The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-01-07
The only FemaIe Mason.

The Hon, Elizabeth st. Leger was the only
female who was ever initiated into the mys-
terry OF Freemasonry. She had two degrees
the first and Eccond-conferred on her. As
it may be interesting to the general reader, we
give the story as to how Miss st. Leger OBJ
tanned this honor, permitting that the infor-
nation comes from the best of sources. Lord
Doneraile, Miss. st. Leger's father very
jealous Mason, held a warrant and OCCASION
ally opened lodge at DOneTaile House, his
sons and some intimate friends assisting; and
it is said that never were Masonic duties more
Vigorously performed than by the brethren OF
No. $50, the number of their warrant.
It appears that previous to the initiation OF
gentleman to the first degree of Masonry
Miss. St. Leger, who was a young girl, hap
pened to be In an apartment adjoining the
room generallyUseda a lodge-rOOm, but wheth1
er the young ladyw there by design or mere
" accident, we cannot confidently state. The
room at the time was undergoing some alter
alton; among other things the wall was con-
siderabiy reduced in one part, for the purpose
of making a saloon. The young lady having
heard the voices Of Freemasons, and being
melted by the curiosity natural to all, 10 see
this mystery, 50 long and so secretly locked up
from the public view, had the courage to pick
a brick from the wall with her scissors and
thus witness the first two steps Of the cere-
mony.
Curiosity gratifed, fear at once took posses
sion Of her mind, and those who understand
this passage, well know what the feeling OF
any person must be who could unlawfully be-
hold that ceremony; let them judge what were
the feelings Of young girl under such extraor-
dinary 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
n r-oy-r 1orrn ono Miss Gt had ,-asort-
tion enough to attempt her escape that way,
and with light but trembling steps glided
along unobserved, laid her hand on the handle
of the door and opened it, but before her stood,
to her dismay, grim tyler with his long sword
unsheathed.
A shrek that pierced through the apart
ment alarmed the members of the lodge, who
all rushing to the door, and finding that Miss
St. Leger had been In the room during the
ceremony, resolved, it is said, IN the paro&ysm
of their rage to put the fairspeCtatress to death
but at the moving and earnest suppication OF
her Youngest brother her life was spared, on
condition of her going through the woremain-
ing steps of the solemn ceremony she had unlaw-
fully witnessed. This was consented to, and
they conducted the beautiful and terrified young
lady through those triaes whichare sometimes
more than enough for masculine resolution, lit
tie thinking they were taking into the bosom
of their craft q member that would reflect q
luster on the annals of Masonry.
Miss st. Leger was cousin to general An
thcnv St. Leger, who instituted the interest
inc race, and celebrated Doncaster st. Legel
stakes. Eventually she married Richard Aid
worth. Esq, OF Newmarket, a member of q
highly honorable and ancient family. When.
ever a benefit was given at any Of the theaters
IN Dublin OF Cork for the Masonic Female Or
phan Asylum, Mrs Aldworth walked at thC
head of the Freemasons, with her apron and
other insignia of Freemasonry, and sat in the
| front row of the stage box. The house was
ALWAYS crowded on these occasions. The por-
trait of this estimable woman is IN tn lodge
room of almost every lodge in Ireland.-Aeu
| York Ere.