legislative interposition. The
bill was warmly approved of by the leading law authorities in the upper
house, and passed almost without discussion. In the commons, also, it
met with general approbation; the only opposition came from Sir Robert
Inglis, who objected to it chiefly on the ground of the expense which
the mode of execution there enjoined would entail on the humbler class
of testators. By abolishing holograph wills, and rendering two witnesses
necessary, a resort to professional advice would become indispensable.
The bill, however, was ably defended by the attorney-general; and it
passed into law.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

The queen went in state to the house of lords, for the purpose of
closing the session, on the 17th of July. On this occasion the speaker
delivered an address to her majesty, in which, on behalf of the house of
commons, he assured her of their cordial participation in "that strong
and universal feeling of dutiful and affectionate attachment which
prevailed among the free and loyal people of which they were the
representatives, and expressed their trust that this feeling would be
strengthened by a long course of constitutional, beneficent, and wise
government." In recording the results of the session, the speaker
expressly mentioned the acts for the abolition of capital punishments,
&c.; and he expressed a hope that the important measures which had been
recommended to parliament, and which had not yet been perfected, might
be eventually adopted. The royal assent was then given to a number of
public and private bills; after which her majesty thus addressed both
houses of parliament:--

"My lords and gentlemen, I have been anxious to seize the first
opportunity of meeting you, in order that I might repeat in person my
cordial thanks for your condolence upon the death of his late majesty,
and for the expression of attachment and affection with which you
congratulated me upon my accession to the throne. I am very desirous of
renewing the assurances of my determination to maintain the Protestant
religion as established by law; to secure to all the free exercise of
the rights of conscience; to protect the liberties, and to promote the
welfare of all classes of the community. I rejoice that in ascending the
throne I find the country in amity with all foreign powers; and while
I faithfully perform the engagements of the crown, and carefully watch
over the interests of my subjects, it will