Correspondence.

From George Vilhers , second Duke of Buckingham , on his deathbed , to his particular friend Dr . BarroAV : —• Dear Doctor , — I ahvays looked upon you to be a person of true virtue , and know you have a sound understandingforhowever I haA r e acted in

, , may opposition to the principles of religion , or the dictates of reason , I can honestly assure you I have always had the highest veneration for both . The world and I shake hands , for I dare affirm Ave are heartily weary of eacli other . 0 , what a prodigal have I heen of that most valuable of all possessions — Time I I have

squandered it away with a profusion unparallelled , and novr , when the enjoyment of a few days would be worth the Avorld , I cannot flatter myself Avith the prospect of half-a-dozeu hours . How despicable , my dear friend , is that man who never prays to his God but in tbe time of distress . In what manner can he

supplicate that Omnipotent Being in his afflictions , "Whom in the time of his prosperity he never remembered Avith reverence ? Do not brand me with infidelity , when I tell you that I am almost ashamed to offer up my petitions at the Throne of Grace , or to implore that Divine mercy in the next worldwhich I have scandalousl

, y abused iu this . Shall ingratitude to man be looked upon as the blackest of crimes , and not ingratitude to God ? Shall an insult offered to the king be looked upon in the most offensive light , and yet no notice taken when the King of Kings is treated with indignity and disrespect .

The companions of my former libertinism would scarcely believe their eyes were you to show this epistle . Tbey would laugh at me as a dreaming enthusiast , or pity me as a timorous wretch , who was shocked at the appearance of futurity ; but whoever laughs at me for being rihtor pities me for being

g , sensible of my errors , is more entitled to my comjiassiou than resentment . A future state may well enough strike terror into any man who has not acted well in his life , ancl he must have an uncommon share of courage indeed AA'ho does not shrink at the presence

of God . The apprehensions of death will soon bring the most profligate to a proper use of his understanding . To AA'hat a situation am I UOAV reduced Is this odious little hut a suitable lodging for a prince ? Is this anxiety of mind becoming the character of a Christian ? From my rank , I might have

expected affluence to wait upon my life ; from religion and understanding , peace to smile upon my end ; instead of which I am afflicted Avith poverty , aud haunted Avith remorse , despised hy my country , and , I fear , forsaken by my God . There is nothing so dangerous as extraordinary

abilities . I cannot be accused of vanity UOAV , by being sensible that I was once possessed of uncommon qualifications , especially as I sincerely regret that I ever had them . My rank iu life made these accomplishments still more conspicuous ; and fascinated by the general applause which they procured , I never

considered the proper means by Avhich they should be displayed . Hence , to procure a smile from a blockhead Avhom I despised . I have frequently treated the virtues with disrespect , and sported with the holy name of Heaven , to obtain a laugh from a parcel of fools Avno Avere entitled to nothing but contempt . Tour men of wit generally look upon themselves as

Correspondence.

discharged from the duties of religion , and confine the doctrines of the Gospel to people of meaner understanding . It is a sort of derogation , in their opinion , to comply with the rules of Christianity , and they reckon that man possessed of a narrow genius who studies to be good . What a pity that the Holy

"Writings are not made the criterion of true judgment , or that any person should pass for a fine gentleman in . this world but he that appears solicitous about his happiness in the next . I am forsaken by all my acquaintances , utterly neglected by the friends of my bosom and the

dependents on my bounty ; but no matter , I am not fit to converse Avith the former , and have no ability to serve the latter . Let me not , however , be wholly cast off by the good . Favour me with a visit as soon as possible . Writing to you giA'es me some ease , especially on a subject I could talk of for ever .

I am of opinion this is the last visit I shall ever solicit from you . My distemper is powerful . Come and pray for the departing spirit of the poor , unhappy April 14 th , 1687 . BUCKINGHAM .

Masonic Festival At Amsterdam.

MASONIC FESTIVAL AT AMSTERDAM .

TO IHE EDITOE OS THE EHEEHASOIfs' MAGAZINE AKD MASONIC MIKKOB . DEAE SIB AND BEOTHEE , —I regret to inform you and your numerous readers that , owing to the cholera , the annual fairs and similar attractions have been postponed , and the Grand Orient here have , therefore , also announced that the festival of the

celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Grand Mastership of Prince William of the Netherlands , whieh was to have taken place on the 29 th of May , is postponed , owing to the same cause . It is hoped , however , that the festival will take place by about October next . Tours fraternally , A Amsterdam , May 26 th .

Non-Masonic Evidence In Masonic Cases.

NON-MASONIC EVIDENCE IN MASONIC CASES .

TO THE EDITOE OP THE FKEEMASONS' 3 TA 0 AZDTE AND MASONIC MIHKOH . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —My Provincial Grand Master has decided adversely to me in an appeal Avhich I sustained against the decision of the Glamorgan Lodge , upon the remarkable ground of my declining to produce as a Avitness a gentleman ( not a Mason ) who had quite accidentally and most innocentl

y , imparted information clearly implicating in " touting " a P . M . of the aforesaid lodge , Avhose own version of the transaction , in open lodge , subsequently bore out the construction I had placed upon it , and rendered further evidence , Masonic or non-Masonic , unnecessary . My Prov . G . M . hoAveverinformed me

, , that I ought to have produced my non-Masonic Avitness , and to this ruling I decidedly demurred , and do still demur , I at once gave notice of appeal to Grand Lodge , hut , upon reflection , and by the advice of many friends and former members of the lodge , I do not intend to incur the expense and loss of time

consequent upon carrying a suit into the ecclesiastical Court of Freemasonry , merely to re-establish my position Avith a lodge whose Masonic vagaries have gained for it so unenviable a notoriety , that none possessed of a very large amount of self-respect UOAV deem it any honour to he attached . I am quite contented to have established a character for Masonic honesty and fidelity with all whose opinion I value ,