ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 847, 27 May 1854, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. [From ttie Times of Feb. I.] With the customary state and ceremony the Queen proceeded yesterday from Buckingham Palace to open Parliament, an annua] observance which, though it possesses no extraordinary character ot novelty for the inhabitants of the metropolis, has nevertheless always preserved its attractiveness, partly from the high interests with which it is associated in a country like ours, constitutionally governed, partly from the pageantry of the royal procession, which naturally engages the curiosity of the multitude. From year to year on the day when the council of the nation assemblies, thousands of eager sightseers line on either side the route of the Sovereign, and for several hours the crowded state ot the men thoroughfares leading towards Westminstcr-hall indicates that an event of great puolic interest is in progress. Of cotuv» the circumstances under which Parliament me have a powerful influencc upon the number ot spectators, and the extent of their loyal manifestations. When momentous questions are pending, the anxieties or solicitudes, the hopes or tears, thus suggested, are brought cut with no dubious interpretation. Nor are thereAnany spectacles witnessed in this connfry iiiq- and imposing than that ui a iircl

population like that of London assembled [to see their Sovereign at an eventful moment, proceeding: to open Parliament. Such was the spectacle presented yesterday. Never before did such a multitude collect to witness a ceremonial of the kind. As early as ten o’clock, the tide of people began to flow from every part of town, and J at one o’clock the line of the procession must [ have been occupied by several hundred thousand people. Londoners, while their loyalty yannot he called in question, are so accustomed to sec the Sovereign, that as a general rule they are not very voeilVivus in applauding her when she appearsjpuhliely among them. Yesterday, however, they seemed bent on cheering and waiving hats and handkerchiefs as the Qyteen passed, and Her Majesty acknowledged these manifestations most graciously. They were kept up continuously along the whole route of lire procession, and extended from the front ranks of the crowd on either side, hack to the occupants of window, balcony, and house-top. Partially subdued by the wide sweep of the Mall, the voxpo/ni!i swelled out more loudly in Whitehall, and reached its highest pitch in the confined space in Parlia-ment-street. Amid the chorus of welcome with which theQ,ueon was received, at some halfdozen points a solitary hiss or groan for Prince Albert, by some 'pot-house politician, could he distinguished, in no case did these marks of disapprobation assume any tiling like a prominent character, and had recent scandals not induced one to watch narrowly for any manifestation of the kind, they would probably have passed unnoticed. Hardly any public •ceremonial takes place at which large crowds are collected, without occurrences that might he considered equally disrespectful, and some of the suhilkmts could not command the gravity of countenance requisite to shew that they were in earnest.

The scene within the House of Lords was as brilliant as usual. The diplomatists assembled iu unusual force. Such was the concourse of ambassadors, ministers, secretaries of legation, and attaches, that the bishop’s bench was not sufficient for tlu ir accommodation, and several diplomatists took their seats in the gallery upon the opposite side of the house, where the representatives of foreign powers usually sit when they wish to hear their lordship's debates. The diplomatic corps always wear their decorations upon this state occasion, and their box presented a blaze of stars, crosses, and ribands. The French and Prussian Ambassadors were among the earlier arrivals. M any anxious eyes were directed in search of Baron Bruno, the distinguished representative of the Czar hut iu vain; and when it was whispered that the progress of the Turkish Ambassador through the streets had resembled a popular ovation, it was thought that the Russian Minister had exercised a wise discretion in not provoking an outburst of popular feeling. The Turkish Ambassador, wearing his red fez cap, and a dark bio uniform, richly faced with gold, and decorated with the stars of two or three orders, entered the House a little before two o’clock, and was the subject * a flattering amount of attention, if one mi lit judge from the number of glasses directed to him and his suite from the ladies’ benches, and from the buzz of conversation which followed his arrival. M. Muslims was warmly greeted by many of his brother diplomatists, and look his seat on the benches.

