gence and activity. I have the satisfaction of seeing the circle of my family enlarged by the marriage of my son, the Prince de Joinville, with the Princess Francisca, the sister of the Emperor of Brazils, and of the Queen of Portugal. This union, by insuring the happiness of my son, adds one consolation more to those which God has reserved to me.

"Our domination in Algeria will soon be universal and tranquil. Under the command of experienced leaders, among whom I am proud to reckon one of my sons, our brave soldiers unite with admirable constancy the fatigues of war and the labours of peace.

"The necessary measures for the execution of the general system of railroads, and for various enterprises of national utility, will be submitted to your deliberations. A Bill relative to secondary instruction will satisfy the wish of the Charter for the freedom of instruction, by maintaining the authority and action of the State over public education.

"I behold, Gentlemen, with

deep gratitude to Providence, the state of honourable peace and of increasing prosperity which our country enjoys. Always guided by our devotedness and our fidelity to France, I and mine have never had any other ambition than that of serving her well. It is the assurance of accomplishing that duty which has given me strength through the trials of my life, and which will, to its end, be my consolation and my firmest support."

The speech was read distinctly and deliberately. The allusion to Spain was slightly applauded; the allusion to England more loudly. When speaking of the marriage of the Prince de Joinville, the King turned round towards his son, and inclined slightly. At the conclusion, loud cheers and cries of "Vive le Roi!" arose from all parts of the Chamber.

The oaths were administered to the Prince de Joinville, as a Peer of France; to M. Teste and M. Passy, as Peers; and to some Deputies. The session was then declared to be opened.

her at Brest in the month of July.

An interesting event took place in September, when Her Majesty Queen Victoria, accompanied by Prince Albert, paid Louis Philippe a visit in his own dominions. They arrived in their steam yacht at Tréport, close to Eu, where the Royal family of France were sojourning, early in September, and after receiving a most cordial reception from their illustrious host and the French people generally, they proceeded on their voyage to Ostend.* We trust that this friendly visit may have the effect of strengthening the amicable relations between Great Britain and France.

The next Session of the French Chambers commenced on the 27th of December, when King Louis Philippe opened them in person, in the Chamber of Deputies. The way from the Tuileries was guarded in double line by 20,000 troops, twenty companies of Municipal Guard, and 1,500 police officers. The Duchess of Orleans and the Count of Paris, who were before absent on account of their recent bereavement, were now with the royal group among the spectators. The Duke of Nemours sat in a chair of state on the King's right, with the Duke of Montpensier; the Prince de Joinville on the left. The King, attired as a Colonel of the National Guards, ascended the throne with a firm step, amid loud cries of "Vive le Roi!" and read the following speech :

"Gentlemen of the Chamber of Peers and Deputies The good harmony between the powers of

• For a detailed account of this re

the State, and the loyal support you have afforded to my Government, have yielded their fruit. Amidst the order maintained without effort and under the sway of the laws, France displays with confidence her fertile activity. The situation of all classes of citizens is improving and advancing. The effects of this prosperity will enable us to restore between the expenses and the revenue of the State, in the law of finance, which will be shortly presented to you, a justly desired equilibrium.

"We can enjoy with security these blessings of peace, for it never was better secured. Our relations with all Powers are pacific and friendly.

"Serious events have occurred in Spain and in Greece. Queen Isabella II., summoned so young to the cares of State, is at this moment the object of all my solicitude and of my most affectionate interest. I hope that the issue of these events will be most favourable to two nations friendly to France; and that in Greece, as well as in Spain, monarchy will strengthen itself by the mutual respect for the rights of the throne and the public liberties. sincere friendship which unites me to the Queen of Great Britain, and the cordial understanding existing between my Government and hers, confirm me in that confidence.

The

"I have concluded with the King of Sardinia and the Republics of the Equator and Venezuela treaties of commerce; and I am pursuing with other States in several parts of the world negotiations which, whilst maintaining our national industry in the

gence and activity. I have the satisfaction of seeing the circle of my family enlarged by the marriage of my son, the Prince de Joinville, with the Princess Francisca, the sister of the Emperor of Brazils, and of the Queen of Portugal. This union, by insuring the happiness of my son, adds one consolation more to those which God has reserved to me.

