Page 98 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

CHAPTER TEN

THE TABLE
A
FEW years ago a Brother, more witty than charitable, suggested that in
better accord with the genius of the Lodge than a Muse of Astronomy
would be a Muse of Gastronomy. The gibe was coldly received, but it is
true that the Lodge of the Nine Muses does take a healthy pride in keeping a good
Table. This is no new development; there was till yesterday living testimony that
sixty-five years ago the provision of the best of good cheer was an immemorial
tradition in the Lodge, and apart from the war years 1914-18 the tradition has
been diligently maintained.
The banquet, indeed, has always been regarded almost as part of the ceremonies;
following ancient custom the Brethren retain their aprons and collars during
dinner, and Visitors are asked and expected to do the same. 32
Hospitality is a Masonic virtue, and the Lodge likes to think that it does not fall
short in this respect, a belief in which it is comfortably confirmed by the consistency
with which its visitors return; not, it is to be hoped, that this is the sole attraction.
As was shown in Chapter Three, the very first recorded minutes, in 1814,
contain a reference to the subject; the Secretary, Bro. Turner, “read a letter from
Mefs . s . Willis proprietors of the Thatched House Tavern respectfully soliciting
r
an addition of 1/6 per head for the dinners on account of the high price of
provisions. Ordered to be considered at the next meeting.” The year before
Waterloo, as readers need hardly be reminded, was a time of distress, crushing
taxation and general scarcity, following a succession of exhausting wars. At the
February meeting Messrs Willis’s letter was referred to the Officers of the Lodge,
who were to report to the next meeting. In March it was again referred back,
this time to the R.W.M., Treasurer, Deputy Master and Secretary, with what
result there is nothing to show. From a casual entry a year later we learn that the
cost of the dinner was then 15s. The Lodge about this time seems to have been
permanently in debt to Messrs Willis, a condition from which it was eventually
rescued by the energy of Sir William Rawlins, as Chapter Six tells.

32 After Whitehall Court was sold in 1969, forcing the move first to Paddington and then Harp
Lane, (see p.39) this practice was limited to the Installation meeting.