THE COMPANIONAGE.
221
These two families allowed the younger class
no participation in their ceremonies, assemblies, or festivals, and the members of the upper
"
the
class sometimes assumed nicknames descriptive of their scorn for the novices, such as
divided into Companions and foxes (r^nards)}
"
To all the societies the connection
the terror of the aspirants," etc.
scourge of the foxes,"
with Hiram appears to have been known, and in some the members habiof the stonemasons
tually wore white gloves, giving as a reason that they did so in
order
testify to their
to
innocence in his death.-
In matters of costume other distinctions were made.
others short ones, usually iron-tipped.
lection of the canes
common
which saved the
to the Sons of both
life
The use
Some
of these canes
of Maitre Jacques
Solomon and Soubise,
societies carried long canes,
;
is
attributed to the recol-
but inasmuch as the canes are
this explanation
would not meet
all cases.
Each society boasted its own colours, wlrich took the form of long silk ribbons of distinctive
hues, attached as the case might be, either to the hat, collar, or some specified button-hole.
Both ribbons and canes were held in high esteem, and to carry off one or the other from an
enemy in personal combat was considered a most gallant action. The canes were used as
walking sticks on journeys, but as murderous weapons in the fray. As personal badges, the
formed
square and compasses were the common property of all crafts and societies, and earrings
same implements and also of other tools were not unusual. But
the members of the first degree allowed any distinctions or colours
Solomon alone excepted. These wore white and green ribbons attached
of the
in no fraternities
—the
were
stonemasons of
to the right breast.
In every town of the tour of France each fraternity and every division thereof had its
These were elected twice a year, and
officers, consisting of president, elders, and secretary.
amongst the Sons of Solomon the members of the lowest class participated in the ballot;
in the other divisions they were not only denied a voice in the election, but were obliged to
receive as president of their degree a
member
The president took the name
of the upper class.
Companion, first young man, first aspirant, or first fox, according to the degree over
Their four
The joiners and locksmiths of Solomon, however, differed.
which he presided.
formed only one society, and the president might belong to either the initiated or the
degrees
In the former case he was called Dignitary, and wore over the right
finished Companions.
of
first
arm a blue scarf fringed with gold lace, and the square and comIn the latter he simply took the title of First Companion,
interlaced on his breast.
passes
and added a gold fringe to his coloured ribbons.
Perdiguier, speaking of this, his own
shoulder and under the left
of its
fraternity, takes care to point out the republican equality
members.
"
He
says
:
We
see
that a hierarchy was established in this society, which nevertheless does not exclude a perfect
The Companions and the affiliates are intermixed in the workequality of aU its members.
has not
shop and at table, and are gathered together in the same assemblies. A Companion
more power over an affiliate than the latter over a Companion."
Some of these crafts are not satisfied with one or two ribbons. The shoemakers obtain two
on their
initiation, a red
they pass.
1
and a
blue, but
These ribbons are a
add one at every town
fruitful
source of