OPENING oF “ PARLIAMENT.” bya 
them to convoke a General Assembly. The number who voted 
in 1861, was 4,351. 
The common law is the foundation of the jurisprudence of the 
colony, but the amendments introduced from time to time in 
England have been generally adopted without delay. In 1848, 
the Attorney General was made public prosecutor, and it was 
provided that in all civil cases, and in all but capital criminal 
cases, the verdict of two-thirds of the petty jury might be taken, 
and that in capital cases two-thirds might acquit but not convict. 
We confess that we had a curiosity to witness the ceremonies 
attending the opening of a “‘parliament” possessing certain 
limited legislative powers over such a large number of islands, 
inhabited and otherwise. 
To secure favorable seats, we went early to the Council Cham- 
ber. One o’clock, Pp. M., was the hour appointed for the services 
to commence. Our little piece of pasteboard was duly respected 
and honored by the colored officials who guarded the approaches 
to the Council Hall. 
This hall is unpretentious, and can seat comfortably about 150 
persons. It has windows on three sides. At one end of it was 
a platform slightly raised above the main uncarpeted floor, with 
its own backing all draped with red bunting, and surmounted by 
the red cross of St. George. Upon this platform stood the chair 
of the presiding officer. 
The sound of martial music in the street as the hour of one 
approached, was quickly followed by the entrance into the hall 
of the members of the upper house. They were mostly not far 
from seventy years of age, intelligent looking, and had every 
appearance of being the right men in the right place. To see 
them was to have confidence in them. No Connecticut Senate 
ever impressed us more favorably. They occupied arm chairs 
with high backs, upholstered with leather, near to and in front 
of the president’s chair. 
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