Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/137

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THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
125

efficient state among the potentates of Europe, the grandeur, as well as the number, of the corps diplomatique has been greatly diminished. M. Semonville, the French minister, lives in a princely style; but his establishment, and that of the Spanish embassador, are the only ones deserving of notice.

Before the revolution which precipitated the French directors from their seats, and placed Bonaparte at the head of the republic, the Batavian directory sometime amused the public with state pageants in imitation of their Gallic brethren. Since that event, such displays of vanity have been rarely indulged in. Some weeks ago there were illluminations and other public rejoicings at the Hague, in commemoration of the anniversary of the convention last year between General Brune and the Duke of York: the directors appeared with little ostentatious state, and were received with few testimonies of popular favour. It is expected, that the change which has taken place in France will ultimately produce an alteration in the Batavian