North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-11-17
The Only Female Mason.

INV OAsAJ ASAassAO AA0cVhAe
.u From the New York Era.
The Hon. Elizabeth St. Leger was the
only female who was ever initiated into
the mysteries of Freemasonry. She has
had two degrees-the frst and second
conferred on her. As it may be interest
ing 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
Doneraile, Miss St. Leger's father, very
jealous Mason, held warrant and occasi-
onally opened lodge at Doneraile House,
his sons and some intimate friends assist
ng; and it is said that never were Mason
ic duties more vigorously performed than
by the brethern of No. $50, tho number
OF their warrant.
Il appears that previous to the initiation
Of seatienan to the first degree Of Ma
sonry, Miss St. Leger, who was young
girl, happened to be in an apartment adj
joining the room generally used as 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 consid'
erably reduced in one part, for the pur-
pose Of making q saloon. The young
lady having heard the voices of Freema-
sons, and being melted by the curiosity
natural to all to see this mystery so long
and so secretly 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 ceremo-
ny.
Curiosity gratifed, fear at once took
possession Of her mind, and those who
understand this passage well know what
the feeling of any person must be who
could unlawfully behold that ceremony;
let them judge what were the feelings of
a young girl under such extraordinary
circumstances. There was no mode Of
escape, except through the very room
where the concluding part of the second
step was still being solemnized at the far
end, and the room very large one. Miss
st. Leger had. resolution enough to at
tempt her escape that way, and with light
but trembling step glided along unobserv-
ed, laid her hand on the handle Of the
door and opened it, but before her stood
to her dismay, the grim Tyler, with his
long sword unsheathed.
A shrek that pierced through tn,
apartments alarmed the members Of tn,
lodge, who, all rushing to the door, ant
finding that Miss Leger had been in tn
room during the ceremony, resolved, it j
said, in the paroxJsm Of their rage, t
pat the fair spectress to death; but at th
!, moving and earnest supplication Of be
youngest brother, her life was spared, o
condition of her going through the tw
remaining steps of the solemn ceremon
she had unlawfully witnessed. This sh
consented to, and they conducted tn
beautiful and terrified young lady througl
) those trials which are sometimes NOR
than enough for masculine resolution
little thinking they were taking into tn
bosom of their craft member that woult
reflect lustre on the annals of Masonry
Miss st. Leger was cousin to Genera
Anthony St. Leger, who instituted tn
interesting race, and celebrated Doncaste
St. Leger stakes. Eventually she marie.
Richard Aldworth, Esq, Of Newmarket
q member of highly honorable and an
. cient family. Whenever benefit wa
given at any of the theatres in Dublin o
Cork, for the Masonic Female Orphan
Asylum, Mrs. Aliworth walked at tn
head Of the Freemasons, with her aprol
ard other insignia of Freemasonry, an
sat in the front low of the stage box
, The house was always crowded On thes
occasions. The portrait Of this estimabl
{ woman is in the lodge room Of almos
every lodge in Ireland.