ban of the Bishops, and the faithful were warned against the sin of perusing articles written by the enemies of the Church. The system of education pursued at the Universities of Ghent and Liège was anathematized as being dissevered from ecclesiastical control -and an acrimonious quarrel ensued between the Professors and the Bishops.

At last, in the middle of April, M. Decker's Ministry brought in a Bill, the practical effect of which was to repeal the existing law on the subject of charitable bequests; and it proposed that the Government should have the power, by a decree under the King's hand, to confer on religious communities the right of inheriting and possessing all donations and legacies bestowed on or bequeathed to them. It provided also that persons who wished to dispose of their property in favour of the poor should have the right to name special administrators for that purpose.

This Bill met with a violent opposition. The populace was excited, and the galleries of the Chamber of Brussels were thronged by a crowd of persons who applauded or hissed the speakers as if they were themselves members of the Assembly, and three times they were obliged to be forcibly ejected. The leaders of the Liberal party in the Chamber were MM. Rogier, Frère-Orban, Orts, Tesch, and Verhaegen, and they opposed the Bill in the most determined manner, but were on every occasion defeated. At length the principle of the Bill was carried on the 19th of May by a majority of 66 to 44. A few days afterwards M. Frère-Orban, in the course of his speech, accused the Government of playing une in

66

digne comedie" before the country, and on being called to order he retorted that a deputy who had applied to him the epithet "infame" had not been called to order. This reply was received with tumultuous cheering in the galleries, and they were ordered to be cleared. The mob collected outside, hooted the Papal names-hissed the Ministers, and made a demonstration by parading the city in considerable numbers, crying out "à bas les couvens." Riotous proceedings afterwards took place, and the Government were obliged to resort to a display of military forcealthough no actual collision took place. The soldiers occupied the streets, and assemblages of more than five persons were forbidden.

In consequence of these disturbances, and the excited state of public opinion, the Belgian Ministry resolved early in June to advise the King to put an abrupt end to the Session of the Chambers, alleging as a reason their conviction, "that in the midst of the turmoil of political passions momentarily excited any parliamentary discussion might become a source of embarrassment to the country."

In a report they addressed to the King, dated June 12, they said:

"On assuming office the present Ministry found the question of public charities in the order of the day of the Chamber of Representatives. It was its duty to solve it, and thereby to put an end to a permanent cause of anxiety to the country and annoyance to the Government.

every shape, it was also advisable to facilitate by every meaus the development of charity. The Bill proposed by the Government tended to complete the salutary action of the official Board of Charity-a Board respected in its principles and organization-by the support of foundations regulated and controlled by private charity.

66

This system, which is conformable to our historical traditions, which is in harmony with the laws of most nations, possessed, moreover, the merit of being perfectly adapted to the spirit of our constitution and of our organic laws.

"Nevertheless, an attempt was made to detect in this Bill, which was inspired by the sole wish to improve the moral and social position of the lower classes of society, a spirit of reaction against modern ideas and institutions. Its object, exclusively a charitable one, appeared to be nothing else than a pretext to resuscitate the law of mortmain and the re-establishment of convents. The consequences were declared to be not a benefit for poor families, but a trap for rich ones. Whether from ignorance or prejudice, or from preconcerted action, the opposition to the Bill gradually increased; it burst forth suddenly in acts of which we wish we could efface even the remembrance.

"However painful it is to sacrifice a work of conviction and conscience, we understand, nevertheless, that a prudent Government must hearken to public opinion, even when led astray by passion or prejudice."

To this the King next day replied that he gave his full approval to the report addressed to him by the Cabinet, and he said :

"For the first time during 26

years that I have devoted myself to Belgium, the Parliamentary debates have given rise to difficulties the solution of which did not at once reveal itself.

"You have acted with the great est loyalty and with the most perfect good faith. You are firmly convinced that the Bill, if carried out, would not produce the bad consequences which have been attributed to it. I will not express an opinion upon the proposed Bill. I should never have consented to admit into our legislation a Bill which might have had the sad consequences which are feared; but, without entering into an examination of the Bill itself, I must take into account, like you, an impression which evinced itself on this occasion among a considerable portion of the population. There exist in countries which occupy themselves with their affairs rapid and contagious emotions, which spread with an intensity more easily discerned than explained, and with which it is more prudent to make terms (transiger) than to reason.

"The free institutions of Belgium have been in operation for 26 years with admirable regularity. What is there requisite for them to continue to work in future with the same order and the same success?

"I do not hesitate to say that what is requisite is, moderation and reserve among parties. I think we ought to abstain from agitating any question of a nature to excite. dissension in the public mind. I am convinced that Belgium may live happy and respected, following the path of moderation; but I am equally convinced, and I said it publicly, that any measure which might be interpreted as tending to establish the supremacy of one

NEUCHATEL. The Neuchâtel question, of which we gave an account in our preceding volume, was finally settled this year by the intervention of the good offices of the four great Powers, Great Britain, France, Russia, and Austria; and the result was a Treaty of Mediation, concluded at the end of April. The following were the principal articles:

Art. 1. His Majesty the King of Prussia consents, for himself, his heirs, and successors, to renounce for ever his rights of sovereignty in the Principality of Neuchâtel and the Comte of Valengin, which are recognised by Article 23 of the Treaty concluded at Vienna on June 9, 1815.

Art. 2. The State of Neuchâtel, being now once more independent, will henceforth continue to be a member of the Helvetic Confederation on the same footing as the other cantons, and conformably to Art. 75 of the said Treaty.

