"The bands of the Coldstream Guards and Honourable Artillery Company will be in attendance, and a Guard of Honour will line the entrance.
"His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and suite will arrive at the entrance on the Victoria Embankment at half-past one o'clock.
"His Royal Highness will be received by Mr. W. H. Smith, M.P., Sir James Hogg, Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, Mr. F. H. Fowler, the Architect, and Mr. J. H. Mapleson, the Director of the National Opera.
"On arrival at the platform an address will be read to the Duke of Edinburgh in the name of the founders of the Grand National Opera-house.
"His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will then proceed to lay the first stone.
"The trowel will be handed to His Royal Highness by Mr. Mapleson, the Director; the plumb-rule and level by Mr. F. H. Fowler, the Architect; and the mallet by Mr. W. Webster, the Builder.
"On the completion of the ceremony His Royal Highness will make a brief reply to the address.
"The Duke of Edinburgh will then be conducted to his carriage at the entrance by which His Royal Highness arrived, and will drive to the St. Stephen's Club.
"16th December, 1875."
The following address was then read by Sir James McGarel Hogg:—