TJie Opening of Parliament. ers, and carrying his three-cornered hat in his right hand, the Speaker — attended by his chaplain in a Geneva gown, and the Sergeant-at-arms, in court or levee dress, a sword by his side, and carrying the huge bronze mace on his right shoulder — marches slowly and solemnly up the floor of the Chamber, and as he approaches the chair which he is to occupy, he makes it three low obeisances. Prayers are then recited by the chaplain, the members still standing and facing the Speaker; but, at a particular passage in the service, they all turn round and face the wall. Service over, the chaplain retreats down the floor, with his face to the Speaker, to whom he bows at every few steps of his retrograde movement, till he finally disappears through the glass swing doors of the Chamber. The Chamber is now crowded with mem bers. In single file they pass the Chair, and shake hands with the Speaker. But before half the members have tendered their greet ings to the Speaker, a cry again resounds through the lobby outside. This time it is "Black Rod! Way for Black Rod! " It puts an end to the shaking of the Speaker's hand, for the members at once return to their seats. " Black Rod," however, would not appear to be a welcomed visitor to the House of Commons if one judged merely by the reception accorded him. The moment the shout of " Way for Black Rod," reaches the Sergeant-at-Arms, he springs from his chair, rushes to the open door, slams it with a most inhospitable bang right in the face of the approaching " Black Rod," and securely locks and bolts it. It was certainly a narrow squeak — a mo ment more and " Black Rod" would have been down on the Chamber, horse, foot, and artillery. Members, however, do not look in the least alarmed; and to tell the truth they do not need to be affrighted. The House of Commons is full of odd ways, peculiarities, and traditions; and as " Black Rod" is the messenger of the Upper Cham
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ber, this ceremony of slamming the door in his face is the immemorial way in which the Commons show their independence of the Lords. By this time the Sergeant-at-Arms is peer ing through a grating in the the door out into the lobby. Presently three faint knocks are heard at the door. The knocks are intended to indicate that " Black Rod" requests admission to the House of Com mons, and does not demand it as a right. In response to this humble summons, the doors are flung wide open by the Sergeantat-Arms, at a signal from the Speaker, and in walks " Black Rod." His mission on the present occasion is to summon the Commons to the House of Lords to hear the Queen's speech. He marches up the floor, making three low bows to the Chair, and on reaching the table deliv ers his message to the Speaker, while all the members are on their feet with heads uncov ered, as a mark of respect to the sovereign. Should Parliament be opened by the Queen in person, " Black Rod" says : " Mr. Speaker, the Queen commands this honorable House to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers"; but in the absence of the Queen, the summons comes from the Lords Commissioners; "Black Rod" softens the "command " to a " desire." "Black Rod " then retreats backwards down the floor, and it is only when he reach es the door that he turns his back on the Commons. The Speaker, attended by the Sergeant-at-Arms bearing the mace on his shoulder, and accompanied by the members in a mass behind, follows " Black Rod " out through the lobbies to the Bar of the House of Lords. When the Queen opens Parliament in person, the spectacle in the Upper Chamber is very brilliant; and so keen is the desire of the Commons to witness the ceremony, that they hustle and jostle and shoulder each other, and press closely on the heels of the Speaker, in their eagerness to secure good
