The Sun.
London, England, 1847-11-10 00:00:00

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OPENING OF THE BELGIAN
CHAMBERS.

THE KING'S SPEECH.

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) the ordinary ses•
sion of the Belgian Chambers was opened by King
Leopold in person. His Majesty, who wore the uni-
form of a General of the Civic Guard, proceeded on
horseback from the Palace to the Chamber of Repre-
sentatives, passing in review, as he slowly rode down
the Rue Royale, the four legions of the Civic Guard.
On his arrival at the Palace de la Nation, he was con-
ducted with the usual ceremony to the above Cham-
ber, when he took his seat on the throne, the Quee❑
and the other members of the Royal Family having
previously taken their places.
His Majesty then delivered the following speech:—
" GENTLEMEN,—I am able to congratulate myself
on the marks of confidence and of friendship which
I continue to receive from foreign Powers. An inci-
dent has occurred in our relations with the see of
Rome. Explanations respecting that event, which
has excited public opinion, will be laid before you.
" A treaty of commerce and navigation has been
concluded with the kingdom of the Tw o Sicilies. It
will be submitted to your approbation. Negotiations
are being carried on, in order to extend our com-
mercial relations.

" The efforts of my Government are directed
towards the procuring of external outlets for our com-
merce. Much in that respect may be expected from
the spirit of enterprise, judiciously aided. A society
of commerce, combined with the establishment of fac-
tories (comptoirs), is one of the measures to be taken
in order to attain that object.
"A postal convention, which has just been concluded
with France, on a large basis, reduces the postage of
international letters, and affords great facilities for the
transmission of foreign correspondence.
" The transport of merchandise and ,the receipts of
the railway continue to increase in a remarkable pro-
portion. Measures for increasing them still further,
and for introducing ameliorations into the manage-
ment of that important 'service,; are in course of
preparation. Pecuniary advances will be required
from you, in order to finish the railway stations, and
the double lines of rail, as well as to complete the
materiel of transport, and to finally close the account
of the expenses of the first establishment.
" Private industry has gone hand in hand with the
State in bestowing new means of communication on
the country. That industry will always find my
Government disposed to facilitate the execution of its
engagements.
" Your co-operation will be required for public
works of high utility. The improvement and forma-
tion of by-roads (so intimately connected with the
prosperity of agriculture) are entitled to a large
share of consideration, with reference to those works
which shall offer useful resources for the needy and
laborious classes.
" Amongst the districts which may justly excite
the solicitude of the Government and the Chambers
we must give the first place to several in our Flemish
provinces. Constant efforts are expected from us,
and the nation will not hold itself aloof from those
sacrifices which this painful situation may impose on
it. After two years of rude trial, Providence has
come to the aid of the poor classes by an abundant
harvest. The immense influence which agriculture
exercises on the destinies of the country is under-
stood by my Government; and agriculture on
its side has proved that it can appreciate
our intentions. The eagerness with which, on
a recent occasion, it responded to the appeal which
was made to it, has testified to its confidence in the
views and acts of the Government. By a happy
coincidence, the exhibition of the agricultural produce
played a brilliant part alongside the productions of
that industry which has revealed notable improve-
ments. Agriculture and industry, far from being
hostile one to the other, should lend reciprocal aid.
Equally useful and honourable, they are equally
worthy of all our solicitude. Very soon a common 1
solemnity will reunite those who have distinguished
themselves by their labour in those two noble careers.
I shall be happy on that occasion to have it in my
power to bestow, before the eyes of the country, due
recompense upon the labourers of all ranks.
" The forthcoming exhibition of the fine arts will
afford the Belgian school the opportunity of proving
that it continues worthy of its past career, and that
it may bear comparison with foreign schools.
" Public instruction, to which it may be said the
civilization of the country is attached, should be one of
our first presentations. The Legislature will have to
vote the measures necessary for perfecting and com-
pleting its organization.
" The army, that great national institution, conti-
nues to deserve well of the country. Its good orga-
nisation, it patriotism, its discipline, and its devoted-
ness, render it worthy of all my sympathy and of the
great interest which you take in it, and of which you
continue to afford it so many proofs. lam happy to
see my two sons enrolled in its ranks.
" Your solicitude for the indigent classes will
induce you to discuss, in the course of this session,
the projects of law relating to pawnbroking establish-
ments (monts-de-pieto, the mendicity depots, and
the management of the insane. The penitentiary
system calls for reforms, which I recommend to your
attention. _ _

" As the ordinary resources of the Treasury are
not sufficient to meet completely the demands already
set forth, and to provide for those which are foreseen,
extraordinary provisions are required. Belgium can
the more easily face this situation of affairs, inasmuch
as she has passed through the financial crisis more
successfully than other countries.
" It is desirable, gentlemen, that the Budgets
which will be laid before you for 1848, be voted be-
fore the opening of that year. We shall thereby
avoid the grave inconvenience of provisional credits.
This step is the more necessary, inasmuch as you
will have to examine, in a few months, the Budgets
for 1849.
" Propositions for modifying, in certain points, the
communal and electoral laws have been announced;
and bills to that effect will be presented to you.
"In a material and financial, as well as in a moral
and political point of view, this session will, I trust,
be marked by numerous and useful labours. I gladly
look for an assurance of that kind in the active aid
and sincere support which you will give to my
Government."

His Majesty was greeted on the conclusion of the
speech with loud cries of "Vive le Roi," and shortly
afterwards left the Chambers, returning to the palace
by the Rue Ducale. The troops then defiled before
the King in front of the palace. Although the
weather was unfavourable, an immense number of
persons witnessed his Majesty's arrival and departure.

QUEEN'S BENCH:—(THIS DAY.
(Sittings in Banco.)

THE QUEEN V. PHICLIPPS AND ANOTHER.-THE

BIRMINGHAM NEWS-ROOM.

This was an appeal against the decision of the
defendant and another gentleman, two justices of
Warwickshire. It appeared that the Birmingham
N ews-room had been rated by the overseers of the
parish in which it is situated in the nsual manner ;
but it also appeared that Mr. Tidd Pratt had certi-
fied that the institution came under the provisions of
the Acts lately passed, by which literary institutions
are exempt from the payment of rates. This certifi-
cate was appealed against by the overseers, and the
defendant, acting as magistrate at the sessions, de-
cided in favour of the institution, and confirmed the
decision of Mr. Pratt.
Mr. MILLER contended that the rate was a good
one ; that the certificate of Mr. Pratt was not final,
and that it might be set up, where two persons sat
down together in a building, and talked on scientific
matters, that the building was exempt.
Mr. iIILLER, on the other hand, contended that this
was clearly a case within the meaning of the Act, and
therefore that the institution was exempt from rates.
The COURT took time to consider the matter.

ExcHEQ----Hst24lsi: (B Ta n THIS DAY.)
BADDELEY, CLERK, V. GINGELL.
This was a special case, which came before the
Court for its decision, upon a question of rating.
It appeared that the defendant was the occupier of
certain premises in a court called the Kent and Essex-
yard, opening out of the High-street, Whitechapel,
and it was contended that the houses in question were
liable to be rated by the Commissioners of Paving,
under a local Act referring to High-street, White-
chapel, inasmuch as the inhabitants derived a benefit
from the expense incurred in cleansing and paving the
High-street.
On the part of the defendant, it was contended
that the Legislature never intended to include the
occupants of courts or yards in the provisions of an
Act having reference to High-street alone, because
some of the houses in the court abutuatnendtdewurpastohnleiaabploer-
tion of two streets which adjoined each side of the
court, called Commercial-street and Castle-street, and
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