al two n;eleel; o» 'Ile Prussian Mate Gazette contains fly!
details of the solemnity of dining homage to King Frederick William the Fourth, which musk place at Berlin on the 15th of' this month. His Mujesty first repaired in state to the church, where Inc received the homage of the Protestant
clergy. He then returned to the Palace, where he received the homage of the deputation of the Catholic clergy. The Princes and Counts of the empire, after his Majesty had addressed them in a few words, did homage by singly giving hands. Then the Prince and the 'Estates of Silesia took the oath of allegiance. His Ma- jasty then proceeded through the picture-gallery to the white-saloon, where the Queen was already seated on a platform. The members of tbe Equestrian order were in their places. The King seated himself on the throne, surrounded by the members of the Royal Family. After some ceremonials had been gone through, the King rose, and with a clear and loud voice delivered the following address ; which, the official
organ asserts, was plainly heard by at least twenty thousand of the per- sons present, while those who were too distant to hear were impressed by the energy with which his Majesty spoke—
"In this roost solemn moment of receiving the homage of my German -dominions, of the noblest races of the most noble people, and recollecting the memorable scene at Konigsberg, and which is here repeated, I call upon God to be pleased to confirm with his Almighty Amen the vows which have been
just expressed, which I made at Konigsberg, and which 1 here confirm. I Tow and promise to conduct my governmeitt in the fear of God and in love to
man, with open eyes in matters relating to the wants of my people and my age, with eyes closed when justice is to be administered. I will, as far its my power and my will extends, maintain peace in my time. I will truly, and to the utmost of my power, second the noble endeavours of the Great Powers who for a quarter of a century have beets the faithful guardians of the peace of Europe. [The King's words were received by the people with
the most enthusiastic acclamations.] Above all, it shall be my endea- vour to secure to my country the position to which Divine Providence has raised it through a history which has not its parallel, in which Prussia has become the shield of the safety and the rights of Ger- manys In all points I will so govern that I may be acknowledged as the true son of a never-to-be-forgotten father, of a never-to-bC-forgotten mother, whose memory will be blessed from generation to generation. But the ways of Kings are rich in tears, and worthy of tears, unless they are aided by the heart and mind of their people. Therefore, in the enthusiasm of my love for my glorious country, for my people, born in arms, in freedom, and obedi- enee—Lllis Majesty pronounced these last words with an elevated voice and great energy; on whieh loud and long-continued acclamations burst from the people, which did not cease till his Majesty made a sign to thern]—I address to you, gentlemen, in this solemn hour, a solemn quest 1021. If yOu can, as I hope, answer me in your own names, in the names of those who sent you here, knights, citizens, countrv-people, and the innumerable crowd here assembled, who can hear my voice,-1 ask you, will you with heart and mind, in word and deed, and with your whole soul, with the holy fidelity of the Germans, with the still more holy love of the Christian, aid and assist me to preserve Prussia as it is, anti as it must remain, If it would not decline? Will you aid and assist me to develop more and more the glorious qualities through which Prussia, with its population of only four- teen millions, is placed in the rank of the great powers of the earth?—namely, honour, fidelity, justice, and truth, a progress in wisdom, of age, and the heroic energy of youth ? Will you neither leave nor abandon me in these my efforts? Will you filithfully stand by me through good and evil days ? Oh, then, answer me with the clear, the noble word of our mother-tongue—a:tewer me with an honest '..fre! [This Yes' resounded from every side of the crowded square ; and the expression in the answer pronounced by many thousands corresponded with the decision and warmth with which the question had been addressed to the people.] The solemnity of the day is important to the state and to tlse world ; but your ' Yes' was foe me: that is my own, that I will not give up ; that unites its indissolubly in mutual love and fidelity ; that gives courage, energy, comfort, that I will not forget in my dying hour. I will keep my vow, which I pronounce here and at Konigsberg, so help my God. Its contiemation, I raise my right hand to Heaven. Complete now the solemn ceremony ; mid may the fruitful blessing of God rest upon this house!"
At the preceding ceremonial of doing homage at Klinigsberg, the Prussian States, in their address to the King, reminded hint of the solemn pledge given by his father, in 1815, chat a common system of representation should be formed for the whole country. The King thereupon issued a proclamation, in which he directed the addresses of the States to be published, " in order to dispel any erroneous impres- sion that I, by the resolution of the States, or by the recognition which I gave orally to the real intention of the States, had promised to give my consent to the proposal contained in the memorandum for any development of the provincial representation in the sense of the ordi- nance of the 22d of May 1815."
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