The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-12 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE BELGIAN CHAMBERS

The following is the full text of the speech deli
d by
his Majesty the King of the Belgians a 1
thee opening
of the Chambers, a telegraphic sum•
waryr
which har already appeared :
veof
Gentlemen.—After the testimonies of affection and devo-
tion of which I have been the object, and which have
touched me profoundly, I am happy to find myself again in
the midst of the representatives of the nation.
I continue to receive marks of confidence and sympathy
upon the part of foreign Governments.
Since the last legislative session the country has seen the
accomplishment of an event which was the object of its
legitimate and long-continued wishes—the Scheldt is irre-
vocably set free. Carried out by common agreement with
the Netherlands, the suppression of the toll, which bur-
dened navigation, strengthens our good understanding with
a neighbouring and friendly people. The complete liberty
of our fine river, sanctioned by all the Powers, henceforth
constitutes a portion of the public right of maritims States.
The diminution of the dues collected in our ports renders
still more efficacious the freedom of the Scheldt, and a series
of international regulations stipulates for guarantees and
new facilities destined to increase our intercourse with most
markets of the world.
Our commerce and trade will not leave barren the advan-
tages now secured to them.
Thanks to the intelligent efforts of those who devote
themselves to its pursuit, agriculture does not cease to make
progress. The products of the earth serving for public food
are abundant. This favourable result moderates the trials
which unfortunate events have imposed upon a portion of
our labouring classes, by whom they have been courageously
submitted to. We are able to hope that the last traces of
this situation will speedily be obviated by the development
of our trade, the prosperity of which we are glad to an-
nounce, and which will acquire still greater scope under
the beneficent influence of free competition.
A bill will be laid before you to render the tariff re-
sulting from our recent convictions of general application,
and to extend further the reforms of our Customs' legisla-
tion.
Rapid and economic means of transport exercise a more
marked influence daily upon the prosperity of nations. The
questions therewith bound up have constantly attracted the
solicitude of my Government. The last railway concession
continue to be carried out. Among the lines which have been
decreed several will be thrown open to traffic at no distant
date, and various contracts, the object of which is to ex-
tend the network of our railways, will be laid before the
legislature.
Modifications, favourably received, have been introduced
to the tariffsthof
ttroccupiedhoeduSctiantge
stillrailways.the
furMr y Government is
reductions, while
seeking to•unite financial requirements with the interests of
intoin
trade and commerce.
The state of the finances is, moreover, satisfactory, not-
withstanding the considerable increase of expense occa-
sioned by the necessity of accommodating the salaries of the
State employds, the magistracy, army, and clergy to the
Price of the necessaries of life.
In order to impart increased free expansion to individual
activity, it is requisite to place our laws in harmony with
the progress sanctified by experience. A Bill for a revision
of the Commercial Code drawn up in such a spirit will be
placed before you, and while awaiting its sanction, proposi-
tions embodying new rules for the constitution of joint-stock
societies will be submitted to your consideration.
The right of lending upon interest, implicitly conceded
in the revised penal code by the suppression of the penalties
against usury, will be definitively settled in a bill that will
be placed before you,
Our constitution, as well as our organic laws, in agree.

went with our traditions, have secured great liberty of
action in our communes. Nevertheless, various measures
have already been adopted to simplify and accelerate the
progress of administrative affairs. New arrangements will
be proposed to you, which while extending the power of
the permanent deputations of provincial councils, will
render the exercise of the privileges of communes more easy
and more rapid.
As soon as the Chambers shall have agreed upon the
principles which ought to regulate judicial organisation,
partimlarly with regard to the formation of assize courts,
my Government will finish the task it has undertaken of
revising the code of criminal law.
A bill for the rural code will also be laid before you.
A
It is not only in material order that we announc the
prosperous condition of the country.
The national spirit animates all classes of societ
re iy, and
displays itself in the feelings of patriotism whichreign
the civic guard, as well as in the army.
Noble emulation exists everywhere to
contribute to the
intellectual and moral development of the country,
The Belgian School shone with especial lustre at the In-
ternational Exhibition at London. Our fine arts contribu-
tions—in which, nevertheless many of our principal masters,
being occupied upon important works of monumental paint-
ing, were not represented—have shown that rising talent is
spreads fur
upon the increase. The country is entitled to hope that our
are insuffician;
school, while continuing to become more perfect, will be
still worthier in the future of the glorious traditions of the
past.
Public instruction in all classes keeps pace with the wishes
ltohcealpi
tui
ebsl itch
the
authorities,schoo l
s of the people. Popular instruction, which never ceases to
for the number of children requiring to be taught.
condition of things demands constant sacrifices
t h engageer da i they . i °I
tne rest
manyof
This
communes, the provinces, and the State. NeNvfrom the
creoits will
be asked of you to assist in building and furnishing
schools.
The projects which I have just en
which I have previously spoken, umerated, and those of
labours fruitful. I hope,
gentlemen, will suffice to render your
Government the loyal and efficacious you will afford my
cacious assistance necessary
, 1 to attain our common object.
'jug 1 lIIIMENN.--

Mr. BROUGH furnishes the Haymarket Christ-
mas burlesque, and Mr. BYRON, as usual, those for Covent-
Garden and the Strand, with possibly, also, that for the
Adelphi,