Page 16 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

16 An Account of the

his substantial accuracy. This account is of such interest as to warrant its being
reproduced in full:

On 14 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.
3
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.
4
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.
An engraving from 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 Raphael 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

3 He was expelled on 13 February following, “having behaved unbecoming a man of honour
and a Mason.”
4 See Page 164.