A New Year's Greeting.

A NEW YEAR'S GREETING .

It is usual with . Magazines at the present day , when they "begin their insect-like existence , to put forth a few words of prefatory explanation and address . But it seemed to the excellent publisher of this our only Masonic

serial , that it was better to take a business view of things , and to plunge " in medias res . " And so , as some of our readers will remember , at it we went , and we have been at it ever since , in a very calm and business-like way ,

without one needless word of explanation , or any fine-drawn sentences of personal appeal . There is a good deal to be said for both ways of proceeding—both have their conveniences and their inconveniences , their benefits and their

defects , their good and their evil ; but , perhaps on the whole the old-fashioned way to use a very familiar expression , has " the pull . " And so with this New Year , Ave have thought it well to say a few words of explanation

as well as of greeting , to all our readers . The Magazine was started last July , just about six months ago , to supply an obvious want in our Masonic literature of the clay , a Masonic serial . Under a good old name , we thought

we could minister to the intellectual wants of our brotherhood , and claim at the same time their patronage and support . We hear a good deal at the present hour of a desire for literary progression , and of the need of a good and wholesome literature .

We confess , that , if we are to judge hy the support tendered by the Craft , to any Masonic literary effort in this country , of this anxiety and want on the part of the great mass of our brethren for a literary representation , we should feel compelled to say , guided by the

stern dictates of truth , that that anxiety was somewhat limited , and that that want could very easily be supplied . For the truth is , that the supply far exceeds the demand , and at present , just as in the past , all Masonic literary efforts

amongst us are carried on , if not at a direct loss , certainly without the slightest , profit . Indeed , it is not too mucli to say , that we know of no surer way of creating a deficit , than of starting or introducing a Masonic literary undertaking .

Brother Hubert , our able Erench Brother , editor of the " Chaine de 1 ' Union , " an admirable magazine , . both for quantity and quality , has said that Ereemasonry does not pay , and though the subject is an unpleasant one , and

we seem to be telling an off-told tale , we think it well to repeat it , to our listening and suffering readers to-day . But having said this , we propose to dismiss the matter , and turn to a healthier and pleasanter subject . With

this new year , we beg to tender our heartfelt good wishes to all members of the Craft , and especially to all who peruse the pages of our Magazine . We trust earnestly , that , the new year

will bring all of happiness to them and their families , will indeed be a happy New Year to them , alike in their public avocations and their privaterelationship . And above all , we Avish that 1874 may witness a furtherance of the good cause

of Ereemasonry in the development of our system , and the prosperity of our lodges . Happily for us in England , the atmosphere which surrounds the path- , way of our feet in our onward Masonic

progress , is both clear and healthy . No mists or fogs obscure our gaze , no clouds seem gathering over our heads , as in other countries , ready to break in the pouring rain or the oveis