Contents: Introduction; Part 1: Watchmen and Watchtowers: I.The Times: J.W. Davison: 'musical politician'; Francis Hueffer: stranger as sentinel; J.A. Fuller Maitland: 'doorkeeper of music'; H.C. Colles; 2.The Daily Telegraph: Joseph Bennet: ‘patriarch and head of the profession’; Robin Legge; 3. The Athenaeum: Henry F. Chorley: critic as patron; Campbell Clarke; Charles Gruneisen; Ebenezer Prout and Henry Frost; John Shedlock; 4. The Musical Times: J. Alfred Novello: a look-out for profit; Henry Lunn takes command; W.A. Barrett and E.F. Jacques; Frederick G. Edwards; W.G. McNaught; Part 2: The Watched: 5. Sullivan - ‘Jumbo of the moment’: Lost leader?; ‘Risking comparison with great men’; ‘A love of the stage’; 6. Parry - ‘English master’: ‘Wild oats’; ‘Legitimate husbandry’; 7. Elgar - 'self-made' composer: ‘A local musician’; Passing the rubicon; ‘Man of the hour’; Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.