"Art. 5. A complete amnesty is granted for all political and military crimes and offences connected

with the recent events, and this amnesty extends to all Neuchâtelese, whether Swiss or foreigners, and especially to the militia, who may have withdrawn from their military duties and gone abroad.

"Art. 6. The Helvetic Confederation will pay to the King of Prussia the sum of 1,000,000ƒ.”

The four Powers also signed a Protocol, in which they recommended that the King of Prussia should keep in perpetuity the title of Prince of Neuchâtel and Valengin; but it was declared to be understood that His Majesty was not to found upon that title any rights whatsoever either in Switzerland or in the canton of Neuchâtel.

resolved to anticipate the attack and march himself against the enemy who were under the command of Soojah-ool-Moolk. On the 2nd of February he was strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements from Bombay, and on the evening of the next day the force destined for the expedition marched out of Bushire, consisting of 4771 infantry, 419 cavalry, and 18 guns,* while a force of 1800 infantry and 14 guns was left in camp at Bushire. Each man carried his great-coat, blanket, and two days' provisions, but no tents were taken or other equipage; the rain fell heavily and the weather was bitterly cold in the night-time. The troops reached the intrenched position of the Persians at Burazjoon on the afternoon of the 5th, but the enemy had abandoned it on hearing of our approach and left behind their camp equipage and large quantities of stores and ammunition. The column commenced its return march on the night of the 7th, when suddenly its rear-guard was attacked by the Persian force. Nothing decisive, however, happened, as the enemy were kept in check until daybreak, when the Persian army, amounting to

between 6000 and 7000 men, was seen drawn up in array ready for action to the rear left of the

3rd Cavalry, 243; Poonah Horse, 176-419 sabres; 64th Foot, 780; 2nd Europeans, 693; 78th Highlanders, 7392212 European Infantry; Sappers, 118; 20th Native Infantry, 442; 4th Rifles, 523; 26th Native Infantry, 479; Beloochees, 460-2022 Native Infantry. 3rd Troop Horse Artillery, 6; 3rd Light Field Battery, 6; 5th Light Field Battery, 6-Total, 18 guns. Camp.-376 Europeans; 1466 Native Infantry; 1 company of European Artillery; and 14 guns.

British and near a place called Khooshab.

General Outram says,

"Our artillery and cavalry at once moved rapidly to the attack, supported by two lines of infantry, a third protecting the baggage. The firing of the artillery was most excellent, and did great execution; the cavalry brigade twice charged with great gallantry and success; a standard of the Kashkai regular infantry regiment was captured by the Poonah Horse, and the 3rd Light Cavalry charged a square, and killed nearly the whole regiment; indeed, upon the cavalry and the artillery fell the whole brunt of the action, as the enemy moved away too rapidly for the infantry to overtake them. By 10 o'clock the defeat of the Persians was complete. Two guns were captured, the gun ammunition, laden upon mules, fell into our hands, and at least 700 men lay dead upon the field. The number of wounded could not be ascertained, but it must have been very large. The remainder fled. in a disorganized state, generally throwing away their arms, which strewed the field in vast numbers, and nothing but the paucity of our cavalry prevented their total destruction and the capture of the remaining guns.

"The troops bivouacked for the day close to the battle-field, and at night accomplished a march of 20 miles (by another route) over a country rendered almost impassable by the heavy rain which fell incessantly. After a rest of six hours, the greater portion of the infantry continued their march to Bushire, which they reached before midnight, thus performing another most arduous march of 44 miles under incessant rain, besides

says in his despatch to the Commander-in-chief at Bombay, that batteries had been erected of great strength, of solid earth, 20 feet thick, 18 feet high, with casemated embrasures, on the northern and southern points of the banks of the Karoon and Shat-ool-Arab, where the two rivers join. These, with other earthworks armed with heavy ordnance, commanded the entire passage of the latter river, and were so skilfully and judiciously placed, and so scientifically formed, as to sweep the whole stream to the extent of the range of the guns up and down the river and across the opposite shore; indeed, everything that science could suggest and labour accomplish in the time appeared to have been done by the enemy to effectually prevent any vessel passing up the river above their position; the banks, for many miles, were covered by dense date-groves, affording the most perfect cover for riflemen; and the opposite shore, being neutral territory (Turkish), was not available for the erection of counter batteries.

Two melancholy events happened about this time at Bushire. General

Stalker destroyed himself on the 14th of March, and Commodore Ethersey on the 17th; both while labouring under aberration of mind.

The Persian army was estimated at 13,000 men with 30 guns, commanded by the Shah Zadu, Prince Khauler Mirza in person. General Outram determined to attack them at Mohammerah with a force consisting of 4886 men, assisted by steamers and sloops of war; and on the 24th of March the steamers with transports in tow, began to move up the river. On the 26th, at daybreak, the mortars from the vessels opened their fire upon the batteries, and soon so reduced the fire of the Persians that the British troops were able to load without any casualty. When they had formed they quickly advanced through the date groves and across the plain upon the entrenched camp of the enemy, who turned and fled without daring to wait for the attack; but exploding as they retreated their largest magazine. They left, however, all their tents, camp equipage, and 17 guns bebind them.

Sir James Outram says in his despatch:-"With the exception of the artillery, with the mortar battery, under Captain Worgan, no portion of the military force was actively engaged with the enemy, beyond some European riflemen sent on the war vessels; but I am not the less indebted to all for their exertions and zeal, and especially for the greater order and despatch with which the landing of the troops was effected, under Brigadier-General Havelock, C.B." We mention this on account of the name of the gallant officer, General Havelock, who was SO soon to win immortal honours in India, and whose loss his countrymen have so much reason to deplore.

General Outram next despatched