"Our domination in Algeria will soon be universal and tranquil. Under the command of experienced leaders, among whom I am proud to reckon one of my sons, our brave soldiers unite with admirable constancy the fatigues of war and the labours of peace.

"The necessary measures for the execution of the general system of railroads, and for various enterprises of national utility, will be submitted to your deliberations. A Bill relative to secondary instruction will satisfy the wish of the Charter for the freedom of instruction, by maintaining the authority and action of the State over public education.

"I behold, Gentlemen, with

deep gratitude to Providence, the state of honourable peace and of increasing prosperity which our country enjoys. Always guided by our devotedness and our fidelity to France, I and mine have never had any other ambition than that of serving her well. It is the assurance of accomplishing that duty which has given me strength through the trials of my life, and which will, to its end, be my consolation and my firmest support."

The speech was read distinctly and deliberately. The allusion to Spain was slightly applauded; the allusion to England more loudly. When speaking of the marriage of the Prince de Joinville, the King turned round towards his son, and inclined slightly. At the conclusion, loud cheers and cries of "Vive le Roi!" arose from all parts of the Chamber.

The oaths were administered to the Prince de Joinville, as a Peer of France; to M. Teste and M. Passy, as Peers; and to some Deputies. The session was then declared to be opened.

name, and with the advice of the Ministers, and in virtue of the prerogative granted to me by the 26th article of the Constitution, I have decreed the following

"Art. 1. The Chamber of Deputies is dissolved.

"Art. 2. Agreeably to the 19th article of the Constitution, onethird of the members of the Senate shall be renewed.

"Art. 3. The new ordinary Cortes are convoked at Madrid, for the 3rd of April of the present

year.

"DUKE OF VICTORY. "Madrid, 3d January, 1843. "To the Marquess de Rodil, President

of the Council of Ministers."

At Barcelona-the focus of discontent and rebellion-the greatest opposition was made to the collection of the contribution which had been levied in the city, in consequence of the outbreak that took place there at the end of last year. The particulars of this will be found detailed in our preceding volume, On the 26th of January in the present year, the CaptainGeneral, Seoane, apprehending a popular explosion, issued a bando, denouncing death against every individual, who by speeches, writings, or even songs, should excite the people to revolt. Notwithstanding the menacing attitude of the military authorities, the agitation continued to increase. The soldiers quartered on the 200 wealthiest inhabitants were hooted wherever they appeared; and the people in several instances removed the numbers from the fronts of the houses in order to annoy the military. M. Borel, a rich proprietor, refused to admit them into his house; and they were afraid to break in the door. On the 27th,

been summoned by the Governor to accompany the soldiers to the houses, having declined to perform that duty, were arrested and confined in the citadel. But, after detaining them for two hours, General Seoane, dreading the consequences of that act of violence, ordered them to be set at liberty. The provisional deputation of the inhabitants, on the other hand, positively refused to assess the ordinary taxes; grounding their objection on their not having been voted by the Cortes. M. Kock, a rich and influential citizen, who had soldiers billeted on him for eight days, was arrested on the 27th, and conveyed to Montjuich for refusing to pay his quota of the contribution.

In conformity with the decree of the 3rd of January, the Regent opened the Spanish Cortes in the presence of Queen Isabella II., on the 3rd of April. In his speech the Regent stated, that no change of importance had occurred in the relations with foreign Governments. He promised laws to reform the legislature and the administration of justice; and several economical measures of civil and military improvement. The army was complimented for its discipline, loyalty, and valour during the late insurrection; and the National Guard for its cordial cooperation in checking revolution. The concluding paragraph exhorted the Cortes to prepare, by good legislation, for the near approach of that time when Isabella the Second would assume the reins of Government.

With the view of endeavouring to revive the credit of Spain, Senor Calatrava issued decree, the object of which was to provide for