ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY. (Hansard, 22 February 1867)

§ THE EARL OF DERBY

My Lords, it will not be necessary for me to say more 792 than a very few words in introducing the Motion of which I have given notice for I am sure your Lordships need no inducement to adopt an Address to the Queen on the occasion of the happy confinement of the Princess of Wales, and the birth of a Princess. All who have the honour of knowing Her Majesty personally are aware that there is no stronger characteristic of Her Majesty than the deep affection she entertains for every member of Her family; and every addition to it is an event of the greatest interest to Her. I am also sure that anything which so much interests Her Majesty cannot but be deeply interesting to all who have the happiness of living under the sway of a Sovereign who, in the discharge of Her duty has excited and merited the devoted loyalty of Her subjects, and who, from Her personal character, has strengthened in no slight degree the institutions of this country. On the present occasion there is ground for a more than ordinary feeling of satisfaction, because the confinement of the Princess of Wales and the birth of a Princess have taken place under circumstances which led to no unreasonable anxiety and apprehension, though happily all apprehension has been dissipated by the event. The manner in which the Princess of Wales has conducted herself ever since she placed her foot on these shores has been such as to endear her to every person in the realm. I am sure your Lordships will join with me in an expression of satisfaction on the fact that the Princess of Wales has safely passed through her painful crisis, and in congratulating Her Majesty on the accession of another Princess.