Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2951701

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ENGLISH J&TfctLÏGENCE.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S VISIT TO

FRANCE,

THE mest exciting topic of news" by the late armais from England is, undoubtedly, ¡the visit of our yoting; Queen VICTORIA to .Louis PHILIPPE, "King of the French. The English and French press arc equally disposed «to consider the royal visit, under existing cir- cumstances, as a political event of no mean im- portance, bnt differ very materially as to the pro- bable result. Some are inclined to look upon it merely as an agreeable exhibition of courtesy, -by which well-bred people smeeth down ani- mosities which have been engendered by con- victing interests. Others hope that the meet- ing of two powerful sovereigns of two rival mations may be taken as a pledge that there is a real and anxious desire to remove altogether, or, at least, ameliorate, the misunderstandings which various recent events have unfortunately conspired to create between the two kingdoms. There is no concealing the fact that the result of the Spanish revolution, and the present aspect of affairs in that wretched country, is .such as must lead to continued embarrassment .between the French and English Cabinets. The British Ministers have already very .unequivocally expressed their sentiments by their honourable reception of Espartero in London, and their public recognition of his Government in Spain, which has been declared in the House of Commons as the one alone -de jure existing. On the other band, the French treat and speak of Espartero as a personal enemy; and the friendly reception .given to the Duke of Victory in London has given great offence to the French press gene- rally. One of the ^principal French journals, La Presse, make« the following illiberal and ungracious remarks upon the return of the Prince de Joinvilfe and Duke d'Aumale from England, who had been paying a visit to the .Queen and sojourning for some days at Windsor

Castle.

"The hasty departure of the Prince de Joinville and .the Duke d'Aumale from England has been the sub- ject of numerous commentaries in London. The fact is, that nobody expected to see them return to France so soon. It was generally believed that the reception given to Espartero had displeased them, and that they did not wish to expose themselves to meet that man in «he Queen's Palace. We do not know whether this be the real motive of the sudden retreat of the two princes, but we would rather see them in France, than they should accept hospitality in England, which is bestowed with so much parade on our enemies."

The National, another French journal, speaks thus of the probable political influence which the visit of our Queen Victoria to Louis Philippe is likely to produce.

" If we must say what we are afraid of, it is not pre- cisely that England will declare war against us. The present Government certainly gives her no pretext, and ?be would be blindly warlike to draw her sword against a country of which M. Guizot is the principal minis- ter ; but what we fear is, that a treaty of commerce would be the result, in which England would take the lion's »hare, and consummate the ruin of our country." There is little doubt that the personal and family interests of Louis Philippe, added to the restless character of the French people, is diametrically opposed to a settlement of the Spanish affairs by non-intervention. Then should the French party in Spain seek French protection, and in case of extremity marry the Queen of Spain to the Duke d'Aumale, the question, and a grave one it is, arises-How will England act in such a case ? But not- withstanding these difficulties, added to the minor existing causes of quarrel, we still hope, and believe, that the ministers of either nation are decidedly opposed to a war, if it be possible to avert such a dire calamity, and that we shall not see England and France, perhaps the ?whole civilized world, embroiled for the sake of a dispute with which neither nation has in point of fact anything to do.

We are, therefore, still of opinion that a war will be avoided, notwithstanding the evident gloom upon the political horizon, which, as misfortunes seldom arrive single-handed, has been somewhat increased by the circumstances, trifling in themselves, of the quarrel between the Vindictive and a French man-of-war at

Oataheite-the seizure of a quantity of illegal arms and ammunition on board a French schooner at Cork-and a collision with some

French fishermen off Newfoundland. We will I now proceed to lay before our readers extracts from the late English journals.

The first of importance is the prorogation of Parliament, and the Queen's speech there-

upon.

E

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

The House of Lords was opened a little '«filer IS, and immediately a considerable num- ber of ladies were admitted and occupied the benches usually appropriated to the Peers. Long before 2 o'clock the stranger's gallery, the two small side galleries intended for Peers, and the body of the House, were completely filled--chiefly by ladies. The space appropri- ated to the foreign Ministers on the left-hand of the House was also filled before 2 o'clock.

