A proclamation has been issued by the new King of
Holland, Wit. liarn the Second, on assuming the government of the country. After mentioning the " important and affectieg event" of his father's terminat- ing by retirement, a reign of tweaty-seven years, "constantly dedicated to the e el flare of the faithful people of the Net and signalized by many blessings, but also by many chagrins," the tress King says-
" All ef you deeply feel with me the great loss whieli the country sustains by this fi.leneation ; and Low difficult it will be for me, his successor, to liii the place of u K Mg who, Miring a long course or years, has devoted himself with so much e,i,dorn to the prosperity of the tuition. " with the importance of the ditties DOW incumbent on me, enter nrlirmi the government with a lirin resolution to neglect. nothing that, with, the 1.fr1iine blessing, May promote the happiness of the people arid tier-glory or the kingloin. " Inn 11,e career on which I enter, the Fundamental that anchor of the liberty stir ii happiness of the Netherlands, %hull be my ennui aunt gitide, at I shall
cooririn by u oath on my inauguration in the capital. " But that I may at this great object, the promotion of the welfare and the proverity of the country and the people, I shall need the confidence, the less!, and the fidelity my subjects." A letter from the Hague contains the following particulars of the ceremonial attending the abdication. " King Wi iii nm the First was seated in the large hall of' the Palace at a table, having on his right the hereditary Prince of Orange and l'rince Alexander, and on his left
Prince Frederick of the Netherlands. Opposite to his Majesty sat the Secretary of State, M. Van Doorin. Next to Prince Alexander were stationed the several Ministers, according to their seniority in service. The rest of the table was surrounded by the members of the Council of State, according to their seniority ; the youngest being only separated front Prince Frederick by M. Stifft, the Referendary for the Affairs a Luxemburg. When all present were seated, his 'Majesty William the First made known his intention to abdicate the crown, and transfer it to his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange; using nearly the terms of the proclamation. The King then desired the Secretary of State to -,ccail the Act of Abdication ; which being finished, his Majesty signed two acts, one the the Netherlands and the other for the Grand Datehy of Luxemburg, with a firm hand. These acts were also signed by all the Princes, Ministers, and members of the Council of State there pre- sent. After this ceremony, the King. in concise terms, thanked all the functionaries present for the counsel and advice they had given him for so long a period. Ile then announced, that in future he should hear the title of King William Frederick, Count of Nassau; the last title being in honour of his illustrious house. During the whole of the solemnity, the most profound silence reigned in the hall ; anti when his Majesty had finished his address, every one retired. The King and the Princes Afterwards dined together en jitnalle, not a Chamberlain nor an Adjutant being present."
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