Page 17 - Centennial Sketch of the History of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 1877 UGLE

Lodge of the Nine Muses 1777-1877 17

the Nine Muses Lodge could thus be allowed, without express permission, to be
used by another Lodge. It is plain that the custody of the property of the Lodge
was not adequately cared for, and an illustration is afforded of the importance of
maintaining the exclusive possession of our furniture, jewels, and other property,
and of keeping an inventory thereof, which ought to be annually examined and
revised by the proper officers. In deference to this view, I append a complete list of
your jewels and furniture to this date.
In going through the Minutes of the Lodge during these early years of the
present century (1814-15), one naturally looks with interest for any indications
that the inner life of the brotherhood was affected by the great military and
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political events which were then shaking the fabric of European civilisation.
But the peaceful flow of Masonic intercourse appears to have been undisturbed,
except by such ripples on the surface as that which we have noticed.
Empires rose and fell; kingdoms were established and overthrown; mighty
armies met in the shock of battle; the star of a consummate military genius,
which for twenty years had been in the ascendant, set in clouds of darkness
and seas of blood; England added the name of Wellington to her heroes, and of
Waterloo to her fields of gallant prowess and of decisive victory; and the civilised
world seemed as if wrung with the birth-pangs of a new era in the history of the
progress of humanity. But in the records of our Lodge we find no reflection of
this external strife and movement and perturbation ~ except, indeed, this solitary
and modest entry, dated January 28th, 1814: “The secretary read a letter from
Messrs. Willis, of the Thatched House Tavern, respectfully soliciting an addition
of Is. 6d. per head for the dinners, on account of the high price of provisions!”
such is the simple record, and the Minutes do not afford material for gratifying
the curiosity of any Brother who may be anxious to know whether the humble
request of the keepers of this ancient hostelry was granted or not, for they merely
inform us that the Lodge, being laudably anxious to avoid rash steps of any kind,
ordered the application “to be considered at the next meeting”.
But, after all, this entry in our books must not and will not be looked upon
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by Brethren of the Craft as a mere anti-climax, when considered with reference
to the remarkable events then transpiring beyond the precincts of the Lodge.

14 The Lodge not affected seriously by external events in 1814-15.
15 Masonic relations to external affairs..