The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-07 00:00:00

SPEECH OF THE QUEEN OF

PORTUGAL. I.
The following is a translation of the Royal Speech
upon opening the Cortes :
" Worthy Peers of the Realm, and Gentlemen
Deputies of the Portuguese Nation—

" With the greatest satisfaction I see you to-day
re-united around my throne, to occupy yourselves
with the important measures which the interests of
our country claim from the legislative body.
" After the violent political troubles which for the
last two years had shaken the country, your re-union
in this place is a secure proof that Divine Provi-
dence deigns still to think of this brave and faithful
nation.

" Pulclic and private calamities, a necessary effect
of civil wars, have for a long period afflicted all classes
of the State, and have injured or ruined establish-
ments of every kind. I confide in your wisdom and
Patriotism that you will at once occupy yourselves with
the necessary steps for ameliorating such evils.
" The Governments of Spain, England, and
France, concluded with my Government a conven-
tion, which was signed in London on the 21st of May
last year, for the purpose of putting an end to the
civil war.

" As all Parliamentary labours were interrupted
for a time, extraordinary measures were necessarily
adopted by the several Ministries. My Government
will give a full account of all those measures, in order
that they may be duly examined by the legislative
corps.

During the critical situation in which the king-
dom was placed, the guarantees secured by Article
145 of the Constitutional Charter were necessarily
suspended ; my Ministers will explain to you the use
that was made of that suspension, in order that you
may deliberate upon it in such manner most conve-
nient and just to you, as you may desire.
" I have much satisfaction in announcing that the
Most High has deigned to favour my family, and
blessed me with two Princes—the Infantes Dom
Fernando and Dom Augusto.

"I continue to receive from the allied Sovereigns
the most positive assurances of friendship. Espe-
cially it is fitting that I should taention to you,
that, in consequence of the late unhappy events, I
received from the Sovereigns of Spain, England, and
France, such powerful assistance as aided in the
more speedy termination of the war which desolated
the country.

"By the respective Ministers will be presented ,
the state of the public revenue and a budget of the
receipts and expenses for the coming economic year,
with the estimates necessary to provide for the
ordinary and extraordinary expenses of the State.
" I trust you will examine this important subject
with the care which it demands, and that you will
enable my Government to comply with the obliga-
tions which weigh upon it.
" Most cordially do I congratulate you on the ter-
mination of the public disturbances which for so long
a time have so profoundly afflicted the country. I
entertain the most lively desire that the horizon of
our country will announce the splendour of a new
era, and that we shall again have peace, order, and
the union of the Portuguese family. May your
lights, your zeal, and your patriotism, provide wise
and useful measures. This is the important object
which the nation confides to you, and such are the
inmost and warmest wishes of my soul."

DIVIDEND DAY AT THE BANIC—The January
dividends will be in the course of payment to the public
on next Saturday morning, the Bth inst. The dividends
at the South Soa House and East India House will also
be payable on the same day. The undermentioned
transfer books will open as follows at the Bank;—Con-
sols, Three per Cents., on Tuesday, the 18th inst...
Three-and-a•fialf per Cont. Annuities, 1726, on Tues-
day, the 11th inst.; New Five per Cent. Annuities, ditto;
Annuities for Terms of Years, on Friday, the 14th.
The transfer books of East India Stock will be opened
on Thursday, the 13th inst., and South Sea Annuities
on Friday, the 14th inst.
Marie Taglioni, who created so great a sensation
last season at her Majesty's Theatre, is turning the
heads of the German amateurs. Her success, say the
German papers, is unprecedented, and her improvement
quite extraordinary.
ART LOTTERIES.—It appears, from a statement in
the Art Union Journal, that legal proceedings have been
instituted to arrest the progress of art-lotteries; writs
having been issued for penalties in the form of actions
for debt and costs.
CHRISTMAS BOUNTIES.—We understand Viscount
and Viscountess Cosnbermere have, according to their
annual custom, distributed beef, bread, rice, blankets,
and clothing, among at least 300 of the cottage tenantry
on his Lordship's estates at Wenbury, Newhill, Aston,
DAL- Wilkesley, Burleyd,,em. Combermere,
Audlem, &c., in Cheshire; and in the Woodhouse',
parish of Whitcharch, in Shropshire.