which you have displayed in many laborious inquiries, and in perfecting the various legislative measures which have been brought under your consideration.

I continue to receive from my Allies, and from all Foreign Powers, assurances of their friendly disposition.

I regret that I cannot yet announce to you the conclusion of a definitive arrangement between Holland and Belgium. But the Convention which, in conjunction with the King of the French, I concluded in May last with the King of the Netherlands, prevents a renewal of hostilities in the Low Countries, and thus affords a fresh security for the general continuance of peace.

Events which have lately taken place in Portugal have induced me to renew my diplomatic relations with that kingdom, and I have accredited a Minister to the Court of her Most Faithful Majesty at Lisbon.

You may rest assured that I look with the greatest anxiety to the moment when the Portuguese monarchy, so long united with this country by the ties of alliance and the closest bonds of interest, may be restored to a state of peace, and may regain its former prosperity.

The hostilities which had disturbed the peace of Turkey have been terminated, and you may be assured that my attention will be carefully directed to any events which may affect the present state or the future independence of that empire.

An investigation, carefully prosecuted during the last session, has enabled you to renew the charter of the Bank of England, on terms which appear to be well calculated to sustain public credit, and to secure the usefulness of that important establishment.

The laborious inquiries carried on by committees of both Houses of Parliament for several successive sessions have also enabled you to bring the affairs of the East India Company to a satisfactory adjustment. I have the most confident expectation that the system of government thus established will prove to have been wisely framed for the improvement and happiness of the natives of India: whilst, by the opening of the China trade, a new field has been afforded for the activity and enterprise of British commerce.

The state of slavery in my colonial possessions has necessarily occupied a portion of your time and your attention, commensurate with the magnitude and the difficulty of the subject; whilst your deliberations have been guided by the paramount considerations of justice and humanity, the interests of the colonial proprietors have not been overlooked. I trust that the future proceedings of the assemblies, and the conduct of all classes in my colonies, may be such as to give full effect to the benevolent intentions of the legislature, and to satisfy the just expectations of my people.

I observe with satisfaction that the amendment of the law has continued to occupy your attention, and that several important measures have been adopted, by some of which the titles to pro

perty have been rendered more secure, and the conveyance of it more easy; while, by others, the proceedings in courts, both of law and equity, have been made more expeditious and less costly. The establishment of the Court of Privy Council is another improvement, which, while it materially assists suitors at home, will, I trust, afford substantial relief to those in my foreign possessions. You may rest assured that there is no part of your labours which I regard with a deeper interest than that which tends, by well-considered amendments of the law, to make justice easily accessible to all of my subjects.

With this view I have caused a commission to be issued for digesting into one body the enactments of the criminal law, and for inquiring how far, and by what means, a similar process may be extended to the other branches of our jurisprudence. I have also directed commissions to be issued for investigating the state of the municipal corporations throughout the United Kingdom.

The result of their inquiries will enable you to mature those means which may seem best fitted to place the internal government of corporate cities and towns upon a solid foundation, in respect of their finances, their judicature, and their police. In the mean time, two important acts have been passed for giving constitutions, upon sound principles, to the royal and parliamentary burghs of Scotland; and your attention will hereafter be called to the expediency of extending similar advantages to the unincorporated towns in England, which have now acquired the right of returning members to Parliament.

It was with the greatest pain that I felt myself compelled to call upon you for additional powers to control and punish the disturbers of the public peace in Ireland.

This call was answered, as I confidently expected, by your loyalty and firmness.

I have not found it necessary, except in a very limited degree, to use the powers thus confided to me, and I have now the satisfaction of informing you, that the spirit of insubordination and violence, which had prevailed to so alarming an extent, has been in a great measure subdued.

I look forward with anxiety to the time when the painful necessity of continuing this measure of great but unavoidable severity may cease; and I have given my assent with unqualified satisfaction to the various salutary and remedial measures, which, during the course of the present session, have been proposed to me for my acceptance.

The act which, in pursuance of my recommendation, you have passed with respect to the temporalities of that branch of the united church which is established in Ireland, and for the immediate and total abolition of vestry assessments, and the acts for the better regulation of juries, both as to their civil and criminal functions, afford the best proof that full reliance may be placed in

the Parliament of the United Kingdom, for the introduction of such beneficial improvements as may insure the welfare of all classes of my subjects: thus effectually cementing that legislative union, which, with your support, it is my determination to maintain inviolate.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I thank you for the supplies which you have granted for the service of the year. The estimates proposed to you by my direction were considerably lower than those of former sessions, and you have wisely applied the savings which have thus been effected to a diminution of the public burdens. In this course of judicious economy, combined with a due regard to the exigencies of the state, I am persuaded that you will persevere, and thus confirm the title which you have acquired to the general confidence, as the faithful guardians of the honour of the Crown, and of the true interests of the people.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

In returning to your respective counties you will carry with you the gratifying reflection, that your labours have been assiduously employed for the benefit of your fellow-subjects.

