Matto not( Vrurrrtungo in Varliamtut.
THE PROROGATION.
On Saturday last, both Houses assembled about half-past one o'clock. In the House of Commons there was some talk to while away the time until two : some petitions were presented, some returns ordered, and some questions answered.
Among the latter, was a question by Mr. JOSEPH Hulcs on the relations between Great Britain and Austria. Mr. Hume said, he wished to know whether, before the House separated, any information could be given upon a subject which had been alluded to in another place two nights ago, as calculated to lead to a hope that the first object which this country had in view in declaring the war had been obtained, namely, clearing the two Principalities of Russian troops, which appeared to have been effected en- tirely by the Turkish troops, backed, no doubt, by the support of the French and English forces. The country was very naturally most impatient to know the nature of the communication which Austria had made to France and England, requiring securities for future peace. It was important to know whether Austria and Prussia—more especially Austria—were pre- pared to concur with us in demanding those securities, which would pre- vent the peace of Europe being again disturbed upon such frivolous grounds as those upon which the present war had been commenced. Lord JOHN Itussraz stated, in reply, that there had been very lately a communication made by the Russian Minister at Vienna to the Govern- ment of his Imperial Majesty, stating that it was the intention of the Emperor of Russia to evacuate the Principalities—Moldavia as well as Wallachia; at the same time there was a declaration made by the Minis- ter of Foreign Affairs of Austria to her Majesty's Minister at Vienna, and to the French Minister on the same occasion, that he was ready to proceed to the interchange of notes which had been before agreed upon notwithstanding the evacuation of the Principalities. The notes of the English and French Ministers contained a statement of the general nature of the securities which would be required for the future peace of Europe against the aggression of Russia. It was unnecessary for him to enter into the nature of these securities, as they had been stated in a very able paper by the French Minister on Foreign Affairs, which had been pub- lished by order of the Emperor in the Maniteeer, and which honourable ' Members had no doubt seen. The answer of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Emperor of Austria was so far satisfactory, as it showed that the Emperor of Austria would not be satisfied with the restoration 1 of the status quo ante bellum, and that there was a general opinion with respect to the securities which were required by the English and French Governments being a proper basis of negotiation. The Austrian Minister did not go further at present. It remained to be seen whether the Go- vernment of his Imperial Majesty would think proper to communicate the interchange of notes which had taken place to the Government at St. Petersburg, and whether the armaments which had been made by the Emperor of Austria would be put in action in order to obtain by force, if they could not be obtained by negotiation, those securities which Eng- land and France had thought actually necessary, and which he trusted the German Powers would likewise concur in requiring from Russia.
While this conversation was proceeding in the House of Commons, the House of Lords gradually filled. The lathes, as usual, were con- spicuous and plentiful ; but it is remarked by the critics that they looked pale. Their rivals on the occasion were the Diplomatic Body ; among whom Mr. Buchanan, in plain black, contrasted with the glitter of gold lace and stars and orders displayed by his colleagues ; while these latter were outshone by the Indian Princes, the descendants of Tippoo Saib, the Maharajah Dhuleep Sing, and several Egyptian gentlemen. The attendance of Peers was thin—not more than sixteen, exclusively of the Ministers present. Lord Aberdeen was observed holding a long chat with M. Musurus the Turkish Ambassador.
A few minutes after two o'clock, the cannon and trumpets announced the arrival of the Queen ; and shortly after she entered, and was con- ducted by Prince Albert to the Throne. "Her Majesty," says an eye- witness, whose features were somewhat eMbrowned by her trip to the Channel Islands, appeared to be in excellent health." The Earl of Aber- deen bore the sword of state, the Marquis of Winchester carried the cap of maintenance, and the Marquis of Lansdowne carried the crown upon a velvet cushion. When her Majesty took her seat, she bowed to the ladies in the gallery, in token that they might follow her example. But they were chiefly young, and probably inexperienced ; for after a second gracious gesture from the Queen they still remained erect. Her Majesty had recourse to the aid of Lord Aberdeen ; who, making a distinct indica- tion of the desire of the Queen, caused her fair subjects to obey their Sovereign. The Commons were then summoned. They came, not as at the opening of the session, with rude and noisy haste, but quietly and in order ; the Speaker in his golden robe in front, and Lord Joha Russell, Mr. Cardwell, and Mr. Walpole, close behind him.
The SPEAKER made his customary speech in bringing up the last bill of supply. The QUEEN, following Parliamentary custom, gave her assent to the Appropriation Bill; other bills likewise formally received her Majesty's assent ; then the Lord Chancellor, kneeling, presented the Speech to the Queen ; and it was read by her Majesty. "My Lords and Gentlemen—I am enabled, by the state of public boii. ness, to release you from a longer attendance in Parliament. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons—In closing the session, it affonii use great pleasure to express my sense of the seal and energy you have shows in providing means for the vigorous prosecution of the war in which, act. withstanding my efforts to avert it, we are now engaged. This liberality Is* granting the supplies for the public service, demands any warmest thash: and although I lament the increased burdens of my people, I fully reft,' nize your wisdom in sacrificing considerations of present convenience, ani in providing for the immediate exigencies of the war, without an addition being made to the permanent debt of the country. "My Lords and Gentlemen—In cordial cooperation with the Emperor it the French, my efforts will be directed to the effectual repression of that ambitious and aggressive spirit on the part of Russia, which has compeltd us to take up arms in defence of an ally, and to secure the future traisla lity of Europe. You will join with me in admiration of the courage and perseverance manifested by the troops of the Sultan in their defence of Silistria, and in the various military operations on the Danube. "The engrossing interest of matters connected with the progress of the war has prevented the due consideration of some of those subjects which, at the opening of the session, I had recommended to your attention ; but I ars happy to acknowledge the labour and diligence with which5'ou have Der. fected various important measures, well calculated to prove of great pu'blio utility.
" You have not only passed an act for opening the coasting trade of the United Kingdom, and for removing the last legislative restriction upon the use of foreign vessels, but you have also revised and consolidated the whole statute law relating to merchant shipping. The act for establishing the direct control of the House of Commons over the charges incurred in the collection of the revenue, will give more complete effect to an important principle of the constitution, and will promote simplicity and regularity in our system of public account. I rejoice to perceive that amendments in the adminis. tration of the law have continued to occupy your attention; and I antici- pate great benefit from the improvements you have made in the forms of procedure in the Superior Courts of Common Law. The means you have adopted for the better government of the University of Oxford, and the im- provement of its constitution, I trust will tend greatly to increase the use- fulness and to extend the renown of that great seminary of learning, I have willingly given my assent to the measure you have passed for the prevention of bribery and of corrupt practices at elections ; and I hope that it may prove effectual in the correction of an evil which, if unchecked, threatens to fix a deep stain upon our representative system. "it is my earnest desire that, on returning to your respective counties, you may preserve a spirit of union and concord. Deprived of the blessings of peace abroad, it is more than ever necessary that we should endeavour to confirm and increase the advantages of our internal situation' and it is with the greatest satisfaction that I regard the progress of active industry, and the general prosperity which happily prevails throughout the country. "Deeply sensible of these advantages, it is my humble prayer that vs may continue to enjoy the favour of the Almighty; and that under His gra- cious protection we may be enabled to bring the present contest to a just and honourable termination."
The Queen then handed back the Speech to the Lord Chancellor ; who announced that Parliament was prorogued until the 19th October. The Queen then left the House, and the session was closed.
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