some time occupied with the
idea of procuring an organ worthy of the edifice, made a tour in Europe
with the express object of seeing some of the most famous instruments of
the Continent and of Great Britain. He examined many, especially in
Germany, and visited some of the great organ-builders, going so far as
to obtain specifications from Mr. Walcker of Ludwigsburg, and from
Weigl, his pupil at Stuttgart. On returning to this country, he brought
the proposition of procuring a great instrument in Europe in various
ways before the public, among the rest by his "Reminiscences of a Summer
Tour," published in "Dwight's Journal of Music." After this he laid the
matter before the members of the Harvard Musical Association, and,
having thus gradually prepared the way, presented it for consideration
before the Board of Directors of the Music-Hall Association. A committee
was appointed "to consider." There was some division of opinion as to
the expediency of the more ambitious plan of sending abroad for a
colossal instrument. There was a majority report in its favor, and a
verbal minority report advocating a more modest instrument of home
manufacture. Then followed the anaconda-torpor which marks the process
of digestion of a huge and as yet crude project by a multivertebrate
corporation.

On the first of March, 1856, the day of the inauguration of Beethoven's
statue, a subscription-paper was started, headed by Dr. Upham, for
raising the sum of ten thousand dollars. At a meeting in June the plan
was brought before the stockholders of the Music Hall, who unanimously
voted to appropriate ten thousand dollars and the proceeds of the old
organ, on condition that fifteen thousand dollars should be raised by
private subscription. In October it was reported to the Directors that
ten thousand dollars of this sum were already subscribed, and Dr. Upham,
President of the Board, pledged himself to raise the remainder on
certain conditions, which were accepted. He was then authorized to go
abroad to investigate the whole subject, with full powers to select the
builder and to make the necessary contracts.

Dr. Upham had already made an examination of the best organs and
organ-factories in New England, New York, and elsewhere in this country,
and received several specifications and plans from builders. He
proceeded at once, therefore, to Europe, examined the great English
instruments, made the acquaintance of Mr. Hopkins, the well-known
org