Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-11-11
Correspondent Of washington Standard.

ANTWERP, DEL6IUM.
Finding the time inopportune for
visiting the London Hospitals to
the best advantage, owing to the
fact that the prominent professional
men of the city are now enjoying a
months vacation. I have improved
the opportunity for short run on
the continent. In accordance with my
plan, my line of travel lay near the
greensboro and Flushing route.
Leaving London by the evening
train, there is very little opportunity
for noting anything by the way. I
preferred this inconvenience, how
ever, for the greater advantage of
night service at sea, which is pre-
ferable to crossing in the day time.
After only three days in London yet
it was decided pleasure to get out
of the dust and smoke of the city,
and breathe again the pure air of
Heaven.
Arriving at greensboro about IL
P. M, the steam packet was already
in waiting. After going a board, I
at once repaired to my room and pre-
pared for siege of sea-sickness. In
this, however, Twas aggreably disap-
pointed, as the voyage was much
smoother than anticipated and in
fact contrary to what is usual in cross
ing the German Ocean.
We entered the mouth of the river
Scheldt about 8 o'clock A. NJ, and
were soon ct Flushing. This is a
place of $4,000 inhabitants and is
situated on the Island of Walcheren.
The memorable Expedition of Wal
cheren" is associated with this Is
land. Here 1000 British soldiers in
1909 persisted in very short time
from fever, ague and other causes.
Taking the cars for Antwerp, the line
runs through very interesting tract
of country. The land is productive.
Almost every dwelling has a neat
pleasant and homelike appearance
and the people are industrious. Men,
women and children are oil to be
seen busily engaged in the open
fields, and everything gives evidence
of happiness and prosperity.
ANTWERP.
This city is situated on the river
Scheldt. 1t is fourishing city and
the commercial capital of Belgium.
Its population now numbers about
100, 900, which is $4,000 less than it
was during the 10th century. It is
now rapidly growing and will soon
regain its former growth. The his
tory Of Antwerp is history of vicis-
STUDIES. Traces of its seiges, revolu-
ton, battles, instruction and at
| tacks, are to be seen on every hand.
Its ancient streets, its markets, the
quaint costumes of its people, es-
pecially the curious-thimble shaped
bonnet of its women, the gaily at
tired soldiers, milk dealers with their
dog-carts. and priests rushing here
and there in performance of their du-
ties, together with q thousand other
peculiar features, all attract the at
tention by their novelty. Its numer-
GUS gingerbread shops, and the many
quaint-looking houses, old fashioned
and lofty-gabled present q very curl
GUS appearance. Antwerp has many
buildings, however, of amore modern
character and of great cost and beauty.
Some of its streets too are very hand
some and may vie with any in Europe.
It breathes an atmosphere of art.
One of its chief attractions is to be
found in the immense
CATHEDRAL,
One of the largest and most beau
tiful Gothic churches in Belgium
and said to be one of the most re-
markable in the world. The spire
is 4O4 feetin height and the sculptured
tracery of its various portions are SO
fine that Charles v. said it was
worthy of being kept in a glass case,
while Napoleon compared it to Mech
lin lace. The spire contains a chime
of sixty bells. which ring forth their
tuneful notes every seven minutes.
This wonderful piece of architecture
was begun about the middle of the
18th century and completed in the
10th. On entering by the south door
we find ourself in the south transept.
The first object that engaged the at
tention is the great masterpiece Of
Reubens,
THE DESCENT FROM THE c.Oss.
This painting has worldwide re-
putation and is certainly the noblest
in existence. Passing into the south
aisles our attention was directed to q
series of choice paintings, twelve in
number, illustrative of the crucifix-