The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-19 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE FRENCH
CHAMBERS.

(From Galignani's Messenger.)
MONDAY, Two o'CLocrc.
OPENING OF THE SESSION OF THE CHAMBERS
FOR 1839, BY HIS MAJESTY.
The doors of the Palais Bourbon were opened at ten
o'clock, and very shortly after that hour every scat in the:
public galleries was occupied. The front benches were, as
usual, reserved for the fair portion of the auditory, who, in
the lower tribunes especially, formed a decided majority,
and whose toilets were in perfect keeping with the sombre
and chilly aspect of a dark and raw December morning.
The usual military arrangements had been made to
guard all the approaches to the Chamber, and to preserve
order in the immediate neighbourhood, a strong force hav-
ing assembled to form the line of the procession from the
Tuileries. The interior arrangements and decorations of
the Chamber were precisely the same as last year, the
President's chair, the Parliamentary tribune, &c. having
been removed, in order to make way for the Royal fau-
teuil and the tabourets for the Princes, which were ofcrim-
son velvet, and raised on an elevated estrade, approached
by carpetted steps, on which were benches of crim-
son velvet for the accommodation of the Council
of State, General Officers of the Staff, Members of the
Institute, &c. Behind his Majesty's fauteuil and the
Princes' seats was disposed a canopy of red velvet, in front
of which rose a canopy of the same material, enriched at
the top with a crown, the whole surmounted by a circular
stand of tricoloured flags. The walls on each side of the
canopy were hung with green velvet, with deep gilt border
and handsome gold ornaments in the form of festoons and
wreaths.
Up to a quarter past twelve the benches of the Deputies
were literally empty, the perfect solitude of this part of the
Chamber king relieved at intervals solely by the momen-
tary appearance of some two- or three huissiers—" Rani
nantes in gurgite vasto." At about twelve a few Deputies
began to assemble, and shortly afterwards some of the
Members of the Council of State entered the Chamber.
Messrs. Vivien, Persil, Larabit, Gamier Pages, Odillon
Barrot, Thiers, Duvergier de Hauranne, Berryer, and Cor-
menin, were amongst the Members whom we noticed as
earliest in their attendance.
At about half-past twelve the Chamber assumed a more
animated aspect. At that hour several Peers had taken
their seats on the benches to the right of the Royal es-
trade, and the Members of the centre formed a compact
and conspicuous mass. The seats in front of the estrade
were by this time completely occupied by general and
other military officers, members of the Council of State,
and of the Institute.
Precisely at one o'clock the signal-gun was fired as
usual from the Hotel des Invalides, to announce the King's
departure from the Palace of the Tuileries ; the drums and
bands of the troops beat their customary salute, and the
military force forming the line of the procession cheered
loudly as the cortege passed.
At ten minutes past one the Queen entered, and at that
moment the entire of the auditory in the public galleries,
as well as in the body of the Chamber, rose simultaneously,
and received her Majesty in respectful silence. In ten
minutes afterwards all the members of the Cabinet entered,
in full official costume, preceded by the President of the
Council, Count Mole, and took their seats on the two
benches, one on each side of the Royal estrade. After a
short interval the King was then loudly announced by an
usher of the Chamber, and in a few minutes his Mejesty en-
tered, preceded by the usual cortege of General Officers,
Peers of France, &c., and enthusiastically cheered by the
audience with shouts of " Vice le Roi."
His Majesty was accompanied by the Duke of Orleans
and the Duke d'Aumale, who took their seats, the former
on the right, and the latter on the left, of the King, who
was dressed in a General's uniform, and who, we rejoice to
say, appeared in remarkably good health. His Majesty,
after bowing several times to the Chamber, covered him-
self, and having taken his seat between the two Princes,
read the Speech in a firm tone.
After the reading of the Speech, some passages of which
elicited shouts of " Vive le Roil" most courteously ac-
knowledged by his Majesty, the Minister of Justice (M.
Barthe) administered the oath to some of the Peers nomi-
nated since the close of the last Session. A similar cere-
mony was also performed by Count Montalivet, the Minis-
ter of the Interior, to some of the Members of the Lower
Chamber elected or re-elected during the same pe-
riod. The Mihister of Justice having then in the
usual form announced that the Sesssion of 1839 was
duly opened, the King and the Princes bowed, and re-
tired as they had entered, by the door on the left of the es-
trade, followed by the Royal cortege. The Queen at the
same time quitted the tribune on which she bad been seated,
the auditory greeting their Majesties with repeated shouts
of " Viva Ie Roi ! Viva la Reine !" The whole of the cere-
mony terminated by half-past one, at which hour the Royal
carriages returned to the Palace in the customary order.
The utmost tranquillity prevailed, both on their Majesties'
arrival and departure, not only in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of the Chamber, but also along the whole line by
which the cortege passed.

