THE STONEMASONS OF GERMANY.
i64
combine, in placing vividly before us, the importance and the dignity
of the chief master at Strassburg ; and scarcely one of them omits to mention that he was
Masonic writers
all
If, however, tliis
invested with a sword, and sat enthroned imder a canopy or baldachin.
traced from one authority to another up to the fountain-head, we find
assertion is carefully
that
it
originates
in the
work
of a non-mason,
viz.,
Stocls (p. 85),
who
says he has been
Without being
It, therefore, rests simply on hearsay.^
either way, it affords, nevertheless, a good example of the manner in
a matter of importance
which masonic history has been written. But without importing into the case any extravagant
"
informed
that such was the case."
wielded an immense
conclusions, no doubt need be entertained that the overjudge at Strassburg
of the Ordinances before us, it is hardly
influence
although, looking at the whole spirit
decisions were promulgated on his own sole and undivided
conceivable that his judicial
Like the district masters, he had probably to avail himself of the assistance of
authority.
of the craft in general
neighbouring, or perhaps provincial masters, and of the fellows
'^
;
with the high
Eeverting once more to the Ordinances, we become powerfully impressed
tone of their morality the prohibition of open adultery, gambling, intemperance, unseemly
conduct of aU kinds, and opprobrious language is constant also the evidence of a scrupulous
Not that such regulations are wanting in other
regard for the interests of the employers.
morals in the
trades; no Ordinance or charter omits to provide for the maintenance of good
or
and even the respective clauses of the different charters bear a strong
;
;
guild
fraternity;
Even
resemblance.
their rules of personal etiquette
The shoemakers considered
were minute.
to pass
it a high offence to take off their shoes in the presence of the landlord or landlady
air.
to eat in the open
three houses in the street without shoes, collar, or hat
They also
;
;
etc.^
prohibited obscene swearing, blasphemy, larceny, open profligacy, gaming, dicing,
articles against bribery are noteworthy (XLIX., 21, 90, 100, and 102) also some others,
The
;
which point
(Arts. 56 and
(Arts.
to evils not
unknown
to
86), rattening (Art. 68),
XX. and
L.).
workmen
Blue
of the present day, namely, unpunctuality
Monday
(Ails. S3, 84,
and
LI.), and, finally, strikes
—
The question has been often asked what was the particular handicraft of which the stonemasons claimed a monopoly, and to forbid a participation therein by others their Ordinances
—
The answer has always been ashlar^that is, squared stonework. When
we, however, reflect that this was requisite in buildings without pretension to architectural
merit, and that it is a work which could not demand a five years' apprenticeship to learn, the
answer is unsatisfactory. It was worlc which the stonehewer {Steinhauer, as distinguished
from Steinmdz) was allowed to practise, although, of c