THE FIELD 
109 
February 4.] 
moon's CUANOrS. 
First Quarter . 4th. lOh. 37m. night. 
Full Moon ..13th. 2h. 57m. morn. 
Last Quarter . 20th. lOh. 44ra. morn. 
New Moon . .27th. 4h. 39m. morn. 
LENOT1Z OF DATS. DAT BREAKS. 
On the 6th.. 9h. 33m. . .5h. 39m. 
„ 12th.. 9h. 45m... Oh. Om. 
,, 18th.. lOh. 7m... Oh. Om. 
„ 27th.. lOh. 42m... Oh. Om. 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
Her Majesty opened Parliament, in person, on 
Tuesday last. The .Speech from the Throne will be 
found in another part of our columns. Its opening 
paragraphs are those which will be read with most 
interest. Her Majesty regrets that a “ state of warfare” 
has arisen between Russia and Turkey, and adds that 
as the continuance of the war may deeply affect the 
interests of this country, it is deemed necessary to make 
a further augmentation of our military and naval forces. 
The papers on the Oriental question have been already 
laid on the table. They consist of two large volumes, 
and it is worth remark that the title of the accumu- 
lated mass is, “Papers relating to the Latin and Greek 
Churches in Turkey.” As regards the augmentation 
of force, we hear that 11,000 men are at once to be 
added to the army. 
The expected reply has been given, in London and 
in Paris to the representatives of Russia, and the in- 
structions which their Excellencies had received from 
the Emperor left them no further choice. M. M. 
Brunow and Kisseleff withdrew. 
The Address in reply to the Royal Speech was agreed 
to, as we stated would be the case, without an amend- 
ment. But in both the Lords and Commons there 
were prolonged discussions upon certain points. The 
Oriental negotiation and the advisability of introducing 
a Reform Bill while we are on the eve of war were the 
chief subjects. In the Lords, as will be seen by our 
Parliamentary summary, Ministers were assailed by 
Lords Clanricarde and Derby. Lord Aberdeen de- 
fended himself, and advised the House to read the 
Oriental blue-book before discussing the question 
further. In the Commons, on the same subject, Mr. 
Baillie took a course which was distasteful to the 
House, namely, that of regretting that Turkey had not 
been left to her fate. Mr. Disraeli, after some inge- 
nious cavilling, was content to waitforthe papers. But 
on the Reform question the Leader of the Opposition 
was very energetic. He considered the Bill utterly ill- 
timed, but said that if it were introduced, he should 
endeavour to improve it in order to obtain more justice 
for “ the land." 
In both Houses, the Ministerial Leaders, without 
waiting for prompting, addressed themselves to the 
exculpation of Prince Albert from the charges which 
have been so freely talked of during the recess. It is 
not for us to pronounce an opinion as to the sufficiency 
of the explanations. But it is worthy of remark, that 
although the leading Conservative paper, the Herald, 
has been that which has brought the subject most 
prominently and pertinaciously before the public, the 
Earl of Derby indignantly disavowed any Con- 
servative participation in the accusations. In the 
Commons, Lord John Russell’s long and elaborate 
statement was respectfully received, and cheered from 
the Government benches ; and the late Home Secre- 
tary begged to confirm what no one doubted, namely, 
the statement of the implicit and constitutional con- 
fidence reposed by her Majesty in whatever Ministers 
happened to be accepted by the House of Commons. 
On the interesting question of Lord Palmerston's 
resignation, Lord Derby endeavoured to elicit expla- 
nations ; but Lord Aberdeen could only say that a 
misunderstanding had arisen ; that Lord Palmerston 
had supposed the Reform Bill to be finally settled, 
when it really was not ; and that on the state of the 
case being made clear he resumed, “having never 
retired and the noble Earl denied the other noble 
Earl’s right to ask more. Here, also, it is well to 
note, that Lord Aberdeen’s daily organ not only 
announced Lord Palmerston’s resignation, but Lord 
John Russell’s acceptance of his place. There must 
be mysteries in statecraft, of which straightforward, 
simple-minded people, if they knew more, might judge 
less favourably. 
