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

OPENING OF THE BELGIAN CHAMBERS.

The following is the full test of the speech deli-
vered by his Majesty the King of the Belgians at
the•opening of the Chambers, a telegraphic sum-
mary of which her already appeared :
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 maritime 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 inctease 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 spebdily 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
into the tariffs of the State railways. My Government is
occupied with introducing still further reductions, while
seeking to unite financial requirements with the interests of
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 cn2ployds, the magistpcy, 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
bo placed before you,
Our constitution, as well as our organic laws, in agree-
ment 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,
particularly 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'
It is not only in material order that we announce the
prosperous condition of the country.
The national spirit animates all classes of society, and
displays itself in the feelings of patriotism
the civic guard, as well as in the army. which reign in
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
upon the increase. The country is entitled to hope that our
school, while continuing to become more Perfect, will be
still worthier in the future of the glorious traditions of the

past.
public authorities, spreads fur-
Public instruction in all classes keeps pace with the wishes
of the people. Popular instruction, which never ceases to
ltohcealities the schools are insufficient
en;age the infrterrnest:!nyof
ther daily':
pf childt:cn drequiring to be taught. This
demaL s constant sacrifices from the
forcon tdhiteionnunoltbethiings
communes, the provinces, anti the State. New creoits will
be asked of you to assist in building and furnishing
schools.
The projects which I have just enumerated, and those of
which I have previously spoken, will suffice to render your
labours fruitful. I hope, gentlemen, you will afford my
Government the loyal and efficacious assistance necessary
to attain our common object.

ion :

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

The following is the complete text of the Empe-
ror's letter to the Sovereigns, inviting them to a
European Congress at Paris :
" In view of the events which every day arise
and become urgent, I think it indispensable to' fully
express my ideas to the S overeigns to whom the
destiny of the nations is confided.
" Whenever severe shocks have shaken the bac. es
rind displaced the limits of States, salemn transac -
tions have taken place to arrange the new elements,
and to consecrate by revision the accomplished
transformations. Such was the object of the treaty
of Westphalia in the 17th century, and of the ne-
gotiations at Vienna in 1815. It is on the latter
foundation that now reposes the political edifice of
Europe ; and yet, as you are aware, it is crumbling
away on all sides.
" If the situation of the different countries be
attentively considered, it is impossible not to
acknowledge that the treaties of Vienna upon
almost all points are destroyed, modified, misun-
derstood, or menaced. Hence duties without rule,
rights without title, and pretensions without re-
straint. The danger is so much the more formid-
able, because the improvements brought about by
civilisation, which has bound nations together by
the identity of material interests, would render
war still more destructive.
" This is a subject for serious reflection ; let us
not wait, before deciding on our course, for sudden
and irresistible events to disturb our judgment, and
carry us away, despite ourselves, in opposite direc-
tions. _

" I therefore propose to you to regulate the pre-
sent, and secure the future in a Congress.
" Called to the throne by Providence and the will
of the French people, but trained in the school of
adversity, it is perhaps permitted me less than any
other to ignore the rights of the Sovereigns and the
legitimate aspirations of the peoples.
"Therefore I am ready, without any preconceived
system, to bring to an International Council the
spirit of moderation and justice, the usual portion of
those who have so many various trials.
"If I take the initiative in such an overture, I
do not yield to an impulse of vanity ; but as I am
the Sovereign to whom ambitious projects are most
attributed, I have it at heart to prove by this
frank and loyal step that my sole object is to arrive
without a shock at the pacification of Europe. If
this proposition be favourably received, I pray you
to accept Paris as the place of meeting.
" In case the princes, allies, and friends of France
should think proper to heighten by their presence
their authority of the deliberations, I shall be proud
to offer them my cordial hospitality. Europe would
see, perhaps, some advantage in the capital from
which the signal for subversion has so often been
given becoming the seat of the Conferences des-
tined to lay the basis of a general pacification.
" I seize this opportunity to renew to you the
assurance of my sincere attachment.
" Written at Paris on the 4th of November of the
year of grace, 1563.
(Signed) "NAPOLEON.
(Countets'gned) "DROUTN DE LINYS."

(Scharts Express.)
The Europe of to-day publishes the text of the
Letter of the Emperor Napoleon to the princes and
Free cities composing the Germanic Confedera-

" Very high and very illustrious Sovereigns,
Princes, and Free Cities composing the most
Serene Germanic Confederation,—

