Address To Our Readers.

The re-election of Bro . the Earl of Dalhousie as Grand Master Mason of Scotland is a step in the right direction as keeping the right man in the right place . Many of the leading Masons of Scotland have long since found out the anomalous position of the Grand Lodge , and have earnestly desired to see the whole system of government changed . Several years have elapsed since the work of reconstruction commenced , and some years must still elapse before the new Phoenix can emerge

from her ashes , the traditions and modus operandi of more than a century requiring alike care and skill in their transition state , lest the remedy should prove worse than the disease . Under the Hiram of so thorough a man of business and so skilled a Craftsman as the Earl of Dalhousie , these improvements which he has so much at heart , and labours so zealously to cany out , by the aid of the Scots Craft , cannot fail of proceeding rapidly to a conclusion , and we trust the Grand Master will find the Craftsmen zealous in supporting him in the great and glorious work of real improvement and furtherance of the charitable principles and institutions of the Order , so much better understood and practiced in England .

It is much to be desired that the Grand Bodies of England , Scotland , and Ireland , who preside over the various grades , would unite in forming a mutual column of support , so that from the Grand Lodge to the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , good fellowship and mutual acknowledgement might result- That this is not a mere dream the unions already effected prove .

Freemasonry , in Spain , where as in Rome , ic was held as a dangerous enemy to the Church and State is likely now to flourish . Spain was . the scene of several terrible Masonic persecutions , but we trust , and feel convinced that the Brethren there as in other lands will show , by their actions , how groundless were all the fears of Priest and Sovereign , that the Fraternity was composed of other than loyal and moral men . We are proud to acknowledge the kindness which we received at the hands of the Spanish brethren during several years , whenever we have visited them in their

sanctuaries . We can vouch for their numbers being composed of several of the leading men of the nation , distinguished alike by their rank and talent . We are also happy to say that in other countries , such as Austria and Russia , where Masonry leads a languishing existence , the sun of liberality promises to infuse fresh life into the Order there . Altogether the Order must be proud of the promising vista' opened up to its improvement in these countries .

Among the Grand Masters' appointments to Provincial Grand Masterships , there is no one of greater importance than the commission to R . W . Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , M . P ., to act in that capacity over Berks and Bucks ; and we trust that the Grand Master may deem it proper , and be pleased to constitute the lodges outside the Metropolis into a Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex . The Zetland testimonial , which will prove a great success , leaves the slight drawback upon the mind that had the Committee availed themselves of a wider circle of suggestion and assistance , the snccess might have been still more pronounced—and worthier of the Grand Master and of the Craft .

lhe Life Boat Fund , which has hung wearily in the wind for so long a time past , promises now to be soon ready for launching . Shoulders need however still to be applied to the wheel . The Masonic Charities still continue to flourish to the credit of the Craft , and the benefit of the recipients of the Fraternity ' s Benevolence . We would particularly refer to the Boys' School , which , by its next anniversary , will , have cleared off £ 10 , 000 of its debt , thanks to the munificent example set by the Lancashire Brethren , and the zeal and assiduity of Bro . Binches , the indefatigable secretary . Institutions , and Benevolence such as the above , make one feel prouder and prouder of the name of Mason .

A proposition in the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE has led a number of brethren interested in the investigation of the antiquities of our order to constitute themselves into a Masonic Archa 3 ologica Institute , whicli has already received many adherances of practical co-operation . The Hon . Sec . is Bro . Hyde Pullen , W . P . G . M ., Isle of Wight . The inaugural meeting it is understood will be held m January , and arrangements have been made for several of the succeeding meetings . As we have previously said the demand for Masonic education is on the increase , and we

find its exponent in the anxiety of the Grand Lodge , Templars , Supreme Council , and other bodies to form libraries . This movement is one ofthe very last importance , and we trust the endeavours of the various bodies will meet with the success which they truly merit . The improvements which have taken p lace in the Crafc lodges , and Royal Arch chapters , are shown by their returns to be most satisfactory . The same may be said of the higher grades . To sum up the whole matter , and with these words to conclude , " Freemasonry is on the increase all over the Globe . "