Ministers have hastened to put forward their 
programme of work. The Chancellor of the Ex- 
chequer has already introduced the first measure 
promised, a reform in the system under which the 
inland revenue is received. In two words, the object of 
this very desirable measure is, to simplify the public 
accounts, to promote economy, and to get upon the 
regular estimates a variety of charges now paid 
before the revenue reaches the treasury. The present 
system is the result of many a year of pensions, 
warrant, and other favouritisms, and stands in need 
of reconstruction. Mr. Disraeli gave in his concurrence 
to the proposal. "Last night Mr. Cardwell moved for 
leave to bring in Bills for finally throwing open the 
coasting trade to foreign vessels, and for consolidating 
the navigation laws. On Monday, Lord John Russell 
will ask for a Committee on the oaths of allegiance, 
supremacy, and abjuration; and on Friday will bring 
in a Bill for consolidating election law, and preventing 
bribery and corruption, and also a measure on the 
subject of election petitions. On the same day, 
Mr. Baines will introduce a Bill on that very im- 
portant subject, the law of settlement. And on 
Monday the 13th comes the Reform Bill for England 
and Wales, Scotch and Irish Bills to follow in due 
course. So there is ample matter before the Legislature, 
to say nothing of the heavy and inevitable debates 
upon the Oriental question. 
The excitement in Paris on the Queen’s Speech has 
been about as great as in England. The stockjobbers 
contrived to obtain an early version, “ cooked” for the 
occasion ; and here is a little anecdote connected with 
the subject. It is said that before the Royal sitting 
the English partner of a great banking-house of Euro- 
pean reputation sent a telegraphic despatch' to the 
head of the firm in Paris, saying, “ I have just seen 
what the Queen’s Speech is to say. It contains cer- 
tain expressions of great gravity. Sell l,500,000f. of 
Rente.” Towards three o’clock another telegraphic 
despatch was sent, saying, “ The Speech which has 
just been read differs very materially from what I had 
seen. Buy 3,000,000f.” 
Russia has sent Prince Orloff to Vienna, in order 
to detach Austria, if possible, from the other powers ; 
but it is thought that the endeavour will fail. Among 
the absurd rumours propagated for a purpose, one is, 
that Prince Albert was to be in Brussels on the 31st, 
on a special mission. Having ourselves seen II. R. II. 
on that day, seated beside Her Majesty while she read 
the Speech in the House of Lords, we are inclined to 
discredit the rumour. 
From the seat of war we have no new tidings of im- 
portance. But it would appear that the Russians were 
concentrating themselves upon Kalafat. In the ab- 
sence of other news, it may be interesting to read by 
what means the Emperor is endeavouring to kindle 
the ardour of his demi-savage subjects. The follow- 
ing has just arrived from St. Petersburg. Imagine 
our Queen ordering Mr. Cooke, at Astley’s, to bring 
out a play bearing hard upon Russia, and sending the 
Prince of Wales and his brothers and sisters to sup- 
port it on the first night, assisted by a clacque of Life 
Guardsmen. “ A play is repeated nightly at the the- 
atre, written with a view to excite public opinion 
against the Turks. It is called The Buttle of Sinope. 
The following passages are received with most ap- 
plause : — The Russian naval officer, who is the princi- 
pal part, exclaims, ‘ If they will not give me a vessel 
to command, I will sell all the men of my village to buy 
a frigate and go and attack the Turks. One Russian 
is more than a match for three Turks.’ ‘ Let us show 
our fidelity to our flag ; let us not understand it like 
the people of the West, but like brave Russians that 
we are.’ When he receives the news of the battle of 
Sinope, he exclaims, ‘ Behold how our Emperor chas- 
tises the impious for their perfidy ! Our young fleet 
is the finest in the world, thanks to Lazareff.’ This 
play is interspersed with cheering, which is taken up 
by the pit. It terminates with a tableau of the road- 
stead of Sebastopol at the moment of the arrival of the 
Turkish prisoners, among whom Osman Pasha, car- 
ried in a litter, is a prominent feature. The Grand 
Duke (heir apparent), and the Grand Dukes Constan- 
tine, Nicholas, and Michael, were present at the first 
representation. The Imperial box was tilled with 
naval officers and the children of those on board the 
fleet in the Black Sea. At the third representa- 
tion the Grand Duke Nicholas alone was present. The 
Emperor has issued an order that fifty soldiers are to 
be admitted every night to the Battle of Sinope .” 
HOME NEWS. 
