The Sun.
London, England, 1852-11-11 00:00:00

THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH.
The Queen met the New Parliament to-day in

person.

In chronicling this event, the mind is naturally led
to a comparison of the present with the past, and the
contrast which is presented is certainly somewhat
singular. When the last Parliament wet in 1847,
there was a decided majority in favour of Eree Traae,
and a Ministry pledged to that policy. In the New
Parliament of 1852, the strength of numbers is on
the same side; but there is this difference, that
though the success of Free Trade is demonstrated by
the general prosperity of the country, the Govern-
ment is in possession of Protectionists. This anomalous
state of things is explained by the fact of theirs being the
only party capable of taking office, when suddenly va-
cated by the Whigs. As, however, the actual state of the
representation, if not common sense, shows that any
return to the old system is impoa,ible. The existing
Ministry are, no doubt, waiting for an opportunity
to gently lay aside the " cry " which has hitherto
handed them together, with the view of becoming
simply known as a Conservative party. Be that as it
may, the political atmosphere forbodes a storm, and
it is difficult to say what is not looming in the future.
The constitution of the House of Lords is such, that
on the assembling of a new Parliament, scarcely any
change is to be observed among its members; but since
the last Royal Speech was delivered—that messenger
who respects neither person nor station, has taken
away one from that august body whose absence will
be severely felt by all who have, during any part of
the last quarter of a century, taken part in its de-
liberations. If, as Macaulay says, the new House
of Commons will not look itself without Sir Robert
Peel, what will the House of Peers be without the
Duke of Wellington ? That distinguished person is
no longer there to receive the veneration and esteem
of his brother peers, nor to excite the admiration or
curiosity of strangers. His sage advice and intuitive
foresight cannot again be called in aid in periods
of political difficulty or internal disorder, or when
foreign hostilities threaten the land. The spirit of
that venerable figure on which time bad done its
work has now passed away to another scene, but
his memory can never be effaced from the memory
of iinglishmen. Independent of the irreparable loss
sustained by the death of the great Duke, his dis-
appearance from the House of Lords will have an im-
portant political influence. It is well known that a
considerable number of Peers, who had more re-
liance on the opinion of the Duke than their own
judgment, intrusted him with their proxies, which
placed him in a position to carry or defeat some
questions of considerable importance. These, of
course, will be scattered about, and perhaps may
influence questions in a different direction than when
in the hands of the Duke. In the House of Com-
mons there are many new faces, most of whom
are comparatively unknown, and inexperienced
in statesmanship. Some of these may have within
them the germs of success, but the majority will,
perhaps, either sink into respectable representatives,
or prove lamentable failures.
Her Msjesty left Buckingham Palace shortly after
two o'clock, and was received on her way to West-
minster with much warmth and enthusiasm by the
spectators congregated on the route. On reaching
the grand entrance of the Houses of Parliament at
the Victoria Tower, she was received by the different
Officers of State, who conducted her to the House of
Lords.