SPEECH OF THE KING OF THE FRENCH. [From the Globe, January 15.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 194, 9 June 1847, Page 3

SPEECH OF THE KING OF THE FRENCH. [From the Globe, January 15.]

The French Chambers opened yesterday with the usual ceremony, when the King delivered the following gracious Speech :—: — " Messieurs Peers and Deputies — " In summoning you to resume the labour of the session, my first wish is that you should afford my government your best co-operation to relieve the sufferings that this year weigh upon a portion of our population. I have hastened to order measures best calculated to attain that object. I trust that by the firm maiutenauce of order, by the liberty and security of commercial transactions, by a judicious application of the public resources, efficiently seconding the zeal of private charity, we shall mitigate those trials with which Providence sometimes visits the most prosperous states. "My relations with all the Foreign Powers give me the firm confidence that the peace of the world continues secure. " The marriage of my beloved son the Due de Montpensier, with my beloved niece, the Infanta of Spain, Louisa Fernanda, has completed the satisfaction and consolation which

Providence has vouchsafed me and my family. This union will be a fresh pledge of those good and intimate relations which have so long subsisted between France and Spain, and the maintenance of which is as desirable for: the prosperity as for the reciprocal security of the two States. " I have reason to hope that the affairs of the River Plate will, before long, be settled conformably with the views adopted by my government, in concert with that of the Queen of Great Britain, for the establishment of the security of our commercial relations in these countries. " 1 have concluded with the Emperor of Russia a treaty of navigation, which guarantees to us, by a just reciprocity in our maritime relations with that empire, advantages which it was important for us to secure. "An unexpected event has impaired the state of things founded in Europe by the last treaty of Vienna. The republic of Cracow, an independent and neutral state, has been incorporated with the Empire of Austria. 1 have protested against that infraction of the treaty. "At home the constant progress of the public revenue, despite the causes which might have checked it, proves that the activity and resources of the country continue to increase. The financial laws, and various laws relative to important improvements in the legislation and administration of the kingdom, will be submitted to your deliberation. The great works which we have undertaken shall be completed with the perseverance which the interests of the country demand, and with the prudence indispensable to the maintenance of public credit. " You will also have to direct your attention to measures calculated to second in our African possessions the progress of colonisation and of its internal prosperity. Tranquillity, so happily restored to Algeria by the valour and devotedness of our army enables us to examine maturely that important question 1 , respecting which a special vote will be presented to you. " Messieurs. — A common' feeling animates us. You are all, like me, devoted to the happiness and grandeur of our country. Already long experience has enlightened us as to the policy best suited to her moral and material interests, and which secure present prosperity, and the pacific and regular development of her future destinies. I. await with confidence, from your patriotism and wisdom, the co-operation necessary to the accomplishment of this great task. Let us assist each other in supporting the burthen, and France will reap the fruit of our efforts."

A Soldier's Life in India. — One of the 24th, which is stationed at Ghazepore, in writing to his friends, says that the men have nothing to do, as their clothes, boots, firearms, and accoutrements are cleaned by the natives. Beef is 1^ per lb. ; the four pound loaf. 2d. ; sugar, Id. per lb. ; and tea, Is. per lb. ; and mutton is to be had for a song. While the regiment was sailing down the Ganges they saw hundreds of dead bodies floating along the stream, or lining the banks, affording food to jackalls, tigers, and alligators.

The American Monster Cannon. — Lately an experiment was made at South Boston with the monster cannon, by loading it with the heaviest shell, which, upon being discharged, travelled three miles in a minute and a half.

The Crops in Canada. — Extract of a letter dated Toronto, Dec. 12, 1846 :—": — " Business Has been very dull this fall, partly owing to the low prices the merchants and millers have been giving for produce, which has made all who could, hold, in hopes of better prices in the spring. The finest wheat is only from 2s. 9d. to 3s. a bushel of 60lb weight, and good spring wheat is selling in London for 2s. 2d. ; Indian corn I saw offered for Is. 6d. per 50lb. ; pork is selling at from 10s. to 12s. per 1001b. ; and I am told very good beef was offered for 4s per 1001b. the other day in Hamilton market ; fine turkeys are from Is. 6d. to 2s. each; geese, I saw two very large ones sold for 2s. 6d. the couple in Brantford this week. Butter is about sd. to Cd. per pound. Potatoes, owing to the failure of the crop, are high ; they are now selling here for 3s. 2d. the bushel ; in London they were selling, when I was there 10 days ago, for Is. 6d. There has been a large quantity of flour sent off to Montreal, and I supposed shipped this fall, but much of it was the stock held over from last spring, when the prices were so low that no one would sell who could by any means hold." — Times.