Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888 Part 42

"In proposing the first resolution, it only remains, my lords and gentlemen, for me to express my hope that the Prince of Wales will be supported on the present occasion earnestly and faithfully. A large sum of money is required for our enterprise. England is rich, and ready at all times to forward a worthy national undertaking. Why should I say England only, when we are a.s.sured of the generous support of our Colonial brethren, and when we trust that our American cousins will not be behind in furthering the foundation of an establishment which may act as a home to their musical students on this side of the Atlantic? The representatives of many foreign countries are here also. We look to them in many cases as examples in our new enterprise, and I feel sure that their kind advice and co-operation will not be wanting when we have occasion to seek them. I will now read the resolution intrusted to me:--

"'That this meeting approves of the proposal to establish a Royal College of Music as a national inst.i.tution, and undertakes that meetings shall be called throughout the country, and the utmost exertions used, individually and collectively, to forward the movement by obtaining the necessary funds for founding and endowing a College of Music for the British Empire.'"

The speeches of the Archbishop of Canterbury, of the Earl of Rosebery, the Lord Mayor, and of Mr. Gladstone all touched upon points ill.u.s.trating the importance of the movement, and the national benefits to be expected from it.

It is a wonder that no reference in this matter has been made to the great German reformer and patriot, Martin Luther, who was a strenuous advocate of State education, including music. He placed music as next to religion in the training of the young. He would have every schoolmaster a lover of music, and capable of teaching it. This training of teachers is one of the most important functions of the College, and should be steadily kept in mind.

When the thanks of the meeting had been moved, by Sir Stafford Northcote, to the Royal Chairman, and carried with acclamation,--

The Prince of Wales mentioned, in his reply, that "he had received a touching letter from some one who had anonymously sent 50 for the Royal College of Music--one whose earliest recollection was the singing of the National Anthem on the Coronation of the Queen, when as a poor lad he joined in the procession of Sunday-school children."

Many munificent donations and subscriptions were announced, but none more touching and interesting than this.

THE COLONIES AND THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

_March 23rd, 1882._

The meeting at St. James's Palace on the 28th of February, 1882, was followed up by other important, though subsidiary meetings, at the instance of the Prince of Wales, who was now fully set on the success of his grand scheme. As, formerly, he had been ably supported by the speeches of the Duke of Edinburgh, the lamented Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and Prince Christian, at influential meetings in Manchester, so now he enlisted the Duke of Connaught in the cause, who addressed, with great ability and tact, a meeting of Merchants, Bankers, and leading men in the City, at the Mansion House, on the 20th of March, the Lord Mayor in the Chair.

Not satisfied with this, the Prince of Wales invited a large number of influential gentlemen connected with the Colonial Empire to meet him at Marlborough House, on Thursday, the 23rd of March, 1882, to consider what steps could be taken to secure the benefits of the Royal College of Music for all parts of the Empire. The record of the origin of this great inst.i.tution would not be complete without giving the speech of His Royal Highness on that occasion. The following is the address delivered at that meeting:--

"You are, doubtless, aware of the efforts at present being made to establish a Royal College of Music--a work which, I venture to think, is one of national importance.

"It is intended to place the inst.i.tution on a broad and liberal basis; that its advantages shall not be confined to residents of the United Kingdom, but be open to our fellow-subjects in all parts of the Empire; and the gratuitous education of scholars, selected by compet.i.tion on the claim of merit only, will be one of its princ.i.p.al features.

"The scheme has been received with marked favour throughout the United Kingdom, but I should consider it wanting in one of its main objects if I did not succeed in enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of our fellow-subjects residing in the Colonial portions of the Empire.

"I have on so many occasions experienced the advantages of their ready and earnest concert in promoting schemes of public utility in relation to material progress, that I have some confidence they will exhibit the like friendly rivalry in furthering our efforts in favour of an elevating pursuit, which in all ages and among all communities has exercised no slight influence on national character, and the promotion of which may const.i.tute a bond tending to unite us as strongly in sentiment and feeling as we now are in loyalty and material interest.

"For these reasons I was anxious to meet as many of the leading gentlemen connected with the Colonies as might now be temporarily in London, as well as those who permanently reside here; and I am gratified at the readiness with which so many of you have acceded to my invitation.

"My object is partly to make it understood how much importance I attach to the element of Colonial co-operation and sympathy, not only as affecting the immediate success of the work, but bearing on the higher objects of national unity, by inspiring among our fellow-subjects in every part of the Empire those emotions of patriotism which national music is calculated so powerfully to evoke.

