The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-24 00:00:00

had arisen in the desire felt by the provincial towns
to evince their sense of the national loss without
awaiting the general decision or co-operating with
the plans laid down in the metropolis. In
refering to the personal characteristics of the
late Prince, Mr. DISRAELI said that he was a
man who combined qualities that were often con-
sidered incompatible—namely, contemplation and
action. He was distinguished alike for profundity
of thought and quickness of organisation. The
country began by this time to appreciate more
of the real character of him whom they had lost than
they- had done at first; and, indeed, something of
the influence of posterity was now mingled with
our retrospective glance at his career. Mr.
DISRAELI then adverted to the speech of Mr.
CONINGHAM, and said that he did not agree with
that gentleman•a view on the subject in naming a
" purpose of utility" as the object of the subscrip-
tions. That meant some particular feature in the
PitiswE's career that they might wish to illustrate,
but a public memorial which the House
and the country expected to erect should
be of an universal and complete character.
It should resemble his own character in the beauty
and harmony of its proportions, and in the appro-
priateness of the ornament, and it should appeal to
the general sentiments of the country, and, as it
were, represent, as far as art can represent, the cha-
racter and remembrance of the living man, so that
those who come after us, as the noble lord observed,
may see something which they may receive of in-
struction and encouragement ; it should be some-
thing significant, direct, and choice, not indirect
and in reference to some narrow-minded prin-
ciple of utility, referring merely to some frag-
mentary portion of his life and acts ; it should
above all things be direct as well as appropri-
ate, so that those who who come after us may
say, ' This is the type and the testimony of a sublime
life and a transcendent career, and thus they were
recognised by a grateful and admiring nation.'
After some further remarks the vote was agreed
to, and it may therefore be trusted that this grand
national undertaking will soon be completed in a
manner creditable alike to the memory of the man
it seeks to honour and the people who are willing
to place his record among their chronicle of the
departed worthies of the State. From what has
appeared in the description of the design it
seems likely to prove generally satisfactory. In
some explanatory remarks which Mr. GILBERT
SCOTT has written on the subject, he mentions
several interesting facts, among which appears
conspicuous the mention that Prince ALBERT him-
self approved of the erection of a Gothic style of
memorial in Hyde-park, when there was a discus-
sion on the relative merits of the Guards Crimean
Memorial. Taking everything into consideration,
we have ample reason to be satisfied with the pre-
sent plans laid down for observance by the corn
mittee regulating the Prince Consort Memorial,
and the "Eleanor Cross" which has been fixed
upon is a fitting suggestion in many points of view.
It bears the stamp of old association, which is in
itself a recommendation to the tastes and sympa-
thies of those whom Mr. DISRAELI appropriately
described last night as "a proud and ancient
people." Let us trust, then, that this work will
be happily completed, and remain a lasting tes-
timony to future generations of the respect which
attended the life, and the regret that accom-
panied the death of one who did his utmost
in the short day of human trial that
precedes the night when no man can work. The
closing period of earthly existence can hardly come
more suddenly to any man than it did to the late
Prince Consort. But while the dead rest from their
labours, the living may appreciate their work, and
this is eminently the case with him whom we now
seek to honour. It has been truly declared—

" That those bright laurels ne'er shall fade with years,
Whose leaves are watered by a nation's tears."
And the respect and reverence which enshrine the
memory of the Prince Consort are the most lasting

and imperishable proofs of his name being handed
down to posterity as one of those illustrious men
whom a nation has delighted to honour. 'The de-

cision of the House will be ratified by the approval
of the country, and the Sovereign may reflect in her
hours of sorrow that, if taken too soon from his family

and friends, her lamented consort has not departed
before his worth was appreciated, and his character

comprehended by the mighty people over whom she
reigns. Monuments are " fruitless wreaths of fame"

unless they typify a feeling and represent a prin

ciple, but the memorial to be raised in Hyde-park
will not be an empty or an insignificant affair. Near
to where the Prince in the prime of life and the
fruition of his plans, witnessed the opening of the

Great Exhibition, will be reared the solemn witness

of his departure from the busy scenes and brilliant
pageants among which he took a prominent place.
This will be a warning to those who look on so to

employ their opportunities, and exert their energies
that when the superficial has passed away, some-

ping Sterling may remain to influence and

interest the generation that succeed them.
It is not the glories of birth and state, or the power
of the sceptre and crown that can attract esteem
or command homage, but the qualities of the indi-
vidual that appear through the trappings of royalty,

and are revealed amid the artificial life of courts

[t is, inasmuch as Englishmen have recognised
hese higher attributes in the character of the de-

parted Prince, that the Memorial now about to be

erected to his honour is precious and praiseworthy.
The QUEEN and her children may regard it m ith

ust pride, since it is the spontaneous offering of a

nation's goodwill, and those strangers from afar,

who visit our shores, may pause to contemplate the

memento that we have raised to the memory of one
who, with no definite position or recognised respon-

sibilities of his own, made for himself a glorious
vocation as the worthy husband of our Queen, and

" Noble father of our Kings to be."

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, Prince Alfred, and Prince Louis of Hesse visited
the Exhibition of the Old Society of Water Colours, Pall-
mall, this morning.

The Duke of Somerset, First Lord of the Admi-
ralty, held a levee yesterday, which was well attended.
The funeral of Field-Marshal Lord Seaton took
place at Newton Ferrers, near Yealmpton, Devon-
shire, this day. The ceremony was private.
Lady Molesworth entertained at dinner last
evening, at her residence, Eatoa-place, their Royal High-
nesses the Comte de Paris and the Duo de Chartres, the
Duke of St. Albans, his Excellency the Italian Minister, &c
The marriage of Major the Hon. Charles
-Vircmyss Thesiger, second son of Lord and Lads
Chelmsford, with Miss Charlotte, daughter of the Hon.
George Handcock, and niece to Lord Castlemaine, was
solemnied yesterday at St. George's, Hanover-square, in
the presence of a numerous circle of the relations and
friends of the two families.

ELECTION OF A COMMON COUNCILMAN.— & ward-
mote was held yesterday afternoon in the vestry-
room of St. Magnus Church, Upper Thames-street, for the
election of a common councilman for tho ward of Bridge,
in the place of Mr. James Low. deceased. Mr. Alderman
Abbiss took the chair. I here were three candidates pro-
posed for the vacant office, namely, Mr. George Pay, Mr.
Charles Muspratt, and Mr. John Thomas Moss. A show
olfealacearnigwdsittswhaansataken, and Mr. Pay was elected, the other
candidates declining to demand a poll. Mr. Pay, in ex-
pressing lite. acknowledgments, strongly condemned the
pith
wonastthehtesatvipodaidrit of Sir George Grey to interfere with
the rights privileges of the citizens. A vote of condo-
lence
dear
represented
rfeasramiltye
dotfh
ethe
ward lat einMt rh.e
cLow—
who,orpo
ration upwards of 30 years---waa unanimously passed,