The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-24 00:00:00

THE JULY FETES AT BRUSSELS,

BRUSSELS, July 22.—The King and royal family
wore last evening entertained at a magnificent
banquet offered by the members of the Senate and
the Legislative Body in a temporary but elegant
structure annexed to the Palais de la Nation. The
banquet was attended not only by the members of
th© two chambers, but by all the civil, military,
and ecclesiastical dignitaries of the kingdom. A
grand concert of the lyric societies was given in
the Place des Palais, and afterwards the same
societies, having proceeded with their banners to
the Palais de la Nation, gave a serenade to the
King. The King, surrounded by the princes and
princesses, and by some high State dignitaries,
appeared on the balcony the moment after it
commenced, and remained till the close. His
Majesty and the royal family, though all were not
a little fatigued, then visited a fete at Vauxhall
in the park, and promenaded round the enceinte,
graciously saluting the visitors. The illustrious
party afterwards returned to the palace ; it was
then about half-past eleven. The evening was
beautifully fine, and vast crowds filled the streets
to a late hour, visiting the triumphal arches and
other decorations. In the neighbourhood of the
Palais de la Nation and the Vauxhall the crowd
was so thick that it was almost impossible to force
one's way through it ; and the desire to catch a
sight of his Majesty was intense.
The principal event in the programme of this
day's fetes has thus far been a grand review by the
King of the National Guards of the city and the
neighbourhood, and of the regiments composing
the garrison, together with some from neighbour-
ing towns, and deputations of all other regiments
of the army. The precise number of men under
arms is not stated; but it was very considerable in-
deed, the lines extending all along the Rue Royale
and along most of the boulevards a vast distance.
Animmense crowd assembled to witness the re-
view. The King, accompanied by his two sons,
all three in the uniform of Belgian generals, with
the ribbon and star of the grand cross of the Or-
der of Leopold, and followed by a numerous and
most brilliant staff, amongst whom were the Earl
of Westmorland and another English officer, and
several officers of different German States—passed
right down the lines from ono end to the other ;
and as he did so the troops and National Guards
presented arms, the bands played the national air,
and the drums beat aux champs. Having com-
pleted his ride down the lines, the King, Princes,
and the staff proceeded to the royal palace, and
then the filing off of the National Guards
.and
the troops took place. Both presented a brilliant
appearance, and marched by the King in grand
style ; but unfortunately the rain pelted down
nearly the whole time of the filing off.
L "To-night there are to be general illuminations
and more concerts."

SALE OF AUTOGRAPHS.—Yesterday Messrs. Christie
and Co. commenced a sale of valuable autograps.
Among them were a letter by Henry I. offering
pardon to a criminal, 41. 14s. ; a letter by
Edward 1., 41. ; a letter by Queen Eiz
1)(411, addressed " Mon frere le roy Cbrestien,'
3/. 10s. ; one by James 11., King of Scotland, addressed
to the King of France, 10/. ; one by the Prince of Wales
to Louis XII., King of France, 161. ; Charles L's signa-
ture to the on-:final treaty of Tixbridp.e, 41. 4s, ; and a
collection of loiters by George 11. in reference to the
right he clairod over the educa,tiou of his oliildrev, 41.
lige 6d.