Address To Our Readers.

has in fact officiated as Grand Master for a quarter of a century . This is a' very long period to hold an office , but when it is accompanied by an annual election , it only shows the esteem in which his Lordship is held , and we can only hope that for many years one so beloved may continue to be our 'Grand Master . We have , it is true , an Annual Festival on every occasion' when' orar Grand Master is installed into the chair , ancl when his virtues are duly acknowledged , but now having faithfully

served the Craft for twenty-five years in that dignified office , we would suggest" to our brethren whether this would not be a fitting opportunity for some special gathering' of the Craft to acknowledge the eminent services and great ability of one who for such an extended period has -advanced the interests of the Craft , and served them so long and so well . During the half-year , some difficult questions from Colonial Grand Lodges have- been submitted

. for the consideration of the Grand Lodge , and in every instance we believe decisions have been come to , consistent with justice to the brethren hailing under their respective banners , and calculated to lOeinent , extend , and beautify our Order . An important part of the new building erected by the Craft has , more than a month since , been completed , and that is the new hall in which all our Masonic festivals will hereafter take place , the old

¦ hall being reserved exclusively for the proceedings of the Grand Lodge , so that there is now no' longer a necessity for the mixing up of the business of Freemasonry ivith tavern accommodation . This desideratum , long and ardently wished for , is now an accomplished fact , and Freemasonry is provided with a home where our ceremonies can be conducted with order and decorum , and free from any

possible intrusion from those who are outside the pale of our Order . The half-year has not closed without our having to deplore the loss we have sustained , by deatb , of some of the most eminent members of the Craft , ancl here we would particularly advert to that great patriarch and historian of Freemasonry , Dr . Oliver , whose noble teachings and refined precepts have endeared him to every heart , and whose writings have obtained for him an imperishable fame ,

for wherever his works are spoken of the name of Dr . Oliver will be loved and revered . He has , full of age and honour , been removed from us , but the recollection of his virtues " Shall long keep hia Biemozy green in our souls . " We had not long recovered from the grief all must feel at the loss of m great man , when our sorrows were only to be intensified by the announcement of the death of ajiotker and exalted Mason , our esteemed Bro . Sir Archibald Alison , the historian of Europe , who ,

like our Bro . Oliver , has established a fame which is undying , and left a legacy to posterity of priceless worth . He will ever be valued and estimated as the truthful , impartial , and constitutional Msfcorian of his country . In concluding this address , we have only to thank our friends and correspondents for the communications and essays we have received from them , trusting that we may long enjoy the privilege

of their acquaintance , and , while shaking hands with our old supporters , we at the same time extend < Mir hand to others , so that as wide as possible we may enlarge the circle of our friends ; at the same time assuring them no effort on our part for the future shall be wanting to make the FREEMASONS ' MAGAZINE the firm and steady exponent of those great principles which form the features ancl distinguishing characteristics of our noble Order .