Speaker had to be elected, before the House of Commons was ripe for business. For these purposes the Houses met on the 1st of February. For the office of Speaker Mr. Evelyn Denison, who had filled the Chair in the two preceding Parliaments, was proposed by the Right Hon. William Monsell, seconded by Earl Grosvenor, and elected nem. con., the usual complimentary tributes being paid on the occasion. The Speaker elect expressed his sense of the manner in which his nomination had been proposed and seconded, and said he had always endeavoured to do his duty as a faithful and zealous servant of that House. The Right Hon. gentleman was then led to the chair by the mover and seconder, and proceeded to return his thanks to the House; and added that, on looking round, he missed one who was long the leader of that assembly, and who by a remarkable combination of qualities had obtained in no ordinary degree the confidence of the House; and he passed a high eulogium on the late Lord Palmerston, dictated, as he said, by feelings of regret and esteem. He asked from those who had been his colleagues in the House a renewal of the confidence they had hitherto accorded to him; while to the new members he would say that much of the fame which had been acquired by the House had been gained by an adherence to the rules and conduct of its business, a knowledge of which he recommended to the neophytes, assuring them that he should be always ready to afford them friendly counsel and advice.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer congratulated the Speaker on his resumption of the high office to which he had been elected for the third time. He then referred to the many statesmen and members of that House who had passed away, and he mentioned in terms of eulogy Lord Russell, who had been removed to the other House, and Sir James Graham; and dwelt in strong and feeling terms on the loss which the country and the House had sustained by the death of Lord Palmerston, with regard to whom another opportunity would occur of enlarging on his high qualities, as it would be his (Mr. Gladstone's) duty ere long to submit to the House a proposition in connection with Lord Palmerston's name. He added that an acknowledgment of his sense of the loss of Lord Palmerston was especially due from him, considering the arduous and responsible duties to which he had humbly succeeded, and concluded with an expression of his belief in the capability of the new Parliament to discharge its functions, and with a cordial utterance of his belief that the Speaker would receive from the House, as he certainly would from him, all possible confidence and support.

Mr. Disraeli, as leader of the Opposition, concurred in the encomiums which had been passed upon the Speaker, and expressed his confidence in the ability of that gentleman to discharge the high duties to which he had just been called. He intimated at the same time that it would have been more gratifying, as well as in accordance with precedent, if the pleasing task of seconding the Speaker's

nomination had been assigned to a member on that side of the House. Mr. Disraeli also took occasion to pay a tribute of regret to the memory of the late leader of the House.

Upon the 6th of February the formal opening of the proceedings of Parliament took place. An account of the ceremonies attendant upon Her Majesty's appearance in the House of Lords on this occasion will be found in another part of this volume'. The Royal Speech, which was read from the Throne by the Lord Chamberlain, was in the following terms:

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"It is with great satisfaction that I have recourse to your assistance and advice.

"I have recently declared my consent to a marriage between my daughter Princess Helena and Prince Christian of SchleswigHolstein-Sonderbourg-Augustenburg. I trust this union may be prosperous and happy.

"The death of my beloved uncle, the King of the Belgians, has affected me with profound grief. I feel great confidence, however, that the wisdom which he evinced during his reign will animate his successor, and preserve for Belgium her independence and prosperity.

"My relations with foreign powers are friendly and satisfactory, and I see no cause to fear any disturbance of the general peace.

"The meeting of the fleets of France and England in the ports of the respective countries has tended to cement the amity of the two nations, and to prove to the world their friendly concert in the promotion of peace.

The

"I have observed with satisfaction that the United States, after terminating successfully the severe struggle in which they were so long engaged, are wisely repairing the ravages of civil war. abolition of slavery is an event calling forth the cordial sympathies and congratulations of this country, which has always been foremost in showing its abhorrence of an institution repugnant to every feeling of justice and humanity.

"I have at the same time the satisfaction to inform you that the exertions and perseverance of my naval squadron have reduced the slave-trade on the West Coast of Africa within very narrow limits.

"A correspondence has taken place between my Government and that of the United States with respect to injuries inflicted on American commerce by cruisers under the Confederate flag. Copies of this correspondence will be laid before you.

"The renewal of diplomatic relations with Brazil has given me much satisfaction, and I acknowledge with pleasure that the good offices of my ally, the King of Portugal, have contributed essentially to this happy result.

1 See the "Chronicle" for February, post.

"I have to regret the interruption of peace between Spain and Chili. The good offices of my Government, in conjunction with those of the Emperor of the French, have been accepted by Spain, and it is my earnest hope that the causes of disagreement may be removed in a manner honourable and satisfactory to both

countries.

"The negotiations which have been long pending in Japan, and which have been conducted with great ability by my minister in that country, in conjunction with the representatives of my allies in Japan, have been brought to a conclusion which merits my entire approbation. The existing treaties have been ratified by the Mikado; it has been stipulated that the tariff shall be revised in a manner favourable to commerce, and that the indemnity due under the terms of the Convention of October, 1864, shall be punctually discharged.

"I have concluded a treaty of commerce with the Emperor of Austria, which I trust will open to that empire the blessings of extended commerce, and be productive of important benefits to both countries.

