The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-07 00:00:00

OPENING

OF THE

NEW PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(This Day.)
The New Parliament assembled this day for the
first time for the despatch of public business. In

consequence of the absence of her Majesty, the
ceremony was shorn of its usual pomp ; and in
place of the usual brilliant assemblage of Peeresses,
Foreign Ministers, &c., there were present to-day
but a few ladies, who occupied the back seats on
the Opposition side of the house.
Tne constitution of the House of Peers is such
that, unlike the Commons, on the assemblage of a
New Parliament, scarcely any change is to be
observed among its members.

At two o'clock the Royal Commiss!oners, the
Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Argyll, Lord Stanley
of Alderley, and the Earl of Harrowby, entered the
house and took their seats in front of the Throne,
and the Usher of the Black Rod was immediately
directed to summon the Commons to the bar of
their lordships' house to hear her Majesty's Most
Gracious Speech on the occasion of the opening of
Parliament, read by Royal Commission.
_ _

In a vary short time, tha Speaker attended by a

large number of Members appeared at the bar,
awl the Clerk at the table read the Royal C 3112-

mission.

HER M A JESTY'S SPEECH.
The LORD CHANCELLOR then rose and
read her Majesty's Speech as follows :

" MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
" We are commanded to inform you that her
Majesty has availed herself of the earliest opportu-
nity of having recourse to your advice and assist-
ance after the dissolution of the last Parliament ;
and her Majesty trusts that there will be found
sufficient time during the present session to enable
you satisfact)rily to deal with various important
naitters, some of which had occupied the attention

of Parliament in the beginning of this year.
" We are commanded by her M:►jesty to inform
you that the general aspect of affairs in Europe
affords a well-grounded confidence in the con-
tinuance of peace.
" All the main stipulations of the treaty of Paris
have been carried into execution, and it is to be
hopei that what remains to be done in regard to
those matters will ba speedily accomplished.
" The negotiations upon the subject of the dif-
ferences which had arisen between the King of
Prussia and the Swiss Confederation, ir., regard to
the affairs of Neuchatel, are drawin6 to a close, and
will, her Majesty trusts, be terliinated by an ar-
rangement honourable and ratisfactory to all par-
ties.

" The negotiations ',n which her Majesty has
been engaged with tlie Government of the United
States, and with the Government of Honduras,
in regard to the affairs of Central America, have
not yet bees brought to a close.
" We are commanded by her Majesty to inform
you t:isaat a treaty of peace between her Majesty
an'3. the Shah of Persia was signed at Paris on the
4th of March, by her Majesty's Ambassador
at Paris and by the Ambassador of the
Shah ; and her Majesty will give clirect'ons that
this treaty shall be laid before you as soon as the
ratifications thereof shallhave been duly exchanged.
" Her Majesty commands us to express to you
her regret that, at the date of the latest advices
front China, the differences which had arisen bet weer
the High Commi,sioner at Canton and her Majesty's
civil and naval offic?r3 in China, still remained un-
adjustel. But her Majesty has sent to China a
Plenipotentiary fully instructed to deal with all
twitters of difference, and that Plenipotentiary wil
be supported by an adequate naval and military
' force, in the event of such assistance becoming

necessary.
"We are commanded to inform you that her
Majesty, in conjunction with several other European
Powers, has concluded a Treaty with the King of
Denmark for the redemption of the Sound Dues.
This Treaty, together with a Separate Convention
between her Majesty and the King of Denmark,
completing the arrangemrnt, will be laid before
you, and her Majesty will cause the measures ne-
cessary for fulfilling the engagements thereby con-
tracted to be submitted for your consideration."
" GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
" Her Majesty has directed the Estimates for
the present year to be laid before you.
" They have been prepared with a careful atten-
tion to economy, and with a due regard to the effi-
ciency of the department of the public service to
which they severally relate.
" MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
" Her Majesty commands us to recommend to
your earnest consideration, measures which will be
proposed to you for the consolidation and improve-
ment of the law.
" Bills will be submitted to you for improving
the laws relating to the Testamentary and Matri-
monial Jurisdiction now exercised by the Ecclesias-
tical Courts, and also for checking fraudulent
breaches of trust.
" Her Majesty commands us to express to you
her heartfelt gratification at witnessing the conti-
nued well-being and contentment of her people,
and the progressive development of productive
industry throughout her dominions.
" Her Majesty confidently commits to your wis-
dom and care the great interests of her empire, and
fervently prays that the blessing of Almighty Gol
may be vouchsafed to your deliberations, and may
lead you to conclusions conducive to the objects
of ber Majesty's constant solicitude, the welfare
and happiness of her loyal and faithful people."
After the Royal Speech had been read, th)
Speaker and the Members retired, and their lord-
ships adjourned until five o'clock.