Women and Freemasonry in the Eighteenth Century
The first letter written by Louët is dated December 3 or 5 , 1760 . In it she proclaims her great joy in welcoming a new Brother , exhorts him to set to work , and confirms that she will soon give him a catechism and a Masonic alphabet . 31
The third letter , written April 26 , 1761 , apprises brother Giroust of the coming initiation of a Benedictine priest and invites him in these terms : “ We would be most flattered should your affairs allow us soon the honour and the pleasure of your coming to see us . We would hold a brilliant lodge during your stay here — we have received a new brother who is a priest , a Benedictine , the son of Mme de Reuzé . It is a most excellent acquisition , and one that will make for many further such .”
The fourth letter , of June 25 , 1761 , is a convocation penned by the Brother Secretary . It is concerned with the number of guests to expect for the agapes , reminds everyone to be on time , and warns them not to present themselves at the lodge without white gloves trimmed with crimson ribbon . Madame de Cordaiz , to whom responses are to be addressed , is referred to in this letter as “ our Trustee .” 32
The seventh letter is , once more , a convocation from the secretary . It is dated July 18 , 1763 , and mentions Madame de Cordaiz , “ our Illustrious Grand Mistress .” 33
The sixth letter , dated November 18 , 1762 , is a letter of reprimand . In it , Louët de Cordaiz regrets the absence of Brother Giroust and of several Beaufort Brothers at a meeting judged by her to be of great importance . She informs Giroust that she has put to the vote the admission of a candidate she knew he would like to have met ; she proposes that his reception take place when she returns from Angers . 34 “ I hope I shall be better pleased this time than I was yesterday ,” she concludes .
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 31 “ We are , for our part , enchanted to have you as our Brother , as we fully intend to prove
to you at every opportunity . I exhort you , my Dearest Faithful Brother , to enliven your zeal , so as to place yourself among the number of brothers who exert their talents to bring Emulation to the lodge .” Letter 1 , of 3 December , 1760 . 32 “ As secretary of the Longué lodge , I have the honor to inform you that our assembly
for the month of July will take place the 6th — that is to say , a week on Monday . All our Brothers pray you to notify them whether or not you will come , and if you intend that your cover [ sic ( couvercle )] shall pay for you in case you do not come , having promised to do so . Allow us to take our sureties thereupon , so that the meal may be proportionate to the number of Brothers […] and by no means present yourself at the lodge without white gloves trimmed with crimson ribbon according to the custom […] Please have the goodness to address your response to Madame de Cordaiz , our Trustee .” Letter 4 , of June 25 , 1761 . 33 “ In my capacity as Secretary of the Society I inform you that the General Lodge is
fixed for the second Tuesday of next month . Please have the goodness to make known as soon as possible whether you will be able to attend , so as to order the quantity of victuals according to the number of persons who will have promised to attend the feast ; and to address your response to our Illustrious Grand Mistress Madame de Cordaiz at her Château at Hurtfauderie .” Letter 7 , undated . 34 “ I was as surprised as I was distressed , Sir and Dearest Brother , not to have had the
pleasure of seeing you attend this lodge that took place yesterday for the reception of M . le Comte de Maillé [ or Maille ], cousin of the Marquis of that name . I did write to you last Monday to ensure that you would be there . I am sure that my letter was delivered to you since it was Mlle [ name illegible ] who was charged with its delivery . Yesterday I expected four Brothers from Beaufort and not one of them came ,
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