§ PARLIAMENT was opened, by Commission, for the despatch of public business; the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Rosslyn, and Earl Bathurst, being his Majesty's Commissioners. The Gentlemen of the House of Commons having been summoned to attend, about 100 Members of that House, headed by Mr. Ley, the chief clerk, came to the bar of the House of Peers. The Royal Commission having been read,
The Lord Chancellorsaid, I have to acquaint you that his Majesty has summoned both Houses to be sworn: before that can take place, it is necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen; and it is his Majesty's pleasure that you should repair to the place where you usually meet, and there proceed to the choice of a proper person, to be presented here (if chosen) to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, for his Majesty's Royal approbation.
§ Several Peers took the usual oaths.