AT SOUTH KENSINGTON, JUNE 5, 1861. 605 



which win surround them ;— buildings where science and art 

 may find space for development, with that air and light which 

 are elsewhere well nigh banished from this overgrown metropolis. 



" If the works before us are still incomplete, this must not be 

 attributed entirely to the short space of time allowed for their 

 execution, or to the exhaustion of the funds set apart for them. 

 It results also, in great measure, from a well-considered purpose 

 on the part of the Society and the Commissioners, — rather to 

 present the public with a framework, to be gradually filled up, as 

 individual taste, controlled and harmonised by the general 

 superintendence of the authorities, might direct, than at once to 

 display a complete creation, which, however attractive for the 

 moment, would pall upon us and grow stale by habit. 



" Unrivalled opportunities are here offered for the display of 

 works of art, and for the erection of monuments as tributes to 

 great men and public benefactors. The Memorial of the Exhi- 

 bition of 1851, the result of private subscriptions, will be the 

 first received in these grounds, and, adorned with a statue of the 

 Queen, will soon rise in the centre of the Gai'den, 



"May your efforts meet with public approbation. May that 

 approbation give you all the support required, not only further to 

 ornament these Gardens, but also to carry out, even on a larger 

 scale than during the last 48 years, the useful objects for which 



Immediately afterwards, the Bishop of London, who was 

 attended by the Archdeacon of Middlesex and his Chaplain, 

 ofiered up the following prayers : — 



Collect for the day. 



God, the strength of all them that put their trust in Thee, 

 mercifully accept our prayers, and because, through the weakness 

 of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without Thee, 

 grant us the help of Thy grace that in keeping of Thy command- 

 ments we may please Thee, both in will and deed ; through Jesus 

 Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Prevent us, Lord, in all our doings with Thy most i 

 favour, and further us with Thy continual help ; that in 

 works begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may gloi 

 holy name, and finally by Thy mercy of ' --^--^- 

 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



