§ THE Fourteenth Parliament of the United Kingdom was dissolved by Proclamation on the 23rd July; and at the same time writs were directed to be issued for calling a new Parliament, which writs were made returnable on Tuesday the 21st of September. The Parliament so summoned was prorogued to the 12th October, thence to the 11th November, and thence to the 18th November; and accordingly met this day for despatch of business.
§ The Parliament was opened by Commission, the Lords Commissioners present being the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord President of the Council, Earl Spencer, and the Earl of Auckland.
§ Shortly after Two o'clock the Lords 2 Commissioners entered the House, and took their seats in front of the Throne. Then
The LORD CHANCELLORcommunicated to the Peers assembled, that Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be present, had ordered the Parliament to be opened by Her Royal Commission. He then directed the Usher of the Black Rod to summon the Members of the House of Commons.
§ After a short interval,
§ Sir A. Clifford, Usher of the Black Rod, followed by Mr. Ley, Clerk of the House of Commons, Mr. Green, and a very large number of Members, appeared at the bar; and the Royal Commission having been read by the Clerk at the table,
The LORD CHANCELLORsaid: My Lords and Gentlemen, we have it in command from Her Majesty to let you know that you shall hereafter be informed of the cause of calling this Parliament together; but it being necessary that a Speaker for the House of Commons should first be chosen, you will for that purpose return to the place prepared for your meeting, and there be pleased to choose a Speaker, and present such person whom you shall so 3 choose here to-morrow, at Two o'clock, for Her Majesty's Royal approbation.
§ The Commons then withdrew, and the Royal Commissioners retired.
§ Several Peers have taken the oaths,
§ House adjourned.