would be constantly found in the ranks of whoever was the minister of the day, and would give him a preponderating influence over every constitutional opposition that could be made in parliament; and, in this point of view, he thought the union between the two countries injured most materially the constitution of Great Britain. Whether those fears were well or ill founded, the history of the times we live in will best evince; if however it should prove, that the representatives of Ireland were equally independent of ministerial influence with those of Great Britain; in that case it must be allowed, that such was the alarming aspect of affairs at the opening of the first imperial parliament, that all the united talents of the empire appeared necessary, not only to secure its honour, but its very existence. If the Irish representation was so constituted, as to call the best talents of their country to assist in the grand council of the empire at this momentous crisis; in such case the union would doubtless have been of immense advantage to both countries, and to the interests of the empire at large; this however is a question that rather belongs to the page of history than to the temporary nature of a periodical work.

On Tuesday the 16th of November the parliament was called together. The lord chancellor, in the mode usual on similar occasions, communicated to the house of lords that his majesty had appointed commissioners to open the business of the sessions. The lords commissioners who attended, were the archbishop of Canterbury, the ford chancellor, and the duke of

Portland. The commons attended to hear the commission read, and retired to choose their speaker. The peers, who were present, then took the oaths, and the commons proceeded to the election. The members, who attended in the house of commons, being sworn by the clerk,

Sir W. Scott rose, and addressed the house in a speech of uncommon neatness. He pointed out the great importance of a proper choice in the person who was to be their speaker: the various talents which should be combined in the person who was to fill that high office, the principles which he ought to have of loyalty and attachment to the sovereign, and a profound veneration for the constitution. After describing, with great eloquence, the rare assemblage of talents and virtues which were necessary to fill such a situation, he concluded by moving" that Mr. Abbot be again elected to the discharge of the of fice of speaker of this house."

The hon. Henry Lascelles seconded the motion. He observed, that if this assemblage of virtues and talents were at all times necessary in the person who was to fill the situ→ ation of speaker of that house, they were more peculiarly necessary at a time when not only the fate of this kingdom, but of Europe, might be involved in the future deliberations of parliament. He concluded by warmly seconding the motion of sir W. Scott.

Mr. Abbot then rose, and in a very handsome manner expressed his high sense of the honour that was intended to be conferred upon him. Although he declared that he felt strongly his own inability to discharge

discharge the important duties of the office, yet he put himself at the disposal of the house, and was satisfied to act as they should direct. Mr. Abbot was then introduced into the chair, as speaker, and returning thanks for the honour that had been conferred upon him, hoped that the house would judge of his gratitude more by his future conduct, than by any words he could find to express himself.

Lord Castlereagh congratulated the speaker on his re-election, in an appropriate speech.-The house then adjourned.

On the 17th of November the house of commons attended at the bar of the house of lords, with their newly-elected speaker; who, after informing the lords commissioners of the choice of the commons having fallen upon him, expressed a hope (according to the usual form), that his majesty might allow the commons to go to a new election, in order that they might find a person worthier of that high office than himself.

The lord chancellor then express ed his majesty's entire approbation of the choice of the house of commons.

The speaker, after returning thanks, claimed, as usual, the freedom of speech and other privileges of the house of commons.

At half past two, on the 23d, his majesty came down to the house of peers. The commons being ordered to attend, he addressed his parliament in the following manner:

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "It is highly gratifying to me to resort to your advice and assistance, after the opportunity which has been recently afforded of collecting the sense of my people.

"The internal prosperity of the country has realized our most sanguine hopes; we have experienced the bounty of divine providence in the produce of an abundant harvest.

"The state of the manufactures, commerce, and revenue of my United Kingdom, is flourishing beyond example; and the loyalty and attachment which are manifested to my person and government, afford the strongest indications of the just sense that is entertained of the numerous blessings enjoyed under the protection of our happy constitution.

"In my intercourse with foreign powers, I have been actuated by a sincere disposition for the maintenance of peace. It is nevertheless impossible for me to lose sight of that established and wise system of policy, by which the interests of other states are connected with our own; and I cannot be therefore indifferent to any material change in their relative condition or strength. My conduct will be invariably regulated by a due consideration of the actual situation of Europe, and by a watchful solicitude for the permanent welfare of our people.

"You will, I am persuaded, agree with me in thinking that it is incumbent on us to adopt those means of security which are best calculated to afford the prospect of preserving to my subjects the blessings of peace."

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I have ordered the estimates of the ensuing year to be laid before you, and I rely on your zeal and liberality in providing for the various branches of the public service, which it is a great satisfaction to me to think may be fully accomplished, without any considerable addition

B 2

addition to the burdens of my people."

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "I contemplate, with the utmost satisfaction, the great and increasing benefits produced by that important measure which has united the interests and consolidated the resources of Great Britain and Ireland. The improvement and extension of these advantages will be objects of your unremitting care and attention. The trade and commerce of my subjects, so essential to the support of public credit, and of our maritime strength, will, I am persuaded, receive from you every possible encouragement; and you will readily lend your assistance in affording to mercantile transactions, in every part of my United Kingdom, all the facility and accommodation that may be consistent with the security of the public revenue.

"To uphold the honour of the country, to encourage its industry, to improve its resources, and to maintain the true principles of the constitution in church and state, are the great and leading duties which you are called upon to discharge. In the performance of them, you may be assured of my uniform and cordial support; it being my most earnest wish to cultivate a perfect harmony between me and my parliament, and to promote to the utmost, the welfare of my faithful subjects, whose interests and happiness I shall ever consider as inseparable from my own."

The same day the address was moved in the house of lords by lord Arden, and in the commons by Mr. Trench (of Galway.)

Lord Arden, after stating that

the prosperity of our commerce and manufactures, the abundance of the necessaries of life, and the universal spirit of loyalty and attachment to the king and constitution which now prevailed, justified completely what had fallen from his majesty in his most gracious speech, took particular notice of that part of it which referred to the situation of Europe. The order of dominion could not be there indefinitely changed, without endangering the security of this country. Although in the conclusion of the last war we had reluctantly abandoned allics, who had neither the power or the will to make a stand for their own political existence: yet there were limits beyond which this plan of conduct could not be extended. He therefore thought the house must approve of the resolution of his majesty, to keep the vigilance of the government awake to the changes in the arrangement of continental power; and that they would not refuse such supplies, as the necessary vigor of such preparation must require. His lordship concluded by moving the address, which as usual, was an echo of the speech from the throne.

War

The hero of the Nile (lord Nelson) seconded the address, and declared his approbation of a plan of government, which promised to maintain the antient dignity of the country, without hastily throwing away the blessings of peace. had not exhausted our resources ; our national industry had not been slackened, nor had it been frustrated of its rewards. The condition of unexampled prosperity which the country enjoys, immediately after the late war, is such as would

render