on my subjects in some parts of India. Instructions were issued to my Government in that country to make the utmost exertions to mitigate the distress which prevailed during the autumn of last year. The blessing of an abundant harvest has since that time materially improved the condition of the suffering districts.

"The persevering efforts and unscrupulous assertions of treasonable conspirators abroad have, during the last autumn, excited the hopes of some disaffected persons in Ireland, and the apprehensions of the loyal population; but the firm, yet temperate exercise of the powers intrusted to the Executive, and the hostility manifested against the conspiracy by men of all classes and creeds, have greatly tended to restore public confidence, and have rendered hopeless any attempt to disturb the general tranquillity. I trust that you may be consequently enabled to dispense with the continuance of any exceptional legislation for that part of my dominions.

"I acknowledge, with deep thankfulness to Almighty God, the great decrease which has taken place in the cholera, and in the pestilence which has attacked our cattle; but the continued prevalence of the latter in some foreign countries, and its occasional reappearance in this, will still render necessary some special measures of precaution; and I trust that the visitation of the former will lead to increased attention to those sanitary measures which experience has shown to be the best preventive.

"Estimating as of the highest importance an adequate supply of pure and wholesome water, I have directed the issue of a Commission to inquire into the best means of permanently securing such a supply for the metropolis, and for the principal towns in densely-peopled districts of the kingdom.

"GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS,

"I have directed the Estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. They have been prepared with a due regard to economy, and to the requirements of the public service.

"You will, I am assured, give your ready assent to a moderate expenditure calculated to improve the condition of my soldiers, and to lay the foundation of an efficient army of reserve.

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, "Your attention will again be called to the state of the representation of the people. in Parliament, and I trust that

your deliberations, conducted in a spirit of moderation and mutual forbearance, may lead to the adoption of measures which, without unduly disturbing the balance of political power, shall freely extend the elective franchise.

"The frequent occurrence of disagreements between employers of labour and their workmen, causing much private suffering and public loss, and occasionally leading, as is alleged, to acts of outrage and violence, bas induced me to issue a commission to inquire into and report upon the organization of Trades' Unions and other associations, whether of workmen or employers, with power to 'suggest any improvement of the law for their mutual benefit.' Application will be made to you for Parliamentary powers, which will be necessary to make this inquiry effective.

"I have directed bills to be laid before you for the extension of the beneficial provisions of the Factory Acts to other trades specially reported on by the royal commission on the employment of children, and for the better regulation, according to the principle of those Acts, of workshops where women and children are largely employed.

"The condition of the mercantile marine has attracted my serious attention. Complaints are made that the supply of seamen is deficient, and the provisions for their health and discipline on board ship are imperfect. Measures will be submitted to you with a view to increase the efficiency of this important service.

"I have observed with satisfaction the relaxations recently introduced into the navigation laws of France. I have expressed to the Emperor of the French my readiness to submit to Parliament a proposal for the extinction, on equitable terms, of the exemptions from local charges on shipping, which are still enjoyed by a limited number of individuals in British ports; and His Imperial Majesty has, in anticipation of this step, already admitted British ships to the advantage of the new law. A bill upon this subject will forthwith be laid before you.

"A bill will also be submitted to you for making better provision for the arrangement of the affairs of railway companies which are unable to meet their

engagements.

Measures will be submitted to you for improving the management of sick and other poor in the metropolis, and for a re-distribution of some of the charges for relief therein.

"Your attention will also be called to the amendment of the law of bankruptcy;

CIVIL, NAVAL, AND MILITARY. Feb. 1. Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and Wm. Bowyer Smijth, esqs., to be Second Secretaries in H.M.'s Diplomatic Service.

Alexander Campbell Lowe, esq., to be a Non-Elective Member of the Legislative Council of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

G. W. Southern, esq., to be an Inspector of Coal Mines and Iron Stone Mines.

64th Regt.-Major-Gen. Henry Keane Bloomfield to be Colonel, vice Gen. Sir J. Freeth, K.C.B., dec.

Feb. 5. Sir James Emerson Tennent, knt., to be a Baronet of the United Kingdom.