THE SPEECH..
" Gentlemen of the Chamber of Peers, and Gentle-
men of the Chamber of Deputies,
" Since your last session the prosperity of France has
progressively increased ; and the public tranquillity has not
cnly continued, but become more confirmed.
"It is satisnetory to me in the highest degree, on find-
ing myself once more amongst you, to find my
duty limited
to a claim for your concurrence in improving still farther a
state of affairs already so favourable.
" My relations with Foreign Powers are of a gratifying
description. France still holds her proper station in the
esteem of her allies and of the world at large.
" The Conferences on the affairs of Belgium and Hol-
land have been resumed at London, and I entertain no
doubt that they will lead to a speedy and peaceable result,
that shall give a new guarantee to the independence of Bel-
gium and to the tranquillity of Europe.
In Italy, the Austrian troops have quitted the Roman
States ; and, conformably with the Convention entered into
with the Holy See, our forces have evacuated Ancona.
Military occupation has ceased in those States, the inde-
pendence of which cannot but deeply interest France.
" Spain is still a prey to the same distractions and the
same misfortunes that have so long afflicted the country. We
continue to fulfil, in common with our allies, all the clauses
of the Quadruple Treaty. The Government of the Queen
Regent has constantly received from us, not only the as-
sistance to which we were bound by treaty, but all the
support which the interests of France permitted us to give.
" I trust that our differences with Mexico and the Ar-
gentine Republic are approaching their termination. Fresh
naval forces have lately left our ports, and are at this mo-
ment before Vera Cruz. They will obtain from the Mexi-
can Government that justice and protection which our
commerce has so long required.
" In Africa, my Lords and Gentlemen, our perseverance
in sacrifices has met with its reward. The statements
that will be laid before you will prove that your confidence
in my Government has not been betrayed. Peace has not
been interrupted this year; our position is daily consoli-
dating and improving. In the provinces of Constantina
and Algiers, operations conducted with ability and prudence
have given to our establishments the extension of territory
which their security and prosperity required. Everywhere
the nations respect the authority of France, and obey with-
out hesitation a regular and equitable Administration.
The creation of the Bishopric of Algiers is another gua-
rantee for the stability of our possession.
" The state of our finances is more and more prosperous.
The progressive and constant increase of the public reve-
nue proves the happy development of the national wealth,
and the welfare which all classes of the people enjoy. Some
interests, it is true, are suffering., and claim all the attention
of my Government ; on the very opening of your labours
measures will be submitted to you, relative to the situation
of our colonies, and the wants of our navigation.
" You will likewise have to bestow your attention upon
various Bills tending to carry into effect the provisions of
the Charter, to render more perfect the general legislation,
and introduce improvements into divers branches of the
public administration.
" Gentlemen—My heart still labours under the emotion
caused by the testimonies of affection which I received from
all France when an event took place which has fulfilled all
my wishes. The birth of the Count de Paris was the great-
est consolation that Heaven could vouchsafe me.
" My grandson shall be brought up, as his father has
been, in that respect for our institutions, and that devoted-
ness to France, of which my whole family will never cease
to set him the example. It has been my wish that a so-
lemn circumstance should assemble you round his cradle,
and that religion should bless amidst you that child which
wholly belongs to the country.
" Gentlemen, the flourishing condition of our country,
whereupon I have just congratulated myself with you, is
due to the co-operation which the Chambers have so con-
stantly afforded me for eight years past, and to the perfect
harmony existing between the Great Powers of the State.
Let us not forget that there lies our strength. May that
harmony daily become more complete and unalterable ; may
the working of our institutions, at the same time free and
regular, prove to the world that a constitutional monarchy
can unite to the blessings of liberty the stability which is
the strength of States !"

The Archbishop of Canterbury las appointed the
Rev. John Peel, brother to Sir Robert Peel, to be the
Dean of Canterbury for the ensuing year.
The Bishop of London has signified his intention
of holding a general ordination on Sunday morning next,
the 23d inst., at St. James's Church, Piceadilyfter the
usual morning prayers of the church. , after