The Regent of Belgium seems but little disposed to conciliate
the favour of the Five Powers. He has addressed a proclama- tion to the Luxexnburghers, in which he tells them that he will -defend the integrity of the Belgian territory, come what will. " We began," says the document, "in spite of the treaties of 1815, and will finish in spite of the protocols of 1831." It is not easy to see, if this determination be persisted in, how a hostile colli- sion between the Belgians and Dutch should be long delayed. The mihtia of the former have been called out. Some of our contemporaries express their wonder at the fact, that a substitute costs now much more than he did before the revolution of August,
• and would argue against the patriotism of the Belgians in conse- ..quence. We believe in most cases it is more difficult to get men to work than to idle, even where patriotism is most sincere. The several Belgic authorities, military and civil, are not, say the private letters, on the best possible terms with each other ; but the hatred of Holland forms a yet unbroken tie, which, in the event of a battle, will at once rally round the Regent every subject of his government. DE CHOKIER -is going round the country on
conciliatery tour. The Luxernburgliers have been allowed by the Dutch till the 5th of April to return to their allegiance, as it is called ; but it is doubtful if the call can be backed by what alone can render it effectual.
The state of Belgium presents one of those knots which "time and the hour" alone can untie,—although our own Government seem not indisposed to anticipate their operations. We regret to learn, that six of the largest class of frigates are fi ". -qv; -ks) an expedition to the ancient scene of CASTLEREAG and CHATHAM'S courage—the Scheldt. Why we should be so forward to go where no one calls on us for help or hind- rance, we must leave the Goddess of Reason or her honourable substitute Sir CHARLES WETHERELL; to decide. If the object be to prevent Antwerp from falling into the hands of the French, we have long ago shown that nothing can be more futile. The first war that breaks out, Antwerp must fall into the hands of the •• French ; and we are taking the very best way that can be imagined for procuring a war in a couple of months hence.
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