The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-12 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY SKETCHES.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

The process of swearing-in members of the House of
Commons and the royal ratification of Mr. Dension as
Speaker, took place this afternoon at two o'clock. The pro-
ceedings in the Lords were exceedingly brief, and did not
occupy more than ten minutes. Very few peers were in
attendance, the majority of the small number present seating
themselves on the Opposition side of the House. Soon after
two the Lord Chancellor and the Royal Commisioners, who
were dressed in the same eccentric style as on the previous
day, took their places on a seat behind the woolsack.
Black Rod was then despatched to summon the faithful
Commons, who in a short time were heard rush.
ing pell mell through the lobby. The Speaker,
dressed in a Court suit, and having the official wig on his
head, occupied the first place at the bar, surrounded by
several members of the Lower House. In a clear voice,
which was not broken by the nervousness which
characterised his remarks yesterday, he stated that,
in obedience to her Majesty's commands, her Majesty's
faithful Commons, in the exercise of thei, undoubted rights
and privileges, had proceeded to the election of Speaker,
and that their choice had fallen upon himself.
He therefore humbly submitted himself to her
Majesty's most gracious approbation. The Lord Chan-
cellor, who called the Speaker " Mr. Denison," assured
the right hon. gentleman that the Queen was fully sensible
of his zeal for the public service, and most readily
approved and confirmed him as the Speaker of the Com-
mons. Mr. Denison, again addressing the Lords Corn
missioners, then asked that the ancient and undoubted
rights and privileges of the Commons should be
confirmed, that their persons should be free
from arrest and molestation ; and that they
should still be guaranteed freedom of speech in
debate, and free access to the Queen whenever occasion
should require. Lord Hatherley, now addressing the
right honourable gentleman as " Mr. Speaker," as-
sured him that her Majesty most readily confirmed
all the rights and privileges which had been granted by
her royal predecessors. The Speaker and the other mem-
bers of the House of Commons then withdrew, the Lords
Commissioners retired in order to doff the scarlet robes and
cocked hats, and the formal swearing-in commenced
in right earnest.
The attendance in the Commons at the time fixed for
the commencement of business was large, there being
about 300 members present, chiefly Liberals. The
Speaker took the chair at two o'clock, but no
chaplain was in attendance, as prayers could not be offered
until the House was constituted, and until the Queen had
sanctioned the appointment of Speaker. The mem-
bers thereforo waited patiently until Black Rod
made his appearance at ten minutes past two,
and summoned the faithful Commons to the House of
Peers. After the Speaker had returned from the Upper
House, the members proceeded to take their oaths in the
usual manner. For this process two long tables had
been provided, on which, as well as on the Speaker's table,
bibles were placed. The names of thirty-two members
were called by one of the clerks, and then the hon. gentlemen
so-called assembled round the table. As the brief oath was
administered, each member had to sign his name, the
latter process necessarily occupying a considerable time.
After signing, the different members shook hands
with the Speaker, and their membership was
then complete. Among those who had the honour
of being called first were Sir George Grey, Mr. Walpole,
Lord Stanley, Lord John Manners, Mr. Corry, Lord
Robert Montagu, Sir John Hay; Mr. Knatchbull-
Hugessen, Admiral Seymour, Colonel Taylor, Mr. Kin-
naird, Colonel Gilpin, and Mr. Hibbert. The time
occupied in swearing in the first batch was twenty-two
minutes. At this rate, eight hours will be required to
complete the whole House.
The at ldance at Westminster Hall was not near so
great as yesterday, but there were many people present,
who formed a long line opposite the members' entrance,
and cheered several new men as they made their
appearance.