§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "I HAVE brought you together after a recess unusually short, in order that you may be enabled at once to give your further consideration to the great subject of the representation of the people in Parliament.
§ "I continue to maintain relations of amity with all foreign Powers.
§ "The information received from the Soudan includes painful uncertainties; but the energy, courage, and resource, conspicuously displayed by General Gordon in the successful defence of Khartoum, deserve my warm recognition.
§ "The advance of my troops to Dongola has for its object the rescue and security of that gallant officer, and of those who have so faithfully co-operated with him.
§ "In Egypt itself I am using my best endeavours to promote further improvement; and I have given my support to the Egyptian Government in the difficult financial position in which it has been left through the failure of the recent Conference.
§ "I have to regret that circumstances have occurred on the south-western frontier of the Transvaal which demand my vigilant attention. In conjunction with the Government of the Cape Colony I am engaged in considering the means which may be required to secure the faithful observance of the Convention of the present year.
§ "Papers on this subject will be presented to you at an early date.
§ "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ "The operations in the Soudan will render it necessary to ask from you a further pecuniary provision.
4§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "The Bill for the extension of the Parliamentary Franchise will at once be introduced.
§ "In conclusion, I humbly and most anxiously trust that the blessing of Almighty God may attend upon 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 Sixth Session of the Twenty-second Parliament of the United Kingdom: The same was ordered to lie on the Table.