Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

Two verses follow which reiterate the ardent allegiance of the masons,
offer an unflattering description of the fate of Robespierre, and praise the
bravery of the British people:
When Wilson the Standard unfolded displays
Acclamations are heard and Repeated Huzzas
While Robertspeare is doomed & died married to shame
Good Magistrates are nich’d in the Temple of Fame
No terror a threatened invasion can breed
In the man fired for conquest or bravely to bleed
Enthusiasts we’er all for our country and our laws
What coward would fly death in so glorious a cause? 34
Another incident of orthodox patriotism is recorded in the minutes from
Roman Eagle Lodge No. 160 in Edinburgh. On 14 January 1808, the lodge
reported that
148
After the Grand Master Elect retired the Depute Master…made a very
appropriate and Expressive Speech to the Brethren, wherein he pointed
out to them the very Elegant manner in which the Room was fitted up
this Evening for the reception of the Grand Lodge, The Brethren will
easily conceive the beautiful manner in which the Orchestra was
Decorated so completely with Green Branches and Illuminated with One
Hundred and twelve variegated [candles], in the… Room were placed
the Busts upon proper Pedestals of the immortal…Charles James Fox,
Lord Nelson the Hero of the Nile and of Trafalgar, probably there never
were in any country two Men of equal celebrity and Virtue. The Lodge
in a very proper manner drank…to their remembrance in usual Masonic
Form, The Room was full and the Musical Entertainment was great. 35
Some lodges, such as No. 27 St Mungo’s in Glasgow, endeavoured to
keep politics from entering into lodges. For instance, in a minute dated 4
November 1788, the lodge noted that although “this being the Night appointed
by the Magistrates for Celebrating the Memory of the Revolution in 1688…The
34 Ibid.
35 No. 160 Roman Eagle Lodge Minutes, 14 January 1808.