The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-31 00:00:00

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The second Session of the sixth Parliament of Queen
Victoria was opened on Tuesday amid all those circum-
stances of regal pomp and solemn ceremony which befit
the annual celebration of these birthdays of our coati-

nation.
On Tuesday the interest seemed as keen and as lively
as ever, even out of doors, where the streets were muddy
and the weather certainly not that popularly known as
"Queen's weather." There was the usual crowd inside
the new Palace waiting admission to the House of Lords
at 12 o'clock, and displaying in their mildest forms
those subdued tokens of animation which pass for eager-
ness and curiosity in patrician circles. Some few there
were also, abandoned to the error of their ways, mistook
one among the many labyrinthine turning* to the build-
ing, and so went meandering throngh gilded corridors,
till they were only saved by careful ushers from seeking
refuge on the throne itself. Five minutes after the
opening of the doors all the 'rats on the Ministerial
side of the House were crowded by rows of magnifi-
cently dressed ladies, while on the Opposition side some
five or six " were thinly scattered to make up a show."
The cause of this difference, however, arose from no
lack of zeal among the fair supporters of the Opposition,
hut from the simple fact that those on the Ministerial
side are not peereeses, hut ladies who have received
tickets to view the ceremony, and who by being in their
places the instant the doors are open show their anxiety
to be present at as much as they possitily can.
At 10 minutes past 2 o'clock the sound of trumpets is
heard ; an usher enters in a great hurry and utters •
fee words which have a magical effect on all present,
for the peers rise, and with an immense rustling of silks
and satins the ladies follow the example, and at a signal
remove their shawls and opera cloaks; scarcely is this
hurried operation over, which, as niay readily be ima-
gined, involves an immense amount of subsequent
arrangement of ruffled toilets. ere the doors of the
house open and their Royal Higlineeses the Princesses
Alice and Helena enter, the former in • rich blue dress
with rich white lace over, the latter in • simple white
dress. Both take their seats on the woolsack facing the
throne, and with their backs to all others in the House.
The Duke 44 Cainbridge crosses to them, and remains in
conversation, while the rest of the House sits mute,
gazing all upon that rich, uncomfortable, and strictly
Gothic throne, with its straight, hard back and very
angular arms, which, if appearances are to be trusted,
would seem to indicate that the uneasiness is not
always reserved for "the beide that wear a crown."
Precisely at a quarter past 2 the doors are again
thrown open, the House rises, and amid a long flourish
of trumpets, the procession preceding Her Majesty
enters the House. The Heralds are first, bowing stiffly
in their awkward gorgeous taberds as they rows the
Princesses, the King-at-Arens carrying his loyalty MO far
SR to bow alternately to them and to the ernpty throne.
Then conic Earl Granville with the Sword of State ;
the Manila's of Winchester, with the Cap of Mainte-
nance; the Marquis of Salisbury, with the Crown; the
Duke of Norfolk, with his baton as Hereditary Earl
Marshall; the Lord Chancellor with the Great Seals.
Her Majesty was superbly robed in silver tissue, with a
train of crimson velvet lined with ermine. A magnifi-
cent stomacher of diamonds completely concealed the
front of the dress, and on her head was the high massive
demi-crown of brilliants usually worn on these occasions.
Prince Albert, iii the uniform of • field-inanihal, sits on
the left of the throne.
Her Majesty having requested their Lordships to be
seated, the Commons were forthwith summoned, the
interval which elapsed was passed in solemn silence—
the Queen, contrary to her custom, not speaking to any
of the high personages who stood around her, the
" faithful Co 11111 l ons," being selected by ballot, not now,
as formerly, rushing in like the gods in the gallery on
Boxing Night; on the contrary, they come steadily up
to the bar, the Speaker leading, and on his right Lord
Pelinerston. Just, however, as the Speech was begun
there was a good deal of noise, which occasioned a
general " hushing," and brought the Queen almost
to a pause, but after this the most rigid silence pre-
vailed.
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.
Her Majesty read as follows :
" Lords rind hfrulleani,
" It is with great satisfaction that I again meet you in
Parliament, and have recourse to your assistance and
advice.
" My relations with Foreign Powers continue to be on
• friendly and satisfactory footing.
" At the close of the last session I informed you that
overtures had been made to me to ascertain whether, if
a Conference should be held by the great Powers of
Europe, fir the purpose of settling arrangements con-
nected with the present state and future cmidition of
Italy, a Plenipotentiary would be sent by me to assist
at such, a Conference. I have since received a formal
invitation from the Emperor of Austria and from the
Emperor of the French to send • Plenipotentiary to a
Congress, to consist of the Representatives of the eight
Powers who were parties to the Treaties of Vienna of
1515; the objects' of such Congress being stated to be,
to receive communication of the treaties concluded at
Zurich; and to deliberate, associating with the above-
mentioned Powers the Courts of Rome, of Sardinia, and
of the Two Sicilies, on the means best adapted for the
pacification of Italy. and for placing its prosperity on •
solid and durable basis.
