[65] Sir George Grove wrote after the banquet in 1882: "Dear Leighton,--Let me say a word of most hearty congratulations on the brilliant way in which you got through your _Herculean_ task on Saturday. You are really a prodigy! Your last speech reads just as fresh and gay and unembarrassed as the first, and every one of the nine is as neat, as pointed, as perfectly _à propos_ as if there were nothing else to be said! Thank you especially for the reference to the music business." [66] The following is one of many letters of regret expressed when Leighton resigned:-- 19 QUEEN STREET, MAYFAIR, W., _June 24_. DEAR SIR FREDERIC,--I trust you will allow me to express to you the sincere regret I feel at your being compelled to give up your command of the "Artists." To myself volunteering has always been so inseparably connected with your command, that I cannot at present realise the extent of the blank which your resignation will create. I shall ever remember with pride that it was under your auspices that I rose through the ranks and obtained my commission.--Believe me, dear Sir Frederic, very truly yours, W. PASTEUR. SIR FREDERIC LEIGHTON, P.R.A. [67] The following correspondence took place between Leighton and Mr. Henry Wells, R.A. To Sir FREDERIC LEIGHTON, P.R.A. _January 27, (?) 1880._ I will avail myself of this opportunity to remark upon the statement you made in your summing up, viz. that if women were made members under the existing law they would not have the right to sit on Council.