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the Belgian soil. All this ended in a compromise-that the exhibition should take place, but that the bulls should not be killed; which was something very like leaving Hamlet out of the play, because upon this final coup depends in Spain the main glory of the achievement. It was, also, in some respects rather ridiculous, because, though the toreadores might fight in jest, the bulls were certain to fight in earnest; and one slip of the foot might have been fatal. But practice makes perfect, and therefore no accident of the kind occurred. Harlequin seldom fails to jump through the little window, and these artists of Spain, when no other resource remained for them, bounded over the barrier in true harlequin style. Still, no sophistry can conceal the fact that, had one of them failed in that derniere manœuvre, with a fiery bull close at his heels, the result might have been this-instead of getting over that barrier himself, his mangled body might have been tossed over it, and perhaps even amongst the spectators.

The most remarkable part of this exhibition consisted in these genuine Spanish bulls-not large, or overencumbered with flesh, but quick in movement, and fiery by temper; and, no doubt, most awkward customers to meet on one of those Andalusian plains, where there are few hedges and still fewer trees. But for all other purposes than this Spanish amusement, there does not seem anything very remarkable in their breed; and an old Belgian country gentleman very fitly remarked- We have no wish to be tossed in the air, and, for any other purpose, have much better cattle at home.' It is in comparison with such scenes as these that the old sports of England stand out with lustre. Even they who least admire our horse-racing, must admit that it has given us the first breed of horses in the world; but here is an amusement which has done nothing but bring ridicule on the land that fostered it. Still, so strong is the force of long habit, we should not speak too harshly of the Spaniards themselves. Ñay,

So much a long communion tends
To make us what we are,

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that I would not shrink even from a Spanish lady, because she might enter an arena of this sort as if it had been a race-stand or operahouse; but when, in the middle of the nineteenth century, we see attempts made to introduce it into other countries, then there is no palliation, and ought to be but one opinion. It should be mentioned that the company came to Brussels under no distinguished patronage: it was a mere mountebank speculation, founded upon the large crowd which these fêtes were certain to draw together. As for Belgium, also, as far as I know, this is a first appearance, and, as far as I believe, will be the last; for it has won no popular applause, and, what is of more consequence, very little money.

The fetes at an end, the flowers faded, and the flags folded up, the mind naturally reverts to what the eye has seen. It has been well observed, that sublimity is not to be measured by yards and feet;' neither is the importance of a State always to be measured by its size. This may be a miniature kingdom, but it is bound up with the net-work of Europe; has a guaranteed neutrality; has been the cause and the scene of many wars; and is always weighed in what is called the balance of power. To none, also, is it a question of keener or closer interest than to us Englishmen; for the blow, come from where it may, that should strike the Belgian Lion from

its pride of place,' would arouse the anger of another Lion. The independence of these Low Countries, Holland and Belgium, is a part of our hereditary policy, and their well being is as intimately connected with our own as those electric wires that now pass from shore to shore. State policy is commonly the prevailing influence in royal marriages, and hence rumour and newspapers have told us that this one was suddenly conceived and hastily planned, in consequence of an intimation from the French ambassador, that if the Russians advanced into Turkey, the French would advance elsewhere. This is incorrect. The marriage was contemplated long before, and I am told that it was one of the latest wishes expressed by the late Queen of Belgium. It is too true, however,

that such an intimation was indirectly made by the ambassador of France, and with about as much wisdom as justice. It is also very probable that Leopold's hasty visit to the courts of London, Berlin, and Vienna, had reference to this subject; and that the opportunity of visiting the latter capital was taken advantage of to arrange this contemplated marriage. Considered in all respects, it was the most desirable one that could be found. Belgium, a strictly Catholic country, only accepted a Protestant King upon condition that his descendants should be educated in the Roman faith; and the Hapsburg family is undoubtedly the leading family of that faith now upon a throne. Of the three great nations, also, that successively ruled over these provinces (Austria, Spain, and France), Austria is the most popular. Maria Theresa is remembered with affection even to this day, and her name was mentioned in many of the addresses presented to her young descendant. Perhaps the national vanity also may be a little touched at this connexion of the son of Belgium's first King with that reigning family which the etiquette of diplomacy always places first.

