30 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
almost to a revolution, is at present taking place in our land, and 
especially in that branch of public education which relates to 
science. I will not say that old institutions are being subverted; 
but undoubtedly new institutions are rising up very different from 
the old, and the old are undergoing considerable changes. I believe 
that the seed from which all these changes have sprung, and are 
springing, was planted by one man — the late Prince Consort. I 
know of no other person of weight and influence who so constantly 
took every opportunity of urging on the people of this country 
the introduction into our universities and schools of scientific 
instruction. 
This opinion is shared by others more entitled than me to 
speak on this subject ; to whom I will now shortly refer. 
Three weeks ago, at Oxford, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold 
agreed to perform the duty of distributing prizes to students of the 
School of Science and Art established in that town. The prince 
was introduced on that occasion by the Duke of Marlborough, lord- 
lieutenant of the county, and who, some years ago, was President 
of the Government Department on Education. His G-race, on in- 
troducing the prince, said that “it was not surprising that His 
Royal Highness should take a warm interest in every thing that 
belonged to Science and Art, when they remembered that he trod 
in the steps of the illustrious prince to whom the development 
of Science and Art in this country was mainly if not wholly 
attributable.” 
Prince Leopold responded to this sentiment. “ I do not forget,” 
said His Royal Highness, “ that there is devolved upon me, as well 
as upon other members of my family, a sacred trust, to foster, in 
such manner as we are able, the general study throughout the 
kingdom of Science and Art. From the passage I am about to read,” 
be continued to say, “ you will perceive that only a few years ago, 
and even in our university, Science and Art studies received little, 
if any, support. I will quote from an address by my revered father 
on the occasion of his laying the first stone of the Birmingham and 
Midland Institute, almost exactly twenty-four years ago.” The 
passage quoted by Prince Leopold, was a remarkable one. Its first 
sentence was as follows : — “ The study of the laws by which the 
Almighty governs the universe is our bounden duty.” Prince 
