e wide powers of self-government
hitherto enjoyed by the Colonies will continue to be displayed in
the exercise of the still wider powers with which the United
Commonwealth has been endowed. His Majesty feels assured that the
enjoyment of these powers will, if possible, enhance that loyalty
and devotion to his Throne and Empire of which the people of
Australia have already given such signal proofs. It is His
Majesty's earnest prayer that this union, so happily achieved, may,
under God's blessing, prove an instrument for still further
promoting the welfare and advancement of his subjects in Australia,
and for the strengthening and consolidation of his Empire."

The Duke then declared the Parliament open in the name and on behalf of
his Majesty. He also read a cablegram just received from the King: "My
thoughts are with you on the day of the important ceremony. Most
fervently do I wish Australia prosperity and happiness." The members of
Parliament then took the oath of allegiance administered by Lord
Hopetoun. Meanwhile, as His Royal Highness declared the Houses of
Parliament open, and while the immense standing audience was making the
building echo with a mighty cheer, the Duchess touched an electric
button, and from every school-house in the Commonwealth there waved the
Union Jack as a sign that the great function was completed. Amidst
cheering multitudes the Royal couple then drove back to Government
House. In the evening a brilliant concert was given under the auspices
of the Commonwealth Government. On the following day fifteen thousand
Australian troops were reviewed in the presence of one hundred and forty
thousand people--infantry, mounted men, engineers, army service corps,
army medical corps, ambulance corps and cadets--representative of all
the States and of all branches of the system together with blue-jackets
and marines from the Royal Navy.

Then came a state dinner at Government House. On May 11th an afternoon
reception was given by the Victorian Government and Parliament at the
same place, and on Monday May 13th, His Royal Highness and the Duchess
visited the famous golden city of Ballarat, inspected one of its great
mines and laid the foundation-stone of a monument to Australian soldiers
who had fallen in South Africa. Tuesday saw an interesting
school-children's fete and a reception by the Mayor and Corporation of
Melbourne. On May 14th, Their Royal High