Original Correspondence.

more especially as the institution receives the benefit of every ticket sold . Every 200 tickets constitutes a Life Governorship . I am , dear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally yours , J CONSTABLE , S . W ., 185 .

58 , Richmond-road , Barnsbury July 7 th , 1878 . Tickets may be had of the writer and the foi lowing brethren : —Jas . Terry , Freemasons Hall ; T . J . Barnes , 44 a , Mile-End-road ; E

Gottheil , 120 , Mile-End-road ; H . M . Levy , 24 , Southampton-row ; W . Buck , 5 , Bow Church Yard , E . C . ; A . Parkinson , 19 , Lawrence-lane , E . C ; H . R . Davies , 14 , Well-street , E . C . ; J . Pinder , City Bank Chambers , Threadneedle Street . E . C

Summer Festival Of Lodges 192 And 766.

SUMMER FESTIVAL OF LODGES 192 AND 766 .

The Lion and Lamb and William Preston Lodges ( Nos . 192 and 766 ) , both meeting at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon Street , celebrated a joint summer festival at the Rosherville Hotel , Gravesend , Kent , on Thursday the 3 rd instant , under the Presidency of the two W .

Masters , Bro . Francis Trott , W . M . of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , occupying the chair as President , and Bro . Geo . Newman , W . M ., of the William Preston , as Vice-President . The company consisted of about 60 ladies and gentlemen , as representatives of the two lodges . The dinner

and other refreshments provided for the occasion were of the most recherche description , and great credit and thanks are due to the Bros . Roberts , the proprietors of the hotel , for their excellent catering , as well as for their general attention to render the occasion a comfortable

and happy meeting . The cloth having been removed , the President proposed the "Health of the Queen and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " to both of which were accorded the usual honours . Bro . Captain G . J . Kain , P . M .,

and Secretary of the William Preston Lodge , then gave the " Health of the President , and prosperity to the Lion and Lamb Lodge . " Bro . J . G . Marsh , P . M ., and Secretary to the Lion and Lamb Lodge , proposed the ' Health of the Vice-President , and prosperity to the William Preston

Lodge , " both toasts were most cordially received and responded to by the respective AV . Masters . The table entertainment concluded by Bro . Geo . Newman proposing the " Health of the Visitors , " and Bro . Trott " The Ladies . " Bro . W . Worrell , of the William Preston Lodge , replied

in a humorous speech . A portion of the company then retired to the ball room of the Swiss Cottage , for the light fantastic toe amusements , where refreshments were bountifully supplied during the whole evening , whilst others repaired to the garden to

render the conclusion a happy day . Amongst the brethren present we noticed Bros . W . Goodyer , Treasurer , Lion and Lamb Lodge ; Geo . Kenning ; E . Roberts , Director of Ceremonies ; E . King , Steward ; W . Ramsey ; J . Cook ; F . Fellowes , Steward ; J . Kent , W .

Bates , B . Marsland , H . Davis , J . Collis , W . Cotter , W . Donne , Geo . Abbott , Charles Arkcll , W . Waring , W . Regan . Bros . Brand , of the William Preston Lodge ; Harper , Gray , Dr . Bird , Dettmar , Forskett , J . Khmer , Hart , McColly , Nicholson , Major Dowdell , Wren , Hoare , and Bro . | ardine , of the St . George ' s

Lodge , nearly all of whom were accompanied by their ladies . We need scarcely say that this , the first occasion of the union of these two Lodges at a summer festival , was a most agreeable meeting , and we may further say a most successful one . Bro . J . G . Marsh and Captain G . J . Kain , acted as Honorarv Secretaries .

Tin ; PERSIAN VISIT TC ENCLAND . — We are infoimed that several mt . tubers of the Shah ' s suite inUnd to stud their sens to England to be educated . A beginning has been already made by his Chamberlain , who has left his son under the cate of Dr . L . Schmilz , to be educated at the Interi atioLal College , at Spring-grove , near Islcworth .

William Preston.

WILLIAM PRESTON .

Bro . William Preston was entered , passed and raised among the "Ancients , " a society which had its origin in a schism and secession from the Grand Lodge of England . Preston ' s clear perception , however , soon convinced him that his party was not a legally constituted one , and he

left them and applied for and was received into membership under the banner of the regular Grand Lodge of England . With the utmost assiduity did he stud y the principles of our society , and a bright and successful student was he . He saw that the hidden treasures of

Speculative Freemasonry , as established in 1717 , required a more general developement , in order to be more fully understood by the ordinary mind . To effect this was the chief object of his life , and how successful he was every intelligent brother knows . At a certain hour daily , he

applied himself to the drawing of designs , and so perfect were his plans , that the Craft now , wherever dispersed , have since been engaged in executing then , and have never , at any period , been at a stand for want ot employment . On Thursday , May 21 , 1772 , in order to have the

advice and consent of the Craft , he gave a banquet at his own expense , at the Crown and Anchor , in the Strand , London , to which he invited all the Masonic talent and wisdom of Gre at Britain to be present . According to his request , the brethren

assembled early , and he was not slow in announcing to them the object he had in view in convoking them- He said that " Freemasonry , in order to preserve its standing , must spread its roots aud extend its branches far and wide , for the purpose of extending its capabilities to meet the

exigencies of the times . He then laid before them the result of his long and arduous labours , the present system of lecturing ( a reconstruction of the old ) , as practiced subsequently to the formation of the Grand Lodge in 1717- It was discussed seriatim , approved and adopted , Bro . Preston

then became exceedingly popular and was employed as D . G . Secretary under Bro . Hesseltine , who wished at that time to publish an improved edition of the Book of Constitutions , which would bring down the history of Freemasonry to his own time . Considering Preston the most eligible

to prepare the work for the printer , he gave him entire charge of it , and free access to documents and papers of the Grand Lodge . When the most laborious part of the work was performed , and it was nearly ready to go to press , the G . Secretary wanted to give an acquaintance of his ,

Bro . Noorthouck , Ireasurer of the Lodge of Antiquity , an interest iu its publication , and appointed him to assist Preston in completing it . Bro . Preston , having done all the work of selecting , arranging , ike , thought he was entitled to the individual honour of his labour , and

declined the otl ' er , when the work was taken from him altogether , and given to Noorthouck Seeing that the honours he had so well earned were taken from him , he remonstrated warmly , and threw up the office of D . G . Secretary in disgust , and , some say , withheld a part of the material he had collected for the book .

