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:

"Queen Victoria and her people,

To the memory of Albert, Prince Consort,
As a tribute of their gratitude
For a life devoted to the public good."

48. THE FUNERAL OF A SPANISH KING.

The burial place of the royal family of Spain is in the Palace of the Escorial. Everything in Spain is done with a great deal of ceremony, and when a King dies the funeral is placed under the charge of the Espinosa family, who live, and have lived for generations, on a government estate, which was given to them in recognition of having performed their duties well.

When the royal funeral cortége starts, the members of this family, dressed in the Spanish costume of several hundred years ago, head the procession, which stops at a place about half-way to the Escorial, and rests for the night. In the morning the oldest man of the Espinosa knocks on the coffin lid and asks the King if it is his wish to continue the journey to his last resting-place; though the dead King makes no reply, the cortège starts and arrives at the Escorial after dark, where they find the large doors of the Church in the Escorial fastened tightly. Some of the leaders then knock at the door; there is a great noise made by the monks who have charge of the church, who call out, "Who is there?"

The Espinosa answers, "A man of peace," the usual answer given by any one in all Spain who knocks at a door and is asked a similiar question. The pounding of the door is continued, when the priests cry, "What do you want?" They answer, "To bury the King." "How do you know the King is dead?" "We all know it, we have seen him die." The priests at first refuse them admittance, but after the Espinosa threaten to break down the doors the monks scream to them that they will at once surrender, for a few priests cannot be expected to hold out against such a throng of people. The doors are then opened, the body is taken into the. church, and after high mass the King is interred in the very beautiful circular pantheon below the church. Although it is below the ground, the windows give quite enough light to read all the inscriptions on the sarcophagi, which are arranged in niches around the marble walls. There is another large crypt in which are interred the princes and princesses of the royal family; and on the corners of the hall leading thereto are four grand statues of different members of the Espinosa family who have served in this same capacity at different times.

49. ATLANTIC CABLE.

In July, 1856, the Government of the United States, at the request of Cyrus W. Field, sent Lieutenant Berryman in the "Arctic" to run a line of deep-sea sounding along the path marked out on the map for the cable. This was done with Lieutenant Brooke's deep-sea sounding apparatus, and confirmed the existence of the "telegraph plateau." At the same time Mr. Field went to England and induced the British Government to send the "Cyclops," under Lieutenant-Commander Daymen,