§ THE PARLIAMENT, which had been Prorogued successively from Saturday the 25th day of September, 1886, to the 11th day of November; thence to the 9th day of December; thence to the 13th day of January, 1887; and from thence to the 27th day of January, met this day for the despatch of Business.
§ The Session was opened by Commission.
§ THE HOUSE of PEERS being met;
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORacquainted the House,
That Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally present here this day, has 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 (Lord Halsbury); The LORD CHAMBERLAIN (The Earl of Lathom); The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (The Viscount Cross); The Earl of KINTORE (Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard); and The Earl of COVENTRY (Master of the Buckhounds)—being in their Robes, and seated on a Form placed between the Throne and the Woolsack, commanded the Gentleman 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 at the Bar, with their Speaker:—The Commission was read by the Clerk:—Then