Address To Our Readers.

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS .

THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE

AND . MASONIC MIREOfi ,

The first half of 1863 has sped its course , and we have again to address our readers and thank them for the support we have hitherto received . The past half year , apart from Preemasonry , has been a busy one , especially amongst the " upper ten thousand . " The Princess Alexandra of Denmark has made a public entry into London , and become

wedded to the Prince of "Wales , the future heir to the Throne , since which the young couple have been the lions of the season at drawing rooms , balls , the Opera , Oxford Commemoration , and all the various festivals in which the aristocracy , and other classes too , delight . Her Majesty has , in some measure , returned into public , visiting the late

Exhibition building , the memorial to the Prince Consort just opened , and the South Kensington Museum , semi-privately , but with sufficient note of preparation to enable

her subjects to assemble along the route to the places visited , aiid express the gratification they feel in seeing Her Majesty again amongst them , after her long and regretted seclusion . The Craft continues to prosper : Almost every week announces the opening of one

or more Lodges , sometimes in the metropolis , sometimes in the provinces , whilst the returns to Grand Lodge prove that the old lodges are , as a rule , strong and flourishing . The Books of Constitutions , both Craft and Arch , are out of print , giving the committees a good opportunity of assimilating the rules and regulations of the two branches

of the Order . We wish we could add that they were to be placed under one governing body . The Committee appointed to make arrangements for altering the Grand Lodge property , improving the tavern , and giving proper accommodation to the brethren in a building devoted exclusively to Preemasonry , have made good progress , plans have been