in the performance of their legislative functions, or to produce concurrence on any other occasion where the agreement of the two bodies is necessary, the negociations termed conferences are entered upon between them, and conducted by managers appointed by each house; the number of managers on the part of the Commons is always double that which represents the Lords. If the conference be upon the subject of a bill depending between the two houses, it must be demanded by that house, which, at the time of asking the conference, is in possession of the bill. It is the sole privilege of the Lords to name the time and place for holding a conference, no matter by which house it may have been demanded. Reasons in writing for the course resolved to be taken, are usually furnished to the managers on both sides, in which case it is simply called "a conference." Should this proceeding fail, a "free conference" must be held, which gives an opportunity for the managers individually, and unrestrained by any precise form of argument, to urge such reasons as in their judgment may best tend to influence the house to which they are addressed. In the simple conferences the question at issue is not debated, for the proceeding is only a formal mode of putting the two houses in possession of the reasoning which influences either; and the managers report to the whole house the transactions, and not the result of the meeting, for the members of the conference are incompetent to arriving at any decision, and are merely the formal means of intercommunication. A free conference is usually demanded after two conferences have been held without effect. After one free conference, none other but free conferences can be held touching the same subject. At all conferences, the managers on the part of the Upper house are seated and wear their hats; those for the Commons stand uncovered. The Speaker quits the chair of the house during the absence of managers attending a conference, which is not the case during the absence of the members with a message to the Upper house. INSTALLATIONS OF KNIGHTS. "Each fair instalment, coat and several crest Merry Wives of Windsor, act 5. sc. v. THE ceremony, by which the Knights of the various orders were placed in their respective stations, and formally inaugurated, used, in previous times, to attract almost as much public attention as a coronation. For whenever persons of high distinction grace by their presence any public ceremonial, the attention of society is directed to the subject, and perhaps more importance given to it than the solemnity itself really deserves. But since the year 1821, the practice has altogether ceased; a natural consequence of changes which have gradually taken place in the constitution of society, and the general estimation with which such ceremonies are regarded. Without entering, however, into the question of their utility, or of the beneficial influence which they may or may not exert over the orders of knighthood, it has been thought necessary to detail under their respective heads the peculiarities which characterize the ceremony in each of those distinguished fraternities, because frequent allusions are made to its performance, in the lives of those who have rendered England as famous as she is free. ORDER OF THE GARTER. Until the ceremony of installation has been performed, the Knights-elect of this Order are not considered to have been fully and solemnly received into its constitution, and they are not entitled to wear certain of its ensigns; but of late years it has been the practice with all British Orders, for the Sovereign to dispense with the performance of the ceremony by a royal warrant, or by granting letters patent; and since the year 1805, no actual installation of the Knights of the Garter has taken place. But the ceremony must take place, or the dispensation be granted, within a year of election, if the knight be within the realm, else his appointment becomes void. Formerly the knight was allotted the stall of the deceased noble in whose place he was elected; but by a statute published in February, 1805, it was ordained, that princes of the blood should have stalls nearest to that of the Sovereign; then should follow emperors and kings, according to their respective elections; next, sovereign princes, in the order of seniority of installation; and all other knights were located in the lowest stalls, being translated a step on every vacancy, so as to place the last elected knight in the junior, or lowest, stall. Over the stall of each knight, his helmet, crest, and sword are placed, together with a banner of his arms; and on the back of the stall is a gilt plate, containing his name, style, and arms; the plate remains permanently, but the other decorations are removed at his decease. A Chapter of the Order having been opened. the ceremony of installation commences by the introduction of the Knight-elect, between two senior members of the Order, and his presentation to the Sovereign. He is then invested with the surcoat, or kirtle, and receives the following admonition :'Take this robe of crimson to the increase of your honour, and in token and sign of the most honourable Order you have received; wherewith you being defended may be bold, not only strongly to fight, but also to offer yourself to shed your blood for Christ's faith, the liberties of the Church, and the just and necessary defence of them that be oppressed and needy." His sword is then put on, and his hood laid over his shoulder. He next proceeds from the Chapter-house to the west door of the choir, and the two senior knights are directed by the Sovereign to introduce him into the choir; the Knight-elect goes uncovered with his cap in his hand, and the Garter King of Arms bears on a velvet cushion the mantle, hood, collar, George, and book of the statutes. Having been placed immediately under the stall which he is destined to occupy, the oath is administered to him, and he is sworn to obey the statutes. He is then led to the front of his stall, and there clothed with the mantle, while the prelate says, Receive this robe of heavenly colour, the livery of this most excellent Order, in augmentation of thine honour, ennobled with the shield and red-cross of our Lord, by whose power thou mayest safely pierce troops of thine enemies, and be over them ever victorious; and being in this temporal warfare glorious, in egregious and heroic actions, thou mayest obtain eternal and triumphant joy." The hood having been laid upon his right shoulder over the mantle, the tippet is brought across the breast and tucked under his girdle. The collar of the Order is then imposed, with an admonition of a somewhat similar import to that last quoted; and, finally, he is presented with his velvet cap and plume. Having been thus fully clothed, he makes a reverence to the altar, salutes the Sovereign, and is placed within his stall by the two senior Knights of the Order, whose congratulations he receives on this final ratification of his election. Foreign princes, or such of the Queen's subjects as are prevented from personal attendance, by being engaged in her Majesty's service abroad, or even within the realm, may be installed by proxy. The individual who acts as proxy must have received the honour of knighthood, and be of unblemished reputation; but the method of his installation differs in no material respect from the ceremony already described. At the door of the Chapter-house, however, the mantle, &c. are taken from him, and he is forbidden to enter any chapter of the Order; so that his representation ceases on quitting St. George's Chapel, except that he occupies his principal's seat at the dinner which always follows the installation. ORDER OF THE THISTLE. No installation has actually taken place in this Order of Knighthood, |