AT SOUTH KENSINGTON, JDNE 5, 1861, COS 



it has enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity. At least 1500 new 

 Members have joined it ; so much confidence has been placed in 

 the measures of your Council as to have produced by the issue of 

 debentures the sum of 50,0 OOL required to meet the Society's 

 engagements with Her Majesty's Commissioners ; and the Garden 

 in which we are now assembled, itself, Sir, in 'many respects the 

 offspring of your own intelligence, has sprung into existence. 

 When the trees shall afford a grateful shade, and the \Yater- 

 works in progress shall have been completed, the scene cannot 

 fail to be one of great interest and beauty. Even now the noble 

 arcades, which are three-quarters of a mile in length, will afford 

 an agreeable and sheltered promenade in all weather, and the 

 beautiful conservatory before us will be enjoyable in even the 



Nor can we look upon the various works around us without 

 acknowledging how much we owe to the different gentlemen, who 

 have contributed so much genius and skill as well as valuable 



In the name of the Society we have the honour to represent, 

 we therefore desire to express to your Royal Highness our 

 earnest hope and confident belief that the formation of this 

 Garden will show that it is not unworthy of the exalted patronage 

 it has received from Her Most Gracious Majesty and your Royal 

 Highness. 



To this His Royal Highness was pleased to make the 

 following reply: — 



" I thank you for the address which you have just presented 



° " While vou have expressed your deep regret at being deprived 

 on this occasion, of the presence of the Qceen, I am enabled and 

 empowered to assure you, that Her Majesty, on her part, also 

 sincerely regrets her inability 1 

 interest she takes in your 



^''^ You have addressed me in my double capacity of President 

 of Your Society, and also of the Royal Commissioners of IBol. 

 In either of these capacities, I cannot but be gratified by the 



" Having shared, to some extent, in your labours and anxieties, 

 I am happy to be able to congratulate you on what has been 



