After a short struggle with the Dutch troops, in which the latter generally had the advantage, France lent her aid in the contest; and the European powers having become mediators, for the express purpose of dismembering the countries, it was finally settled that Leopold of Saxe Coburg should become the head of the future kingdom.

Thursday, July 21, 1831, Leopold made his public entry into Brussels, and in sight of the assembled people, solemnly repeated the oath to observe the constitution and maintain the national independence and integrity. In sight of the people also, the king signed the constitution. On the 8th of September, his majesty, king Leopold, opened the Belgian parliament for the first time with a speech from the throne.

But little has since occurred to disturb the tranquillity of the two countries, with the exception of the attack on Antwerp. The Belgians now possess a constitution of their own framing; and the general prospects of the country appear to have improved by the change.

ANTWERP.

ANTWERP, or Anvers, as it is called by the French and Belgians, is situated on the east bank of the Scheldt, about sixty miles from Flushing, where the Scheldt passes into the ocean. Population about 80,000.

The era of its greatest importance was about the commencement of the seventeenth century, when its population amounted to about 200,000, but the devastating policy of Austria and Spain involved it in the bigoted and ruthless contentions of that period; further, by the extent of the commercial transactions, which its localities drew hither as to a center, it greatly rivalled the transactions of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, and as such excited the jealousy of the Hollanders; the navigation of the Scheldt was therefore obstructed in 1648, by the treaty of Westphalia, between Spain and Holland; and Antwerp, in consequence, progressively declined in population and importance, until the period of the French revolution. When the French overran this part of Europe in 1794, they proclaimed the free navigation of the Scheldt, and after the renewal of the war subsequent to the peace, or rather the respite of Amiens in 1802, Antwerp claimed the especial notice of Napoleon, who constructed a basin to hold about twenty sail of the line, and a doble quay, along the east bank of the river, and made it his principal naval arsenal for the northern part of his empire. It was not, however, till subsequent to the general peace of Europe in 1814, when the Netherlands were ceded to Holland, and Antwerp declared a free port for the transit of merchandise, that it began to resume its former wonted activity and importance. Since that period, Brussels, and a vast extent of country westward of the Rhine, draw their supplies of foreign produce from Antwerp, which is, in consequence, progressively, though slowly, increasing in population and interest. It has, however, but few articles of export, either within itself, or of transit.

The city is nearly a semicircle, of about seven miles round. It was defended by the citadel, built by the duke of Alva to overawe the inhabitants. The whole appearance of its public buildings, streets, and houses, affords the most incontestible evidence of its former splendor. Many instances of the immense wealth of its merchants are recorded: among others, it is said that when Charles V once dined with one of the chief magistrates, his host, immediately after dinner, threw into the fire a bond for two millions of ducats, which he had received as security for a loan to that monarch, saying that he was more than repaid by the honor of being permitted to entertain his sovereign.

This magnificent structure is one of the finest specimens of the Gothic architecture in Europe. On the walls of the transept, on the right, is seen Reubens' picture of the "Descent from the Cross," with its folding wings. In the distance, beyond the choir, is the "Elevation of the Cross," another celebrated painting of Reubens, underneath which is seen a religious procession.