The Rev. Charles Richard Alford, M.A., to be Bishop of Victoria, Hongkong.

The settlements of Prince of Wales Island, Malacca, and Singapore, to be erected into one Government, and called the "Straits Settlements."

Col. Harry St. George Ord, R.E., C.B., to be Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements.

Capt. A. E. A. Ellis, Grenadier Guards, to be an Equerry to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales; the Hon. A. Temple Fitz Maurice to be a Groom of the Bedchamber to his Royal Highness, vice the Hon. R. H. Meade (now an extra Groom of the Bedchamber to his Royal Highness); the Rev. William Lake Onslow, M.A., Rector of Sandringham, to be a Chaplain to his Royal Highness.

Feb. 8. Richard Malins, esq., Q.C., Knighted.

Col. H. Marion Durand, C.B., and William Muir, esq., B.C.S., to be Knights Commanders of the Star of India.

Francis Trevelyan Buckland, esq., to be

an Inspector of Fisheries, vice Frederick Eden, esq., resigned.

Feb. 12. Frederic Hamilton, esq., to be Chargé d'Affaires and Consul-General to to Republic of the Equator.

Feb. 15. The Duke of Rutland and the Duke of Richmond to be Knights of the Garter.

David P. Chalmers, esq., to be a Magistrate for H. M.'s Settlement on the River Gambia, W. Africa.

Feb. 22. The Right Hon. Duncan McNeill, to be Baron Colonsay, and the Rt. Hon. Sir Hugh McCalmont Cairns, Knt., to be Baron Cairns, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

Robert William Keate, esq., to be Lieut.-Governor of Natal.

William Henry Gosling, esq., to be a member of the Council of the Bermudas or Somers Islands.

MEMBERS RETURNED TO PARLIAMENT.

February.

Armagh.-J. Vance, esq., vice S. B. Miller, esq. (now a Judge of the Court of Bankruptcy, Ireland).

Andover. Sir J. B. Karslake, knt., Solicitor-General, vice W. H. Humphery, esq., Ch. Hds.

Dublin University.-H. E. Chatterton, esq., Solicitor-General for Ireland, vice the Right Hon. J. E. Walsh (now Master of the Rolls in Ireland).

Northamptonshire, N.-S. G. Stopford, esq., vice Lord Burghley (now Marquis of Exeter).

Colchester.-E. K. Karslake, esq., vice T. J. Miller, esq., Ch. Hds.

Suffolk.-F. S. Corrance, esq., rice Sir E. C. Kerrison, Bt., Ch. Hds.

Bedfordshire.-William Cooper Cooper, of Toddington, Esq. Berkshire.-Thomas Hargreaves, of Arborfield-hall, Esq.

Bucks.-Richard Hy. Richard HowardVyse, of Stoke-place, Esq.

Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.— Stanlake Ricketts Batson, of Horseheath, Esq.

Cheshire.-Thomas Henry Lyon, of Appleton-hall, near Warrington, Esq. Cornwall.-Thomas Simon Bolitho, of Penalvarne, Esq.

Cumberland.-William Edward James, of Barrock-park, Esq.

Derbyshire.-Edward Sacheverell Chandos-Pole, of Radborne, Esq.

Devonshire.-John Quicke, of Newtonhouse, Esq.

Dorsetshire.-John Hales Calcraft, of Rempstone-hall, Esq.

Durham.-William Scurfield Grey, of Norton, Esq.

Essex.-Richard Baker Wingfield-Baker, of Orsett-hall, Esq.

Gloucestershire.-Edward Sampson, of Hembury, near Bristol, Esq.

Herefordshire. Thomas Reavely, of Kinnersley-castle, near Kington, Esq. Hertfordshire.-Charles Booth, of Stanstead Abbotts, Esq.

Kent.-William Moore, of Wierton, Esq. Lancashire. Thomas Dicconson, of Wrightington Hall, Esq.

Leicestershire.-Edward Finch Dawson, of Launde Abbey, Esq.

Lincolnshire.--Sir Hy. Hickman Bacon, of Thonock, Bart.

