Address To Our Readers.

Iiasfc labours , by a largely-increased circulation , as will encourage us to go on and persevere in the good cause . With regard to the Charities , the appeals to the Craft have been liberally responded to . Notably in the case of the Boys' School ; and the seventy-first anniversary will be long remembered , by reason of the great result achieved in so far wiping off the debt so long hanging over it .

It must be satisfactory to the Craft to know that the building in Great Queen-street is now -completed , and the labours of the Building Committee brought to so satisfactory a conclusion . Many difficulties had to be surmounted , but , by the tact and ability displayed by the respected -chairman and his able coadjutors , every difference has been smoothed over , and a fitting temple presented to the Craft , second to none in the world .

The twenty-sixth installation of the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , as Grand Master , has passed over with more than the usual congratulatory addresses . It was proposed more than twelve months ago that his prosperous reign should be commemorated by some ceremony or festival . No announcement has yet been made to the Craft when the labours of the Committee will cease . It is to be hoped that such an amount has been received as is worthy of the occasion to be commemorated .

The announcement by the Grand Master at the last Quarterly Communication that His Eoyal Highness the Piince of Wales had joined our Order , was received with pleasure by the brethren . Although this pleasure is slightly alloyed from the fact of His Eoyal Highness having been initiated in a foreign country , still we receive him with a true fraternal greeting , and extend to him the right hand of fellowship . His Royal Highness has intimated that it is his desire to join several

of our lodges . The Masonic Archasological Institute , we are happy to say , is now an accomplished fact . The inaugural meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall in January last , and was well attended . Several very interesting papers have been read , and there is no doubt that , as the Institute gets more fully known , increased support will be accorded to it .

At the time of writing our last Address to our readers , we were very sanguine that the necessary funds for the Masonic Lifeboat would have been at last raised . It , however , " drags its weary length along , " and the good intentions of those brethren who have persistently advocated its claims have so far been frustrated by a strong determination on the part of some brethren to viiw-understand and mis-represent the case . However , as it it is progressing favourably , though more slowly than it deserves , we are sanguine that the result will be accomplished , even without the support of those who opposed it in Grand Lodge .

We have been taken to task by several brethren for inserting the articles of Bro . Melville , on the fr Masonic Celestial Mysteries , " but a brother who has devoted forty years of his life to one subject , is deserving of consideration , and we inserted them with but one object—that the brethren might judge for themselves , and thus be in a position to prove or disprove the claim of Bro . Melville . We are glad , hosvever , to learn by a letter that a class is being formed at Devonport

, when Bro . Melville will then be put to the test ; and from the intelligence of the brethren who have set up the class , we are quite sure that an impartial and searching scrutiny will be effected . It must be satisfactory to the majority " of the brethren , that the scheme of Bro . Clabon to appropriate two-thirds of the annual surplus of the Fund of Benevolence , for other than its original

purpose was lost by a considerable majority . With such a decision we cordially agree . Referring again to ourselves and to our past endeavours to fully represent the Craft , we shall strive to do more in the future ; and thanking our brethren for past support , we would remind them -that they can most efficiently aid us not only by adding to our subscription list , and canvassing £ heir friends , but by sending us items of Masonic intelligence and hints relative to the MAGAZINE .