The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-01 00:00:00

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IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.

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 com-
pleted, 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 dining 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
rebuked, or to the wearing off of the newness of the decora-
tions of the edifice. At any rate, the blending of the colour-
ing of the stained windows, with the gilding and tinsel, im-
proved and heightened the general effect.
The attendance of Peeresses and ladies was greater than en
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
sensati, n among his brethren. The representative of the
Raja of Sattara, Bunjo Bapogee, 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 Use 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 noise, and caused 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
Speech, which appears in another part of our impression.
Her Majesty and suite then retired.
Their Lordships will meet again at Five o'clock.