15 JUNE 1878, Page 2

The Clerical Ministry in Belgium has fallen. Under the Belgian

Constitution, half the Chamber is re-elected every two years, and half the Senate every four years, and on Tuesday an election came off for both Houses. The Clericals suffered from the adoption of a new ballot, which ensures perfect secrecy, and from the defection of some great cities, like Antwerp and Ghent, and when the returns were made up, it was found that the Liberals had gained ten votes in the Senate and twenty-two in the Chamber, thus giving them a majority of six in the Upper and twelve in the Lower House. The King, therefore, has sent for M. Frere-Orban, to form a Liberal Ministry. As the Clericals fully expected a majority, their irritation is very great, and it is stated that the Pope, who relied on Belgium as evidence to his Cardinals that a popular State might be Ultramontane, has recalled his Nuncio. It is, however, more probable that he has superseded him. Nuncios are not recalled because of party changes.