Tiie Court. — Her Majesty and his Royal Highness 
Prince Albert, attended by the Viscountess Canning, Lord 
Rivers, Viscount Torrington, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, 
Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Sir Frederick Stovin, 
Colonel Bouverie, and the Master of the Household, quitted 
Windsor on Monday, and arrived in London by special 
train of the Great Western Railway, in order that her 
Mujesty might inaugurate another session of Parliament, 
which she did, in state, on Tuesday. The Royal party 
arrived at Buckingham Palace at 20 minutes before 2 
o’clock, and were received by Earl Spencer, Lord Ernest 
Bruce, and Lioutenant-Colonel F. Seymour. 
After her Majesty had, on Tuesday, delivered the Royal 
speech from the throne, in the House of Lords, the Court 
left town to return to Windsor Castle, where they arrived 
about a quarter past 5 o’clock in the afternoon. 
Windsor, Thursday. — A dramatic performance took 
place this evening, in tho Castle. The Queen had a dinner 
party, and also an evening party. Her Majesty the Queen 
and his Royal Highness Prince Albert entered the Rubens- 
room, where the temporary 9tage was erected, at 8 o’clock, 
accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, 
the Princess Royal, Princess Alice, Prince Alfred, Princess 
Helena, and Princess Louisa ; also, the Royal dinner circle 
and the evening company, together with the ladies and 
gentlemen in attendance. Tho performance immediately 
commenced. The piece selected was Shakspere’s play of 
“ The Tempest,” and the parts were filled according to the 
following programme : — 
THE TEMPEST. 
Alonzo (King of Naples) Mr. Cooper. 
Sebastian (his brother) Mr. J. F. Cathcart. 
Prospero (tho rightful Duke of Milan) . . . .Mr. Charles Kcun. 
Antonio (his brother, the usurping Duke of) M R H 
Milan) 5 y 
Ferdinand (son to the King of Naples) .... Mr. A. Wigan. 
Gonzalo (an honest old Councillor of Naples)Mr. Graham. 
Adrian ( (Mr. Brazier. 
Francisco J (loras) ^Mr. Raymond. 
Caliban (a savage and deformed slave) . . . .Mr. Webster. 
Trlnculo (a jester) Mr. Harley. 
Stephano (a drunken butler) Mr. Bartley 
Boatswain Mr. G Cooke. 
Miranda (daughter to Prospero) Miss Heath. 
Ariel (an airy spirit) Miss Leclercq. 
Iris ) (Miss K. Terry. 
Ceres> (spirits) -(Miss R. Leclercq. 
Juno) (Miss M. Tornan. 
Harpy Mr. Terry. 
Scene— An uninhabited island. 
Director Mr. Charles Kean. 
Assistant-Director Mr. George Ellis. 
The theatre arranged and the scenery painted by Mr. Thomas Grieve. 
The Queen’s private band attended during tho perform- 
ance in an ante-room. Refreshments were served in the 
Throne-room. 
FASHIONABLE WORLD. 
We are happy to announce that the Marquis of London- 
derry is completely recovered from his lute severe indispo- 
sition. The noble Marquis and Lady Londonderry left 
Wynyard for Seaharu, on Monday, for a week’s sojourn; 
after which they come to town, to enable theMarquis to un- 
dertake his duty as Gold Stick in Waiting on her Majesty.— 
Morning Post. 
Field Marshal the Marquis of Anglesey has arrived at 
Uxbridge-house, from Beaudescrt. The noble marquis is 
somewhat indisposed, from a slight illness which attacked 
him while walking at the West-end, soon after his arrival in 
town. 
Mansion House. — The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress 
have issued cards of invitation for a series of banquets, during 
the month, namely : — Tuesday, the 7th of February ; Thurs- 
day, the 9lh ; Thursday, the 16th; and Tuesday, the 21st. 
Tlte entertainments will he given in the Egyptian-hall, on 
the same scale of magnificence as those which have lately 
taken place. 
Royal Italian Opera. — This magnificent lyrical estab- 
lishment will reopen for the season 1854 on Tuesday, tho 
21st of March. The engagements, Including Grisi und 
Mario, are completed, and the programme will be in tbe 
hands of the subscribers in a few days. 
THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. 
