of which I have taken so deep an interest. I avail
myself of this, the first public opportunity that has offered
itself, of expressing the deep personal gratification I feel at
the manner in which the country has replied to my appeal for aid
in establishing the College. There is no class of Her Majesty's
subjects capable of affording assistance to which I have
addressed myself in vain. The Corporation of London and the
London companies have led the way in giving pecuniary
assistance; and I owe a debt of gratitude to the Mayors
throughout the kingdom for the valuable aid they have afforded
by granting facilities for holding local examinations essential
to the proper selection of scholars. I thank these great bodies
for their services, and I trust that I may yet expect from them
further help in completing the task so auspiciously begun. I
thank the donors of scholarships for their liberality. I thank
the general public for the sums they have subscribed at a time
when agriculture has been depressed and the prospects of trade
have not been encouraging; and, above all, I thank the many kind
friends who have responded so cordially and liberally to my
appeal for assistance. I have noticed also with the greatest
pleasure the contributions for Colonial scholarships that have
been given by two eminent colonists, the one on behalf of the
colony of Victoria, and the other on behalf of the colony of
South Australia. The object I have in view is essentially
Imperial as well as national, and I trust that ere long there
will be no colony of any importance which is not represented by
a scholar at the Royal College.

"Much, indeed, has been done, but I am aware that much remains
to be done. I am conscious that I may be thought to have taken a
bold step in beginning so great an enterprise with only the
resources at present at my command. But I am unwilling that any
delay should take place in giving effect to the generous
intentions of those who have already contributed so liberally. I
am sanguine enough to think that the example set during the last
year by corporate bodies, representatives of the colonies,
private donors, and the general public will be followed in
ensuing years. Ours is an institution which admits of almost
indefinite extension, for, wherever a scholarship is founded, we