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

tow holds in manufactures and in commerce can
testify, In 1834 the vast network of railways now
covering Flanders was projected, and in 1837 the
National Bank was established. The birth of two
sons—one in 1837, the other in 1840—gave assur-
ance of the stability of the dynasty, and the good
government of the country is proved by the tran-
quillity it has enjoyed.

When in 1848 revolution broke out in Paris it
was feared that the sympathy which existed between
France and some of the Belgain provinces might
lead to an outbreak ; but all fears were quickly dis-
pelled by the conduct of the King. As soon as the
news reached Brussels of what had occurred in Paris
to his father-in-law, King Leopold assembled the
leaders of the different parties, reminded them of
the circumstances under which he had accepted the
Crown, and declared himself ready to resign it again
into the hands of the nation if the people really
thought they could be more happy under a republi-
can form of government. He added that violence
Was unnecessary, as he himself would like nothing
better than to live in retirement at Claremont. This
declaration put an end to all revolutionary ideas, if
any such had ever been entertained. All parties
agreed in rallying round the King, and when some
insurrectionary bands crossed the French frontiers
and threatened to raise disturbances a very few
troops were sufficient to put them to flight. The
only question which of late years has disturbed the
tranquil progress of Belgium arose in 1857, in con-
nexion.with the laws of charitable institutions. The
difficulty which occurred in that year, and the tem-
porary separation which it produced between the
Xing and the dominant majority in the Chambers,
arose solely from the desperate struggles made by
the Ultramontane party to acquire supreme power
in the State. The King's prudence and energy en-
abled him to foil their attempts, and to curb the re-
actionary as he had formerly curbed the revolu-
tionary party.
Leopold's position as King of the Belgians, how-
ever, sank into insignificance when compared with
the part he played in the State affairs of Europe.
He has occupied a position in Europe which the
most powerful monarch might envy. With singu-
lar unanimity he was chosen the umpire in inter-
national disputes ; the grievances of hostile Govern-
ments were confidentially submitted to him, and the
secrets of most Royal Houses were in his keeping.
We have already quoted the title which he received of
"Juge de Paix de l'Europe." The peculiar qualities
of his mind, his calm, judicial intellect, his habit of
close and accurate reasoning, gave him this position,
England and France are deeply indebted to him.
During the reign of Louis Philippe he was the real
connecting link between the two countries, and
whenever an international difficulty arose he it was
Who stepped in as a mediator. In the disputes which
arose between the too countries on the Eastern
question in 1840, and in the still more irritating
disputes about the Spanish marriages, he it was
whose influence was brought to bear upon both
Parties with the happiest results. Family circum-
stances, doubtless, contributed to his success, for,
as son-in-law of the King of the French and uncle
of Queen Victoria, he could mediate with great
effect; but these advantages would have been of
little service had it not been for the confidence which
every Government in Europe had learnt to repose
In him.

Our announcement to-day, then, is that the head
and prop of the most powerful family in Europe is
gone. •He was the head and prop of it, at all events
In this sense, that he was its guiding spirit. And
now our Queen has lost in quick succession a
mother, a husband, an uncle, who were among the
Most illustrious members of the great family. Two
of them at least had an European fame, and their
departure is far more than a family loss. The
Prince Consort we have learnt to regard not only as
" the father of our Kings to be," but as a true King
among us, performing many of the duties of a King ;
and Leopold King of the Belgians had by his age,
his experience, and his many connections come to
be the pacific Arbiter of Europe.

FRANCE.

PARIS, DEC. 11.

The llioniteur of this morning says—" 'The death
of the King of the Belgians has produced a deep
and melancholy impression. The loss of a sovereign
Who by his wisdom had acquired so high a position
in the councils of Europe, has excited universal re-
gret. The French Court, wishing to manifest its
Participation in these feelings, the fetes at Com-
piegne has been interrupted, and the dramatic re-
presentation arranged for this evening at Compiegne
has been countermanded."

Er-
u#;•4,14....-7-_-': -ft;
Nvoir-P,/' -
Canal z N.. 111 lat tiv if,- .
c.---,....t.--,-E,„--___ wirmlar
, .
~..,,,-----F----L-----

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Saturday.
The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High-
Ileskies Princess Helena, Princess Beatrice, and his
Serene Highness Prince Christian of Schleswig-
Rolstein, drove in the grounds yesterday afternoon,
411 d walked and drove this morning with Princess
galena.

Rer Royal Highness Princess Louise, attended by
the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, also took a drive.
The Earl and Countess Granville arrived at the
Castlel. yesterday, and had the honour of dining with
"t Majesty and the royal family, and returned to
i.
''°l:ldon to-day.

Sunday.
11 the Queen, Princess Louise, Prince Leopold,
liticess Beatrice, and Princess Hohenlohe, and the
flies and Gentlemen in Waiting, attended Divine
Iliee this morning in the private chapel.
t der Majesty received this afternoon, with pro-
t°4 sorrow, the announcement of the loss which
fallen on her Majesty and the royal family by
12 death of the King of the Belgians, her Majesty's
of t eurviving uncle, and the last of his generation
the House of Saxe-Coburg.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
SANDRINGHA3I, Saturday Night.
Leicester,
Prince of Wales, Lord Suffield, the Earl of
.71cester, the Earl of Dunmore, Viscount Royston,
"count Hamilton, Lord Rendlesham, Lord Alfred
get, Lord Berkeley Paget, Hon. Wenman Coke,
:1•04. F. Stonor, and Lieut.-Colonel Keppel went
'tlt shooting yesterday on the Hanworth side of the
Itate. The weather was thick and raw, still, for
comparatively brief day spent by the prince and
:41Y in the well-stocked preserves, a capital bag
tr 44 obtained—nearly a thousand head ; making the
11411(1 total of nearly 5,000 head for three days'
ttita°°ting. It is questionable if there is another
field in Norfolk, except Holkham, which could
such a result.
44t.his morning the visit was brought to a termi-
k ic!)- It was intended that the royal party should
Lord Sondes a visit at Elmham Hall, and par-
ha of luncheon with his lordship, but a telegram
)10:4R been received by the Prince of Wales an-
Ileu'icing the extreme danger of the King of the
4474418, the prince telegraphed to his lordship
the lig the necessity for postponing the visit for
ha,,Preeent. The Prince and Princess of Wales
G44g taken leave of the distinguished visitors at
for 0":14 (all of whom were on the point of leaving
144(1;leir Several seats) left Gunton with Lord and
a1441".1 Suffield, the Earl of Dunmore, Viscount
,larhe eiht.", the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. F. Stonor, the
/101°4ess of Carmarthen, Lieut.-Colonel Keppel,
40441' U. Ilarbord, &c., in a break and two open
btikeicith ; the former of which was driven by Lord
the prince occupying the seat on the box
saeslde of his lordship. At the park gate were a %led
Rea of large crowds of persons, and at the vil-
;4o the Hanworth and Alby flags were displayed,
Ik4tie as narks of loyalty and respect were as enthu-
4
the arrival of their roy.l highnesses.

-41)
BP
the this venerable and
4; 1n0e,,-,e' Peer unexpectedly made his appearance in
to lOrdShi mple Bencers h ' stalls at the Temple Church.
laotet to
aciP,ltPpeared in good health and spirits, but we
r era.,Seemed to be rather feeble in his physical
-ee for one noble and learned lord was in town en
-allUes, for which, we believe, he starts to-clay.