New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-29
THE HABITS OF RUBENS.


Accor1ing 10 the latin lie of him by his nephew
Philip he accustomed t. rise very cary ID
tle summer at four O'Clock, and immediately
afterwards he heard mass unless the govt, from
which he suffered greatly, prevented him. lie
then went TO work ana while painting, he hhpltu-
ally employed person 10 read 10 A.ln poOh OF
PIntarch or Seneca, so that his mind was stimuli
taneously employed on reading and painting. .
.Ths was the time" says Dr. Naagen.stlii IOllow-
inc the Latin life, when he generally received MS
visitors with whom he entered willingly into CONVEX
satiOn ON "a variety of topics, IN the most animated
and agreeable manner. An hour before dinner ne
ALWAYS devoted to recreation, when consisted
either in allowing his thoughts 10 dwell as luey
listed on subjects connected with science or poll
ties which latter interested MN deeply or IN con
tenDlat,ug his treasures OF art From anxiety not
to impair the brilliant play OF MS FANCY, he IN
dulged but sparingiy III the pleasures OF the table
and drank but little Wine. Alter WORKING again
till the evening. he usually, II not prevented by
business. mounted IA spirited Andaluslan horse anu
rode for All hour two. This was his faNortS eA-
ercise he was extremely iona OF horses anu us
stables generally contained some CT remarkable
heauty On his return home, Il was ms custom 10
receiy few friends, prnclpaiIN men OF eaII'1As oi
artists with whom he shared his frugal meal. ana
oftaru.ard passed the evening III instruction ana
cheerful conversation. THIS acton anu Ieeu4AI
mode of life could alone nave enaDed huDehs 10
satisfy all the demands that were mace upon hiih
az am artist and the astonishing number OF Woiks
that he completed, the genuneness OF WShth II pc
vond ali doubt can only be accounted for by tins
union Of extraordinary diligence Win Ills uii"'"-
ally fertile powers Of production. ., ~
Rubens was an lble TO all the world 10 MN
knew better how To make NllDSI dkIrtdnio1 e tn
~ those who were inclined TO quarrel Will nm Dut
ar the same time no knew better when 10
dra, the line between those who were thus allowed
Ia share IN his kindly conversation ana those VINO
w. 10 be admitted into the iEnC 81 Shrine OF MS
intirnate friendship. When the doors were smut,
and the candles lighted and the frugal supper set.
tLs hurromaster, Nicolas RockOx, did not knock
-, vain: Jan G8spar Geyaefts received u hearty
and a learned welcome Jan Brandt ana his son
Trnrv might look in Philip Rubens so long as he
Es.d received "A warm pressure OF the hand and a
icte ahout what they had seen OF done III Rome
in those pleasant bachelor days some OF the
,,i,,re advanced and intimate OF his pupils drew
round the hearth and a learned conversation on
antion,ties medals. ana artistic gems lowed I'M
r.straiuadly On other evenings there were letters
to e written 10 learned men ut distance, 10 Nico-
Ia Claude Fabri de Peircsc, the antiquarian OF
Provence. the friend of learn I'd men az over
Enrone 10 Valaves his brother, When the FORMER
In PARIS for the South to j. or 4. DupuY whist
the latter was away from Paris 700 ana IN lateI
days TO the Count-Duke Olivares, the minister IN
Sn9in occasionally 10 the Marquis CT spinolA ana
even to the Infanta herself. RuDenss evenings
leaving off work as he Did at nve or sl4 cIo3E,
accor,IIug 10 the time OF year were not lnie. ne
Collected good books, sent copies OF those thh1 s-
nad from the Plantin Press 10 his friends AT us
tance and eagerly received their literary conLIiDn
tons in return, but he had no time 10 spend IN
reading rubblsh