Address To Our Readers.

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS .

THE FBEEMASONS MAGAZINE

AND MASONIC MIEBOE .

IN closing our labours for 1862 , and again addressing our readers , Ave do so with , feelings very different to those ivliich guided our pen at the conclusion of 1861 . Then the nation was mourning , AA'ith their Queen , for the loss of one endeared not only to her Majesty , by his amiable qualities and affectionate solicitude for her welfare , but we may say , without exaggeration , by all , from the most

exalted to the humblest of her people , from the munificent encouragement he gave to art in all its branches—his unostentatious philanthropy , setting the example by model cottages , model farms , and model schools , of what might be done—ancl , notwithstanding he Avas born in a foreign country , the true English zest with ivhieh he entered upon our national sports ancl pastimes . Everything that has come to li ght since the lamented loss of the Prince relative to his habits ancl

avocations have only tended to add lustre to the goocl name he left behind him ; but time , Avhich brings healing on its wings , has , we trust , done much to solace our afflicted Queen , and she , like her people , is now looking hopefully to the future . Two of her children have become the brides of Princes believed to be Avorthy companions of their path in life ; ancl now the eldest son , the heir of the family , whom we hope some day to see numbered in the Oraft—he to whom England , though we

trust the period inn . ) - be distant , looks up to with pleasure as their future King , believing that in him . ivill be found the reflex of those qualities Avhich have adorned his parents ancl made them the beloved of the people—is about to take unto himself a bride , of whom report speaks ivell , ancl at the same time enter upon some of those responsibilities ivhieh were so well discharged by his royal

father . May all prosperity ancl success be his , ancl may Albert ancl Alexandra be as happy and beloved as Victoria and Albert was , is , we are sure , the sincere wish of every Englishman and every Englishwoman .

"W riting at a time of the year which should bring peace to all men , and Avhen enjoyment rales the roast , Ave cannot let the opportunity pass of reminding the brethren that distress of the direst kind still holds court in Lancashire ancl Cheshire , and that at this period , when thinking of our own comforts , Ave should not forget those Avho are stricken ancl afflicted through events over which they have , and could have , no control . Grancl Lodge has given £ 1000 , many private lodges have added