THE COMPANIONAGE.
213
the Companions appear to have been regarded with the same indifference wliich has been
manifested by the Masonic writers of a subsequent era.
A
Wearied by their pernicious
a workman of superior intelligence, undertook the
strife, Agricol Perdiguier,
In 1841 he published his
apparently hopeless task of reconciling the various factions.
"
Livre du Compagnonnage," giving as accurate an account of their history and traditions as
light was, however,
suddenly shed on this obscure subject.
and insensate
the nature of his oath would permit, followed by very sensible reflections and an earnest
appeal to all parties to cease their fratricidal quarrels and unite for the general good.
Previous attempts had been made in a like direction, but without having recourse to the
This writer was replied to by another workman, Moreau,^ whose intentions
printing-press.
were equally enlightened, but who objected to the means employed by Perdiguier.
work, however, seems to have startled the world (in France, of course). The
Perdiguier's
late
George
and was so impressed by his philanthropic aims, that,
as related by Perdiguier himself, she furnished him with funds to undertake afresh the tour
The same year the talented authoress
of France, and to preach his new gospel to his fellows.
Sand invited the author
to visit her,
published her novel, "Le Compagnon du Tour de France" (1841); and attention being thus
forcibly called to the Companionage, within the next few years the subject was further dealt
with by other writers,- many of whom were themselves com])anions.
It will
be seen that a new
spirit
was already infused
into the society,
inasmuch as but
In
few years previously such proceedings would have been looked upon with horror.
when Perdiguier was about to publish a volume of simple songs for the use of his
1834,
a
and by means of a preparatory circular canvassed for
"
such a thing never had been and never ought
subscribers, he was indignantly informed that
to be done." ^
Such was the scrupulous secrecy observed by the Companions. But although
the society objected to the publicity of the press, it by no means follows that all their
fellows at their festive re-unions,
instruction
natui'e
was purely
was committed
we
oral, for
to writing,
shall easily convince ourselves that
much
of
an important
and carefully preserv