"I further desired to apprise you of the steps which had been and were being taken to carry out this purpose.

"Immediately after the Meeting at St. James's Palace I directed that full reports of the proceedings should be prepared, with the view of transmitting them to Lord Kimberley, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to be forwarded by him for the information of the Governments of the various Colonies, in the hope that the good-will of these Governments might be attracted in our favour, and such public encouragement afforded as they might feel it becoming to extend.

"It seemed doubtful, however, whether an official communication of this character was calculated to accomplish the full object we had in view, viz. to stimulate popular feeling and sympathy among our Colonial fellow-subjects. It was thought that such an end might be better attained by a direct appeal to themselves and by a more general distribution of the reports of our proceedings among the various inst.i.tutions, religious bodies, heads of munic.i.p.alities, and leading persons in the Colonies.

"I accordingly propose to supplement this communication by a further letter, and to send a sufficient number of copies of our proceedings to meet the necessary requirements, for transmission to the Colonies.

"I am not insensible to the engrossing nature of the pursuits of Colonial life, nor to the claims which material interests have on young communities. We must all recognise with pride and admiration how much the enlightened enterprise and perseverance of our Colonial fellow-subjects have already contributed to the greatness and wealth of the Empire; and I am far from suggesting any relaxation of these efforts.

"My purpose is to provide for the leisure hours which must come to the busiest among us--no matter where we live or what sphere of life we occupy--an elevating source of enjoyment, which is at the same time calculated to strengthen those emotions that have so much influence in perpetuating a common love of country.

"I have endeavoured in my further letter to Lord Kimberley to convey fully the object I have at heart; and, although its terms are in some measure a repet.i.tion of what I have now stated to you, I think it well you should be apprised of its contents:--

"'MY LORD,--I am anxious that no possible steps should be omitted which may be calculated to bring the proposal to found a Royal College of Music under the favourable notice of Her Majesty's subjects in the Colonies.

"'It appears to me that the communication which I request you in the accompanying letter to be good enough to transmit for the information of the Governments of the various Colonies might advantageously be supplemented by a somewhat more general distribution within these Colonies of the proceedings which have taken place here in connection with the movement.

"'The objects of such distribution would be to awaken public interest among all cla.s.ses of Her Majesty's subjects more thoroughly than even proposals on the part of any of the Colonial Governments to extend their practical aid are calculated to do.

"'I have therefore directed further copies of these proceedings to be transmitted to you, and would again request that you will be good enough to forward these further copies, for distribution among such religious or educational inst.i.tutions, Munic.i.p.al or other Public Bodies, or private persons in the various Colonies, as may be thought most likely to help the project.

"'I trust that the efforts now being made here may meet with general support on the part of the Clergy of all denominations in the Colonies, and that they, as well as the Heads of Colleges and Munic.i.p.al Bodies, may interest themselves in their several localities to make known the advantages offered by the establishment of the Royal College of Music, and especially that all these advantages (including free instruction) will be open as unreservedly to Her Majesty's Colonial subjects as to those residing in the United Kingdom.

"'Her Majesty's Colonial subjects have indeed already shown that the possession of musical talent exists among them in as great a degree as in any other nation, for they may claim with pride that they have produced one of the most accomplished vocalists of the present age.

"'I have in past years had occasion in many ways--especially through the medium of the various International Exhibitions over which I have presided--to notice the manifold benefits which have resulted from the combined action of the Colonies and the Mother Country in the development of commerce and the advancement of industrial and other material interests, and I cannot but think that the friendly rivalry of all portions of the Empire will not now be wanting in the effort to cultivate a refined and elevating pursuit which in all ages and among all nations has exercised so important an influence on national character, and done so much to strengthen the common love of country.

"'I have the more confidence in making this appeal, from the readiness and public spirit which the Colonies have always evinced to promote every object tending to strengthen the ties that now so happily unite us.

"'Your Lords.h.i.+p will, I am sure, be glad to learn that I have had the advantage of communicating with a number of gentlemen resident in several of the Colonies, who are temporarily in England, as well as with former Colonists permanently residing here, and they have kindly undertaken by their individual exertions to further the present more extended movement, which I trust will also meet with your Lords.h.i.+p's encouragement and approval.

"'I have the honour, &c.,

"'ALBERT EDWARD, P.'

