Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-12-18

male who was ever initiated into the ancient
and honorable mystery of Freemasonry.-
How she obtained this honor, we shall lay
before our readers, promising :ha, our inior-
nation is derived from the best sources
Lord Doneraile, Miss ST. LegeI's father, a
very jealous Mason, held a warran, and oc-
casionaly opened lodge at Doneraile House,
his sons and some intimate friends assisting
and it is said, that never was masonic duties
more rigidy performed than By the brethren
of No. $50, the number Of their warrant. II
appears that previously to the initiation oil
gentleman 10 the first steps of masonry, Miss
ST. Leger, who was young girl, happened
TO be in an apartment adjoining the room
generally used as lodge room; but whether
the young lady was there by design or acc-
dent, we cannot confidently state. The room
at the time was undergoing some alteration
among other things, the wall was considera-
bly, reduced in one part for the purpose OF
making a saloon. The young lady having
heard the voices OF the freemasons; and be-
ing prompted by The curiosity natura! 10 all,
10 see this mystery so long and so secretly
locked up from public view, had the courage
10 pick a brick from the wall with her scis-
sors, and thus witnessed the two first steps Of
the ceremony.
Curiosity gratifed, fear at once took pos.
session Of her mind, and those who UNDER
stand this passage well know what the feel
ngs of any person mus. be who could un-
lawfully behold that ceremony let them
then Judge what were the the feelings OF a
young girl undor such extraordinary crcum.
stances There was no mode of escape, ex-
cept through the very room where the con-
GLIDING part oi the second step was still being
solemnizcd, at the far end, and the room
very large one. Miss ST.. Leger had resolu.
li,n suficcn, to at,emp, her eacape that way,
and with light but trembling steps glided
along uuobserved, laid her hand on the ham
die Of the door, and opening it, before her
stood, 10 her dsmay, grim and surly I'ler,
with his long sword unshra,hed.
A shrek that pierced through the apart
ment alarmed the members of the Lodge,
who, all rushing 10 the door, and finding tina,
| Miss 81. Leger had been in the room during
the ceremony, resolved, it is said, in the par
oxysm of their rage, 10 put the fair spec,a
,ress 10 death; bu, at the moving and earn
es, suppica,ion Of her youngest brother, he
life was spared on condition of her going
through the two remaining steps Of the sol
emn ceremony size had unlawfully witnessed
This she consented 10, and they conducted
the beautiful and terrified young lady ihroust
those trials which are sometimes more thar
enough for masculine resolution, little think
ing they were taken into the pQsora OF lhei
craft a member that would alleIward refiec
lustre on the annals Of Masonry.
Miss 81. Leger was directly deaceHdet
from Sir Richard de ST. Leger, who accom-
panied William the Conquerer TO England
and was of that high repule that he with hi
own hand supported the prince when h
first went out OF his ship 10 land in SUSSEX
Miss ST. Leger was cousin to General An
thony St. Leger, Governor of St, Louis, VIII
instituted the interesting race and the cee
bra,ed Doncasler St. Leger stakes. Eveniu
ally she married Richard AlJworih, Esq G
Newmarket, a member of highly hono!a
Bile and ancient family. Whenever bene
fit was given al any Of the theatres in Dubl
or Cork for the Masonic Female orphan Asy
lpm, Mrs Aldworh walked at the head o
the Freemasons, with her apron and o'he
insignia of Freemasonry, and sat in the from
row of the stage box. The house was al
ways crowded on these occasions. The por
trait of this eslimabe woman is in the lodg,
room Of almos, every lodge in ireland