'1 ha Consuls of the various countries wore there in force, the famous and gonial Count Jouifruy D’Abbans being quite a picture in gold lace and decorations. The only chevalier of the Colony, “our own George,” looked lonely with his one solitary decoration as the Ambassador from Italy. The Fatherland had a good champion in Mr Castendyk, whilst the laud of the Stars and Stripes was

well looked after by ouo of the most popular medicocs of Wellington. Several other savants, Ambassadors and Civil servants were also on the door, but wore unknown to the writer. Some of them were probably orators and statesmen in disguise, come, no doubt, to pick up a wrinkle from the mem bers of the Upper House of Now Zealand. One new departure noticeable was that > amongst all THE LADIES IN THE GALLERIES there was only one gentleman, and be is well known in the arena of pugilism, as a wonderful and good looking amateur exponent of the noble art of self-defence. No doubt “ he got there ” infcaao his services might, be required to preserve peace and order. His name is Bill. Major Elliot, the courteous and faithful P.S, to His Excellency, stood on the left of the throne, and was a model of politeness. The solid way he at tended to his duties of holding the Governor's spectacle case and the oxtta copy of the i Speech; the way he stood at attention during the delivery, was statuesque in exactness, and revealed as much earnestness as if he bad been ■ at the front facing death before the cannon of an enemy. The gentleman with THE BLACK FISHING-ROD, having again made his appearance, bowed throe times in a very hazardous manner, as if ho was .afraid of tripping over his skirts, and then took a seat. The Commoners having arrived, headed by Colonel Eraser, carrying what looked like a huge piece of gilt timber on his right shoulder, and followed by Mr Speaker, the Clerk, the Ministry and the members, the Speaker took a vacant seat; The Ministry stood shoulder to shoulder, Richard Coour do Lion and the Scottish Chief in the front row, two grand specimens of humanity. 