The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-18 00:00:00

THE LATE KING OF THE BELGIANS

BRUSSELS, Dec. 16.
The funeral obsequies of the late King of the
Belgians were celebrated to-day, and were most

imposing.
The facade of the Palace was draped with black
tapestry, studded with golden lions, and was illu-
minated by numerous funereal lamps.
At 10.30 a.m. the Duke of Brabant entered the
room where the body of the deceased King lay in
state, having on his right the King of Portugal, and
followed by the Count of Flanders and the Prince
of Wales, the latter of whom wore the scarlet uni-
form of an English Field Marshal, the Crown Prince
of Prussia, and the Archduke Joseph of Austria,
Prince Louis of Hesse, and Prince Arthur, who was
dressed in the Highland costume. Other high per-
sonages followed, among whom were the Prince de
Joinville, the Duke d'Aumale, and the Duke de Ne-
mours. After the Royal Princes came the Envoys
Extraordinary from the different courts of Europe,
including Lord Sydney and General Grey.
At 11 o'clock precisely the funeral cortege started.
The hearse, drawn by eight horses caparisoned in

black, presented a very imposing appearance.
Crowds, silent and collected, thronged the streets,
windows, and the roofs of the houses.
All the shops and offices in Brussels were closed.
The cortege arrived at Laeken at 2.30 p.m. The
Duke of Brabant, with the King of Portugal on his
right and the Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur on
his left, took his plane in the temporary church in
front of the sarcophagus, followed by the other
Princes and representatives of foreign Powers.
The funeral service having been performed, the
coffin was lowered into the family vault and placed
to the right of the Queen of the deceased Monarch.
INAUGURATION OF KING LEOPOLD 11.

BRUSSELS, Dec. 17.
To-day King Leopold 11. took the oath to the
Constitution before both Houses of the Belgian

Government.
Upon leaving the Palace at Laeken the Queen, in
deep mourning, preceded the King in a carriage
drawn by six horses. The King followed a few
minutes afterwards. His Majesty received the con-
gratulations of the Burgomaster of Laeken, and,
after replying in gracious terms, mounted on horse-
back, accompanied by the Duke of Flanders and
the Archduke Joseph of Austria. The King and
Queen were received with enthusiastic cheers along
the entire route, and arrived at the House of Parlia-
ment at midday, where a similar reception awaited
them. The King wore the uniform of a Lieutenant-
General of the Belgian army, and the Grand Cordon
of the Order of Leopold. Bareheaded and with
outstretched hands, his Majesty pronounced the
words of the Constitutional oath in a firm voice.
I The taking of the oath to the Constitution created
great enthusiasm.
His Majesty then made a speech, in which he
stated that Belgium, as well as himself, had lost a
father. He was moved by the homage of the nation
and the sympathy of foreign Sovereigns and Princes,
and thanked them in his own name and in the name
of his country. His Majesty continued :—" I shall
religiously follow the example and the precepts of
my father, and will never forget the duties imposed
upon me by this precious inheritance. I will be a
Belgian King from my heart and soul. I love those
great institutions which guarantee order and liberty,
and which are the most solid bases of the Throne.
My Constitutional position keeps me aloof from the
conflict of opinions, leaving the country to decide
between them. I desire to give those who devote
themselves to the crowning of the national edifice
the assurance of my co-operation. By activity and
progress Belgium will retain the support of foreign
Powers."
His Majesty repeated the words uttered by his
late father upon ascending the throne, "My heart
knows no other ambition than to see you happy,"
and concluded by imploring the Divine assistance
and protection for himself and Belgium.
His Majesty's speech was received with great
enthusiasm.
The Queen then presented her son to the Cham-
bers, and their Majesties took their departure amid
shouts of " Vive le Roi ! Vive la Reine ! Vive le
Comte de Hainault !"
The presentation of the addresses of the Senate
and Chamber of Deputies to the King will take
place this evening. The exact text has not yet tran-
spired, but the tenour is known to express a desire
for concord.
di secaodroartni
oends
.w iAt h g fle
na
egrsa, eu
Thu houseso being
l
hurningewciitthy
take place this evening.

GOVERNOR EYRE.—The Governor of Jamaica,
whose acts have of late been so much cany'assed, is con-
nected district
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--Eastern Morning News.
A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at
official residence of the First Lord of the Treasu
Ministers present were :—Earl Russell, the Lotd.
C The
cellor, Earl Granville, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Claren-
don,- the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, Earl de Grey, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Duke of Somerset, the
Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, and the Right Hon. C. P.
Villiers.
THE TEMPLE READERS/Ir.—We understand that
there are 136 candidates for this appointment, and that
among them are some of the most accomplished readers
and preachers of the day. The election is expected to tak
plea during the enatilag term