But a

stronger reason than this (for the Belgians are a sedate, practical people) is the additional guarantee for their neutrality and repose. Let the policy of Europe maintain these, and they themselves will work out their own prosperity. Hence the marriage-bell of Marie Henriette struck more chords than one; it touched the national pride, it responded to the national religion, and it gave one more promise of security and peace.

Had the Orleans branch remained on the French throne, the Belgian royal house would now, in its twentythird year, have been closely allied to three out of the five great Powers. There is still a chance of this upon the cards, but upon such a point it is not correct to dwell. Such reflections forcibly recal the memory of

one once a great actor in our living world, and of whom history will have much to say-Louis Philippe. They also point a moral, to which kings may do well to attend. It is here, in this small and once neighbouring kingdom, that his descendants now possess the best chance for holding their footing among the thrones of Europe. It was here, too, that he deserved success. To Belgium he always behaved well. There is now in this city a handsome monument to General Belliard, his first ambassador, whose colossal figure holds in his hands those treaties which were honourably made, and for eighteen years faithfully kept; and close before this statue passed the grandson of Louis Philippe, as he went, on this 22nd day of August, to receive the hand of his illustrious bride. Palman qui meruit ferat. But turn we to another quarter, Spain, and how different appears the conduct of this same King. It has been said that there were two Mirabeaus: it would almost seem as if there were two Louis Philippes. Those dark intrigues, those indelicate despatches, that unchivalrous conduct towards a young lady, a Bourbon, his near relative! This will always leave a tache upon his coat that nothing can wipe away. But here, too, he found his reward. This policy broke the entente cordiale with England, and led him to lean more on the despotic courts; and the more closely the latter period of his reign may be considered, the more will it be found intimately connected with his fall. That poor Spain, too, for which his ambitious game was played-what is to be seen there, save darkness and uncertainty?

The earliest connexion between Austria and what used to be called Austrian Flanders arose from a marriage, and this was one of the events that gave rise to the German proverb, that Austria gained more by Hymen than by Mars.' When Charles le Temeraire fell in that battle which his usual rashness pro

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voked, his wide domains descended upon an only daughter, then twenty or twenty-one years of age, and who, with the artless innocence of youth, appealed for advice and protection to her neighbour and Suzerain, Louis XI. of France. I remember, when in the south of France, where that monarch and his dark deeds are

best known, to have read some curious documents relating to that period. Suffice it here to remark Louis's wild delight at the news of Charles's death; his deep satisfaction at this appeal from the orphan child; his fair and honeyed promises to her, at the very moment that he was inciting her subjects to rebellion. In a word, he had marked her as his victim, and her fine possessions as his prey. But, for once, the craftiest of kings overshot his mark. The young lady had something of her father's spirit, and giving her hand to Duke Maximilian of Austria, set her betrayer at defiance.

To leave alone and to be left alone, commerce with all and quarrels with none;' in these few and homely words may be described the foreign policy of Belgium. Her first wish is independence, which may be more fitly described by a Belgian pen than mine-D'Espagnols, d'Autrichiens, de Français, de Hollandais, nous sommes redevenus, et nous resterons, Belges; exclusivement Belges. Her second wish is peace; and when the Peace congress of forty-eight fixed its rendez-vous here, it at least chose well its ground. It would be hard indeed if such moderate wishes were not granted. Offending none, menacing none, nay, opposing her neutral banners in the way of any invaders, she has a right to claim respect from all sides. As Metternich used to say of Turkey, she is one of the best of neighbours; far better than Turkey, because she does not contain within herself such heterogeneous and dangerous elements. To threaten her, therefore, because Russian ambition might threaten the East, was indeed a miserable stroke of policy, of which it is to be hoped they who made it already see the error; as latterly the French Government has used a very different language, and taken its stand upon the faith of existing treaties. Such is alike the path of honour and of safety. The

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very national motto of this little state, L'Union fait la force, points at the present moment the great moral for Western Europe.

