Such encouragement and support as this disastrous calamity 

 permitted were not wanting to tlie Society. One of tlie first, 

 if not the very first act of a public nature directed hy the 

 Queen after Her Eoyal Consort's death, was to assure it of 

 her support. This she did in a letter dated 24th December, 

 18G], addi-essed by Sir Charles Phipps to Mr. Dilke, now Sir 

 C. Wentworth Dilke, Bart., one of the Vice-Presidents, in the 

 following terms : — 



" The Queen has directed me to infomi you that it is Her Majesty's wish 

 that the Horticultural Gardens should be considered as under her peculiar 

 and personal patronage and protection. 



" The only consolation that Her Majesty can hope to find for the rest of 

 her life, under her bitter and hopeless bereavement, is to endeavour to carry 

 out the wishes and intentions of her beloved Husband. 



" The Queen well knows the deep interest that he took in this under- 

 taking, and would wish to have periodical reports sent to Her Majesty of the 

 progress and proceedings of the Society." 



Immediately following upon this (only four days after) the 

 communication already referred to in speaking of the Memorial 

 was received from H.E.H. the Prince of Wales himself It was 

 an autograph letter, addressed to the Council, and was in the 

 foUomng terms : — 



irrriTfflliTfflilwniflllinliinllliiiiiBM 



1 



IS 



.1. 



