college in the building constructed by
the great liberality of Mr. Freake, and I am enabled to state,
as Chairman of the Commission of 1851, that in proportion as the
public contributions enable us to construct our buildings, in
the same proportion will the Commissioners be prepared to grant
a sufficiency of site on which to erect them. The Commissioners
have also a considerable portion of the Albert Hall under their
control, and, by connecting that hall with the new college by a
tunnel or a bridge, practising rooms, sitting-rooms,
dining-rooms, and two small theatres will be immediately at the
disposal of the college. The Commissioners will also be prepared
to assist the college with an annual grant of money. To maintain
the college with 100 pupils on the foundation apart from the
expense of buildings an income of not less than from L10,000 to
L12,000 a year will be required. The plan will admit of any
degree of development in proportion as the munificence of the
public or the Government supplies the requisite funds. A charter
for incorporating the college has already been prepared and laid
before the Privy Council. I have myself undertaken to be
President. The governing body consist of a council, intrusted
with the function of making by-laws for the regulation of the
college, and of an executive committee charged with the details
of the administration. The names of the gentlemen who form the
council and the executive committee will be published, and will,
I am satisfied, command the confidence alike of the public and
of the musical world.

"I have now laid my plan before you. I commend it to your
favourable consideration. A few words I would fain add to
prevent any misunderstanding of my intentions. I have not
brought you here to ask your aid for the support only of a
school calculated to advance music by giving the best
instruction continued over a course of years. This might be done
by strengthening existing schools. I have not brought you here
for the sole purpose of asking for assistance whereby to educate
young and deserving musicians. Such an institution is but a
branch of what I desire to found. My object is above and beyond
all this. I wish to establish an institution having a wider
basis and a more extended influence than any existing school or
college of m