ings of the superior courts of law and equity; and we confidently hope that, by materially curtailing and simplifying those proceedings which have caused so much harassing expense and delay, we have removed the reproach which has always attached to the administration of justice in this kingdom. In obedience to your Majesty's commands, we have framed a Constitution for the colony of New Zealand, and we trust that the same love of freedom, the same loyalty to the Crown, which is so conspicuous in your Majesty's dominions at home, will be the guiding principle of your Majesty's subjects in that remote but important dependency of the empire. The military defence of this country has received from us the most serious and patient consideration. Fully alive to the extraordinary demand upon the services of the army in your Majesty's possessions abroad, we deemed it advisable no longer to suspend the operation of the laws regulating the militia of England and Wales, but so far to modify their provisions, by substituting voluntary for compulsory enlistment, as to make them less onerous to the working classes. This course has been dictated by no unworthy motives of jealousy and distrust; we felt it to be due to a great and generous people to protect them from the possibility of a surprise, and, by adopting this measure of precaution, and by removing all grounds for alarm arising from a sense of insecurity, we believe that we have done much to insure the continuance of that peace which it has been our anxious desire to maintain with all the world. For this and other objects connected with the service of this extended empire, it has been the duty, as

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I am induced, by considerations of public policy, to release you at an earlier period than usual from your legislative duties.

"The zeal and diligence, however, with which you have applied yourselves to your Parliamentary labours have enabled me, in this comparatively short session, to give my assent to many measures of high importance, and, I trust, of great and permanent advantage. I receive from all foreign powers assurances that they are animated by the most friendly dispositions towards this country; and I entertain a confident hope that the amicable relations happily subsisting between the principal European States may be so firmly established, as, under Divine Providence, to secure to the world a long continuance of the blessings of peace. To this great end my attention will be unremittingly directed.

"I rejoice that the final settlement of the affairs of Holstein and Schleswig, by the general concurrence of the powers chiefly interested, has removed one cause of recent difference and of future anxiety.

the discussions which have taken place between the Sublime Porte and the Pasha of Egypt affords a guarantee for the tranquillity of the East, and an encouragement to the extension of commercial enterprise.

The refusal, on the part of the King of Ava, of redress justly demanded for insults and injuries offered to my subjects at Rangoon, has necessarily led to an interruption of friendly relations with that Sovereign. The promptitude and vigour with which the GovernorGeneral of India has taken the measures thus rendered unavoidable have merited my entire approbation; and I am confident that you will participate in the satisfaction with which I have observed the conduct of all the naval and military forces, European and Indian, by whose valour and discipline the important captures of Rangoon and Martaban have been accomplished, and in the hope which I entertain that these signal successes may lead to an early and honourable peace.

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Treaties have been concluded by my naval commanders with the King of Dahomey and all the African chiefs whose rule extends along the Bight of Benin for the total abolition of the slave-trade, which is at present wholly suppressed upon that coast.

"I have had great satisfaction in giving my assent to the measure which you have wisely adopted for the better organization of the militia a constitutional force, which, being limited to purposes of internal defence, can afford no just ground of jealousy to neighbouring powers, but which, in the event of any sudden and unforeseen disturbance of my foreign relations, would at all times contribute es

sentially to the protection and security of my dominions.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I thank you for the liberal for the exigencies of the public provision which you have made service. The expenditure which you have authorized shall be applied with a due regard to economy and efficiency.

"The recent discoveries of ex

tensive gold-fields have produced, in the Australian colonies, a temPporary disturbance of society, retaken such steps as appeared to quiring prompt attention. I have me most urgently necessary for the mitigation of this serious evil. I shall continue anxiously to watch the important results which must follow from these discoveries. I have willingly concurred with you in an Act which, by rendering available to the service of those colonies the portion arising within them of the hereditary revenue placed at the disposal of Parliament on my accession to the Throne, able them to meet their necessarily may enincreased expenditure.

valuable boon conferred upon the community at large.

"I hope that the measures which you have adopted for promoting extramural interment of the dead, and for improving the supply of water, may be found effectual for the remedy of evils, the existence of which has long been a reproach to this great metropolis, and may conduce to the health and comfort of its inhabitants.

"The extension of popular rights and legislative powers to my subjects resident in the Colonies is always to me an object of deep interest; and I trust that the representative institutions which, in concert with you, I have sanctioned for New Zealand, may promote the welfare and contentment of the population of that distant but most interesting colony, and confirm their loyalty and attachment to my Crown.

"It is my intention, without delay, to dissolve this present Parliament, and it is my earnest prayer that, in the exercise of the high

functions which, according to our free Constitution, will devolve upon the several constituencies, they may be directed by an all-wise Providence to the selection of representatives whose wisdom and patriotism may aid me in my unceasing endeavours to sustain the honour and dignity of my Crown, to uphold the Protestant institutions of the country and the civil and religious liberty which is their natural result, to extend and improve the national education, to develope and encourage industry, art, and science, and to elevate the moral and social condition, and thereby promote the welfare and happiness, of my people."

The Lord Chancellor then announced Her Majesty's command, that the Parliament be prorogued till the 20th day of August. The order for its dissolution appeared the next day in the Gazette, and the Members were dismissed, to seek a renewal of their respective trusts from their constituents.

THE

HE result of the general election, which took place in the summer of 1852, did not appear materially to alter the relative strength of parties. It became evident, before it concluded, that there would not, at all events, be such a decisive majority in favour of the restoration of protection to agriculture as would justify the Government, even in Lord Derby's view, in attempting to reverse the policy of free trade. The language more recently held by the Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed rather to a relief of the burdens complained of by the landed and farming interest through a re-adjustment of taxation, and prospects were held out of some comprehensive change in the financial arrangements of the country, which would afford relief to the depressed classes, without, at the same time, inflicting injustice upon any other. The curiosity felt as to the commercial and fiscal policy of the Derby Cabinet, upon which, as was generally understood, its continuance in office depended, caused the assembling of Parliament in November to be anticipated with unusual interest. One other subject alone divided the public mind with these political speculations the expected obsequies of that illustrious commander and statesman whose recent death had awakened

throughout the length and breadth of the land one general outburst of sorrow, admiration, and gratitude.

The day appointed for the meeting of the new Parliament was the 4th of November. The first business transacted on that day was the election of a Speaker. The House having met, Mr. Robert Palmer rose, and after adverting in terms of high encomium to the qualities of the right hon. Member for North Hampshire, who had filled this high office for the last 13 years with so much advantage to the country, and so much honour to himself-to his knowledge of the law and practice of Parliament, his impartiality, his equanimity of temper, and his courteous demeanour - he concluded by moving that the right hon. Charles Shaw Lefevre do take the chair.

The motion was seconded by Lord Robert Grosvenor, followed by Sir R. H. Inglis, who remarked upon the severe labour which now fell upon the Speaker of that House. There being no opposition, the election would have passed by acclamation, but some Members calling "Question," the Chief Clerk put the question, which was carried nem. con. in the affirmative.

Mr. Lefevre, in a graceful and feeling speech, expressed his submission to the decision of the