"I have no doubt but that the different Colonial Governments will exercise a judicious discretion in the use of these papers, and that we may rely on their hearty co-operation and support in applying them to the best advantage.

"If there are any gentlemen present who may think themselves warranted by their connections with the Colonies in aiding to insure a friendly reception of my communication there, it will be a source of gratification both to me and my colleagues to view such efforts, so entirely in unison with our own, and to welcome them as fellow-workers in the same cause.

"I have thus endeavoured to place before you the object we have in view, and the means by which we hope to accomplish it, and I trust you will find both worthy of your support.

"I do not, therefore, presume to indicate the precise course which it might be expedient to adopt in any of the Colonies, believing that this had better be left to the practical sagacity and zeal of our friends there, who must be considered to have the best knowledge of what plans are most calculated to insure local success. I have, however, thought that a brief reference to some of the steps which are contributing to our success here, as well as an enumeration, in a comprehensive form, of some of the advantages which the College offers to Colonists, might be attended with advantage, and, at all events, serve as a groundwork for their operations.

"I have, accordingly, directed a memorandum in that sense to be prepared, which will be forwarded, with the other papers, to the proper quarter.

"In conclusion, I cannot but again express my cordial thanks to the many gentlemen connected with the Colonies who have favoured me with their attendance to-day, and repeat the expression of my hope, not unmixed with a large measure of confidence, that your encouragement and help may not be with-held from an undertaking which may, I trust, in the fulness of time prove to be one more of the many fibres in the silken cord that binds the Mother Country to her Colonial offspring.

"I would finally say that we shall be most happy to receive any practical suggestion from our Colonial friends either here or resident in the Colonies."

Lord Kimberley said that, as Colonial Minister, he would give every a.s.sistance in his power, by forwarding papers and information. Private individuals in the Colonies might be willing to found scholars.h.i.+ps, and have the nomination of students; but any response on the part of the Colonial Governments must be from their free and spontaneous action.

The Prince of Wales said, at the opening of his speech, that he deemed this work as "one of national importance." It is because of the high "imperial" tone and spirit of the address, a spirit which it is pleasant to witness in all the Prince's public actions, that there is especial interest attached to this meeting at Marlborough House in 1882.

INAUGURATION OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

_May 7th, 1883._

The ceremony of inaugurating the Royal College of Music took place on the 7th of May, 1883, in the presence of a small but select company. The building, hitherto used by the National Training School of Music, has rooms amply sufficient for teaching purposes, but not large enough for a large a.s.sembly. By permission of Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851, the use of rooms in the Albert Hall for choral and instrumental practice was granted to the College.

The Prince, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Christian, was received by the Trustees, the Duke of Westminster, Lord Charles Bruce, Sir Richard Wallace, M.P., Sir John Rose, Sir George Grove, and the honorary secretary, Mr. Charles Morley. Among the company were many distinguished persons and eminent musicians. The Archbishop of Canterbury offered the following special prayer: "O G.o.d, who art the only author of order and beauty, Bless, we beseech Thee, this College to the perfecting of science and skill in Thy pure gift of Music; and grant that the good intent of its Founders may be so answered in the diligence and virtue of its students, that both the restful delight of man, and the glory of the Divine wors.h.i.+p may be enhanced ever more and more; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen."

The collect, "Prevent us, O Lord," and the Lord's Prayer, closed the religious service. Sir George Grove, Director, then said: "It is now almost exactly fourteen months since your Royal Highness held the remarkable meeting which a.s.sembled at St. James's Palace on the 28th of February, 1882, and in which your proposition of the Royal College of Music was launched on the country. It may well be called remarkable--first, because of the place in which it was held; secondly, because of the lucid and exhaustive statement which your Royal Highness vouchsafed to address to it; thirdly, because for the first time in English history music was taken out of the domain of personal and professional questions to which it is too often relegated, and placed upon that national basis which its social and civilising powers ent.i.tle it to demand. Your Royal Highness's hearers embraced many of the most distinguished English musicians of the day, but these were not the main const.i.tuents of the meeting. The bulk of your audience consisted of the representatives of the counties, cities, and towns of England, the lords lieutenant, mayors, and town clerks of the United Kingdom, while surrounding your Royal Highness on the platform were His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the leader of the Government, the leader of the Opposition, the head of the Established Church, an eminent Scotch peer, and the Lord Mayor of London. A meeting so truly national in its aspect gave, if I may use a not inappropriate figure, the key-note of the movement.