appeared. The massacre of Sinope had produced universal sorrow and indignation, and destroyed all confidence in the assurances of the Czar; whilst the entrance of the allied fleets into the Baltic Sea -itself an act of scarcely-disguised hostility-greatly diminished the probability of his returning a favourable answer to the summons of the Western Powers. The anxiety consequent upon the state of our foreign relations was further increased by the existence of a comparative dearth. The food of Europe was deficient, and England, France, and Italy were competitors for corn. This general scarcity now affected all classes, and checked the progress of manufactures, by diminishing the requirements of the home market. But although the prosperity of all the commercial interests was impeded by these causes and the increased rate of interest, that of the agriculturists continued to advance, and this class was generally more prosperous and contented than at any period during many previous years. The account of the revenue for the quarter ending the 5th of January-the first which exhibited the full effect of the recent remission of taxationwas also satisfactory.

Parliament was anticipated with more than ordinary interest by all ranks of the community; and this was further heightened by the existence of considerable political discontent, and mistrust of the Ministerial policy respecting the Eastern question. Some curiosity was also excited as to the explanation which would be given in Parliament of the charges of undue interference in foreign and domestic politics, which a portion of the liberal press had recently brought against the Prince Consort. It was therefore under circumstances of unusual excitement, and in the presence of an immense multitude, that the Queen, on the 30th of January, proceeded in person to Westminster, and opened the Parliament with the usual ceremonies. The Royal Speech read by her Majesty was as follows:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I am always happy to meet you in Parliament; and on the present occasion it is with peculiar satisfaction that I recur to your assistance and advice.

"The hopes which I expressed at the close of the last session, that a speedy settlement would be effected of the differences exist

ing between Russia and the Ottoman Porte have not been realised, and I regret to say that a state of warfare has ensued,

"I have continued to act in cordial co-operation with the Emperor of the French; and my endeavours, in conjunction with my allies, to preserve and to restore peace between the contending parties, although hitherto unsuccessful, have been unremitting. I will not fail to persevere in these endeavours; but as the continuance of the war may deeply affect the interests of this country, and of Europe, I think it requisite to make a further augmentation of my naval and military forces, with the view of supporting my representations, and of more effectually contributing to the restoration of peace.

"I have directed that the papers explanatory of the negotiations which have taken place upon this subject shall be communicated to you without delay.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"The estimates for the year will be laid before you, and I trust you will find that, consistently with the exigencies of the public service at this juncture, they have been framed with a due regard to economy.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,"In the year which has just terminated, the blessing of an abundant harvest has not been vouchsafed to us. By this dispensation of Providence the price of provisions has been enhanced, and the privations of the poor have been increased; but their patience has been exemplary; and the care of the Legislature, evinced by the reduction of taxes

affecting the necessaries of life, has greatly tended to preserve a spirit of contentment.

"I have the satisfaction of announcing to you that the commerce of the country is still prosperous; that trade, both of export and import, has been largely on the increase; and that the revenue of the past year has been more than adequate to the demands of the public service.

"I recommend to your consideration a bill which I have ordered to be framed for opening the coasting trade of the United Kingdom to the ships of all friendly nations; and I look forward with satisfaction to the removal of the last legislative restriction upon the use of foreign shipping for the benefit of my. people.

"Communications have been addressed by my command to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, with reference to the improvements which it may be desirable to effect in their institutions. These communications will be laid before you, and measures will be proposed for your consideration, with the view of giving effect to such improve

ments.

"The establishments requisite for the conduct of the civil service, and the arrangements bearing upon its condition, have recently been under review; and I shall direct a plan to be laid before you which will have for its object to improve the system of admission, and thereby increase the efficiency of the service.

"The recent measures of legal reform have proved highly beneficial, and the success which has attended them may well encourage you to proceed with fur

Recent experience has shown that it is necessary to take more effectual precautions against the evils of bribery and of corrupt practices at elections. It will

also be your duty to consider whether more complete effect may not be given to the principles of the Act of the last reign, whereby reforms were made in the representation of the people in Parliament. In recommending this subject to your consideration, my desire is to remove every cause of just complaint, to increase general confidence in the Legislature, and to give additional stability to the settled in

stitutions of the State.

"I submit to your wisdom the consideration of these important subjects; and I pray God to prosper your counsels, and to guide your decisions."

In the House of Lords, the Earl of Carnarvon, in a maiden speech of much promise, moved the Address. Touching first on the great question of the day, the Russo-Turkish war, he said it was a consolation to know that we had endeavoured by every means of forbearance consistent with our national honour to avoid hostilities, but that now, if we must have war, it behoved us to carry it on as became a nation conscious of its strength. He congratulated their Lordships upon the intimate union subsisting between England and France, and expressed his fervent hope that the alliance might long continue. The noble Earl then passed in review the domestic topics mentioned in the Speech, and concluded by moving the Address, which was usual the echo of the Speech itself.

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The Earl of Ducie seconded the Address in a speech of considerable fluency.

The Marquis of Clanricarde, after a few preliminary observations upon the parliamentary and legal reforms referred to in the Speech from the Throne, proceeded at once to that which was almost the all-absorbing topic of discussion throughout the session in both Houses of Parliament, and dissected with much minuteness the foreign policy of the Government, as tested by the course pursued towards Turkey. He was sorry, he said, that he could not agree in the expressions used in the Speech with regard to the efforts of the Government to preserve peace. Those efforts, it seemed to him, had been so characterised by vacillation and inconsistency, that,