" In presence of the events which arise and crowd
upon each other day by day, I think it my bounden
duty to declare my whole thoughts to the Sove-
reigns to whom the destiny of the peoples is con-
fided.
" Every time that profound shocks have shaken
the bases and displaced the limits of States there
have ensued solemn transactions with a view to co-
ordinate the new elements, and consecrate, while
revising, these accomplished transformations. Such
was the object of the treaty of Westphalia in the
17th century, and the negotiations at Vienna in
1815. It is upon this last foundation that the
poli-
tical edifice of Europe still reposes; and yet, as you
are aware, it is crumbling topieces in every

rection.
" If you attentively consider the situation of the
different countries, it is impossible not to recognise
that on almost all points the treaties of Vienna are
misunderstood, and menaced.
destroyed, modified,
Hence come irregular duties, rights without title-
deeds, and unbounded pretensions—a peril so much
the more to be dreaded inasmuch as the improve-
ments introduced by civilisation, which have united
the peoples by the solidarity of material interests,
would make war still more destructive.
" This is a subject for grave meditation. Let us
not wait before making up our minds until sudden
and irresistible events trouble our judgments, and
hurry us along, in spite of ourselves, in contrary
directions.
" I come, then, to propose to you to regulate the
present and to guarantee th Providence m a Congress.
" Called to the throne by and by the
will of the French people, but reared in the school
of adversity, it is perhaps less permissible in me
than in another to ignore either the rights of sove-
reigns or the legitimate aspirations of the peoples.
Accordingly, I am ready, without preconceived sys-
tem, to carry into an international council that
spirit of moderation and justice which is the com-
mon possession of those who have undergone so
many and various trials.
"If I take the initiative in such a proposal, I
do not yield to an impulse of vanity ; but as I am
the Sovereign to whom it is usual to attribute am-
bitious projects, I earnestly wish to prove by this
frank and loyal step that my only aim is to arrive
without a convulsion at the pacification of Europe.
If this proposition is acceded to, I beg of you to
accept of Paris as the place of assembling.
"In case the princes, allies, and friends of France
shall think meet to increase by their presence the
authority of the deliberations, I shall be proud to
offer them a cordial hospitality.
" Europe would, perhaps, see some advantage in
the fact of the capital, whence has so often issued
the signal for commotions, becoming the seat of con-
ferences destined to lay the foundation of a general
pacification.
" I seize this opportunity to renew to you the
assurance of my sincere attachment, and of the lively
interest that I take in the prosperity of the States
of the Confederation.
" And now, very high and very illustrious Sove-
reign Princes and Free Cities composing the most
Serene Germanic Confederation, I pray God to have
Sou in His good and holy keeping.
"Written at Paris the 4th of November, in the
year of grace 1863.
(Signed) " NAPOLEON.
(Countersigned) " DROUYN DE LIWYS,"

DEATH AND MARRIAGE.—A daughter of Dr.
Wright, who is under sentence of death for the murder of
Lieut. Sanborn, has been, at his express desire, married in
his cell to a young man to whom she had long been engaged'
The doctor has had his coffin made after a peculiar pattern
designed by himself—the top cud is raised so as to form 0
chamber over the face 10 inches high, and on the inner sides
he fastened the photographs of all his fainily.--4212criaid
Paler.
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tuectin g.

PAP E R
•
.•
Earl De Grey and Ripon upon: 7 .4
• Movement.
•
The annual supper and entertain e
, and 14th companies, St. Martin's
22d Middlesex (Queen's, Westminster) ' 'se C s,
took place last evening at the Freemasons' Tavern,
the Right Hon the Earl Da Grey and Ripon in
the chair.
The usual loyal and patriotic and some other
toasts having been given the health of the noble
chairman was drunk amidst load applause.
The Earl DE GREY and RIPON, in returning
th anks, said it was his fortune to have leant officially
coo netted with the volunteer movement tamest from
its coenmencement. It had sprung into existence
througi: the spontaneous action and feeling's of the
entire community. It was believed that the c.ea ntry
was in danger, aral the late Lord Herbert, who, was
then in power, most justly frit that the priip er
course for the government was to give assistan CC,
and to aid in the formation of the national dete.i!--
mination to defend the liberties of the country.)
(Hear.) That being the case it was, of course, the
duty of the government to see that the force was
raised in accordance with the act of Parliament, and
also in accordance with a military discipline which
w,le so necessary, for its efficiency. It was on that
priii.'iple that they had acted. In order that the
force
should be established on a more perma-
nent lauds, it was necessary that they should.
more geteerously contribute to its aid. The com-
mission appointed by the Government reported in
favour of the capitation grant. That grant was
objected to by many on the ground that if the force
received any pecuniary assistance from the Govern-
ment, it would lose its voluntary character.
they determined upon the grant the Government:
thought it right to carry out steps which would.
make the force permanent, and at the same time
maintain its discipline and efficiency.. It. Was also - •
thought essential that in the maintenance of that
discipline the Government should be in a position
to make it permanent. The recent altel•ation in the
bill had become law. He did not mean to say that
in fact those regulations might not change, and that
there was nothing in them which could not be im-
proved ; but he said he believed it was the intention
of the Government that the volunteer force should.
become a permanent one. Of course the force would
be of a fluctuating character. Officers would resign,
and privates leave the ranks, but their places Would
be filled by others, and other corps spring up. He
was afraid that his duties would oblige him noN v to
be somewhat harsher towards them. Parliament
had voted a large sum towards the volunteers,
and it would therefore be his duty to see
(which he was sure every loyal volunteer would
wish him to do) that that arm was properly ap-
plied, and that the necessary discipline of the
force was unimpaired, and that its efficiene7 was
really secured. It was of the utmost importance
that the force should be established upon'. a
sound and efficient system of discipline, and it a* as
the duty of het Majesty's Government to see theft
the rules of discipline were maintained, or else'
the ruin of the force would be inevitable. The
officers on one side, and the men on the other,
should be ready to maintain that discipline, with-
out which they would be like an unarmed mob,
and with it they would be a valuable auxiliary to
our small army, and one of the greatest blessings:to
the country. (Cheers.) With respect to the
officers there was an old but very true saying, they
could not rise to be good officers unless they learnt
to obey. He must congratulate them upon the
volunteer movement having passed out of its in-
fancy, and he hoped that he would not disappoint
the expectations which had been formed of it. The
Government believed that they could call upon the
volunteers in the hour of danger, and in all their
deliberationsvdth foreign governments they counted
upon its assistance in the hours of need, If the
volunteers did not do their duty when they were
called upon to do so they would be worse than ire-
less, because they would have induced their Go-
vernment to trust to broken reeds. He had every
confidence in the volunteer movement, and he be-
lieved that they would do their duty whenever
they were called upon to do so, if it should be in
defence of the liberties of their country.

