been made towards the pacification and settlement of the country. A renewal of hostilities by the Afghans under Ayoub Khan has rendered necessary further military operations in South Afghanistan. The prompt measures taken by the Government of India for the relief of the garrison of Candahar, and the conspicuous ability and energy displayed by my officers and troops in the execution of those measures, resulting in the brilliant victory recently gained by the gallant force under the command of Sir Frederick Roberts, will, I trust, speedily bring to an honourable termination the war in that division of the country. I regret that it has not hitherto been possible to give you such information of the general state of Indian finance and the recent miscarriage in presenting the accounts of military expenditure as you would justly require before entering on a practical consideration of the subject. You may, however, rest assured that I will redeem my pledge to supply you with this information at the earliest period in my power. No advance has recently been made in the project of a South African Confederation, nor could advantage arise from endeavours to press it forward, except in proportion to the favourable movement of public opinion in that portion of the Empire. The general state of affairs in South Africa is, however, on the whole satisfactory, except in Basutoland, where I trust that a moderate and conciliatory policy may allay the agitation caused by the enforcement of the Disarmament Act. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I tender you my thanks for the liberal provisions which you have made to meet the charges of the public services. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I acknowledge with thankfulness to the Almighty a happy continuance during several weeks of fine weather for securing a harvest which gives in many places a reasonable promise of abundance. I am thus enabled to anticipate both a further revival of trade and some addition to the revenue of the country for the year; and I dwell with especial pleasure upon the probable improvement in the condition of the people of Ireland, who have so seriously suffered from previous failures of the crops. I rejoice also to observe that, notwithstanding the lateness of the period at which you began your labours, your indefatigable zeal and patience have enabled you to add to the Statute Book some valuable laws. I refer particularly to your settlement of the long-contested question relating to the subject of Burials, to the Education Act, and the Act for the better determining the liability of employers, and to these I would add the Act relating to ground game, the repeal of the malt duty, the Savings Bank Act, and the Post Office Money Orders Act, and the measures for bettering the condition of merchant seamen and providing for the safer carriage of grain cargoes. I trust that these measures may, under Divine Providence, contribute to the welfare and prosperity of my people. VICTORIA. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, JAN. 8, 1881.] MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, I have called you at a period earlier than usual to the resumption of your labours, as some affairs of more than common urgency demand your attention. My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly and harmonious. The main question relating to the frontier between Turkey and Montenegro has been settled, The Powers are now engaged in communications which have in view the determination of the frontier between Turkey and Greece. Some important portions of the Treaty of Berlin, which have so long remained without fulfilment, continue to form an object of my anxious attention. A rising in the Transvaal has recently imposed upon me the duty of taking military measures with a view to the prompt vindication of my authority, and has of necessity set aside for the time any plan for securing to European settlers that full control over their own local affairs, without prejudice to the interests of the I regret that the war in Basutoland still con- The war in Afghanistan has been brought to a close, and with the exception of the Candahar force my troops have been recalled within the Indian frontier. It is not my intention that the occupation of Candahar shall be permanently maintained; but the still unsettled condition of the country, and the consequent difficulty of establishing a native Government, have delayed for a time the withdrawal of the army from that position. The papers on the several subjects to which GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, am now able to entertain more favourable ex pectations of the revenue for the year than I could form at its commencement. The anticipation with which I last addressed leads me The Irish Land Act of 1870 has been pro- Ireland, founded upon representative principles, and framed with the double aim of conferring popular control over expenditure and of supplying a yet more serious want by extending the formation of habits of local self-government. A Bill will be laid before you for the abolition of corporal punishment in the army and in the navy. You will be asked to consider measures for the further reform of the Law of Bankruptcy, for the conservancy of rivers and the prevention of floods; for revising the constitution of endowed schools and hospitals in Scotland; for the renewal of the Act which established secret voting, and for repressing the corrupt practices of which in a limited number of towns there were lamentable examples in the last general election. I trust that your labours, which will be even more than usually arduous, may be so guided by Divine Providence as to promote the happiness of my people. VICTORIA. