4 MOJ^THLY SUMMARY. 



While, iu common with our fellow-subjects, we grieve the loss 

 of his Koyal Highness to the nation, and as the consort of your 

 Majesty, and while with others we respected and admired his 

 character, the kindly courtesy which marked his intercourse with 

 the Royal Horticultural Society had generated amongst us 

 feelings of personal attachment, which are now followed by deep 

 and heartfelt sorrow for his loss. 

 . In our late President we have to mourn one who— when the 



m ■- 



Society which we represent was on the point of extinction 

 raised, revived, and guided it through difficulties, which he alone 

 would have enabled it to surmount, and it is with the deepest 

 gratitude that we acknowledge our obligation to his late Royal 

 Highness for assistance given at a period when he must have 

 been convinced that laborious personal exertion on his part 

 could alone restore this Society to prosperity. 



Although the present condition of the Society is such, that the 

 Gardens at South Kensington constitute a worthy monument of 

 the genius and skill of our late President, we cannot but perceive 

 that our work is not yet finished ; that while great difficulties 

 have been overcome, much remains to be accomplished, and 

 that we have to lament the loss of our President at a 

 moment when his directing mind and fostering care are doubly 

 necessarv. 



We humbly assure your Majesty, that it will be our unceasing 

 endeavour to complete the various unfinished designs of our late 

 lamented President, and that we feel that, by executing them 

 with fidelity, we shall best testify the profound respect we 

 entertain for his memory. 



Whilst we bow submissively to tlie Divine will, we earnestly 

 pray that He who has smitten may also heal, and that your 

 Majesty may experience in this hour of bitter trial the fulness of 

 those consolations which The Comforter alone can give. 



By Order of the Council. 



Sealed with the seal of the Society, this 30th 

 day of December, 18G1, in presence of, &o. 



