PREFACE.

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THE EIGHTH VOLUME of the Magazine is now brought to a termination, and we hope that it will be found equally as deserving of the approval of our brethren as its predecessor. We do not presume to claim for our little periodical a similar rank to that which is taken by some of our more costly Magazines, where the articles are contributed by men who have earned for themselves a high reputation in the world of letters. We have not lavished large sums of money for the purpose of securing for our pages the compositions of authors whose names are considered to stamp a value upon their productions, independent of any intrinsic merits. Our writers are for the most part of that class whose time is mainly occupied in providing for the physical wants of existence, but it must not be forgotten that from amongst the productive classes have arisen many of those whose talents have reflected honour upon their station, and conferred a lasting benefit upon their kind. Though the majority of our contributors may not have studied in "academic bowers," they have gained knowledge in that best of all schools-experience; and the result of their acquirements is in many instances full of practical wisdom and sound information. We have amongst our friends, too, some who are not altogether unknown to fame, and whose labours meet with a hearty welcome when exerted on behalf of publications of greater price. We do not wish to call forth any invidious feelings, or we should have had pleasure in more pointedly acknowledging our obligations to a few of our literary coadjutors, who have on all occasions come freely and disinterestedly forward to render us their valuable assistance. We shall use our best endeavours to advance the true interests of the Institution, without regard to courting temporary favour, as we are well aware that the most beneficial measures are not always the most popular ones. Those who have a duty to perform towards a body of men would be ill deserving of confidence if they were continually altering their course for the mere purpose of catching the fleeting breath of applause. Odd Fellowship has now its weekly and monthly journalists, and we trust that they, as well as ourselves, will meet with that support and patronage of which they are so deserving, convinced as we are that the more channels of intelligence we have connected with the Order, the more we shall advance towards a system of sound policy and wise government.