Letters sent by Charles Hall (88 in total), chiefly to Stanley Withers and Gustav Behrens, and chiefly concerning the foundation of the Royal Manchester College of Music, particularly meetings for canvassing support and executive meetings. Other correspondents are also represented including Dr Ward, Lord Tennyson and the Earl of Derby.
They include: engagement of Mme Novello for a private function, 1856 (in French; ff.2-3); letters to John Ella on programmes and on a personal dispute (one in French; ff.4-9); arrangements for recitals and concerts both given and organised by Hall (ff.10-13); Lord Tennyson's refusal to become a member of the general committee for the College of Music in Manchester, July 22 1891 (ff.19-20); the appointment of staff and allocation of students, 1892-5 (ff.21-22, 25-28, 50-58, 69-70, 81-82, 87-88, 93-94, 124-127, 130-131, 134-137, 152-153, 156-157, 188-189); Earl of Derby subscribing to the College of Music, July 1892 (ff.23-24); the proposed constitution of the new College, 1892 (ff.38-39); acceptance of post of Principal, March 1893 (ff.48-49); the appointment of Dr H[iles], 1893 (ff.50-51, 65-68); the petition for a Royal Charter, 1893 (ff.59-60); proposed timetable, Sir G. Grove's objection to the title and Hall's suggestion that it become the 'Royal Conservatoire of Music', and suggestions as to the President, July 1893 (ff.73-74, 79-80); proposed rules for students about engagements, classes etc, 1893 (ff.75-76, 85-86, 89-90); Hall's opinion of Behrens' suggestion of the 'Royal Northern College of Music', July 1893 (ff.77-78); teaching of the guitar and opening ceremony, Aug 1893 (ff.89-90, 103); classrooms, Sep 1893 (ff.91-92); arrangements for auditions, Sep 1893, Sep 1894, Sep 1895 (ff.99-102, 142-143, 184-185); Withers to Ward on the authentication of a pencil sketch of Charles Lamb, with a letter from Canon Ainger Jan 1894 (ff.114-120); the death of Charles Lees, 1894 (ff.138-139); from Marie Hall to Williams [mistaken for Withers] on the loan of letters [for inclusion in the autobiography of Sir Charles Hall edited by Marie and Charles Hall], 1897? (ff.190-191).