Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-02-15
A REAL WOMAN MAson.


HOW She Received the Degre - Of Aruye>-
tiee and Feliowcraft.
In the Office OF the grand secretary
OF the Grand Lodge. In the Masonic
Temple. hangs an oil painting Of a
woman dressed In Masonic regajia. II
was presented to Colonel Ehlers. and
- portrait Of Hon. Mrs. Aldworth
the heroine OF this legend. She is said
70 nave received. about the year l735.
the first and second degrees OF Free
masonry in Lodge No. ri. Doneraile.
ireland. The circumstances OF this
initiation were first published In Cork
In 1877, and it was claimed that they
were substantiated by an eyewitness
TO the ceremony. Subsequently they
appeared in memoir published by
Spencer. the celebrated Masonic
bishop. In London.
Mrs. Aldworth, nee Elizabeth ST
Legef, was the youngest child and
only daughter Of the first yiscount
Ooneraile, OF Ireland. The lodge in
which she was initiated was an aristo-
cratic lodge. consisting principally OF
the gentry and most respectable and
wealthy inhabitants OF the country
around Doneraile. The communist
tons were usually held In the town.
nut during the mastership OF Lord
Doneraile, brother OF Mrs. Aldworth.
the meetings were held at Doneraile
House. his residence.
Spencer relates this story OF the at
lair: 1t happened On this particular
occasion that the lodge was held in a
room separated from another by stud
and brick-work. The young lady be-
ing glddy and thoughtless, and, de-
termined to crafty her curiosity.
made arrangements accordingly. With
pair OF scissors. as she herself relat-
ed to the mother of our informant, she
removed portion of a brick from the
wall and placed herself so as to com
/ rnand full view of every thing which
occurred in the next room. She Their
witnessed the first two degrees ia
masonry. which was the extent of thr
proceedings of the lodge that night.
Becoming aware from " hat she heard
that the brethren were about TO sep
arate. she felt alive to the awkward
ress and danger of her situation, and
began to consider how she could retire
without observation. She became
nervous and agitated. acd nearly
tainted. but SO far recovered herself a.
to be fully aware of the necessity o.
| withdrawing as quickly as possible.
| Being in the dark. she stumbled anc
/ overthrow something. chair or SOM
/ ornamental piece of furniture. The
/ crash was loud. and the tyler. who
was in the lobby or landing. an which
/ OPP ned the doors both of the lodge
room and that where the young lad 5
was. gave the alarm, burst open the
door and, with light in ole hand and
sword in the other. appeared to the
terrified and fainting lady. He wa:
soon joined by the members. Her life
would have fallen sacrifice to what
was then esteemed her crime
The first care of Lord Doneraile wa:
to resuscitate- the unfortunate LADY
without alarming the house. and en-
deavor to learn from her an explana
ton of what had occurred. Having
done this. many OF the members being
furious at the transaction. she wa
placed under guard Of the tyler, and ,
member in the room where she wa;
found The members reassemble'
and deliberated as to what was to b
done. For over two hours she coul'
hear the angry discussion and he
death deliberately proposed and sec
onded At length the good sense @
the majority succeeded in calming il
some measure the angry and irritate'
feelings OF the members. 1t was re
solved to give her the option of sub
hitting to the Masonic ordeal to tn
extent she had witnessed yellow
craft, and If she refused. the brethre
were again to consult Miss ST. LegeI
exhausted and terrified by the STORM
ness of the debate, gladly and unhesi
tatingly accepted the offer and va
initiated. Sister Aldworth, as sh
was called, came into large forum
by her marriage. and the poor in gel
eral and the Masonic poor in partiet
lar, had good reason to be thankf,
for her numerous and bountiful acts {
kindness.-N !. World