The King, accompanied by the Queen, opened the new Central.
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. In reply to an address read by the Recorder, the King delivered a brief speech, in which he alluded to the growth of popula- tion and other causes which had rendered necessary the rebuilding of the Old Bailey, and expressed the hope that the new Court would fulfil its purpose by giving convenience and dignity to the administration of justice. He also dwelt on the gradual change from the old barbarous penal code of a hundred years ago to laws breathing a more humane spirit and aiming at a nobler purpose. It was well that crime should be punished, but it was better that the criminal should be reformed, and the King alluded to the valuable effects of the provisions under which mercy is now shown to first offenders, while admitting that much yet remains to be accomplished in the direction of reclaiming those who had fallen into crime. The King ended by paying a tribute to the independence and integrity of the Judges and other members of the legal profession, a compliment to which he gave practical effect by conferring the honour of knighthood on Mr. Bosanquet, the Common Serjeant, and Mr. Charles Mathews, the Treasury Cminsel,—promotions in both cases thoroughly well earned by high reputation and ability.
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