126 Sir Frederick Abel [April 22, 



of this programme has been drawn by a combination of abler hands 

 than mine ; I have but ventured to sketch in some of the details as 

 they have presented themselves to my mind, and to the minds of 

 ethers who have given thought to this great subject ; but I dare to 

 have faith in its realisation, and to believe that, if the work be taken 

 in hand systematically and progressively, the nucleus being first 

 thoroughly established from which fresh lines of dejDarture will 

 successively emanate, the Imj^erial Institute is destined to become a 

 glory of the land. And, as one whose mission it has been, through 

 many years of arduous work, to assist in a humble way in the ajDplica- 

 tion of the resources of some branches of science to the maintenance 

 of the country's power to defend its rights and to hold its ow^u, I may 

 perhaps be pardoned for my presumption in giving expression to the 

 firm belief that, by the secure foundation and careful developmeut of 

 this great undertaking, and by its wise direction by a Government 

 truly representative of its Founders — all Nations and Classes com- 

 l^osiug the Empire — there will be secured in it one of the most 

 important future Defences of the Queen's Dominions ; one of the 

 most powerful instruments for the maintenance of the unity, the 

 strength, and the prosperity of Her Realms. 



At the conclusion of the address, the Prince of Wales said : — 

 " Ladies and Gentlemen, — Having had the honour of occupying 

 the Chair this evening, I think we ought not to separate without my 

 expressing, on your part as well as on my own, our deep sense of grati- 

 tude for the interesting and exhaustive lecture which Sir Frederick 

 Abel has just given us. You are well aware of the great interest I 

 take in this Imperial Institute, as I am anxious that it shall be a 

 memorial of the Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, and at the same 

 time a memorial which shall be of great use to this country, and 

 cement still further the good feeling which I trust has always existed 

 in the Mother Country towards our Colonies and India. Sir Frederick 

 Abel has, I think, touched on all the salient points with regard to the 

 Imperial Institute, so that it will be needless for me to say anything 

 further. But I thank him very much again for having given us this 

 lecture this evening, and I feel sure that those who have been here 

 and who did not feel conversant with the subject, will carry aw^ay 

 with them a very clear understanding of what the objects of the 

 Institute are." (Cheers.) 



