Page 99 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

Lodge of the Nine Muses 99

The earlier minutes contain not infrequent allusions to the dinners. On 10
February 1829, Bro. Walsh “gave notice that it was his intention at the next meeting
to move that, the Lodge be removed from the Freemasons Tavern”, to which the
Lodge had migrated from the Thatched House in 1821. But on 14 April following,
Brother Walsh reverting to his Notice of the 10 Feb . :, stated the Entertainments
r
placed before the Lodge at the present, and at their former meeting render it
unecefsary for him to prefs his Motion.
The consideration therefore stands postponed sine die; But the Master of the
House was called in, and addrefsed on the Part of the Lodge by Sir W . Rawlins
m
the Senior Member/Mr Cuff in reply exprefsed his anxiety upon all occasions, to
merit the approbation of the Lodge.
The warning had its effect, for a few months later “The Lodge being closed
adjourned to the Banquet (which was excellent)”.
What the solid portion of the fare consisted of there is nothing to show, but
our predecessors, as the expressive provincialism has it, loved their bellies, and a
hundred years ago 15s. would buy a most substantial meal.
The only liquids mentioned in the minutes are “Sherry Wine”, and
“Champaign”, which latter was, at any rate upon occasion, provided by volunteers,
or exacted as a penalty for some breach of the conventions
Nor was music wanting. On 11 February 1834,
The brethren took part of an excellent banquet where the health of the new
made Master was proposed by the late W.M. Walsh and received with the warmest
congratulations. The W.M. in returning thanks reiterated the promises he had
previously made to attend sedulously to the perform . e . of the new & important
c
duties of Master.
After this toast an excellent song written and composed for this Lodge and
dedicated to the Master & brethren by Bro. Dr Whitsed was sung with admirable
effect by Bro. Crewe. It was rapturously received & the composer & singer
received the thanks of the Brethren present.
This is in Secretary Thornton’s best vein. The meeting was a large one,
seventeen members and eight visitors.