acts, the superiority of his Majesty's nature to the tinsel advantages of mere birth. While other members of the royal family lived in culpable profusion, his Majesty, content with a restricted income, and the serene pleasures of domestic happiness, was rarely heard of in public. He had no taste for the pageantries of a court; he loved tranquil pursuits; he removed voluntarily from the flattering and tempting splendours that were within his reach, and it is to the honour of his name that he was uncorrupted by the associations to which his rank exposed him. Called from his retreat to assume the sceptre, a grateful nation marked its profound respect for his memory, its sense of the mildness and justice of his sway. The noblest panegyric which can be pronounced upon a monarch has already been paid to WILLIAM IV.-the united testimony of all parties to his virtues. Even faction has not cast a single reproach upon his name-abashed by the manly simplicity of his life, its silence is his epitaph.

This our opinion, deliberately formed, finds an indisputable corroboration and support in the concurring applause of the highest and most eminent individuals in the nation, the heads, and leaders of the two opposing political parties, at the moment of the late King's decease.

On the 22d of June, after the King of Hanover (recently Duke of Cumberland) had taken the oaths and his seat, the Lord Chancellor read the following Message from her Majesty, Victoria the First.

QUEEN'S MESSAGE.

"The Queen entertains the fullest confidence that the House "of Lords participates in the deep affliction her Majesty feels "at the death of the late King, whose constant desire to pro"mote the interest, maintain the liberties, and improve the laws "and institutions of the country, will insure for his name and

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PARLIAMENTARY TESTIMONIES

memory the dutiful and affectionate respect of all her Majes ty's subjects. The present state of the public business, and "the period of the session, when considered in connection with "the law which imposes on her Majesty the duty of summoning a new Parliament within a limited time, renders it inexpedi"ent to recommend to the House any new measures for its "adoption, with the exception of such as may be necessary for carrying on the public business, from the close of the present "till the meeting of the new Parliament."

VISCOUNT MELBOURNE said, that in moving an Address to the Queen, in reply to her most gracious Message, it would, of course, be his anxious wish to avoid any topic which could create discussion. He was sure that all their lordships felt keenly the loss the kingdom had sustained, in the calamity which deprived them of a master whose eminent qualities as a Monarch they could all appreciate. His late Majesty had been educated in that profession which was the peculiar pride of the country; and he (Lord M.) had heard from those who had the opportunities of judging, that he was an able and efficient officer. After he had left that service, the manner in which he performed his duties as a legislator, was known to them all; and when he ascended the throne, his knowledge of our foreign relations, and his experience at home, rendered him the parent of his people. In the intercourse which he (Lord M.) necessarily had with him, he could say, that, as a just man, as a man of integrity, he knew none to excel him. His Majesty's reign had not been a protracted one. It was not to be expected, considering the late period at which he ascended the throne, that it should be so. But, he was cut off earlier than might have been anticipated, by a disease beyond the reach of art. But although his reign had not been long, it had, nevertheless, been marked by important events, and by important measures, on which there was naturally a great difference of opinion, but in respect to which he would not say anything on the present occasion; but this much he would state, that during this course of events, and upon every occasion, the late King had been actuated by a sincere desire for the good of his people, the tranquillity of the country, and the advantage of its most valuable interests.

Although I have not spoken with eloquence," said the noble lord, "I have spoken with truth-I have said no more than I feel I have said no more than what is just."-Lord M. then added an eloquent eulogy on the patient assiduity and affectionate attention of the Queen Dowager to his late Majesty, and moved an address to her Majesty, which was immediately agreed to.