About twenty minutes before 2 o'clock the Duke of Wellington made his appearance, and was soon afterward followed by the Lord Chancellor, and a number of Peers previously

assembled. At ten minutes to 2 o'clock the

ns, and loud cheering outside, announced er Majesty's approach, and the Ministers of State went forth to meet her. Her Majesty entered the House led by Prince Albert, and was conducted by him to the Throne. The Puke of Buccleuch carried Her Majesty's Crown ; the Duke of Wellington bore the Sword of State ; Lord Wharncliffe carried the Cap of Maintenance. The Duchess of Buccleuch and Lady Dunmore attended Her Majesty. On

Her Majesty's entrance every person rose, and 1 after she had taken her seat, even Prince Albert continued standing till Her Majesty, in a low voice, requested the Lords and Gentle- men to be seated. Her Majesty looked well. Prince Albert, who was dressed as a Field Marshal, also appeared in good health.

MT Loans AND GIMTUMIK,

The sute of public business enables me to close this firotracted session, and to release you from further "«Uendance on your parliamentary duties. I thank you

for the measures you have adopted for enabling me to give full «fleet to the several treaties which I have con- cluded with foreign powers. 1 have given mv cordial

assent to the Bilfwhich you presented to me* for in- ' .creasing the meaos of spiritual instruction in the populous parishes, by making a portion of the revenues of the church available for the endowment of additional

ministers.

I confidently trust that the wise and benevolent intentions of the Legislature will be aided by the seal .ad liberality of my subjects, and that better provision isill thoa bo made for ptblic worship, and for pastoral superintendence in many districts of the country.

, I own with satisfaction the passing of the Act for j , ¿removing doubts respecting the jurisdiction of the , /Church of Scotland in the admission of ministers, and 'for securing to the people, and to the courts of the ''¿burch, the full exercise of their respective rights.

It is my earnest hope that this measure will tend to easton religious peace in Scotland, and to avert the ¿angers which bava threatened a sacred institution of

the utmost importance to the happiness and welfare of that part of my dominions.

I continue to receive from all foreign powers as- surances of their friendly'disposition, and of their earnest desire for the maintenance of peace.

GENTLEMEN or THE House OP COMMONS,

1 thank you for the readiness and liberality with which you have voted the supplies for the current year. It will be my constant object to combine a strict regard to economy, with the consideration which is due to the exigencies of the public service.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

In some districts of Wales the public peace has been interrupted by lawless combinations and disturbances unconnected with political causes. I have adopted the measures which I deemed best calculated for the repres- sion of outrage, and for the detection and punishment

of the offenders.

I have, at the same time, directed an enquiry to be made into the circumstances which .'ave led to insubor- dination and violence in a part of the country usually distinguished for good order and' willing obedience to

the laws.

I have observed, with the deepest concern, the perse- vering efforts which are made to stir up discontent and dissatisfaction among my subjects in Ireland, and excite them to demand a repeal of the legislative union.

It has been, and ever will be, my earnest desire to administer the government of that country in a spirit of strict justice and impartiality, and to co-operate with Parliament in affecting such amendments in the existing laws as may tend to improve the social condi- tion, and to develop the natural resources, of Ireland.

Front a deep conviction that the legislative union is not less essential to the attainment of these objects, than to the strength and stability of the empire, it is my firm determination-with your support, and under the blessing of Divine Providence-to maintain invio- late that great bond of connexion between the two

countries.

I have foreborne to require any additional powers for the counteraction of designs hostile to the concord and welfare of my dominions, as well from my unwilling, ness to distrust the efficacy of the ordinary law, as from my reliance on the good sense and patriotism of my people, and on the solemn declarations of Parliament, in support of the legislative union.

I feel assured that those of my faithful subjects who have influence and authority iii ireland will discourage to the utmost of their power a system of pernicious agitation, which disturbs the industry and retards the improvement of that country, and excites feelings of mutual distrust and animosity between different classes of my people.

At the conclusion of the speech, the Lord Chancellor, by Her Majesty's command, then declared the Parlia- ment prorogued to Thursday, Oct. 19th; to which time it accordingly stands prorogued.

The speaker and the Commons retired, and the ladies and gentlemen who had crowded the House soon sepa- rated, and thus concluded the session of 1643.

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