Address To Our Readers.

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS .

THE FREEMASONS'MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOE .

IN accordance with "time-honoured custom , " the completion ofthe 18 fch Vol . ofthe New Series of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROE is now availed of to address our readers . "With a view to carry out the proposal some time ago started for enabling the publishing price of the MAGAZINE to be reduced , and its circulation greatly increased , the preliminary steps have been taken , ' and" it now only remains for our friends and the well wishers of the M AGAZINE to come

forward and aid us in completing the project , in the successful carrying out of which , all the members of the Masonic fraternity , whether holding under the English , Scottish , or Irish constitutions , are interested to a much greater extent than those who have hitherto been connected with the MAGAZINE as a property . Now that the course of transferring the future publication of the MAGAZINE to a Joint Stock

Company with " Limited Liability" has been determined upon , we earnestly invite the co-operation of its friends and supporters ; and , as it is not thought desirable to parade our Order and its only recognised Organ before the public , and as it is not believed to be necessary to appeal to the public to take shares in the Company , it is not proposed to issue any advertisements or public announcements ; it is therefore hoped that any application further a field for the remainder

of the capital required , will be unnecessary . The capital is £ 3 , 000 , divided into 300 shares of £ 10 each . It is proposed to select the Directors and the Committee of Management and publication ( in whose hands the editing will then be ) from the Shareholders , at the first meeting , which it is intended shall take place at an early date ; in the meantime any further information may be obtained upon application by letter ( prepaid ) , addressed to the Secretary of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE Company , Limited , 19 , Salisbury-street Strand , London , W . C , and we also refer our readers to our advertising columns .

Having devoted thus much space to matters more immediately affecting our MAGAZINE , and its weekly production hereafter , at a reduced price , we must not neglect the opportunity now afforded of tendering our best thanks to our Subscribers , and also to that numerous ancl important body of

talented and zealous Masons in all parts of the world , and under various Constitutions , who , by their valuable aid and assistance , have so largely contributed to the increased interest now unanimously acknowledged to attach to the weekl y publication of the MAGAZINE . Again we thank them all most cordially . During the past half year our order has again made rapid progress . Into Craft Masonry , under

the United Grand Lodge of England alone , about 8 , 000 initiates are annually admitted . The last warrant issued by the Grand Lodge of England , is to the Upton Lodge to meet at Upton , in Esses , the number whereof is 1227 . These facts speak volumes . In Scotland and Ireland , Freemasonry likewise flourishes . In the latter country it might flourish still more if it were better understood ; it will , however , never be rightly understood and fully appreciated as a great moral institution in Ireland , and until certain restrictive and repressive regulations—quite antiquated , exhibiting , as they do , illiberality and the fear of meeting public