SPEECH OF THE KING OF THE FRENCH. Opening of the French Chambers. [From the Morning Herald.] Paris, Tuesday, December 28.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 294, 24 May 1848, Page 2

SPEECH OF THE KING OF THE FRENCH. Opening of the French Chambers. [From the Morning Herald.] Paris, Tuesday, December 28.

The King set out from the Tuileries at precisely one o'clock this day. The weather was so inclement as to prevent any great assemblage of persons. The quays were" lined, as usual with National Guards and troops of the line. Shortly after reaching the chamber, his Majesty, attended by the members of the Royal Famjly, ascended the throne, and haying

acknowledged the salutations of the Chambers, delivered the following gracious speech :—: — "Gentlemen, Peers, and Deputies, — I am happy, while fiuding myself again amongst you, not to have any more to deplore the calamities which the high prices of food have inflicted on our country. France has endured such' calamities with a courage which I cannot contemplate without profound emotion. Never, under circumstances of the kind, have public order and the freedom of transactions been so generally well maintained. The inexhaustible zeal of private charity has seconded our common efforts. Our comiLerce has, owing to activity and prudence, been but little affected by the crisis that has been felt in other states. We are reaching the end of these trials. Heaven has blessed the labours of the people, and abundant crops are reviving in all parts both comfort and security. Let us congratulate each other on this state of things. "I reckon on your co-operation in order to bring to a conclusion the great public works which, by extending to the whole kingdom facility and regularity of communication, must open fresh sources of prosperity ; and while sufficient means shall continue to be applied to such fruitful enterprises, we shall still take care that scrupulous economy and judicious employment of the public revenue be strictly observed. lam confident that the receipts will cover the ordinary budget of the state, which shall be shortly laid before you. " A special Bill will be proposed to you for reducing the duty on salt, as well as a Bill for diminishing the postage on letters to a degree compatible with the state of our finances. " Bills relating to public instruction, prison discipline, and the customs tariff, have already been submitted to your deliberations. Other Bills on various important subjects shall be laid before you, particularly regarding communal property, mortgages monts dcpiitd, and the application of savings banks to fresh improvements in the conditioruof the working classes. It is my constant wish that my Government should labour, with your co-opera-tion, in the development both of the prosperity and morality of the people. " My relations with all foreign powers give me confidence that the peace of the world is secure. I hope that the general progress of civilisation will everywhere proceed to its accomplishment, through an accordance between governments and people, without impairing internal order and the good relations established among states. " Civil -war has disturbed the happiness of Switzerland. My Government had come to an understanding with the Governments of England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, in order to offer that neighbouring and friendly people an amicable mediation. Switzerland will, I hope, acknowledge that respect for the rights of all; and the maintenance of the basis of the Helvetic Confederation can alone ensure to her those enduring conditions of happiness and security that Europe wished to guarantee to her by treaties. " My Government, in accordance with that of the Queen of Great Britain, has just adopted measures which must at length succeed in restoring our commercial relations on the banks of La Plata. " The illustrious chief who so long and so gloriously commanded in Algeria, having desired to rest from his labours, I have entrusted to my beloved son the Due d'Aumale the great and glorious task of governing thatFrench land. I flatter myself that, under the direction of my Government, and thanks to the labours and courage of the generous army that surrounds him, his vigilance and devotedness will secure the tranquillity, the good administration, and prosperity of our establishment. " Gentlemen, the more I advance in life, the more I dedicate with devotedness to the service of France, to the care of her interests, her dignity, and happiness, all the activity and all the strength that God has given, and still vouchsafes 1 to me. Amidst the agitation that hostility and blind passions foment, a conviction animates and supports me, which is this, that we possess in the constitutional monarchy, in the union of the great powers of the state, sure means of overcoming all those obstacles, and of satisfying all interests, moral and material. Let us firmly maintain, according to the Charter, social order and all its conditions. Let us guarantee, according to the Charter, the public liberties, with all their developments. We shall transmit to the generations to come after us the trust confided to us, and they will bless us for having founded and defended the edifice under shelter of which they live happy and free."