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

"The capacity of these candidates has been tested by an examination of unusual severity. Each of these scholars who returns to his native place furnished with the highest instruction in music will form a centre from which good musical education will spread around; while those who obtain musical engagements elsewhere will stimulate and encourage by their success the cultivation of music in the places whence they have come. Surely, then, it is not too much to expect that many years will not pass away before our College has so popularised music as to place England on a par with those countries on the Continent which have acquired the distinction of being called musical people.

"I feel, then, that one great object of a College of Music has been secured – namely, the discovery of latent musical ability and the extension to those who, with great natural gifts, have been blessed with little of this world's goods, of the opportunity of obtaining instruction in music, to say the least, not inferior to any which this kingdom can afford. That these words are not the language of exaggeration will be apparent to those who read the names of the eminent staff who have placed their services at the disposal of the College. Side by side with these scholars will be educated a group of paying pupils, who think that music is an art which, if worth studying at all, is worth studying well. They are, then, prepared to enter on a systematic course of instruction, of less severity and continuance than that of the scholars, but still far removed from the musical dilettantism of those who, induced by fashion, not by taste, to study music, make progress enough to torment themselves and distract their friends.

"I lay great store by the meeting of the various classes of society in pursuit of a common yet elevating study. Such a union softens asperities, inspires kindly feeling between various classes, and proves that all mankind are akin when engaged in an art which gives the highest expression to some of the best and purest feelings of the human heart.

"The observations I have hitherto made relate only to the Royal College of Music in its character of a teaching body. It is not proposed, however, that the functions of the College should be restricted to teaching. The charter under which we are incorporated provides that the council are to cause examinations to be held of pupils of the College, and of other persons who may present themselves for examination, and after examination to confer on those who deserve such distinctions the degrees of Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Music, certificates of proficiency, and other rewards. I propose that this power should be exercised by an independent board of examiners chosen by the Royal College in conjunction with the Universities, and after consultation with the great musical authorities of the United Kingdom. I trust thus to secure an examining body whose impartiality will be above suspicion and capacity beyond all question. I hope thus, through the instrumentality of the Royal College, to raise the standard of music throughout the United Kingdom and to create a central influence which may be beneficially exercised over all music-teaching bodies who recognise the advantage of a common system of examination.

"Beyond and above all this I trust, as I stated on a previous occasion, that the College will become the recognised centre and head of the musical world in this country. It has been a reproach to England that, with her vast resources, her large benevolence, her eagerness to instruct all classes of society in other branches of knowledge, one thing has hitherto been wanting – a national institution for music. Yet music is in the best sense the most popular of all arts. If that government be the best which provides for the happiness of the greatest number, that art must be the best which at the least expense pleases the greatest number. I trust that to-day we have removed the reproach. England, by a national subscription, has acquired an institution worthy to be called national, and with the establishment of such an institution we may look forward with confidence to the creation of a national school of music. England has the composers already; all she wants is a general centre, such as a Royal College of Music, to which they may resort for mutual aid and common inspiration.

"Such are the aims, not mean nor ignoble aims, proposed for the College which we open to-day. It remains for you, gentlemen of the council, to be careful that the aims are fully realised. A young institution requires fostering care and constant supervision. You must not relax your efforts, no pains must be spared to gain fresh support and obtain the establishment of new scholarships. We want much; we are, I trust, entitled to ask for much of the public. In addition to scholarships we want more extended premises, a music-hall, lodgings for our scholars, houses for masters, and all the appurtenances of a great College. I am sure I may trust to the generosity of the public to supply these wants; but you, gentlemen, must by your careful supervision make our institution worthy of support, and no efforts of mine shall be wanting to secure the objects we have in view.

