§ THIS being the day appointed for the meeting of the New Parliament, the lord chancellor came to the house about two o'clock, and acquainted the house, that his majesty, not thinking fit to be personally present this day, had been pleased to cause a commission to be issued under the great seal, in order to the opening and holding of the parliament.—Then four of the lords commissioners, viz, the archbishop of Canterbury, the lord chancellor, the earl of Aylesford, and lord Walsingham, being seated on a form placed between the throne and the woolsack; the lord chancellor commanded the gentleman usher of the black rod to let the commons know, that the lords commissioners desired their immediate attendance in that house to hear the commission read. In a few minutes the commons appeared at the bar in great number, preceded by the black rod, and by the senior, and other clerks of the house. The lord chancellor then said,—"My lords, and gentlemen of the house of commons; His majesty not thinking fit to be present here this day, in his royal person, has been pleased, in order to the opening and holding of this parliament, to cause letters patent to be passed under his great seal, constituting us and several other lords, therein named, his commissioners, to do all things in his majesty's name, on his part necessary to be performed in this parliament: this will now fully appear by the letters patent themselves which will now be read."—Then the letters patent were read by the clerk; after which, the 2 lord chancellor said:—"My lords and gentlemen of the house of commons; We have it in command from his majesty to let you know, that, as soon as the members of both houses shall be sworn, the causes of his majesty's calling this parliament will be declared to you; and, it being necessary that a speaker of the house of commons should be first chosen, it is his majesty's pleasure that you, gentlemen of the house of commons, do repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your speaker; and that you present here such person whom you shall so choose, to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, for his majesty's royal approbation."—The commons immediately withdrew, and the lords commissioners retired to unrobe. As soon as prayers were over, the lord chancellor was first sworn singly; and afterwards all the peers present took the usual oaths and their seats.