MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTYbrought up, and read by Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (all the Members being uncovered), as follows:—
"VICTORIA R.
Her Majesty, having agreed to a Marriage proposed between the Princess Alice and His Grand Ducal Highness Prince Louis of Hesse, has thought fit to communicate it to the House of Commons.
The numerous proofs which the Queen has received of the loyalty of this House to Her Throne, and of their attachment to Her Person and Family, leave Her no room to doubt of their willingness to concur in making such a provision for Her daughter the Princess Alice, with a view to the proposed Marriage, as may be suitable to the dignity of the Crown.
"V. R."
VISCOUNT PALMERBSTONThat Message having been received from Her Majesty, announcing to the House an event calculated to contribute to the happiness of Her Family, I am persuaded that this House will concur with me in thinking that it is becoming us, and in accordance with the feeling of the House, to take the earliest opportunity of thanking Her Majesty for the communication She has made, of congratulating Her Majesty upon the event which the communication announces, and of assuring Her Majesty that we shall take an early opportunity of taking into consideration the recommendation with which that Message concludes. Sir, it is needless to say that the Address which I propose now to submit to the House pledges no one as to any of the details of the arrangement which it will be my duty on a future day to submit in order to carry into effect the recommendation of Her Majesty's Message. But, Sir, it must, I am sure, be agreeable to the House to take the earliest opportunity of expressing to Her Majesty the pleasure and satisfaction 1489 we derive from the announcement of this intended marriage. Those who have had the good fortune to be allowed to approach Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice know, by their personal observation, that she inherits all those eminent qualities of head and heart which so greatly distinguish her illustrious parents; and the testimony which I may say those favoured persons have borne as to the result of their observation has, I am persuaded, spread wide over the land a conviction that this is a faithful representation of the case. Her Royal Highness has the good fortune of having made choice of a Prince who, I am persuaded, will prove in every respect worthy of her choice; and the strength of their mutual attachment affords the strongest expectation that in their future life they will enjoy that same domestic happiness of which Her Royal Highness has seen such a model under her maternal roof which has soothed and mitigated the cares and anxieties of Sovereign power, and served as an example and an object of admiration to the whole British nation. There is another topic which, under the circumstances, may recommend this Address to the House. This House and the nation take a deep interest in everything which concerns the feelings and the comfort of Her Majesty; and they cannot, I think, but view with great satisfaction the announcement of an event which tends to direct Her Majesty's thoughts to anticipations of joy and happiness in the future, and which may gently withdraw her mind from dwelling with too great an intensity on the more melancholy recollections of the past. Sir, I beg leave to move that an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty.
§ MR. DISRAELISir, the announcement which has just been made in the Royal Message is one which I am sure has given great gratification to the House. Any event which so deeply concerns the domestic happiness of Her Majesty must be to us always a source of great satisfaction; and I am quite sure that when the occasion arrives this House will be prepared in a becoming spirit properly to consider the subject which has been recommended to our attention by Her Majesty. Sir, I am quite sure that on this occasion, especially, the interest which this House takes in the domestic happiness of Her Majesty must be increased when we remember that it relates to the accomplished Princess whose good fortune it will be in 1490 another land to represent in a manner gratifying to all Englishmen the character of her country. That lady, as is well known to public opinion and by her private conduct to many—to the country generally, and to this House—has already shown a disposition so eminent for its good qualities, and an intelligence so bright and winning, that I am sure it will not be a mere formal ceremony on the part of the House of Commons when they express in the most cordial and unanimous manner the satisfaction they feel, and their readiness to consider in a manner becoming the occasion the recommendation brought to our notice in the Message from the Crown.
Resolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, to return Her Majesty the Thanks of this House for Her most gracious communication of the intended Marriage between Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice and His Grand Ducal Highness Prince louis of Hesse; to express their satisfaction at the proposal of an Alliance which they doubt not will contribute to the happiness of Her Majesty and of Her Royal Highness, and to assure Her Majesty that this House will immediately proceed to the consideration of Her Majesty's gracious Message in such a manner as shall demonstrate the zeal, duty, and affectionate attachment of this House to Her Majesty, a just sense of the virtues and merits of Her Royal Highness, and a due regard to the dignity of the Royal Family.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONI rise to give notice that I propose on Monday next to ask the House to go into Committee to consider the Message from Her Majesty.
§ Committee thereupon on Monday next.