The Press.
London, England, 1856-11-15 00:00:00

1084

loreign darropoubtutt.

BRUSSELS, Nov. 12.
A tsrsWs speech is generally devoid of all other merit
excepting that of avoiding subjects of public moment.
In the one delivered yesterday by King Leopold the
usual course was to a certain degree departed from,
and the topics of discussion that will immediately
occupy the attention of the Belgian Chambers were
mentioned with proper reserve, but without shrink-
ing from the subject matter. The reference to a re-
vision of the tariff was received with loud plaudits,
and may be considered as a promise that the princi.
pies of free trade, put forward in that spirit of
prudence and moderation " quo commandent des
mesures auxquelles se rattachent les interets les
plus considerables," will form the basis of future
legislation. Neither the university question, nor
that of the " etablissemens de bienfaisance," were
omitted. These topics form the peculiar battle-
ground of the " parti pretre," and there was a large
attendance of the clergy in the galleries. They
might have learnt, inferentially, the value of a con-
stitutional oath, and to remember "les principes
dont la ferme et sincere application " is essential for
the well being of the State. In speaking of the
popular demonstrations during the last summer in
celebration of his advent to the Belgian throne, the
King expressed himself warmly and happily to the
point. The words " temoiguages d'affection et de
devouement " were strictly and literally true, for his
personal popularity amongst his subjects equals that
of the Queen of England with hers ; and even those
who might have been formerly unfavorable to his
dynasty, cannot longer refrain doing justice to his
exceeding merit. Everywhere the house of
Coburg is identifying itself worthily and nobly with
constitutional government—as of old that of the
Bourbons was synonymous with absolutism. The
King looked remarkably well, and appeared in high
spirits.
Since the policy of England, within a recent
period, has verged towards that of Austria, the
Prussian Government, on the contrary, has had a
leaning towards France, and resents any stricture on
an anti-Austrian course of conduct.
A large meeting of Hungarian Protestants took
place at Debretzin, when it was resolved that a peti-
tion should be presented to the Emperor praying for
the convocation of a general synod to determine
upon the necessary steps to be taken in protection
against the threatened attack of the Austro-Papal
Concordat. The conferences of lglo had the same
object; and it would appear that everywhere the
Concordat has caused the greatest dissatisfaction.
In Bohemia three large districts have, on that ac-
count, separated from the Roman Church, and
others are likely to follow the example.
Symptoms of official vigour are being shown in the
Danubian principalities. Prince A. Ghika has
caused two of the principal boyards to be arrested
for corrupt practices in the discharge of their magis-
terial duties. M. A. Goudjo is to be tried for having,
without authority, affixed the seals of the province to
petitions in favour of the ex-Hospodar Stirbey, the
avowed agent of Austria ; and M. C. Brailoi, Presi-
dent, of the Chamoer of Commerce, has been cen-
sured for an improper interference with the Kaima-
kan on the removal of incompetent officials. Certain
papers have been found, during the researches of
M. Soutzaki into matters connected with the pre.
ceding Administration, deeply compromising Prince
Stirbey, and the more so as they are in his own
handwriting. Transactions that were difficult of ex-
planation can now be traced to their Austrian source.
Among other changes, that of the army has not been
the least effective. It had been the practice to give
commissions to the partisans of Austria without
obliging them to take active service, or to form the
army. These have been dismissed, and their
names—C. Bibesco, Brancovano, A. Stirbey, N.
Bibesco, M. Ghika, G. Sakellario, G. Philippesco,
mid G. Aristarki—sufficiently indicate the party to
which they belonged, and the reason of their promo-
tion. The mixed commission for the limitation of
the Bessarabian frcntier that had come from Jassy
to Galatz, has again returned to the scene of its
labours, nor is it likely that these will be terminated
before two or three months. The other, or riverain
commission anpointed to report upon the navigation
of the Di nubs, has already assembled at Vienna,
furnished sith all the necessary materials for its im-
portant task. It only awaits the presence of the
Wallaehian commissioner to commence its sittings.
When the Empress-Mother of Russia was passing
by the beautiful shores of the Lago Maggiore, her
Majesty stopped a day at Baveno to visit the famed
" hole Borromeo." These are situate within the
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