196 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book r.

but by the chief of the order. So of the first grandmaster that abdicated (in 1170) we read “ he laiddown his girdle and the seals and the purse.” 1The birro was at one time the most distinguish-ing part of the crusader’s dress: “dressed in abirro, that is the dress of a traveller to Jerusalem,”says a chronicle of the first crusade. 2 Many lamentthe loss of the early papers; but have never takenthe pains to consult what exist, with the intentionof giving the names of whatever of the ancientknights were yet discoverable ; but here are a few,thanks to the two Paolis. The learned Bosiospends not a word about the founder’s companions,and was led into this mistake by the person hesent to inspect the Vatican MS., as often happensto those who judge by others’, not their own eyes. 3Vertot would perhaps have tried. But where washe to obtain the information? He did what was inhis power for France by publishing the list inProvence. Neither are the three, instanced by himas the founder’s companions, to be held so; for itwould be to make Sir Raymond de Puys one hun-dred and twenty-six years old—so great an agethat it requires to be proved, not supposed, beingextraordinary; still worse Gaston. Conon was a

1 P. A. Paoli: 230. 2 Id. : 226.

3 Id. : 208.