Monthly Masonic Summary.

expletive , of abuse , of anathema , of cursing , of offensive jargon , of deliberate untruth . But in their anger R . Catholic Avriters and the R . Catholic fanaticism spare neither the living nor the dead . Freemasonry heeds it not , happily ; but is strong in itself , trusting to its own

inherent truth , and hoping yet to obtain the admiration of its foes , as Avell as to merit the deA-otion of its friends . In England , in 1875 , the great Charitable Institutions lm-e been Avell supported by the Masonic body , let us hope that the same disinterested liberality will be exhibited in 1876 .

Twenty-six thousand pounds Avere raised iu round numbers for the three Metropolitan charities , and Ave have no reason to doubt but that Ave shall haA'e to announce a continuance of the same praise-Avorthy zeal for the great end of

Freemasoniy in the year before us . The Order is materiall y flourishing , Lodges are increasing , and neAV members are being constantly admitted—some think too rapidly ; but A \ 'e venture to hope that as 1 S 75 has been but a constant record of

Masonic loyalty , zeal , charity , and prosperity , so 1 S 7 G may also Avifcnessthe general ancl peaceful progress of our Avorlcl-Avide confraternity as Avell as the Avelfare and development of our English Masonry .

The Honble Mrs. Aldworth.

THE HONBLE MRS . ALDWORTH .

WE publish as the frontispiece to our first iiumber ' of the Magazine for 1 S 76 a remarkably Avell-executec ! engraA'ing of this excellent and amiable lady , from an Irish print of the early part of this century , Most of our readers Avill knoAV at once that Ave have here the "Lady Freemason . "

We will not say the only daughter of Eve Avho has gained . someboAV or other , admittance to our secrets and order , for one or two candidates for the same fame and the same distinction have arisen since . But this Ave may saythat Are hai'e in

, our pleasant-featured and Avarm-hearted sister , the original and genuine Irish lady Freemason ! Mrs . Aid worth Avas a member of a A'ery distinguished famil y herself . She Avas a St . Leger , descended from illustrious ancestorsand second daughter of Arthur

, St . Leger , first Viscount Doneraile and Baron Kihneader . Her mother Avas the daughter of John Hayes , of Winehelsea , in the county of

Sussex . The date of her birth and the time of her death are both still someAvbat uncertain ; but she was probably born about the middle of the last century , and died about the beginning of this . She married Richard AldAvortli , Esq ,, of ISTeAvmarket , Cork , a member of an old and honourable family , and appears to have obtained , as she evidently merited , the love and attachment of all AVIIO kneAv her .

She is said to ha \ -e been a most benevolent person , kind to the poor , and considerate to her dependants , and her countenance is certainly a striking representation of meekness of disposition and amiability of temperament . When or IIOAV she became a Freemason

is not quite clear . The old story of the clock for a long time was believed in , ancl still has many adherents ; but the account , Ave belieA r e , approved of by her family is that she obtained a glimjise of the Lodge proceedingsby a chink she made in an

, intervening Avail . Her brother was W . M . of the Lodge , which met at her father ' s mansion , Doneraile House , and on one occasion Avhen this Lodge ( No . 150 ) Avas assembled for work , the not unnatural curiosity of a young

and high-spirited Avoman , led to the steps which resulted in her reception into the Masonic fraternity . This is all , Ave think , that can be said on the matter , one Avay or the other . Certain it is that Mrs . Alihvorth

always claimed to be a Freemason to the time of her death , ancl Avas always recognized as such , and many of her Masonic relies still exist in Ireland . She Avas an orna ment to her sex and a credit to Freemasonry , and justly may our Irish brethren be proud of their graceful and benevolent

sister , and it may be truly said of her , Avhat is too often untruly said of others ; " she lived beloved , and died lamented . " A short memoir of her was published at Cork in 1811 , from Avhich , thanks to a kindly Irish Brother , ancl of the friendly

and ready permission of a A enerable member of her own family , to Avhoni Ave tender our respectful thanks , Ave have taken the main facts of this humble little biography . We Avish , indeed , that some Irish Brother would give us a full ancl careful account of

this interesting ancl amiable Sister . The history of such a person—so eminent for goodness of heart and elevation of charaeter , would fitly illustrate ancl adorn the annals of Irish Freemasonry .