Light.

LIGHT .

The night has a thousand eyes , The day has one ; Yet the light of the bright world dies "With the dying sun . The mind has a thousand eyes ,

And the heart but one ; Vet the light of a whole life dies When day is done . Masonic Jewel .

Our Archaeological Corner.

Our Archaeological Corner .

WE give the following curious letter of a Knight Templar , from the Paston Letters , as there seems to be running through it , as Ave read it to-day , occult allusions to some common bond of union and special fellowship . It may allude only to the

known custom of Templars of admitting friendly and Avealthy associates , but Ave have deemed it well to call attention to it , as it is certainly very striking alike in tone and in expression . We take it from Knight ' s portable edition of 1840 edited

, by A . Ramsay , ancl have not had time to collate it Avith Fenn ' s original edition of 1787 , The letter cannot be later , though it has no date , than the middle of the 17 th century . Probably before 14 G 0 .

Ed . LETTER CLVL —( CV . vol . iii . p . 427 . ) We have here a most curious letter from a brother of the Order of the Temple of Syon to J . Paston , earnestly persuading him to a temporary residence amongst

them , according to the rules of the order , ancl dissuading him from improper alms g iving to the hurt of his private affairs . The choosing of a place to do his penance in during Advent , reminds us of the establishment for the secret house of the

Earl of Northumberland , in the reign of Henry the Vlllth , Avho at certain seasons of the year retired from his principal mansion to some small retreat , Avhere he lived privately , ancl most probably performed offices of devotion and charity , as

atonements for his sins of omission ancl commission . See the "Northumberland Book , " p . 361 , and notes at p . 442 . We may from this letter suppose that persons of inferior rank at certain times likewise

left their houses , ancl retired for the same purposes of jn-aying and alms-doing , and that the season of Advent Avas the time set apart by J . Paston for those religious duties . [ From all other parts of the correspondence , liOAvever , not Avithstanding the Avriters p'fite knowlich of yo ' freell and

nat ' all disposiseou , " J . Pasbon Avould seem to have been among the last of men who ruin themselves through their liberality . The threat of a sharp ancl hasty process in case of disobedience , seems to confirm the subsequent passageAvhere he is invited to

, come and be jocund , " as ze sholde be yn tho place of yo ' p'fossion amounggis yo ' holy bvyy ' yn , " that Paston Avas himself professed of the order , Avhich we think however is hardly probable . ]

To my right Worshipful master and brother , John Fusion , this letter be taken . Right Worshipful and reverent master and brother , with all my service I recommend me unto you . Please it unto your great wisdom to have in your discreet

remembrance the strait order on which Ave be professed , and on Avhich ye are bounden to keep your residence , ancl especially on this time of Christmas amongst your confreres of this holy order , the Temple of Syon ; for unless that ye keep duly the

points of your holy religion , our Master Thomas Babyngton master and sovereign of our order , by the assent of his brethren , be advised to award against you right sharp and hasty process to do call you to do your

observance , ancl to obey the points of your religion , which were unto me great heaviness . Wherefore I , as he that hath most greatest cause , and is most bounden unto your great gentleness , and also Avhoni nature and kin most specially before every of all our brethren binden me to owe and

will you good Avill and true heart , considering the great time of penance that ye have been in from soon upon Michaelmas hitherto , that is to say in relieving and sustenance of your even Cristen , * and also in this charitable and meritory {

meritorious ) deed of alms-doing , that is to say , in plenteous ancl liberal gifts , Avhich is more preciouser than gold or silver , Avhich hath not been at all times to your great ease , neither heart ' s pleasauuce [ pleasure )