e which would
promote the industrial and commercial resources of her dominions
in various parts of the world, and which would be expressive of
that unity and co-operation which Her Majesty desires should
prevail among all classes and races of her extended Empire.

"My lords and gentlemen, I have invited you to meet on this
occasion in order that I may appeal to you to give me your
assistance in establishing and maintaining the Imperial
Institute. If you approve of the views I have expressed, I am
certain I may rely upon your strenuous co-operation to carry
them into effect. I admit that it has not been without anxiety
that I resolved to make the propositions I submitted to you, but
confidence and support have come to me in the knowledge that I
can appeal to you, and through you to the whole country, to give
your aid to a work which I believe will be of lasting benefit to
this and future generations."

Resolutions were proposed and speeches made by Earl Spencer, the Lord
Provost of Edinburgh, Viscount Hampden, the Lord Mayor of London, the
Mayor of Newcastle, and the Marquis of Lorne, approving the scheme, and
promising hearty support. The Lord Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to
the Prince, who tendered his thanks for the attendance at the meeting,
and the approval given to the proposal.

"I am glad, gentlemen, to have this opportunity of expressing to
you collectively and individually my deep feelings of gratitude,
in seeing you all here to-day at a time of year when travelling
is neither easy nor pleasant, considering the distances which
you have had to come; and also for the kind response which you
have made to my appeal. It augurs well for the future, and I
feel convinced you will do all in your power to assist me in
making this Imperial Institute worthy of the name of our Queen
and of her Empire. The promotion of this scheme is with me a
labour of love, and it must, I am sure, strike you all that,
apart from wishing to do honour to the name of my beloved
mother, nobody is more desirous than I am that a monument, if I
may use the term, may be erected worthy of her Empire."

A public meeting was held the same day at the Mansion House, attended by
a large number of the most influential men in the City. The Lord Mayor
(Sir Reginald Hanson), Earl Granville, Mr. Plunket, M.P., Mr. Mundella,
M.P., Mr. Gosche