Mr. Morrison, M.P.. and his Constituents,

Mr, Walter Morrison, M.P., addressed a crowded
assumbly of his constituent:, at Plymouth on Tues-
day evening. Speaking first on domestic matters,
he congratulated England in general, Plymouth in
particular, and Mr. Collier personally on the eleva-
tion of that gentleman, whose ability and expe-
rience were so great, to a post so important at this
critical moment as the Solicitor-Generalship. Ano-
ther theme for congratulation was the decrease of
the unemployed in Lancashire by
emigration—of.
which Mr. Morrison wished there had been more—
and by the exhaustion of the stock of manufactured
cotton goods ; thus helping to prove more than ever
that cotton was not King. As for a grant in aid of
the operatives, he wouldnotas onconsentan a‘
to_ e thatr age
egau until
the poor rate of Lancashire was
l
to that of Plymouth, .which it had not hitherto
been. Among other home measures mentioned was
the Sunday Closing of Public-houses Bill, against
which he did not vote, because he had to some extent
principle with his consti-
tuents,committed himself to its
and for which he did not wish to vote, be-
cause ho had never yet met with any beer which
would keep well from Saturday night until the
poor man would want to 'place it on the Sunday's
dinner table. He admitted, however, that
scandalous riot and drunkenness disgraced both
town and country on Sundays. The question of
Church rates was further than ever from a settle-
ment, nor would be settled until there was a corn.
promise. Mr. Morrison believed it was scandalous
to exclude Dissenters from fellowships in the uni-
versities. Those institutions, if properly used, would
educate half the nation, instead of two thousand
undergraduates. The terms of subscription ought
to be relaxed ; their stringency did great injury to
the Church itself. It was respecting foreign affairs,
however, that the hon. gentleman was most earnestly

listened to. To the Prussian liberals be, in the name
of England, wished " God speed," for they were
fighting out the battle waged by England two cen-
turies ago as the power of levying taxes; but Prus-
sia had this adverse condition, that she must keep
up a strong army to restrain the aggressive tenden-
cies of her neighbours. The mention of an Inter-
national Congress to settle the boundaries of Poland
and Europe was received by the audience with
applause. Unless such a Congress should be called
and be efficacious, he did not sac how diplo-
macy or sympathy could do more for the Pelee
than had been done. England must not go to
war on their behalf, for the help
of France was not
certain, and the risk of hostility
with America and.
Austria imminent. The Poles had not the claim to
be recognised es belligerents which the Southern
Confederacy had, for the latter had been so recog.,
nised by President Lincoln himself first, and had,
,
also a capital which had never been assailed,
fortified towns
im-
mense armies occupying many and
numerous arsenals. Mr. Morrison went on to ad-
vocate the recognition of the independence of the
colonies Confederate States, and urged that they had as much
right to secede as the American had ori-
ginally to
separate from Britain ; and that the
Fed
more right than had George 111.
toad n
endeavour tooenforce an unwilling return to alle-
e
giancre. a ls
b
Mr. Morrison then adverted to the weak-
ness of our colonial possessions, and the duty of
Canada to do something more to protect herself.
The late bombardment of the forts of Kagositna, in
Japan, was justiflud by Mr. Morrison, and the burn-
ing of the town ascribed to an inevitable accident.
The hon. {,7entk.man received from those present a
renewed lease of confidence at the close of the

LITERATURE, ART, AND OLD AGE.—There is
something remarkable in the longevity of literary women in
modern times, even If we do not look beyond our own coun-
try. Mrs. Piozzi and Mrs. Delaney perhaps scarcely enter
within the conditions : and the still lamented Jane Austen
was under an early doom from consumption : but Miss
Edgeworth was above SO when she died; Joanna and Agnes
Baillie were older still ; and Mrs. Trollop° died the other
day at 84. The artists who have departed lately have been.
old. Biot was 87, and Vernet 74. Our Mulready was 77 ;
and Professor Cockerel], the architect, was 73.—Once
Week.