this, that the bare probability of war in Europe is looked to with the utmost alarm by the government, and the _Controleur_, an appropriately named journal, the organ of the clerical party, was anxiously busied, whilst I was in Ghent, in decrying any idea of a re-union with France, declaring in one of its publications early in September: “Et comme nous n’avons pas pour habitude de cacher notre manière de voir, nous dirons rondement, _que nous serions plutôt Hollandais que Français_.--En dépit de M. Rogier.” Another suggestion has been the _partition_ of Belgium between the surrounding states, but to this equally insurmountable obstacles present themselves. Antwerp and the districts on the Dutch frontier, if assigned to Holland, would have no longer employment for their capital and ships, and would again sink under the more favoured rivalry of Amsterdam and Rotterdam; and as Hainault and the fortresses along the Meuse and the Sambre would necessarily fall to the lot of France, a measure so menacing to the future security of Europe, would not be tolerated by her courts, unless these strongholds were garrisoned by the allies, an expedient which would be equally opposed by the pride and ambition of the French. If the further experience should unfortunately decide finally against the permanence of Belgium as an independent nation, the only practical expedient which remains, and that which has already received the sanction of all the great powers of Europe, would be a return to the disposition made by the Congress of Vienna, and the reincorporation of Holland and Belgium, to form again the united kingdom of the Netherlands. Personal aversion to King William would no longer oppose a barrier to such an arrangement, as his dominion has passed into other hands, and the Prince of Orange, the present king at all times enjoyed the popular affections, if not the national confidence of the people. Should any fresh convulsion arise, which for the sake of the peace of Europe, not less than for that of King Leopold, it is most earnestly to be hoped may be yet averted, all I have either seen or been able to learn from those best informed upon the matter, leaves little doubt in my mind, that the almost unanimous wish of the people, should they be compelled to change their present dynasty, would point to the restoration of the House of Nassau. END OF VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED BY SCHULZE AND CO., 13, POLAND STREET. FOOTNOTES [1] Made by Nurse and Co. Crawford Street, Bryanstone Square. [2] So styled in the act by which Philip II, ceded to them the Sovereignty of the Low Countries. [3] Wordsworth’s Sonnet to Bruges. [4] Query, St. Salvador.