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which at one time possessed very extensive powers;
but which is now of little importance.
The monarch summons and prorogues or
dissolves Parliament at will. If the Sovereign die
while Parliament is sitting, or during prorogation,
it continues to exercise, or resumes its functions
until protogued or dissolved by his successor.
If the Sovereign die after the dissolution of one
Parliament and before the day appointed for the
assembling of a new one, ‘the last preceding Parliament
 meets and continues for a period of six
months, unless sooner prorogued or dissolved. No
Parliament can last longer than seven years, unless,
 in the event last mentioned, it be extended
by six months, When Parliament comes to a
natural end or is dissolved, all the representative
members have to be elected afresh; in case of
its being prorogued the members have merely
to be summoned again. The Sovereign cannot
dispense with Parliament for more than a year,
owing to the necessity for obtaining its sanction
to the levy of taxes and the maintenance of the
Army; or, in other words, for the yearly supplies
and Army Act. Full liberty of speech is guaranteed
 by the Bill of Richts.

The session usually extends, with two short
recesses, from February to August each year, The
session is opened by a speech from the Sovereign,
which is delivered either by the Sovereign in per-