The Express.
London, England, 1852-02-03 00:00:00

4 Y_' I.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
BY THE QUEEN IN PERSON.

THIS DAY.

HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH.

The ceremony of opening parliament in person by
the Sovereign this day was a pageant of far greater
magnificence than any which has occurred during
tho present mutiny. This circumstance does not
_ _ .

arise from any additional display in the pageant it-
self, but simply from the fact that the New Palace of
Westminster is now, for the first time, so far com-
pleted as to allow her Majesty to alight at the grand
staircase, under the Victoria Tower, and enter the
House of Lords by the Royal Gallery and Prince's
Chamber. Although these magnificent apartments are
not yet completed,they have been temporarily fitted up
in a very tasteful manner; and, by the erection of
rising seats on either side of the gallery, accommoda-
tion has been made for the reception of nearly 1,200
ladies, through whom the Queen passed in her pro-
gress to the House of Lords.
The now proverbial " Queen's weather" added not
a little to the pleasure with which the ceremony was
witnessed by the xviembled crowds.
A remarkable feature in the architectural arrange-
ment of the New Palace was disclosed to-day fur the
first time. From the Queen's throne, in the House
of Lords, to the Speaker's chair, in the House of
Commons, when the doors were all open, an uninter-
rupted vista, exceeding 1,000 feet in length, presented
itself.

The gallery was opened for the admission of the
public at twelve o'clock.
The procession left the Palace at about half-peat
one, and reached tho Howes of Parliament at about
two o'clock.

Her Majesty alighted under the Victoria Tower,
where the Lord Great Chamberlain and other high
officers of state were in attendance to receive the
Sovereign. Her Majesty passed up the grand stair
case, and on reaching the landing passed to the right
into the robing-room, at the south end of which a
throne has been erected. The walls of this apart-
ment have been covered with crimson cloth,
with the exception of a large space on the north
wall, which is occupied by a very fine fresco
painting. The ceremony of robing having been
completed, her Majesty passed this chamber through
a second door opening into the centre of the royal
gallery, down which the Queen and the royal pro-
cession passed. This superb gallery has been beauti-
fully fitted up, all those portions of tho walls not
yet decorated being covered with crimson cloth.
This gallery is intended hereafter to be filled with
statues of celebrated historical personages. Already
some three or four of the barons of ltunnymede have
been completed and placed in the niches intended
for them, from which a very lair idea may be gained
of what the effect will be when the gallery is com-
pleted. The scene to-day, when crowded with
elegantly-dressed ladies, ranged on either side on
scats elevated above each other, was exceedingly
grand. From the gallery her Majesty passed into
the Prince's Chamber, entering the House of Lords
on the right of the throne.

IHE SPEECH.
Having ascended the throne,
Her Majesty, with her usual clear and expressive
intonation, read the following gracious Speech :
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

The period has arrived when, according to usage,
I can again avail myself of your advice and assist-
ance in the preparation and adoption of measures
which the welfare of the country may require.
I continue to maintain the most friendly relations
with foreign Powers.
The complicated affairs of the Duchies of Hol-
stein and Schleswig havo continued to engage my
attention. I have every reason to expect, that the
treaty between Germany and Denmark, which was
concluded at Berlin in the year before last, will, in
a short time, be fully and completely executed.
I regret that the war which unfortunately broke
gut on the eastern frontier of the Cape of Good Hope,
more than a year ago, still continues. Papers will
be laid before you containing full information as to
the progress of the war, and the measures which
have been taken for bringing it to a termination.

While I have observed with sincere satisfaction the
tranquillity which has prevailed throughout the
greater portion of Ireland, it is with much regret
that I have to inform you, that certain parts
of the counties of Armagh, Monaghan, and
Loath, have been marked by the commis-
sion of outrages of the most serious
description. The powers of the existing taw have
been promptly exerted for the detection of the
offenders, and for the repression of a system of crime
and violence fatal to the best interests of the
country. MI, attention will continue to be directed
to this important object.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
I have ordered estimates of the expenses of the
current year to be laid before you.
I rely with confidence on your loyalty and zeal
to make adequate provision for the public service.
Where any increase has been made in the esti-
mates of the present over the past year, such expla-
nations will be given, as will, I trust, satisfy you
that such increase is consistent with a steady ad-
herence to a pacific policy, and with the dictates of
• wise economy.
MT LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
The improvement of the administration of Justice
in its various departments, has continued to receive
my anxious attentino, and in furtherance of that
object, I have directed bills to be prepared, founded
upon the reports made to mo by the respective com-
missioners appointed to inquire into the practice and
proceedings of the superior Courts of Law and
Equity.

- .
As nothing tends more to the peace, prosperity,
and contentment of a country than the speedy and
impartial administration of justice. I earnestly re-
commend these measures to your deliberate atten-
tion.

The Act of ItitS, for suspending the operation of
a previous Act, conferring representative institutions
on New Zealand will expire early in the next year.
I am happy to believe that there is no necessity for
its renewal, and that no obstacle any longer exists
to the enjoyment of representative institutions by

New Zeeland. Tho form of these institutions will,

however, require your consideration, and the addi-
tional information which has been obtained since the
passing of the Acts in question, Will, I trust, enable
you to arrivo at a decision beneficial to that import-
ant Colony.