The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-06 00:00:00

GE RMAN Y.

An official notification, published at Berlin on the
Ist, directs the men of the landwehr and the reserve
to make known before the 15th the motives they,
may have for exemption, in case of the eventual mo-
bilisation, on which a decision is to be taken before
the 9th December.

The Vienna Official Gazette of the Ist contains an
order for the Court to go into mourning for twelve
days for the late Duchess D'ANGOULEME.

BELGIUM.

• - -
OPENING OF THE BELGIAN CHAMBERS.
The KING of the BELGIANS on Wednesday opened
the Chambers with the usual ceremony. His Me-
nd their Royal Highnesses
the Count DE FLANDRIL.
accompanied
BomßApßanAiNeTd
a b
Having taken his seat on the Throne, the KING de-
livered the following speech :
"Gentlemen,—ln finding
IGhErDru waske D
myself, after two years, in
the midst of you, I take pleasure in again informing
you that the situation of the country continues pros-
perous and tranquil. This situation, which attests the
solidity of its institutions and the excellent spirit of its
inhabitants, recommends Belgium to the esteem of
other nations. Our relations with foreign powers feel
the happy effects of this, and my
Government continues
to maintain the most friendly relations with them.
" Several laws of great interest were voted in the last
two sessions. I may mention, amongst the most im-
portant, the law on provisions, and those which consti-
tute the National Bank, the service of the cashier of the
state, the general retiring pension fund, the societies of
mutual assistance; the laws which regulate superior in- 1
struction and enseignement moyen, and, finally, the new
legislation which reforms the reyinie of bankruptcies, and
the mortgage system. A number of laws were proposed
to you in the last session with the double object of re-
establishing the equilibrium of our finances, and of pro-
curing the execution of public works, which, an element
of security, are specially important to the material pros-
perity of the country. A partial, and I take pleasure
in believing, passing discussion. has not per-
mitted these measures of an incontestable utility
to be adopted. I form ardent wishes that this
difficulty may soon be solved in a prudent spirit of
moderation, and in conformity with the interest of the
country. Present circumstances, gentlemen, render
more than ever desirable the harmony
.of the powers of
the State; and Belgium, which during four years has
maintained herself in a peaceable and strong situation,
will not have, I hope, to encounter painful embarrass-
ments in the management of hor affairs. Independently
of the new laws which will be presented to them, the
Chambers will have to occupy themselves with Bills of
which the examination or the vote was suspended in the
last session. You will, no doubt, place amongst your
first labours the legislation on consular jurisdiction, on
forests, the Bills relative to preventive detention, and
to forced expropriation; also the reformation of the
Penal Code, and the new law on personal taxation, des-
tined to establish the tax on more equitable bases. The
law on public charity will likewise shortly be submitted
to your deliberations.
" The state of the harvest is satisfactory. It assures
to all classes of the population the advantage of abun-
dant food, and gives to our farmers a more considerable
remuneration than in many other countries. Agricul-
tural industry does not cease to develop and improve
itself. All the efforts of the Government tend towards

that object. The improvement of cross roads has taken
great extension of late years. The advantages which
the good state of communications procure to agriculture
are better appreciated every day, and the communes
second efficaciously the action of the Government and the
provinces. The sanitary state of the country is gene-
rally satisfactory. Under the impulsion of the Govern-
ment, the local authorities rivalise in zeal to ameliorate
the hygienic conditions of the laborious classes. Manu-
factures and commerce maintain themselves in a pros-
perous situation. Our exterior commerce, which at-
tained, in 1849, a degree of development to which it had
not before arrived, did not lose its elasticity in 1850,
and everything promises us for the current year not less
favourable results.
" My Government has opened commercial negotiations
with different States of Europe.
A treaty of commerce
and navigation was recently concluded with the Govern-
ment of the Netherlands. The negotiations with Great
Britain have been brought to a close; and the onerous
and exceptional tax, which, during the last twenty-five
years was imposed on our flag in the ports of England,
will cease to weigh on our commerce.
" The Universal Exhibition of London has procured to
Belgian manufactures a new occasion of displaying their
activity and their spirit of progress. To the eulogium
on our manufacturers, I am happy to associate that of our
artists, whu have worthily supported the reputation of
the Belgian school, both at the Exhibition of London and
in the general Exhibition which my Government opened
for the Bine Arts.

" Our civic guard continues to give proof of zeal and
patriotic devotedness, and the country may count on it as
on its brave army, whose good spirit, instruction, and
discipline, I cannot too much praise. The examination
of all the questions which concern our military estab-
lishment have been confided to a commission, whose
labours will be subsequently communicated to the Cham-
bers. Ido not doubt that this impartial examination,
followed by Parliamentary debates, will have for result
to establish the national institution of the army on
strong, stable, and definitive bases.
"It is with confidence, Gentlemen, that my Govern-
ment makes a loyal appeal to your co-operation. In
remaining faithfully and firmly united, we shall triumph
om the clifueultiea whist the future may Tame to us."