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, AUG. 31, 1881.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, The time has arrived when I am at length enabled to release you from your unusually severe and protracted labours. My relations with all foreign Powers continue to be amicable and cordial. Progress has been made since I last addressed you in the territorial arrangements of the Levant. A treaty has been concluded, with the sanction of all the Great Powers, for the cession of Thessaly to the Greek kingdom, and its peaceful execution has begun. Recent events in Tunis have led to communications between my Government and the Government of France, and I have received satisfactory assurances from the Republic as to the rights secured to me by treaty with the Bey, and as to the relations between the Regency and the neighbouring Ottoman territory of Tripoli. The Convention has been signed which secures to the European population of the Transvaal, subject to important conditions therein set forth, a complete internal self-government. It awaits people. I trust that when confirmed it will conratification by a representative assembly of the Africa and to stability in its affairs. tribute effectually to the tranquillity of South The hopes in which I indulged on the last occasion of my addressing you with respect to the war in Basutoland have been fulfilled; and I have to notice with much satisfaction the termination of hostilities in that country. In the month of April my troops were withdrawn from Candahar, and the government of Southern Afghanistan was assumed by the Ameer Abdurrahman. I have no reason to anticipate any disturbance of peace on the north-western frontier of my Indian dominions from the contest with entered. It will be my object, while respecting the Ameer into which Ayoub Khan has since the independence of the Afghan people, to promote by my friendly offices, as opportunity may arise, the restoration of peace. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I thank you for the supplies which you have provided to meet the public charges, and for the contribution you have liberally made towards the expenses of the recent war in Afghanistan. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, The commercial negotiations with France have been suspended, but I continue desirous on every ground to use my best efforts for the conclusion of a treaty on terms favourable to extended intercourse between the two nations, to whose close amity I attach so great a value. The Act for the Regulation of the Forces gives full legislative effect to the plans approved by Parliament for connecting regiments with the districts in which they will be mainly raised, and for combining together more closely the several branches of my land forces. This completion of the series of arrangements adopted by a former Parliament cannot fail to render more efficient the military organisation of the country. I warmly appreciate the zeal and assiduity with which you have devoted yourselves to the It has been my study to use the exceptional powers confided to me in Ireland by two Acts of this Session with vigilance and firmness, but with discrimination, while I earnestly desire that the condition of that country may so improve as to enable me to dispense with or to abate the use of temporary and exceptional provisions. Finally, I ask you to join me in imploring the blessing of the Almighty on our united efforts for the peace, greatness, and happiness of the Empire. VICTORIA. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, FEB. 8, 1882.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, It is with much satisfaction that I again invite your advice and assistance in the conduct of public affairs. I have given my approval to a marriage between my son, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and Her Serene Highness Princess Helene of Waldeck and Pyrmont. I have every reason to believe that this will be a happy union. I continue in relations of cordial harmony with all foreign Powers. The treaty for the cession of Thessaly to the Greek kingdom has now been executed in its main provisions. The transfer of sovereignty and occupation was effected in a manner honourable to all concerned. In concert with the President of the French Republic, I have given careful attention to the affairs of Egypt, where existing arrangements have imposed upon me special obligations. I shall use my influence to maintain the rights already established, whether by the firmans of the Sultan or by various international engagements, in a spirit favourable to the good government of the country and the prudent I have pleasure in informing you that the The Convention with the Transvaal has been ratified by the Representative Assembly, and I have seen no reason to qualify my anticipations of its advantageous working. I have, however, to regret that, although hostilities have not been renewed in Basutoland, the country still remains in an unsettled condition. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, The estimates for the service of the year are in an advanced stage of preparation and will be promptly submitted to you. