The Week.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . —Thc third session of the present Parliament was opened by the Queen in person on Tuesday . Her Majesty commenced by saying that her relations with foreign powers continued to be friendly and satisfactory , and then made several slight allusions to foreign affairs . In Italy she said she hail adopted the principle of nonintervention . In Syria she trusted that by the conjoint action of the Turkish and French forces tranquillity would soon be re-established , and the objects of the convention fully attained . Her Majesty next congratulated the Parliament on the successful termination of the China

expedition , described the state of India as gradually improving , and hoped that the disturbances in New Zealand would soon be suppressed , ancl arrangements made to prevent their recurrence . Her Majesty said she had witnessed , with great concern the differences ivhich had arisen among the states of tlle North American Union , and expressed her heartfelt wish that they would be soon satisfactorily adjusted . Having informed the Commons that the estimates had been framed with a due regard for economy , Her Majesty concluded by announcing that measures woidd be

laid before them for the consolidation of important parts of the criminal law , for the improvement of the law of bankruptcy and insolvency , for a uniform system of rating , and for the more easy transfer of land . In the House of Lords , the Address was moved by thc Earl of Sefton . He congratulated the country on the success of the foreign policy pursued by the Government . Ho also urged the adoption of such measures as would ensure a sufficient supply of cotton in face of the difficulties existing in the United States . —Lorcl Lismore seconded the motion . —The Earl of

Derby said that he found no fault with the general tone of the Speech from the Throne , and approved of the measures ivhich the Government had announced their intention to bring in . He thought , however , that some reference might with propriety have been made to , and sympathy expressed with , the distress prevailing in Coventry and its neighbourhood , and some passing notice taken of the financial position of the country . He congratulated the Government upon the termination of the Chinese warbut observed that he was not without apprehensions that

, further difficulties might be experienced in dealing with the finances of India . The most serious question for consideration , however , in the existing state of affairs on the Continent , was the nature of our relations with the French Government . He wished to know whether or not they were acting with France in these proceedings with which the Emperor had lately astonished Europe , ancl what were the objects they were seeking to accomplish iu Italy . —Earl Granville defended the policy ivhich the Government had adopted on Italian affairs , and challenged a .

full discussion upon it as soon ns the house had had an opportunity of perusing and considering the papers whicli had been laid upon tho table that night . —The Address was agreed to , and their lordships adjourned . In the House of Commons , Sir E . Colebi-ool . e moved the Address in reply . After passing in review the topics mentioned in the Royal Speech he said a large share of attention had of late been directed to the proceedings of the Emperor of the French , ivhich had excited a feeling of uneasiness in this country that had found expression in the formation of a numerous anil well disciplined volunteer forcethe commencement of

, an expensive system of fortifications , and increased activity in tho dockyards . It must not be forgotten , however , that that Sovereign had hutlately completed a commercial treaty with us , and had within a ' few hours only reiterated his desire to enter upon a new era of peace . It was , no doubt , the duty of Parliament to exercise the strictest scrutiny in dealing with the public expenditure , but irrespective of the acts of the French Emperor , the state of the Continent imposed upon this country the necessity of preserving an attitude of watchfulness , mid maintaining

its establishments upon the most efficient footing . Noticing the question of parliamentary reform , and the absence of all allusion to it from the Queen ' s Speech , the hon . baronet- vindicated Her Majesty ' s Government from all blame for the manner in which they had treated the question , and said that its omission from the programme of measures to be introduced during the session was justified by tho fact that the country was fully aware of the difficulty which attended the carrying n comprehensive measure on the subject . —Mr . Paget seconded the Address . —Mr . AVhite commented upon the omission of several important subjects from the Speech from the Throne , especially of all reference to reform and to

the controversy betwecm the two houses on the question of taxation . He also regretted that no allusion was made to the disposition manifested by the Emperor of the French to cultivate friendly relations with this country by means of the new commercial treaty , and the boon he had recently granted to Englishmen to enter and travel through his dominions without passports . He moved as an amendment , " That Her Majesty ' s Government should at an early day introduce a measure for the extension of the parliamentary franchise in the boroughs and counties of the United Kingdomin the fulfilment of the expressed ledges given by

, p Her Majesty ' s Government when they came into office , ami thus adopt a course calculated to increase the loyal devotion of Her Majesty ' s subjects to Her Majesty's throne ancl person , and also to satisfy the long desires and just expectations of tho country . " - —Mr . Digby Seymour seconded it . —Mr . Disraeli , whilst admitting that it was not for him to vindicate the Government for having omitted the subject of reform in the Royal Speech , observed that the character of the support which Ministers received from many of their own friends on the measure of last year was

not such as to encourage them in again soliciting the opinion of the house on the subject in . the present session . There was another subject , however , on which great perplexity existed in the public mind . He alluded to the general state of our affairs and the foreign policy of the Government . At the present moment nobody really knew what tho policy of the Government was with respect to our foreign relations . He should like to know , then , what was the actual state of our relations with France , and whether they were still being conducted upon that cordial and confidential understanding of whiclMve had heard so much . Let the Foreign Secretary tell the house what was his policy with regard to the affairs of

