Page 134 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

134 An Account of the

Bro. Edwards Harper was Grand Secretary from 1813 to 1838.
The jewels have run other risks; for on 11 August 1870 “The Secretary was
requested to write to Mr Bacon of the Clarendon Hotel”, where the Lodge was
then meeting, “calling his attention to the damage by water of the Lodge Jewels
and Bible whilst in his charge, and asking his explanation of the same. Brother
Addison was requested and kindly consented to take chge of the Bible & submit
it to the inspection of Mefs Willis & Sothern of Charing + for their opinion as
to its restoration.”
The Secretary’s letter brought a reply from Mr Bacon (13 December 1870),
“in which he denied his liability for the damage done to the Lodge property ....
And a letter was read from Br. Spencer enclosing bill for cleaning & repairing
the Lodge Jewels & Cases injured by water, in which he called attention to the
damaged condition of the badge ribbons, and offered to supply new ones.” The
Lodge did not rise to the fly.
The difficulty with Mr Bacon was presumably settled satisfactorily; there is no
further allusion to it in the minutes, but as the accounts show no payment to Bro.
Spencer it looks as if Mr Bacon eventually paid for the damage; he paid at any rate
on 5 December 1873 £2.10s. “for damaged Bible”, as the account-book shows.
Bro. Spencer did his work well, for whatever the injury to the jewels may have
been there is little trace of it now; a few scratches may be found on close examination.
To return, the minutes for 11 November 1834 contain the following
unexplained item: “The Jeweller’s bill was stated to the Lodge & after some
discufsion directed to be paid by the Treasurer.”

On 8 June 1841
... it was unanimously resolved That a Jewel not exceeding in price £10, should
be presented to Brother John Propert P.M. for his eminent services as Master of this
Lodge for the two preceeding years, and as a testimony of the affection of the brethren
who are its members, for his continued attention to the duties of the Lodge, and the
happinefs of all connected with it. Resolved, That the selection of the Jewel ... be left
to the choice of the Worshipful Master and Brother Savory and that it be prepared in
time to be presented at the Summer Meeting of the Lodge at Richmond.