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, My communications with France on the subject of a new Commercial Treaty have not been closed; they will be prosecuted by me, as I have already acquainted you, with the desire | to conclude a treaty favourable to extended intercourse between the two nations, to whose close amity I attach so great a value. The trade of the country, both domestic and foreign, has for some time been improving, and the mildness of the winter season has been eminently suited to farming operations. Better prospects are, I trust, thus opened for the classes immediately concerned in agriculture. The public revenue, which is greatly though not always at once affected by the state of industry and commerce, has not yet exhibited an upward movement in proportion to their increased activity. The condition of Ireland at this time, as compared with that which I described at the beginning of last year, shows signs of improvement, and encourages the hope that perseverance in the course you have pursued will be rewarded with the happy results which are so much to be desired. Justice has been administered with efficacy, and the intimidation which has been employed to deter occupiers of land from fulfilling their obligations and from availing themselves of the Act of last Session shows upon the whole a diminished force. My efforts, through the bounty of Provi dence, have been favoured by the abundance of the harvest in that portion of the United Kingdom. In addition to a vigorous exertion of the provisions of the ordinary law, I have not hesitated, under the painful necessity of the case, to employ largely the exceptional powers entrusted to me for the protection of life and property by two Acts of the last Session. You will be invited to deal with proposals for the establishment, in the English and Welsh counties, of local self-government, which has so long been enjoyed by the towns, together with enlarged powers of administration and with financial changes which will give you an opportunity of considering, both as to town and country, what may be the proper extent and the most equitable and provident form of contribution from imperial taxes in relief of local charges. These proposals, in so far as they are financial, will apply to the whole of Great Britain. It will be necessary to reserve the case of Ireland for a separate consideration. In connection with the general subject of local administration, I have directed a measure to be prepared and submitted to you for the reform of the ancient and distinguished Corporation of London and the extension of municipal government to the metropolis at large. Bills will again be laid before you which during the last Session, notwithstanding the length of its duration and your unwearied labours, it was found impossible to proceed with. I refer particularly to those concerning Bankruptcy, the Repression of Corrupt Practices at Elections, and the Conservancy of Rivers and Prevention of Floods. Measures will also be presented with reference to a Criminal Code and to the consolidation and amendment of the laws affecting Patents. The interests of some portions of the United Kingdom have suffered peculiarly of late years from the extreme pressure of public business on your time and strength; but I trust that during this Session you may be able to consider the Bills which will be presented to you in relation to the law of entail, to educational endowments in Scotland, and to improved means of education in Wales. under I commend these and other subjects with confidence to your care; and it is my earnest prayer that your wisdom and energy, the blessing of God, may prove equal to the varied and increasing needs of this extended Empire. NATIONAL HEADS DURING THE LAST 120 YEA. SOVEREIGNS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. Accession. Died. Age. Re GEORGE III. Grandson of George II. 1760 1820 82 し WILLIAM IV. Louis XV.." The Well-beloved "... Third son of George III. Daughter of Edward, 4th son of George III. FRENCH DYNASTIES 1715 1774 1793 The First Republic, The Consulate. Heir-expct., Hen., Comte de Chambord The House of Orleans. Provisional Government formed b. 24 Aug. 1838 Napoleon III. elected Emperor (dp. 4 Sept., 1870, d. 9 Jan., 1873) 22 Nov., 1852 Committee of Public Defence Marshal MacMahon, elected President PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. July, 1776 1789 and 1793 1797 James Knox Polk ... Gen. Zachary Taylor (died 9 July, 1850) James Buchanan... + Sept., 1870 31 Aug., 1871 24 May, 1873 30 Jan., 1879 ... 29 Sept., 1820 22 Feb., 1848 19 Dec., 1848 The Second Empire. John Quincey Adams General Andrew Jackson Martin von Buren... Gen. William Henry Harrison (died 4 April) John Tyler (elected as Vice-President) 1845 1849 1850 1801 and 1805 1853 1857 Abrm. Lincoln (assassinated 14 April, 1865) 1861 and 1865 Andrew Johnson (elected as Vice-President) 1865 1829 and 1833 General Ulysses S. Grant 1869 and 1873 1837 Rutherford B. Hayes 1877 1881 1881 Prime Minister. Earl of Bute George Grenville Marquis of Rockingham... Lord North Marquis of Rockingham... Duke of Portland William Pitt Hy. Addington... Lord Grenville ... ... Spencer Perceval Earl of Liverpool Viset. Melbourne Sir Robert Peel... Apr. 18, 1835 Sept. 6. 1841 July 6. 1846 Feb. 27. 1852 ... Earl of Derby Feb. 10. 1855 Feb. 25. 1858 Feb. 21, 1874 Apr. 28, 1880 Lord John Russell Earl of Aberdeen ... Earl of Derby Benjamin Disraeli Earl of Beaconsfield... W. E. Gladstone LIST OF ADMINISTRATIONS. *Until 1782 the offices of Home d Foreign Secretaries were described merely as |