The Sun.
London, England, 1841-11-11 00:00:00

-; - - ,

VENING

NG of the BELGIAN SENATE .

SPEECH OF THE KING OF BELGIUM.
GENTLENEN,—Notwithstanding certain foolish and
odious attempts, we may congratulate ourselves on the
circumstances under which we open the session.
Agood understanding is once more established among
the great European Powers ; the attitude of Belgium,
during the difficult trial she has undergone, has again
tatified to her sentiments of order and nationality.
My relations with foreign Cabinets hive preserved that
character of benevolent confidence which' assures every
day the position of Belgium.
The labours of the Commissions instituted at the ter-
mination of tie treaty of peace have received a new im-
petus, and we can foresee the time when .all the ques-
tions left undecided will simultaneously meet with a com-
plete and definitive solution.
The second exposition of the national industry attested
increased improvement ; with the fact of togreat success
in production, the necessity of extending our external
relations can only be felt still more keenly.
Commercial negotiations ire opened with different
Powers, the results of some of which will be communi-
cated to you ; others are still going on according to the
principles of national policy and a wholesome apprecia-
tion of our material interests.

The harvest, at one time menaced, now appears to be
sufficient, and, thanks to Divine Providence, I hope that
measures, at one time contemplated, will be no longer

necessary.

The moral and intellectual condition of Belgium is
still the object of my unceasing and active solicitude.
The creation of an Academy of Medicine has filled up
a void, the inconvenience of which had long been felt.
The Government has contributed to give the most
complete organization to one of our oldest academies of
painting and sculpture.
The comptition among the Colleges, decreed by the
law relative to the highest departments of learning, can-
not fail to give a new impulse to academical studies.
The competition among the establishments of a secon-
dary order of instruction has been maintained and applied
upon a more extended basis.
I consider it my duty to call your attention to the
secondary and primary branches of public instruction,
but claiming the priority of attention for the last-named:
it is a question of social order worthy of onr most lively
interest.

Independently, of Ahelleport required every year by
the law relative to tha highest branches of public in-
struction, an account will be presented to you of the two
other degrees of instruction : in those accounts you will
find much useful information to assist you in the pro-
gress of your discussions.
The experience of five years has made manifest several
deficiencies in the comuninal law : propositions tending
to surround the system of municipal finance. with new
guarantees are prepared, and will beTorthwith:presented
to you. Everything indicates that, in the communal or-
ganization itself, an important nmdifiCation fs become
necessary.

The hiw regarding civil competence has rendered, in
cases of the.slightcst importance, the übtaining_of justice
far more easy and much less expensive than heretofore :
it will permit the Courts of , Appeal to accelerate the
decision of causes within their provinces,
The duties of Justices of Peace being now' definitively
fixed, the new circumscription of the cantons may be
decreed : you will receive the remainder of the proposi-
tions, a part of which is already in your posseSSion.
Many judicial persons, as well as those connected with
them in subordinate situations, receive salaries by no
means adequate to the magnitude of the duties they have
to perform, nor indeed to keep up a proper station in
social life : a Bill having for its object to ameliorate the
position of the magistracy and the eour des comptes will
shortly he presented to you.
Prison discipline continues to improve. ,Xhe reforms
to be introduced into establishments of pnblic benevo-
lence, more especially into lunatic hospitals, have also re-
ceived the attention of the Government.

The works undertaken either by the State, the pro-
vinces, or the communes, are prosecuted With true emu-
lation ; all the lines of railway are adjudged, and the
day is not very remote when this great undertaking will
be completed.

Measures will be submitted to you with respect to our
navy, to the development of our foreign mails, and to
favour the circulation on our railways. .
I hope that our resources will allow us. to direct
our efforts to the amelioration of our navigation and
export trade. _ _ _

The execution of the law upon the communal roads
has met with no obstacles ; the subsidy by you voted
has exercised the best influence •

We have had fewer accidents to deplore in the exploit-
ation of our mineral riches. At the same time that my
Government re-established discipline among the work-
men, it provided 14 their future well-being, and that
of their families, by the institution of savings'-banks,
the last of which has been established and legally re-
cognised. •
The city winch the Constitution has proclaimed the
capital of the Kingdom has been for several years in a
situation of difficulties from which, unaided, it has been
impossible to extricate itself but it has determined at
,great sacrifices to endow the -State With establishments
which were wanting. A convention, which has just been
concluded for this purpose, will be submitted for your
approbation: • _

You will have, also, another question of national equity
to examine-7-in what manner to repair the disasters of
war.

A prtion 'of.the public revenue, paralysed by the
crises, of late years, is in an improvin,, state. Provisions
which circumstances authorize, and the application of ti
wise economy, permit my Government topresent to you
for the year 1842, a budget offering a due equilibrium
between the receipts and expenditure, without being
obliged to have recourse to the creation of new burdens.
Let us fervently hope that no incident may arise to de-
stroyour hopes, justified by our past and present situation.
The interests of national industry, commerce, and
navigation, as well as those of-the Treasury, imperiously
call fur the revision of the law upon sugars. Such
revision will be
.proposed to you, and you will consider
in what manner lit will be possible to satisfy all those
interests without creating an inequality of condition be-
tween the two interests to which the law will hereafter
be applicable.
Propositions will be made to you to insure to our na-
tional fisheries every desirable protection, and to gua-
rantee still more efficaciously the.4,,ws against 'the abuses
committed by hawkers.

