The Express.
London, England, 1865-12-11 00:00:00

TAM ETia.'

Tart year 1866, melancholy and even disastrous
as it has been in some other respects, will be
sadly memorable in the annals of the cen-
tury for its contributions to the obituary of
illustrious men. It has witnessed the removal from
the scene of the wisest monarch and the ablest
and most experienced statesman of our time,
upon whose lives the peace of Europe has
often been supposed to depend. It is
but a few weeks since we heard of the King of
the Belgians being deeply affected at the death of
his old friend Lord Palmerston, at an age it is true
more advanced than his own, but after so slight
and short an illness that the fatal end seemed
sudden, so exempt from the ordinary conditions of
infirmity and decay, so robust and vigorous, had
been the bearing of those fourscore years. King
Leopold, whose death we announce with unfeigned
regret to-day, was some years younger than Lord
Palmerston, who died on the eve of his eighty-first
birthday. Had the King's life been spared till the
close of the present week be would have completed
his seventy-fifth year. There is, it seems, some-
thing that preserves and invigorated in the wear
and tear of public life, on the heights of power,
and in the searching air of supreme responsibility
and exalted ambition. Few men who are con-
tent to dwell in private ease live so long or so
enjoyingly as those whose capacities for work
and pleasure have been kept always at the full
strain. Such was Lord Palmerston, and such
was King Leopold. Both were splendidly endowed
with every natural gift, and both may be said,
in common language, to have lived all their lives.
Yet in the one case it was not until on the verge of
the eighty-first year, and in the other until the
span of three score years and ten had been some
five years exceeded, that any symptom of the
failure of bodily powers became perceptible ; and
to the last moment each of them possessed all the
early force of intellect, all the ardour and buoyancy
of heart. Lord Palmerrton's strength had no doubt
been declining for several months ; the attacks of
gout had been more frequent and more severe, yet
the mind was ever ready, and the bodily presence
resolutely defiant of time and pain. King Leo-
pold's robust and elastic temperament bad, it is
known, been sorely tried during several years by
repeated attacks of one of the most distressing and
dangerous of maladies, and still more by the severe
operations which he was compelled at intervals to
undergo. But it was long before the time came
when the strongest constitution and the moat watch-
ful medical skill could no longer withstand these
shocks, when the bodily strength was shaken by
the remedies that preserved the life, and it was
only the bright and eager spirit that triumphed for
a while over the wearing exhaustion of constant
pain. Yet it did triumph so lately as a month
since. But a trifling cold was sufficient at the last
to kill Lord Palmerston within 48 hours, and an
attack of cliarrhcea, brought on by some trifling in-
discretion in diet, was enough at last to defeat all
attempts to build up again, by nourishment and
stimulants, the shattered system of the royal
patient. At a quarter before noon yesterday the
King of the Belgians—it will be difficult to identify
any successor with a title which has become
synonymous with every high and noble quality
in which most kings are wanting !—breathed his last,
and not only his own loving and beloved people—
but all Europe, liberal, conservative, absolutist,
democratic—we might say, all the civilised world—
was left to mourn for one who was indeed " a
Man "—the gallant soldier, the chivalrous gentle-
man, the sagacious statesman, the steadfast patriot,
the honest King. We need not assure our ex-
cellent Belgian neighbours bow deeply and how
sincerely Englishmen of all ranks, and parties, and
opinions, sympathise with them at this moment
of their heartfelt sorrow. Theirs is, indeed, the
right to be the chief mourners for one of whom it
is their own highest praise to have been always
worthy. But all the nations and governments of
Europe—and the English people and government
perhaps more especially, for their own beloved
Sovereign's sake in this her new great sorrow, and
for the sake of fond associations that will never be
forgotten—claim the privilege of partaking in this
first great sorrow of the admirable people whom
King Leopold made beppy and left free.

