Star.
London, England, 1831-07-04 00:00:00

By the Flanders mail we have this day received
the ultimatum of the five powers, relative to the
questions between Belgium and Holland ; and also
further details relative to the acceptance of Prince
LEOPOLD. Our impression is, that if Holland does
not object, the Belgic question will at length be
amicably settled. The peremptory tone of the pro-
tocols has abated ; and instead of dictation, all
the questions about territory are left open to
amicable arrangements, interchanges, and recipro-
cal concession, of all which the new Sovereign
may avail himself ; and further, the arrange-
ment of the debt is reasonable, each taking its
own before the late union, and apportioning what
has since been incurred. This is very different
from definitively f ring the boundaries, and then
Prince LEOPOLD accepting on those absolute con-
ditions, which was the obnoxious position when the
Belgic deputation first arrived in London. Of
course, in a free country, so lately distracted by
parties—some for a republic, some for union with
France, some for an Orange restoration, and some
for Prince LEOPOLD— agitation would arise; but on
this trying occasion, as well as others, the Bel-
gians have displayed their wisdom and good
temper. The altered tone of the eighteen
propositions of the five Powers, who do not, as be-
fore, fix territory under their dangerous guarantee,
the more equitable adjustment of the debt, and
the guarantee for the free navigation of the Scheldt,
under the public law of Europe, reconciles the
present arrangements to the most scrupulous prin-
ciples ; and we heartily and sincerely congratulate
the Belgians on the result of their firmness and
patience. Their fighting heroes may find employ-
ment worthy of their spirit in Poland, or per-
haps in France ; but if Holland accepts, we now
see in the Belgic Provinces a long vista of peace,
liberty, and general prosperity.

We insert to-day the authenticated Papers of
the British Government relative to Cholera Morbus;
and in the Panorama are some eye-witness Reports
from Scotch and Hull Papers, relative to the
horrid state of Riga. It appears to arise from some
contagion carried by travellers on rivers and high
roads, who are not themselves affected by it, and
where, it appears, it affects only particular consti-
tutions, but without any ascertainable cause of dis-
tinction. Its introduction into our densely popu-
lated towns, and in this country of interwoven
industry and universal intercourse, would be so
disastrous and melancholy, that as the fact is
agreed, that boatmen and travellers convey it, we
suggest, that all intercourse with the Baltic should
be interdicted, till it has disappeared in that sea.
Its isolated appearance at Riga and at Dantzic,
about two hundred miles distant by sea, proves that
the intercourse of navigation communicated it from
the first port to the other, while it was brought to
Riga by the boatmen of the Dwina. If vessels
are permitted to pass the Sound, they will steal
into some port, as they have done, ankeven the
distance of quarantine is not satisfactory security
against so insidious and ill-understood an enemy.
After it has destroyed its fit subjects in a place, it
abates, but these victims, as in Rip, form a very
considerable proportion of the population.
The accounts from Poland to-day are less deci-
sive, and not quite so satisfactory. KREUTZ has
been permitted to advance from Lublin, so as to
unite with the late army of Dr EBITSCH. And in
the south, CIHRANOWsKI does not appear to have
defeated RUDIG ER, as had been reported, and
which was necessary to the success of the insur-
rection in Volhynla and Podolia. From GI EL-
Gun and CD LA rowsm in the north, there are no
advices. There seem also to be some jealousies
and differences in Warsaw.

This evening Lord JOHN RUSSELL moves the
second reading of the Reform Bill, and, we are
happy to say, without its being contaminated by the
jesuitical clause so improperly introduced. We
have not only his own declaration, but that
of Lord GREY, in a letter to the Birmingham
Union, for which last satisfaction we give him and
them full credit. We continue, however, of opi-
nion, that the exercise of the Franchise ought in
no way to be mingled with any question of pay-
ment of Rent or Rates ; but think that the de.
cription will be complete, by 12 months occupa-
tion and rating in the Parish Books. It is irrele-
vant and impertinent to mingle any fact of pay-
ment, for many questions may arise between
parties not fit to be foreclosed in this way, and the
payment of rent permits grace and delay. Besides,
it would be a fruitful and immediate cause of cor-
ruption, to mingle any pecuniary question with the
exercise of the franchise, since, to make votes, can-