Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-05


demise of the King of the Belgisns:
The decease of her uncle is great loss to
the Queen, no. politically in the vulgar
sense Of the term, for he was too wise man
TO make the mistake of meddling in Eng
hsh affairs. His golden chance Of personal
influence in the affairs of empire persisted
on the morning as he kissed the lips Of Eng
lands fairest daughter in her shroud. Many
years afterwards he lived a quiet and appa-
rently epicurean life at Claremont, ASSOCIATE
ing on terms of intimacy with all the best
men Of his time, and by his counsel guiding
his sister, the widow Of the Duke Of Kent,
in the education Of the child who was des-
tined TO take the place on the imperial
throne Of her who be had laid in too early
tomb. He became almost parent TO the
pretty and petted child for whom Lon SO
dazzling was in store; and the people
Of his country are very gratefully
bound TO his memory for all the good he
thus unostentatiously rendered. The Queen
herself has never been wanting in acknowl-
edgments Of her obligations throughout life
to her uncle He was indeed about the
most sagacious and successful politician of
all the sovereigns of Europe in our time,
who have sprung from is old reigning fam
lilies, or been identified with its old dynastic
traditions, and il would be affectation TO
pretend that he has left behind him any of
his race capable of adequately supplying his
loss.
The Duke Of Brahant is young man of
virtuous habits, fond of mechanical inven-
ton and music, believer in relics, etiquette
and decency. The Parti Petre exult aloud
at having at length King in Belgium who,
instead of being believer IN the cosmopol-
itan creed Of Christendom, has Jesuit for
his confessor, and who lives in the light OF
the past Leopold was too wise man TO
worry his son on points Of doctrine about
which he himself cared nothing; but he
would never allow him, while he lived, any
opportunity of betraying his unpopular pre-
objections by taking part in public affairs.
The Belgic throne is not bad seat, as
times CO." he used to say, "but 1t is neither
old nor strong enough to afford being played
tricks with. wish to leave it to my son in
a sound condition, and let him keep 1t so If
he can" But the necessary consequences In
this exclusion of the heir apparent from pub
lie business is that he now comes TO the per-
Torrance of its duties utterly destitute OF
training or experience. He has allowed ex-
pectations to be formed by the priests and
mobiles of the Catholic party which he can
never realize. They are full of dreams OF
legislative reaction likethose which infiamed
the evil counsellors Of Charles X, and pre-
pared the way to his fall and if the young
King has the folly TO dismiss his fathers
tolerant and prudent Ministers, and to at
tempt the formation of Roman Cabinet,
as there is reason TO fear, the consequences TO
himself and his family may be serious. His
young Queen is a woman Of spirit and vi
vacity, against whom, Notwithstanding her
Austrian extraction, there has never been a
murmur of popular distrust. But hitherto
she has devoted herself altogether to the do
mestic care of her children, and Belgian So
ciety, which has always emulated the tone Of
that of France, has often peevishly COM
planned that the Princess has never been
heard of except in the nursery.
LEOPOLD THE SECOND.
The new King of the Belgians, Leopold
Louis Philippe Marie Victor, was born on
on the 9th of April, 1885, and is consequent
ly in the 3lst year of his age. When little
more than eighteen years old he married
Marie Henriette Anna, Archduchess Of
Austria, and daughter of the late Archduke
Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, an alliance
which was arranged, it has been asserted,
with view to strengthen the Coburg dy-
nasty on the Belgian throne after the death
of the first sovereign of the line. We may,
however, question whether any such pur-
pose lay concealed in the match, inasmuch as
the old King knew too well the temper Of
the Belgian people and their constitutional
tendencies 10 seek for support for his family
from what was then so absolutist and reac-
tionary State.
The young Prince held for years the
rank Of major general, and had the honora-
ry command of a regiment of grenadiers.
In the year 1855 he and his Duchess travelled
for several months in different countries OF
Europe, and finally extended their wander
ing by trip to Egypt and Asia Minor. He
became, on attaining his majority, mem
Der of the Senate in whose discussions he
has frequently taken active and intelligent
share; and rarely has there been an impor-
tant debate in which he has not participated
when within reach Of Brussels.
There is no agitation in Belgium. All
parties seem to be vieing with each other in
expressions of loyalty.
THE FEELING IN ENGLAND.
The following notice appeared in the Court
Journal Of Dec. 10:
WINsoR CASTLE, Sunday Night.
Her Majesty received this afternoon, with
profound sorrow, the announcement Of the
loss which has fallen on her Majesty and the
royal family by the death of the King Of the
Belgians, her Majesty's last surviving uncle,
and the last of his generation of the house of
Saxe-Coburg. The loss, though not unex-
pected, is net less felt by the Queen, who in
the King of the Belgians has lost a most
affectionate relation and a most sagacious
adviser, a friend and councillor of the Prince
Consort, to whom he was warmly attached,
and whom from childhood the Queen has
looked upon in the light of father, whose
interest in the Queens welfare was unceas-
ing and whose kindness the Queen will never
forget .l 5--....