Page 45 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

Lodge of the Nine Muses 45

and elaborate buildings of its age – for the value of the materials, and razed it so
thoroughly that hardly a vestige remains.
The Thatched House, with its traditions of Dick Steele, Addison and Swift, the
Society of Dilettanti, of Boswell and the Literary Club, and many more, tempts to a
longer digression than space will allow. One other quotation from Mr Chancellor
must suffice:
The ceiling of the room used by the Dilettanti was painted to represent the
sky, and was crossed by gold cords interlacing each other, and from their knots
hung three large glass chandeliers. A drawing by T. H. Shepherd shows the room
decorated with portraits and two fine carved marble mantelpieces.
This suggests something more than mere comfort.
The Thatched House long maintained its vogue, and as late as 1860 twenty-
five societies and clubs are said to have been meeting there. It disappeared finally
in 1865, and the depressing pile of Thatched House Chambers rose in its place.
In March 1821 it was resolved that “The Lodge be removed to the Freemasons’
Tavern Great Queen Street”, and the first meeting in the new quarters took place
on Friday, 12 April.
No reason is given for the move, but the Lodge was much in debt to Messrs
Willis, the proprietors of the Thatched House, and as this seems to have been
permanently the case a hint may have come from that side.
The Freemasons’ Tavern stood in Great Queen Street where the Connaught
Rooms, its modern counterpart, stand now. The original Tavern was built in 1774
and was rebuilt or improved in 1790 and again in 1868.
The Tavern was the property of the Grand Lodge, and was let on short leases
to various successive caterers, who had the use of the great Hall, built on the land
behind the Tavern proper, when it was not required by the landlords. Concerts,
dances and other meetings were held there on the off nights.
The kitchens of the Tavern before the alterations in 1868 are stated to have
left much to seek, and this may have accounted for deficiencies in the catering;
at any rate after a time the Brethren grew dissatisfied and decided to move again.
In November 1864, “Brother Addison moved that some steps ought to be