§ THE Fifteenth Parliament of the United Kingdom was dissolved by Proclamation on the 1st July; and, at the same time, writs were ordered to be issued for calling a new Parliament, which writs were made returnable on Friday the 20th August. The Parliament so called was prorogued to the 21st October; and thence to the 4th November; and accordingly met this day for despatch of business.
§ The Parliament was opened by Commission:—the Lords Commissioners being the Lord Chancellor, the Lord President of the Council (the Earl of Lonsdale), the Lord Privy Seal (the Marquess of Salisbury), the Lord Steward of the Household (the Duke of Montrose), and the Luke of Northumberland, First Lord of the Admiralty.
§ The Lords Commissioners being seated in front of the Throne, and the Commons (who were sent for) being at the Bar,
2The 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, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, will for that purpose return to the place prepared for your meeting, and there he pleased to choose a Speaker, and present such person whom you shall so choose here To-morrow at two o'clock for Her Majesty's Royal approbation.
§ The Commons then withdrew.
§ The Lord Chancellor—Singly, in the first place, took the Oaths at the Table.
§ Certificate of the Sixteen Peers for Scotland—Read.
§ Several Lords—Took the Oaths.
§ The Viscount Falmouth—Sat first in Parliament after the Death of his Cousin Viscount Falmouth (Earl of Falmouth).
§ The Lord Congleton—Sat first in Parliament after the Death of his Father.
§ House adjourned till To-morrow.