Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-20
GAZETTE
KING LEOPOLD.

But in all their fluctuations, he has never, since
the first important epoch Of his ife fallen below
that level from which he assembled. 1t has been
his rare success that every change in the aspect
Of his affairs has ultimately been directed to the
advancement Of his interests. With tenacity
even more than Belgian, he never surrenders an
advantage on which he has fastened, without ST.
simultaneously acquiring another OF superior va
lue. No airy visions can tempt him to relinquish
his grasp-no Dutch burgomaster was ever freer
from the phrenzies of hot blood
On recent occasion proof Of his provident
caution was exhibited in the course of brief de-
bate in the House Of Commons. Mr.. Hall, on
| the 2lst of February, moved for an account Of
the sums paid back into the Exchequer, out Of
the annuity granted to Prince Leopold, which
had been reported to have been relinqushed on
his accession to the throne of Belgium 1t turn
ed out however that nothing had been returned;
for the Prince had prudently accompanied the
REIMBURSEMENT with saving clauses to cover the
payment Of all his outstanding debts, the main
tenance of the establishment at CiaremOnt, pen
sions TO servants and subscriptions to Charities!
The steps by which, almost without effort, he
has climbed the ladder Ut fortune may not be
wholly undressing
Leopold. Prince Vt SAKE Cobourg SaafeId. the
present King Of Belgium, was born on the 10th
Of December. 1890 He was the youngest son
of petty German Duke, whose possessions we re
little broader. but not more productive, than
| Wadsworth's farm OF the Gennesee River. He
had. however, the advantage of title Of courte.
sly, (wor,h about as much as that of ESQUIRE,
in its modern application,) pair OF moustacbes,'
"a straight athletic person, land just as great
pret eusions to demi semi quaver Royalty as his
sister, the Duchess OF Kent. WHO is the mother of
the present. Heiress Apparent. With this stock
in trade, and military education, he came over
to England, as the classics express il, 50 in the
| verv nick OF tme.'' The morsent OF his landing
at Dover was the very pivot, in the machinery Of
| Time that decided his suspicious destiny
Fate, cruel and unrelenting as she usually is to
the purseless, had relaxed her sternness in favor
of the Prince.
Just preceding that period. the Princess Char.
lotte OF England was 10 her zenith. She was
helress apparent to the throne of three Kingdoms
and her hand vas an object that the most elevated
of royal bachelors might cOvet. A gem so aluring,
both BY its brilllancy aud magnitude. was not
likely to escape the scrutinizins observance Of
Dutchnan. Accordingly the Prince of Orange
be- anne wooer-the preliminaries we're nearly
conciuded-'he nation anticipated allegiance to
another member Of the !ustrious House of Mas.
Sdu-dUu even lne IilUCtsS UcIScIl vas uuucI-
stood to have yielded half reluctant assent
Then arose the evil star Of Frederick William.
Leopold having ready access to the royal circle,
soon laid siege to the heart Of the Princess, at
the very period of It's nearest decination. She
was of a proud, independent spirit, and like
other young ladies, was resolved to have her
own way Leopold pleased her fancy, and they
were married.
Thus was the poor Prince Of Orange. Ito use
another classic expresslon,l CUT OUT of a wife,
as ne has been subsequently, by the same ind.
yidual. COT our Of Kingdom!
The world vas kind enougD 20 assert that the
union Of Leopold and Charlotte was lore match;
and the parties, we believe. were never known
to contradict the rumor. But their ported hap.
piness was of short duration. In less than
wear her remains we're consigned to their last
rep0se. The nation, stricken with heartfelt sor-
row tor the caiami ty, sought alteviatiOn by show
ering bounties on Prince who had been perhaps
more than recOmpensed BY the Fluctuations Of
her love. Accordingly 958,OO0 per annum
were bestowed upon h m during his forlornment.
Time, however, rolled on-the gorgeous mauso.
leum at Claremont had, in a measure. ceased to
attract-the atrl,On OF new events had MARI
ed the cold relief that her image had held in the
hearts of the peOple-and they began to calculate,
quite disinferestedly, the benefits that might flow
TO the Prince from some more profitable Cont
mental arrangement.
II was found, moreover, that the R50,0OO had
not been put in circulation at home, but had been
principally transmitted abroad-either to support
poor relations, or for provident accumulation
Indeed, so far did SANDER extend It's Whispers,
that it was published in the London papers, at
the time, that on previous day false
alarm of fire had called out the eDgnes-o@ing
to a smoke that was discerned to arise from the
kitchen chimney Of Prince Leopo'd's house in
Piccadily: but which was found to have been &C.
casioned nv the very unusual and extraordinary
circumstance. that his Highness had invited 30.
cial party to partake Of an entertainment that
evening! In this posture Of affairs. John Bull
seems to have felt that same sort Of affectionate
soiicitude for the welfare Of Prince Leopold. that
crusty currnudgeon, with live or six blowsy
daughters, out of their teens. does for their hap
py disposal in wedIock. Fortunately. throne
was about to be erected for the comfort OF the
Greeks. All eyes were turned in speculations