Mr.Martin laboured for fourteen years.

The mass of material with which he had to deal was almost incredible, but he was extremely industrious, and he enjoyed throughout the gracious assistance of Her Majesty.

The first bulky volume was published in 1874; four others slowly followed; so that it was not until 1880 that the monumental work was finished.
Mr.Martin was rewarded by a knighthood; and yet it was sadly evident that neither Sir Theodore nor his predecessors had achieved the purpose which the Queen had in view.

Perhaps she was unfortunate in her coadjutors, but, in reality, the responsibility for the failure must lie with Victoria herself.

Sir Theodore and the others faithfully carried out the task which she had set them--faithfully put before the public the very image of Albert that filled her own mind.