Before beginning what I have to say on the subject of the timpani, I wish to thank Mrs. Stansfeld Prior for so kindly playing with me, and for the time she has given to rehearsal.

It is quite probable that papers have already been read before this Society on the subject of drums, perhaps from a scientific, or historical, point of view, so I propose to-day to say something on the matter from a player's standpoint. Whether that can be made interesting I must leave you to determine, but I am not without hope that I may be able to bring before you some unsuspected musical qualities of the instruments, not only as instruments of percussion for the expression of rhythm, but. to demonstrate, if I can, that they can give it in a manner which is musical and not offensive to sensitive ears.