Monmouthshire.-George Relph Greenhow-Relph, of Beech-hill, Esq. Norfolk.-Albemarle Cator, of Woodbastwick, Esq.

Northamptonshire.-William Somerset Rose, of Cransley, Esq.

Northumberland.-George Culley, of Fowberry Tower, Esq. Nottinghamshire.-Sir John Sutton, of Norwood-park, Bart.

Oxfordshire.-Alexander William Hall, of Dunstew, Esq.

Rutland.-Edward Nathaniel Conant, of Lyndon, Esq.

Shropshire. Sir Charles Frederick Smythe, of Acton Burnell, Bart. Somersetshire.-Richard Thomas Combe, of Earns-hill, Esq.

County of Southampton.-William Hans Sloane Stanley, of Paultons, near Romsey, Esq.

Staffordshire.-Henry Charles Vernon, of Hilton-park, Esq.

Suffolk.-Robert John Pettiward, of Great Finborough-hall, Esq.

Surrey.-William Gilpin, of Pale welllodge, East Sheen, Esq.

Sussex.-Colonel Francis Vernon-Harcourt, of Buxted.

Warwickshire.-Evelyn Philip Shirley, of Eatington-park, Esq.

Westmoreland.-Hugh Rigg, of Crossrigg hall, Moreland, Esq.

Wiltshire.-Henry Calley, of Burderoppark, Esq.

Worcestershire.-Richard William Johnson, of Bricklehampton-hall, Esq. Yorkshire.-William Henry HarrisonBroadley, of Welton, Esq.

Feb. 20. At Marlborough House, H.R.H. the Princess of Wales, of a princess.

Dec. 8, 1866. At Peshawur, the wife of Major C. M. Young, R.A., a son.

Dec. 18. At Malacca, the wife of Major James Burn, Resident Councillor of Malacca, a son.

Dec. 19. At Augur, Central India, the wife of Major J. Forbes Robertson, Bombay Staff Corps, a dau.

Dec. 27. At Almorah, India, the wife of Capt. G. W. Cockburn, 42nd Royal Highlanders, a son.

Dec. 29. At Kurrachee, Scinde, the wife of Major Bonus, R.E., a son.

Jan. 1., 1867. At Lucknow, the wife of Lieut. Fendall Currie, Under Secretary to the Government of Oudh, a son.

Jan. 8. At Madras, the wife of BrevetMajor N. D. Prendergast, V.C., R.E., a dau.

Jan. 11. At Milford, Surrey, the wife of Col. Elrington, a dau.

Jan. 13. At Little Ouseburn, York, the wife of Rev. E. H. Wathen Dickson, a dau.

At Benares, the wife of Capt. Shipley, 58th Regt., a son.

At Dugshai, Punjab, the wife of Capt. Thackwell, 38th Regt., a dau.

Jan. 14. At Stonebridge House, Gran

tham, the wife of Capt. Parker, of The Abbey Park, Swineshead, a son.

Jan. 15. At Kenilworth, the wife of Rev. H. D. Hill, M.A., a dau.

At Pyrford, Surrey, the wife of Rev. T. M. Ridsdale, a dau.

Jan. 17. At Scotscraig, Mrs. MaitlandDougall, a son.

Jan. 18. At Redhill, the wife of Rev. A. B. Alexander, a dau.

At Kirkby Overblow, Yorkshire, the wife of Rev. J. H. Copleston, a dau.

At 28, Oxford-terrace, Hyde-park, the wife of C. G. Herring, esq., a son.

At Great Smeaton, the wife of Rev. S. T. Mosse, a dau.

At Willesborough, Kent, the wife of Rev. S. F. Russell, a dau.

Jan. 19. At Upminster, the wife of Rev. J. W. Bennett, a son.

At Batheaston, near Bath, the wife of Lieut.-Col. England, a son.

At 28, Queen's - gate - terrace, Mrs. Forbes, of Newe, a son.

At Whaddon, Cambs., the wife of Rev. J. Ormsby Powell, a dau.

At The Savoy, Strand, the wife of Rev. C. Schoell, a dau.

At Wootton, Lincolnshire, the wife of Rev. W. J. Wylie, a son.

