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A BISHOP ON "THINGS SOLID."

THE BISHOP OF OXFORD AND OIL-CUM-HONEY made a beautiful speech at the
Mansion House in favour of the ALBERT Memorial. Never did tongue talk
more silverly for bronze. Nevertheless, there is a passage in the
episcopal harangue--(let us not forget to observe, it is reported of the
Bishop that in his guilelessness he is wholly unaware of the road from
Oxford to Lambeth)--a passage relating to "things solid" that somewhat
puzzles us. SAMUEL OF OXFORD observed (and MR. SAMUEL CARTER HALL, who,
he said, "represented the artists," smiled and applauded the words)
that--

"It is of the very nature of _things solid_ that, instead of being
borne along upon the surface of the stream of time, _they sink
gradually down_ beneath its waters; and, therefore, with regard to
this great fact--and _a great fact_ I hold it to have been--if any
memorial is to be raised at all, I think it should be raised while
yet the memory of its greatness holds its true place in the
impression of those by whom it was witnessed."

Because, if PRINCE ALBERT has not a monument in bronze to remind the
short memory of human nature that there was once a Crystal Palace in
Hyde Park, the recollection of that great fact, being a "thing solid,"
will gradually sink down into the waters of oblivion. Just as,
doubtless, we should have forgotten Waterloo and its results, if certain
ladies of England had not set up a statue of WELLINGTON acting ACHILLES
in Hyde Park. Well, we have a notion that the best and most enduring
monument to the memory of the fleeting Crystal Palace in the Park will
be provided by the enduring glory, even at the present time, crowning
Sydenham Hill.

We have the greatest admiration of the intellectual subtleties of the
BISHOP OF OXFORD. Like an olive, his nature secretes its own oil.
Nevertheless, we should have liked to hear other bishops upon "things
solid." Where was the BISHOP OF LONDON? Is it possible that any
churchman can speak upon better authority, from deeper experience of
"things solid," than the teacher of Fulham? Why, then, was the chief
power of illustrations of the "solids" of this life merely required of
SAMUEL OF OXON? Moreover, PRINCE ALBERT is, it seems, to have the
statue: and among the alto-reliefs will, doubtless, be CHALLIS reading
his patent of baronetcy.

The thing is decided upon. So gentlemen, unbutton your pockets; and down
with the pounds--the