§ THE PARLIAMENT was this day prorogued by Commission.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord HALSBURY)acquainted the House that Her Majesty had been pleased to grant two several Commissions; one for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Bills agreed to by both Houses of Parliament, and the other for proroguing the Parliament:—And the LORDS COMMISSIONERS—namely, The LORD CHANCELLOR; The EARL of IDDESLEIGH (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs); The LORD STANLEY of PRESTON (President of the Board of Trade); The EARL of KINTORE (Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard); and The LORD SHUTE (Viscount Barrington) (Captain, of the Gentlemen at Arms)—being in their Robes, and seated on a Form between the Throne and the Woolsack; and the COMMONS being come, with their Speaker, and the Commission to that purpose being read, the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills.
Then THE LORD CHANCELLOR,pursuant to Her Majesty's Command, delivered Her Majesty's Speech, as follows:—
My Lords, and Gentlemen,""I AM glad to be able to release you from your arduous duties."My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly.
"The mutiny of a portion of the Bulgarian army has led to the abdication of Prince Alexander. A Regency has been established, which is now administering the affairs of the Principality, and preparations are being made for the election of his successor, 1350 in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin.
"In answer to a communication addressed by the Porte to the Signatory Powers, parties to that Treaty, I have stated that, so far as this country is concerned, there will be no infraction of the conditions guaranteed by Treaties to Bulgaria. Assurances to the same effect have been given by other Powers.
"The demarcation of the Afghan frontier has advanced to within a few miles of the Oxus. In view of the approach of winter, my Commission has been withdrawn; but the information which they have obtained will be sufficient for the determination, by direct negotiation between the two Courts, of the portion of frontier which still remains unmarked.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,"I thank you for the supplies which you have voted for the requirements of the public service.
My Lords, and Gentlemen,"I have directed the issue of a Commission to inquire into the circumstances which appear to have prevented the anticipated operation of recent Acts dealing with the tenure and purchase of land in Ireland."I have observed with much satisfaction the interest which in an increasing degree is evinced by the people of this country in the welfare of their Colonial and Indian fellow-subjects; and I am led to the conviction that there is on all sides a growing desire to draw closer in every practicable way the bonds which unite the various portions of the Empire. I have authorised communications to be entered into with the principal 1351 Colonial Governments with a view to the fuller consideration of matters of common interest.
"I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may be with you."
Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.
§ After which,
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid—
My Lords, and Gentlemen,By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the Eleventh day of November next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Eleventh day of November next.