Star.
London, England, 1831-04-14 00:00:00

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: Ikleittli'•._OF A CONVERSATION BETWEEN
' IS PifitirPß AND THE BELGIAN DEPUTA-
‘.Ie* • 141 'al • ' • •
r 7 King, ig addressing the Deputation, said—
•
am glad to see you, and to become ac-
piMnted. I know very well that you find yourselves quite
itt home in Paris ; but hero in my house you must feel your-
MVel3 also and always at home.
• I am highly flattered ; I am proud of your choice of
the Duke of Nemours, and though reasons of state policy
induce me to decline the offer, I am truly happy that he
should be chosen by a free people It is unfortunate that a
refusal must be given ; but you must make another choice,
for it is indispensable that you should guard against
anarchy.
Why not take a Neapolitan Prince ? You smile, and
my suggestion seems to astonish you. It is true those who
live in the atmosphere of Naples do not exactly breathe the
air of liberty. But you should see him. He is only 20,
and at that age there are materials to work on, and we
Frenchmen could fashion him here. My children would
assist well. However, since we are here, I will tell you

shout my marriage.
While we were exiles from France, my brother became
the victim of consumption. As is usually the case, he was
ordered to go to Italy, and there he died. His death was a
great affliction to me, and I was on the point of leaving
Naples without seeing the royal family. The son of a re-
gicide I thought would not be well received at Court; but,
wishing to avoid the appearance of disrespect, I went there.
I was received with a politeness which, in imagination, I
perhaps exaggerated, because I expected nothing but cold-
ness. I repeated my visit, and finding that friendly atten
tions were shown me, I deferred my departure. The Queen
in particular treated me with great kindness, and I soon be-
gan to perceive that she had thoughts of me for one of her
daughters. Well, said Ito myself, why should I not marry
a Neapolitan Princess, if I see in her qualities which would
fit her to be a good mother, and what I would wish in a
wife ? In fact, Amelia pleased me, and I married her. I
have moulded her according to my own way and ideas—so
you see that a Princess of Naples can make a good wife.
I have since learned that the Queen, her mother, had got
a notion into her head that some time or other the fa-
mily of Orleans would reign in France. She conjectured
shrewdly, and thus it was that she did not hesitate
to give her daughter to an exile, and ally herself to one
who was stained with the blood of a Bourbon. Now, if you
Wit. the Neapolitan Prince, I will also send you one of my
daughters— that is to say, if ono of them be so inclined ;
Mr, though a King, I am a father, and my daughters shall
not be compelled to marry men whom they do not love. I
don't care for Royal blood, and they care for it as little.
What think you of Marie ? You chatted a long time with
her yesterday. Does she not look charming with her blonde
ringlets ? She is a Liberal, like you and me. For all this, I
must not forget my Louise, who is the oldest—she with the
large eyes, and cold, but sentimental, air. She has solidity
and judgment; she is a Liberal too, but not quite so warm
as her sister. By the bye (laughing), before your King ac-
cepts your Constitution, you must make him come to the
Palais Royal, for if he pleases neither Louise nor Marie, I
shall have nothing to say to him. But, to be serious, tell
your Belgians that they have drawn closer the ties of friend-
ship between us, and that they may rely upon me as a father,
as their firm support through life."

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