One branch of our most ancient national industry,
the linen trade, has been the object of un inquiry or-
dered by the Government ; the labours of the commis-
sion, recently terminated, will be communicated to you.
The army continues to justify my confidence and that
of the country. Some organic modifications in the
administration—others arc in progress of execution—
all tend to perfect the condition of the army, to simplify
the march of its administration, and to facilitate the
controul, as well as to increase the well-being, of the
soldier. You will learn with satisfaction that these re-
sults have been obtained without trenching upon the
subsidies you have already voted. It remains for you
to provide for the expenses of the two last months of
the current year ; the budget presented to you for the
year 1842 is framed within the same limits, at the same
time containing measures favourable for a numerous
class of officers:..

—Gentlmen, it is now ten years since I hate presided
Gentlemen,
at the opening of the Belgian Chambers succeeding that
Congress which bequeathed us the example of Union.
It is with pride that we can Carry back our recollections
to that important period, beet with so many difficulties..
In your presence, I rejoice to be able to congratulate
Belgium on the progress she has realised, in remaining
faitlitul to herself—constant in' her sentiments of mora-
lity and religion. You will aid me by your counsel in
maintaining the Government of the country in her mo-
deration and impartiality. In responding to my wishes,
your session will be marked by useful and numerous la-
bours; by public gratitude, in the midst of that calm and.
prosperity which will be our common reward.

GREAT NORTH OF ENdLAND RAILWAY.
Traffic returns for the week ending Nor. 8, 1841:—
Passengers 4'741 19 9
Merchandize

Darlington, Nov. 10.

£1,293 14 0
1). 011RiliN, Secretary.

SUSPICIOUS CASE,---BODY FOUND WITH
MARKS OF VIOLENCE IN TEE RIYER.--A.R inquest, ad-
journey from Saturday last, was yesterday afternoon
resumed and conclinled at the York hotel, Waterloo-
road, before Mr. Carter, the Goroner for Surrey, on the
body of Michael Compton, aged sixty, formerly a pri-
vate in the 89th Foot, but latterly living upon his pen-
sion at No. 1, Seven Step-alley, llotherhithe. The evi-
dence given before the Jury at their first meeting proved
thet on the Eith ult., when deceased received his pen-
sion, he quitted home with a portion of the money; that
from that time he was missed; and that on Thursday
last his body was found in the river, near Waterloo-
bridge. A woman of notoriously Lad character has since
been charged before the Magistrates at Union Hall with
being concerned in his death, and remanded until the
verdict. of the Jury was known. The additional ev'
deuce adduced yesterday was to the effect that, on Friday,
the 15th ult., deceased received the sum of :5/. Bs. 9d. in
the presence of a person to whom he paid 1 _L, and n
that
he (deceased) put the remainder in a bag in his pocket,
bruise none of which was upon him when his body. Was found.
-
Mr. John Mowers, surgeon, made apost tnortem exami-
nation, and found over the left ear a large and a
of
contusion between the eyes, both of which iiljar
apparently been received before death. Neither is had
those
injuries would have caused death, althou h
bable they had produced insensibility. g it was pro-
dead." Verdict—" Found
__ _

----AWFULLY SUDDEN DeATir.--On Wednesday
night at eight o'clock an inquest was taken before Mr.
Payne, at the Old Red Cross, High-street, Borough, on
the body of John Barris, aged 26, late shopman to Mr.
Hair, watchmaker, of the above street. From the evi-.
donee it appeared, that on Tuesday evening last, about
five o'clock, the deceased, whilst taking his tea, suddenly
fell, as if shot, from the stool on which he was sitting:
He was lifted up, gave one groan and expired. A me-
dical man was called in but could do nothing for him.
For the last three months he had complained of a pain
in his head, and was atteuded for it by Dr. Barlow.
Yesterday he appeared more cheerful than usual, and.
being a Welshman was much excited at the birth of the.
Prince, saying to his master, with great glee, severall
times "We have now got a Prince." The deceased was
a very quiet, sober man, and was about going to his
native place in Wales. The cause of death was disease
of the heart. Verdict---" Died by the Visitation of God."
MR. JUSTICE BOSANQUET.—We are happy
to hear that Mr.-Justice Bosauquet, within the last few
days, is considerably improved in health, and hopes. are'
now entertained that his Lordship will, in a short time,
be enabled to resume his judicial duties.

CHANCERY COURT-(THIS DAY)
The LORD CILtNCELLOR took motions and causes to-
day.

BRIERLY V. BOURCHIER.-JUDGMENT.
The LORD CRANCELLOR gave judgment to-day in this
case, which was argued before the Court a few days
since. The only question in the case was whether, under
the will of a gentleman named Owen Gray, his son,
Nathan Gray, had an absolute power of disposition over
the estate in question, or whether he had only a life
estate in them. Upon tine case coming on before the
present Master of the Rolls, his Lordship decided that
Nathan Gray had an absolute power of disposition of
the property in question, and from that decision the
party against whom it was pronounced appealed. That
appeal was argued a few days since, and the Court now
gave judgment. His Lordship, after going over the
facts of the case, stated his opiLion to be that the judg-
ment of the Court bel4w was correct, and ordered it to
be affirmed.