Among the peers earliest in attendance were the Marquis of "Lansdowne, Lord Devon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of lamdon, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Overstone, the Duke of Argyle, Lord Campbell, Lord FitzwilHmn, Karl Crey, the Duke of Newcastle, and Karl Granville. The Earl of Derby was not present, nor did we observe any of the leaders of the opposition. The Judges, who are always summoned by writs under the Great Seal to bo personally present in Parliament, as assistants of the House of Lords, and whose presence, in the great assembly of t lie realm dates as far back as the ancient concilium regis, occupied the cross benches in front of the woolsack, and appeared to have come down in a body from the law courts. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal, who of course wore their robes of scarlet and crimson, attended in usual numbers. The Ministers now retired to receive Her Majesty, whose entrance into her Palace at Westminster was heralded by a flourish of trumpets. At ten minutes past two, the Royal cortege entered the House, and Her Majesty, who had given her left hand to the Prince Consort, was presently seen surrounded by her great oUlcers of State, and attended by the Duchess of Sutherland, and the lady in Waiting. Th ; entire assembly ruse, and remained standing until Her Majesty, having taken her scat upon the throne, graciously requested their Lordships to he seated. The Queen wore a splendid tiara of diamonds and a diamond necklace, a white satin dress, and a train of rich claret coloured velvet. Her Majesty appeared to he in the enjoyment of excellent health. Prince Albert, who immediately became an object of great interest, seemed pair than usual, but preserved the calm and imperturbable tenun which ancient and modern writers upon princely accomplishments hold so highly in esteem. The Earl of Aberdeen, who bore the sword of State, stood upon Her Majesty’s left. Upon her right stood the Maiqnis ol Winchester, with the cap of maintenance. The venerable Marquis of Lansdowne, hearing the royal crown upon a velvet cushion, stood at the loot of the throne. Around Her Majesty, on both sides, were officers of the Life Guards, Gentleinen-at-onns, and other corps, whose rich uniforms, nodding plumes, basiling helmets, and cuirasses, made up a brilliant suite, worthy to surround a Queen upon her throne. Her Majesty having given her usual command through the Lord Great Chamberlain, that the Commons attend her immediately, tlm Royal order was conveyed by Mr. Pullman, the/ f coman Usher of the Black Rod. During the- pause that ensued, Her Majesty addressed an observation to the Earl of Aberdeen. In the course of two or three minutes, a tumultuous noise was heard in the lobbies, and soon the Commons came surging not to say tumbling, into the presence ot Royalty. So strond, indeed, was the pressure from behind, that the Speaker and the Sergeant at Anns seemed in danger of falling into the presence of Royalty upon their noses. Her Majesty, who is always diverted by the schoolho}' impetuosity of the members of her Bower House, appeared to he more than usually amused by the endeavours of right honourable and honourable gentlemen in the front rank to preserve their equilibrium, and to smooth down their faces into a reverent demeanor, and laughingly turned to the Duchess of Sutherland, to whom she made some good humoured remark. As soon as the Speaker had made his obeisance, the Lord Chancellor, kneeling upon one knee, handed Her Majesfjqhcr royal speech, which Her Majesty read as follows : (For Queen’s Speech sec last Wednesday’s New-Zealander.) The greatest anxiety was evinced, especially by the diplomatic corps, to hear the first sentence ot Her Majesty’s speech, but as honourable members still came pressing in noisi! y below the bar, it was not without some difficulty that the Queen was able to make herself heard. Her Majesty laid marked stress, and spoke in a tone of emphatic satisfaction, of the alliance with France. As the noise continued, tlie Queen kindly paused for a second or two before reading the passage relative to the efforts still being made by the allies for the preservation of’’peace, in the hope that tile tumult would cease; tail to the pushing ami sen tiling of honourable representatives succeeded the usual slamming of doors below the liar, which is now a settled custom, and will doubtless become one of the institutions of the kingdom ; and this was followed by an altercation between two honourable gentlemen, conducted with so ntticli warmth, and with so little regard to the presence of the Sovereign, that it was distinctly heard throughout the house, and was not put down until several indignant cries ol ‘Hush!’ had run through the House. Notwithstanding these interruptions, which might have disconcerted u less cool and practical speaker, 1 1 er Majesty read her roy.J speech with her usual distinctness and musical intonation. Without, the smallest effort, the sweet, clear, and persuasive tones »»i Her Majesty’s voice wore heard in every part ot a large building which we are told by elderly peet and those who will not cultivate w and distinct