Jan. 20. At Blanerne, N.B., the wife of Rev. F. G. Sandys-Lumsdaine, a son.

At Tring, Herts, the wife of Rev. H. G. Watson, a son.

Jan. 21. At 99, Belgrave-road, the Hon. Mrs. L. Agra-Ellis, a dau.

At Mentone, France, the wife of Rev. R. H. Wingfield Digby, a son.

At Ness Strange, Salop, the wife of Col. Edwards, a dau.

At Corse, Aberdeenshire, the wife of J. O. Forbes, esq., a son.

At Chalvington, Sussex, the wife of Rev. Trayton Fuller, a son.

At Chetwynd, the wife of Rev. F. C. Young, a son.

Jan. 22. At the Priory, St. Bees, Cumberland, the wife of Rev. E. H. Knowles, of Kenilworth, a dau.

At Toddington Park, Beds, the wife of Capt. F. Morgan, a dau.

At West Lodge, Clapham-common, the wife of C. Sumner, esq., Judge of County Courts, Gloucestershire, a dau.

The wife of Rev. Richard White, rector of Litlington, Sussex, a dau.

Jan. 23. At Petersfield, Hants, the wife of Col. John Butler, a dau.

At 5, Courtenay-place, Teignmouth, the wife of Charles Saunders Wheeley, esq., a dan.

At Eastbourne, Sussex, the wife of Rev. II. R. Whelpton, M. A., a dau.

Jan. 24. Lady Swinburne, a son.

At Fontmell, Dorset, the wife of Rev. T. Davidson, a son.

At Pembroke, the wife of Commander Frederick Harvey, R. N., a dau.

At Walton-on-the-Naze, the wife of Major F. W. Kirby, a dau.

At Linton House, Aberdeenshire, the wife of R. Macneil, esq., a son.

At Mere, Wilts, the wife of Rev. C. H. Townsend, a son.

Jan. 25. At Bradford, near Taunton, the wife of Rev. H. J. Adair, a dau.

At King's Castle, Ardglass, co. Down, the wife of G. R. Beauclerc, esq., a dau. At 25, Ashley-place, the wife of J. Bonham Carter, esq., M.P., a dau.

At Glasgow, the wife of J. A. Campbell, esq., younger, of Stracathro, a dau.

Jan. 26. At Kinburn House, St. Andrew's, the wife of Major R. T. Boothby, a dau.

At Cliftonville, Brighton, the wife of Rev. F. Carroll, vicar of Tallington, a son. At Southsea, the wife of Dr. F. W. Innes, C.B., Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, a dau.

At Thatcham, Berks, the wife of Rev. H. Martin, a dau.

At the College, Epsom, the wife of Rev. R. Thornton, D.D., Head Master, a son.

Jan. 27. The wife of Rev. Thomas Andrew, of Thriplow, Cambridgeshire, a

son.

At Worth, Sussex, the wife of Rev. G. Wilson Banks, a dau.

At Twyford, Berks, the wife of Rev. L. B. Beatson, a dau.

At 26, Wilton-place, the wife of Major Francis Brown, a son.

At Coddington, Notts, the wife of Rev. J. M. Dolphin, a dau.

At 36, Upper Grosvenor-street, the wife of A. Grant Thorold, esq., of Weelsby, a. dau.

At Ebley, Gloucestershire, the wife of Rev. A. Shaw Page, a dau.

At 15, Somerset-street, Portman-square, the wife of Rev. H. G. Rolt, a dau.

Jan. 28. At Great Malvern, Worcestershire, Lady Lambert, a son.

At Iwerne Minster, the wife of Rev. John Acton, a son.

At 13, Hertford-street, the Hon. Mrs. Thomas Bruce, a dau.

At Credenhill, near Hereford, the wife of Rev. C. H. Bulmer, a son.

At Restoration House, Rochester, the wife of Rev. G. Chambers, a dau.

At Corsham, Wilts, the wife of G. P. Fuller, esq., a dau.

At Chelmsford, the wife of Rev. T. Hooke, a dau.

Jan. 29. At Tenby, the wife of Capt. E. M. Beadon, 85th Regt., a son.