taken place. In all such cases, where the facts were relied on, it was essential to state the circumstances that had attended such facts, the peculiarities that had accompanied the alleged privilege, whether it was right of way or otherwise. As to the right of way, for instance; if permission were given to use certain paths or roads, the fact of such permission having preceded the use, at once destroyed the claim of right. If the licence and permission were proved, there was an end of the right. By that proof, all the inferences drawn from the use were at an end-they were at once destroyed. The coronation was for the purpose of the monarch's recognition by the people, and on the part of the king to enter into the solemn compact to preserve the laws. The coronation of a queen was a mere ceremony, but that of the king was something more than ceremony. His coronation was accompanied by important political acts-the recognition by the people, and on the other hand, the solemn compact entered into by the sovereign to preserve and maintain the laws of the realm. Still, however, as far as the king was concerned, it was a ceremony; it was not necessary to the sovereign's possession of the crown-it was what proceeded from his will, and might be dispensed with. But the queen consort, who filled no political character in the state, had only en joyed the privilege because she was the king's consort. With respect to a queen consort, when she was crowned, there was no recognition of her by the people, no compact towards the people. There was no engagement between her and the subjects of the realm. This fact established, that, with respect to a queen consort, a coronation was an honorary cerremony, unaccompanied by any act.s. That the coronation neither was, nor had been, considered to be essential to the possession of the crown, was proved, by the fact of considerable delays having often taken place between the ascension of the monarch and his coronation. Henry the sixth, for instance, was not crowned till eight years after the crown had descended to him. Again, in the "Pleas of the Crown," it was held, that the king was fully invested with the crown, the moment it descended to him; that he was absolutely king, although there should have been no coronation. If the coronation of a king, important as he held it to be, proceeded from the sovereign will, a fortiori it must be so with that of a queen consort. The rights of the queen consort did not proceed from any coronation; they flowed from her relationship to the sovereign. Her rights were complete and absolute without any coronation. Nor was it essential to the people, for the queen consort occupied no political station. This view of the right was strengthened by the important preamble of William and Mary, which settled the coronation oath. The language of the act applied to queens regnant, not to queens consort, for to the latter no oath was administered. As the oath was prescribed, it became necessary that every reigning monarch should be crowned, that there might be the oath and recognition; but the law made no mention of any thing that rendered such a ceremony ceremony requisite in the instance all, from the time of Henry the seventh, six queens had been crowned, and seven had not; so that the majority was against the present claim, which it had been attempted to support on the plea of ancient, uninterrupted usage. The Attorney General concluded at a quarter before one o'clock, and the solicitor-general, after a short pause, rose to follow his learned friend, and of course was compelled to go over the same ground, strengthening and confirming the preceding statements by such arguments as occurred to his observance, and contending that the usage pleaded by her majesty's law officers arose entirely from the sovereign's will and pleasure. About two o'clock Mr. Brougham rose in reply, but we can touch but very briefly on his arguments. It had been intimated that the queen's right to be crowned rested on the proclamation of the king, but it might as well be pleaded that the right of the eldest sons of peers to seats in the house of lords rested on the king's writ, because usually preceded by it. It had been argued from the word postulamus, that the queen's coronation depended on the king's will; but it might as well be argued, from another term employed (dignemini,) that it was optional in the archbishop. If this right was unnecessary for the queen, how was it necessary to the king? He contended not for the necessity but the right. The learned gentleman then went over the various cases and authorities. of the learned counsel for the crown, and concluded by stating his opinion, that even if the right In were not established, the expedi Q 2 ency ency was such, that the council would be all but criminal, in advising that her majesty should be excluded from her part in this important ceremony; for it would be setting an example of the most injurious nature. Mr. Brougham concluded his reply at half-past three o'clock. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw; the counsel and agents on both sides, however, remaining. The tower record keepers were called in, to verify certain documents produced by Mr. Brougham. After which, at a quarter to four o'clock, the privy council adjourned. The decision was ultimately against the queen's claim. House of Lords, July 4th.Several petitions were presented against cruelty to animals. The Earl of Lauderdale, on the presenting of one of those petitions, observed, that they were all against cruelty to animals in general, whereas the bill before the house had for its object only to prevent cruelty to one particular animal. The noble lord intimated that he meant to oppose the measure, as he did not consider the subject a fit one for legislation, The laws which at present existed were sufficient to prevent cruelty. He would, however, wait until he saw whether any noble lord in that house should propose to pro ceed further with the bill. The Appropriation Bill, the Lotteries Bill, and several other bills, were brought from the com mons. On the second reading of the Husbandry Horses Bill.-. The Earl of Lauderdale said, that he should make no observation on this bill until the third reading, when the papers relative to the revenue would probably be before the house. 5.--Upon the motion of the earl of Shaftesbury, the Ireland Silk Bounties' Bill, the Custom (Ireland) Collectors' Bill, the Hops' Drawback Exportation Bill, the Isle of Man Trade Regulation Bill, and the captured Slaves' Vessels' Bill, were successively read a third time, passed, and messages were ordered to that effect to the commons. The assessed Taxes' Composition Bill, the Metropolis Police Bill, and the Audit Accounts' Bill, passed through committees, and were reported without an amendment to the house. 