THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

tried cases, adjusted disputes, and regulated the craft; but they were
also occasions of festival and social good will. At a later time they
declined, and the functions of initiation more and more reverted to the
Lodges.
[85] The subject of Mason's Marks is most interesting, particularly
with reference to the origin and growth of Gothic architecture, but too
intricate to be entered upon here. As for example, an essay entitled
"Scottish Mason's Marks Compared with Those of Other Countries," by
Prof. T.H. Lewis, _British Archaeological Association_, 1888, and the
theory there advanced that some great unknown architect introduced
Gothic architecture from the East, as shown by the difference in
Mason's Marks as compared with those of the Norman period. (Also
proceedings of _A. Q. C._, iii, 65-81.)
[86] _History of Masonry_, Steinbrenner. It consisted of a short black
tunic--in summer made of linen, in winter of wool--open at the sides,
with a gorget to which a hood was attached; round the waist was a
leathern girdle, from which depended a sword and a satchel. Over the
tunic was a black scapulary, similar to the habit of a priest, tucked
under the girdle when they were working, but on holydays allowed to
hang down. No doubt this garment also served as a coverlet at night, as
was the custom of the Middle Ages, sheets and blankets being luxuries
enjoyed only by the rich and titled (_History of Agriculture and Prices
in England_, T. Rogers). On their heads they wore large felt or straw
hats, and tight leather breeches and long boots completed the garb.
[87] Gloves were more widely used in the olden times than now, and the
practice of giving them as presents was common in mediaeval times.
Often, when the harvest was over, gloves were distributed to the
laborers who gathered it (_History of Prices in England_, Rogers), and
richly embroidered gloves formed an offering gladly accepted by
princes. Indeed, the bare hand was regarded as a symbol of hostility,
and the gloved hand a token of peace and goodwill. For Masons, however,
the white gloves and apron had meanings hardly guessed by others, and
their symbolism remains to this day with its simple and eloquent
appeal. (See chapter on "Masonic Clothing and Regalia," in _Things a
Freemason Should Know_, by J.W. Crowe, an interesting article by
Rylands, _A. Q. C._, vol. v, and the delightful essay on "Gloves," by
Dr. Mackey, in his _Symbolism of Freemasonry_.) Not only the tools of
the builder, but his clothing, had moral meaning.
[88] _Tiler_--like the word _cable-tow_--is a word peculiar to the
language of Masonry, and means one who guards the Lodge to see that
only Masons are within ear-shot. It probably derives from the Middle
Ages when the makers of tiles for roofing were also of migratory habits
(_History of Prices in England_, Rogers), and accompanied the
Free-masons to perform their share of the work of covering buildings.
Some tiler was appointed to act as sentinel to keep off intruders, and
hence, in course of time, the name of Tiler came to be applied to any
Mason who guarded the Lodge.
[89] Much has been written of the derivation and meaning of the word
_cowan_, some finding its origin in a Greek term meaning "dog." (See
"An Inquiry Concerning Cowans," by D. Ramsay, _Review of Freemasonry_,
vol. i.) But its origin is still to seek, unless we accept it as an old
Scotch word of contempt (_Dictionary of Scottish Language_, Jamieson).