2-889-318 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

His Royal Highness Prince Albert Laying the Foundation-Stone of the National Gallery, at Edinburgh, 1850. 'The enclosed space had several stands erected within it...On the west side of the area was another stand, capable of containing 1300 persons...the Prince Consort entered the area, and, amidst loud cheers, took up his position close to the foundation-stone. The Rev. Dr. Lee, Principal of the University...offered up a fervent prayer for the success of the proposed edifice....The Lord Justice-General then advanced, and taking up the trowel, which he afterwards presented to the Prince, addressed his Royal Highness, explaining the object of the new building. [The prince spoke:] "The building of which we have just begun the foundation is a temple to be erected to the fine arts - the fine arts, which have so important an influence upon the development of the mind and feeling of a people".' From "Illustrated London News", 1850.