt at not lefs than £15, a charge your Committee have not
thought it right to incur without the Consent of the Lodge. /Your Committee
cannot conclude their report without congratulating the Lodge on its Prosperity,
nor without testifying their approbation of Br Jos Arden the Treasurer, for his
constant attention to the affairs and the care of the Funds of the Lodge.
Bro. Joseph Arden was Treasurer from December 1835 to 1842 and began
the first of the account-books which have been continuously kept since
his appointment, and from which, as supplementary to the minutes, much
information has been obtained for this work.
On 8 December 1840, “The Worshipful Master directed the Secretary to
order from Br Acklam columns for the Wardens pedestals.”
These are still in use; they stand 16½ inches high and are unusually massive and
well-finished. The shafts and bases are of richly-coloured mahogany; the capitals
are of brass and the globes of ivory (see Plate 7). Bro. Acklam was Bro. Thomas
Harper’s successor in his business.
[14 February 1843] The W. Master Brother C B Clayden ... returning thanks
for the many manifestations of fraternal regard he had received from the Brethren
during his year of office ... hoped the Brethren would allow him to leave behind
him some testimonial of his affection for the lodge and begged to present it a
pair of Ivory Gavels.
An offer which was accepted with “the most cordial and affectionate thanks”.
The name should be Claydon, but Bro. Secretary Crew spells it either way
indifferently.
The minute refers to a pair of gavels, but there are actually three. Each is
inscribed