tivity, and the different branches of the public revenue are in a flourishing condition.

It has been generally thought, that by the union of Belgium with Holland, and its separation from France, its commerce has been somewhat injured; but the bad effects which were apparent some years ago, are passing away, and commerce is prospering. Free Trade is encouraged by the Government to a considerable extent, the importation of foreign merchandize being permitted, on payment of a trifling duty. It cannot be denied, that from the prejudices and vanity of the people, as well as their attachment to old customs, the consumption of foreign manufactures is too much encouraged, to the neglect of home-productions. As a necessary consequence, Dutch commerce may still be said to be in a state of inactivity; but the manufacturers are beginning to resume their wonted energy, trading with those countries from which they are not excluded by prohibitory duties. The King proposed, in 1826, to the Second Chamber of the States-General, a project of a law in regard to the duties on imports and exports. This proposal has excited great interest in the country; and a conflict has ensued between the agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial provinces, on the subject. It is earnestly to be hoped, that the liberal designs of the enlightened Sovereign, will not be frustrated by the prejudices and narrow-minded selfishness, of any class of his subjects. Commerce has been for some time retarded by the unwillingness of the King, to accede to the regulations of the Congress of Vienna, in regard to the navigation of the

Rhine. The first article of these regulations, passed in 1815, runs thus:- "The navigation in the whole course of the Rhine, from the point where it becomes navigable, to the sea, both in descending and returning, shall be entirely free." This decree does not compel the Government of the Low Countries to permit the passage of German ships through their territory, on the same conditions with Belgic vessels, but the sole intention of the contracting parties was to procure the abolition of the oppressive duties demanded at Mayence, Cologne, &c. The commission established for this purpose by the Congress, found it difficult to satisfy the States of Prussia and the Low Countries, as to the propriety of the decree. A correspondence on the subject took place between the Governments of Austria and the Low Countries. At length, bya decree of the 10th of September 1826, the King of the Netherlands removed all the obnoxious re strictions as far as regarded his territory; and is to be hoped that the other States on the banks of the Rhine, will soon imitate his example.

Still farther to promote the commercial prospe rity of his kingdom, this Sovereign has recently concluded a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States of Mexico, which secures to the commerce of the Netherlands, the advantages granted to the most favoured nation. He has also, during last year, effected an agreement with the King of Sweden and Norway, providing for the temporary removal of the barrier which prevented the vessels belonging to the Low Countries from bringing into the ports of Sweden any other products than those of their country.

The population of the Kingdom of the Nether

lands, amounting at present to about six millions, is on the increase, and yet, by a judicious administration, pauperism and crime are daily diminishing. In Belgium there are seven hospitals for the poor established at Mons, Hoogstraeten, Namur, la Cambra near Brussels, Bruges, Hoorn, and Reckheim. The first was formed at Bruges by M. Chauvelin in 1805. Prison discipline has also begun to engage the attention of the public; and the Society in Amsterdam for the Improvement of the Condidition of Prisoners, continues, by means of its different provincial or local commissions, to collect information on the subject. It is a very encouraging fact, that this excellent institution has received the countenance of his Majesty; and it is not improbable, that at the suggestion of the Society, separate prisons will be erected for the reception. of juvenile delinquents, where, by a process of moral training, they may be rendered useful and honourable members of society.

In almost every part of the Netherlands agricultural pursuits are prosecuted with the utmost industry and activity, although, from their peculiar situation, the lands are exposed to the ever-threatening inroads of the sea. A great boon has been bestowed in the last year upon the people, by a more equitable division on the part of government of the land-tax, which has been considered as oppressive in some quarters, and comparatively light in others. The extension of land and water communication, which is pursued with activity and zeal, will no doubt be productive of most beneficial consequences to the kingdom. A measure which strikingly displays the wisdom of the government, may be observed in the modifications

which have been introduced into the system of lotteries, with a view to their ultimate abolition.

The King of the Netherlands, in behalf of his Catholic subjects, has at length concluded an agreement with the Pope; but the stipulations are accompanied with certain reservations, securing the laws of the State, and the respect due to liberty of conscience in matters of religion.

Great improvements have of late been effected in the administration of justice, by the division of the country into circuits, and by the new system of legislation, which will soon be brought into operation. The French codes of legislation have hitherto, with some modifications, been uniformly employed in the Low Countries; but new codes of law, have been drawn up by order of Government, founded however, principally, on the French system. The new Civil and Commercial Codes, were approved by the States-General in the Session of 1825-26; the Code of Judicial Organization was discussed and adopted in 1826-27, and the project of a Penal Code was submitted last October; but, whether it was approved or not, we have not been able to ascertain. As some time must elapse before these new arrangements will be completed, some modifications in the French laws, have in the meantime been adopted. The Civil and Commercial Codes are said to be peculiarly valuable; but the same eulogium cannot be passed on the Criminal Code. Many alterations of the French laws have been made in the new system, which, instead of being entitled to the name of improvements, resemble the institutions of the dark ages; and punishments have been introduced, which can

have no other tendency than to degrade and insult the moral feelings of mankind.

The progress of education in the Low Countries, is still more rapid than in any of the other Continental States, not excepting even France. If Pestalozzi in Switzerland, and M. Ordinaire in France, have endeavoured to improve the system of instruction, by the introduction of processes more suited to the natural progress of the human mind; no less indefatigable have been the exertions of M. Jacotot in Belgium to extend his system, which is somewhat analogous to that of Pestalozzi, and is termed universal instruction. This plan, though much opposed by some learned men, has been remarkably successful, and has met with liberal encouragement from Government.

Much attention was formerly drawn to the subject of education in France, by the Emile of Rousseau; but, by his extravagant paradoxes, that celebrated writer injured the cause which he meant to advocate. The common end kept in view by the Swiss, French and Belgian philanthropists, in the improvements which they have recently proposed, is to encourage, as early as possible, activity of thought. With a view to promote the improvement of his people, the King of the Netherlands engaged Professor Kinker of Liege, to point out the best mode of applying the system to the different parts of public instruction; and, accordingly, in his Report, the learned Professor recommended the formation of a Central Institute which, besides being used as a school for the education of children, might be employed for the purpose of training masters for the various