I offer no apology for introducing this subject to the Musical Association; it possesses sufficient interest to command attention—attention that I think it has not yet received. I do not pretend that my treatment of the subject will be at all adequate to its importance, nor do I come forward to advocate the cause of woman in musical art; she is, in the present day, quite capable of taking care of herself. It is only necessary to present a fair view of her position, to clear away misconception and prejudice, and it will be seen that the subject is by no means speculative, but very tangible and real; and its discussion will, I trust, be both interesting and profitable.