On the whole, the Treaty has been received with universal
satisfaction in England, and in Belgium it has created a real enthusiasm. The Common Council of Brussels have voted an address of cordial thanks to Queen Victoria ; ten thousand people assembled before the house of the English Minister at Brussels, where the address was presented, waving the Belgian flags, and singing
4 God Save the Queen," and a similar scene occurred before the house of the English Vice-Consul. The speech from the King of Belgium to the Parliament referred in grateful terms to the influ- ence England was exerting on behalf of Belgium, and the Senate in its answer to the speech says the nation "is profoundly grateful frecommissante] for the steps which attest the solicitude of her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain for the interests of Belgian neutrality." On the whole, nothing can be clearer than that Belgium eagerly desired and gratefully accepts the help of England, and that she is by no means displeased that she has not been made a party to the treaty so vitally serving her interests.
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