the subject; but time was required, and should the Bill be pressed in the present Session he must oppose it. Upon this statement Lord Clive said, that he would not press the Bill to a second reading. The remaining business of the Session may be briefly stated. The discussion of Poor-law affairs occupied a considerable portion of time; but as it turned for the most part on personal and ephemeral questions, arising out of its administration in particular cases, it does not require notice in this place. The conduct of the Poor Law Commissioners became a subject of frequent controversy, in connection with the proceedings of a Select Committee which had been appointed to investigate the administration of the law in the Andover Union, and which excited considerable public interest. Much warmth of feeling was excited by some of these discussions, the opponents of the existing law inveighing with great severity against the abuses which they alleged in its operation. The legislative results of the Session, as they relate to this subject, were limited to a Bill, which passed into a law, for modifying the Law of Settlement, by exempting poor persons from removal after a certain period of residence in a parish, subject to certain conditions. An often attempted, but long deferred, measure received the Royal assent before the close of the Session, establishing local tribunals in every district of England for the recovery of small debts and the trial of actions under a certain amount. A measure for this purpose was brought in by Sir R. Peel's Administration; but being suspended by the change of Minis try, it was taken up by the new Government, and after undergoing some slight alteration, was passed into a law. It provided for the appointment of about sixty local judges, who were directed to make periodical circuits through their districts, and to hold courts in all the principal towns twice in every month. At length the termination of this long - protracted Session arrived. On the 28th August, Parliament was prorogued by Commission, the Commissioners being the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Earls Spencer and Minto, and Lord Campbell. and Lord Campbell. The Lord Chancellor read the following Speech from the Throne : -- pleasure that a considerable diminution of crime and outrage has taken place in those counties of Ireland which had been most disturbed. "Her Majesty is confident that on your return to your several counties you will find a spirit of loyalty generally prevalent. The extension of works of improvement has increased the demand for labour; and the tranquillity of the country has favoured the pursuits of industry in all its branches. "Her Majesty trusts that by a combination of prudence with enterprise, and of a willing obedience to law with a desire for social pro "Gentlemen of the House of Com- gress, Her people will, through the Divine blessing, enjoy the full advantages of peace. in Thus terminated a Session, the results of which have scarcely been paralleled in importance in the annals of modern Parliaments. The history of its proceedings may, deed, be written in a single wordFree Trade; the ratification of that principle formed the sum and substance of its labours. But if we cording to the interests of parties, are to estimate legislation not acor by the changes wrought in the distribution of political power, (though even in this respect that of 1847 was pre-eminent,) but rather by the range of its influence, the duration of its effects, the numbers to whom it brings a blessing or a bane, and its connection with the daily occasions and most pressing necessities of mankind, we might look back as far as the era of 1688 ere we discovered changes more operative than those of the year just recorded upon the deștinies of Great Britain. Whether these changes are to be regarded with more of fear or hope whether we should look on them as the CHAPTER VIII. FRANCE.-Election of President and Vice-Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies-Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne in the Chamber of Peers-Discussion on the Address-Speeches of M. Charles Dupin, M. Dubouchage, Marquis de Boissy, and M. Guizot -Address carried in the Chamber of Peers-Answer from the King -Address in the Chamber of Deputies-Debate thereon-Speeches of MM. Correl, Peyramont, Duchatel, Durengier de Hauranne, Gasparin, Thiers, and Guizot-Discussion on the separate paragraphs— Amendment proposed by M. Isambert rejected—Amendment of M. Berryer-Speeches of M. Berryer and M. Guizot-Amendment lostAmendment proposed by M. de Remusat-Speeches of M. de Remusat, M. Thiers, and M. Guizot-Amendment rejected—Amendment of M. Billault-Speeches of M. Billault and M. Peyramont-Amendment lost-Amendments proposed by M. Alies, MM. Daugerille, and M. Billault-Speeches thereon, and adoption of the two latter-Paragraph relating to Poland-Speeches of M. Lamartine and M. Guizot —Address carried in the Chamber of Deputies—Answer from the King to the Address. Sauzet was thus elected Pre sident by a majority on the first ballot considerably exceeding that which he required; for, as has been explained in a previous volume, the successful candidate need not have more than an absolute majority of the whole number of votes given. Next day four VicePresidents were chosen, and they were all Ministerial candidates. Their names were M. Bignon, M. Lepelletier d'Aulnay, M. de Belleyme, and M. Duprat. On the 10th of January, in the Chamber of Peers, Count Pascalis read the draught of the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne. It was as follows: Sire-The present Session opens under fortunate auspices. morning, irst, under anny, and onsisted of Comus, the and the FulTrehouart the third ders of Capposed of the nd steamers. ck the action en in the batch obstinacy, management Republicano a bomb-shell; although set ess. The atere continued several hours; is utmost, and French crews her in acts of ing exploit on n Hope of the ins which bound broken; which to pass through vantageous posiour o'clock the n to slacken; and de for the troops s effected by six rst English dethe command of sustained a heavy om a party lying fective assistance another detachd by Lieutenant. ptain Trehouart attacking party, ut to flight, and en possession of day, the gun: with the exception |