7 AUGUST 1858, Page 2

Pr1inti Rfl VtU tMUg illVarlinurut.

CLOSE or THE SEssiox.

The session of 1858 was closed, and Parliament was prorogued by Royal Commission, on Monday. The Peers met a little before two o'clock the Commons somewhat earlier. The Lord Chancellor sat on the woolsack and the Earl of Derby and his colleagues were in their places. Earl Granville and two other Peers represented the Opposition. At two o'clock the Commons were summoned to hear the Royal assent given to a multitude of bills, and to listen to the Royal Speech. The Royal Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Beaufort, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Hardwicke, and Earl de la Warr. The Speech was read by the Lord Chancellor. It was as follows- " My Lords and Gentlemen—We are commanded by her Majesty to ex- pre, her satisfaction at being enabled to release you from the duties of a newton which, though interrupted, has, by your unremitting assiduity, been productive of many important measures.

Her Majesty is happy to believe that her relations with foreign Powers are such as to enable her Majesty to look with confidence to the preserva- tion of general peace. "Her Majesty trusts that the labours of the Plenipotentiaries now sitting in Confere Te at Paris may lead to a satisfactory solution of the various questions which have been referred to them. "The efforts, the gallantry, and devotedness displayed in India by her Majesty's forces and those of the East India Company have been above all praise; and her Majesty hopes that those efforts have already been so far crowned with success that the formidable revolt which has raged throughout a large portion of her Indian possessions may now, under the blessing of Almighty God, be speedily suppressed, and peace be restored to those im- portant provinces.

"In this hope her Majesty has given her willing assent to the Act which you have passed for transferring to her direct authority the government of her Indian dominions and her Majesty hopes to be enabled so to discharge the high functions which she has assumed as, by a just and impartial ad- ministration of the law, to secure its advantages alike to her subjects of every race and creed ; and, by promoting their welfare, to establish and

i strengthen her empire n India. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons—Her Majesty commands us to thank you for the judicious liberality with which you have made provision for the exigencies of the public service. "The present state of the revenue authorizes her Majesty to entertain a confident hope that the supplies which you have granted will be found fully adequate to the demands upon them. "My Lords and Gentlemen—The sanitary condition of the metropolis, must always be a subject of deep interest to her Majesty, and her Majesty has readily sanctioned the Act which you have passed for the purification of that noble river, the present state of which is little creditable to a great country, and seriously prejudicial to the health and comfort of the inhabi- tants of the metropolis. "Her Majesty has also willingly assented to an Act whereby greater fa- cilities are given for the acquisition by towns and districts of such powers as may be requisite for promoting works of local improvement, and thus ex- tending more widely the advantages of municipal self-government.

"Her Majesty trusts that the Act which you have passed for the future lovernment of the Scotch Universities will be found highly advantageous to thae venerable institutions, and will greatly promote and extend a system tif sound moral and religious education in Scotland. "The Transfer of Land Bill, which extends the powers hitherto exer- cised by the Encumbered Estates Commissioners and facilitates the acquisi- tion of an indefeasible title by purchasers of lark in Ireland, cannot fail to be highly beneficial to the landed proprietors, and to advance the prosperity of that part of her Majesty's dominions.

"The Act to which her Majesty has assented for the establishment of the colony of British Columbia was urgently required in consequence of the re- 'Cent discoveries of gold in that district ; but her Majesty hopes that this walYer colony on the Pacifio may be but one step in the career of steady pro- . gross by which her Majesty's dominions in North America mar.ultimately be peopled, in an unbroken chain, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by a loyal and industrious population of subjeets,of the British Crown. "Her Majesty thankfully acknowledges the diligence and perseverance which have enabled you, in a comparatively short time, to pass these and other measures of inferior but not insignificant importance. "Many of you, in returning to your respective counties, have extensive and time du.

influence to exercise, and duties to perform, of hardly less value to the community than those from the labours of which you are about to be re. leased ; and her Majesty entertains a confident assurance that under the guidance of Providence, that influence will be so employed, ties so performed, as to redound to your own honour, and to remote the general welfare and the happiness of a loyal and contented people."

The Lord Chancellor, in the name of the Queen, prorogued Parlia. ment until the 19th October.

During the short sitting of the House of Commons before the ceremony of prorogation, several questions were asked.

In reply to Mr. Tuomas Du/won:an, Mr. DISRAELI said that in a short time the National Gallery will be opened to the public on Saturday after- noons.

Lord PaLmEnsirox wished to know whether Lord John Manners in- tended to remove those abominable iron hurdles which at present dis- figured the Parks, and prevented the people from enjoying those places which were maintained at the public expense simply for the purpose of public enjoyment ? The object of those iron hurdles is to prevent the people from walking on the grass, but there is no purpose in having the grass there except to be walked upon, and that advantage is lost if the grass is simply maintained to be looked at. He wished, therefore to know from the noble lord when he meant to take the people of the metropolis out of irons so far as related to the Parks ? "Hear !" and laughter.) Lord Jowl Man-Nies said that a plague of insects, destructive of the grass, had hitherto prevented the removal of these hurdles. The graze has recovered now and the hurdles shall be removed as soon as possible.

Oun RELATIONS wrrn namr.s.

Mr. Tuomes Diniconsu observed that nearly two years ago the Go- vernment of this country broke off diplomatic relations with the Govern- ment of Naples, and he wished to know whether any change had taken place or was likely to take place in our relations with that country ? The rupture of our relations with Naples arose out of the barbarities committed in the Neapolitan dungeons upon political prisoners. The same tortures and imprisonments continued, the dungeons being full of persons undergoing great barbarities according to the usual custom of Italian incarceration. He thought that the question he was about to put would be found very appropriate at the present moment, and one which ought to receive some reply before Parliament separated. The Sove- reigns of England and France were about to meet, and. he thought it might be suggested to those two Monarchs not altogether during their festivities to forget the wrongs of Italy. Be believed that such a senti- ment would be highly acceptable to the Emperor of the French, for he had reason to know that the Emperor of the French, during the Russian war, to his honour, suggested the restoration of Poland and the inde- pendence of Italy. He asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any change had taken place, or was likely to take place, in our relations with Naples ? Mr. DISRAELI said he did not collect from Mx. Duncombe's observa- tions whether he thought the renewal of our diplomatic relations with Naples would be a proof of sympathy with despotism abroad or the re- verse. He could only say that her Majesty's Government felt, as all must feel, that the termination of diplomatic relations between two States was not only extremely inconvenient, but could only be justified by strong reasons. With respect to Naples, as he had before stated to the House, perhaps a great deal which had of late occurred between the Bing of the Two Sicffies and this country might not have occurred had her Majesty been directly represented at the Neapolitan Court. But it is useless to speculate on these circumstances. The relations between England and Naples were of an extraordinary character, as shown by remarkable events, such as the seizure of the Cagliari, in reference to which the negotiations were conducted in a manner satisfactory to this country, and not at all discreditable to the Government of Naples. Whether those relations which existed formerly would be revived, or soon revived, it was impossible for him at present to state. No doubt it is desirable that there should be direct communication between the English Government and all foreign Governments. Be -trusted that whenever the relations with Naples might be restored they would be re- stored under circumstances which would give general satisfaction to the people of this country.

Before the House separated the usual civilities were exchanged be- tween the Speaker and the leaders of the House and other Members.