Annual Register

ENGLAND.-Circumstances of the Country at the commencement of the year 1851-Prevalent Feeling of the Nation respecting the Papal Aggression -Anticipations of the Great Exhibition of Industry-State of Trade, Revenue, and Condition of the Lower Classes-Complaints of the Agricultural Interest-Opening of Parliament by the Queen in Person, on the 2nd of February-Her Majesty's Speech from the Throne-Debates in both Houses-In the Lords, the Address is proposed by the Earl of Effingham, and seconded by Lord Cremorne-Speeches of Lord Stanley, the Duke of Richmond, Earl of Winchilsea, Lord Camoys, and the Marquis of Lansdowne-The Address is agreed to nem. con.-In the Commons, the Address is moved by the Marquis of Kildare, and seconded by Mr. Peto-Speeches of Mr. Roebuck, Sir R. Inglis, Mr. J. O'Connell, Mr. A. B. Hope, Mr. Chisholm Anstey, Mr. Plumptre, Mr. Hume, Mr. Bankes, Lord John Russell, and Mr. Disraeli-The Motion is carried without a Division-Retirement of the Earl of Shaftesbury from the Office of Chairman of Committees, and Election of Lord Redesdale in his room-Tribute of Respect to the Memory of Mr. J. H. Ley, late Clerk of the Table in the House of Commons. ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES BILL-On the 7th of February Lord John Russell moves for leave to bring in a Bill for counteracting the Aggressive Policy of the Church of Rome-His able and interesting Speech on that occasion-The debate on the preliminary question of introducing the Bill is protracted during four nights by successive Adjournments-The Motion is supported by the Attorney-General, Mr. W. Page Wood, Sir George Grey, Sir R. H. Inglis, Mr. Disraeli, VOL. XCIII. [B]

Mr. Napier, and numerous other Members-It is opposed, among others, by Mr. Philip Howard, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Hume, Mr. Moore, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Keogh, Mr. A. B. Hope, Mr. Oswald, and Mr. Frederick Peel-On a Division the Motion for leave to introduce the Bill is carried by 395 against 63; Majority, 332.

T the opening of the year 1851, one prominent subject engrossed the minds of the community, and superseded all other topics of political speculationthe Papal Aggression, and the measures likely to be adopted to counteract it. The ferment that the Papal brief had created throughout the kingdom, as described in the preceding volume of this work, had in no degree subsided, but appeared rather to increase in intensity as the usual period for the meeting of Parliament drew near. Second only in interest to this absorbing subject, the preparations for the opening of the Great Exhibition of Industry of all Nations diverted the public mind in a great measure from the interest usually concentrated on party politics or schemes of legislation. It was the general expectation that, with the exception of the measure necessary to abate the pretensions of the Papal See, the forthcoming session would prove rather barren of legislative results, and that the administration of Lord John Russell, though weak and tending to decline, would be suffered to tide quietly over a season devoted by anticipation to the gaieties and festivities of the great Jubilee of Commerce. In some respects it will be seen that these predictions were verified by the result, though with regard to the destinies of the Government, they were somewhat less accurate. The general condition of the country, so far as regards revenue, commerce, employment, and the cir

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I continue to maintain the relations of peace and amity with Foreign Powers. It has been my endeavour to induce the States of Germany to carry into full effect the provisions of the treaty with Denmark which was concluded at Berlin in the month of July of last year. I am much gratified in being able to inform you that the German Confederation and the Government of Denmark are now engaged in fulfilling the stipulations of that treaty, and thereby putting an end to hostilities which at one time appeared full of danger to the peace of Europe.

"I trust that the affairs of Germany may be arranged by mutual agreement, in such a manner as to preserve the strength of the Confederation and to maintain the freedom of its separate States.

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Annual Register, Volume 93