On Saturday, the Houses met for a short time, to
receive the Royal Assent to a variety of Bills, and to be prorogued in the usual quaint fashion by the Royal Commissioners in cocked hats, which each of them lifted reverentially when his name was read out in the Commission. The Lord Chancellor was, of course, the Commissioner selected to read the Queen's speech, which said, in relation to Egypt, "The work of administra- tive reorganisation, though retarded at important points by the visitation of the cholera, has steadily advanced. The aim of the temporary occupation of the country by my military forces, the considerations which must supply the measure of its duration, and the constant direction of my efforts to the maintenance of established rights, to the tranquillity of the East, and to the welfare of the Egyptian people, have been more than once ex- plained to you, and they remain unchanged ;" as also, her Majesty might have added, do the conditions which postpone the clearer elucidation of those unchanged purposes. On the Madagascar difficulty, the Queen's language was confident, and her confidence was soon justified by the event. "The negotia- tions with France, conducted in the spirit of friendship, will, I doubt not, lead to satisfactory results." In connection with the subject of negotiation itself, her Majesty's attention "has been, and will continue to be, steadily directed to all which may affect the rights or liberties of my subjects." With regard to Zulu- land and the Transvaal, the Royal speech was frankly despond- ent ; and with regard to Ireland, sanguine. The Queen was satisfied with the improvement effected in the conduct of legis- lation, and referred with congratulation to the principal Acts passed, including that for the redemption of National Debt. Parliament stands prorogued at present to November 12th.
