80 
MISCELLANEA. 
THE ALBERT MEMORIAL. 
HE Commissioners appointed by her Majesty for the purpose of erecting 
a monument in memory of the late Prince Consort have decided, after 
mature deliberation, and amidst the expression of the most conflicting 
opinions, to raise a suitable memorial group, which is to be placed in a building 
to be devoted to purposes of science, art, and literature. This determination 
will, we believe, meet with the cordial approbation of all who know anything 
of the desires and aspirations of him in whose honour the memorial is to be 
erected ; and such a monument will present a suitable contrast to the 
numerous obelisks, needles, and statues which have from time to time been 
raised to the memory of the wise and good. 
We have but one observation to make upon the project, which has our best 
wishes for its success. 
If the building and its adjuncts be so ordered as to be useful to the me- 
tropolis only, — in fact, if its vital functions, so to speak, are to be purely 
metropolitan, well, then we wish it may prosper, and that the inhabitants of 
London and its vicinity will give it every support and countenance. 
If, however, it is to be national, and if provincial towns (where encourage- 
ment to science and art is so much needed) are to participate in its advantages, 
and it is destined to form a great centre to the scientific and other associa- 
tions which desire to be interlinked with it, — then we not only hope, but feel 
very confident, that it will meet with support from every town in the British 
empire, however large may be the sums that have already been subscribed or 
voted for local memorials ; and then, indeed, it will become a fitting monu- 
ment to the memory of the good Prince whose life and acts it is designed to 
perpetuate. 
The zealous and efficient teachers whose sendees have been enlisted in -the 
cause of Science, chiefly in consequence of the tempting inducements held out 
to them by the Committee of Council on Education, have just cause to con- 
gratulate themselves, and to look with pride upon the results which, year 
after year, are being attained through their agency. 
Mr. Ralph Tate, of Belfast, for example, who appears to possess as great tact 
in giving direction to the intellectual efforts of Iris students, as he does ability 
to teach science, will have no cause to regret having undertaken his task, 
when he counts up the numbers and achievements of his “ passed” pupils. 
So far as the published records of the Department of Science and Art indi- 
cate, his class appears to have existed only one season, during which time his 
teaching has been most efficient, and the industry of liis students highly cre- 
ditable ; for eighty-two of them have passed the government examination in 
OUR SCIENCE SCHOOLS AND CLASSES. 
