COWANS AND EAVESDROPPERS

by William R. Fischer

 

 

COWANS

A term of contempt, applied to a person who does the work of a Mason but has not been regularly initiated. This term is an old Scottish word, it is purely Masonic in nature meaning an ignorant Man who puts stones together without mortar. He attempts to pass himself off as a Master Mason without being initiated.

 

EAVESDROPPER

An eavesdropper is an illicit listener. Eavesdropping is the punishment inflicted on a person, who is caught attempts to receive the secrets of Freemasonry, through other means than that of joining as an Entered Apprentice. "To be placed under the eaves of the house in rainy weather, till the water runs in at the shoulders and out at his heels."

 

 

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