TUE FUNERAL OP CAPTAIN FOWAL—The funeral
of Captain Forts, R.E., took place on Saturday at Brom.
ton Cemetery. Besides his family and relations there were
pre
sent the following officers of the Royal Engiseers :
Majoe•Generale Seodham and Matson ; Ookaals Sir J. W.
Gordon, Chapman, C. 8., Simmonds, C. 8., Leach,
Hawkins, Scott, and flames., C. 8.; Lientseana•Colonele
Hon. H. F. Keane, Chas. Gordon. 0.11.. CoUinsoo. end
Jerre* C.B. ; Majors Ewart and Leahey ; Captains Mar.
tindale, Marsh, Sikora*, Chas. Chesney, Da CUM, Doses,
Andrew Clarke. Doenelly, and Feetin ; Lientetiants
B. 0. Jones and Crawford ; also Sir W. Dias,
sad Sir F. Sandford ; Macleod of Macleod ; the
WT. IN) la Mere ; Messrs. Henry Cole. C. 8., B. Bed.
pare, R.A., B. Redgrave, Seymour Haden, Graham,
J. C. Robinson. Moffatt, Owen Jonas, Digby Wyatt,
G. Godwin, Steph Jcseph Taylor, George Forrest,
Thomas Lucas, P. Owen. A. S. Cole, G. C. T. Bartley,
C. Rowe Dillon, G. Redgrave, G. F. Dusoombe.
rind am, Simkins. Townroo, Gamble, Eiden. sad
Douglas. The carriages of Lord Granville and other
Monde followed.
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAT'S-INN-NOAD. The
somber of patients relieved at this kona44ll daring
tlr
week ending December 9 wiui 3,870, of whkh 1,240 were
04W 001114

OUR 430)rrEMP4RVIea
(THIS DAY.) "-

TIM DISFB OF TIM ZOO: OF TO BILOLANO.
By a strange ooinoidenoe, observes the
King Leopold has followed to the tomb, within a few short
months, the ma to whom, of all others, the Belgian
monarchy owed its Mama Lord Palinsestos was the
chief architect of King Leopold's throne, and the last cd
his old political triads. If Leopold was not • great
king. be pasessed three qualities which command admin.
ton and deserve names He wee reputed a good officer, he
added to • Mama perms that charm of manner and
address ia tionamokien which are amen the highest of
modal gifts, and he showed himself in state affairs a skilful
administrator, as 'dolt diplosnaint, sad the wariest of
coaditutiocid sovereigns. He well be long Wanted by hie
people. Whether he will be hereafter known as the
founder of a peemoent dynasty —in other words, whether
Be/gin= will maintain its place as an independent kingdom
in the future map of Europe—is a very different question,
and one which neither personal genius nor pascal intereets
will have much share in determining.
Remarking that the death of the king is one of those
events whieb, after filling the public imagination for years
before with vague anticipations of dreadful oonsequenoce,
come to pass without 'ay oblige interruption of the odor
of nature, or even asy pedestals effect on the destinies of
mankind, the Daily Boos proceeds to enumerate the ex-
cellent qualities which were onspicuons in King Leopold—
prudemos, energy, simplicity, dignity of life and manners,
refined and serious tastes, a gentle heat, a religious sense of
public duty, a calm, firm judgment, liberal kffies and sym-
pathies. unalterable fidelity to eogegemente—intellectual
ad moral grams which, moreover. were united with rare
atrial advantages. Thmighout the trials and vicissitudes
ef the lest thirty-four years, the perfect mutual stood of
King and people has made Belgium a bright spot on a dark
map; a happy lame of fres institutions. If his public
poliey seemed ono, and again to some impatient liberals
anxietto
be a fault, it was rather perhaps for the scrupulous y
with which he relieved the Emperor of the French of the
slightest excuse for provorstioo. For it was no secret to
King Leopold that among the decrees which were prepared
at the Imperial Printing-41os on the morning of the Zed of
December, 1861, was one for the annexation of Belgium.
The present is not the moment so par judgment upon the
peemoned capability and disposition of m
oorpold'e ern
era. It is more seasonable to exam perfect Faith
in the public spirit, the moderatiou, the good will. the ge".
ratty, and the self-reliance of the Belgian people. Liberal
France has every reason to respect the country which has
se often served as • refuge to her proscribed ens; and we
an as mar ea possible from believing that the Emperor Napo-
leon is be the humour to repeat the experiment of recti-
fying frontiers at the risk of reopening the ern of the die.
eaten without the glories of the First Empire.
King Leopold, seys the Post, has died not merely in
same a conditaional King, but almost the only monarch
on the Continent of Europe who has in recent times stead-
fastly observed the Constitution he was pledged to support.
The general nse of insecurity on the Continent which
se
apprehensions of his deeth have invariably created, fur.
niches the meet conclusive proof of the weight which his
example and his adrift have always had in the councils of
Europe. Nevertheless the Post cannot avoid feeling that
the apprehensions entertained for the misty of Belgium are
unfounded. The Duke of Brabant, who succeeds the late
King, though of • weak 040104114i44. is well fitted to take
his father's place, and is much esteemed by the Belgian
people. His brother, the Count of Flanders, though, un-
like the Duke of Brabant, the armor of a robust con-
stitution, is not believed to command the affection of the
People.
The now King, the Herald says, has traitors in his camp,
enemies within his border—there are envious eyes beyond
it who dispute his title. IL Deechamps, himself a Bel-
gian, bas recommended the annexation of Belgium to
Francs, and there is a large party in France to adopt his
views. We cannot
the suspectb the Fresch government of bad
faith or ulterior designs ; ut very fact that then is a
faint possibility of an attempt to miry out a project which
to us seems revolutionary must convince us that the thread
is but insecurely fastesed which has seemed to mum the
mesa settlement cg Europe.
The Advertiser thinks it seed not excite surprise should
the kingdom over which Leopold ruled for more than 30
years be speedily clutched by the talons of the French
eagle. That certainly is regarded as at least not impro-
bable by the beet informed Belgians. Some of them, in-
deed, " are already making family and bushman arrange- I
mate, as fully in the belief that the annexation of their
country to Franco will, ere long, take place, as if it were '
already an accomplished fact."
The Telegraph can conceive that the close of the late
King's career may have been clouded by anxieties es to the
future of his country. He knew—no man better—that the
"Wad party, vigorous, well organised, and exercising an
enormous influence upon the rural population, only waited
for hie death to redouble its activity; and that many of
the liberals, rather than to submit to Illtramontanism,
would prefer absorption with Francis. To the last, har
ever, he held the balance of party evenly ; and, whatever
may be the future of Belgium, assuredly the 34 years of
Leopold's reign will be remembered as the happiest, be-
cause the last 'anti al is the annals of a country which
has been named " the cockpit of European armies."
The Duke of Brabant, Leopold's successor. la a prince,
mays the Star, who has as yet failed to give the world any
solid assurance of being • man soitadjor the arduous position
be is called upon to occupy. He is thought to be somewhat
too much infected with the principles of the ultramentane
party ; but this in itself would sot be much if he were known
to be powered of sufficient intellect and energy. In any case
—sad the sew King may turn out to be a worthy successor
of his father—the event will principally affect the internal
politics of Belgium, and even these not greatly.