utterance, is badly adapted for the transmission of the human voice. Her Majesty was observed to allude with great feeling to the privations which the poor had recently endured, and their exemplary conduct. Having finished the reading of the speech, her Majesty handed it to the Lord Chancellor, and bowing to the distinguished assemblage, and giving her left hand as before to Prince

Albert, the (iueen left the House with the same formalities which had marked her entrance.

Oil the return of the Royal cortege to Buckingham Palace,her Majesty was again loudly cheered, and the loyalty thus displayed must be regarded as appropriate at a moment when the long peace which the nation has enjoyed is threatened with interruption.

FIRST DAY OF PARLIAMENT.

From the “ Tines.’’ When the House of Lords met last night, Her Majesty’s Speech was read by the Lord Chancellor, and afterwards by the Clerk at the table. Tim Earl of Carnarvon then rose to move the address, which duty the Noble Earl performed In a maiden-speech of more than usual promise. The Earl of Dueie seconded the address in a speech of considerable iluency, the greater part of which was unfortunately inaudible. The Marquis of Claiiricarde was unwilling to propose any amendment to an address which had Iran moved with so much tact and ability by Lord Carnarvon ; but though lie cordially agreed with the scheme of domestic reforms contained in the speech, he felt that he should not he doing right in giving his tacit consent to the address. He was sorry that he could not agree in the expressions used in the speech with regard to the efforts of the Government to preserve pence. Those efforts, it seemed to him, had been so characterised bv vaccillation and inconsistency that, in point of fact, neither Parliament nor the world knew what (lie determination of the Government really was. Warfare was talked of, hut no one knew with whom wo wore at war. Naj', no one could say whether we were at war or not. Hut if public rumour were true, wo were at war, and if so, whv were the Government afraid to state the fact? Another point of complaint was that no inform ilion on tin* Eastern Question had been afforded to the public, so that the inhabitants of other and unconstitutional countries were in a bettei position to form an opinion of the state of affairs than the people of constitutional England. It was impossible to avoid coining to the conclusion that all this uncertainty was owing to the difference of opinion on the Eastern Question which prevailed in the Cabinet; the result of which division was, that every step taken in the matter bore evidence of a* compromise between the conflicting parties. Though he had asked questions very sparingly last session, from a wish not to embarrass the (lovernment, he had said enough to show that the opinions he had then formed, and the anticipations lie had then expressed, had been justified by the course of events, and that Russia, which from the very first had shown the “cloven-foot,” had only continued the same line of falsehood and duplicity. The only way to deal with Russians, as he had found from personal experience, was to put to them a plain straight forward que tmn, and to insist on a straightforward answer. Had the Government done this,’much of the present, complication might have been avoided, in this respect, as compared with England, the conduct of the French Government was worthy of the highest praise, and he only hoped that the relations now existing between the two nations would he maintained with uninterrupted cordiality. The noble Marquis then passed in review the various phases of the negotiations entered into by the great Powers with respect to the Turkish and Russian quarrel, and concluded by denouncing in no mcasuie ! terms the late propositions which had been imposed on Turkey, and particularly theclau.se which inshtedou the rent w liofthe treaties—a clause in itself sufficient to give the Emperor of Russia all that he had asked for at commencement of the dispute.

