Page 19 - Centennial Sketch of the History of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 1877 UGLE

Lodge of the Nine Muses 1777-1877 19

which had been lent to H.R.H., and mislaid by him, and the W.M. now restored
it to the Lodge.” since the restoration of the original Master’s Jewel, which we
now possess, the Jewel provided by Bro. Harper as a substitute, seems to have been
devoted to the use of the immediate Past Master.
It is noteworthy that the Minutes of former years testify that there was a
punctuality and a systematic method in dealing with most of the affairs of the
Lodge which are worthy of commendation, and it may be added, of imitation at the
present time. Regularly every year the Report of the auditors upon the accounts
was laid before the Lodge, and entered in extenso on the Minutes. It is eminently
desirable that these good customs should be adhered to, for a careful and business-
like attention to our affairs undoubtedly tends to strengthen the basis on which the
17
Brethren meet, and to prevent possible causes of disturbance of fraternal peace
and harmony.
Another feature which strikes the reader of our Records is, that pleasant glimpses
are every now and then afforded us of the common interest felt by the Brethren in
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the private and domestic affairs of members of the Lodge; and of the cultivation
of pleasant relations with those who, if not within the Masonic circle, were closely
connected by domestic ties with the members of the Lodge.
More than once we find that what are known, in the euphemisms of polite
society, as “interesting domestic events”, such as occasionally occur even in the best
regulated families, happening in the domestic circle of some respected Brother,
formed the subject of a congratulatory Resolution at the ensuing meeting. It is
evident, too, that the occasional gatherings of members of the Lodge, which took
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place under the hospitable roof of Brethren, were not the least prized opportunities
of social and harmonious intercourse.
On these occasions the Muses were permitted to mingle with their own sex,
which no doubt added not a little to the charm of the evenings which were thus
spent. For the time being the more serious duties and attention to the mysteries of
the Craft were laid aside; and while the peculiar fraternal relations established and
maintained by Masonry no doubt acted upon the assembled Brethren with their
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wonted influence, it must be confessed that the gracious presence of the ladies
seems to have been the predominating source of the inspiration of those happy

17 Business-like character of the Lodge.
18 The domestic interests of Members of the Lodge.
19 Hospitality of various Brethren.
20 The presence of ladies sought and valued.