DATE: November 13th, 1785 Feast of Saint Homobonus WEATHER: Chill OUTLOOK: Warming

Homobonus, as his name implies, was a good man. Trained by his father in the craft of tailoring, he earned an enviable reputation for skill, precision and integrity. He never cut corners, neither did he pad his part – or his accounts. On top of his professional probity he was renowned for his piety, his generosity in alms giving and his care for the needy and the sick. During the Gloria at Mass, on this day in 1197, he stretched forth his arms like Christ crucified and fell dead. He is the patron of Cremona, though he was never guilty of fiddling.
     I have always felt uncomfortable in the company of fellows who are too well groomed. Beardless youths may be excused their indulgence in peacock displays but primping and preening are unseemly in a man. Lightfoote spends little time before his looking-glass; he has better things to do.
     It is now thirty years since I was initiated into the Stonic Lodge. It had been my father’s Lodge and it saddens me still that he never lived to see me enlightened in it. I console myself with the wearing of his apron. I suppose that one could say, without fear of contradiction, that it has seen better days, as have we all, but I live in hope – nay, I am firmly confident – that it shall see better days yet, if only when worn by another. It’s a little ragged around the edges, it might even be described as grubby, but it is, after all, work clothing: artisan’s attire.
     A brace of my brethren – brothers by blood as well as by bond, builders by trade as well as by predilection! – appeared at our last meeting most splendidly attired. Their lambskin, as if purged by hyssop, was whiter than snow, their satin shone like spun glass and their gold thread glittered like the sun itself.
     Verily, Solomon is all his glory was not arrayed like one of these and great was the interest shown in their finery. Lightfoote remained aloof as the origin of these remarkable garments was discussed. They had been “designed” and produced, using locally sourced materials, by messrs. Oistrach and Katz of Whitechapel. Sewn into the lining of each apron was an embroidered label which read “Dressing the Discerning: OK” They had cost fifteen shillings each.
     Lightfoote could remain aloof no longer! I remember the days when, for fifteen shillings, a man could indulge in a long, liquid lunch in St. James’s, sleep it off at the opera, have dinner in St. Martin’s Lane, stroll up into Soho to seek further diversion, should he be up to it, and still have change for a sedan chair home.
     When the suggestion was put forward that, were the entire Lodge to be OK equipped, the price would drop to ten shillings – a substantial discount! – Lightfoote felt obliged to intervene. There are twenty-nine members of the Stonic Lodge; twenty-nine times ten shillings equals fourteen pounds ten, a sum of money that would clothe the orphans of the parish for a year! There was silence in the House of Judgement.
     The brethren, especially the two with the new pinafores, looked crestfallen. Lightfoote felt a pang of guilt. Had he been a little hard? Had he been a little self-righteous? Pompous? A canting old hypocrite? What would his father have said? Dear me… Lightfoote, albeit with the best of intentions, had been disputatious, and we all know whither that may lead. A solution had to be found.
     A voice whispered in his ear. Beaming, I addressed my sullen brethren. My father, I informed them, would be pleased that I was wearing his badge but sad that it was shabby. I would therefore be happy to purchase and OK apron, for ten shillings, but only on the understanding that I would deposit a like sum with the treasurer towards a Christmas box for the Lodge’s widows and assistance to the local poor. Better still, I would make the total up to a guinea in order to demonstrate that a mason, when he can, will always put others above himself, after which I would wear my new apron with satisfaction, pride being a sin. Wisdom in judgement, Strength of purpose and Beauty in adornment would all be demonstrated at once.
     Motion carried nem con. Now we all feel good because we have done good and we look good into the bargain.
     Everything is OK.

There was a young fellow of fashion
Whose spending on clothes knew no ration.
He insisted on breeches
With very tight stitches
He looks lithe but I’m told he lacks passion.