§ THE EIGHTEENTH PARLIAMENT of the United Kingdom was dissolved by Proclamation on the 6th day of July, 1865; by which Proclamation, also, new Writs were ordered to be issued for calling a new Parliament; which Writs were made returnable on Tuesday the Fifteenth Day of August then next.
§ The Meeting of the Parliament thus called was adjourned by Writ to the 1st day of November; thence to the 23rd day of November; thence to the 28th day of December; and, lastly, to Thursday the 1st February; on which day it met for Despatch of Business.
§ The HOUSE of PEERS being met,
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR acquainted the House,
2§ "That Her Majesty not thinking fit to be personally present here this day, had been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, in order to the opening and holding of this Parliament."
§ Then Five of the Lords Commissioners, namely—The LORD CHANCELLOR, The LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Duke of Argyll), The LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD (The Viscount Sydney), The LORD STEWARD OF THE HOUSEHOLD (The Earl of Bessborough), and The LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY (The Postmaster General), being in their Robes, and seated on a Form placed between the Throne and the Woolsack, commanded the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know "The Lords Commissioners desire their immediate Attendance in this House, to hear the Commission read."
§ Who being come;
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
"My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"HER MAJESTY not thinking fit to be present here this day in Her Royal Person, hath been pleased, in order to the opening and holding of this Parliament, 3 to cause Letters Patent to be issued under Her Great Seal, constituting us and several other Lords therein named Her Commissioners, to do all things, in Her Majesty's name, on Her part necessary to be performed in this Parliament: This will more fully appear by the Letters Patent themselves, which must now be read."
Then the said Letters Patent were read by the Clerk. And then
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
"My Lords, and Gentlemen,
"We have it in command from Her Majesty to let you know that as soon as the Members of both Houses shall have been sworn, the cause of the calling of 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 Her Majesty's pleasure that you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, should repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the appointment of some proper person to be your Speaker, and that you should present such person as you may choose here To-morrow, at two of the clock, for Her Majesty's Royal approbation."
§ Then the Commons withdrew.
§ The House was adjourned during pleasure, to unrobe.
§ The House was resumed.