This displeased Bro . Hesseltime , who was not long waiting for an opportunity of resenting the offence which Bro . Preston had given him , and the latter was arraigned for a violation of the laws of Grand Lodge , in attending a sermon at church in Masonic costume ; and , in his defence ,

Bro . Preston said that this regulation of the Grand Lodge—the one which they said he had violated—was the height of absurdity , and could not be admitted by any person who professed himself a friend of the Society . He also said that " the Lodge of Antiquity had its own

popular rights , iormally secured by it in 1717 , and was determined to preserve them inviolate , and it was very questionable if tlie Grand Lodge was empowered to make laws binding on a Lodge which had acted on its own

independent authority from a period anterior to the existence of that body . " On the 30 th of January , he ( 13 ; o . Preston ) was expelled from the Grand Lodge , and declared " incapable of attending the same , or any of is committees . "

In 1787 , when the Duke of Cumberland was Grand Master , the case of Bro . Preston was submitted to the Grand Lodge , who then , ( like

William Preston.

other Grand Lodges we know of , who acted harshly and cruelly in moments of passion , ) in a better and more Masonic spirit , re-considered its former proceedings , and reinstated Bro . Preston to all the ri ghts and honours of Freemasonry . Such is the history of William Preston , whose memory is universall y cherished among Free and Accepted Masons . —JVew York Dispatch .

IMPORTANCE OF MASONIC LITERATURE . — At no time in the history of Freemasonry , has its intellectaal character been more justly appreciated than at the present , At no time have its members , generally , cultivated its science with more assiduity . At no time have they been more

zealous in endeavouring to obtain a due enlightenment on all the various topics which its system comprehends . It is true that Masons still abound who will not read , and who cannot learn—men who , ignorant of its history , its antiquities , its philosophy , still believe that a knowledge of the

signs and acquaintance with the mere phraseology of its lectures , constitute the sum and substance of Masonic wisdom . But such men are beginning to be considered by their more studious brethren as mere drones iu the hive of Masonry . Those who desire to hold a high position among

their brethren , and claim the title of " Bri ght Masons , " must labour with that "freedom , fervency , and zeal , " which distinguished our ancient Brethren for the acquisition of knowledge . There cannot be a question of doubt that the higher elevation of the society , and its

consequent popularity , is to be attributed to the well-digested publications which have appeared on the subject of Freemasonry . To assist in sustaining this elevation of position for the Fraternity , should be the duty of every brother , for thereby he secures the means of advancing his own intellectual progress as a Mason .

ENEMIES WITHIN . —To too many of us . I fear , Masonry is but a shadow without substance a body without life , a letter without spirit . It has substance , life and spirit , as well as a shadow , body and letter , and he who feels the substance and is possessed of that life and spirit , is a living

Mason , an embodiment of its truth , and a just exponent of its principles . While as Masons we are never found soliciting persons to join us we should yet so live that others would esteem it a great privilege to be associated with men so wise , so virtuous and so good . Hostility to

Masonry can do no harm so long as Masons are not recreant to every just principle of the Order . But it is true of Masonry , as well as Christianity that her greatest enem ies are found a mong the leading worshippers at her shrine ; so long as Masons are true to their principles , they have nothing

to fear from opposition . The world has witnessed many social , political and religious revolutions , but amid all , the tenets of our Order and the mysteries of the Craft have been secretly guarded and reli giously preserved ; and although

we have had foes from without and enemies within , though Church and State have combined for our certain destruction yet with unbroken ranks and unswerving purpose , our march has been steadily onward . —Robert Clark .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , July 18 , 1873 . The Editor will be glad to have notice from Secretaries of Lodges and Chapters of any change in place or time of meeting .

Saturday , July 12 . l . odgci . 328 Granite , freemasons' Hall . „ 1361 , United Sen ice , Sv . au Hotel , Wimbledon . „ 1423 , lira , Kings'Arms Hotel , Hampton-court . Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 820 ) , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , Surrey , at 7 .

Monday , July 14 . Quarterl y Meeting Hoys' School , at 12 . Lodge 1306 , Highgate , Gatehouse Hotel , Highatc . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction ( 45 ) , Old Jerusalem Tavern , St . John's-gate , Clerkenwcll , at 8 ; Brc , IJcckctt , Preceptor .

Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , I ' enclrurcli-sticct Station , at 7 . Camden Ltnl ^ e of Instruction ( 704 ) , Ade l aide Tavern , Haterstock-liill , at S ; lito . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Gastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( of ) , Koyal ft itel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge ot Instruction , Hank ot tiier . dshi p Tavern , Mile-end , at 7 for 8 . St . James's Union Lodge of Instruction fi 8 o ) , Horse ai . d Groom Tavern , Winsley-street ( opposite the Pantheon ) , Oxford-street , at 8 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey , Preceptor .