ardent student,
acquired many accomplishments, and developed a taste for music and the
fine arts. King Leopold and Baron Stockmar had long contemplated an
alliance between Prince Albert and Princess Victoria, and the pair were
brought together in 1836. When the succession of Victoria was assured
the betrothal took place, and on February 19th, 1840, the marriage,
which was one of real affection on both sides, was solemnized in the
Chapel Royal, St. James Palace. The Prince Consort's position as the
husband of a constitutional sovereign was difficult, and in the early
years of his married life his interference in matters of state was
resented. Ultimately he became "a sort of minister, without portfolio,
of art and education", and in this capacity won much esteem and
popularity. He also interested himself in agriculture and in social and
industrial reform. To him was due the Great Exhibition of 1851, which
resulted in a balance of a million dollars available for the
encouragement of science and art. His personal character was very high,
and he exercised great influence on his children. He was an ideal
consort, and entirely worthy of the title "Albert, the Good". On
December 14th, 1861, he succumbed to an attack of fever, and was buried
in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. His remains were afterwards removed to
the mausoleum at Frogmore.

[Illustration]

The 12d stamp is very similar in design to the 6d denomination but bears
the portrait of Queen Victoria. The life and reign of Queen Victoria are
matters of such general knowledge that biographical details are hardly
necessary. A few words, however, regarding the source of this handsome
portrait, which was used to adorn so many of the earlier British
Colonial stamps, will not be amiss. Mr. Howes tells us that this
portrait "was taken from the full length painting by Alfred Edward
Chalon, R. A., which was ordered by the Queen for her mother, the
Duchess of Kent, as a souvenir of Her Majesty's first visit to the House
of Lords. The occasion was the prorogation of Parliament, on July 17th,
1837, and the Queen is portrayed in her robes of state, because of which
fact the painting is sometimes described as 'in Coronation Robes', but
this is erroneous."

The 12d requires a few words in explanation of the manner in which the
value was expressed for "One Shilling" would appear to be a more natural
form for this amount rather than "Twelve Pence". Mr. Donald A. King
says:--"This was