The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTHONY ONEAL HAYE . ( Continued from page 126 . ) BOOK IL—CHAPTER III . —( Continued . ) The Knight , immediately after his reception ,

commenced his duties . Generally , he was attached to the preceptory in which he was received , but sometimes he was sent off to another . He was supplied with clothes , armour , equipments , and horses from the funds of the Order . His dress

was a long white tunic , resembling a priest ' s cassock , with a red cross upon the back and front , his girdle under this , above his linen shirt . He wore his white cloak , with the ruddy cross on the left breast , shaped like the one on which Christ

suffered , and which , as we have already said , was an emblem of the martyrdom to which he stood daily exposed , over armour of chained mail . The cloak could be looped up when necessary , so as to give full play to his arm when wielding mace ,

sword , or spear . On his head he wore a white linen coif , and over that a small round cap of red cloth attached to the cloak , a protection for his head from the heat of the sun . In battle , underneath the cap , was worn a steel skull cap , instead of the usual helmet

His arms were shield , sword , lance , and mace . The shield was triangular , with the red cross of the Order emblazoned upon it ; his sword crosshilted , that should he fall in battle he might gaze upon the symbol of his redemption in his last

moments ; and from his lance depended a small swallow-tailed banner , likewise embroidered with the ruddy cross . His equipments , on account of the excessive heat of Palestine , and the necessity for speed in combats with the Infidel , were lighter

than those of secular Knishts . The Knight , by Chapters 30 and 31 , was allowed an Esquire and three horses . " Let three horses be allotted to each Kni ght , for the noted poverty of the House of God , and of the Temple of

Solomon , does not at present permit of an increase of the number , unless it be with the licence of the Master . . . . For the same reason we grant unto each Knight only one Esquire ; but if that Esquire serve any Knight gratisand for charity

, , it is not lawful to chide him , nor to strike him for any fault . " Chapter 32 provides for the supply of horses : — "We order you to purchase for all the Knights

desiring to serve Christ in purity of spirit , horses fit for their daily occasions , and whatever is necessary for the due discharge of their profession . And we judge it fitting and expedient to have the horses valued by either party equally , and let

the price be kept in writing , that it may not be forgotten . And whatsoever shall be necessary for the Knight , or his horses , or his Esquire , adding the furniture requisite for the horses , let it be bestowed out of the same house according : to "

the ability of that house . If , in the meanwhile , by some mischance it should happen that the Knight has lost his horses in the service , it is the duty of the Master and of the house to find him in others ; but , on this being done , the Knight

himself , through the love of God , should pay half the price , the remainder , if it so please him , he may receive from the community of the brethren . " By Chapter 20 , to all the professed Knights , both in summer and winter , was given , if they

could be procured , white garments , that those who had cast behind them a dark life might know that they were to commend themselves to their Creator by a pure and white life . "For what is whiteness but perfect chastity , and chastity is the

security of the soul and the health of the body . Unless every Knight shall continue chaste , he shall not come to perpetual rest , nor see God , as the Apostle Paul witnesseth . * Follow after peace with all men , and chastity , without which no man shall see God ! ' "

By Chapter 22 it was granted to none to wear white habits , or to have white mantles , excepting the Knights . By Chapter 23 , it was forbidden any brother of the Temple to wear skins or cloaks , or anything

serving as a covering for the body in the winter , even the cassock made of skins , except they were made of lambs' or rams' skin . This struck at

the use of expensive furs then so much in vogue . Chapter 25 provided that if any brother wished as a matter of right , or from motives of pride , to have the fairest or best habit , for such presumption he was to have the worst .

By Chapter 37 , it was ruled that neither gold nor silver , which were the marks of private wealth , should ever be seen on the bridles , breastplates , or spurs of the Kni ghts , nor was it permitted to any brother to buy such . If , indeed , such like

furniture should have been charitably bestowed upon any one , the gold and silver was to be so coloured that their splendour and beauty might