The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-04 00:00:00

PRINCESS ALICE.

Lord PALMERSTON brought up a message from her
Majesty, announcing the approaching marriage of herßoyal
Highness the Princess Alice, and expressing her most
gracious Majesty's conviction that the house would make
an adequate provision for her Royal Highness.
The Royal Message having been laid on the table,
Lord PALMERSTON said that the marriage which had
been announced by her Majesty to the house was one that
was calculated to promote the happiness of her family. He
believed it was their duty to thank her Majesty for the
communication sho had made, and to assure her how
deeply they sympathised with her on the approach-
ing event, and their sincere desire to carry into

effect the wishes of her Majesty. Thew who had the good
fortune to be allowed to approach H.R.11. Princess Alice
knew from their personal knowledge that her Royal High-
ness possessed all those virtues that have so greatly dis-
tinguished her illustrious parent. (Hear, hear.) Her
Royal Highness the Princess Alice had the good for-
tune to have' made choice of a prince who is every way

deserving of her selection, and who, he was persuaded,
would be the means of her enjoying that domestic happiness
which had been the good fortune of her most august mother,
and of exhibiting those domestic attainments of which that
mother was a model, and which had secured for her the ad-
miration of the whole British nation. (Hear, hear.) He
thought the house should st.lte to her Majesty the deep inte-
rest they took in everything relating to her domestic affairs,
and particularly in the event which was calculated, by
directing her attention to the future, to prevent her duell-
ing too deeply on the loss she has so recently sustained.
(Hear, hear.) He concluded by moving that an address
be presented to her Majesty in reply to her address.
Mr. DISRAELI seconded the motion. He said that
the announcement which the house had heard was one
that he was sure would give them the greatest
satisfaction, and when the occasion arose ho was
satisfied the house would be prepared to consider
the subject to which her Majesty had alluded in her most
gracious message, as to the provision of her Royal
Highness the Princess Alice, in a proper spirit. (Hear,
hear.) The house took an interest in everything
that related to her Majesty and the Royal family, and it
will be gratifying to Englishmen to know that the amiable
princess who is about to be removed to ancther land will be
a specimen of the female virtues which adorn this country.
(Hear, hear.)
The DEPUTN -SPEA.X.ER having read the address which
embodied the sentiments of the noble mover and seconder,
and which was agreed to,
Lord PALMERSTON gave notice that onMonday next,
he would ask the house to go into committee to consider her
Majesty's message.
THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
In answer to Mr. D. FORTESCUE,
Mr. COWPER said that the objects of the designs for
the Foreign and Indian Offices, approved by the Govern-
ment, was to enable hon. members to know the character of
the buit(lin ge proposed before they voted an estimate for
their construction, and he did not see any use in exhibiting
the former, but they could be inspected by hon. members.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
Lord PALMERSTON said he rose in pursuance of
notice to move certain resolutions arising out of the report
of the committee which had been appointed for the purpose
of e4rnstdering, the best mode of facilitating. the business of
the house.
Min rules and regulations of the house had
been made in former times, and no doubt they were use-
fuly and advantageous
in the times in which they were made.
Therefore the
Slat Proposition he had to make in accord-
anceft with the reoommandations of the committee related to
the time of holding committees of supply. At present Mon-
days, Wednesdays, and ThlusdayfUforMerly Fridays—
were reserved for this nurpees The committee thought that
other days might be open for. committees of supply, and
that on Tuesdays and Fridays an Maitionald frac-
tion of a day, might bo gained nude, ,virtaln 82 tances
', or
for this purpose without any infriageat,tht the ti
members for bringing forward notices of motion. m ofe
It would
indeed in certain cases be an advantage to %kin. There
were other attractions which often drew members away at
a certain hour of the afternoon—(laughter)-;-and neembEtii
who had motions to make were often rat to the arithmetical
test, and before the question was put, and the hen. Member
interested had finished his speech, he fourid that the magical
number for keeping the Speaker in the chair were not pre-
sent-, whereas if is had been a Government night there
would be no danger of a scanty attendance ; therefore it
Would be a security for private members that those who
were charged:to carry on the public business should be in
the house. The Government, therefore, did not propose to
take front private members any of the time which they
now enjoatd ; all they asked the house to do was to give
to the Government the reversion of any unexpended
balance of time after notices of motion might be disposed
of. They therefore preposed to add to the number of days
en which the orders should take precedence, and that the
Government orders should have priority. They proposed
that Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays should be order
days. The noble lord concluded by moving the resolutions
of which he had given notice, as follows :—" That the
standing order of the 25th day of June, 18.52,' Ilaat tho