"Desirous at all times to concur in proceedings having
for their object the maintenance of peace, I accepted the
invitation, but at the same time I made known that. in
such a Congress. I should steadfastly maintain the prin-
ciple that no external force should be employed to on-
pose upon the people of Italy any particular Government
or Constitution.
" Circumstances have arisen which have led to a post-
ponement of the Congress, without any day keying been
fixed for its meeting ; but, whether in Congrera or in
separate negotiation, I shall endeavour to obtain for the
people of Italy freedom from foreign interference by
force of arms in their internal concerns, and I trust that
the affairs of the Italian Peninsula may be peacefully
and satisfactorily settled.
"Papers on this subject will soon be laid before
you.
" I sin in communication with the Emperor of the
French with a view to extend the commercial intercourse
between the two countries, and thus to draw still closer
the bonds of friendly alliance between them.
"A dispute having arisen between Spain and Morocco,
I endeavoured, by friendly means, to prevent • rupture;
but, I !-egret to say, without success.
" I will direct papers on this subject to be laid before
you.
" My Plenipotentiary and the Plenipotentiary of the
Emperor of the French having, in obedience to their in-
structions, pmeceded to the mouth of the Peiho river, in
order to repair to Pekin to exchange in that city the
ratifications of the treaty of Tien-tein, in pursuance of
the fifty-sixth Article of that treaty, their further pro-
gress WU opposed by force, and a conflict took place
between the Chinese forts at the mouth of the river and
the naval forces by which the Plenipotentiaries were
escorted.
" The allied forces displayed on this occasion their
usual bravery, but, after sustaining a severe loss, were
compelled to retire.
" I ani preparing, in concert and co-operation with the
Emperor of the French, an expedition, i ntended to ob-
tain redress and a fulfilinent of the stipulations of the
Treaty of Tien-tsin
" It will be gratifying to me if the prompt acquies-
cence of the Emperor of China in the moderate demands
which will be inade by the Plenipotentiaries shall obvi-
ate the necessity for the employment of force.
" I have directed that papers on this subject shall be
laid before you.
" An unauthorized proceeding by an officer of the
United States in regard to the island of Kan Juan,
between Vancouver's Island and the mainland, might
have led to a 'serious collision between my forces and
those of the United States. Such collision, however, has
been prevented by the judicious forbearance of my naval
and civil nfficen on the spot, and by the equitable and
conciliatory provisional arrangement proposed on this
matter by the Government of the United States.
" I treat that the question of boundary out of which
this affair has arisen may be amicably 'settled in a
manner conformable with the just rights of the two
countries, as defined by the first article of the Treaty of
1840.
" The last embers of disturbance in my East Indian
dominions have been extinguished ; my N'iceroy has
made a peaceful progress through the districts which had
been the principal scene of disorder, and by a judicious
combination of firmness and generosity my authority has
been everywhere solidly, and, I trust, permanently ettab-
hailed. I have received from my Viceroy the most grati-
tying accounts of the loyalty of my Indian subjects, mid
of the good feeling evinced by the native chiefs and the
great landowners of the country. The attentiou of the
Government in India has been dilected to the develop-
ment of the internal resources of the country, and I as
glad to inform you that an improvement has taken place
in its financial prospects.
" I have concluded a treaty with the Tycoon of Japan,
and a treaty regarding boundaries with the Republic of
Guatemala. I have directed that these treaties shall be
laid before you.
"Gentlemen of the Mortar of Cons moves.
" I have directed the estimates for the ensuing year to
be laid before you. They have been prepared with •
view to place the military and naval services end the de-
fences of the country upon an efficient footing.
"I am glad to be able to inform you that the public
revenue is in a satisfactory condition.
"Mum Lords and Gent/men.
"I have accepted with gratification and pride the ex-
tensive offers of voluntary service which I have received
from my subjects. This manifestation of public spirit
has added an important element to our system of
nationel defence.
" Measures will be laid before you for amending the
laws which regulate the representation of the people in
Parliament, and for placing that representation upon
a broader and firmer basis.
"I earneetly recommend you to retinue your labours
for the improvement of our jurisprudence, and particu-
larly in regard to bankruptcy, the transfer of land, the
consolidation of the statutes, and such a further fusion
of law and equit7 as may be necessary to insure that, in
every suit, the nglits of the parties may be satiefactorily
determined by thelloourt in which the suit is com-
menced.

"I am deeply gratified to observe that the great inter-
eAta of the country are generally in • sound and thriving
condition; that pauperism And crime have diminished;
and that, throughout the whole of my empire, both in
the United Kingdom and in my colonies and possessions
beyond sea, there reigns • spirit of loyalty, of content-
ment, of order, and of obedience to the law.
" With heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty Ruler of
nations for these inestimable blessings, I fervently pray
that His beneficent power may guide your deliberations
for the advancement and consolidation of the welfare and
happiness of my people."