The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-09 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
BRUSSELS, Nov. 'T.—The King this day opened
the legislative session of the Belgian Chambers,
with the following speech
" Gentlemen,—In presence of the war which afflicts a
portion of Europe, Belgium feels more vividly than ever
the value of a neutrality strengthened by the confidence
and the sympathies of all the Powers. All the Powers,
in fact, continue to give us the marks of their esteem
and good-will.
"In this position, in some measure a privileged one,
Belgium devotes herself with safety to the labour of
peace.
" Public instruction in all its branches is the object of
our constant solicitude; any Government is penetrated
with the importance of this great social interest. The
laws which regulate it are carried out conformably to
their spirit.
" Your attention, gentlemen, will be called to the
organisation of the jury system, and to the higher class
of education.
" Our artists honourably maintain the old reputation
of the Belgian school ; the Exhibition of 1854 gave a
striking proof of it.
" Literature and the sciences justify, by their uncon-
tested progress, the encouragement given to them by the
State.
" Whilst blessing Vrovidence for baying given us the
blessing of a fine hg.rvest, I am sorry to acknowledge
the influence which events exercise upon the price of all
articles of food. My Government will bring before you
the. measures it may deem best suited to ameliorate the
situation, and I trust that the resources of labour and
the solicitude of the richer classes will succeed in re-
lieving the sufferings of our excellent working classes.
" Our external commerce is, generally, in the ascen-

dant.
"A treaty concluded with Mexico will in future shield
our flag from the additional taxes inscribed in the navi-
gation act of that country. It will give a new energy
to our relations with one of the principal Transatlantic
markets.
" You will also, gentlemen, have to examine a con-
vention destined to guarantee artistic and literary pro-
perty betWeen.Belginua and Groat Britain ; and to awe•

liorate, by the reduction of tariffs, the position of our
book trade in the most important of its markets.
"The judicial organisation and the attorney institu-
tions have given rise to labours the results of which will
be laid before you.

"The second portion of the new penal code will also
become the object cf your deliberations.
"The completion of railways entrusted to companies
will soon have formed a network of communication such
as few countries can boast of.

"The concessionary companies have, under the cir-
cumstances, met with unforeseen obstacles ; they have
LICA been discouraged by them.
"The progressive increase of the produce of our rail-
ways is a proof of actual prosperity, and predicts the
future prosperity of this great national undertaking.
" This increase and that of many other branches of
public revenue have exceeded the provisions, and dis-
pense with adincrease of taxes.
"The loan you authorised has been concluded. It has
enabled my Government, without loss to the Treasury,
to carry out the law of the 28th December, 1850—the
calling in of the gold pieces.
"A. special account of these two operations will be
laid before you.
"The army, aware of its duties, devotes itself to
them completely. As well as the civic guard, it me-
rits your solicitule and the confidence of the country.
Both are united by the same idea of order and attach-
ment to the national independence.
"That independence, gentlemen, has been re-assured,
and we may look at the future without anxiety. How-
ever, the duties of governmental power are attended
' with inevitable difficulties. In the present situation
there exists particular ones. You will take account
of them; gentlemen, your patriotism convinces me of
it ; and it is with confidence that I claim for my Go-
vernment your benevolent and efficacious concurrence."