it.

The Usher of the Black Rod entered with his wand and announced,--

"The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty."

The hum of conversation immediately subsided.

A clerk, in a wig and gown, appeared at the great door, holding a
cushion worked with _fleurs de lis_, on which lay parchment documents.
These documents were bills. From each hung the _bille_, or _bulle_, by a
silken string, from which laws are called bills in England and bulls at
Rome. Behind the clerk walked three men in peers' robes, and wearing
plumed hats.

These were the Royal Commissioners. The first was the Lord High
Treasurer of England, Godolphin; the second, the Lord President of the
Council, Pembroke; the third, the Lord of the Privy Seal, Newcastle.

They walked one by one, according to precedence, not of their rank, but
of their commission--Godolphin first, Newcastle last, although a duke.

They reached the bench in front of the throne, to which they bowed, took
off and replaced their hats, and sat down on the bench.

The Lord Chancellor turned towards the Usher of the Black Rod, and
said,--

"Order the Commons to the bar of the House."

The Usher of the Black Rod retired.

The clerk, who was one of the clerks of the House of Lords, placed on
the table, between the four woolsacks, the cushion on which lay the
bills.

Then there came an interruption, which continued for some minutes.

Two doorkeepers placed before the bar a stool with three steps.

This stool was covered with crimson velvet, on which _fleurs de lis_
were designed in gilt nails.

The great door, which had been closed, was reopened; and a voice
announced,--

"The faithful Commons of England."

It was the Usher of the Black Rod announcing the other half of
Parliament.

The lords put on their hats.

The members of the House of Commons entered, preceded by their Speaker,
all with uncovered heads.

They stopped at the bar. They were in their ordinary garb; for the most
part dressed in black, and wearing swords. The Speaker, the Right
Honourable John Smith, an esquire, member for the borough of Andover,
got up on the stool which was at the centre of the bar. The Speaker of
the Commons wore a robe of black satin, with large hanging sleeves,
embroidered before and behind with brandenburgs of gold, and a wig
smaller than that of the Lord Chancellor. He was majestic, but inferior.

The Commons, both Speaker and members, stood waiting with uncovered
heads, before t