adhering to principle. After this event, Preston lost no time in prosecuting his religious enquiries, and having found means to be introduced to several Catholic priests, he stated to them his doubts, which were all satisfactorily solved and, after being fully instructed, he was admitted a member of the Catholic Church.
His conversion could not be long kept a secret, it soon became known to his master, and the consequence was that he was at once, and for ever, excluded from his house and society. He was then, in 1730, about eighteen years of age. Deserted thus by his patron and but ill-assisted by his friends, he found himself in the necessity of soliciting employment for his support. After many unsuccessful applications, he was at length received into Mr. Boyer's printing office, in quality of director of the Greek press, an occupation for which his proficiency in that language eminently qualified him. Here he continued for two years, receiving for his labour a considerable stipend. At the end of this period, feeling himself called to the ecclesiastical state, he consulted some of his clerical friends, and through the influence of the College Agent in London, was at length sent to Lisbon, where he arrived October 21, 1732, and where he remained until his death in 1780.
On entering the College Preston no longer considered himself master of his time, or the application of his talents; the good of the Mission and the will of his Superiors became the sole end of his conduct. Ever ready at his post where the necessities of the College seemed to require his exertions, he thought no labour too great which had for its ultimate object the advantage of religion and the conversion of souls. At his first arrival, and whilst engaged in the study of Philosophy and Theology, he undertook the duties of Classical Professor for which his previous training admirably fitted him. Soon after his promotion to the priesthood, in 1736, he commenced his first course of lectures on Philosophy, and at the same time undertook the office of Procurator. Without entering into the details of the
