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but that the Church generally will be represented at the meeting, and that consequently there will be full security that no expressions will be used that can give just cause of offence to any denomination of Christians.'

The condition was of course accepted and kept. Determined, however, that he should not be drawn into a party demonstration, the Prince took particular precautions that moderate as well as High Churchmen should be among the speakers at the meeting. The list, which included the Bishop of London (Blomfield), Lord John Russell, Earl Grey, Mr. Sidney Herbert, the Bishop of Oxford (Wilberforce), the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Harrowby, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, shows how well the balance had been adjusted, and what excellent provision made for securing a broad and statesmanlike treatment of the topics to be discussed. Of this the Prince set an impressive example by his speech. It bears the marks of having been prepared with more than ordinary care. Though framed particularly with a view to the then disturbed state of public feeling on matters of religious controversy, it embodies important truths of universal application. As it also throws valuable light upon the opinions of the Prince, both political and religious, the leading passages of it are here reproduced:

'This Society was first chartered by that great man, William the Third, the greatest sovereign this country has to boast of; by whose sagacity and energy was closed that bloody struggle for civil and religious liberty which so long had convulsed this country, and who secured to us the inestimable advantages of our Constitution and of our Protestant faith.

Having thus placed the country upon a safe basis at home, he could boldly meet her foes abroad, and contribute to the foundation of that colonial empire which forms so important a part of our present greatness; and honour be to him for his endeavour to place this foundation upon the rock of the Church.

'The first jubilee of the Society fell in times when religious

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apathy had succeeded to the over-excitement of the preceding age. Lax morals and a sceptical philosophy began to undermine the Christian faith, treating with indifference and even ridicule the most sacred objects. Still this Society persevered in its labours with unremitting zeal, turning its chief attention to the North American continent, where a young and vigorous society was rapidly growing into a people.

'The second jubilee found this country in a most critical position; she had obtained, by the peace of Amiens, a moment's respite from the tremendous contest in which she had been engaged with her continental rival, and which she had soon to renew, in order to maintain her own existence, and to secure a permanent peace to Europe. Since the last jubilee, the American colonies, which had originally been peopled chiefly by British subjects who had left their homes to escape the yoke of religious intolerance and oppression, had thrown off their allegiance to the mother country in defence of civil rights, the attachment to which they had carried with them from the British soil. Yet this Society was not dismayed, but in a truly Christian spirit continued its labours in the neighbouring North American and West Indian settlements.

This, the third jubilee, falls in a happier epoch, when peace is established in Europe, and religious fervour is rekindled, and at an auspicious moment when we are celebrating a festival of the civilisation of mankind, to which all quarters of the globe have contributed their productions, and are sending their people, for the first time recognising their advancement as a common good, their interests as identical, their mission on earth the

same.

And this civilisation rests on Christianity, could only be raised on Christianity, can only be maintained by Christianity! the blessings of which are now carried by this Society to the vast territories of India and Australasia, which last are again to be peopled by the Anglo-Saxon race.

'Whilst we have thus to congratulate ourselves upon our state of temporal prosperity, harmony at home, and peace abroad, we cannot help deploring that the Church, whose exertions for the progress of Christianity and civilisation we are to-day acknowledging, should be afflicted by internal dissensions and attacks from without. I have no fear, however, for her safety and ulti

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mate welfare, so long as she holds fast to what our ancestors gained for us at the Reformation-the Gospel and the unfettered right of its use.

The dissensions and difficulties which we witness in this as in every other Church arise from the natural and necessary conflict of the two antagonistic principles which move human society in Church as well as in State; I mean the principles of individual liberty and of allegiance and submission to the will of the community, exacted by it for its own preservation.

"These conflicting principles cannot safely be disregarded: they must be reconciled. To this country belongs the honour of having succeeded in this mighty task, as far as the State is concerned, whilst other nations are still wrestling with it; and I feel persuaded that the same earnest zeal and practical wisdom which has made her political Constitution an object of admiration to other nations will, under God's blessing, make her Church likewise a model to the world.

'Let us look upon this assembly as a token of future hope; and may the harmony which reigns amongst us at this moment, and which we owe to having met in furtherance of a common holy object, be by the Almighty permanently bestowed upon the Church!'

In writing to the Queen next day, Lord John Russell expressed what certainly was the impression generally produced by the way in which the Prince had executed his difficult task, when he said, that he observed with great pleasure yesterday, that the speech of the Prince had an excellent effect. With many dangers on every side, every word was admirable nothing left unsaid that ought to be said, and nothing said that ought to be avoided.'

The opinion of so competent a judge could not be otherwise than gratifying, and the same day Her Majesty wrote in reply:

'We are both much pleased at what Lord John Russell says about the Prince's speech of yesterday. It was on so ticklish a subject, that one could not feel certain beforehand

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1851 how it might be taken. At the same time, the Queen felt sure that the Prince would say the right thing, from her entire confidence in his great tact and judgment. The Queen, at the risk of not appearing sufficiently modest (and yet why should a wife ever be modest about her husband's merits?) must say, that she thinks Lord John Russell will admit now, that the Prince is possessed of very extraordinary powers of mind and heart. She feels so proud of being his wife, that she cannot refrain from herself paying a tribute to his noble character.'

Lord John Russell had long been well satisfied as to the Prince's qualities, on which Her Majesty dwells with such natural emphasis. Of this he seized the opportunity thus afforded to him of giving the strongest assurance in a few eloquent words:—

'Pembroke Lodge, 18th June, 1851.

'Lord J. Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is most gratified by the expression of your Majesty's sentiments, which there would certainly be no merit in concealing. Lord J. R. has long thought the Prince's character very extraordinary for abilities, judgment, information, and a sympathy for all the sorrows and joys of his fellowcreatures. These qualities in so exalted a station, and in such quicksand times, are of the utmost value to the nation at large; and while your Majesty derives the first and nearest benefit from them, they extend from the Royal Family to the subjects of your Majesty's Crown in every part of the globe.'

CHAPTER XLIII.

AMID the greater claims which this busy year made upon the Prince's attention, he still found time to show his lively interest in whatever was being done for literature, art, and science. When Macready took his leave of the stage on the 1st of February, he was there with the Queen to testify his respect to the veteran artist. An evening was devoted to hearing Rachel, then in her fullest power, in the Andromaque, another to witness the performance at Devonshire House by Dickens, Jerrold, Forster, and the other promoters of the Guild of Literature and Art, of Sir E. L. Bulwer's comedy Not so Bad as we Seem. He was a frequent visitor at the studios of the leading painters. In April he heard Sir Charles Lyell and Professor Faraday lecture at the Royal Institution. In May he opened the Museum of Practical Geology, and attended the soirée of the Institute of Civil Engineers. In June he laid the foundation stone of the City Consumption Hospital. In short, wherever a good work was to be advanced, wherever knowledge was to be gained, wherever new discoveries in science or mechanics were to be seen, the Prince was certain to be found, however hard the effort it cost him to make his presence compatible with his more urgent duties.

On the 3rd of July he went to attend the meeting of the British Association at Ipswich. During his stay he was the guest of Sir William Middleton at Shrublands, from which he wrote to the Queen immediately after his arrival :