"I will say only one word in conclusion. The establishment of an institution such as I open to-day is not the mere creation of a new musical society. The time has come when class can no longer stand aloof from class, and that man does his duty best who works most earnestly in bridging over the gulf between different classes which it is the tendency of increased wealth and increased civilisation to widen. I claim for music the merit that it has a voice which speaks, in different tones, perhaps, but with equal force, to the cultivated and the ignorant, to the peer and the peasant. I claim for music a variety of expression which belongs to no other art, and therefore adapts it more than any other art to produce that union of feeling which I much desire to promote. Lastly, I claim for music the distinction which is awarded to it by Addison – that it is the only sensuous pleasure in which excess cannot be injurious. What, more, gentlemen, can I say on behalf of the art for the promotion of which we are to-day opening this institution – an institution which I trust will give to music a new impulse, a glorious future, and a national life? Before I quit this room a further duty devolves on me – a most gratifying one, I admit. I am called upon to announce a most gracious act by which the Queen has been pleased to mark her interest in the opening of the Royal College. Her Majesty authorises me to say that she proposes to confer the honour of knighthood on Professor Macfarren and Dr. Sullivan. If anything could add to my satisfaction in making this statement it is this, that these honours are bestowed by the advice of the Prime Minister, who has taken so kind an interest in the promotion of the Royal College, and who could have devised no better mode of celebrating its opening than by recommending that honour should be done on this occasion to music by conferring knighthood on men so celebrated in their art as Professor Macfarren and Dr. Sullivan, and that honour should be done to our college by awarding a like distinction to its director, Dr. Grove, who, eminent in general literature, has specially devoted himself to the preparation and publication of a dictionary of music, and has earned our gratitude by the skill and success with which he has worked in the difficult task of organising the Royal College. I have only to add that the Prime Minister (Mr. Gladstone) by his presence to-day proves that neither the cares of State, nor the overwhelming press of business by which he is surrounded, prevents him from giving personal countenance to a national undertaking which, if I am right in what I have said, is calculated to advance the happiness and elevate the character of the English people."

The Royal College of Music, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1883, is now one of the established institutions of the Empire. There lies before us the Report of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Corporation, with Report of the Council and other official documents and statements. This meeting was held at the Concert Hall of the Alexandra House, adjoining the College, on Tuesday, July 24th, 1888, Prince Christian, K.G., one of the Vice-Presidents, in the chair. There was a very large attendance of the Council, members of the Corporation, teachers and pupils of the College. The Report of the Council was of the most satisfactory nature. The progress of the pupils has been very encouraging, and the discipline and efficiency of the College thoroughly well maintained. The number of foundation scholars at the end of April, 1888, was fifty-nine. Its number of paying students on the books at the same date, was 170, an increase of 24, during the preceding twelve months. These students were in various years of their training. The total number of pupils was 229.

The Examiners, Mr. W. G. Cusins, Sir Charles Hallé, Mr. C. H. Lloyd, Mr. A. Randegger, Mr. Carl Rosa, and Mr. Prosper Sainton, gave a most favourable report of steady progress, especially by the students of stringed instruments, piano, and organ. As an educational institution, the Royal College has already proved itself able to exert a powerful influence on the condition of musical art in this country.

The results of examinations and competitions were then given in detail, and various incidents of the year were recorded, including visits of Dr. Joachim and Dr. Hans Richter, who delighted the pupils by their presence and their performing. Various changes in the teaching staff were announced. The finances of the College are in good state, the available balance at the close of the year being nearly £2484, a clear increase during the past year of nearly £470. Various donations and benefactions were reported, but the great event of the meeting – which H.R.H. Prince Christian announced with a cheerful emphasis, in keeping with the warm interest he has always taken in the College – this was the generous gift of £30,000 by Mr. Samson Fox, for a building worthy of the institution; met by Her Majesty's Commissioners of 1851 by the grant of a site on their estate at South Kensington.

We must not give more space to this subject of the Royal College of Music. Those who wish further information must apply to the Secretary or Director of the College. In connection with the present volume it only remains to congratulate His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on the successful accomplishment of a work, which is an honour to the reign of Queen Victoria, and will be of perennial benefit to the British Empire.

1

The frontispiece portrait, under which the Prince of Wales has been pleased to put his autograph, is etched by W. Strang, from a recent photograph by Van der Weyde

2

'The Prince of Wales's Tour: a Diary in India, with some accounts of the visits to the Courts of Greece, Egypt, Spain, and Portugal.' By William Howard Russell, LL.D. With illustrations by Sydney P. Hall. Sampson Low & Co.