§ EARL SPENCERMy Lords, I think the House will quite agree with me that, in the unfortunate circumstances in which the country is placed today, the House will be pleased to hear from the Prime Minister what account he can give of his Majesty, and what he proposes to do on this occasion with regard to our sitting. I am sure it is needless for me to say that this House most deeply sympathises with his Majesty and all the Royal Family, and in fact with all the country, on the very distressing event which has occurred, and which has cast a gloom which one can hardly describe over the Metropolis and the whole of the kingdom.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Marquess of SALISBURY)My Lords, I am sure that the House generally and all his Majesty's subjects will deeply sympathise with the words spoken by the noble Earl, and will recognise how deep a sorrow, and how deep an augury of sorrow, has been cast by the events of the last few hours upon the political, the social, and the affectionate feelings of the people of this country. It is a very great and very deep sorrow that has been cast upon us. All that we can do at present is to hope and pray for the best, and to console ourselves with the knowledge that the distinguished surgeons who have been called in entertain the most satisfactory views with respect to the progress of their distinguished patient. More definite language than that it is impossible for us to use. An operation of singular severity has been performed with success, and leaves behind every hope and prospect of a prosperous issue. We cannot say more than that. We know that for three or four days at least—it may be a day or two longer—there must be uncertainty; and all we can do is to hope and long for the most succesful issue. I believe that under the circumstances matters could hardly have gone better, and that is the great consolation that we have. It is a smaller matter, but yet it is not a matter of small importance, that enormous numbers of people should 1500 be disappointed on this occasion, and that the hope which they had of expressing in the most formal manner their loyalty and their affection for the King should be unavoidably dissipated and frustrated. It is not possible, of course, to remedy that evil. The great celebrations which were intended in honour of the Coronation—the Naval Review and other similar celebrations—now cannot take place. Some days, some weeks, will in the best event elapse before his Majesty is restored to his usual health. The progress of his disease towards convalescence will be accompanied by the earnest sympathy and sincere and constant hopes and prayers of his affectionate subjects. I do not know that I have anything else to say. It is evident that no action is required on our part or could be taken while matters are still in a position of transition; but I think we have every ground to hope that the issue will be a favourable and a speedy one, and that we shall be able to return to our ordinary avocations and hopes at an early period. I think it would be unnecessary for me to enter more fully into the circumstances of the disappointment which has been so extensively suffered, or to point out in what manner they could be remedied or affected. Such great calamities as have happened, and the much greater calamities that have been threatened, must be looked upon by us with the trustful hope and belief that the health, the strength, and the consciousness of the affection of his subjects, will support our Sovereign throughout the trial which he has been called upon to suffer.
§ The following Motion stood on the Paper in the name of the Marquess of Salisbury:—" To move that the House at its rising do adjourn to Friday, 4th July next."
§ EARL SPENCER,calling attention to the Motion, said:—I see the next Order on the Paper is the adjournment of the House till 4th July. I do not know whether the noble Marquess proposes to go on with that Motion or to postpone it.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am sorry I did not make myself quite clear. I do not think it would be quite expedient to part with the House for ten days under existing circumstances, but I should propose that we adjourn till Thursday, and then we can make further provision.
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHMay I ask whether anything can be done in the matter of the proposed public holidays on Thursday and Friday. That is a matter of considerable importance and interest to business men throughout the country.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI hope there is no confusion, but it is obvious that these are matters of Act of Parliament. These holidays will go on.