The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-04 00:00:00

,41)trb AStruton

OPENING ov PARLIAMENT

" Another fine day for the Queen" was an observation
often repeated this morning, and it is not our fault that
the remarkable change from the inclemency of the last
few days compels us to reiterate the preface which has
so often appeared before in our notices of her Majesty's
progresses in the metrapolis. Although the recent snow,
thaw, and rain had left the parks and streets in a most
uncomfortable state for pedestrians, and especially bye-
standers, the route of the royal procession, from
Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords, was lined by
patient thousands long before her Majesty's departure
from the Palace. As soon as the carriage emerged from
beneath the marble arch the Queen was greeted with
the same loud and earnest demonstrations of loyalty
and affection which have greeted her on all former occa-
sions. Her Majesty was accompanied by Prince Albert,
the Master of the Horse, and the Mistress of the Robes.
In the park we noticed an occurrence which, to say
the least, was of an unusual character, as foreigners
rarely take any part in popular demonstrations towards
the person of the sovereign in whose realms they hap-
pen to sojourn ; but, on this occasion, a group
of foreigners joined lustily and conspicuously in the
cheers of the multitude. They seemed to be French,
but they used no viva, or continental term, and only
cheered as well as they could in the English fashion..
Whether this was really a concerted exhibition
of feeling, or was merely accidental, it certainly
seemed to be inteaded as an evidence that " tout le
monde" is not with the war minority.

On her Majesty's return she was everywhere met with
the same manifestations of popularity.

MPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
Parliament was opened this day by the Queen in
person, with all the usual state and pageantry customary
on the occasion. Though the ceremony is of annual
recurrence, yet it never fails to awaken an interest in
the public, which springs principally from the

loyalty and admiration of a people ever grati-
fied to see her Majesty in the enjoyment of

good health and spirits, but is also increased on this
great State occasion by a feeling of hope that looks for-
ward to the opening session as the period when the
difficult questions that enter into what are called public
affairs will be at least discussed, even if that discussion
does not so frequently as could be wished result in the
discovery of a remedy for public evils.
No less anxiety was manifested on this occasion to
obtain admission to the body of the House of Peers and
the galleries, by those who could secure a Lord Cham-
berlain's ticket, and to obtain a glimpse of her Majesty
on the line of the procession, by the far greater
number who are compelled to content themselves
with the more public part of the proceedings. This
anxiety was much increased by the report that, on this
occasion, the young Prince of Wales would accompany
her Majesty, a rumour which, however, proved to be
unfounded.

_The preparations along the line of routs of the royal
procession were commenced at an early hour, and the
streets filled with people rapidly as mid-day ap-

- -
proached. Carriages commenced setting down
company, principally ladies, soon after eleven
o'clock. From this time there was a continual
stream of arrivals, and by half-past twelve the side
benches of the body of the House, the gallery to the
right of the throne, the strangers' and Members of the
House of Commons' galleries, and the space below the
bar, were crowded with elegantly-dressed ladies. There
was scarcely a place preserved vacant, except the front
Ministerial bench and the seat reserved for the Foreign
Ambassadors.

The throne and canopy formed a prominent object in
the brilliant scene the interior of the House presented.
A chair had been placed on each side, one for his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, the other for the young Prince
of Wales. _ . __

At one o'clock the appearance of the House was cer
tainly beautiful. On no former occasion was there a more
numerous attendance of ladies, and the whole area pre-
sented to the eye a mass of gay and light colours, re-
lieved by the scarlet fittings of the House, and varied by
the waving plumes, wreaths, and jewels of the many
splendid head-dresses.
Lord Wharncliffe was the first member of the Go-
vernment who entered the House. He was followed by
Earl Shaftesbury.
The Judges entered the House soon after one o'clock.
Among them wo observed the Chief Baron Pollock,
Barons Alderson, Park, Patteson, Platt, Williams,
Rolfe, Manic, Cresswell, and Chief Justice Tindal.
Lord Campbell, on entering the House, entered into
conversation with several of the Learned Judges.
The Lord Chancellor arrived at half-past one ; he
appeared to be in excellent health. His Lordship also
conversed with the Learned Judges, who were grouped in
front of the woolsack.
The Duke of Wellington was not long after the Lord
Chancellor ; he wore his Peer's robes ; he appeared to
be in his usual health and spirits.
At twenty minutes to two a flourish of trumpets an-
nounced the arrival of one of the Royal Family, and the
Duke of Cambridge appeared followed by the Duke of
Mecklenburgh Strelitz. His Royal Highness wore the
robes of a Peer; the young Duke was in uniform.
By this time every seat was occupied ; the attendance
of chiefs and members of the Diplomatic body was very
numerous ; their place was quite crowded. The number
of Peers present was not so great ; besides those we have
already mentioned, were the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord
Langdale, the Marquis of Camden, the Marquis of Win-
chester, and Lord Monteagle.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of
London were on the episcopal bench.
At precisely twelve minutes after two the first gun,
announcing the approach of her Majesty, was heard ;
it was followed by the sound of the distant cheers of the
multitude. The buzz of conversation instantly ceased,
all became expectation, and every eye was turned towards
the door. A few minutes elapsed, and the sound of
trumpets was heard in the passages leading to the House,
and the heralds entered, followed by the officers of the
royal household and the functionaries of State. Her
Majesty was immediately preceded by the Cap of Main-
tenance, the Duke of Beaufort bearing the Crown, the
Duke of Wellington bearing the Sword of State, and
the Lord Chancellor.
her Majesty entered the House at a quarter-past two
and immediately took her seat on the throne. Her
Majesty wore a splendid white satin dress, a diamond
stomacher, and diamond tiara ; Prince Albert
accompanied her Majesty ; he wore a Field
Marshal's uniform, and took his seat on the chair to
the left of the throne. Her Majesty appeared to be
in the enjoyment of excellent health.
The Peers, Peeresses, and company had all risen on
the entrance of her Majesty, and remained standing,
till her Majesty, bowing, begged their Lordships to be
seated.
The house of Commons were then summoned, and
shortly afterwards the Speaker, accompanied by several
Members, appeared below the bar.
The Lord Chancellor then presented the Speech to
her Majesty, who immediately proceeded to read it, with
that beautifully clear enunciation and expression, which
are so characteristic of her Majesty.
The Royal Speech will be found in another column.
Her Majesty having concluded, the Speaker of the
house of Commons bowed and left the bar with the
Members. The royal procession then left the House in
the same order in which it had entered, and their Lord-
ships adjourned during pleasure.