All he would say was that they were the result of a great effort of that party in France which was for peace.

This was a sufficient intimation that he himself did not approve of them, but it was not possible to collect from what he said upon what grounds his dissent was founded.

Lord Melbourne has since heard that he says, that he considers that France has taken too low a tone and has made too much concession, and that he could not have been a party to this step if he had been one of the King's Ministers.

The step is also probably contrary to the declared opinion of M.Thiers; whether it be contrary to his real opinion is another question.

But if it was written principally by the influence of the King, it is a measure at once bold and friendly upon his part, and the success of which will much depend upon its being met in an amicable spirit here.
Lord Melbourne returns the letter of the King of the Belgians.