The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-01 00:00:00

Precisely at a quarter•past two o'clock the appear-
ance of the heraldi and men at a7ITIS, accompanied by a
long train of officers connected with the I{oyal house-
hold, announced that the Queen was at hand ; and pre-
sently her Mak,sty, leaning on Prince Albert, and at-
tended by the Duchess of Sutherland, as Mistress of the
Robee, by the Duchess of Wellington, as one of the
Ladies in Waiting, and by several of the Ministers and
great officers?, entered and took her seat upon the
Throne.

The whole of the brilliant assembly stood up to receive
her, and few sights of-rarer or more imposing splendour
than that which then met the eye were ever witoes.ed
in a single chamber. The bright colours of the ladies'
dr,sses, reflecting all the varied hues of the rainbow ;
the scarlet robes of the peers ; the gorgeous fittings of
the house itself ; the attire of the members of the diplo-
matic bc,dy, resplendent with stars and orders—all con-
stituted a picture of that mingled brilliancy and 13.Auty
on which the fancy loves to linger. Ferna!e grace and
female loveliness, too, were not wanting t lend their
influence to the scene, and to give completeness to its
attraction.

Prince Albert took up his position on the left hand of
the Queen, as did also Earl Granville, bearing the sword
of state. On her Majesty's right band were the Duchess
of Sutherland and the Duchess of Wellington ; the Lord
Chancellor, with the great seal ; the Marquis of Lans-
downe, bearing the crown ; and the Marquis of Win-
chester, the cap of maintenance.
The Queen having signified her desire that the as-
sembled lords and ladies should resume their seats, or-
dered the Commons to be summoned to the bar of the
Upper House ; and, after the lapse of a few seconds, the
Speaker, accompanied by Lord Palmerston, Mr. Hay-
ter, Mr. Horsman, S. B. Hall, Mr. Napier, Mr. White-
side, Mr. Bentinck, and several other members of the
Lower House, were ushered, in somewha►c tumultuous
order, into their Sovereign's presence.
The Lord Chancellor then, on beaded knee, handed
the paper containirg the'Royal speech.
Her MAJESTY, in a clear and distinct voice, pro-
ceeded to real the speech, which was as follows :
" My Lords and Gentlemen,
" Since the close of the last session of Parliament the
arms of the Allies have achieved a signal and important
success. Sebastopol, the great stronghold of Russia in
the Rack Sea, has yielded to the persevering constancy
and to the daring bravery of the allied forces. The na-
val and military preparations for the ensuing year have
necessarily occupied my serious attention ; but while
determined to omit no effort which could give vigour to
the operations of the war, I have deemed it my duty
not to decline any overtures which might reasonably
afford a prospect of a safe and honourable peace. Ac-
cordingly, when the Emperor of Austria lately offere 1 to
myself and my august Ally the Emperor of the French,
to employ his good offices with the Emperor of Russia,
with a view to endeavour to bring about an amicable
adjustment of the matters at issue between the con•
tending Powers, I consented, in concert with my Allies,
to accept the offer thus made, and I have the satisfac-
tion to inform you that certain conditions have been
agreed upon which I hope may prove the foundation of
a general treaty of peace.
" Negotiations for such a treaty will shortly be opened
at Paris. _

" In conducting those Negotiations I shall be careful
not to lose si,:ht of the objects for which the war was
undertaken ; and I shall deem it right in no degree to
relax niy naval and military preparations until a satis-
factory treaty of peace shall have been concluded.
" Although the war in wisilh I ant engaged was
brought on by events in the South of Europe, my atten-
tion has nut been withdrawn from the state of things in
.the North, and, in conjunction with the Emperor of the
'French, I have concluded with the King of Sweden and
Norway a treaty containing defensive engagements ap-
plicable to his dominions, and tending to the preserva-
tion of the balance of power in that part of Europe.
" I have &so concluded a treaty of friendship, com-
merce, and navigation with the Republic of Chili. I
have given directions that these treaties shall be laid
before you.
" Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"The estimates for the ensuing year will be laid be-
fora you. You will find them framed in such a manner
as to provide for the exigencies of war, if peace should
unfortunately not be concluded.
" My Lords and Gentlemen,
"It is gratifying to use to observe that, notwithstand-
ing the pressure of the war, and the burthens and sacri-
fices which it ha; unavoidably imposed upon my people,
the resources of my empire remain unimpaired. I rely
with confidence on the manly spirit and enlightened
patriotism of my loyal subjects for a continuance of that
support which they have so nobly afforded me ; and they
may be assured that d shall not call upon them for ex-
ertions bey3nd what may be required by a due regard
for the great interests, the honour, and the dignity of the

empire.
" There are many eubjects connected with internal
improvement which I recommend to your attentive
consideration.

" The difference which exists in several important
particulars between the commercial laws of Scotland
and those of the other parts of the United Kingdom,
has occasioned inconvenience to a large portion of my
subjects engaged in trade. Measures will be proposed to
you for remedying this evil.
" Measures will also be proposed to you for improving
the laws relating to partnership, by simplifying those
laws, and thus rendering more ea y the employment of
capital in co mtnerce. _ _

."
The system under which merchant shipping is liable
to pay local dues and passing tolls has been the subject
of much complaint. Measures will be proposed to you
for affording relief in regard to those matters.
" Other important measures for improving the law in
Great Britain and Ireland will be proposed to you, which
will, I doubt not, receive your attent.ve consideration.
"Upon these and all other matters upon which you
may deliberate, I fervently pray that the blessing a
Divine Providence may favour your councils, and guide