Property-Protests of M. de Montalembert and M. Dupin-Judgment of the Tribunal of the Seine-Final Decree of the Council of State-New Electoral Law-Law relating to the Press-Political Anniversaries not to be celebrated-Inauguration of the Senate and Legislative CorpsSpeech from the President of the Republic-Speeches of Marshal Jerome Bonaparte and M. Billault-Transportation for Political OffencesDecree, defining the Relations of the Council of State to the Senate and Legislative Body-Speech of the President to the Magistrates-Conversion of the Five per Cent. Rentes-Manifesto of the Comte de Chambord (Duc de Bordeaux)-Its Reception by the Legitimists-Distribution of Eagles to the Army-Letters from Generals Changarnier and Lamoricière, refusing to take the Oath to the Constitution-Speech of M. de Montalembert against the Orleans Decree-Close of the Session of the Legislative Corps-Speech of the President of the Republic. CHAPTER IX. [198 FRANCE: continued-Visit of Prince Louis Napoleon to Strasburg and Baden-Resolutions passed by the Conseils Municipaux-Fête of the 15th of August-The President commences a Tour through the South of France-His Speech at Lyons-Alleged Seizure of an Infernal Machine at Marseilles-Addresses to the President-His Speech at Toulouse, indicating the approach of the Empire-Liberation of Abd-elKader-Return to Paris-Decree convoking the Senate-Manifesto of the Comte de Chambord-Message of Louis Napoleon to the SenateSpeech of Prince Jerome Bonaparte-Senatus Consultum determined on -Reply of Louis Napoleon-Appeal to Universal Suffrage, and immense Majority in favour of the Empire-Speech of M. Billault, President of the Legislative Corps-Reply of Louis Napoleon-Proclamation of the Empire-Civil List and Dotation of the Crown-Decree regulating the Succession to the Throne-Senatus Consultum, modifying the Constitution of January, 1852. SPAIN: Attempt to assassinate the Queen of Spain-Execution of the Regicide-Dissolution of the Cortes and Change of Ministry-Circular of Minister of the Interior. PORTUGAL:-Forcible Conversion of the Portuguese Funds. DENMARK-Royal Proclamation on the Subject of the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig. [253 CHAPTER X. SECOND BURMESE WAR:-Causes and Origin of the War-Demands of the Anglo-Indian Government-Description of Rangoon-Departure of the Expedition under the Command of Major-General Godwin-Capture of Martaban and Rangoon-Bassein taken-Expedition up the Irawaddy River to Prome-Arrival of the Governor-General at Rangoon-Second Expedition against Prome-Capture of Prome-Successful Expedition to Pegu, and annexation of the Province-Proclamation by the Governor General-Attempts to bring the Burmese Forces to an Engagement in the Neighbourhood of Pegu. CANADA:-Opening of the Canadian Parliament, and Speech of GovernorGeneral. UNITED STATES:-Question of Election of President-The Fisheries Dispute-Sir John Pakington's Dispatch, and Mr. Webster's CommentsSpeech of the latter in Massachusetts on the Subject-Amicable Negotiations-Death of Mr. Webster-Election of General Pierce as President-Annual Presidential Message. TOPICS:-The Fishing GroundsCuba-Central America-South America, the Lobos Islands-The Pacific -The Treasury-The Tariff and Protection-The Frontier and the Indians The Navy-Miscellaneous-The Policy of the Government— The State of Europe-The Progress of the Union-The Rights of others -Conclusion [278 STATE PAPERS. DOMESTIC. roclamation against Roman Ca tholic Processions INTERNATIONAL. Page 439 reaty relative to the Successions to the Crown of Denmark. 440 nvention with France for In ternational Copyright enty of Commerce and Navigation with Belgium . 442 448 . 473 The Holmfirth Catastrophe PRICES OF STOCKS 454 AVERAGE PRICES of CORN, HAY, STRAW, CLOVER, and BUTCHERS' MEAT TABLES OF MORTALITY; MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, AND DEATHS; METEOROLOGY; and BANK PATENTS 482 . 456 Generally prosperous and peaceful State of the British Empire at the commencement of 1852-The late Coup-de-Main in France-State of Trade, Agriculture and Revenue at Home-Aspect of Home PoliticsRecent Removal of Lord Palmerston from Office.