St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-02

clVillZe that great ana mysterious COLI
tinent of Africa. In 1876 preliminary
conference was held in Brussels, III
which the king laid before the repre-
sentatiyes OF the European powers the
project he had elaborated. In 1855 was
founded the independent state OF the
Congo under the sovereignty OF his
Belgian majesty, with central govern
ment at Brussels and an executive gov
eminent upon the spot. With the affairs
of this state the king is constantly and
actively occupied; it is his hobby. his
passion, for whose sake he has
not hesitated to spend vast sums
out of his private purse, ana,
though he is immensely rich, it is said
that his speculations on the Congo have
embarrassed him not little financially.
He is firmly convinced that his plan
will prosper, and that one day his king
dom will find that he has lowered It
with a source of great wealth. tbs;
more than probable that he is right.
But meanwhile there is rife Among the
people certain discomfort with these
schemes of
The Sovereign, fc
of whose success they do not feel as GER
tain as he. They reproach him with
neglecting the affairs Of Belgium for
those of the Congo. In this they are
unjust. Leopold is endowed with great
powers of work, and has physical
strength sufficient to occupy himself
with two things at time. A proof OF
the injustice of the accusation is to be
found in his never-tfring advocacy OF
the principle of universal military serv-
ice. Further, he just now devoteS mu Gu
attention to the question OF planting the
sand-dunes, and has himself repeatedly
visited the spot to Superintend In per-
son the progress of the work.
The kings attitude on the anti-slayery
question, and his reception OF the men,
Gers of the international conference, all
must have gratefully observed.
1t has been often and rightfully re-
marked that had Leopold Ii. been born
in the burgher claSS-or no matter IN
whatever other conditiOn-he would
have made himself talked about. and
would have become a remarkable man.
AS monarch he has, for some causes
not quite clear. missed that popularity
which other monarchs seems to gain so
easily, and often without desert.
The Belgian people have much more
sympathy with their queen, who is also
woman of rare intelligence. Although
OQU CdI y OuHSCI UioI tikO hiiiEs JIM
has preserved into maturity the grace
and quick wit of youth. Her appear
ance at first sight gives the impression
of hautuer, but closer observation reveals
that this apparent GOODNESS covers a
warm heart, and also one that has suf-
fered keenly. The mother has never
recovered the grief of losing
Her Only Son.
Her chief occupations are works of
charity. She loves to comfort those in
distress, and it is said that her goodness
and patience with her poor demented
sister-in-law, the Empress Charlotte, is
most touching to witness. She is the
only person who has some little infiu-
ence over the distracted lady.
AS wife, Queen Marie Henriette
knows full Well-what the world knows
also--that her husband seeks his pleas
ures away from her. She tries to find
consolation and distraction in the arts.
HorsemanShip and horses are also a
great delight of hers. She frequently
goes into the stables and inspects her
favOrte SteedS, even grooming them
herself at times. At all hours of the
Gay she may be met either on horse
back, followed by groom, or driving
two ponies in an elegant little phaetOn.
But this love of horses does not hind
Ell her from being an artist. She is an
excellent musician, playing well upon
the piano and harp. She often COM
poses. Few know that she has even
written an opera called Wanda, GU La
Pursuance de PAmour," which was once
represented at the court. She also
paints and is well versed in artist C
matters. She is a great reader, too, but
her literature is of the lightest kind,
consisting of most of the new French.
English and German novels that appear.
She, too, prefers life of great simple
ity and detests all luxury. Her dress is
OF a plainness many burgher lady
could initiate with advantage.
Under these circumstances it is easy
to imagiue that the Belgian court is not
a gay or brilliant one. The sovereigns
live like quiet private citizens. Except
ing two court balls a year, a garden
party at Laeken and few official dim
nerS, there are never any feteS at the
palace. Early in the reign, and above
all under Leopold l., things were very
different. But since their irreparable
loss fell upon the sovereigns in the
death of the Duke Of Brabant, both
king and queen have grown grave and
sad. This fatal event contributed not a
little toward the establishment of Sc
verer mode of life, baniShing from the
royal residence all that could give it
animation. There bleeds in the hearts
of the Belgian royal couple wound
that will never be Stanched.