JMIAIOk.

The Time& comments upon the embarrassing question
mind by the vote of the Jamaica legislature to set aside its
constitution, and instead of the two houses of which it has
hitherto been composed, to create a single chamber, pertly
nominated, partly elected, with only • single official in it,
and that person appointed by the Governor ; also upon
the bill inflicting heavy pains end penalties on dimming'
schools and places of worship. It will be necessary for three
who represent the origin of the recent transactions in the
colony as a mere casual riot to consider how far this view will
account for the terror which his thus actuated the assembly.
It may be mid, however, that it would have seemed more
decorous and more in consonance with the momentous
nature of the proceeding if the Home Government had been
consulted before entering on a course apparently so violent
and so unpremeditated. We can hardly imagine how any
memo that would have the effect of violently exciting
and irritating that portion of the community which pos-
sesses the greatest influence over the black population can
be advisable at the present moment. Meanwhile, it is clear
that the island gives us nothing but trouble, expense. and
inglorious contests, end being situated within the tropical&
unfit for permanent (*ionisation by the English race.
The Doily News finds in the advice, by the new mail,
not only no facts to explain the late wholesale slaughters,
but not even an indication that the need of them was felt by
the colonial authorities. White-headed old gentlemen
have embraced and shed tears of joy and gratitude
over the exploits of Colonel Hobbs and the
Maroon, and are ready to depart in peace, now
that the iniquity of the emancipation has been atoned
for. Their eons ere panne in form • few matters, end
posing indemnity bills, just to ekes the door against
any who may be disposed to try their recent acts by •
legal standard. Bat the ides of an empire of law of which
they form as iiimignifioent put, sod to the opinions of
which they are responsible ; of • British public which
cherishes the tradition of liberty and order, end which at-
tentively follows their deluge, they have not the slightest
thought for. It is England, however, that is responsible for
the government of the islend, and yet, excepting the promise
of some kind of inquiry, which could not be effectual un-
less Governor Eyre were removed— • whole mouth has
passed sway without anything being done by our ministers.
Th. Doily News, both in the interest of the friends of the
governor and of the public, further urges upon the go-
mesoismat the publication of his biter despatches, which
must throw light on so many of the vital points which are
under discussion.
The Herold ridicules the deputation who waited capon the
Coiosisl Secretary on Saturday evening, describing it as
representing chiefly the Society of Friends end the Non-
conformist deneenbations, with • sprinkling of professional
agitators. After all that has been said and written, end
for the doe allotment of Jane* L the matter, it wee im.
possible, perhaps, the Herald allows, that • formal inves-
tigation should not take place. If, however, the rancorous
Waldo, who bare boon clamouring for English blond is',

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