i86o-6i LECTURES AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE 99 



them, and I make as much of my discourse suitable 

 to him as I can, and generally introduce two or 

 three anecdotes for the younger children. They 

 are all attentive, and seem often to be deeply 

 interested ; and much of what I have had to say 

 is evidently new to all. 



' My first lecture was on Mammalia, the second 

 on Birds, the third on Reptiles, and the fourth on 

 Fishes and other marine animals and insects. My 

 continuous discourse is about three-quarters of an 

 hour, and the rest is occupied by question and 

 answer, in which the Prince Consort takes a good 

 share in explaining to the youngest children any 

 matter that seems difficult to them. I have given 

 little Prince Arthur a coloured illustrated book on 

 Natural History, and to Prince Alfred a Manual 

 for observing Natural History phenomena at sea. 

 They took leave of me to-day very affectionately, 

 and the youngest Prince waylaid me in the cor- 

 ridor and played me a tune on his large musical 

 box, and begged Major Elphinstone, his tutor, to 

 let him come to the British Museum to see my 

 animals there. The three young Princesses are 

 very sweet and unaffected in their manner, and 

 I think they have all been rather struck by hearing 

 so much in an uninterrupted extempore discourse. 

 . . . The Prince wishes me to publish my dis- 

 courses, and, if I can find time for an elementary 

 work, on the plan I have adopted, I would gladly 

 endeavour to carry out His Royal Highness's 



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