Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-06
Ancient and Modern CuriousIy
Blended in This Small
European State.
EVERY COMFORT AT HAND
AT REASONABLE PRICES
Art Treasures and Ruined Castles
Abound for Edification of
the Tourist.

From the tourist point of view no coun-
ivy IN Europe can he said to he more
accessible, more convenient in its travel
ing facilities, more moderate in Its hotel
and other charges, or. with regard to its
size more interesting than little Belgium.
Yet, for some exceptional reason
other Belgium does not seem to be suf
hciently acquainted with the travelling
American. Ostend certainly is familiar
ground: Antwerp has been regarded as
an interesting port of arrival Brussels
as a smaller edition of Paris; Spa-well,
~ course Spa is Spa. And what else?
Bruses, perhaps. or Iiege. are more or
less known. because Longfellow discov-
cred belfry in the first-named city. and
Scott managed to murder a prince bishop
in the other. But what about Client.
with its glorious cathedral and It's won
derful marbles and its ruined Castle of
the Counts. and it's crypts and its sleepy
Beguinnage. with the lace workers and
It's old guild houses? Or the marvellous
relies of the past in the almost forgotten
cities OF ancient Flanders. such as Tour
mai. or Andinarde or Ypres? or the Eden
land. which stretches along the undulat
ing banks of the Mouse, with the madi-
eval citadels of Huy and Dinant high
lands Of the Ardennes stretching from
Namur to the moorlands surrounding
spa? Belgium, indeed. is a country which
IS a panorama OF constantly varying in
terest. with the towns all close together,
only divided by beautiful landscapes.
Antwerp a Wonderful City.
half an hours railroad ride from Brus-
sells and YOU are in Antwerp the com
mercial metropolis of Belgium and the
birthplace of Rubens. In all the world
there is not a more wonderful city than
Antwerp. Its miles and miles OF docks
and its countless shipping prove its proud
boast that as port IL is second TO no
other-not even to New York or Liver
pool or London. But in the midst of
Its colossal activity are the towers of the
Old Steen Castle, the fortress palace of
the former MarquesSes of Antwerp
breaking the center of the line of docks
and looking as solid and formidable as it
did In the DAYS when its presence was
necessary TO guard the shipping
The Steen is not a ruin: IL seems 10
Lave always escaped destruction The
great chambers are filled with ancient
furniture. curious collections of beds and
musical instruments, armor and awful
instruments Of torture. In the basement
You can see fearSome dungeons and two
or three oubliettes those terrible pitch
dark vaults, where men and women were
paced and left TO be forgotten
But oh. the revel of pictures in Ant
werp-Picture City 1t is often called
the masterpieces of the world by Rubens.
Van Dyck. Quentin Matsys Leys, the
Teniers, Jordaens and other giants Of
tho Flemish school. Well. you will de-
vote as much time you can to them.
Three of the most famous Paintings all
~ Rubens. are in the cathedral: the rest
IL the other churches, in the town hall
AMI in the galleries.
The cathedral is one of the finest in
Europe and several of the other Antwerp
churches might be cathedrals.
town hall. the chimneypieces. the great
staircase, the marriage chamber, the tap
estries. the freseoes-marvelous is the
only adjective for their beauty. for their
exquisite, perfect art. Next there is the
Piantin Museum of Printing, showing
how great burgher lived his family life
among his business. The growth of
printing from the earliest wooden types
almost to the era of the present-day ma
chinery is displayed in room after room
side by side with the apartments in which
the Plantin family lived. with a wealth
of famous pictures and tapestries on the
walls. with quaint old furniture. price,
less now. and clocks and curious kitchen
utensils.
City Of Wide Avenues.
And the new Antwerp-such spacious,
{lxo pr,,o aa1S x1-if lyfd IL