The Express.
London, England, 1847-11-19 00:00:00

dad in the chair. In all that has fallen from hoe. members
on both sides of the house as to the duties of the chair I
fully concur. I agree with the honourable member for
Oxford in the opinion expressed by him that those duties
have of late years been rendered far more arduous than they
formerly were by the vast immure of private business ; the
journals of the last two or three sessions exhibit a mass of
legislation wholly without precedent, involving interests of
the highest magnitude, which it would have been impossible
satisfactorily to have proceeded with but for the great im-
provement made in the mode of conducting the business of
this house. I cannot claim any merit on this account, for I
took no great share in these improvements, but the result
has been not the less satisfactory. The experience which I
have acquired has taught me that the ordinary duties of pre-
siding over this house may be satisfactorily discharged by a
strict observance of impartiality, and a fair degree of atten-
tion to the routine of business; but there are other duties of
a more delicate nature, arising out of new circumstances,
which call for and demand a prompt and sadden action, and
I confess the knowledge that such duties do exist would have
discouraged as from again accepting of the honour which
it is proposed to confer upon me, but for the conviction
which I have acquired, that the same indulaence will be
again extended to me—(hear, hear)—which I have before
experienced on all sides of the house (hear, bear); and it is
such a conviction that enables me again to place myself at
the disposition of the house. (Cheers.)
The mnion having been carried unanimously,
Lord Seymour cad Mr. J. A. Smith quitted their man,
and proceeded to the bench occupied by the right hon. gen-
tleman who had just been elected.
Mr. 8. LEFEVRE rose, and was conducted by his mower
and seconder (amidst cheers on all sides) to the chair, where
after bowing to the house, he said—l beg to offer my moei
grateful thanks to the house for the distinguished honour
which has been done me. It shall be my endeavour to
prove not altogether unworthy the honour which has for the
third time been conferred upon me. (Cheers.)
The right hon. gentleman then took his seat.
Lord J. RUSSELL —Sir,—l now venture to address the
house for the purpose of congratulating you, sir, and I may
add the house itself. (Cheers.) That you rill maintain the
privileges of the house; that you will act impartially and
justly, as well in regard to public as to private business ; that
in maintaining order in our debates, you will so act as to
conciliate those whom it may be your duty to reprove—are
'
not surmises, but expectations of well-founded experience.
(Cheers.) Sr, your previous conduct in the chair
justifies me in entertaining this belief. (Cheers.)
It was your fortune to succeed in your office a
person of distinguished learning, of great knowledge
of the constitution, of great experience in this house, and
whose conduct in the chair was marked by the cordial ap-
probation of this house. (Cheers.) Placed at such disad-
vantage, you, sir, by your qualities, succeeded in establishing
a character as speaker of this house, which is not a matter
of envy but of congratulation ; and I trust that whilst you
are long in possession of the honour conferred upon you,
your reputation may increase, and that you may leave as
bright a name to posterity as that of the greatest speaker
who ever sat in that chair. I beg to move, sir, that this
house do now adjourn.
The house then adjourned at a few minut a is 3 o'clock