n Wall to
this central and eligible spot. I congratulate you on the
completion without any serious drawback of a work which from its
nature could not but be surrounded by many administrative and
financial difficulties, only to be overcome by much tenacity of
purpose, energy, and hard work. Many of you will probably look
back with some feeling of lingering regret upon a spot hallowed
by the memories of two centuries and a half, and by the
recollection that in the same place, for many years before Sion
College existed, the Augustinian canons devoted themselves to
the alleviation of suffering, and providing a refuge for the
homeless and the outcast. Yet, if Sion College was to continue
its work in the future as it has carried it on in the past, such
a change as I inaugurate to-day was essential. On this site and
with this building, upon the beauty and convenience of which
your architect may well come in for his share of congratulation
and praise, Sion College may become more than ever a centre
where the London clergy may meet together to exchange
experiences and learn by personal intercourse how substantial is
the tie which results from devotion to one high purpose. Of your
library I need say little. The high place which it occupies
among similar institutions is well known, and the extent and
excellence of its contents are universally acknowledged. I have
to congratulate the clergy of London upon having at their
command such a varied collection of the best literature of all
ages to stimulate their studies and enrich their minds. I will
only add an expression of my satisfaction at learning that
those poor persons for whose temporal wants your benevolent
founder, Dr. Thomas White, made provision have reason to claim a
full share in the gratification which attends the proceedings
to-day."

The Lord Mayor said it was a great privilege for him to be called on, as
Lord Mayor, to say a few words on that most interesting occasion. He
congratulated the President and Fellows that Sion College was rebuilt
under such favourable auspices and so happily placed between those
seminaries of the law, the ancient and honourable societies of the
Temple, of which His Royal Highness was so distinguished a member, and
the more modern institution, on which he thought the Corporation might
justly pride itself, the City of Londo