The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-09
Our Canadian Correspondence.
IORONTO, July I, IooU
Etiquette Of Canadian Tom o0lery
IN the ttco Houses, &c.

Etiquette of Canadian Legisiation-T Tom foolery
IN the too Houses, &C.
As ntmated in my lest letter, shall now pro-
coed to describe the two branches of the Legisla-
ture here, and the ceremony and etiquette by which
they regulated in imitation of what take place
in the British Parliament, which is totally at va
rance with the proceedings of the legislatures in
the other North American colonies, and is, in ITSELF
at once ridiculous and expensive.
was prepared 10 the Governor General
wearing the Windsor or state uniform, in the dress
of British general officer Sir James Kempt,
who also held that rank, used TO come down when
he met or prorogued the Legislature, elegantly
drested in black with the collar, STAR and other in
sigma of Knight OF the Bath on his person, and
TO find him received by guard of honor For all
this, repeat, was prepared, IL being in keeping
with his position as the representative of his sove
reign but did not expect this studied aping
of the ceremonial of England
shall commence, however, with the House OF
Assembly, the Speaker Of which, as is the case in
the other Provinces, wears black gown. He is a
tall, gentlemanly man, too mild ia his manner TO
govern with the necessary energy, popular body,
but W ho manages TO keep tolerable order. lust ia
front Of him, at the head OF table covered with
red cloth, sits the Clerk Of the House, having on
his right the Assistant Clerk, both wearing gowns
On each side of the Speaker five OF chairs,
with desk for each member ascending from the
front. On the night side OF the room, is full
length
Speakers chair Is the coat OF arms OF England.
The members generally SIT uncovered; but when
message Is cent down, commanding their attend-
ance on the Governor.Generai, In the Legislative
Council chamber, they rise, and receive the mes
SAGE standing. On the right Of the Spe ikers chair
sit the principal officers OF government; the first
four seats being occupied by the two Attorneys
General, Earl and Guest; the Inspector General,
and the Commissioner of Crown Lands; behind
them are the members Of the administration, and
the remainder Of the right side of the House IL
chiefly occupied by their adherents, many Of whom,
however, sit on the opposite side.
Attic lower end Of the hall, on one side OF the
prncip entrance, are rows OF seats, rising behind
each other. for the accommodation Of the members
of the Legislative Council, and those strangers
who are introduced by members. On the of0osite
side are accommodations for the gentlemen con-
nectcd with the public press IN fo OF whom SIT the
ladies, who come thert-kind hearted souls-to
cheer them by their presence, to watch the pro-
ceedngs Of the House; and somsilnes, perchance,
however they may deny the ''soit impeachment"
from motives more congenial 10 woInin's heart.
At the tight Of the entrance sits the Sergeant at
Arms, with a cha peap- bras beside him. Some two
or three attendants wait on the members, aud
page occasionally hands ttmber Of water; the
American practice, adopted by public speakers in
the United States, having in-inuated itself among
British institutions in this province.
1 had almost omitted to Mention, that on the
cable in front Of the clerk, lies the mace-emblem
of ROYALTY II is about four feet long, by two or
three inches in diameter, fancifuly turned and gilt,
being surmounted by crown. THIS is carefully
cushion. r..
and is carried before him by the Sergeant-at A rms,
when he enters or departs from the House. In adj
-dition TO the gown the Speaker - provided with
sort of cocked hat, which he occasionally puts on
IL is not one Of the kind which were worn about
half century since, before they went entirely out
OF fashions sort Of Rip IAN Wrinkle Affair." slight
ly turned up behind, and at each side, as though
Al intended to prevent the water running down
the back Of the mech Of the wesrer, should he be
caught out in shower Of rain, and to enable him
TO pour IL off In front
This hat lies, generally, on the Speakers deck ;
but, presently. there ara three loud and distnc
knocks nj the door, and the Sergeant-a at Arms, who
has inquired the Of the disturbance without,
advances towards the Speaker, and informs him
tive Council and, receiving directions TO admit
him, he shoulders the mace, and takes up his
position just inside the bar.
The other Sergeantat Arms, who has, with q
sword at his side escorted the Cerk Of the Council
then enters, bowling reverebtly TO the Speaker
who, at the first alarm, has placed the cooked hat
upon his head; He lie followed by the clerk, 9
tall, grave looking parsonage, also wearing q
gown, and with ohapeou-bra, under his arm
He neither moves his head, nor looks TO the right
hand nor 10 the LET'S but, as soon as he enters the
body OF the House, bows TO the SPEAKER, who bows
in retarn: reaching the foot Of the table, he bows
again, and when arrived in front Of the Speaker;
chair, delivers his message, having made another
beisance. lie then retire, blowing when he enter
ed the Sergeant alarms mHk his thr, bows, the
Speaker always returning this compliment, just
lifting the cooked hat on each occasion, which Il
then Teplsced on the deck.
Turn we now to the Council Chamber, which !,
rather more gorgeousIy fitted up than the House o
Assembly. On what is called the throne, u
splendid arm chair, richly gilt, the back Of which
a. surmounted with crown, and ~ occupied BY
the Governor General, when he comes down Il
meet or prorogue the IlOuee, or to give his assent
10 blls In front of the throne, when his Excel
lency is not present. sits the Speaker Of the House
also wearing a gown, and occasionally cockeC
hat, similar TO that worn by the Speaker OF tn
other House.
in front Of him sits the Clerk Of the Council