The Earl of Clarendon thought the noble Marquis would have acted more fairly towards the Government if he had waited a day or two, until the papers on the K istern Question, now being printed, had been laid before Parliament. To Parliament, and to parliament alone, tlie Government considered itself responsible, and to Parliament alone could it give complete information on any subject, it might suit other countries which had no Parliament to publish documents in‘"Gazettes,” but up to the present time this had not been the practice in England. Such a publication, too, might have been disadvantageous to the cause of peace —an object to which, however, such a statement might ho displeasing to Lord Clanrieard, the Government wore tint ashamed to say that their efforts had been directed. The noble Earl then entered into detail into the E istern Question, and showed that at first the Government cting exactly as Lord Clanrieard would have done, on a direct straightforward declaration from the Emperor of Russia, firmly believing that he had no ulterior views on the integrity of Turkey. When that belief was shaken, they did not proceed to extremities, hut had exhausted every honourable moans to bring about a pacific solution by negotiation. The result was, that the Emperor of Russia had been placed completely in the wrong, while the four great powers were united in condemnation of his aggression against Turkey, Their collective proposals for terminating the difference between those two powers were now awaiting an answer from St. Petersburg,and, though he (Lord Clarendon) did not suppose that (ho .Emperor Nicholas would listen to the just demands of the Porte, and though the Government might have to appeal to the country for means to prosecute the war with vigor, he could not think that anything had been lost by the firm but conciliatory policy pursued by England.

Lord Aberdeen, repeating in the strongest terms all that he had ever said to express his horror and detestation of war, defended himself from the odious imputation that he had been “theinstrument and tool of Russia” in the late negotiation, whereas no man in public life had ever taken a more active part against the Russian Government. The same charge was made with respect to Anstiia, with which, since he had been accredited as ambassador to it forty years ago, he had no more concern than with Japan. lie maintained, in reply to those who would have preferred a more vigorous course, that nothing would have been gained by a game of brag, and that, if we had menaced Russia in the spring of last year, wc should have only provoked an immediate march upon Constantinople which the Turks were then wholly unprepared to resist. He had, too, been accused of indifference to the French alliance—he who had through his long life uniformly maintained the necessity of such an alliance—the author of the entente cordinle ! 11 was consolatory, after such calumnies, to see the other side and with at least as much reason, Count Nesselrode was accused of being a traitor to bis country, and was bought by English gold. llis lordship then hrieily described the circumstances of Lord Palmerston’s resignation and return to office, and then in indignant terms commented upon the monstrous imputations which had been made upon Prince Albert, lie concluded by denying in the most emphatic language that the Prince had ever interfered in the conduct of the business ot the army. The address was then agreed to, and their lordships adjourned. Iu the House of Commons the address was moved by Lord Castleros.se, who very briefly touched upon the loading topics of the speech. The motion was seconded by Mr. 1 banker. Colonel Sibthorp believed that more political cowardice bad never been exhibited by any Government than by the present ; and that a holder course would have secured peace and saved bloodshed. Sir R. Peel expressed ids unqualified d:-appro-bation of the mean an * subtle policy winch ua 1 characterised (be pjocoed'.ngs of Ku.-ou, and condemned all; i.tempts to disturb * m ■ harmony wm :li I united Em-hind and France iu x resoiut -u to re.-

