Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-27
10 THE IRON CROSS;
A Legend Of Autwcrp.

Pa A Legend Of Antwerp. r.
r. The first object which arrests the at
tention of the traveller, ON his approach &c
the old city of Antwerp, is the high tow.
er of the cathedral, or Church of Notre
Dame, which, rising to a height of more
than four hundred feet, and covered with
stone work, the delicate tracery of which
seems to rival the finest lace, rcars almost
to the cluuds gigantic iron cross, OF
workmanship and dimensions suited te
the magnificent pile of architecture which
1t SurmOuntS. .
The inhabitants of Antwerp are iustl,
proud of their ancient cathedral but
time and space do not permit of our
! entering here into a description OF
its many beauties-of the portico, with
its marble statucS-the five naves. which
form very labyrinth of stone-work-the
clusters of delicate pillars-the pulpit
the richly-caryed eOnfcssionalS-the al
ters, glittering with gold and precious
stoncs-the marble crucifx-the stained
windows-the time worn monuments
and the noble works Of Reubcns which
decorate the intcfior:9 we shall ONLY
direct the attention of the traveller to the
outer court, which in its gothic simplici-
city, bears the distinctive marks Of by
gone age; and there, close by the tomb
of Quentin Metzyss =" that Vulcan" as
his cpitaph says, &c of whom love made an
Apellcs, he will perceive, amidst the
dark flat stones which form the pavement.
single blue slab, inlaid with several
small pieces of metal. These fragments,
which appear to have been scattered,
without any attempt at regularity, on the
deep blue stones, shine like gems when
the setting sun sheds its rays on the court
of the cathedral; and the singular appear
ance of the slab, thus placed, without ap-
parent purpose, i'll the centre of the pave.
meat, seldom fails to elicit an inquiry
from the chance visitor. ef x
But this monument, as it may we'll be
called, although without meaning in the
eyes Of the stranger, is TO the citizens
Antwerp the momento. ever present, Of
a sad, though unpretending history.
The 22d of October, 1920, was a day
of festival and rejoicing in every city Of
the Netherlands. On that day, a Fleming
was raised to the imperial throne-on
that day. Charles the Fifth was crowned
at AK la Chapelle. The wealthy and
powerful city of Antwerp-that modern
Tyre, whose merchants were like unto
princes--displayed all her luxury and all
her splendor to do honor TO the new
Caesar. The day began with public
thanksgiving in all the churches, and
ended with popular amuscments of every
dcscription-jousts on The river as well as
on shore-trials Of skill with the bow
and the arqusbuse-and gay PROFESSIONS.
in which the workmen of the city march
ed two and two, attircd in their holiday
suits, and preceded by the banners Q!
their respective trades. The streets re-
sounded with joyous songs and noisy
shouts of Lang leven deh Keyzer Karle!"
And the ordinations became moro vigor-
GUS as evening advanced, for immense
barrels stood in front of the town hall,
from which wine, mead, and the famous
beer of DieSt and Louyain flowei freely
for the benefit Of all loyal citizens. Now
and then, the solemn sound of the cathc
dral bells broke in on the clamors of tn,
populace, as peals were rung in honor o.
the young Emperor, whose reign began
under auspices so glorious.
But there were hearts in that city, IL
which the noisy acciamations of the pop
ulace awakened no echo. The festival
had, like all others, dark side; and tht
hilarity which it induced only served t.
deepen by contrast the sorrows Of those
who mourned. - .-i.E 'Ai H'#a
In the window of an attic, in large
and desolate looking house in the kamer
Street, distinguished by the sign of red
lion, there sat, that day, young man
whose melancholy appearance presented
sad and striking contrast with the dc
meanor of the gay troops of pedestrians
whose movements he was abstractedly
watching. as they passed ON their mission
rof pleasure. His plain and half-worn at
tire, and languid attitude, showed that he
took no part in the general rejoicing.
The room in which he sat, although neat
and clean, bore every appearance Of ex-
treme poverty. The white-washed walls
were unadorned, save by an old engraving
of the Madonna, under which hung q
rosary and branch of palm. A bed
with coarse blue curtains, an empty drcs-
Ser, an oak table, and four deal stools,
were the only furniture Of the miserable
apartment. On the bed lay a woman,
whose pale and wasted face, sunken eyes
and liyid lipsa spoke but too plainly OF
severe bodily illness while the contract
cd brow andeyidently premature wrinkles
(for she, had scarcely passed the prime Of
life, J told tale of mental suffering no
/ 81. Quentin Meizys smith, and native of Ant
werp, fell In love with the daughter Of painter q
that CITY,: bni her father, having determined on
bestowing her hand only on one Of his ewn profess
ion Quentin MetIys repaired To laly for the purpose
Of study ing the art and returned, after some years,
10 Antwerp, with such proofs af his success, thai
the Odd artist at length oonse ned % reward him with
his, iau ghter,s hand, Many of his works are pr .
served at Antwerp and ear the entrance OF IA,
t!Caasedrai be seen his tomb, which bears fht
| following epiiaph; 81 t 4 4 -
I e C6nautiaaS asmor de Nu,tiSre feed .spetem.''