GREAT BRITAIN AM) IRELAND. 



361 



posing other terms, was -willing to submit them to 

 the equitable consideration of the Powers. While 

 proceeding to act in thi* mediation, I thought it 

 right, after inquiry into the facts, to denounce to 

 the Porte the excesses ascertained to have been com- 

 mitted in Bulgaria, and to express my reprobation of 

 their perpetrators. An armistice being arranged, a 

 Conference met at Constantinople for the considera- 

 tion of extended terms in accordance with the ori- 

 ginal bases, in which Conference I was represented 

 by a special envoy, as well as by my embassador. 

 In taking these steps, my object has throughput 

 been to maintain the peace of Europe ? and to bring 

 about the better government of the disturbed prov- 

 inces without infringing upon the independence and 

 integrity of the Ottoman Empire. The proposals 

 recommended by myself and by my allies have not, 

 I regret to say, Been accepted by the Porte ; but the 

 result of the Conference has been to show the exist- 

 ence of a general agreement among the European 

 Powers, which cannot fail to have a material effect 

 upon the condition and government of Turkey. In 



the mean time, the armistice betweenTurkey and the 

 Principalities has been prolonged, and is still unex- 

 pired, and may, I trust, yet lead to the conclusion of 

 an honorable peace. In these affairs I have acted in 

 cordial cooperation with my allies, with whom, as 

 with other foreign Powers, my relations continue to 

 be of a friendly character. Papers on these aubjects 

 will be forthwith laid before you. 



My assumption of the Imperial title at Delhi was 

 welcomed by the chiefs and people of India with 

 professions of affection and loyalty most grateful to 

 my feelings. It is with deep regret that I have to 

 announce a calamity in that part of my dominions 

 which will demand the most earnest watchfulness 

 on the part of my Government there. A famine not 

 less serious than that of 1873 has overspread a large 

 portion of the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay. 

 I am confident that every resource will be employed, 

 not merely in arrest of this present famine, but in 

 obtaining fresh experience for the prevention or miti- 

 gation of such visitations for the future. 



The prosperity and progress of my Colonial Em- 



TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON. 



pire remain unchecked, although the proceedings of 

 the Government of the Transvaal Republic, and the 

 hostilities in which it has engaged with the neigh- 

 boring tribes, have caused some apprehensions for 

 the safety of my subjects in South Africa. I trust, 

 however, that the measures which I have taken, will 

 suffice to prevent any serious evil. 



GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS : I have 

 directed the estimates of this year to be prepared 

 and presented to you without delay. 



Mr LORDS AND GENTLEMEN : Bills relating to the 

 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for 

 amending the Law as to Bankruptcy and Letters 

 Patent for Inventions, will be laid before you. 



Your attention will be again called to measures 

 for promoting economy and efficiency in the manage- 

 ment of the Prisons of the United Kingdom, which 

 will, at the same time, effect a relief of local burdens. 



Bills will also be laid before you for amending 

 the Laws relating to the Valuation of Property in 

 England, for simplifying and amending the Law re- 

 lating to Factories and "Workshops, and for improv- 

 ing the Law regulating the summary jurisdiction of 

 Magistrates. 



Legislation will be proposed with reference to 

 Eoads and Bridges in Scotland, and the Scotch Poor 



You will be asked to constitute one Supreme Court 

 of Judicature in Ireland and to confer an equitable 

 jurisdiction on the County Courts in that country. 



I commend to you these and other measures which 

 maybe submitted for your consideration, and I trust 

 that the blessing of the Almighty will attend your 

 labors and direct your efforts. 



In the House of Lords the address was moved 

 and seconded respectively by Lord Grey de 

 Milton and Lord Haddington, after which Earl 

 Granville criticised the conduct of the Gov- 

 ernment with respect to the Bulgarian atroci- 

 ties, and declared that Turkey should be re- 

 quired to do justice. Lord Derby maintained 

 that the Conference had not been a failure, as 

 the prospects of peace were certainly not dimin- 

 ished. The Duke of Argyll made a sharp attack 

 upon the Government, to which Lord Beacons- 



