Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-10-10
WAITS from Abroad-No. TO-.

There are in the Belgian cities more
than ordinary pretensions of architect
ure, somewhat peculiar in its style. l
am no "connoisseur" of art, in any de-
partment. A most thoroughly practical
education has been so much at variance
with the study of the finer arts, that 1t
would be presumption in me to make
any criticisms, or express more than the
impressions l have received from fire.
quent opportunities for observation.
know the general outlines Of the Roman
esque, Gothic and Italian architecture.
| In Belgium the two latter are predomi-
nant, and not always strictly formal.
The public and many private buildings
are very attractive, and if not incon-
sistent, should think the styles had, in
some cases, been united. The streets are
generally clearly. The exhibitions OF
skill and beauty in the many varieties Of
industrial products, as exhibited in the
shop windows, compare with the best
displays of London or Paris. There is
also busy, active life all around you,
and you are conscious OF the contact Of
mind and matter fully representative OF
this nineteenth century. There is a
Flemish school Of painting. Perhaps l
should have used the term schools, as
the first was founded by the brothers
Van Eyck, about the year 400, A. D.,
and the latter by Rubens and his pupil,
Vandyke, Of later date. Rubens appears
to have been the most industrious artist
OF his own or other times. His talents
were exceedingly versatile and prolific.
His paintings adorn very many Of the
public and private galleries of Europe.
His style was as varied as his subjects.
There is q tone of coloring peculiarly
his own. In one gallery you see his
works, representing females in the most
sensual attitude and coloring, lifelike
beyond description. Then you find
perfection in his animals unequalled, GER
tainly not surpassed. And when his
| subjects are scriptural or divine, there is
the same grand mastery success. The
number Of his paintings, variety Of sub
| jects, and perfection of his efforts are,
suspect, far in advance of any other art
ist Of history, or less remote times, In
the cathedral at Antwerp is his master
piece, so-called, "The Descent from the
Cross" A more competent pen than
| roipn M SIC dissertation Tho
conception Of every mind Of this mas
terly illustration Of the sacrifice, neces-
sary for worlds redemption, is here
fully realized. The emotions Of the mind
are entirely absorbed in the most respon-
sive sensations this wonderful work of
art creates, and you move from its con-
temptation with feelings Of the deepest
reverence and devotion. Other paintings
OF Ruben's are In the cathedral-the
Elevation Of the Cross" and the "Res-
direction from the Tomb, " but the great
est celebrity is attached to the "Crucifix-
ion" In the other churches are also
paintings by him. The pulpits in all OF
these are most elaborate specimens of
carving in wood ,andin this respect excel
any that have seen elsewhere Ant
werp is also celebrated for the chimes OF
bells in the cathedral and church towers.
The clocks strike the quarter and half
hours, as well as the full ones, and at
each time are accompanied by tune
from the chimes, so that you get almost
bewildered, especially if near them and
: at night, when you first hear their inces-
SAINT dinging. The chimes thus played
| are by mechanism connected with the
: clocks, and similar to the barrel of a
hand organ. The cathedral chimes are
arranged as the keys of piano forte,
with fats and sharps, and consist of
7 over thirty bells, making the perform
! apce Of greater variety of the popular.
3 sacred, Dational auh secular airs. From
: the tower Of the cathedral most exten.
/ sive view is had. The museum contains
5 many fine paintings, to which Rubens
: has contributed. Our sympathies were
f much excited and deeply interested for
8 copyist Of more than ordinary merit.
The artist was sitting upon table, COPY.
t ing with his toes a subject of delicate
0 tone and finish. He had no arms. The
facility with which he selected his pen
= ellis, prepared his colors, guided his
? touch, with exactness and delicacy lac
/ companied by pleasant manner and
e word), was trulyfwonderful. His philo-
e sophical good humor must have been
frequently annoyed by a careless jostliug
|! Of his table by those whose sympathies
d were less acute than their vulgar curl.
d osity was active. At such times he left
y his easel and retired to other portions of
e the gallery until the annoyance had
Z passed away. This was one Of the most
= successful conflicts aud triumph over