"When Napoleon abdicated, the Flemish Provinces were restored to Austria; but when the allies who had overthrown Napoleon finally disposed of their conquests, Holland and Belgium were united, and given to the Stadtholder, who had adhered to the allies. He was styled William I., King of the Netherlands.
"The two sections could not agree; the Dutch regarded Belgium as a conquered province, and were not at all conciliatory in their treatment of the new acquisition. The Belgians were essentially French in their habits, and disliked the Dutch. In 1830 they revolted against their masters, the insurrection extended to the principal cities, and the king called upon the great powers who had given him the country. A congress assembled in London at his request, which, however, decreed the independence of Belgium.
"The people first elected a son of Louis Philippe king; but he declined, and Leopold was then chosen. King William, of Holland, protested, and in spite of the treaty, held the city of Antwerp. A French army was sent to the assistance of Leopold; Antwerp capitulated, but it was not till 1839 that Holland made a treaty with Belgium, acknowledging her independence. Leopold strengthened his position by marrying a daughter of the King of France; and his son and heir, the Duke of Brabant, was married to Marie, Archduchess of Austria.
"In 1848, when Louis Philippe was overthrown in France, some disturbance occurred, and Leopold offered to abdicate; but his proposition was not accepted, and he wisely and skilfully led his government through all the troubles of that excitable period. He is a wise and prudent statesman, and as such has had a great deal of influence in Europe.
"Now, young gentlemen, I trust you will not be satisfied with this meagre sketch of the interesting country we are now visiting, but will read up the subject so that you will understand it better."
Mr. Mapps left his position, and the studies of the morning were commenced. After dinner the usual shore liberty was given, the allowances paid in French francs, a supply of which had been procured in London, and the students were landed. Instead of going on shore immediately, Dr. Winstock and Paul paid a visit to the Victoria and Albert.
At the gangway they found the steward of the ship, who volunteered to conduct them through the vessel. There was nothing strikingly peculiar in the exterior of the yacht, except that she had large, square windows, composed of a single pane of glass, in her upper saloons and cabins; but the steward informed the visitors that these were replaced in heavy weather by wooden shutters, having only the small, round ports in them.
Between the paddle-boxes was a large open space, covered over by the hurricane deck. On each side, abaft the wheels, was a small apartment, or pavilion, with large glass windows, elegantly cushioned and furnished, where the royal passengers could sit in rough weather, and look out upon the sea. On the hurricane deck was a spacious dining-saloon.
From the open space between the wheels, the steward conducted Dr. Winstock and Paul to a passage-way, at the after end of which was a saloon called the breakfast-room. Its length corresponded with the width of the vessel, and one side was round, being formed at the stern of the vessel, in which were several of the large square windows, so that the apartment was very light and pleasant.
On each side of the passage-way were several apartments, arranged in suits. Returning to the open space amidships, the party entered the forward room on the starboard side.