The Freemasons Magazine. And Masonic Mirror.

THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE. AND MASONIC MIRROR .

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS . In closing tlie first volume for 1864 we may lie said to lie bidding adieu to our London brethren for tlie season , whilst Ave are looking fonvard to the renewed shaking oi hands AA'ith our country brethren , in spirit if not in body , through the medium of the

Provincial Grand Lodges , which , will be UOAV crowding upon us , ancl the proceedings of AAdiich we trust Ave mav still have the honour of recording . . Before we refer to the Masonic doings of the past six months , Ave may be excused , if , according to custom , Ave briefly refer to the movements in the outer Avorld during the same period . The Queen—Avhom we all pray God may long preserve to us—has , after

long retirement , again appeared in public , though but to a limited extent , her health being as far from satisfactory as could be desired ; but in the meantime those social duties which are required from the Sovereign—somewhat unduly as we , who do not live m the fashionable world , may imagine—have been well performed by her son , the Prince of Wales , and his interesting Princess , who must , indeed , have had and still have an anxious time before her . For Avhilst she is expected to appear in public with smiles on her face , who can doubt that ancuish must wrins ? her heart at the events AAdiich are

taking place in her native land , and the hazard of that throne to which her beloved father has only lately ascended . As regards the efforts which have been made by this country , in conjunction with other neutral Powers , to restore peace betAveen Germany and Denmark , betAveen the giant and tlie dwarf , it is not our place to speak . As Masons , Ave can only deplore that the results have not been satisfactory , and that the sword is

left to restore that peace AAdiich , uninfluenced by passion , should have been brought about by reason and the councils of friends . Quitting the world of strife , let us return to our lodges ; ancl here , on the whole , Ave may congratulate the brethren that peace does prevail , notwithstanding our MAGAZINE is placed under the ban of the Provincial Grand Master for South Wales ; and Ave have

had a more potent notice for describing what we , in our ignorance , believed to be the someAAdiat irregular , if not burlesque proceeding in Grand Chapter , owing to the want of punctuality of one of the principals . Of course Ave have been compelled to kiss the rod , and shall endeavour in future , whilst never suppressing our opinions , to give no cause of oQence , having in view the old adage that there are more Avays of killing a dog than

hanging him . In fact , Ave may take an example from a distinguished contemporary who , whenever it wants a text for a violent article , ahvays finds a convenient M . P . to write a letter upon which to found its thunder . As that contemporary keeps an M . P . on the premises , so may Ave keep a P . M . or a P . Z . who , having directed our attention to the delinquencies or shortcomings of Grand Lodge or Grand Chapter will leave us at liberty to comment thereon Avithout interfering with our reports , which , though faithful as to what is spoken , shall not in future describe what has taken place .

Luring the past half-year the Grand Master has had to perform—Ave are sure we need not j ' say IIOAV graciously—the most important act of his long official life , the laying of the foundation stone of the neAV Masonic Hall and Buildings , in which- we may be allowed to meet as Masons , perform our ceremonies , and , if need be , take all necessary refreshment apart from that portion of the building devoted as a tavern to the general public . The ceremony has been auspiciously commenced . The walls are now