Forty-eight was the great ordeal of nations-the hot ploughshares of our time; and to pass through it well was to rise in the estimation of the world. Placed between the two great fires of France and Germany, this little kingdom maintained its ground. Louis Philippe gone, the King of Prussia in the hands of the Berlin populace, the gates of Vienna closed against its Emperor,-when all these events were at once upon the scene, the first King of Belgium stood upon his throne. Grave diplomatists, who had asserted that the little satellite would be dragged after its great neighbour at the first shock of revolution, have seen and confessed their error; and here even the veteran Metternich resided for a considerable time when Austria was too hot to hold him. Whence came this security? From her moderate constitution. That was the golden mean which saved her. This language may not accord with certain radical orators, who, now that their greater lights in Europe are extinguished, are fond of pointing to their lesser ones. According to them, Belgium weathered the storm by virtue of the democratic nature of her institutions; let a few figures, therefore, speak for me. The electoral qualification consists now in the annual payment of forty-two francs in direct taxation; in 1847 it was somewhat higher. The number of electors stands thus:

30,317 45,545

50,232

78,228

In 1847... 19,915 In 1852... 32,683 To these must be added a few thousand ex officio votes, such as justices of the peace, officers of certain grade in the army, high civic authorities, avocats, &c., making at present, in round numbers, one hundred and two thousand electors, for a population of over four millions and a half. This is hardly a radical model; and I quit the subject with this one remark-had Belgium joined her neighbours in the mad dance of forty-eight, she would have been long ago seated down at the same suppertable with them.

In speaking of a continental state,

be it great or small, these are not the times to pass by the army. Here, also, we have had our summer reviews, and a camp somewhat larger than that of Chobham. The number of Belgian regular troops is just upon a par with that of Belgian electors-one hundred thousand; that is to say, this is the number which could be brought into the field at a few days' notice; but those kept permanently on foot are somewhat under thirty thousand. It is a fashion among men who are more fond of playing with words than looking into facts, to speak slightingly of the Belgian army, because, in a time of great national confusion, it did not show that discipline so essential to military success; but they who draw their conclusions from that day may make a great mistake in this. I have seen something of it myself, better judges with whom I have conversed have seen more, and the general opinion of those who have judged for themselves is favourable. In common with the rest of Europe, no great alacrity has been shown to follow Prussia and France in their new fire-arm improvements; but the troops are considered to have gone through their late manoeuvres in a soldier-like manner. As for their horses, both cavalry and artillery, I will take upon myself to give them a high place among continental armies. The Government has paid much attention to this point, and the effects of it are very evident.

In spite of all this martial tramp, however, Belgium is not by choice a military nation, but is forced into it by the great continental system. Armez vous, car le voisin village est armé--that terrific by-word of the first French revolution, has now passed from villages to nations, and in the midst of peace, some threefourths of their revenues are continually spent upon the elements of war. Nor, unless they bear a general character, is it easy to see how large disarmaments can take place. This little state, however, would gladly join in such a movement, for her temper is naturally commercial and industrious. The plough, the loom, the anvil-here she would place her hope, and found her glory, as old Flanders did

in the days that are gone, before rival nations made her the battlefield of their ambition. May such be her future course. She enjoys prosperity now, her reward for resting tranquil, while other nations were shaken to their centre. May it continue and increase. To those who know her well, this wish can hardly fail to be followed by a second. Those arts for which in old times she was so famous, arose with her independence, and flourished with her flourishing commerce. May similar causes have similar results.

Interesting events are apt to crowd together, and before these marriage fêtes were concluded, the Belgian Moniteur announced a decree, setting aside all corn-laws for the present year. The Moniteur of France had already gone before it in the same course. From Antwerp to Marseilles every French and Belgian port is now as open for all kinds of grain as are the ports of England; and, what is more, is very likely to remain so. In both countries the struggle between freetrade and protection has been for some time going on, and this winter may decide it. What one bad harvest did for ourselves, another may do for our neighbours; and it is to our advantage that such an assimilation should take place. With rival purchasers across the channel, every corn-laden ship will not steer for England, as it did some time ago, to the dismay of our own farmers; while France and Belgium would be able to supply their deficiencies at a lighter cost. Leaving the main question untouched, as we are freetraders ourselves, it is better to have free-trade neighbours. It is better on commercial grounds, but not on them alone. That part of Europe (whose greatness is not to be measured on the map) including Holland, Belgium, France, and England, is likely hereafter to have at least one policy on one point-that no impediment be thrown in the way of the grain-laden ship, be it either in the narrow passage of the Dardanelles, or the Baltic, that this is menaced, and their interests become one. Under a new form, there would then be a revival of the old phrase of the mare liberum against the mare clausum.

C.