Page 136 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

136 An Account of the

In February 1870, a jewel was presented by the Brethren to the retiring Master,
Bro. Clabon, “in token of their high appreciation of his services as W.M.”, but the
presentation of a Past Master’s jewel did not become the regular practice till 1877.
Since then it has been given to each retiring Master.
On 14 March 1876, we read that “The selection of the jewel for the P.M. of
this Lodge was referred by the Brethren to Bro: Robinson, I.P.M.”, rather cruelly,
as he himself was not given one. Perhaps he took his revenge· in selecting the
pattern adopted, which, it must be confessed, is a clumsy thing hardly worthy of
the Lodge, however much successive Past Masters may value it for its associations,
extending now above sixty years.
Some further and recent discussion of the question is implied, though nothing
of it is minuted.
On 12 February 1877, it was proposed and carried “That a P.M. jewel be
presented to I.P.M. Ross”, and “That those P.M.s who have the lodge jewel, may
if they so desire it have a bar, denoting the date of their holding office, placed on a
ribbon, at the expense of the Lodge.” And on 13 March, “The expense of jewel for
P.M. Ross, and of the bars for P.M.s Bigg, Fox, Heseltine, & Emanuel was approved.”
As these Brethren were Masters in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874 respectively, the
Lodge medal proposed in 1869 must have come into being, but neither minutes
nor accounts throw any light on the matter.
In 1877 the Lodge was authorised to wear the centenary jewel prescribed by
the Grand Lodge (see Chapter Fourteen). 50
This has passed out of use in the Lodge, but, on the other hand, a Lodge
jewel is worn by such members as choose to do so. This is a handsome circular
medal about 1½ inches in diameter; the face bears a design of a slender wreath
crossed by nine ribbons, each with the name of one of the Muses; in the centre
is a five-pointed star set with six small brilliants; the ribbons are in white, and the
background in sky blue, enamel. The back is of silver gilt.
This jewel is something of a puzzle; its use has never been authorised, and its
origin cannot now be traced with certainty. Perhaps it is the 1869 medal referred
to above. A dilapidated specimen which has somehow found its way into the
Lodge jewel-case bears the hall-mark of the year 1893-4.

50 Following the bi-centenary in 1977 members now may wear a Bi-Centenary Jewel.