-Anticipated effect of this Event on the Whig Cabinet-Parliament opened by the Queen in Person on the 3rd of February-Debates in both Houses - The Address in the House of Lords is moved by the Earl of Albemarle, seconded by Lord Leigh-Speech of the Earl of Derby, who animadverts on the intemperate Language used towards Louis Napoleon by the English Press-Speeches of Earl Grey and Lord Brougham-Allu sions to French Affairs, and to the Retirement of Lord Palmerston from Office-Speech of the Earl of Harrowby, who vindicates the Course taken by the English Press with reference to the Coup d'étatThe Address is agreed to by their Lordships, nem. con.-In the Commons it is moved by Sir Richard Bulkeley, and seconded by Mr. Bonham Carter-Sir B. Hall calls on Lord J. Russell to explain the cause of the recent Rupture in the Cabinet-Lord John Russell enters into a full explanation of the Circumstances which had impelled him to advise Lord Palmerston's removal from Office-The Noble Lord also announces the intention of the Government to propose an increase in the Estimates, with a view to the Defence of the Country, and explains at some length his Views respecting the existing Foreign Relations of the Empire-Lord Palmerston enters into a long Detail of the Transactions in reference to which his Conduct had been impugned, VOL. XCIV. [B] especially of the Circumstances which had taken place upon the Coup d'état in France-He justifies his own Acts, and his general Policy, during the time he had held the Seals of the Foreign Office-Observations of various Members on the Points in controversy, Mr. Baillie, Mr. M. Milnes, Lord Dudley Stuart, Sir Harry Verney, and Mr. Roebuck-Mr. Disraeli enters at large into the Topics embraced in the Royal Speech-The Address is assented to without a Division. THE HE commencement of the year 1852 found the British Empire in a generally prosperous and tranquil condition. With the exception of the lingering and vexatious warfare still prolonged in South Africa, the external relations of the country were peaceful in every quarter. The coup de main which had recently paralyzed the political system in France, and which was regarded in this country as the preparatory step in the transition from a republic to an empire, had excited some emotions of uneasiness among the friends of peace on this side of the Channel, but externally the amica ble professions between the two countries had not undergone the slightest disturbance. The state of our domestic affairs was in almost all respects satisfactory. Trade was brisk and improving, the working classes in steady employment, the revenue, notwithstanding recent remissions of taxation, showing signs of increased productiveness in its several departments. The supplies of gold from Australia and California were still flowing in unchecked, in large quantities. The difficulties or at all events the complaints of the agricultural interests had become considerably mitigated. The aspect of political affairs at home, however, was indicative of a change. The removal of Lord Palmerston from the office he had so long filled, and from a ministry of which he was one of the chief pillars, could not but excite lively anticipations of a crisis in the cabinet. The Whig administration had now lost by various casualties some of its most eminent members, and it seemed more than doubtful whether the Premier would be able to maintain his position through another session at the head of a party now seriously weakened by the alienation of one of its ablest members. Much interest was felt with respect to the explanations likely to be elicited on the opening of Parliament as to the causes of Lord Palmerston's removal, an event to which rumour had assigned various and conflicting interpretations. On the 3rd of February the session, generally understood to be the last, of the existing Parliament, was opened by the Queen in person with the usual solemnities. Her Majesty read the following Speech from the Throne: "My Lords and Gentlemen, "The period has arrived when, according to usage, I can again avail myself of your advice and assistance in the preparation and adoption of measures which the welfare of the country may require. "I continue to maintain the most friendly relations with foreign powers. "The complicated affairs of the Duchies of Holstein and Schleswig have continued to engage my attention. I have every reason to ex |