During the recess your attention will be equally directed to the same important object. And in this useful and honourable discharge, both of your public and private duties, under the blessing of Divine Providence, I confidently rely for the encouragement and support of my people, in that love of liberty and order, that spirit of industry and obedience to the laws, and that moral worth, which constitute the safety and happiness of nations.

CHAP. III.

Foreign History.

FRANCE.-Royal Progress to meet the Army of the North-The King's enthusiastic reception-Repeal of the Law for the observance of the anniversary of Louis XVIth's decapitation—The Duchess de Berri reported to be en famille-Duels and disturbances in consequence-Declares herself to have been privately married-Disturbances at Lyons-Dismissal of two of the MinistersTrial and acquittal of the alleged Regicides-Prosecution of the Press-Naval Armament ordered to be ready at Toulon-The French Budget-Celebration of the anniversary of the Death of Napoleon-The Duchess de Berri delivered of a daughterHer Liberation from Imprisonment-Occupation of Algiers by the French-Discontents renewed at Lyons-Grand Festivities at Paris in commemoration of the "Days of July" — Eighty-first Prosecution of the Tribune Newspaper-Isabella of Spain acknowledged by the French Government—Communication between Toulon and the African Colonies-Trials arising out of Combinations of the Workmen.

It

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OUR notes on the History of France during the year commence with a royal progress" made by Louis Philippe, attended with great pomp, to meet his two sons and the army of the North, after their reduction of the citadel of Antwerp. may be described as one of unalloyed triumphal procession; for congratulations, and professions of good-will and attachment to his person and family, with complimentary allusions to the part taken by the young princes in the campaign, met his Majesty at every turn. At Valenciennes, from associations of some years standing, the interchange of courtesies between the citizen king and the authorities of the town, are described as personal and affecting. Among the vicissitudes of Louis Philippe's early life, it was his lot to be stationed at Valenciennes for a considerable time, in command of the National Guards. This circumstance was not forgotten in the address of the municipality, nor in the king's answer; and by

each it appears to have been adverted to with equal satisfaction.

The King and the royal family were received, on their tour, with enthusiasm wherever they came. They encountered the advance of the army at Mons, where the King reviewed the troops, and thus addressed them, presenting to the deserving the cross of the legion of honour:

"You are already aware, my dear comrades, how highly I appreciate the new glory acquired by the army under the walls of Antwerp. I congratulate you upon it, and have been anxious to give you the testimony of the joy my heart has received, and that which fills all France. Whenever the army is called upon to fight for the country, it cannot fail to heap new laurels of glory upon the French name. I am happy in being the interpreter of all France, and in testifying to you the admiration excited by your valour and brilliant conduct."

The King, Queen, and royal family, accompanied by Marshal Soult, returned to Paris on Saturday, 19th of January. About this period, the legislative chambers were occupied with a question of some interest, which ended in an odd kind of compromise. The Chamber of Deputies had proposed a bill for a repeal of the law relating to the observance of the anniversary of the death of Louis XVI. This bill was so altered by the Chamber of Peers, as to be virtually nullifiedthe day in question was still to be observed as one of "general mourning" throughout France, though not under penalties. Thus amended, it was immediately sent down to the Deputies, who, stopping a discussion on the order of the day, proceeded forthwith to consider the proposed amendment. After a short deliberation, the alteration was repudiated almost unanimously, and the bill, as originally framed, was, on the motion of M. Mauguin, voted by a majority of 232 to 43. The bill was then sent back to the Peers, by whom it was referred to the committee which had before reported on it, who advised that it should be again rejected. This recommendation, however, was not acted on; a slight modification was proposed, referring to the day on which Louis XVI. was executed, as "the ill-fated and ever-to-be-deplored day." This led to a long debate, which led to a division, when there appeared for the bill so amended 88, against it 62. It was then returned to the Deputies, who, by a large majority, voted its immediate adoption, as altered by the Peers, the minister of justice avowing that government had modified the measure