-
Articles/Ads
Article AN INCIDENT OF THE ST. LEGER FAMILY. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Incident Of The St. Leger Family.
pulse was naturally to escape— -a step which was not to be so easily accomplished as she imagined ; but even in her own estimation of the danger , the course she hastily resolved on manifested a degree of courage seldom to be found in one of her years , sex :, and station . The only mode of egress was through the very room in which the concluding part of the second step was being solemnised ; and as the
room was spacious , and one end only—that remotest from the entrance—occupied by those engaged in the ceremony , she determined to attempt her escape that way , which she fancied might be possible without attracting observation . With , noiseless , but trembling step , and fluttering heart , she glided across the lodge-room , and reached the doorway unnoticed—a circumstance certainly remarkable , and only to be accounted for by the solemn and engrossing
character of the ceremony then being enacted . Grently arid noiselessly she opened the door , believing that she was now beyond the risk of detection and its consequences—but to her dismay , and the destruction of her newly-born hopes , she found standing before her the grim and surly Tyler , with his naked sword and other insignia of office . -This sudden and unexpected meeting was too much for her presence of mind , had such , indeed , been of any avail . A shriek > of
terror alarmed the Brethren present , who rushed in a body to the entrance , and would , it is said , in the first paroxysm of their rage , have sacrificed the life of the fair spectatress ; but at the earnest and affectionate intercession of her youngest brother , a member of the Lodge , and with whom she was a great favourite , she was spared on condition of formally passing through'the solemn ceremony to which she had been an unlawful witness . She readily consented ; and the
fair and terrified girl was conducted through those trials which are sometimes sufficient to unnerve the sterner sex ; and in due form was admitted a member of theBrotherhood . They thus adopted , as a painful alternative , a step on w hich they had reason to reflect with mingled feelings of pride and pleasure—for they that night received into the bosom of the Craft a member who afterwards shed a lustre on the annals of Masonry , and who , in her character as a lady , became one of society ' s most brilliant ornaments .
Miss St . Leger was married to Richard Alworth , Esq ., of Newmarket , a gentleman of high honour and respectability , and member of an ancient family . On every occasion when a theatrical benefit was given in Dublin or Cork for the admirable institution known as the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum , Mrs . Alworth appeared at the head of the Brethren , wearing her apron and other insignia of
Freemasonry , and sat in a prominent place of the theatre . It is unnecessary to say that on such occasions the house was always crowded to excess , and that tho benefits accruing to the charity were substantial . So much did this estimable woman , in her private as well as her Masonic character , command admiration , that her portrait is to be found in almost every Lodge in Ireland .
Mrs . Alworth was cousin to General Anthony St . Leger , governor of St . Lucia , who instituted the race known by his name , for tho celebrated Lancaster St . Leger Stakes . J . C .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Incident Of The St. Leger Family.
pulse was naturally to escape— -a step which was not to be so easily accomplished as she imagined ; but even in her own estimation of the danger , the course she hastily resolved on manifested a degree of courage seldom to be found in one of her years , sex :, and station . The only mode of egress was through the very room in which the concluding part of the second step was being solemnised ; and as the
room was spacious , and one end only—that remotest from the entrance—occupied by those engaged in the ceremony , she determined to attempt her escape that way , which she fancied might be possible without attracting observation . With , noiseless , but trembling step , and fluttering heart , she glided across the lodge-room , and reached the doorway unnoticed—a circumstance certainly remarkable , and only to be accounted for by the solemn and engrossing
character of the ceremony then being enacted . Grently arid noiselessly she opened the door , believing that she was now beyond the risk of detection and its consequences—but to her dismay , and the destruction of her newly-born hopes , she found standing before her the grim and surly Tyler , with his naked sword and other insignia of office . -This sudden and unexpected meeting was too much for her presence of mind , had such , indeed , been of any avail . A shriek > of
terror alarmed the Brethren present , who rushed in a body to the entrance , and would , it is said , in the first paroxysm of their rage , have sacrificed the life of the fair spectatress ; but at the earnest and affectionate intercession of her youngest brother , a member of the Lodge , and with whom she was a great favourite , she was spared on condition of formally passing through'the solemn ceremony to which she had been an unlawful witness . She readily consented ; and the
fair and terrified girl was conducted through those trials which are sometimes sufficient to unnerve the sterner sex ; and in due form was admitted a member of theBrotherhood . They thus adopted , as a painful alternative , a step on w hich they had reason to reflect with mingled feelings of pride and pleasure—for they that night received into the bosom of the Craft a member who afterwards shed a lustre on the annals of Masonry , and who , in her character as a lady , became one of society ' s most brilliant ornaments .
Miss St . Leger was married to Richard Alworth , Esq ., of Newmarket , a gentleman of high honour and respectability , and member of an ancient family . On every occasion when a theatrical benefit was given in Dublin or Cork for the admirable institution known as the Masonic Female Orphan Asylum , Mrs . Alworth appeared at the head of the Brethren , wearing her apron and other insignia of
Freemasonry , and sat in a prominent place of the theatre . It is unnecessary to say that on such occasions the house was always crowded to excess , and that tho benefits accruing to the charity were substantial . So much did this estimable woman , in her private as well as her Masonic character , command admiration , that her portrait is to be found in almost every Lodge in Ireland .
Mrs . Alworth was cousin to General Anthony St . Leger , governor of St . Lucia , who instituted the race known by his name , for tho celebrated Lancaster St . Leger Stakes . J . C .