Oath of Allegiance and Rules of Membership

After two desperate years when we thought them lost forever, the Oath of Allegiance and Rules of Membership of La Société des Flâneurs Sans Frontières, drawn up in alcoholic extremis at the Convocation in Arles, August 2003 (and promptly mislaid) have at last resurfaced (in the wrapping of an eighth of exclusive Jhansi blend in Squatter's snuff box as it happens - 'savage stuff, Ponsonby').

Each new member, one hand on Les Fleurs du Mal, a glass of Absinthe in the other, recites the following in the presence of the Grand Master of his Chapter, and not less than three other senior grades in the Order (at least one of whom must show some semblance of conscious awareness):

'I, XXXX, do most solemnly swear to be a loyal member of La Société des Flâneurs Sans Frontières, to partake fully and freely in the spirit of international flânerie, and to abide by the Five Iron Laws of the Order, to whit:

1. To be utterly spiffing at all times;
2. To be upright and true (except when tactical considerations make that unwise)
3. To stand unflinchingly for the principles of La Societe (if any)
4. To be perpetually and profoundly confusing and misleading in all dealings with officials, bureaucrats, managers, traffic wardens and others of their ilk.
5. (This was illegible, and no one could remember it).'