The Session of Parliament was opened at two o'clock on
Friday, the Queen's Speech being read by Commission. The document is decently grammatical, but that is all that can be said for it. It is very lengthy, very verbose, and contains scarcely anything at all. Her Majesty informs the Houses that Europe has remained at peace, which she does her best to consolidate and preserve ; that she has declined proposals to negotiate further on the usages of war ; that King Alfonso has been called to the throne of Spain, and his recognition "will not be long delayed ;" that hencefor- ward freedom is to exist on the Gold Coast ; that new measures are to be proposed for ensuring wise and humane native adminis- tration in Natal; that Fiji will be useful to the Fleet in the Pacific; that the Government of India has averted loss of life from famine ; that the revenue is increasing ; that the Coercion Bills for Ireland are to be reviewed ; and that Bills for facilitating the Transfer of Land, for improving agricultural tenancies, for improving work- men's dwellings in large towns, for consolidating the sanitary laws, for improving Friendly Societies, for punishing personal violence, and for establishing Public Prosecutors, will be intro- duced, as may also an amendment of the law on offences con- nected with trade. The bill of fare, it will be seen, is lengthy, but most of the dishes are potatoes differently cooked, sufficiently nourishing, but not particularly appetising.
