Autograph letter signed : London, to Miss Gillington, 1885 July 28

Discussing the state of English music; congratulating her "...upon your entrance through the Gates. For I feel it to be nothing more than that. Now comes all the influence you will have to bring to bear upon the music of England. It is not until we are entirely free of 'school', that the grave question presents itself (quite apart from monetary considerations) 'What am I do for English music'? I pray God that we may find an army strong enough to drive out all the iniquitous enemies to true artistic worth, worth which is being swamped in a flood of untruthful humbug. There is the British people, not knowing what to choose, & open mouthed for any fare presented to them. Then there are the mercenary publishers & the doubting singers and instrumentalists, fearful of a possible loss of gains, & then there are the 'compounders'[.] God knows I can't call them 'composers', who mix the draughts that, without doing more good than bread [illegible] but doing infinitely more harm than fiery alcohol, suit & satiate the temporary palate of the consumer, & fill the vendors pockets! We have (as gently as you will, still we have) to lead the open-mouthed ones to such food as not only leaves a craving for more, but also needs some use and education for them to appreciate, & is then worthy [of] their consumption. Forgive a rambling thought letter from your truly delighted friend."