The title of my paper, ‘The Formation of a National Musical Library,’ may be open to some misconception, and I should like therefore to premise that it does not simply mean a library of national music, though that certainly should form a very important and indispensable section of any national library. The subject proposed for consideration is one which must assuredly deeply interest all musicians, amateur and professional, and the theme is capable of so much expansion that I could, without difficulty, engage your attention during the whole of the time allotted for our meeting; but I shall be brief, in the hope that my few remarks may induce some considerable discussion, leading, perhaps, to practical action.