Italy , and also what was the policy of the French Government upon that subject . He wanted some explanation of our present position . In his view it was one of great danger , for we were iu this dilemma—that we must either fall back upon a settlement similar to the treaty of Zurich , or be prepared to meet that far more dangerous situation—an Italy united by the sword and the will of Prance , and placed with all her resources at the disposal of the French Emperor . —Lord J . Russell said that the policy which had been pursued by Her Majesty ' s Government was to leave the people of Italy to settle their own internal affairs . That was

the principle which they had over and over again declared , and which pervaded the whole of the correspondence he had that day laid upon the table . Throughout the whole of their proceedings Her Maiesty ' s Government had always kept these three objects before them—that Italy should be left free to settle her own concerns , that the treaty concluded after the peace of Villafranca should be maintained as a security for the peace of Europe , and that for the benefit of Italy herself Sardinia should not plunge madly and rashly into war . Our relations with France were of

the most friendly character , and he entertained the firm hope and belief that , notwithstanding the dangers which menaced the peace of Europe , but which wore a much worse aspect a short time since , that peace ivould still be preserved . Passing to the amendment , the noble lord said it was now clear that no measure of reform could be brought forward ivith a chance of its being carried , unless it were one of a very trifling kind ; and he thought it was better to leave the question entirely untouched , than to introduce a measure that would create disappointmentand bo a mere

, waste of valuable time . —Mr . Bright said that tho tone adopted by the noble lord reminded him of the bankrupt who had traded on fictitious capital , and called his creditors together , glad of any opportunity or excuse to get rid of his obligations . Why , he remembered the time when the noble lord , standing on the same spot , had shed tears because he had the painful necessity imposed upon him of withdrawing a Reform Bill ; whilst to-night ho had performed the same operation with a jocularity that was absolutely contemptuous towards those who had placed him on

the Treasury bench on purpose to advocate that very measure . —The house divided , ancl the amendment was lost by 129 to 46 , being a majority of 83 . The Address was agreed to , and the house adjourned . On AVednesday , Sir C . AVood stated in answer to a question by Mr . Crawfurd , that the . expectations which lie bad formed ofthe expenditure and receipt on account of Indian railways were not realised . The expenditure on account of railways in India would bo £ 0 , 500 , 000 instead of £ 4 , 500 , 000 ; while receipts ivould be a million and a half less than was anticipated ; leaving a deficiency of two millions and three-quarters on railway account . With

regard to the general finances of India , he was happy to say that it ivould not he necessary to raise a single sixpence , as the expenditure had been reduced in the last year by £ 3 , 300 , 000 , which , following on a reduction of £ 3 , 500 , 000 in the previous year , made a saving of £ 8 , 800 , 000 within two years . He confidently anticipated that , unless some unforeseen exigency arose , the Indian income and expenditure would very nearly balance each other next year . —Mr . Seymour Fitzgerald called attention at some length to two despatches of Lord John Russell , written on the 27 th of August and 31 st of October lastto Her Majesty ' s representative

, at Turin , which ho characterised as totally inconsistent with each other . He would not yield to Lord John Russell in his love of constitutional liberty , nor in sympathy for a people struggling for freedom ; but ha maintained that the doctrine of the noble lord , as laid down in the second of the despatches to which he referred , tended rather to discourage than to encourage a wholesome lovo of constitutional liberty . Nothing could be easier in the present state of European politics than for an aggressive Sovereign to stir up insurrection in the territories of a neighbouring

Power , and the tendencies of the noble lord's despatches were , he submitted , of a character to effect tbat object . —Lord John Russell defended his policy in Italy , and stated that Mr . Fitzgerald had completely misconceived the object of tho despatches in question . As the English Government could not bring tbeir minds to the conclusion that the subjects of the King of Naples were governed in conformity with constitutional practice , they had stated that their sympathies were in favour of the cause of liberty , and they had avowed the pleasure with which they would

see such a country as Italy prove herself worthy of her glorious traditions . AVith regard to the temporal and spiritual sovereignty of the Pope , he hoped that the Supreme Pontiff might yet , by an arrangement witli iho King of Sardinia , play no unimportant part in the history of Italy . He hoped that the Pope , as tho spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church , would continue to receive the allegiance and to enjoy the dignity of a Sovereign Prince , but tbat the question of his temporal authority might be amicably adjusted , the more readily as the time had passed away when it was necessary for him to assume temporal power .

AVith reference to our general relations with France , it was only necessary for him to say that the exertions of Her Majesty ' s Government were directed unceasingly to the maintenance of a good understanding between the two nations . The object of both Cabinets was to maintain the peace of Europe inviolate , and he was convinced that the true interests of France were those of peace . — 'Che Address was agreed to , and on Thursday the house met at two o ' clock , when it proceeded to Buckingham Palace to present ii to Her Majesty .

GK _ . Er . AL HOME NEWS . —A public meeting , under tbe presidency of Earl FitzwiUiam , lias been bold at York , for the promotion of various objects connected with the interests of the Church . The Archbishop , with whom the mooting originated , stated that iu his diocese one-third of the benefices were destitute of parsonage-houses , and one-fourth of the livings were under a hundred pounds a year in value . To remedy these evils , and meet a deficiency of church accommodation , the basis of o . society was agreed upon , with proper officers for its management . AVith a spirit of earnest liberality . Earl FitzwiUiam has subscribed £ 2000 to the funds for carrving out tins scheme . A great conference on India , in