"The deplorable events which have occurred in the Island of Jamaica have induced me to provide at once for an impartial inquiry, and for the due maintenance of authority during that inquiry, by appointing a distinguished military officer as governor and commander of the forces. I have given him the assistance of two able and learned commissioners, who will aid him in examining into the origin, nature, and circumstances of the recent outbreak, and the measures adopted in the course of its suppression. The Legislature of Jamaica has proposed that the present political constitution of the island should be replaced by a new form of government. A bill upon this subject will be submitted to your consideration.

Papers on these occurrences will be laid before you. "Papers on the present state of New Zealand will be laid before

you.

"I have given directions for the return to this country of the greater portion of my regular forces employed in that colony.

"I watch with interest the proceedings which are still in progress in British North America with a view to a closer union among the provinces, and I continue to attach great importance to that object.

"I have observed with great concern the extensive prevalence, during the last few months, of a virulent distemper among cattle in Great Britain, and it is with deep regret, and with sincere sympathy for the sufferers, that I have learnt the severe losses which it has caused in many counties and districts. It is satisfactory to know that Ireland, and a considerable part of Scotland, are as yet free from this calamity, and I trust that by the precautions suggested by experience, and by the Divine blessing on the

means which are now being employed, its further extension may be arrested.

"The orders which have been made by the Lords of my Privy Council by virtue of the powers vested in them by law, with a view to prevent the spreading of this disease, will be laid before you, and your attention will be called to the expediency of an amendment of the law relating to a subject so deeply affecting the interests of my people.

"GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: I have directed that the estimates of the ensuing year shall be laid before you. They have been prepared with a due regard to economy, and are at the same time consistent with the maintenance of efficiency in the public service.

"The condition of trade is satisfactory.

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN: A conspiracy, adverse alike to authority, property, and religion, and disapproved and condemned alike by all who are interested in their maintenance, without distinction of creed or class, has unhappily appeared in Ireland. The constitutional power of the ordinary tribunals has been exerted for its repression, and the authority of the law has been firmly and impartially vindicated.

"A Bill will be submitted to you founded on the report of the Royal Commission, on the subject of capital punishment, which I have directed to be laid before you.

"Bills will be laid before you for amending and consolidating the laws relating to bankruptcy, and for other improvements in the law.

"Measures will also be submitted to you for extending the system of public audit to branches of receipt and expenditure which it has not hitherto reached, and for amending the provisions of the law with respect to certain classes of legal pensions.

"Your attention will be called to the subject of the oaths taken by members of Parliament, with a view to avoid unnecessary declarations, and to remove invidious distinctions between members of different religious communities in matters of legislation.

"I have directed that information should be procured in reference to the rights of voting in the election of members to serve in Parliament for counties, cities, and boroughs.

"When that information is complete, the attention of Parliament will be called to the result thus obtained, with a view to such improvements in the laws which regulate the rights of voting in the election of members of the House of Commons as may tend to strengthen our free institutions and conduce to the public welfare.

"In these and in all other deliberations, I fervently pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide your counsels to the promotion of the happiness of my people."

The Address in answer to the Speech from the Throne was

moved by the Marquis of Normanby, who began by expressing the gratification, in which he felt sure all the House must partake, at the effort which Her Majesty had made to resume her public functions by meeting her new Parliament. The Queen had done this too when she was suffering from a fresh bereavement in the recent death of her lamented relative, King Leopold. He was sure both the House and the public would hail with delight her public re-appearance among them. In referring to the close of the civil war in the United States, the noble Marquis remarked with satisfaction the prevalent desire in this country to maintain friendly relations with that great republic, and, by promoting commercial intercourse, to repair the injuries sustained by the United States in the recent struggle. The conclusion of the treaty of commerce with Austria was also matter for congratulation. As to the state of things in Jamaica, it was unfortunate that Governor Eyre had not sent home such full details as would have prevented the necessity of sending out a Commission. At the same time he could not believe that Mr. Eyre had been guilty of the illegal acts which had been attributed to him until there was evidence to prove them. He next reviewed the subjects of New Zealand, the cattle plague, and the Fenian conspiracy, the latter of which he pronounced to be so silly and hopeless, and the measures for its suppression so successful, that he trusted they would prove the death blow to any combination of a similar character hereafter. As to Parliamentary Reform, the noble Marquis expressed a hope that the Bill about to be introduced by the Government for the extension of the franchise would respect the rights of property whilst it gave a fair share in the representation to the working classes.

The Earl of Morley having seconded the Address,

The Duke of Rutland referred to the important subject mentioned in the Royal Speech-the cattle plague-which had now prevailed for six months, and for which prevention, not cure, was the sole remedy. Yet what had Government done to stop the spread of the pest? Absolutely nothing, or worse than nothing. They had issued vague and contradictory orders, shifting the responsibility from themselves to the people. Even at that late hour Government should awake from their slumbers, and prohibit the movement of cattle through the country, and the importation of cattle from abroad..

The Duke of Richmond expressed similar views on the subject, and also complained, as being an insult to Parliament, that the report of the Commission on capital punishment had just been published in a newspaper.

Lord Feversham also condemned the conduct of Government in regard to the cattle plague, and moved, as an amendment to the Address, "We beg leave to add our deep regret that, upon this important subject the Government did not, from the first, assume the responsibility of issuing an order for uniformity of action throughout the country, as most essential to arrest the progress