to “protestantize their country.” It is unnecessary to say that these were not only pure fabrications, “mere rhetorical artifices,” to serve the purpose of the hour, since even their authors now admit this to be the fact. In a recent publication of the journal of Bruges, which is devoted to the _liberal_ party, it avows that William I. so far from being the “protestant tyrant which it was then expedient to represent him, was the most tolerant of princes, ‘le plus tolerant que l’on puisse s’imaginer,’ and only hated by the priesthood because he would not endure them to _place the altar upon the throne itself_, as they have succeeded in doing by the revolution of 1830.” With this imperfect _aperçu_ of the origin of the Belgian revolution, it is easy to collect its objects, its agents, and its effects. The union of the Liberals, with the priesthood and their followers, who formed the preponderating mass of the population, formed an alliance so powerful, that the whole strength of Holland was unequal to withstand it, much less the small body of reflecting and loyal subjects, who still remained faithful to the union and the crown, and who were not only overwhelmed by the violence of the commotion at the moment, but so utterly discomfited by its ultimate consequences, that they have never since been able to rally as a party. But the immediate object being once achieved, the union of the “_clerico-liberal_” confederacy did not long survive its consummation. The “compact alliance” between the priests and the liberals had been sought by the former only to effect a definite purpose, which could not otherwise be attained, _the Repeal of the Union_; and no sooner was this accomplished, than the intolerant ambition of the clergy, put an end to all further co-operation between them. The party of the priests had then become all powerful by their numbers, and no longer requiring the assistance of their former allies, they boldly attempted their own objects independently, and in defiance of them. It is rather a ludicrous illustration of their zeal and its aim, that among the crowd of aspirants who were named for the crown of Belgium in 1831, the _Pope_ himself was put in nomination! and had the decision remained with the revolutionists, there can be no doubt that the Netherlands would have been added to the territory of the Holy See.[39] Before twelve months from the expulsion of the King of Holland, the body by whom it was effected was split into two contending factions, and, at the present hour, the two opposing parties who contest every measure in the legislation of Belgium, are the quondam allies of the revolution,--the Liberals, and the “_parti prêtre_,” the latter of whom have the decided majority, and rule their former associates with a rod of iron.