The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-18 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

The Belgian Senate, in its sitting of Wednesday,
took into consideration several measures which it
bad not had time to bring to a vote in the last
session—namely, the grant of a credit of 255,000 f.
to the derartment of Public, Works ; a modifica-
tion in the Pension Bill ; cession to the province of
Hainault of the buildings of the old prison of Char-
leroy ; and some Ipcal bills.
A Brussels letter in the Constitutionnel says :
" Although the elections are over, it is natural
that the result of the vote should be for some time
the object of discussion in the journals and in poli-
tical circles. The strength of the different parties
is at present being calculated. The number who
voted is estimated at 77,000, and the number
of voters inscribed 89,600. In 1848, after the esta-
blishment of a uniform qualification for ♦oting,
there were about 59,300 electors inscribed, and the
votes given amounted to 50,200. In 1852 and 1854
there were nearly 64,000 votes given out of 83,000
electors inscribed." The electoral movement has
therefore been greater this year, and it may be seen
that the different parties had been active in recruit-
ing votes. It now remains to be seen how these
77,000 votes have been divided. Some people esti-
mate that the difference between the liberal and
the clerical votes is 12,000, while others set it down
at not more than from 5,000 to 6,000. It is
difficult at present to form an exact estimate, if it
can ever be arrived at, but the prevailing opinion
is that the simple displacement of 3,000 or 4,000
votes from one side to the other may change the
state of things, and make the two parties equal in
strength. The lesson to be drawn from these figures
is therefore this—that it is the duty of the party
which has now the upper hand to follow the mode-.
rate path which it has traced out for itself, and to
maintain the conditions of the programme by la-
bouring to promote union. and conciliation."

SPAIN.
The Madrid journals of the 13th have arrived.
The Espana again complains that the recent recep-
tion of the French ambassador by the King to pre-
sent the congratulations of the Emperor and
Empress of the French on the birth of the Prince
of the Asturias, no minister being present, was un-
constitutional. Yet the same journal publishes an
article whilst expressing admiration of constitu-
tional institutions denounces what it calls the abuse
which, it says, has been made in Spain of parlia-
mentaryisin and of the liberty of the press.
Amongst the hills to be presented to the Cortes by
the Government is one for regulating the conditions
relative to admission to public offices mad an-
other relative to public health. A grand cere-
mony, called "the Ceremony of the Mantles"
of the Order of Charles 111. had taken place in
the palace, the King representing her. Majesty on
the occasion. One part of the proceedings was
taking an oath to defend the doctrine of the Im-
maculate Conception. The _lberia states that
among the persons who, in virtue of the recent
amnesty, will return to Spain, is M. Patricio
Escosura, the ex-Minister. The number of vessels
which entered. Spanish ports in the course of last
year was 5,146, and of foreign vessels, 3,599. The
amount of quarantine dues paid was 1,448,257 realc.

A letter from Frankfort of the 13th says :
" It is rather remarkable that during the last
fortnight, the Diet, at each sitting, has bee n
specially occupied with the military affairs of
the Germanic Cenfederation. Reports relative
to the situation of the contingents or to the state
of the five federal. forces are daily read and dis-
cussed, and nevertheless there is nothing to indi-
cate that the peace of Europe is likely to be soon
disturbed. The plan of new fortifications to be
constructed in the fortress of Luxembourg has been
approved of, and military hospitals on a new
mode], and bomb proof, are to be built there. A
considerable sum has been voted by the assembly
for these purposes. The fortresses of Ulm and
Rastadt, which since 1856 have swallowed up
enormous sums, may be now considered in a per-
fect state of defence."

"It may be remembered," says the Patric, "that
ithe English some months ago took possession of
the Island of Perim, at the entrance of the straits
of Babelmandel, between the Red Sea and the
Gulf of Aden. The remonstrances which the Porte
has made against this occupation have lately be-
come more urgent, and the Turkish Minister of
Foreign Affairs is said to have submitted the com-
plaints of the Ottoman Government to the repre-
sentatives of the great powers at Constantinople,"

A letter from Rome states that Mgr. Viteleschi,
the Papal nuncio at Naples, will not proceed to his
post. He is replaced by the diplomatist who had
been sent to Florence to bring about modifications
in the Leopoldine laws, Mgr. Alexandre Franchi,
but who failed in his attempt.

The Pays announced some days since that a
measure for the emancipation of the slaves in their
Crown possessions had been adopted by the Govern-
ment of the Netherlands. Letters from the Hague
(says yesterday's Independence), formally deny the
truth of this. The Second Chamber of the States-
General has not even yet had the report presented
to it on the three projets de loi for abolishing
slavery. It is further stated, that if the Legisla-
ture did pass such a declaratory law, the Govern-
ment has no funds at its disposal to indemnify the
owners of slaves.

THE LAUNCH OF THE FANTAlSlE.—Yesterday a very
beautiful vessel, called the Fantaisi©, and destined to
become the pleasure yacht of his Itnperiol Majesty
the
Emperor of Austria, was launched from the Thames
Iron Works, Orchard-yard, Biackwall.
cludi A goo
the Ana
many
distinguished visitors were present, inng
trian Ambassador, Count d'Apponyi, the Countess
Austrian navy ;
d'Apponyi, Count Caeolly, Captain Magotti, of the
an .l 1\11,..s
Lady 13ellinghaan Graham
Gral:atu, &c. Her length is 180 feet between the per-
pendiculars, and on the keel 169 feet 2 inches, her
breadLh for tonnage 18 feet, depth in midships 11, and
burthen 291 tons, notwithstanding which her draught of
water is expected to be under sfeet. Sheik; intended by her 1
imperial proprietorforhis summer voyages on the Adriatic,