The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-10 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH.

MY LORDS AND GRNTLEMEN,—
The state of public business enables me to release you
from your attendance in Parliament.

I continue to receive from all foreign Powers assurances
of goodwill and friendship ; but I have witnessed with
grief and pain, on domestic as well as public
grounds, the recent outbreak of war between two power-
ful nations, both of them allied with this country.
My best exertions had been used to avert this great
calamity.
I shall now direct a constant and anxious attention to
the strict observance of the duties and the maintenance of
the rights of neutrality.
I have cheerfully assented to the measure, matured by
your wisdom, to enlarge the power of the Executive, not
only for the diseharge of international duties, but for the
prevention of acts which, in time of war, might be in-
jurious to the interests of the country.
I shall make every fitting endeavour to check the opera-
tion of causes which might lead towards enlarging the
area of the present conflict, and to contribute if
opportunity shall be afforded me, to the restoration of an
early and honourable peace.
I have tendered to the two belligerent Powers treaties
identical in form to give additional security to Belgium
against the hazards of a war waged upon her frontiers.
This Treaty has been signed by Count Bernstorff, on the
part of the North German Confederation, and the
French Ambassador has signified that he has authority
to sign the corresponding instrument as soon as his full
powers arrive. Other Powers, which were parties to-the
Treaty of 1839 have been invited to accede, should they
think fit, to this engagement.
The shocking murders recently perpetrated in Greece
produced a painful impression throughout Europe,
and have drawn attention to serious evils existing
in that country. My unremitting efforts will be
directed to securing the complete and searching character
of the inquiry which has been instituted.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

I thank you for the liberal provision which was made by
you for the ordinary service of the year, and for the addi-
rional supplies of men and money which you have voted
in view of the altered state of things on the Continent of

Europe.
The condition of the revenue gives ground for the hope
that it may be able to meet the new charge which has
been created, without reversing the proper balance of
income and expenditdre.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMBN,
In regard to domestic legislation, I may fitly con-
gratulate you on the olose of a session marked by an
assiduous devotion -to labours of the utmost) national
importance.

The temporary Act for the Repression of Agrarian
Crime, and the Maintenance of Order in Ireland has, up
to the present time, answered the purposes for which it
was passed. -

From the Act for regulating the occupation and owner-
ship of land, I anticipate the gradual establishment both
of harmonious relations between owners and occupiers of
land, and of general confidence in the provisions and
administration of the law, and in the just and benevolent
intentions of the Legislature.
In consequence of the efforts which have been made in
matters of capital moment, to remove from the Statute
Book whatever might seem inequitable to Ireland, I trust
that the discharge of the first duty of Govesnment in
providing for the security of life and property will be-
come more easy, and I shall rely with confidence upon
the loyalty and affection of my Irish subjects.
It has given me pleasure to *concur with you in the
passage of the important law. providing for national
education in England. I perceive in it a new guarantee
for the moral and social well-being of the nation, and
forits prosperity and power.
The Igaturalization Act, and the Act for the Extradi-