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and an exhibition has taken place, the chief regret concerning 

 which is that he in -whose genius it originated is not here to see 

 and reward the result by his ajjprobation. 



How much light do these cursory and unconnected 

 notices cast upon His Eoyal Highness's views and objects. To 

 the thoughtless spectator the patronage of the Queen and the 

 Prince Consort given to the Eoyal Horticultural Society may 

 I seem the whim of the day or the toy of the hour. He was 

 in no way more specially interested in Horticulture than in 

 any other liberal pursuit. But these details show that he had 

 a deeper object than the promotion of Horticulture, or the 

 creation of a beautiful garden. We see from them that he was 

 using, unobtrusively and silently, the Society as an influence 

 for the good and advancement of the people — by its facilities 

 trd extending a fostering and helping hand to Horticulture and 

 Art on the one hand ; and preparing facilities for obtaining for 

 the mass of the people, on the other, at some future period, 

 an occasional access to the humanising influences of these sister 

 Sciences. He felt that he was in advance of the people, and 

 that the tastes which ho wished to foster were yet to form ; 

 therefore, while anxious to encourage them, he left the Council 

 and Commissioners free and unhampered, both as to extent of 

 |p~ the facilities to be offered to the general public, and the time 

 Bj when they should be given. 

 ^S* By his judicious support and management he brought the 



vast influence of the aristocracy to bear in support of this 

 noble enterprise, many no doubt aiding him unwittingly and in 

 ignorance of his object, but others appreciating it, and "vvillingly 

 fe l lendiiic; their aid to it. 



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