caused a great sensation. To that gentleman the _Times_ newspaper
owes its progressive power. His inventive genius, his business habits,
dispatch, punctuality, and enterprise, raised the paper to the pitch
of popularity it afterwards attained, and which it has ever since
preserved.

On the same day another eminent man passed away, Sir George Martin,
G.C.B., admiral of the fleet, and viceadmiral of the United Kingdom. His
services were innumerable. Through a long life he endured the perils and
shared the glory of naval war, and died regretted by his country.

On the 7th of December, Mr. B. Liston, the celebrated surgeon, died; and
during the same month many professional men, and many men of letters.

The space allotted to this history would not allow of even a brief
notice of all the eminent persons who passed from life during this year
in the British Isles, and subjects of Great Britain in other countries.
Many distinguished men were lost to the navy and army, whose valour and
renown were precious in the esteem of the nation; but so numerous are
the heroes of Great Britain, in all ages, that the names of deceased
warriors are only noticed with ordinary respect and regret, whose
death would, in any other nation, be an event to attract the sustained
attention of the people. The year made sad havoc especially in the navy
list, from which the names of many of the best and bravest were removed.

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY OF THE YEAR.

The distressed condition of the poor of the British Isles, the
disarrangement of commercial affairs, the famine in Ireland, and the
crime prevailing in that country, rendered it necessary to open the
session of 1847 earlier than usual. Accordingly, on the 19th of January
her majesty, in person, read the speech from the throne. It referred to
all these subjects in a manner appropriate to the occasion. The marriage
of the Infanta of Spain to the Duke of Montpensier, was simply
noticed as having given rise to a correspondence between her majesty's
government and that of France. When her majesty came to the passage
referring to the Montpensier marriage, the house was intensely still,
and every eye watched the royal countenance to see if any indication of
her private feelings would be given. This portion of the royal speech
was read with a peculiar expression of displeasure by her majesty, never
before witnessed in her countenance on a public occasion. In private,
the royal lady did not hesi