[27] De l’Industrie en Belgique, vol. 2, p. 384.

[28] Exposé de la situation de la Province de la Flandre Orientale, pour l’année 1840. Ghent de l’imprimerie de Vanryckegem-Hovaerz, imprimeur du Governement Provincial.

The numbers are as follows:

Two whose deficiency is between 1,000 ff. and2,000.
Four ” ” 2,000 ” 3,000.
One ” ” 3,000” 4,000.
One ”” 6,000 ” 7,000.
Two ” ” 7,000 ” 8,000.
One ” ” 14,000 ” 15,000.
One ” ” 19,000 ” 20,000.
One ” ” 20,000 ” 25,000.
Three ” ” 25,000 ” 30,000.
One ” ” 35,000 ” 40,000.
Two ” ” unknown

[29] Le Guide Indispensable, p. 103.

[30] The Belgian manufacturers themselves were, as I have before stated, perfectly alive to the mischief which the separation from Holland was certain to entail upon them; and it is curious, as well as interesting, to remark the circumstantial fidelity with which these protectors warned the movement party of the consequences which they were provoking, and which have since been accomplished to the letter. The following reasons against separation from Holland were published at the time in one of the journals of Antwerp, when the prospect of Repealing the Union was most unpalatable:

“Ever since some parts of our southern provinces have unfurled the banner of insurrection, all business has ceased. Circulation has been interrupted, and several establishments, which required the employment of great capital and afforded the means of subsistance to numerous families, have been destroyed and burned. Public tranquillity disturbed in every manner; men, the most peaceable, and a short time ago happy in the bosom of their families, prospering under the protection of order and the laws, now forcibly torn from their homes to perform military service of which they are ignorant, and which they dislike; their property every day exposed and ready to become the prey of an unbridled populace—a state of anarchy which will end by creating parties who will shortly lacerate each other; and lastly, a most forbidding future preparing for them. Such is a faint picture of the evils which a rebellious and unconstitutional rising has already produced. But all that has hitherto been witnessed is in no wise to be compared to the consequences which must result from an unseasonable separation, which has been demanded with a levity which no man of sense can comprehend.

It is true, that among the men who figure as the authors and supporters of a separation, there are to be observed no manufacturers: and, indeed, what manufacturer, what merchant, what agriculturist even, could fall into such an error?

You cry out for a separation, and would fain persuade yourselves that it would be all in your favour. With similar levity you take upon yourselves to dictate the conditions of a separation. This shows but little foresight.

The northern part of the kingdom has taken up the gauntlet, which you so imprudently threw down. Hear one of their organs, and consider the consequences which must, and ought to ensue to Belgium when once isolated and abandoned to itself.”