I trust I may not be thought egotistical in the few remarks I am compelled to make concerning myself, as you are aware there is much labour attached to the post which I hold. I have laboured unceasingly, and I trust successfully, to establish a Penny Reading Institution after the design of its originators,—Mr. Sergeant Cox and Professor Plumptre;—but this labour has had the effect of greatly injuring my health,—of preventing the application of my energies to a lucrative undertaking. I do not complain, for my task has been a labour of love to me, but am naturally grieved to find that, after having devoted so much valuable time and hard-earned cash, I should meet with such unwarrantable and unjustifiable attacks and absurd opposition. I cannot but accept this as a good omen, for every good movement meets with great opposition. This I think proves the truth of that great Shakesperian quotation:— “Let Hercules do what ere he may, Cats will mew, and every dog will have his day!” Even that horrid dog opposition. I have much pleasure in stating that the affairs of the Institution will in future be managed by a President, Chairman, Treasurer, Auditors, Secretaries, and a council elected of Noblemen and Gentlemen, selected from the List of Patrons and Artistes. A subscription list is opened for the purpose of liquidating the debts of the Institution. Those who desire to testify their appreciation of our labours, will kindly send their subscriptions to our esteemed friend Edmond Beales, Esq., 4, _Stone Buildings_, _Lincoln’s Inn_, _W.C._, who has kindly consented to receive subscriptions, and to see that they are applied to the liquidation of our debts. I cannot conclude without returning my sincere thanks to Earl Spencer; the Hon. Lord Arthur Clinton; Thomas Chambers, Esq., M.P.; Edmond Beales, Esq.; the Hon. Auberon Herbert; the Rev. J. Clifford; the Rev. Jas. Moorhouse; Mr. Sergeant Cox; Professor Plumptre; Frederick Berridge, Esq.; H. W. Oatway, Esq.; Dr. J. E. Carpenter; Dr. Atlschul; Dr. Yewen; Mesdames Rudersdorff Leupold, Harrie Oatway, H. B. Stemson, and H. Elmer; Mr. D. Ellis Howe; Mr. Charles Arnold; Mr. John Rowe; to my assistants—Messrs. D. B. Croft, C. H. Liddon, and Walter Mallett; to the Editors of “The Times,” “Star,” “Standard,” “Lloyd’s,” and the Press generally, for the valuable support accorded to us in the promotion and continuance of “The Marylebone Penny Readings.” With these remarks, I am content to leave the judgment in your hands, feeling assured that this statement will meet with your impartial consideration. With many thanks for the kindness and courtesy I have ever received at your hands, I have the honor to be, MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Your faithful Servant, HENRY TAYLOR _Hon. Conductor_.