The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-02 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 1.

The anticipated eventful session of 1849 was opened to-
day, by her Majesty, with the accustomed pomp. Notwith-
standing the murky and heavy atmosphere without, the
interior of the House of Lords, owing to the beauty of the
ladies, the brilliancy of their attire, the colours and rays of
which were of every hue that the eye can conceive, and being
most tastefully, almost artistically, interspersed, had a most
pleasing effect. The appearance of the interior of the House
repelled the haziness that, spite of the coloured windows,
which, with the exception of three, have been completed, and
the gilt and glitter, had found its way into the interior of
the edifice. It struck us that the general appearance of the
House was more imposing,more sublimely grand, and altogether
realised more the idea of a senate-house, than during any
former period we have viewed it. Possibly this may be at-
tributed to the effect of the new colouring introduced, and
the consequent softening of the glarish aspect so much re-
buked, or to the wearing off of the newness of the decorations
of the edifice. At any rate, the blending of the colouring of
the stained windows, with the gilding and tinsel, improved
and heightened the general effect.
The attendance of Peeresses and ladies was greater than on
any former occasion within our remembrance—every avail-
able seat, whether in the body of the House, or in the gal-
leries being occupied.
No additions to the cartoons have been made since the
close of last session.

The members of the corps diplomatique occupied seats at
the back of the Bishops' Bench. The attendance of the re-
presentatives of foreign Courts was very large. The entrance
of the newly-appointed Russian Ambassador caused quite a
sensation among his brethren. The representative of the
Raja of Sattara, Rungo Bapojee, occupied a seat in the gallery.
Among the Peers who arrived early may be specified—
the Duke of Wellington, who appeared somewhat more
feeble than usual, the Earl of Faversham, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Earl Fitzwilliam,
the Duke of Argyle, the Bishop of London, Earl Nelson, the
Earl of Ellesmere, &c.
The Earl of Minto, attired in his official costume, was the
first Minister that entered the House. Earl Grey and the
Marquis of Clanricarde were the next arrivals. The
Marquis of Lansdowne next arrived in his official costume.
The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the Woolsack at
Half-past One o'clock.
The Judges present were Lord Denman, the Chief Baron,
Barons Parke, Platt, Rolfe; Justices Pattison, Wightman,
Williams.

The Duke of Cambridge arrived at a quarter to one.
At a quarter past two a flourish of the heralds' trumpets
and a salvo of artillery announced the arrival of the Queen
at the House. Having robed, her Majesty, attended by
Prince Albert and the officers and ladies of her household,
took her seat on the throne at twenty minutes after two
o'clock.

Her Majesty, having commanded the assembly to be seated,
directed the Usher of the Black Rod to summon the Mem-
bers of the House of Commons.
The Speaker, attired' in his robes, shortly after appeared
at the bar, accompanied by about 100 of the Members, who,
in entering, made much noana' and oatteed many smiles, in
their eagerness to get close to the bar.
The Lord Chancellor then handed the Speech to her
Majesty.
The Queen then, in a beautifully clear voice, read the
following Speech from the Throne :
MT LORDS AND GENTLEMEN—

The period being arrived at which the business of Parliament is
usually resumed, I have called yeutogether for the discharge of your
important duties.

It is satisfactory to me to be enabled to state, that both in the north
and in the south of Europe the contending parties have ,consented
to a suspension of arms, for the purpose: of negotiating terms of

peace

The hostilities carried on in the island of Sicily were attended
with circumstances so revolting that the British and French ad-
mirals were impelled, by motives of humanity, to interpose and to
stop the further effusion of blood.

I have availed myself of the interval thus obtained:to propose, in
conjunction with France, to the King of Naples, an arrangement
calculated to produce a permanent settlement of affairs in Sicily.
The negotiation on these matters is still pending,
It has been my anxious endeavour, in offering my good offices
to the various contending Powers, to prevent the extension of the
calamities of war, and to lay the foundations for lasting and ho-
noutable peace. It is my contant clusire;tomaintain with all foreign
States the most friendly relations.

As soon as the interests of the public service will permit, I shall
direct the papers connected with these transactions to be laid before
you.