On Tuesday her Majesty proceeded in state to the Houses 
of Parliament, to open another session by delivering the 
Royal speech from the throne in the House of Poers. A 
large concourse of persons thronged the route of the pro- 
cession, from the gates of Buckingham Palace to the Victoria 
Tower, in Abingdon-street, the spot at which her Majesty 
alighted to enter the House. It was worthy of remark that 
the crowd, though considerably larger than is usually tho 
case on such occasions, was more than ordinarily respectable 
and orderly. Doubtless many persons were attracted to the 
scene for the purpose of ascertaining if there would be any 
ebullition of popular feeling concerning the turn which 
political affairs have lately taken. Those, however, who 
expected to witness any striking proofs of disapprobation 
must have been disappointed ; for, save an occasional attempt 
at the expression of dissatisfaction, which occurred at a very 
few intervals along the route, there was no manifestation of 
the description expected. Though the reception of the 
Royal party was not so enfhusisatic as it has been at 
former periods, there appeared to be but one feeling — that of 
goodwill — to actuato the assemblage. It is also worthy of 
remark, that the Turkish Ambassador on his way to the 
House and on his return was very warmly cheered, a 
demonstration of feeling which appeared to afford much 
gratification, and which was duly acknowledged. The 
Royal procession having been marshalled in the quadranglo 
of Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty and His Royal 
Highness Prince Albert were conducted to the stuto 
carriage by the Vice-Chamberlain, Lord Ernest Bruce, and 
shortly before two o’clock tho procession was in motion. 
As soon as the Royal speech had been delivered, Her 
Majesty and the distinguished personages accompanying 
her entered the royal carriages, and the procession haviug 
been again formed' returned to the Palace in the same order 
in which they stavted. Her Majesty and His Royal High- 
ness appeared to be in excellent health, notwithstanding a 
slight palor which overspread their countenances. Tho 
cheers of the spectators were acknowledged by numerous 
bows on the part of the Queeu and Her Royal Consort, who 
arrived at the Palace about three o’clock. There was a 
largo body of police in attendance, whose efforts, coupled 
with those of a detachment of horse soldiers, placed at 
intervals along the line, served to keep the crowd 
from encroaching beyond the limits marked out for 
them ; and an attempt was made to preserve a passage 
along the footpath, a highly necessary thing, as the occasion 
was the last day of term, and it was desirable to obtuin free 
access to Westminster Hall. We have often wondored why 
so simple a fact has never before struck the police authori- 
ties at such times, for with very little skill a passage might 
be kept open through the crowd, which would materially 
lessen the pressure and the unnecessary wielding of staves 
among the lettered legal functionaries. 
• 
Tuesday. 
Lords. — H er Majesty opened Parliament in person. 
The Royal Speech will be found elsewhere. On the re- 
assembling of their Lordships, the Earl of Carnarvon, in an 
excellent maiden speech, moved the address, which was 
seconded by the Earl Ducie. Lord Clauricarde censured 
the foreign policy of Ministers, as did the Earl of Malmes- 
bury and' Earl Grey, the Earl of Aberdeen and Lord Claren- 
don defending it. The Earl of Derby, in reference to the 
subject of University Reform, alluded to in tho speech, 
admitted its desirability, but considered that it should 
originate within the collegiate bodies themselves. In our 
news of the week will be found a reference to the other points 
in this debate, In which Lord Ilardinge, Lord Campbell, 
Lord Harrowby, and Lord Hardwick took part, and which 
terminated in the address being agreed to. 
Commons. — The ministerial programme was read by Mr. 
Hayter. We have given it in the news of tho week. 
In reply to Sir J. Pakington, Lord John Russell said, that 
if Convocation sat more than oue day, Government would 
interfere. [The reverend body in question took the hint.] 
Lord Castlerosse moved and M r. Thomas Hankcy seconded 
the address. Mr. Baillie thought that Turkey ought 
to have been left to her fate, but that if we interfered 
it should have been done more manfully. Mr. Blackett 
protested against tho secrecy in which the negociations 
had been kept. Colonel Sibthorp charged the Ministers 
with iniquitous practices. Sir Robert Peel gave them 
cordial support in an able speech. Mr. Hume concurred 
willi Mr. Blackett, and also urged economy as regarded the 
army and navy. Mr. Liddell promised Ministers support 
against Russia, but thought the Reform Bill should bo 
postponed. Sergeant Shee complained that Ireland was 
not alluded to in the speech. Sir John Young (for Govern- 
ment) explained that Ireland would not bo neglected. After 
observations by several members, Mr. Disraeli, Lord John 
Russell, aud Mr. Walpole spoke to the effect mentioned 
elsewhere, and the address was agreed to. 
