9 DECEMBER 1865, Page 1

The King of the Belgians is once more reported ill,

and this time there is, we fear, no hope of his recovery. He was seized a few days ago with dysentery, and up to Thursday night remained so weak that urgent decrees were left unsigned, and the Belgian papers were agitating themselves, with considerable want of delicacy, as to his spiritual state. His death will leave a great gap in the European circle, and opens up a vista of disquieting possibilities which we have discussed in another column, and which amply justify the anxiety expressed both in Brussels and Paris. We must add that the Kreuz Zeitung, Count von Bismark's favourite journal, already suggests that Belgium is too "dis- orderly" a State to be allowed to remain independent.