The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-10-20 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE NEW LAW COURTS
IN BRUSSELS.

The new Law Courts in Brussels were opened on
Monday by the Kiog. The new Palais de Justice is
a coltos-al structure. It is said to be the large,t build-
ing in Europe, covering more than six acres, and ex-
ceeding the area of St. Peter's in Rome. It occupies
the highest situation in Brussels, and has been com-
pleted in fifteen years. It is the work of Poelaert,
who did not live to see the crowning of his labours,
having died in 1879. In describing the opening cere-
mony the Brussels correspondent of The Times says:—
Before the Palace of Justice were drawn up the
2,500 workmen employed in the construction of it,
ranged according to their trades, with banners and
bands of music. The Salle des Pas Perdue was com-
pletely filled, and the whole official world was present.
The barristers occupied one side, and before them
were the judges of toe different courts, all in their
official costumes. The King and Queen and the
Princess Clementine, with a numerous suite, arrived
at noon, and were received by the Ministers and
judges.
The Minister of Justice first spoke of the importance
of this great edifice, which was an honour to Belgium.
The Kit.g then declared it open. The President of the
Court of Caseation pointed out how the building ex-
pressed worthily the mission of Justice. The King
added that it expressed also the respect and rank due
to the judicial power.
The King dwelt on the fact that Belgium derived
most of her statesmen from the Bar, and welcomed the
foreign deputations of advocates. The IC,ng and
Qieen then addressed some friendly words to the
widow and datigh,er of M. Poelaert, the architect ot
the palace. The R.)yal party viewed the other parts
of the palace, and were then present at the first
sitting of the Court of Cassation in their new and
magnificent hail. The PCOCLITeur General corn.
plimented the King and Queen and spoke of the
significance of the building. When the King left
the palace, the eldest of the workmen presented their
homage. His Majesty replied that he always took
the greatest interest in the welfare of the working
classes, for whose productions he was now endeavour-
ipg to create new markets. The workmen then de-
filed beft:ra their Majesties, whose presence had
throughout created the greatest enthusiasm.
Later in the afternoon the judges and Bar were re-
ceived by the King at the Royal Palace. In the even-
ing the immense pile of th- Palace of Justice shines
forth under electrical illumination, while . bands of
music play on the square before it.

The Palace of Justice waq commenced in the reign
of King Leopold 1., and the total cost has been about
22,000,000. It covers an area of 26,000 square metres,
being thus larger than St. Peter's at Rome, and con-
tains 274 rooms, of which twenty-seven are Court
rooms. Every department of justice, includtng even
justices of the peace, will here be brought to-
gether under one roof, and prisoners awaiting sentence
will be quartered therein. The dome which crowns
the central hall, or Salle des Pas Perdue, is 107 metres
high, and, the palace being built upon high ground, is
clearly visible fur many miles. The various courts
and rooms are most gorgeuusly necorated and fur.
niehed.