1827. Grattan's next public appearance was as the writer of a tragedy, Ben Nazir, the Saracen. This was produced by Kean at Drury Lane Theatre on 21 May 1827, but the actor, through ill-health and domestic misfortunes, broke down, and the play failed with him. With money troubles, Grattan moved to Brussels in about 1828. He there produced Traits of Travel, which was well received; The Heiress of Bruges, a historical romance; and The History of the Netherlands, became a standard work. In 1830 the revolution drove him from Brussels; his house was almost destroyed by cannon and his property was pillaged. He retired to Antwerp, and accompanied the Prince of Orange from that town to the Hague, where he wrote Jacqueline of Holland. In May 1831 he was at Heidelberg, where he composed the Legends of the Rhine. About the same time (1832) he was appointed gentleman of the privy chamber to William IV. Returning to Brussels he was well received by King Leopold, and henceforth for some years again resided in Belgium. He was now a frequent contributor to the British and foreign reviews, writing on the state of European affairs, mainly in connection with Belgium. At a critical moment in the affairs of the new kingdom, during the riots at Brussels in 1834, Grattan began a correspondence with The Times newspaper, and his letters were translated and reproduced in continental journals. His services were acknowledged by Leopold, and partly owing to his influence he, in 1839, received the appointment of British consul to the state of Massachusetts. He moved in the summer of that year, and took up his residence at Boston. At this period the controversy between the American states and the British provinces relative to the north-eastern boundary was the absorbing topic. Grattan made himself completely master of the subject, and communicated his opinions to Lord Ashburton when that nobleman arrived in the United States in 1842 as minister plenipotentiary for the purpose of settling the boundary question. Grattan was unanimously chosen by both parties to assist at the negotiations at Washington, and contributed to the conclusion of the treaty of 9 April 1842. In the United States Grattan gained considerable reputation as a speaker and raconteur. Returning to England in 1846 Grattan was permitted, in consideration of his services, to resign his consulship in favour of his eldest son Edmund Grattan. From this period