Belgium was agricultural and manufacturing

Holland commercial; the one wished to tax imports and exports, the other property and industry. In the chambers three different languages were spoken, Dutch, German, and French; and the members frequently did not understand each other. Nothing but the most skillful government could have overcome these difficulties, and no statesman appeared fitted to grapple with them. The revolutionary movement became general in the 8., and the Dutch troops, at first succe ful before -Bru els, were finally repulsed, and compelled by the arrival of fresh bands of insurgents from all quarters to retire. The Flemings saluted the volunteers of Liege, Mons, and Tournay by the ancient title of Belgians, and this name, which properly distinguished only a section of the people of the S. provinces, became henceforth recognized as the patriotic designation of the whole. A convention of the great powers a embled in London to determine on the affairs of the Netherlands and stop the effusion of blood. It favored the separation of the provinces, and drew up a treaty to regulate it. In the meantime the National Congre of Belgium offered the crown to the Duke of Nemours, second son of Louis Philippe, and, on his declining it, they offered it, on the recommendation of England, to Leopold, Prince of Saxe- Coburg, who acceded to it under the title of Leopold L, on July 21, 1831. In November of the same year the five powers guaranteed the crown to him by the treaty of London. 7 During the reign of Leopold, a pro serous period of 84 years, Belgium = a united and patriotic community.