§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "I HAVE summoned you at a date somewhat later than is usual, on account of the advanced period to which the labours of the last Session were protracted.
§ "I have the satisfaction of maintaining with all foreign Powers relations of friendship and good-will.
§ "At the close of the last Session I had the pleasure of recording my gratitude to my sea and land forces for suppressing with rapidity and completeness a formidable rebellion in Egypt. Since then tranquillity has been restored to that country, clemency has been shown by its Ruler to the leaders of the rebellion, and the withdrawal of the British troops is proceeding as expeditiously as a prudent consideration of the circumstances will admit.
§ "The reconstitution of the Government of Egypt and the reorganization of its affairs under the authority of the Khedive have in part been accomplished, and will continue to receive my earnest attention. It will be my 4 endeavour to secure that full provision shall be made for the exigencies of order, for a just representation of the wants and wishes of the population, and for the observance of international obligations.
§ "I have already been able to fulfil the promise made by me to the Sultan and to the Great Powers of Europe, that I would submit to their friendly consideration the arrangements which appeared to me to be the best fitted to insure the stability of the Khedive's Government, the prosperity and happiness of the Egyptian people, the security of the Suez Canal, and the peace of Europe in the East.
§ "To those objects my policy has been directed in the past and will be addressed in the future; and I continue to rely with confidence on its just appreciation by other countries.
§ "A Conference of the Great Powers has assembled in London to consider measures for better securing the freedom of navigation on the Danube, which is placed under their guarantee, and forms part of the public law of Europe.
§ "The condition of Zululand, and the possibility of renewed disturbances there, have engaged my most serious attention. With a view to the preservation of peace and order, I have caused the former Ruler of that country to be replaced in possession of the greater part of the territories held by him before the war. I earnestly hope that this step may lead to the establishment of a more stable government, and to the maintenance of good relations between the Zulu nation and the adjoining Colony of Natal.
§ "Papers on these subjects will be presented to you.
5§ "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ "The Estimates for the services of the coming year are in a forward state of preparation, and will be speedily laid before you.
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "I am happy to state that the improvement in the social condition of Ireland, to which I referred in December, continues. Agrarian crime has sensibly diminished, and the law has been everywhere upheld.
§ "At the same time, the existence of dangerous Secret Societies in Dublin and other parts of the country calls for unremitting energy and vigilance on the part of the Executive.
§ "Measures will be promptly submitted to you for the codification of Criminal Law; for the establishment of a Court of Criminal Appeal; and for the amendment and consolidation of the laws relating to Bankruptcy and Patents. There will also be brought to your early notice Bills for preventing Corrupt Practices at Elections, and for perpetuating and amending the Ballot Act.
§ "I have on previous occasions referred to the importance of effecting reforms in the Local Government of the different parts of the United Kingdom. Proposals for the better government of the Metropolis will, in the first place, be submitted to you, and, if time should permit, will be followed by other measures relating to reform of Local Government.
§ "Your attention will be called to Bills dealing with the Conservancy of Rivers and the Prevention of Floods; with the Police in Scotland; with the Universities in that part of the United 6 Kingdom; and with Education in Wales.
§ "You will also be invited to consider a proposal which will more effectually secure to tenants in England and Scotland compensation for agricultural improvements.
§ "You have provided in recent years by a liberal devotion of your time for the most urgent among the needs of Ireland. The claims both of general legislation and of other portions of the United Kingdom will now demand from you a just regard. I trust, however, that you will be able to deal during the present year with some of the legislative wants of Ireland for which provision has not yet been made.
§ "I rely upon your proceeding with energy and prudence; and I beseech Almighty God now, as heretofore, to bless your labours.
§ Then the Commons withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.
§ PRAYERS.
§ ROLL OF THE LORDS—Garter King of Arms attending, delivered at the Table (in the usual manner) a List of the Lords Temporal in the Fourth Session of the Twenty-second Parliament of the United Kingdom: The same was ordered to lie on the Table.