if proof were needed, of the justness of your Royal Highness's
idea. Following the method adopted in launching the institution, your
Royal Highness appealed to the mayors, corporations, and Local Boards
throughout the country, and in the Metropolitan districts to the
Vestries, to make known the fact of the competition, and to organise the
preliminary examinations, selecting the examiners from the must eminent
local musicians. The result was as successful as might have been
anticipated. The municipal buildings were put at the disposal of the
College, and the best musicians were prompt to give their services as
honorary local examiners to a task which in many cases involved great
labour and severe sacrifice. Throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland
1588 candidates sent in their names as competitors. Of these 480 were
sent up to the final examination, which was conducted personally in this
building by the various professors in sections; and, lastly, before the
entire Board of Professors and myself as Director. The result was the
unanimous election of seventeen scholars for the pianoforte, thirteen
for singing, eight for the violin, six for composition, two for the
violoncello, one for the organ, one for the clarionet, one for the
flute, and one for the harp. In addition to the fifty scholars,
forty-two persons have entered their names as paying students in the
College. Time will not allow me more than an allusion to various acts of
private generosity by which the College has benefited. Prominent among
them is the gift of the library of the late Sacred Harmonic Society,
through Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen, and various other gifts of pianos,
furniture, &c., by Sir Charles Freake, Messrs. Broadwood, Messrs. Erard,
Messrs. Chappell, Messrs. Holland, Feetham, and others. The professors,
scholars, and students are awaiting your Royal Highness's notice at the
close of these proceedings, and I trust your Royal Highness will
believe that we are all alike animated by a sincere and enthusiastic
desire to carry out to the full those wise and gracious designs which
have brought us to this first step in our career. That your Royal
Highness may long live to preside over us and guide us in the right path
is, Sir, our humble and earnest hope and prayer."

The Prince of Wales, in reply, said:--

"I have heard your address with pleasure, and I feel great
gratification in opening to-day the Royal College of Music, in
the promotion