MUSÉE DES SCIENCES ET DES LETTRES
The foundation of the Free Universityat Brussels,in 1827, marks a period in the hislory of the European mind, and in french literature, in référence to the philosophy of history. The philosophical school of Belgium is its most eminenl product. .The patriarch of tins school is Van Meenen,whose
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disciple, Van de Weyer, has not ceased to be ils most illustrions mcmber by entering into public life. Thèse men hâve taken up an original and highly important position between the sensualism of Condillac and of his successors on the one side, and abstract Gcrraan metaphysics on the other. The Belgian school has now a young and distinguished représentative in Tiberghien, as is proved by his Essai théorique et historique sur la génération des connaissances humaines.
(Jphorisms on the philosophy of the history of mankind. Hippolytus dnd his âge, by Dcnsen, t. II, p. 20.)
(Page 125.)
Lettre de sir J.-C. Hobhouse à M. Van de Weyer.
n London, december 17, 1830.
« My dear Sir,
* I received your esteemcd letter a day or two ago and this day D r Bowring showcd me a letter of a later date. By both of thèse favors I find that you hâve vvritten to me more than once and bave transmitted certain documents for my perusal, — neither one nor the other bave reached me, so that I know no more of Belgian affairs than I see in Ihe Journals. I congratulate you and your country on your
-<Mjr5
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appointmenl to the higli office which you now occupy, and which will put you in communication with our new administration. You, of course, understand why I abandoncd the motion respecting your affairs. The fall of the Wellington cabinet made that discussion unnecessary, for lord Grey, our new prime minister, in his first profession of faith declared against ail intervention of any kind, and eulogized the strugglcs for liberty which his predecessor had condemned, so that it would only hâve embarrassed our friends to bave discussed the Belgian question.
« I am glad you likc lord Ponsonby. Ile lias the full confidence of lord Grey, being his brother in law. I think you would do well to lose no time in sending some minister hère immediately, for there is a set still in action wbo are trying to keep alive the bopes and prétentions of the prince of Orange. The language is, the Nassau family will be the best guarantee for peace and against french influence. The simple answer nalurally is that your people would bave notbing to do with that family if they were composed of the seven wise men of Greece. I do nol wonder that you are tired of being a king. Neverlheless the crisis is worthy of the exertion, and a long delay is better than a hasty choice. We hâve a talk of prince Leopold , but it is only a talk. It would be a strange thing for a little german prince to miss,
so nearly, thr.ee crowns, England, Greece and Belgium
He may do very well for a citizen-king. — » Sans phrases et sans façons » most of us berc are inclined to think that you or Merodc would be the best man. But we know nothing of the real state of the case, and prescribe, likc the physicians in Turkey for the.Sullanas, without seeing them. I am delighted to hear there is some chance of your paying us a
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visit soon. If you do corne to London, pray rccollect Charles Street.
« With every wisli for your liealtli and prosperily.
« Believe me your very faithful servant, « J.-C. Hobiiouse. »
(Page 125.) Lord Ponsonby à lord Grey.
« 17 décembre 1850.
« M. Van de Weyer will oit lier send this letter toyou, orbe Ihe bcarer of it liimself. Hc is tlie président of tlie commiltee for diplomatie affairs and Ihe most influenlial of tlie members of Congress. I believe him (o be sincercly désirons of doing what is best for bis counlry — without mueh party vievvs. Ile is a man mueh distinguished for bis knowlcdge in Ihe sciences and in literalure. Ile was professor of philosopby, tho' lie is now no more than seven or eigbl and Iwenty. In tlie battles hère which were infinitely more serious to the eitizens tban those al Paris, M. Van de Weyer distinguished himself bighly by bis personal courage. He at ail times was the friend or tlie main support of internai order, and perbaps no man lias contributed so mueh as himself to ils préservation, by bis great influence with the people, who respect him. Ile is the advocate who defended de Potter when tried and condemned. But M. Van de Weyer
lias broken off his political connexion with Potter in conséquence of his dangerous, absurd and perhaps too selfish views. I lliink you will find him most highly worthy of being carefully cultivated by yourself. Ile is very agreeable when quite at his ease, and an excellent speaker in public. He is not a french partizan, but a true Belgian. — If I were to say what may be his fault, it is lhat he lias still a little too much attachment to theory; but it is évident that the practise of affairs, bas already diminished lhat error, and I doubt not it will wholly yield to a little more expérience. « I raust just add lhat personally I like him extremely. »
