However, memories of Theodore Thomas, father of American orchestras, lingered in the minds of a few music lovers, and their longing was increased by regular visits from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which gave five and later ten concerts each season. Many people can bear witness to the joy that they felt when Gericke and Nickisch brought that orchestra here. Soon the jealousy of Philadelphia was aroused at hearing that Theodore Thomas was to settle in Chicago. The West had seized the pioneer leader whom we might have had. Philadelphia’s eyes also turned to New York City, where Dr. Leopold Damrosch and his son, Walter, and Anton Seidl led orchestras; and where the Philharmonic Society had long had an honorable career. Still Philadelphia made no move. Then, in January, 1899, it occurred to a group of women to raise a fund of $100,000 and bring to Philadelphia as a nucleus the New York Symphony Society under Mr. Walter Damrosch; fill it out with the best available musicians and call it the Philadelphia Orchestra. A circular to this effect was issued with the result that a storm of protest arose headed by another group of women, during which much newspaper publicity was given to the subject of an orchestra for this city. Finally the matter was adjusted and a committee of women issued a prospectus for a Philadelphia Orchestra of which the principal points are quoted:[7] [7] For full text of Prospectus, see Appendix M. PROSPECTUS OF PHILADELPHIA PERMANENT ORCHESTRA * * * * * “In order to establish an orchestra such as would be a distinct credit to the city, it is necessary to have a paid-up fund of not less than $250,000. * * * * * “1. Subscribers shall not be bound by their subscriptions unless the sum of $200,000 shall have been subscribed. “2. The fund shall be used only for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a Permanent Philadelphia Orchestra, and it shall be applied for that purpose by the following Trustees: C. WILLIAM BERGNER CHAS. C. HARRISON JOHN H. CONVERSE C. HARTMAN KUHN SAMUEL A. CROZER SIMON A. STERN GEO. W. CHILDS DREXEL JAMES F. SULLIVAN THOS. B. WANAMAKER The Trustees shall invest $200,000 of the fund, using only the interest thereof and the additional $50,000 shall be used for current expenses of the first few years, when the expenses will be heavier and the deficit greater. “3. The orchestra shall be composed, first, of the best musicians resident in Philadelphia; then, of the best musicians obtainable either in this country or abroad. * * * * *