Belgium sustained a rather severe blow on Friday week in
the death of Prince Baldwin, son of the King's brother, and. eventual heir to the throne. He died of pneumonia, compli- cated by kidney-disease, and his illness was so short and severe as to suggest, with some other circumstances, a.great want of. stamina in this branch of the Coburgs. The Prince, who was. only twenty-two, had inspired great hopes, being an able and reflective man, with, according to General Brialmont, the making of a good soldier in him. His death leaves his brother,. Prince Albert, a lad of sixteen, the only male in the line of succession; and as female Sovereigns are barred by the Consti- tution, and the family is visibly unhealthy, some apprehension is felt for the future of the dynasty. Prince Albert, however,. is not ill, and there is a power of appointment under certain contingencies vested in the King. There is, moreover, no strong Republican Party in Belgium, and Europe would allow the orderly and industrious little State to choose her dynasty for herself.
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