The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-20 00:00:00

ABYSSINIA.

Sir S. NORTHCOTE laid on the table papers connected
with matters in Abyssinia.
Col. S YKES gave notice that on Friday he should move
for a return of the names, nationalitios, Ice., of the pri-
soners in Abyssinia, and also he should ask a question of
the Secretary of War whether Consul Cawron held a
commission in the army, and, if not, under what circum-
stances he quitted it.
ARTISANS' DWELLINGS.

Mr. M‘C. TORRENS gave notice of his intention to
introduce a bill for the improvam?,ut of the dwellings of
the working classes.
HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH—THE ADDRESS.

Her Majesty's Speech on the opining of Parliament
having been read by the Speaker,
Mr. DYKE rose to move that an address be presented
to Her Majesty in answer to her most gracious speech. He
said he had to ask that indulgence invariably extended to
those placed in a similar position. er Majesty had expressed
her regret in calling her Parliament together at an un-
usual period; the ground of that regret was apparent in
the first part of the Royal Speech, and that circumstance,
of course, would necessitate the voting of the supplies for
the expedition to• Abyssinia. With respect to the
expedition to Abyssinia, it was for the interest of
all parties that a full consideration of all the
matters connected with the unhappy war should take
place, and although he should not on that occasion enter
at full length into all the details of the Abyssinian expe-
dition, he could not forbear touching lightly upon some
of the leading points. The hon. gentleman then re-
ferred to the steps that had already been taken to
procure the liberation of the prisoners. The most recent
matter of importance was the despatch of a letter by the
noble lord at the head of the Foreign Department, and if
it was asked why earlier action on the matter had
not been taken, ho could only say that an
answer to the letter ho had referred to could
only have been received within three days of the
breaking up of last session. The King of Abyssinia had
been informed that unless he delivered up the prisoners
active steps would be taken to enforce their liberation ; yet
notwithstanding that, they still remained in captivity, and it
was some satisfaction to know that the war was mainly for
that purpose, and not for the purpose of aggrandisement.
(Hear.) If in the course of the discussions that must follow
it was shown that every diplomatic means were taken to effect
the release of the prisoners Parliament would endorse the
policy of the Government on the subject. ear, hear.)
With respect to Italy it was a matter of regret that violent
persons should have attempted to invade that tranquillity
that that country so much required. The Emperor
Napoleon had taken some steps in the matter, and
he could not but think that a sovereign who
had expressed so much good-will towards this coun-
try would not act now in opposition to all his former po-
licy. Unhappily the deplorable state of affairs which had
existed in Ireland had extended to this country, but he
hoped the wishes expressed by her Majesty would be
realieed, that the law would be found adequate for the
suppression of such treasonable proceedings. With respect
to the question of Parliamentary Reform last session many
hard things had been said ; be hoped these would now be

forgotten, and that Parliament would apply itself to the
completion of that great question, and thus bring about a
settlement of a 'matter which had caused the greatest
anxiety. He hoped to bring forward a bill for the sup-
pression of bribery at elections, which would be oue
calculated to root out bribery, which was one of
the great evils connected with their electoral
system, and its suppression could but lead to
the most satisfactory results. The great difficulty
MIS to define the exact point for legislation to commence,
but doubtless that; would be satisfactorily dealt with
by Parliament. With respect to the question of education,
he did not think there was a question that more urgently
required the attention of the house. It was melancholy to
run down the list of those who at various times took their
trial ; it was lamentable to find so many unable either to
read or write. If that great evil could be satisfactorily
surmounted, it would bo one of the greatest blessings that
could be conferred upon the country. The bill for the
regulation of the introduction and slaughter of foreign
cattle ho hoped would be one calculated to give satisfaction to
all classes, and thanking the house for the kindness they
had exhibited to him, he would express a hope that by the
blessing of Providence the prospects of the country would
continue to increase, and that their private exertions
would add to the good of all her Maj !sty's subjects.
The hon gentleman then read the Address, which was
as usual a mere echo of the Royal Speech.
Col. HOGG, in seconding the Address, said he felt his
inability to grapple with the task, but he knew he could
rely on the goodness of the house. His honourable
friend had so dealt with the Abyssinian question
that little was left for him to say; but he hoped
that there would be no mistake upon one point, and
that was that before King Theodore's reply was received
the Government could not have foreshadowed ita policy.
Three years of cruelty to the prisoners, he thought, fully
justified the Government in sending forth the expedition,
but he did hope the expedition would not assume the charac-
ter of an Abyssinian war. That was not the time to justify
the policy of Government, but he would answer one objec-
tion he had heard against the expedition, and that was the
expense, but he did not think the house would calculate
the value of the lives of British subjects at money's worth.
(Hear, hear.) He had letters he could read from that