Proposed Memorial Of The Late Prince Consort.

Gothic style in Hyde Park , and that a design , which though of course infinitely inferior to that which I have now the honour of submitting , agreed with it sufficiently in general idea to show that the approval of the one would involve a still stronger approval of the other Fortified , then , by my experience in these three instances , I have not hesitated to adopt in my design the style at once most congenial with own feelingsand that of the most

my , touching monuments ever erected in this country to a Eoyal Consort—the exquisite "Eleanor Crosses" of which King Edward I . erected no less than fourteen to commemorate his beloved Queen . I would further suggest , that this style has a peculiar appropriateness in the present instance , from the circumstance that its pevfect revival has been , uys to the present time , the one great characteristic of the history of architecture

during the reign of Queen Victoria . Though adopting , however , the style of a Gothic cross , I have not followed any existing type , but have struck out one suited , to the best of my judgment , especially to this individual object . The great purpose of an architectural structure , as a part of the Memorial , is to protect and overshadow the statue of the Prince . This idea is the key-note of my design ; and my next

leading idea has been to give to this overshadowing structure the character of a vase shrine , enriching it with all the arts by which the character of preciousness can be imparted to an architectural design , and by which it can he made to express the value attached to the object which it protects . The idea , then , which I have worked out may he described as a colossal statue of the Prince placed beneath a vast and magnificent shrine or tabernacle , and surrounded by works of sculpture

illustrating those arts and sciences which he fostered , and the great undertakings > vhich he originated . To go more into particulars : I have , in the first place , elevated the monument upon a lofty and wide-spreading pyramid of steps . Prom the upper platform rises a podium , or continuous pedestal , surrounded by sculpture in alto-relievo , representing historical groups or series of the most eminent artists of all ages of the world , the four sides being devoted severally to painting , sculpture , architecture , and music . Tbe figures are

about 7 feet high , and would be treated something after the manner of Delaroehe's "Hemieycle des Beaux Arts . " This forms , as it were , the foandntion of the monument , and upon it is placed the shrine or tabernacle already mentioned . This is supported at each of its angles by groups of four pillars of polished granite , bearing tho four main arches of the shrine . Each side is terminated by a gable , the tympanum of which will contain a large picture in mosaicand its mouldings will

, be decorated with burning , or inlaid with mosaic work , enamel , and polished gem-like stones , thus carrying out the characteristics of a shrine . The intersecting roofs would be covered with scales of metal richly enamelled and gilded , ancl their crestings would be of gUtheaten metal in rich leaf-work . The whole is crowned by a lofty spireof rich tabernacle-work

in partially gilt and enamelled metal , terminating in a cross , which would reach a height of 150 feet above the surrounding ground . Beneath this vast canopy , and raised upon a lofty pedestal , would be the statue of the Prince . I have chosen the sitting posture as best conveying the idea of dignity befitting a Eoyal personage . Besides the sculpture already described as

surrounding the podium , there would be , on pedestals projecting from each of its angles , groups illustrating the industrial arts , & c , as engineering , manufactures , agriculture , and commerce . Above these , against the pillars , anel beneath the feet of the gables , would he statues which might represent the greater sciences , and in the tabernacle-work of the spire figures of angels and of the Christian virtues . The mosaic pictures in the tympana of the gables may either

represent , in an ideal manner , the patronage of art and science by royalty , or might illustrate important incidents from the life of the Prince Consort . Finally , at the angles of the pyramid of steps from which the monument rises , are four large pedestals , bearing groups allegovically relating to the four quarters of the globe and their productions , referring indirectly to the indirectly to the

International Exhibition . The general material for the monument must depend , in some degree , upon financial considerations . It ought , no doubt , to he of marble ; but , if this should be impracticable , one of the

Proposed Memorial Of The Late Prince Consort.

finest descriptions of stone must be made use of . If marble be nseii , the most dmable variety is that known , as the Sicilian . The material feir the sculpture involves a question of still greater difficulty . I am myself inclined to the same which I have just named—the Sicilian marble . It is the only white marble which stands externally in our climate . That it does so is proved by the Marble Arch in Hyde Park . Its colour is not pure white , but quite sufficiently so for external works .

Theonly alternatives are bronze ancl an electro-plate of copper . Im every other respect than mere durability , bronze is as ill suited ; as possible to the atmosphere of London , for it becomes absolutely black , and the art expressed in it almost invisible . Itmight , it is true , be partially gilt , but even then its effect would ' be questionable . Many ancient works in bronze were wholly gilt , which would possibly , however , be hardly suited to the taste of this country , though certainly very magnificent .

Electro-plate copper is much less costly than bronze , and isnearly equally good . It was much used , I believe , by the Prince Consort . Whether it becomes so black in the Londonatmosphere I am not aware . * It will be seen from the foregoing remarks , that it is my object to unite in the memorial all , or as many as possible , of those decorative arts which the Prince Consort so anxiously fostered . Thusbesides sculturewhieh is the primary form

, p , , in which monumental art must express itself , and in addition to actual architecture and architectural carving , which must ver be its closest ally , I have largely availed myself of repoussework in metal ; of enamel ; of inlaying in rich polished stones , such as crystals , cornelians , granite , porphyry , & c . ; of picturesand other decorations in mosaic-work , & c ., so as to render the memorial rich with all the arts which can be united with architecture .

The vaulted roof of the interior would be decorated with the enamel mosaic-work introduced from Venice by Dr . Salviati . . By thus introducing all the arts subsidiary to architecture ,, we should not only be rendering the memorial replete with beauty , and giving it that air of preciousness so essential to its object , but should be at once displaying and calling into exercise arts which the Prince Consort so earnestly desired toencourage , ancl should be rendering his memorial not only an illustration of , but a means of practically realising , many ofthe objects to which he devoted his energies . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

FKEE-BORX What is the meaning of Eree-born in our declaration ,, does it allude to slavery ?—H . M . —[ It does . The old system was so worked because , then , slaves were ineligible , but since the emancipation of the negroes it has been practically held , in the West Indies more particularly , that coloured men , though originally slaves ,

whohave by their industry , or the laws of the empire , gained their freedom , are eligible for Freemasonry . With this interpretation of the practice we have nothing to do . We only state the usage as at present existing . ] REVISION 01 ' THE LECTUllES . Much has been said ofthe different systems of working and frequent desires expressed that an authorised revision

should take place . Is such a thing ever done abroad ? - H . M , —[ The Americans advocate it in these words . " A revision of the lodge lectures periodically , to meet the advance of civilization and science , ought to take place under the sanction of the Grand Lodge . Every institution , to be perfect , should be consistent with itself . And hence be insufficiency of the present lectures may

reasonably be questioned . It is therefore desirable that the attention of the fraternity should be fairly awakened to the subject , that they may take the premises into their most serious consideration , and endeavour to place Free-