The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-18
A PICTURE BY RUBENS.

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On the banks of the Scheldt, q few leagues
below Client, thera stands little roadside Inn
which, though of humble appearance is dis
tnguished from all the other houses in its vi
cinity, by ornaments of carved wood on its
'front.' and a light ,minaret surrounding its roof
The interior is quite in harmony with its ex-
ternal aspect; there is something picturesque
and bizarre in the arrangement and fitting
up of the apartments which at once pleases
the eye and excites curiosity.
About year ago 1 met in the inn above
described tall, elegant looking young man,
whose moustache, curled a la Van Dyck, de-
noted him to bean artist. He was attentively
examining picture much defaced by age, and
surrounded by frame of carved wood the
gliding of which was entirely off. / adj
vanced to lock at the picture; the subject APP
peared to me strange, yet interesting. The sky
.seftH was gloomy, and the horizon darkened by
dark clouds. l could discerrsthe Scheldt and
the vast pasture lands along its banks, bordered
by stunted willow trees. On the surface of
the river there floated basket in the center
of which was placed upright large lighted
wax candle At little distance followed
beat containing two rowers and pilot. To
e1i this boat towed little skif, in which was
an old man with dsConsolate air, and his
head resting on his hand, Beside him was
young female holding infant in her arms
and on the bank Of the river group of young
men were walking with an air of great gray
ity All the figures in the picture wore the
costume OF the sixteenth century, and all were
watching with intense anxiety the wax candle
in the basket.
The young artist stood for some time exam
ming the painting with serious attention He
told me that he had long been aware of the
existence of the picture, though uncertain
where it was to be found. With regard to the
ll subject, he satisfied my inquiries follows:
"To enable you to comprehend it" said he
must explain to you old Flemish Gus
tom. When any person is missing and sup
posed to be drowned, candle is conse-
Grated, and being lighted, is placed in a bas-
ke IN the manner represented in this picture
no hash Iat bpOn in " Arixyar
old superstition establishes the belief that it
will stop at the point beneath which the body
of the drowned person lies This curious
superstition FERNS the sub ect of the picture we
have now before
"But continued my new acquaintance
a the representation Of this old Flemish custom
imparts but a secondary degree of interest to
this picture, which derives its chief value from
circumstances connected with history and art.
The old man, the young female and the child
whom you perceive in the second boat are the
father, the wife, and the son of the fisherman
Peter Grifits The young men who are walk
ing the bank of the river are his brothers
and friends. At the time represented in the
picture the unfortunate fisherman had been
missing 8 week. His boat was found floating
$685. the Scheldt, but tidings of its owner
could be obtained; and his family in despair
resolved as q last resource to try the effect of
the eonsecrated candle. r7Ti 81. tf
"The historical tradition which furnishes
the subject of this picture is currently known
in Flanders where it is related follows:
J" One day, IN the year 1S5S, the friends of
Peter Grithts launched on the Scheldt the bas-
ket containing the consecrated candle; eve
ming came--the clocks Of the river OF the
banks of the river slowly chimed the Angetus
the peasantry returning cheerfully
to their homes. The basket, though launched
on the water at midday, had not yet stopped,
and the eyes Of poor Catharine were weary of
watching the c&ndle, which soon appeared to
be but little above the level of the wster.
Suddenly boat, gaily decorated with flags
and colored lanterns, glided rapidly on the
river lie music, the vtcqs and shouts of joy
announced that the boat contained party of
Spanish gentlemen for the incidents here re-
lated occurred when the Duke of Alba resided
at Antwerp, and ruled the Netherlands with
sovereign sway. The raPidity with which the
boat dashed through the stream occasioned
such swell of water that The basket turned
its side, and the wax light seemed on the
point of being extinguished Suddenly, after
rocking from side to side, the basket stoed
motonless though no visible object impeded
its advance. MY friends my friendsr ex-
claimed Catharne, in a voice faltering with
emotion, he is here-my poor Peter is here
throw out the hook The water at that point
was about twenty feet Deep but one of the
boatmen threw over the hook with great force
and felt it catch. Help, help, comrades he
exclaimed, this is a hard pull! In another
moment the boatmen deposited in the boat an
immense packet tightly fastened round with
81 leather straps. Heaven give me courage
said Catharine falling her knees my
poor husband Who has done this deed Z
With trembling hands she endeavored to nn.
tasten the leathern straps, the buckles of which
had rusted by their immersion in the water
One of the boatmen cut the straps, and IN
rolled an enormous coak-then another-ther
third-and at length the lifeless corpse of
young female casping newly born infant K
her bosom, presented itself to their astonishe(
efs- gaze. The female was of exquisite beauty
and apparently about the age OF twenty
Owing to the care which had been taken il
wrapping up the body, the contact of tn
water had not had the effect Of changing th
whiteness of her skin. The slender form tn
small hands and feet md the lietty blacknes
of the hair, sufficiently denoted the southerl
nativity of the unfortunate woman Cathar
inc and the boatmen were intently gazing 8,
the corpse when second boat gaily decorat
ed with hags ETC., rowed past them and for
moment attracted their attention ~
"That evening splendid fete had Lee
given at the residence of Don Alvarez Dnt
rsp de Sandovally Serea, one of the riehest noble
in the suite of the Duke of Alba. Don Alva
rez had been recently married to the voun
Duchess of Aranjuez, and, in honor If 4;
nuptals, Client had been the scene of revelrz
They had hunting parties every day and bal
every night.
sfrt about "a week after the incidents abov