§ 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:—
§ Speaker's House, March 9, 1866.
§ Sir,— I beg you will express to the House my great regret that I must ask leave to absent myself from the service of the House to-day. I trust that the pain from which I have been suffering will be much relieved by rest till Monday, and that I shall resume my duties on that day.—I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
§ J. EVELYN DENISON, Speaker,
§ To Sir Denis Le Marchant, Bart.
§ Clerk of the House of Commons.
§ Whereupon Mr. Dodson, 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.