Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-09
BECKFoRD'S WORK.

ITALY: with Sketches of Spain and Portugal, by
the author of Vathek. In two volumes Phil
adephia: Key and Biddle.
The extracts we have already given from TINS
delightful work, and which we were enabled to
give through Waldie's Circulating Library, re-
lated to Portugal We have it now before us
in two neatly printed volumes One fourtn OF
the first volume is taken up with an account OF
Mr.. Beckford's journey through the MEMBRANES
and Germany; but he seems to have regarded
them as impediments to his early arrival in clas-
sical Italy. and gives them no place in his title.
When his themes are nobler, his letters are pro-
horizontally more interesting, but he has written
nothing more graphic than the following pas
sage. The Dutch and Flemish painters of still
life never in their happiest efforts produced pic
lures surprising in fidelity and execution those
of Client and Antwerp:-Bah. Amer.
"To one so far gone in the poetic lore Of an
cient DAYS, Client is not the most likely place TO
recall his attention.; and know nothing more
about it. than it is large, i-paved, plethorlc,
pompous- looking city, with decent proportion
of converts and chapels, monuments, brazen
gates, and gilded marbles. In the great church
were several pictures by Rubens, so strik-
ingsso mastery, as to hold me broad awake
though, must own, there are moments when
could contentedy fall asleep in Flemish cath
edral. for the mere chance of beholding in Wis
ion the temple of Olympian Jupiter.
"But think | hear, at this moment, some
grave and respectable parsonage Gliding my
enthusiasm" Really, sir, you had better stay
at home and dream in your great chair, than
give yourself the trouble Of going post through
Europe, in search of places where to fall asleep
II Flanders and Holland are to be dreamed
over at this rate you had better take ship a
once, and doze all the way to Italy" Upon my
word. I should not have much objection to thai
scheme and, if some enchantment would bu
transport me in an instant 10 the summit of EFT
ma. any body might slop through the Low Coun'
tries that pleased.
"Being, however, so far advanced, there is no
retracting; and am resolved to journey along
with quiet and content Tor my companions
These two comfortable deties have, believe,
taken Flanders under their especial protection;
every step one advances discovering some new
proof of their influence. The neatness OF the
houses. and the universal cleanliness OF the vii
lages, show plainly that their inhabitants live in
ease and good humor. All is still and peaceful
in these fertile lowlands: the eye meets nothing
hut round unmeanng faces at every door, and
harmless stupidity smiling at every window.
Tbe beasts, as placid as their masters, Craze on
without any disturbance; and scarcely recol-
lect 10 have heard one grunting swine or snar-
ling mastiff during my whole progress. Before
every village is wealthy dunghill, not at all OIL
fensye because but seldom disturbed; and there
sows and porkers bask in the sun, and wallow
at their ease, till the hour OF death and bacon
arrives.
"But it is high time to lead you towards Ant
werp. More rich pastures, more ample fields
of grain, more hourishing willows! bound
less plain before this city, dotted with cows, and
speckled with flowers; level whence its spires
and quaint roofs are seen to advantage! The
pale colors of the sky, and few CLEANS oil Wa
terry Sunshine, gave true Flemish cast 10 the
scenery, and every thing appeared so consist
emf. that had not shadow of pretence to think
myself asleep.
"After crossing a broad expanse of river,
edged on one side by beds of osiers beautifully
green, on the other by gates and turrets prepos-
terously ugly, we came through several streets
of lofty houses to our inn. Its SITUATION In tne
"Place de Meir," vast open space, surround
ed by buildings above buildings, and roof above
roof has something striking and singular. A
tall GILT cruciix of bronze sculptured by Corteis
of Malines.* adds to its spendour; and the tops
of tuited trees, seen above line of magnificent
hotels, add greatly to the effect of the perspec'
tive. ,
"U was almost dusk when we arrived; and
as am very partial to new ooJects discoVerea
by this dubious visionary light. went lmmedi-
ately a rambling. Not a sound disturbed my
meditations: there were no groups OF squaooling
children or talkative old women. The whole
town seemed retired into their inmost chambers;
and | kept winding and turning about, from
street to street, and from alley to alley without
meeting single inhabitant,. Now and then, in,
deed, one or two women in long cloaks ana
mantles glded by at distance but their dress
was so shroud like, and their whole appearance
so ghostly, that should have been afraid to &C,
cost them As NIGHT approached, the ranges OF
buildings grew more and more dim, and the 81
lence which reigned amongst them more awful.
The canals Which in some places intersect Inc
streets, were likewise in perfect solitude, and
there was just light sufficient for me to observe
on the still waters the reflection OF the structures
above them. Except two or three tapers CHM
mering through the easements, no one circum'
stance indicated human existence. | might,
without being thought very romantic, have inn
agined myselfin the city of petrified people which
Arabian fabulists are so fond Of describing
Were any one to ask my advice upon the SUBJ
ject of retirement, should tell him-by all means
repair to Antwerp"
Spon after this we find him approachinp Lew