Address To Our Readers.

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS .

THE FREEMASONS'MAGAZINE AKD | MA SONIC MIRROR .

THE present number completes the twenty-first volume of the quarto series of THE FREEMASONS ' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEKOE , and the first at the reduced price of Threepence , a measure which has opened to us a wider field of usefulness—a result which it has ever been the aim of the proprietors to accomplish , beyond mere considerations of pecuniary profit . The year just completed makes a new era in Freemasonry in Great Britain . Having once

more connected with our Order a member of the Royal Family , in the person of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , we may expect a large addition to our ranks from the higher circles of society , and , in consequence , additional prosperity to the Order , both in numbers and in influence ; and no doubt , from the expected accessions to our ranks , the charities will meet with that increased support which they so eminently deserve .

Although the pleasure anticipated at his reception amongst Masons was not entirely unalloyed ( from the fact of his having been initiated abroad ) English Masons having long looked forward to the honour of initiating him ) , his very cordial reception amongst them left nothing to be desired . Such a course is not unprecedented , for on former occasions Princes of the Blood Royal have , in several instances , been initiated in foreign countries , and have afterwards presided over Grand Lodge , or held high rank in it .

It became our duty to announce in the same number which chronicled the installation of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as a Past Grand Master , the intended retirement of the M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , from the position which he has held more than quarter of a century , during which time he has gained the personal esteem of eveiy member of the Order whom Masonic business has brought him in contact with , as well

as of the whole Craft , for the firm yet beneficient rule that he has exercised . That his position was one which required the nicest powers of discrimination cannot admit of doubt , and that our M . W . G , M . has exercised that discretion is evidenced by the harmony which has prevailed generally in Grand Lodge under his sway . Every measure brought forward for the good of the Order , when he could conscientiously concur , has met with his hearty support , while at the same

time he has unflinchingly opposed every measure which , in his mind , was not calculated to forward the interests of the Craft . Although in some instances his policy has been opposed by the conductors of this MAGAZINE , they have never for a moment imputed to him any other than the most conscientious motives . There is one consolation , that , although he alleges advanced age as his reason for relinquishing his post , we have his assurance that , as long as the Almighty shall

spare his life , he will continue to take the greatest interest in all that concerns Freemasonry . In announcing the retirement of the M . W . G . M . we ventured to hope that " the election of a successor to so estimable a Mason as the present Grand Master should take place in the same cordial and unanimous way that has , almost without exception , marked the annnal re-election of the Earl of Zetland for the last twenty-five years ; and as no one more able , or more distinguished as a