§
The House being met, the Clerk, at the Table, informed the House of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker, and read the following Letter which he had this day received:—
1171
Speaker's House, April, 26, 1861.
Sir,—I beg you will express to the House my great regret that I must absent myself from the service of the House to-day,
The rheumatic pains, under which I have been suffering for the last week, disable me from attending this day.
I trust that I shall be able to resume my duties on Monday.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN EVELYN DENISON.
Speaker.
Sir Denis Le Marchant, Bart.
Clerk of the House of Commons.
§ Whereupon Mr. Massey, the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table, as Deputy Speaker; and after prayers, counted the House, and Forty Members being present, took the Chair, pursuant to the Standing Order of the 20th day of July, 1855.