Page 160 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

160 An Account of the

Is it fanciful to connect the resignation with the inquest? The minutes from
the resignation onward are completed in a different hand; did Bro. Pike walk
out in a huff, and, perhaps, take the missing minute-book with him? The later
minutes are not inconsistent with this guess, for we read under 12 April 1825
“The minutes ... confirmed with the exception of that part, which referred to
the acceptance of Brother Pike’s resignation”; and on 10 May a letter from Bro.
Pike was read in which it was stated that “the circumstances which led to his
resignation as Secretary, and as a Member of the Lodge, were of a nature which
precluded any change”. He had been re-elected only a month before his sudden
defection.
[13 December 1825] It was intimated to the Brethren, that the Festival to
commemorate the Birth Day of the M.W.G.M. would take place on the 27 January,
and H.R.H. the Duke of York, had graciously Signified his Intention to preside.
[14 November 1826] Brother Arden at the Banquet in commemoration of his
Infant Heir’s Birth, invited the Lodge to dinner on the third Tuesday in January
next.
The Secretary was directed to write a Letter to P.M. Propert, offering the
Congratulations of the Brethren on the Birth of his Daughter.
These domestic touches are most engaging; the capitals are characteristic of
Bro. Thornton, who succeeded Bro. Pike as Secretary.
The infant Arden’s birthday, 7 October, is noted in the margin.
13 February 1827. A petition was received from Bro. James Ruspini, stating
that he was initiated in this Lodge on 3 December 1788, and was in great distress.
It was referred to the Board of Benevolence, and reserved for future consideration.
What, if anything, was done about it does not appear. A year or two before this
Bro. James Bladen Ruspini, the eldest son of Bro. the Chevalier Ruspini, had lost
his reason, and he and his wife and family were in very low water.
Two of his daughters were admitted to the Institution for Girls, which his
father had founded.
[13 November 1827] At the Banquet, a deputation from the Board appointed
to manage the Festival of the Grand Master’s Anniversary, attended, and invited
the Lodge to send a Brother to join their Body.