Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-12-25
Tho Only Female Mason.


male who was ever initiated into the mystery OF
treemasonry. She has had two degrees-the
nrst ana second-conferred on her. As it may
be interesting to the general reader, we give the
story as to how Miss St. Leger obtained this
honor, promising that the information comes
from the best OF sources. Lord Donereile, Miss
st. Leger's father, a very Jealous Mason held a
warrant and occasionally opened lodge at Dom
erele House, his sons and some intimate friends
assisting; AID it is said that never were Masonic
duties more vigorously performed than by the
brethren of $50, the number of their warrant.
1t happened that previous to the initiation of
a gentemap to the first degree of Masonry, Miss
st. Leger, who young girl, happened to be
In an apartment adjoining the room generally
used as a lodge-room, but whether the young
lady was there by design or merely accident, we
cannot confidently state The room at the time
was undergoing some alteration among other
things, the wall was considerably reduced in
one part, for the purpose of making a saloon.
The young lady having heard the voices of Free
masons, and being melted by the curiosity natu-
raj to all to see this mystery. so long and so Sc
cretiy locked up from the public view, had the
courage to pick brick from the wall with her
scissors, and thus witness the two first steps of
the ceremony
Curiosity gratihed, fear at once took posses
sion of her mind, and those who understand this
passage well know what the feeling of any per-
ceremony; let them judge what were the feel
lpgs of young girl under such extraordinary
circumstances. There was no mode of escape
except through the very room where the conclud-
ing part of the second step was still being SOL
emnIzcd at the far end, aud the room a very
large one. Miss st. Leger had resolution enough
10 attempt her escape that way, and with light
but trembling steps glided along unobserved,
laid her hand the handle of the door and
opened it, hut ,efore her stood, to her dismay
n grim tier, with his long sword unsheathed.
a shrek that pierced through the apartments,
alarmed the members of the lodge, who, all rush
ing to door, and finding that Miss St. Leger had
been in the room during the ceremony, resolved,
II is sald IN the paroxysm of their rage, to put
her to death Sut at the moving and earnest
supplication of her youngest brother, her life
was spared, on condition of her then going
through the two remaining steps of the solemn
ceremony she had unlawfuily witnessed. This
she consented to, and they conducted the beau
titui and terrified young lady through those
trials which sometimes more than enough
for masculine resolution little thinking that they
were taking into the bosom of their craft a mem
ber that would reflect ustre on the annals of
Masonry.
Miss st. Leger was cousin to General Anthony
st. Leger, who instituted the interesting race
and celebrated Doncaster st. Leger stakes.
Eventually she married Richard Aldworth Esq,
of Newmarket, member of a highly honorable
and ancient family. Whenever a benefit was
given at any of the theatres of Dublin or Cork
for the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum, Mrs
Aldworth walked at the head of the Freemasons
with her apron and other insignia of Freema-
sonry, and sat in the front of the stage box
The portrait of this lady is in the room of al
most every lodge in Ireland