A National Memorial

The Albert Memorial, erected by the English nation to the memory of the Prince Consort, is one of the grandest and most sumptuous monuments in the world. It was designed to perpetuate the memory of a good and great Prince, to express the nation's appreciation of his blameless life, and the universal grief at his early death.

A Colossal statue of the Prince is seated upon a shrine elevated upon a lofty and wide-spreading pyramid of granite steps; the total number of steps being 1803, their total length two and a quarter miles. The area of the platform is 23,803 square feet. The total height 180 feet. On pedestals, at the outer angles of the first tier of steps, are colossal allegorical groups of the four quarters of the globe, as represented in the International Exhibition of which the Prince was the originator in 1851, and upon the site of which the Monument and Albert Hall are erected.

Europe is represented by a bull, in accordance with the old myth of Europa.

Asia is represented by an elephant, the prostrate animal typifying the subjection of brute force to human intelligence.

Africa is represented by an Egyptian princess seated upon a recumbent camel. Other figures typify the European civilization of African races.

America is represented as mounted upon a bison, which, with head down, is charging through the long prairie grass. This group symbolizes progress, and in this respect forms a marked contrast to the representation of the other three continents, which are at rest.

From the upper platform rises a Podium, or Pedestal, surrounded by a series of 169 portrait figures in alto relievo representing the men of all ages who have excelled in the Arts. The Poets and Musicians are on the south front; the Painters on the east front; the Architects on the north front, and the Sculptors on the west front. The natives of different countries are grouped together. The figures are 6 feet high. The base moulds (3 feet) and the cornice (2 feet) are of the richest red granite, polished with the greatest care.

On pedestals, projecting from each corner of the Podium, are marble groups illustrating Agriculture, Manufacturing, Commerce, and Engineering.

From this magnificent foundation rises the Gothic canopy. On the great clustered pillars which support it are bronze statues representing Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, and Geometry. Above the capitals a second range of bronze statues representing Rhetoric, Medicine, Philosophy, and Physiology. Thus the statues which occupy the four angles illustrate the whole range of Science and the practical arts and industries which the International Exhibition promoted.

From this level all is changed. The canopy becomes a shrine, and religion and virtue are subjects of illustration. The mosaic pictures in the tympana, spandrels and vaulting are of glass, manufactured in Murano, near Venice. The statues in the spire are of gilt-bronze, and represent the four Christian virtues and the four greater morals, while groups of angels surround the base of the cross, which surmounts the whole. Beneath this magnificent canopy is the seated portrait statue of His Royal Highness, Albert Edward, Prince Consort, made of gun metal, covered with triple gold plate, dressed in the robe and insignia of the Royal Order of the Garter. The dedicatory inscription is executed in mosaic (the letters are of blue glass with black edges, placed upon a ground of gold enamelled glass), and reads: