The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-21
Third Parliament of
 Edwards Reign Opens
@(Contfnued from Page 1.

London, Feb. 21-The third parlia-
 ment of King Edwards reign, which
 informally assembled on last Tuesday,
 was "opened in state,' this afternoon
 at o'clock. Added. to the usual bril-
 liancy of the occasion was a feeling of
 suppressed excitement, due to the
 momentous problems that confront the new parliament, in the handling of
 which the utmost diplomacy will be re- quired to prevent speedy dissolution
 and another general election.
 Such a gathering of noblemen as
 greeted the King when he entered the House of Lords will probably never
 be seen again, as by the time another
 parliament meets, the great majority of those present today will most like 1y have ceased to possess any legisla- tive power. As far as looks went the
 assemblage could scarcely have been
 mora dignified.
 The judges, or Claw Lords," were gorgeous in nantels of scarlet and er-
 mine of black and gold. The Bishops had discarded their more modest black satin robes with lawn sleeves for their ecclesiastical full dress of scarlet with long erm1ne capes. Never were the scores of Peeresses more faShionably gowned. Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia: were among the spectators
 as was also Ambassador Reid, of the
 United States.
 Upon entering the King and Queen bowed to the throne, ascended the dais,
 and took their places. His Majesty
 wore a broad, flowing robe and a long mantle of ermine which, opened, dis closed the uniform of a field marshal. In his hand the King carried field
 marshars plumed hat. The Queen was dressed in black, against which the state jewels Shone brilliantly. A long
 string of pearls hung around Her Ma jesty's neck and she wore her famous coronet. A train of crimson velvet, borne by page, was draped from her shoulders.
 As soon as everyone was reseated,
 the Lord Great Chamberlain sent
 Black Rod, Admiral Sir Henry Ste
 phenson, to summon the Commons to hear the Kings speech. While he was gone the great officers of the state
 grouped themselves around the throne. The Lord Chancellor in his long gray wig and baron's robes, stood behind the Prince of Wales. At his side was the Marquis of Winchester, bearing the Cap. of Maintenace. The Earl of Crewe, carrying the Imperial Crown on a velvet cushion, stood near. | The Commons with the speaker at
 their head, soon appeared at the other end of the Chamber. Then the Lord
 Chancellor stepped forward. and kneel- ing before the throne, handed to the King a printed copy of the Royal
 Speech, nominally prepared by the
 King himself but really the work of
 his ministers. The King immediately
 began the reading of the document The speech concluded, the King
 arose, gave his hand to the Queen and
 descended the steps of the throne. Fol
 lowed by the Prince. and Princess of
 Wales they marched out, the Speaker and Commons returning simultaneous
 ly by another exit.
 Parliament, which has been actually
 transacting business since the middle
 of February, was now formally open ed and in both houses the, debate on
 the address to be presented to the King in reply to his speech was inn mediately begun and still continues.