6. The Earl of Shaftesbury presented a petition from Chigwell against cruelty to animals. The Appropriation Bill, the Duke of Clarence's Annuity Bill, the Public Works Bill, and other Bills passed through committees. The other Bills on the table were forwarded in their respective stages. 11.-Soon after three o'clock the lord chancellor, the archbishop of Canterbury, the duke of Wellington, the earl of Harrow. by, and the earl of Westmorland, took their seats in front of the throne as commissioners; and the commons being summoned, the speaker, accompanied by a consi derable number of members, at tended at the bar. The commission for passing certain Bills, therein named, was then read, when the royal assent was given to the duke of Clarence's annuity Bill, the Appropriation Bill, and the Lottery Bill. The Lord Chancellor then delivered the following speech : "My 駕 My lords and gentlemen, "We have it in command from his majesty to inform you, that the state of public business having enabled him to dispense with your attendance in parliament, he has determined to put an end to this session. "His majesty, however, cannot close it without expressing his satisfaction at the zeal and assiduity with which you have prosecuted the laborious and important enquiries in which you have been engaged. "He has observed, with particular pleasure, the facility with which the restoration of a metallic currency has been effected by the authority given to the bank of England, to commence its payments in cash at an earlier period than had been determined by the last parliament. "His majesty has commanded us to acquaint you, that he continues to receive from foreign powers the strongest assurances of a friendly disposition towards this country. "Gentlemen of the house of commons, "We are commanded by his majesty to return you his thanks for the provision which you have made for the public service. "Although the public expenditure has already undergone considerable reduction within the present year, his majesty trusts he shall be enabled, by the continuance of peace and of internal tranquillity, to make such further reductions as may satisfy the just expectations expressed by parlia ment. "His majesty has commanded us to assure you of the gratification which he has derived from the provision which you have made for his royal highness the duke of Clarence. "My lords and gentlemen, "It is with the greatest satisfaction that his majesty has observed the quiet and good order which continue to prevail in those parts of the country which were not long since in a state of agitation. "His majesty deeply laments the distress to which the agricultural interests in many parts of the kingdom are still subject. "It will be his majesty's most anxious desire, by a strict attention to public economy, to do all that depends upon him for the relief of the country from its present difficulties; but you cannot fail to be sensible that the success of all efforts for this purpose will mainly depend on the continuance of domestic tranquillity; and his majesty confidently relies on your utmost exertions, in your several counties, in enforcing obedience to the laws, and in promoting harmony and concord amongst all descriptions of his majesty's subjects." Then a commission for proroguing the parliament was read. After which the lord chancellor said, "My lords and gentlemen, "By virtue of his majesty's commission under the great seal, to us and other lords directed, and now read, we do in his majesty's name, and in obedience to his commands, prorogue this parliament to Thursday, the 20th day of September next, to be then here holden; and this parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday, the 20th day of September next House of Commons. As soon as the speaker had taken thẻ chair, Mr. Mr. Hume thought that it should be a paramount duty with ministers not to leave the country in the state of irritation and agitation in which it was left at the pro rogation last session. We were now within eight days of the coronation, and as yet it was not known in what situation her majesty was to be placed with regard to the approaching ceremony. Surely ministers would not take upon themselves the hazard of leaving the country in this state of uncertainty; and still did he hope that they would not renew the agitation of the public mind by the exclusion of her majesty; for he thought that nothing could at the present moment so effectually quiet the public mind as the participation by the queen in the august ceremony which was about to take place. It was not without deep regret, though certainly without surprise, that he had heard of the decision of the privy council respecting her majesty's claim to be crowned. Justice now demanded that her majesty should be crowned. So anxious was he for the preservation of the public peace, that for his own part he would willingly waive all question of her majesty's right to be crowned, and receive it as a matter of the grace and favour of the king. If his majesty should be advised to grant this, he was satisfied that it would be received with joy and gratitude throughout the country. If a contrary system were adopted, he for one would protest against such an act of severity towards her majesty; for undoubtedly the country would consider it as such, and as a following up of her former persecu tions. The honourable member concluded by moving, "That an humble address be presented to his majesty, praying that he will be graciously pleased to issue his royal proclamation for the coronation of her majesty; thereby consulting the true dignity of the crown, the tranquillity of the metropolis, and the general expectations of the people." The honourable member had but just commenced the reading of this resolution, when the deputy usher of the black rod was heard knocking at the door, and as he was concluding it, he was called to order by the speaker, who reminded him of the presence of that officer. Mr. Hume immediately took his seat, and the deputy usher informed the house, that his majesty's commissioners for giving the royal assent to several bills, and also for the prorogation of this parliament, attended in the house of peers, whither the attendance of the speaker was required. The speaker, accompanied by most of the members present, immediately repaired to the house of peers. On his return, the right honourable gentleman stood at the table, and having stated that he had heard the speech of his majesty delivered by the commissioners, he read a copy of it; after which the members separated. On the 20th of September, the house of lords met at two o'clock. A royal commission was issued under the great seal, dated the 17th. for the further prorogation of parliament. The earl of Westmoreland and the earls of Harrowby and Shaftesbury took their seats |