Bisbee daily review., 1902-02-07

ment opens This is done by a number of yeomen of the guards or the guards of the Tower of London. clad iu quaint and picturesque uniforms. This search
 ing of the cellars originated after the
 attempt of Guy Hawkes. to blow up
 the two houses and their members h the days of James l.. and such is the
 unwillingness of parliament to part with any of its ceremonies that this custom has survived for nearly three
 centuries and will probably last as
 long as parliament itself.
 The house of commons. as the lower
 branch of parliament is called, opens
 with less ceremony than the house of
 lords. As the hour approaches the
 animated buzz of conversation Is sud denly stilled by cries of Way for the
 speaker. Way for the speakerr' The cry is followed by a rush of members
 to their places. Arrayed in a flowing silk gown, knee brooches, silk stock. lngs. shoes with silver buckles, on his
 head huge wig and carrying his three cornered hat in his right hand, the speaker, attended by his chaplain md the sergeant at arms. marches
 slowly and solemnly up the floor of the chamber. and as he approaches the chair which he is to occupy he makes | 1t three low obeisances.
 The members, in single file. then pass | the chair and shake hands with tho
 speaker. Before half of them have ten. dered their greetings. cry again re- sounds through the lobby outside. This 1 time 1t is Black Rod! Way for Black
 Rod. It puts an end to the shaking of ! the speakers hand, and the members | at once return to their seats. Black l Rod. however. is not given very
 warm welcome. The moment the shout | of "Way for Black Rod.' reaches the sergeant at arms he springs from his chair. rushes to the open door. slams 1t with q most inhospitable bang right in i the face of the approaching Black Rod | and securely locks and bolts it.
 Members, however. do not look in the
 least alarmed. The house of commons
 is full of odd ways, peculiarities and
 traditions, and as Black Rod is Q mes
 senger of the upper chamber this cere-
 mony of slamming the door in his face
 is the immemOrial way fin which the l commons shows it's independence of
 the lords. The sergeant at arms is pres ently seen peering through a grating ! in the door he has just closed and pres ently three faint knocks are heard. i The knocks are intended to indicate I that Black Rod requests admission to
 the house Of commons and does not demand it as a right. In response to
 this humble summons. the doors are | thrown wide open at a signal from the ! speaker. and fin walks Black Rod. ] He has come to summon the com
 kings speech. He marches up the
 floor. making three low bows to the 1 chair. and on reaching the table de- l flyers his message to the speaker. while all the members are on their feet with
 heads uncovered as mark of respect 1 to the sovereign.
 | When parliament is opened by the 1 king in person. Black Rod says. "Mr. ! Speaker. the king commands this hon. ] orable.house to attend his majesty i'm
 mediately in the house of peers-" But ! in the absence of the king the sum mons comes from the lords commis.
 siorers. and Black Rod softens the com
 mand to desire"
 There is then a retreat on the part 1 of the messenger, and it is only when