The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-07
DOMINION OF CANADA.
The Opening and Propagation of
Parliament.
BRILLIANT CEREMONIALS.
A Dissolying View Of Statesmen. Soldiers,
Fashion and Beauty.
OTTAWA, May !, 1877.

OTTAWA. May I, 1871
There arc few scenes associated with the admins
tration OF public affairs IN the Dominion that arc
typical OF the respect which the people entertain
Tor what may be called the ormaltics OF government
than tho ceremonies which attend the opening and
prorogaton OF Parliament In tho Upited States the
beginning OF Congress is almost In its sim-
plicty. In Canada tho other hand, you every.
where soc kina Of hereditary recognition OF a
preme prcscnce-an essence OF power that
tangible and yet not greatly different from that which
exists the border, save tho observance Of
those courtly customs which have become traditional
In their descent from ieuda times. The ceremonies
alluded to are invariably the Same from year year.
STRIKING CEREMONIAL
Tho Parliament has been summoned to at three
O'Clock. and the Commons assemble with the Speaker
in the chair OF tho 20d members nearly every one
win DO punctually present. Thore is buzz OF
saton and independent OF all political differences no
matter how heated has boen tho preceding canvass
ntoImngling OF friends and colleagues that At once
and hearty It's warmth. Suddenly three heavy
knocks heard at the door OF tho main entrance and
tho instant all other sounds hushcd rho hand
Serge alarms. in full evening Dress begloved
and wearing at his side rapier, announces. "A
message from His Exccency the Governor General"
AMID deep silence the Speaker replies, ssAdmt tho
messenger" The Ssrgcani-at-Arms then shoulders
tho macc-a richly gildcd emblem of Her Majesty tho
Queens presence, which always lies on tho tablo In
front of the Speaker and clerks when tho House
actual scsson--and admits gentleman who ~ off,
claly known the Gentleman Usher OF tho Black
Rod. The latter, who is attirod In handsome cos
tume and carries an insignia of hts oflico a small
ebony stick advances bows soIomnly to the Speaker
(who raises hts cooked hat) and the name OF His
Excellcncy requests the presence OF tho Commons
the Senate Chamber. The request being mado once
In English and, according TO custom, again IN
French, tho Usher bows gracofuly-in o style,
by tho way. that tho American ladies' would
describe ''pcrfectly kng''-aEd backs slowly out
the Speaker and Clerk and two clerks assistant, a
robed in silk gowns and wearing light gloves, put
their cooked hats the alarms shoulders
mace and tho Assembly marches solemny 10 tho
| bur OF tho Senate.
IN rHR SENATE CHAMBER
Tho spectacle becomes OF singular beauty. Tho
soft light flowing into the great chamber through tho
richly stained windows and bathing pillar aud cornico
and network 10 rainbow tints: the rich carpet, with
It's figures Of ncur-des harmon izing with the hcavy
crimson canopy that ovcrhangs tho gidod chair Of
State tho Governor General In his magnificent uni
form decorated with the orders of his no
bilty aud rank; the sturdy Premier standing by his
sde plan, but looking 'cvery inch man - the men,
bors OF Tho Cabinet, adcs-de-camp thoir brilliant
| regimentais, military officers and deputy heads
Of departments all grouped In picturesque confusion
Chief Justice Judges Of the Supreme Court In
their robes Of crimson and crmine occupying crimson
seats immediately in front OF the throne tho Chaplain
Senators facing oach other the respective sides o
tho chamber tho throngs OF ladies In evening dresses
representing tho fashion and beauty Of the capital
| chief among whom Is Her Excollency tho Countess
| DuroriD, aud tho packed galleries and OF faces
strong and handsome, and In tho mon mar KIDD with
peculiar iudivduairy-al these constitute picture
that Is not easily described forgotten Tho speaker
and his clerks having approached the tho
General his recognition OF the presence
oil the Commons OF Canada In obedience TO HIS
tonal request His Exccency then proceeds read his
speech clear, audible and tho
Of tho programme Of the work OF tho becomes
At once tho freight Of every thought When tho Eng
tho French in pursuance OF the
constitutional usage now moro than a century
old which preserves tho the French language In
all Canadian legislation affecting tho Province OF QUO
Doc Tho speech bong finished, the secretary VI tho
Governor General hands written copy 70 the Speaker
mons. Here Parliament having been formally opened,
tho nrst proceeding Is almost invariably the prcsenta
the House OF certificates and reports relating
elections which have boon neid during reces New
members then introduced and take their scnts tho
IN tho Office OF tho Clerk. Loading members OF tho
government and opposition generally introduce thor
party or tho other ruc little business Is dono on
TnE yiRsr DAY OF THE SESSION
In the evening drawing room reception Is held In
the Senate chamber when members Of the two houses
with thoir wivcs and daughters, havc opportunity
Of being presented TO the Governor General and Lady
| Dunerin, who stand tor hours the dais Of tho
| throne and return tho bows OF steady stream Of
ladies ana gentlemen, NIL OF whom oi course appear
party costumes And 30 ends the iormaties incident
10 the beginning OF Parliamentary iabors; and so
begins q or hospitality and pleasure, which
all citizens aud members, following the generous K
ample Of Lord Dunerin, with each other In max ing
| tho stay oil tho stranger a pleasure and memory
Speaking or TINS l am informed that although tho
saiary OF the Governor General Is $4,000 year no
spends nearly twlco that giving princcly cntcr-
tainments and distributing prizes OF plato and medals
TO the deserving young people OF Canada. And u Is
needless to add that these have made his
synonymous OF all that Is LIBERAL largo
hearted and magnanimous throughout tho Dominion.
There is who OIL his place when another
year rolls around and he takes his departure per.
| haps To occupy nighcr sphere as tho Viccroy OF
India and there Is not loyal heart hut Will boat with
| regret at his loss. The ceremony OF prorogation
Is that is al ways anticipated with pleas TINS
10 especially true OF tho present scssor, which, CON-
moncing on the 9Th OF February, has dragged It's
weary length along until tho last OF April, tho In
Unite annoyance OF majority OF tho members. Gov
crnmcnt BUS, AZ well AS thc long debates which have
ensued almost every conceivable topic, have
served to make the present session the longest
the Third Parliament Not only has tho busnes or
the House proper boon unusually important and
pressing, but the committee work also OF
UNUSUAL and fatguing character The following table
will show the length OF tho different
sions OF tho Third Parliament: -
Year. House Net Edriidnl>nt dose
lS74.................. March 26...........May 70
1878 ................. February a.........Aprll &
1876. February lO........Aprii IL
lS!7................ February S..........April rs
EARLy ADJorRSMENTs
II was expected at tho opening OF the that