The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-13 00:00:00

that the battle for constitutional rights and
liberties was about to reconimenca,. Prussia,
with her greater age and the extent cf her
territories, acquired by fraud, or .force, is yet

Ltr behind the little kingdom of Belgium in all that

constitutes the real welfare and h appiness of a

people, and the security and stability of a Govern-
ment. She has now to do the wore: done by Eng-
land some centuries back, by Belgium, it is true,

only within the last half•century, but, thanks to
good fortune and a wise ruler, rione then so effec-
tually as to distance many older 16 Elates, The text of
the two royal addresses may alcio serve to point the
moral. The King of rltussiA.'s speech has already
been analysed and discussed in all the capitals of
Europe, and little hope of a wiser and more con-
is found in the words, which were
dilatory policy
aptly enough handed to him by Herr VoN BISMARK
the ruling spirit and evil counsellor of the King's
meditations. Very different from the programme
of the Berlin Chambers is the task assigned to the
Belgian representatives, Works of internal im-
provement andreform, public educe tion,and enlarged
commerce are the topics, and the venerable King is
able to employ the usual formalities about foreign
relations with morejustice than meny other crowned
heads. He has some right to speak of receiving
" marks of confidence and sympathy from foreign
Governments," when he is regarded as the arbiter
of differences and the referee in cases of disputed
international law. The affectionate anxiety dis-
played by his people on the occasion of his late
illness naturally calls for some acknowledgment
on the part of the KING, but the first paragraph
relating to national questions is devoted to
an event of no small importance to a
thriving trading community. The freedom
of the Scheldt has been accomplished since
the close of the last session, and King LEOPOLD
congratulates the Deputies upon this long looked
for and important occurrence. The suppression of
the burdensome toll has, with the consent of the
Netherlands, been fully carriedout, and this, added
to the diminution of the dues collected in the Bel-
gian ports, offers increased facilities to
"he development of Belgian trade and com-

" The complete liberty of our fine
river," observed the KING with natural gratifica-
tion, "sanctioned by all the Powers, henceforth
constitutes a portion of the public right of maritime
States." Another source of satisfaction, and one
happily by no means restricted to Belgium, is
found in the abundant harvest which there as else-
where serves happily to counterbalance in some
degree the depression induced by other causes.
Tne KING speaks also of the rapid development
of the means of railway communication ; and
although it may appear strange to us to find such a
topic occupying a paragraph of the Speech from the
rhrone, or indeed influenced in any degree by the
wishes of the Government, we must, remembering
the Continental customs, congratulate the Belgians
on the readiness with which the authorities enter
into the public necessities. The remaining topics
of the address are all subjects of internal
iciprovement, such as the revision of the Commer-
cial and Criminal Codes, the extension of Public
Instruction, and the favourable representation of
Belgian talent made at the English Exhibition.
It is a good sign when such topics are the promi•
nent features in a royal speech at a time when the
whole of the neighbouring states are agitated by
difficult and weighty questions. Prussia distracted
by internal dissensions nod perilously involved
with Russia in regard to Poland, Austria occupy-
ing a doubtful and invidious position with regard
to Italy, Denmark waiting fur the attack of the
Diet, and the whcle body of German potentates
and peoples perplexed and anxious respecting the
ne kv movement in favour of unity, may all find
something to envy in the obscure little kingdom
which manifests so striking an example of the
blessings of Constitutional Government and liberal
policy. The quiet and cautious LEOPOLD
would probably hardly be accepted as a
model by any of the younger and more
ambitious rulers of those States, yet there
are some points in which they would do well to
copy him. By his prudent and tolerant rule he has
brought his kingdom safely through that awkward
and dangerous transition state which follows on a
disturbance of existing institutions and dynasties.
Though not a model monarch, or perhaps a very
high-minded King, he has known, like Queen
ELIZABETH, the art of ruling his people. He has
always avoided those trials of strength into which
the King of PRUSSIA so rashly plunges, forgetting
that it is possible for Governments, as well as indi-
viduals, to get into such a position that retreat is
undignified and advance unwise. The vicissitudes
of King LEOPOLD'S career have been singular and
romantic, and its clos3 sees the family of the
COBURGS in a very different position in Europe from
the one they occupied at its opening, and the
next occupant of the throne of Belgium wilt
assume a steadier and more prosperous scat than
the heir of many greater dignities. It is to be
hoped, however, that King LEOPOLD may yet be
spared t) his people. This is not a crisis in which
age and experience can be well replaced by youth
however vigorous, or energy however daring. The
craftiness of some, the insolence of others, the
general uncertainty and suspicion, call for wise
heads, no less than strong hands and stout heart', in
the Council chambers of Europe. In such assemblies
the absence of the venerable ruler of the little Bel-
gian Kingdom would be a loss to be sincerely re-
gretted by every lover of wise and moderate coun-
cils, and a vacancy not easily to be filled.

merce.

It is very desirable that the subject of the Volun-
teers should be from time to time brought forward
to keep alive the interest in the public mind, and to
stimulate those who are concerned in the affairs,
to,
especially
° n se every exertion, and act with the utmost
vigilance.
The speech of the Earl DE GREY and
RIP", at the annual meeting of the Westminster
Volunteers, deserves attention in many respects,
and
i tsee p,
:I I_l/ welcome in doing honour to a
cause that should always attract respect and regard.
The high position
Which his lordship holds renders
what he says of double
importance,
and the whole
tone and tenons of his
observations reflect the
highest credit on himself,
and through him, does
honour to the Ministry at which he is a member.
It must have been especially
gratifying to all who
have the prosperity of the Cause
at heart, and who
rightly 'appreciate the importance of its welfare,
to listen to the noble Earl's remarks, and to
dwell upon the chief points of his
genial and
gracious address. Of course, the b
a servations
are made by one well versed in all the matters he
discusses, and therefore it is desirable to dwell
upon some of his most striking statements, and'
consider his leading suggestions. In T the
first
place
the question of a Parliamentary grant was analysed
by his lordship, and he very forcibly pointed out
the necessity that existed for this step. Notwith-
standing the objections raised and the doubts en-
tertained as to the advisability of such a course, all
inquiries and investigations terminated in the
same result, and the grant was indisputably proved
to be a fitting and desirable one. The fact was
that the force could not have been kept up at its
then state of efficiency, if some assistance lied not
been stforded to it, for the exertions that had been
made and the sacrifices effected by p:ivate indivi-
duals at the commencement of the un'ertaking had