ll carried out by the Rev. Dr. Simpson,
Rector of St. Olave's, Hart Street, one of the executors, who gave
special attention to the library, now so important a feature of the
College.

The College was established by Charter in 1630, and confirmed in 1664 by
Charles II. The site selected was that of the Priory of Elsing Spital,
London Wall, where a spacious building was afterwards erected, and
continued in use till our own day. The library gradually became an
important one, especially after 1710, when the Government conferred upon
it the privilege of being one of the libraries entitled to receive
copies of all books entered at Stationers' Hall. In 1843 this privilege
was commuted for an annual grant, which barely sufficed for the
maintenance of the library and other expenses. At length it was
determined to sell the site in London Wall, the value of which was great
for business purposes, and to remove to a better site, on which more
commodious buildings might be erected. By Acts of Parliament authority
was obtained to sell the old site, which realized thirty-three times the
amount given for it in 1627. Another Act of Parliament authorized the
purchase of a site on the Thames Embankment, the freehold of which cost
L31,625, and on this, at a cost of L25,000, the present magnificent
building, designed by Mr. A. W. Blomfield, was erected. To open this new
Sion College, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Princess of Wales,
went to the City on the 15th of December, 1886.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, and several Bishops, the Lord Mayor and
Sheriffs of London, the Lord Chancellor, and many distinguished persons
were present, and a numerous body of the Clergy. The President of the
College (who is elected annually by the Fellows), the Rev. Richard
Whittington, a name of good omen, read an address, the Archbishop having
previously conducted a short religious service. To the address the
Prince replied:--

"Mr. President and Gentlemen,--I thank you for your address, and
for the kind terms in which you allude to the Princess of Wales
and my children. I experience the greatest satisfaction at being
present on this interesting occasion, when your ancient
corporation may be said to take a new departure. I are gratified
to learn that the words of advice which I uttered two or three
years ago have borne good fruit and have helped on the removal
of your College from the comparative obscurity of Londo