TO OUR READERS.
As it is our anxious wish to do all we can to serve our class, we have resolved to keep a registry of advertisements and notices to which an after reference may have to be made, in particular as to workmen wanted, and workmen wanting employment, by which means much good may be done beyond the mere period of advertising: as, for instance, in the case of any workman wanting employment, by calling at or writing to the office of The Builder, he will have a good chance of ascertaining what may be open to him. On the other hand, masters and general employers may procure references to workmen, in cases of sudden emergency: both parties, therefore, will see it desirable to communicate information as it may arise. It is in this way that they will make us of that real use to them which it is one great object of our life and labours to be. Also, in the matter of the inquiries of our country friends respecting any goods or articles advertised, we shall be happy to act as their agents, or in procuring things suited to their respective departments from the various London Houses. Of our London friends, therefore, we request such information as their circulars or other advertisements supply. Specimens of articles of a moderate size, if deposited at The Builder Office, will be readily referred to, and shewn to the friends and purchasers who may call.
We have had a number of hand-bills printed by way of an advertisement of the character and objects of this Magazine. Our friends, and particularly the Workmen, can render us great service in the distribution of them, by posting up in workshops and buildings, as we remember to have seen in our younger days, in respect of notices in which the Working Builder was interested. It is the more necessary that we should request this aid, when it is considered how totally new a channel of publishing business it is into which we are thrown.
We must beg to refer our readers to much of that which is given in the precursor number, by way of explanation of our intentions as to the future. It would be an injustice to those who have already read that number, to reprint our remarks in this; more than which, we can do better than by mere stale repetition. At every point of progress we find new matter of comment, and an extent of working-ground that would be but poorly appreciated if we were to be constantly taking up a preoccupied position. Our forward view abounds in interest, and the stirring incidents on every side are such as tax our pen to record. We shall, therefore, be excused calling attention to our previous number.