HC Deb 01 February 1866 vol 181 c4

On which day, being the day appointed by the Royal Writ for the meeting of the new Parliament, Sir Denis Le Marchant, Clerk of the House of Commons, and Thomas Erskine May, and Henry Ley, Esquires, Clerks Assistants, attending in the House, and the other Clerks attending according to their duty, Charles Romilly, Esquire, Clerk of the Crown in Chancery in Great Britain, delivered to the said Sir Denis Le Marchant a Book, containing a list of the Names of the Members returned to serve in this Parliament.

Several of the Members repaired to their seats.

A Message was delivered by Captain Spencer Clifford, Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod:

"Gentlemen,

"The Lords, authorized by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read."

Accordingly, the House went up to the House of Peers;—and a Commission having been read for opening and holding the Parliament, The Lords Commissioners directed the House to proceed to the Election of a Speaker, and present him To-morrow at Two of the clock in the House of Peers, for the Royal approbation.

And the House being returned;