sist her absorbing policy. The aim of Russia had always been to separate the two countries, in prosecution of his designs upon Turkey and to lull England into apathy and indifference. While there was a chance of preventing hostilities by negotiation, the Government were justified in resorting to this expedient ; hut the time had passed when Russia could lie permitted 10 put iurth exclusive claims over the Ottoman empire. Mr. Disraeli compared the tone adopted by the Government when Parliament was proro.ged, and the expectations held out of an immediate and satisfactory conclusion of the difference between the Porte and Russia, with the language in the speech from the Throne, which still spoke of ne gotiations going on, and of hopes of success; and contended that the Government were bound, after what had happened to assure the House that the object of the negotiations were not in the spirit of the Vienna note, though that note had been held out as not derogatory to the Ottoman Porte. He thought that if Her Majesty was acting in cordial co-operation, not only with the Emperor of the French, but with the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia, the language used in the address was not so firm and explicit as the circumstances of the case required. He thought that some reference should have been made in the speech to certain unsettled questions to which the President of the United States had formerly referred. Looking at tiie threatening aspect of our foreign relations, ho condemned as unwise and unstatesmanlike the policy of introducing reforms not only of the civil service, the ecclesiastical courts, and the poor laws, hut even of the House of Commons, whh hj would distract and dissipate the energies of the country w hen, about to embark in a war. The present ministers, however, had unhappily pledged themselves to bring in a large measure of Parliamentary reform, and mad as such a measure might be at this time, they must redeem that pledge. He was ready to support the most stringent measure for putting an end to bribery and corruption, but he would not connect such a measure with one for reconstructing the electoral body; and wdig was intimidation to be passed over! He repeated that it was unwise at the present lime to introduce any measure of Parliamentary reform ; hut, if such a hill should be laid upon the table, he would attempt to bring about a better adjustment of the manner in which the different classes of the country were represented in that House.

Lord J. Russell, reserving a particular justification nf the course pursued hy the Government until flic papers were In the hands of members, offered a general vindication of their proceedings, and, with regard to the Vienna Vote, lie observed that it was framed, not hy the English Government, hut hy the Governments of France and England, with additions hy the Austrian Government, and the note was accepted as a means hy which it was hoped that the interests of Turkey might be reconciled with the pretensions of Russia. lie could not, he said, indulge a very confident expectation that the offers now made would he acceded to hy Russia; and however desirous the Government might be to preserve peace, they were not disposed to let that Government so far profit hy delay ns to take ns totally unprepared. Considering the relative position of the different Rowers, thev had thought it would bean immense advantage if Austria and Prussia could combine with us in preventing war ensuing from the aggression of Russia ; and, although their endeavours had not been yet successful, he had great hopes that the Government of Austria would see how much her interests (which were greater than those of England or France), as well as those of Europe, were involved in the settlement of this question; and, if both Austria and Prussia should ultimate]v act with England and France, there could he no doubt ofan immediate result. Time, therefore, had not been lost in endeavouring to persuade the Government of Austria to take a more enlightened view of the subject. Lord John then called the attention of the House to a matter of great importance, namely, (lie calumnies which had been spread regarding the Prince Consort. While the charge, he remarked, was generally that of an unconstitutional interference on the part of His Royal lUgliness, it was generally admitted that there never was a sovereign who acted more strictly within the spirit of the constitution, or who gave her confidence and support more fully to the Ministers of the Crown. Was it not incredible then that, while Her Majesty’s conduct had been so thoroughly constitutional, her royal consort should have been all the while acting unconstitutionally ? Lord John described the mode in which official intercourse had been carried on with the Queen before and after her marriage; the legal status of the Prince Consort (who was authorised to sit in the Privy Council), and the nature and extent of His Royal HiglmesTs cognizomafof public despalch.es and of Mate affairs. Her Majesty's communication and consultation with the Prince had been fullv authorized hv Lord Melbourne ; but the most constitutional attention had always been paid to the advice of her Ministers, whose tenure of office depended upon the vote of that house. The lute Duke of Wellington, he stated had been desirous that Prince Albert should succeed him in the command in chief of the arm v ; hut his Royal Ilighne-s de 'lined the post, declaring that his place was to he always near the Queen, and that he should depart from that position if he assumed an office of his own of much impoi tance. The Duke then expressed a hope that his Royal Highness would pay attention to the state and efficiency of the army ; but he never in any way interfered with the patronage or in the ordinary business of' the Horse Guards, Lord John then examined and refuted two specific charges alleged against the Prince, —one relating to the appointment of a general officer to the Adjutant-Generalship; another to a supposed attempt to thwart the advice of her Majesty’s responsible Ministers on foreign policy; and he showed that both were devoid of a particle of tr nth. The motion for the address was then agreed to, and the house adjourned at eleven o’clock.