Part Three: River Summary and Analysis

Parliament is officially opened by King Edward VII on February 14. The Queen has not officially opened Parliament during her reign. Edward announces that he plans to follow in his mother's footsteps. Manchester describes the Parliamentary halls and some of the procedure followed. Winston is familiar with the terminology and protocol of Parliament since his father served. The Tories are still in power and Robert Cecil, the Marquess of Salisbury is still the Prime Minister. Many members of his family hold seats in Parliament.

"Mastery of the House has been given to a few. Its moods arch the British spectrum, from cockney vulgarity through Midland's stolidity and Scottish skepticism to Welsh emotionalism and, in those days, Irish mysticism. It can be frivolous, irresponsible, and grave on occasions which any other body would treat with hilarity. No new member...