The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-25 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

The sitting of the Belgian Chamber of Represen-
tatives the day before yesterday was but a brief one.
After the president had communicated to the mem-
bers the reply of the King to the address relative
to the Duchess de Brabant's interesting situation,
M. Coppieters-t'Wallant addressed an interpella-
tion to the Minister of Finance, relative to the free
introduction of foreign coals. He called attention
' to the fact that the law of 1853 admitting such
coals expires on the Ist of January next, and in-
quired what the Government intended to do in
the conjuncture. M. Frere-Orban replied that the
question was under consideration, but that he
really could not say at that moment what course
would be adopted. The incident then terminated.
The treaty of commerce with Naples was adopted
without opposition. Two reports were presented,
one on the budget of ways and means, and the other
on the bill opening temporary credits to several of
the Ministerial departmenti. These measures were
fixed for consideration for the next day, and on the
former being brought forward a short discussion
took place :
"M. Rodenbach (of the right) said that heiwould
seize on that opportunity of protesting against the cir-
cular of the Minister of Finance, warning the public
against the circulation of French copper coin. That
coin was, he thought, convenient, and ran-no risk of
being demonetised. Instead, therefore, of being pro-
scribed, it ought to be imitated in Belgium, and in
the end would be so. The same would be the case
with gold ; it was impossible for Belgium to persist
in depriving herself of gold coin, which presented so
many advantages.
"The Minister of Finance replied that the increase
of copper coin was contrary to the interests- of the
working classer, because it produced dearness. As to
gold it was properly proscribed, because the proscrip-
tion of it was the sole means of preserving silver in
the country. If there were competition, silver being
the more valuable would be exported, and depreciated
money would alone remain in the country.
"M. Dansortier (of the right) supported the observa-
tions of M. Rodenbach. He could not understand
why a government which placed free trade in its pro-
gramme should oppose the free trade in money.
"The Minister of Finance remarked that in demand.
ing the re-establishment of gold it was not a free exchange
which was asked for, but a forced exchange. Wbat was
desired was to compel a trader to receive for 20f. a piece
of gold which was worth less. At present exchange
was perfectly free, subject to the condition of paying
the rate of the day. He concluded by maintaining that
the demonetisation of gold had produced the best effects
in Belgium, inasmuch as it had preserved her from the
crises and losses supported by other countries.
"M. Damortier answered that if Belgium had not
been afflicted with crises, it was because the countries
with which she did the largest trade were free from
them. The question was entirely one of a practical
nature, and if traders and chambers of commerce were
consulted they would be found unanimously in favour of
the reintegration of gold, the want of which was con-
The bill was then unanimously adopted. The
chamber also adopted unanimously and without
etantly felt."
discussion the bill for granting provisional credits
to the ministerial departments. The chamber was
to meet yesterday (Thursday), to adjourn, it was
thought, to the 13th Jan.
The Duke de Brabant, the day before yesterday,
visited the studio of M. Geefs, sculptor at Brussels,
to examine a colossal statue of the King, rather
more than 16 feet high, which is to be placed on
the summit of the column of the Congress in that
city., His Royal Highness expressed great admi-
ration of the work.

The Nord of Brussels corrects an error made by
the 44ustrian Gazette in announcing the arrival at
Vienna of the two young Russian princes on their
way 'to Rome. The two princes are not the sons of
therVmperor of Russia, as stated by the Austrian