Address To Our Readers.

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS .

THE FREEMASONS'MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOR .

THE close of another volume leaves us in a position to chronicle continued prosperity in the "Craft Universal . " The advantage which we predicted would be the result of the accession of a Prince of the Realm into our ranks is in course of complete realisation . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , having shown a determination to identify himself with the Masonic Order , has presided over the Festival of one of our noble Charities , and we may venture to express a hope that others will in like maimer receive his direct influence and support .

The past half-year has witnessed the Installation of our newly-elected Grand Master , tho Eari De Grey and Ripon . It is a source of the deepest regret that the ceremony was delayed by a disastrous and fatal calamity in the family of the Noble Earl , and singularly , that the family of the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , should also be affected by the same misfortune . These melancholy circumstances have , to the present time , prevented any very active participation in public Masonic business on the part of our M . W . Gi'and Master , but his well-known devotion to the interests of Masonry , as evidenced by his unanimous election , is too well appreciated to cause any apprehension on this point .

Not only in onr own country and in our colonies is Masonry flourishing , but in other lands it is making steady progress . In the United States it is marching on with great strides , recent statistics showing that in that great nation the number of Masons in good standing approach very closely to half a million . On the Continent it is also rapidly extending , and is now dispensing its light in dark places , and firmly and boldly planting its standard in the strongholds of the Jesuits ,, where but a short time since all its works were necessarily done iu secret . Our columns have kept

our readers well posted up in the proceedings of the Continental Orders , especially in France ancl in Portugal . In the latter country we have been enabled to announce the banishment of the great element of discord which there had hitherto obstructed the progress of the Order . This is accomplished by the fusion of the two rival Orients into one body , under the Grand Mastership of that devoted Mason , Count Para . y , whose unwearied efforts during many years have been duly recorded in our translation of the interesting " History of Freemasonry in Portugal" by Dr . De Cunha Bell em .

While congratulating the brethren upon the happy conclusion of one long and weary struggle , we with regret approach the subject of the unhappy strife now prevailing in Canada , A young and prosperous Grand Lodge is there divided against itself . At the first outbreak of the schism we ventured to hope that peace would soon be restored , and that recognition would not have been accorded by other Masonic powers .- This recognition has been withheld in most instances , but the breach widens , and the schismatics are gaining strength . Whatever may be the final result , we venture to hope that no permanent animosity will be established .

We are assured that our readers will be pleased at all times to read of the progress of Masonry in other countries . With this in view , we have given , and intend to give , particular attention to this department of our MAGAZINE , in the column devoted to " Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad . " In the study of the proceedings of other Grand bodies which have come to our hands , we have been struck with the admirable manner in which the business of their meetings is

conducted . We feel compelled to give honour where honour is due , and to compare , with regret , in . a , n unfavourable manner to our own Grand Lodge , the result of their labours . It seems extraordinary , as we have remarked , that the governing power of so important a body as the Freemasons of England and its colonies should attempt to carry on the business of thegeneral convocations