A rebellion of a formidable character has broken out in the Pun-
raub, and the Governor-General of India has been compelled, for

the preservation of the peace of the country, to assemble a consi-
derable force, which is now engaged in military operations against
the insurgents. But the tranquillity of British India has not been
affected by these unprovoked disturbances.
I again commend to your attention the restrictions imposed en
commerce by the navigation-laws. If you shall find that these laws
arc in whole or in part unnecessary for the maintenance of our ma-
ritime power, while they fetter trade and industry, yen will no
doubt deem it right to repeal or modify their provisions.
GENTLEMEN OF TIM HOUSE OF COBUKONJ--
I have directed the estimates for the service of the year to be
laid before you ; they will be framed with the most anxious atten-
tion to a wise economy.

The present aspect of affairs has enabled me to make large reduc-
tions upon the estimates of last year.
Mr Loans AND GENTLEMEN—

I observe, with satisfaction, that this portion of the United King-
dom has remained tranquil amidst the convulsions which have
disturbed so many parts of Eurooe.
The insurrection in Ireland has not been renewed, but a spirit of
disaffection stills exists; and am compelled, to my great regret, to
ask for a continuance, for a limited time, of those powers which, in
the last session, you deemed necessary for the preservation of the
public tranquillity.

I have great satisfaction in stating that commerce is reviving from
those shocks which, at the commencement of last session, I had to
deplore. The condition of the mant:fActuring districts is likewise
more encouraging than it has been for a considerable period.
It is also gratifying to me to observe that the state of the revenue
is one of progressive improvement.
I have to lament, however, that another failure in the potato crop
has caused very severe distress In some parts of Ireland.
The operation of the laws for the relief of the poor in Ireland will
properly be a subject of your inquiry, and any measures by which
those laws may be beneficially amended and the condition of the
people may be improvel will receive my cordial assent.
It is with pride and thankfulness that I advert to the 'loyal spirit
of my people, and that attachment to our institutions which has ani-
mated them during a period of commercial ditliculty, defLcient pro-
duction of food, and political revolution.
I look to the protection of Almighty God far favoar in our con-
tinued progress, and I trust that you will assist me in upholding the
fabric of the Constitution, founded as it is upon the principles of free-
dom and of justice.
Her Majesty and suite then retired.
Their Lordships then adjourned during pleasure.

Their Lordships reassembled at Five o'clock.
SELECT VESTRIES BILL.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE introduced the Select
Vestries Bill, which was read a first time.
nit QUEEN'S SPEECH.
Tht LORD CHANCELLOR then read her Majesty's
Speech.
ADDRESS.

Earl BRUCE then rose to move the Address in answer to
her Majesty's most gracious Speech from the throne. He
requested the indulgence of their Lordships in moving the
Address in answer to her Majesty's most gracious Speech,
as he had never before bad the honour, of addressing
their Lordships. He would willingly have ab-
stained from making any observations had he not
considered that such a course would be dis-
respectful to their Lordships. Her Majesty had been gra.
ciously pleased to inform them that negotiations were ex-
isting with the Northern and Southern States of Europe,
which were in a state of war. With regard to Sicily, this
country must always feel a great interest in the well-being of
that island, and he was rejoiced to hear that the French and
English admirals had interfered to prevent the perpetration
of atrocities in that Island which were horrifying even to
those admirals who had been used to the horrors of
warfare. Negotiations were now in progress for the pacifi-
cation of that island, and he trusted that no. observa
would be made on that subject whichhme ignhetgohtaiavteh
iontse.
effect of interrupting the course of those
Ile rejoiced to find that the estimattiensenwtouthldeybefounredductehde.
Whilst in every country of the co
expenses were increasing and_ then revenue diminish-
ing, in this country they
was increasing they were
mfanbnout to decrease their expen-
necessary that no reduction
diture. Nevertheless, it
should be proposed which wouldw reduce the effective force of
defence of the country, and he was satisfied that the Govern-
ment would propose no such reduction. Our army for the
most part was employed in the protection of our colonial
empire, and it was impossible to propose any great reduc-
tion in an army employed to prote9t colonies aitugted
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