MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3003, 30 September 1878, Page 4

MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.

July 25.~The Earl of Beaconsfield addressed the House on this subject as follows:—My lords, in asking your lordships to consider the gracious message from the Crown, I have to move that a humble address be presented to Her* Majesty, thanking Her Majesty for the most gracious communication which it has pleased Her Majesty to make to this House on the intended marriage between His Eoyal Highness Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Earl of Sussex, Duke of Saxony, Prince of- Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Her Royal Highness Princess Louise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes of Prussia/third daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Frederick Carl Nikolaus of Prussia, and to assure Her Majesty that this House, always feeling the most lively interest in any event ■which can contribute to the happiness of the Royal Family, will concur in those measures which may be proposed For the consideration of the House to enable Her Majesty to make a further provision for His Royal Highness on the occasion. (Hear,.hear.) My Lords, the sentiment of affection which your Lordships' House, and I may say the country generally, have always felt towards the Royal Family are such as 1 need not dilate upon. They had their origin, I think, in two principal reasons—one public and the other private. The first is the conviction of the country that the snstained order of our national life -which characterises this country, which is the best security for our liberty and the welfare of the community, is mainly owing to our monarchical institutions. (Cheers.) The second reason is, as I think, that the undisguised details which reach the people of the domestic life of our Royal Family are such as to excite the lively interest of the English people, who are always interested in the happiness of the Royal House. (Cheers.) The , lady who is betrothed to our Prince is the daughter of an imperial and illustrious House, but I believe that these splendid accidents have nothing to do with the union which is about soon to be.,solemnised. It is a union of the heart and the affections.'. The time has gone by when the balance of power formed one of the causes of Royal marriage. With regard to the lady, I believe that some of your lordships who are now present have had the advantage of making her acquaintance, and I think you will agree with me that I use no language of flattery when I say she is distinguished for intelligence and •accomplishments and for a winning simplicity of thought and manner. (Hear, hear.) The Duke of Ccnnaughtis known to us all. He sits among us as a peer. He is known to the country for his spotless life, and he is devoted to a noble profession. He tis not a soldier of parade, but of service. (Cheers.) On a recent occasion, whenthe terrible contingency of war seemed to be" hovering over the country, the Duke of Connaught was the first to express his hope that he might be allowed to be sent forth to defend the honour and the • interests of his country. (Cheers.) lam happy to hope that contingency has now disappeared; but the circumstance I have just mentioned is one which will only add to the satisfactoh which I am sure the country will feel on his union. (Hear, hear,) My Lords, I beg now to move the resolution which I have laid before your lordships. (Cheers.) Lord Granville expressed his entire concurrence in the proposed Address, and eulogised in warm terms the character of the Duke of Connaught.The Address was then unanimously agreed to, Lord Napier of Magdala expressing an opinion that the Duke of Connaught was not only regular in the performance of his military duties, but had made himself an efficient soldier for the service of his conntry. Aug. I.—Earl Beauchamp brought up the reply of the Queen to the address of their lordships with reference to the approaching marriage of the Duke of Coniiaught. Her' Majesty expressed a hope that with God's blessing the event might prove an additional source of happiness to her family, and also to her people.