Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-12-18
Mrs. Caudle on Masonry.

The following is supposed TO be the lecture
given to Mr. Caudle by his wife after they had
retired to bed, on the night be was made a
Mason:
"Now, Mr.. Caudle Mr. Caudle, sayl o!
you can't be asleep already, know-now what
mean to say is this there's no use, none at
all, in our having any disturbance in the matter,
but at last my mind is made up. Mr.. Caudle, |
shall leave you. Either | know all you have
been doing tonight, or tomorrow morning
quit the house. No, no, there's an end to the
marriage state, l think-an end of all confidence
between man and wifc-if a husbands to have
secrets and keep EN- all to himself. Pretty Sc
crets they must be, when his wife can t
know 'em Not fit for any decent person to
know, I'm sure if that's the case. Now Caudle,
don't let's quarrel there's good soul tell me
what it's all about? A pack OF nonsense, I dare
say stll-not that care much about it-stll
] should like to know. There's dear. Eli ?
o, don't tell me there's nothing in it; know
better. I'm not a fool, Caudle; know there 5
good deal in it. I'm sure I'd tell you any
thing. You know | would. Well?
'.Caudle, you re enough to vexa saint Now
don't you think you're going to sleep because
you not. Do you suppose I'd ever suffered
you to be Mason if didpft suppose was to
know the secret too? Not that it's anything to
know, dare say; and that's why am deter
mined to know it. Bnt know what it is. o,
yes there can be no doubt. The secret is to
ill-use poor women to tyrannZe over EN- j and
make 'em your Slaves-especialy your wives.
1t must be something of the sort, or you would
net be ashamed to have it known. What's right
and proper never need be done in secret. It's
an insult to woman for a man to be a Free
Mason and let his wife know nothing of it. But,
poor soul she's sure TO know il somehow for
nice husbands they all make. Yes, yes part
of the secret is TO think more of the world than
their wives and families I'm sure men have
tn hat / cf
properly-to care for them that they have at
home. They Can't have much to spare for the
world beside.
"And suppose they call you Brother Caudle :?
pretty brother, indeed Going and dressing
yourself up in an apron, like ii turnpike man-
for that's what you look like. And | should
like to know what the aprons for? There must
be something in it not very respectable, I'm
sure. Well, / only wish / queen for a da Y
or two, I'd put an end to Free Masonry, and all
such trumpery, know.
"Now come, Caudle don't let US quarrel.
Eh | You're not in pain, dear What's it all
about? What are you lying there laughing at
But am a fool to trouble my head about you.
Sand you are not going to let me know the
secret, eh? You mean to say you're not? Now,
Caudle, you know it hard matter to put me
in a passion-not that | about the secret
myself; no, would not give button to know
1t, for it's all nonsense, I'm sure. 1t isn't the
it's the studied insult that man pays to his
wife, when he thinks of going through the world
keeping something TO himself which he won
let her know. Man and wife one, indeed
should like to know how that be when a
mans Mason-when he keeps a secret that sets
him and his wife apart
"Caudle, you shant close your eyes for a
week-no you shan't-unless you tell me some
of it. Come, there's a love. I'm sure, Caude,
wouldn't refuse you anything-and you know
1t or ought to known it by. this time only
wish had n secret To whom should l think
of con6ding it, but to my dear husband?
should be miserable to keep it to myself, and
you know it. Now, Candle.
Was there ever such man? A, man, in
deed A brute yes, unf,eng, brutish
creature, when you might oblige me, and you
won't. I'm sure I don't object to your being
Mason /; not at all, Caude | dare say it is a
very good thing; it's only your making secret
of it that vexes me. But you'll tell me-your
own Margaret? You won't? You a wretch
Mr.. Caudle.
"But know why oh, yes. ! can tell. The
fact is, you are ashamed to let me know what a
fool they have been making of you. That is it,
You, at your time of life-the father of family
should be ashamed of myself, Caudle.
''And suppose you will be going to what you
call your lodge every night, nowt Lodge, in-
deed Pretty place it must be, where they don
admit women Nice gongs on, dare say
I" Then you call one another brethren? Breth-
rem I'm sure you'd relations enough you did
not want any more.
But know what all this Masonry's about
It's only an excuse TO get away from your wives
and families, that you may feast and drink to-
gether; that's all. That's the secret. And-to
abuse women as if they were the inferior an
imals, and not to be trusted That's the secret
and and nothing else
Now, Caudle, don't let's quarrel. Yes,
know you're in pain. Still, Candle, my love
Caudlel Dearest say, Caudle -
" recollect nothing more says Caudle,
tor had eaten hearty supper, and somehow
became nhlirinnc