CHAPTER VI.

The Belgian revolution has produced no man of leading genius--The present ministry--M. Rogier--M. Liedtz, the Minister of the Interior--An interview at the Home Office--Project of steam navigation between Belgium and the United States--Freedom of political discussion in Belgium--_Character of King Leopold_--Public feeling in Brussels--The original union of Holland and Belgium apparently desirable--Commercial obstacles--Obstinacy of the King of Holland--Anecdote of the King of Prussia--The extraordinary care of the King for manufactures--_Prosperous_ condition of Belgium under Holland--_Les Griefs Belges_--Singular coincidence between the proceedings of THE REPEALERS IN IRELAND AND THE REPEALERS IN BELGIUM--Ambition for separate nationality--Imposition of the Dutch language unwise--Abolition of trial by jury--Now disliked by the Belgians themselves--Financial grievances--Inequality of representation--CONDUCT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLICS--Hatred of toleration--Attachment of the clergy to Austria--_Remarkable manifesto of the clergy to the Congress of Vienna_--Resistance to liberty of conscience, and freedom of the press--Demand for tithes--Resistance of the priests to the toleration of Protestants--The official oath--_Protest of the Roman Catholic Bishops against freedom of opinion and education by the State_--Perfect impartiality of the Sovereign--Resistance of the priesthood--_The Revolution_--Union of the Liberals and Roman Catholics--Intolerant ambition of the clergy--Separation of the _Clerico-liberal party_--Present state of parties in the legislature--Unconstitutional ascendancy of the priests--_State of public feeling_--Universal disaffection--Curious list of candidates for the crown of Belgium in 1831--“_La Belgique de Leopold_,” its treasonable publications--Future prospects uncertain--Vain attempts to remedy the evils of the revolution--_Connexion with the Prussian League refused_--Impossibility of an union with Austria or Prussia--Union with France impracticable--Partition of Belgium with the surrounding states--_Possible restoration of the House of Nassau in the event of any fresh disturbance._ 217

INDEX TO SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH THE TRADE AND MANUFACTURES OF BELGIUM.

Fisheries, i. 9.

Lace, manufacture of, i. 41.

Conseils de Prud’hommes, i. 51.

The Linen Trade, i. 55, 68, 129.

Cultivation of Flax, i. 56, 137.

Linen Yarn Mills, i. 63; ii, 193.

Export of Flowers, i. 72.

Manufacture of Machinery, i. 93, 99; ii. 25, 174.

Exportation of Machinery from England, i. 94; ii. 185.

Distillation, i. 131.

Flemish Agriculture, i. 133.

Bleaching, i. 150.

Crushing of Oil, i. 151; ii. 106.

Manufacture of Wooden Shoes, i. 152.

Refining of Sugar, i. 161.

Beet-root Sugar, i. 167.

Calico-printing, i. 170.

Carpet-weaving, ii. 28.

Carriage-building, ii. 29.

Books, ii. 29.

Transit Trade of Belgium, ii. 45.

Shipping, ii. 40.

Silk Trade, ii. 45.

Cotton Trade, ii. 91.

Gilt Leather chairs, ii. 109.

Railroads, ii. 119.

Brewing, ii. 131.

Cutlery, ii. 157.

Paper, Manufacture of, ii. 163.

Coal Mines, ii. 168.

Fire-arms and Cannon, ii. 191.

Woollen Trade, ii. 199.

Joint Stock Companies, ii. 204.

General State and Prospects of Belgian Manufacturers, i. 81; ii. 210.

BELGIUM.