the first nine months of 1833, exceeds that for the
same period last The Belgians appear to be a thriving people. Their revenue, for year by about two millions of francs; and, what is of more impor- tance, every quarterly return for the last two years has given an in- crease of resources beyond the demands of the various budgets. Unquestionably, they are indebted in part for, this to the obliging disposition of the King of Holland, who; in order to help them well through the disasters of a civil war, compels his Dutch sub- jects to pay the Belgian as well as their own share of the interest of their common debt. The Belgians are not unmindful of foreign commerce. Their Government, we have heard, has lately con- cluded a commeraial treaty with the United States, on terms so very advantageous to the latter, and likely to be so disagreeable to * British merchants and manufacturers, that even the placid Lord PALMERSTON has been roused to the production of a decisive and pungent remonstrance. His Lordship, however, may console him- self with the reflection, that he is not the first British Minister whom the acute and persevering Yankees have overreached : and it would be really absurd and unreasonable in him to expect that our, diplomatic eniployes, who are men of birth and distinguished family connexions, should be able to compete with American drudges from the counting-house or the bar, in mere matters of i't•ri torn vulgar trade. .
