NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tim opening scenes of the Session of Parliament have been tranquil even to tameness. Following the precedents of recent years, the Queen's Speech has been so framed as almost to preclude the possibility of debate: a policy which, in so far as it keeps our lezislators silent until definite propositions are before them, and pre:vents vague and aimless discussion and much repetition, seems a judicious innovation.
• The Pupal Agiression and Law Reforr,a are the only subjects announced in the Speech for Parliamentary discussion with a view to legislative action. Two or three foreign topics are touched upon, apparently because it was felt that a Royal Speech would be formally incomplete without them. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons" are of course informed that the Estimates will be laid before them,—framed, also of course, with due regard to economy and the necessities of the public service ; but not even a hint is ",,,iven of what financial measures Ministers may contemplate. There is congratulation for the Exchequer, the merchants, manufacturers, and labouringielasses ; there is a sigh with kind wishes for the owners-aml occupiers of land. The,prumised, measures.of Law Reform, though their nature is tot dehmtely expressed, are mentioned in terms calculated to warrant considerable , expectation. The contemplated improvements in the administration of justice are spoken of as important changes in the highest court of judicature '; and the bare name of a system of tegistration for deeds and instruments relating to the transfer of real property, implies a herculean task. These important announcements scarcely elicited a remark; little more than a hint from Lord Stanley, that though a plan for the registration of deeda would receive deliberate attention, it might not be easy to carry it. The Papl4 Aggression was the topic respecting which most interest was felt out of doors, as to the manner in which it might be touched on in the Speech or received by the Legislature. It has been approached by all parties in Parliament in a way that shows they feel they are on ticklish ground. The Queen has been made to say simply that remonstrances against the assumption of ecclesiastical titles conferred by a foreign power have been addressed to her by numerous bodies of her subjects; that ihe is resolved to maintain the rights of the Crown and the independence of the nation against enoroachmenta from any quarter • but that at the same time she is determined to maintain religious liberty unimpaired. The measure of which Ministers have given notice is in like manner confined to the question of the ecclesiastical titles ; and the language of Members of both Houses has been marked by a cautious abstinence from any, thing that might irritate or inspire alarm for encroachments on I religious liberty. Lord Stanley and Mr. Disraeli contented them1 selves with emphatically reminding Ministers of the difficulty and delicacy of the task they have undertaken. There was however, I considerable difference between the tones of the Conservative leaders in the Upper and Lower Houses. Lord Stanley spoke as sympathizing with Lord John Russell's letter to the Bishop of Durham; Mr. Disraeli affected to treat the matter as one to which more importance has been accorded than it -deserved. Mr. Roebuck and Mr. Hume, as representatives of those who used to be called the Independent Liberals, delivered speeches apparently prepared in the expectation that Ministers would adopt the exaggerated language and sentiments of certain parties out of doors, and in so far inapplicable to what was actually said. Lord Winchilsea, Sir Robert Inglis and Mr. Plumptre, gave vent to ' their Protestant zeal; Lord Arundel and Surrey, Mr. Jahn O'Connell, and Mr. Fagan, responded to the challenge as zealous Romanists ; Lord Camoys and Mr. Chisholm Anstey assumed the attitude of a constitutional opposition within the Church of Rome. All parties were on their guard, and yet enough escaped them to prepare us for a motley conflict and diversity of opinion when the subject comes to be practically debated.
The allusion in the Speech to the difficulties under which owners and occupiers of land are labouring, necessarily called for some remark from the Protectionists. Lord Stanley, however, did little more than suggest that they established for the agriculturists a prior claim to any relief that may be given by reduction of taxation; and Mr. Disraeli appears to have declared, with reference to a motion to consider the condition of the agricultural classes in connexion with the whole existing scheme of taxation, that if he do not succeed in "producing a proposition entitled to the sanction of Parliament and the confidence of the country," he will "undertake never again to bring forward any motion connected with this great subject." The Duke of Richmond in the Lords and several Members in the Commons expressed more decidedly their unwavering determination to cling to the cause of Protection; but the very vehemence of their language implies a sense that the ground is sinking from below them.
It would be rash to infer from this quiet beginning that the session will be either an idle or a tranquil one. Early day's have been fixed for important discussions ; and even were Ministers and Members indisposed to work, there are stirrings in society that would force themselves on the notice of Parliament. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (frightened, perchance, by the prospect of numerous delegations and the violence of the mob of remonstrants against the Window-tax) has promised to make hit financial statement on St. Valentine's Day ; the measure bearing on the assumption of ecclesiastical titles has already been intro: duced ; the measures of law reform will be jealously watched by the profession and the landed interest ; Lord John Russell has mitnouneed. his intention to abolish the Irish Viceroyalty this session; the modification of the oaths to be taken -by Members will again be attempted ; the law of settlement is to be revised ; and the Woods and Forests are preparing to set their house in order. Here is already sufficient matter to arouse the passions.of taxolyers, the nationality of Ireland, and the odium thiologicum of-sectaries. But there is more behind. Though the Colonies have been ignored in the Royal Speech and the discussions on the Address; they will make themselves heard in Parliament. Thesego Cape of Geed Rope, and the extraordinerr conduct or the inquiry, have already been mooted ; and the Anti-Coriviet leegue-in, Australia cannot be passed over in silence. Notice has been given. Of motions respecting the slave-trade, the sugar-duties, agricultural distress, the proceedings in Borneo, and many other delicate and difficult subjects. A dull grey morning is proverbially the preoursor of a day of overpowering heat ; and the session which has opened with such "bated breath" may yet turn out one of the most stormyand eventful on record.
