§ MR. SPEAKERaddressed the House as follows:—
Before I call upon the Clerk to proceed with the Orders of the Day, I hope the House will permit me to occupy their attention for a very few moments.
After the Statement made by the noble Lord at the head of the Government to the House on Thursday last, it is quite evident that a Dissolution of Parliament is rapidly approaching; and I feel it to be only consistent with that respect which is especially due from me to the House, that I should inform them that it is my intention to retire from Parliament at the close of the present Session.
It is very nearly eighteen years since I first had the honour of being elected Speaker of this House, and I cannot contemplate the termination of my official career without great pain; nor can I allow it to close without offering to the House my sincere and grateful acknowledgments for that uniform confidence and support which I have received, not only from all parties in the House, but I may say, with perfect truth, from every individual Member of the House. I am quite aware that, in the discharge of the delicate, and very onerous duties of this chair, I have had great need of that kind indulgence which has always been extended to me; especially of late, when I have been too frequently reminded of my increasing inability to do full justice to the task which has devolved upon me.
It has been my constant endeavour, as is well known to the House, to improve and simplify their forms of proceeding, but at the same time I have endeavoured to maintain unimpaired all those rights and privileges, and those rules and orders, sanctioned by ancient usage, which long experience has taught me to respect and venerate, and which I believe never can be relaxed, or materially altered, without prejudice to the freedom and independence of the House of Commons. And if I have been in the least degree instrumental in promoting objects so desirable, and so essential to the public interests, I am perfectly aware that I owe that success to the cordial co-operation I have always received from the House, and for which I never can be sufficiently grateful. [This announcement of Mr. SPEAKER was received with the strongest marks of feeling from every part of the House.]
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONMr. Speak- 2055 er, I am sure that I am the faithful organ of the feelings of every Member of this House when I assure you that it is with the deepest regret [loud cheers] that we have heard the announcement which has just fallen from you. It is no compliment to you, Mr. Speaker, no flattery, to say that I believe there never sat in that chair any man who combined in a greater degree all those various qualities which should constitute the Speaker of this House [cheers]; and that with the regret which I am sure every Member must feel at losing your services must be mingled a sentiment of deep gratitude for those services which you have rendered [cheers]. I trust the House will not on the present occasion enter into any expression of those feelings which every man among us must entertain; but I will now give notice that I shall deem it my duty to-morrow, before proceeding to public business, to move an expression of thanks to you, Sir, and also an appropriate Address to the Crown, bearing upon what we have just heard [continued cheers].