Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-27

these lords of Belgium. They also stood
in groups, rolling their abominable Flemish
tongues, and as the ladies circled around
them, they smiled complacently at the
conscious favor they were even then con-
ferring. The frequent recurrence OF shrines
seemed strange to our American eyes !;
before some of these the light never dims,
but burns constantly day and night. We
saw them on the corners OF the buildings,
in front OF the buildings, in short, they
were set up in every conceivable nook.
Then the immense draught horses claimed
our attention, perfect monsters of strength.
doubt if even the Arabians can produce
better specimens. Whenever one of these
tremendous creatures, with its great awk-
ward wagon, came laundering along, the
track was quickly cleared for everybody
seemed to know instincively that the
driver meant business and that neither
life or limb were safe if once in the path OF
his wagon and charger. 1t seemed strange
to see so many men and boys in gay uni
forms, sauntering about the streets and
public highways. looking as though they
had nothing TO do and were doing 1t well.
IL is true they are obliged 20 drill for few
hours every day, but the remainder is gen
orally spent either in sauntering about,
putting the dearly loved pipe, or in playing
cards in front of beer saloon. Bat finally
we arrived at
THE MUSEUM OF PAINTINGS,
Which is an old monastery church. Be-
tween the stone arched gate and the build
ing is pretty garden, with seats placed
about in quiet shady places among the
trees and statuary. Passing through this
garden we stood in the entrance hall. where
the eyes OF all the Belgian masters Of paint
ing, sculpture and engraving looking down
upon us, life size, from the canvas, made
us feel like speaking in whispers and TAX
ing off the very shoes from our feet There
were Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens, Quen-
tin Mastys, Teniers, Van Bree and most
of others. On the floor stood solemn row
of statues, stafuettes and bronze figures ;
bust of Rubens on bronze base, mar
bic statue of Van .Blee, bust of'Rauch,
and others too numerous to mention. At
the entrance to the gallery we purchased
an excellent catalogue, and found IN each
saloon an attendant who delighted in an
swering questions. Que even sought In
formation by asking if California was in
Australia? From the nearly seven hun
bred paintings, will mention only few
of the most striking, taking each saloon in
order. In the first, 1.-The Death Of Ru-
bens," by Van Bree, is one of the most
beautiful and attractive pictures. Rubens
is lying back in an easy-cnair. priests are
standing in the background each holding a
crucitix, while the weeping family and
friends stand or kneel about the dying man.
Through an open window the spire of the
grand cathedral and portion of Antwerp
is visible in the distance. The countenance
OF Bubens' wife is particularly touching in
its expression OF intense grief and resigoa-
tioa, Probably everyone knows the lead
ing facts in the life OF this prince of FEM
ish painters His father, Johannes Ru-
bens, was an Antwerp Justice. He was
born on SITS. Peter and Psups day hence
the name Peter Paul Rubens. 1t is easy,
it is said, to discern the effects OF his early
training in tire school of the, at that time,
all powerful Jesuits, in the splendor OF his
religious pictures. Rubens was twice mar
ried. He lived at Antwerp IN a style OF
GREAT NACNIFICESCE