The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-20 00:00:00

TILE LA7E VISIT OF 711 E BELGIANS.

MEETING TIIIS DAY.

A general meeting of the members of the Belgian
Reception Committee took place this morning at
Willis's Rooms, St. James's—Colonel Lloyd Lind-
say in the chair—in order to take into consideration
the proceedings of the committee during the late
visit of the Belgian Volunteers, and ascertain the
amount of the expenditure, and the operations which
had been carried out during the period that our
guests hail stayed in this country.
The Secretary having read the minutes of the
last meeting, the trea,Aurer stated that the receipts
amounted to £6,983 181. 7d., and the total expen-
d;ture had been £6,333 is. 2d., leaving a bal.ince
of £650 ; but there were still sonic small accnuts
due, which would slightly reduce it.
The CHAIRMAN said they had heard what amount
had been disbursed, and that, after their final dis-
bursement, they would probably have a balance of
one, two, or three hundred pounds. There were, how-
ever, still coming in small accounts for lodgings.
Those persons who had let their rooms to the Belgians
and which were not subsequently occupied, thought
that the committee ought to remunerate them for
their non-occupation,
and this was done. The duty
of the executive during the interval since the last
meeting had been purely complimentary. They bad
received votes of thanks directed to various bodies
who had been courteous to our Belgian friends
during their visit here. One was to the Corporation
of the City of London, another to Miss Burdett
Coutts for her cordial reception, another to the
railway companies who transported our guests free
of expense, another to the managers of theatres
and music-balls who had thrown open their
doors to them free of expense, another
to the Custom House for the manner in which
they had dealt with the baggage. Letters had
been received from all quarters expressing the high
satisfaction which the reception had created in the
minds of the Belgian Volunteers—one from Colonel
Gregoire stating that the Belgians " were much
pleased with their reception ;" another letter from
M. Anspa.ch ; another from M. D'Oyley, the presi-
dent of the Tir National Belgique ; another from
the Dutch Minister; another from the Queen,
expressing her pleasure at the " success of this
novel and interesting visit ;" and finally, one
from the King of the Belgians, expressing
his great satisfaction at it. lie thought that
as their labours were now terminated so suc-
cessfully that they might congratulate themselves
upon their undertaking, and with regard to the dis-
posal of the balance of the funds it was proposed that
it should be devoted to the association for relieving
the poor Belgians in London. (Hear, hear.) This,
he thought, was all the business that there was to
be brought before the committee, and they might
now separate finally.
Colonel GREGORY could not allow the opportu-
nity to pass without expressing his great and heart-
felt satisfaction at the manner in which so " novel
and interesting" a visit, as it had been termed, had
been conducted ; but they must all remember that
they owed the promptness with which defects were
remedied and new expedients put into operation to
the indefatigable and untiring energy and skill of
Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, and therefore he should
propose a cordial vote of thanks to that gentleman.
(Hear, hear.)
Captain MARTIN seconded the proposition, which
was carried amidst enthusiasm.

Colonel LLOYD LINDSAY, in returning thanks,
said that though they could not expect a renewal,
at least for some time, of the great international
courtesy which had lately taken place, yet so grati-
fied had the Belgians expressed themselves to be,
that without doubt a reciprocal feeling of harmony
would remain in the breasts of both peoples.
(Hear, hear.) He was obliged to them for their
vote of thanks, but he should not have been able to
carry out what he had done had it not been for the
assistance of those associated with him and the
public press. (Hear, hear.)
The officers of the association having received
votes of thanks, the meeting terminated.