Page 21 - Centennial Sketch of the History of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 1877 UGLE

Lodge of the Nine Muses 1777-1877 21

one of which a distinguished founder of the Lodge, as has already been mentioned,
took so prominent a part.
It is certain that, by a sympathetic and liberal regard for the claims of our poor
and distressed Brethren, we are both carrying out the true idea of Masonry so
far as it bears upon the development of noble individual character, and also are
taking a course which, by a natural and necessary reaction upon our sympathies
and affections, tends to give strength and beauty to the fraternal ties which unite
us one to another.
Our records show the places which our Lodge has used for its ordinary
meetings. From its foundation onwards, apparently without interruption until
1821 ~ a period of forty-four years ~ the meetings of the Lodge were held at the
Thatched House Tavern, an old-fashioned inn of good repute, which stood upon
the hallowed site now occupied by the building in which it has been my pleasure
to welcome the members of the Lodge, and which has for some years past afforded
me shelter. In April, 1821, the Lodge met for the first time at Freemasons’ Tavern.
There the meetings were held for forty-three years. The experiences in this house
of the Lodge do not appear, however, to have been altogether satisfactory, and an
occasional grumble finds its way into the Minutes. The reason which finally led to
removal appears to have been the dissatisfaction of the Brethren with the dinners
which were provided.
In 1864 the meetings were removed to the Clarendon Hotel, Bond street;
nine years later (1873) to st. James’s Hotel, Piccadilly; in 1874 to Freemasons’
24
Tavern again for one meeting, then to the Queen’s Hotel, Cork street; and then
in December, 1875, to the present place of assembly, Long’s Hotel, Old Bond
street. We trust that no necessity for a further change may arise for many years; for
undoubtedly it contributes much to the pleasure of our gatherings to have them
from time to time amidst surroundings which gradually become familiar. The flow
of our intercourse as Brethren is most free and most delightful when each Brother
occupies his accustomed place at the board, and when the eye learns to associate the
different portions of the room and furniture with particular faces and personalities.
In glancing over the names of those Brethren who have occupied the exalted
position of Master (a complete list of which, so far as procurable, is given in

23 Places of Meeting.
24 undesirableness of frequent changes.