Volume Ii Part 11 (2/2)
[43] The population of Brussels at the present day is estimated at 80,000.
”I have observed some curious customs here, which according as they recur to my recollection I shall detail to you, without a.s.suming any regular mode or form.
”In Brussels, and in other Belgic towns, I have seen dogs of the wolf species or breed harnessed to small carriages, sometimes three abreast; to others four, or even five abreast, and drawing very considerable burdens. I have often seen baskets of fish, &c.
thus conveyed.
”The kermise, or village-fair, is maintained with full as much _esprit_ as ever it had been in the days of Teniers, Ostade, or Van Bredael. Music and dancing are the favourite pastimes of the Belgians of all cla.s.ses and descriptions; and indeed such is the extreme infatuation for dancing that it is pursued more as a pa.s.sion than sought as an amus.e.m.e.nt. The lower cla.s.s of the Belgians are extremely partial to garlands of living flowers.
Often these are suspended on a pole or tree, around which they dance; and often are garlands to be seen suspended on cords across a street, in the manner that lamps are hung in the good city of Paris.
”The Belgic brazen pitcher is still to be seen either bearing home milk to the dairy, or drawing water from the numerous wells in the vicinity of this capital. The shape and form of this aforesaid pitcher is familiar to those conversant with the paintings of Rubens, Cuyp,[44] Jourdaens, and Equilinus, in many of which it is introduced.
[44] Jacob Gerritze was called Kuyp, or Cuyp.
”The Brussellois dames wear the wedding ring in different guise from what we do. We wear it on the third finger of the _left_ hand, because it is said, or sung, or supposed to communicate with the human heart by means of some nerve or vein unseen; and the idea is not devoid of prettiness. Here, however, the wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the _right hand_, without any reason whatever being a.s.signed for the custom that I could ever hear or learn. Rings, it seems, here const.i.tute a favourite article in the dress of our s.e.x, the fingers being often covered with them. The lower cla.s.s of females, citizens' daughters and wives, and servant-maids, wear long, heavy pendants, or ear-rings, made of some yellow metal to resemble gold, and so weighty that one's pity is ever on the stretch, lest the patient's ears should succ.u.mb under the burden. Large heavy crosses are likewise worn of the same kind of metal, probably gilt bra.s.s, and suspended from a chain of the same _materiel_.--Their peripatetic dress too is somewhat curious. They wear a veil, or mantle rather, of black stuff or silk, which head habiliment had been introduced by the Spaniards. It is called '_La faille_,' and is worn like the _coiffeure_ placed on the Madona heads of Carlo Dolce, Trevisano, Caracci, and Raffaele.
”The walking dress of the _bourgeois_ is curious in its way, but not so remarkable as the dress of the female as before described.
His head is enveloped in a hat of a size somewhat so c.u.mbersome that it resembles the kaplaken of a Dutch schipper, save and except with this essential difference, that it is encompa.s.sed by a yellow tinsel band, and turned up in front _a la cotume Espagnle_. Around the neck and shoulders is flung a large cloak, somewhat resembling, and evidently borrowed from the _capa ropa larga_ of the Spaniard. A Flemish pipe, with its numerous circling curves, is stuck in his lips, from whence clouds of smoke are whiffed forth as he onward wends his way. The cloak reaches to the knee; thence downward leather gaiters make their appearance; and a cane obtruded from the dexter arm completes the walking habiliments of the Brussels' _bourgeois_ of the present day.
”With almost unspeakable delight I told you of my dear Lord's return. But now, my dear, pray prepare for more wonders still!
Know then that at length we have ascertained who 'the unknown knight of Chester walls' proves to be. Oh, it is, my dear, positively a tale of romance--an incident in chivalry. He is indeed, I do a.s.sure you,
----”'No carpet knight That spent his youth in groves or pleasant bowers.'
No! there is the spirit of romance with the truth of history commingled in his story.
”But, my dear, the post is going off. The duke, who has only just returned home, has but within these few moments communicated this pa.s.sing strange event, which you shall have positively and particularly detailed in my next.
”In great haste, ever, my dearest Madam, I remain most cordially and affectionately thine,
(_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL.”
CHAPTER IX.
Quanta vis amicitiae sit, ex hoc intelligi maxime Potest: quod ex infinita societate generis humani, Quam conciliavit ipsa natura, ita contracta res Est, et adducta in angustum, ut omnis caritas Aut inter duos, aut inter paucos jungeretur.
CICERO DE AMICITIA.
TRANSLATION.
How great the powerful influence of friends.h.i.+p is may chiefly be understood from this, that throughout the numerous society of the human race, which nature herself hath knitted together, yet still so contracted is the s.p.a.ce and narrowed into so small a compa.s.s, that all friends.h.i.+p rests entirely a.s.sociated either between two individuals, or solely amid the few.
CICERO ON FRIENDs.h.i.+P.
The Duke of Tyrconnel set forth from his splendid mansion in the _Rue Ducale_, one sunny afternoon to take his usual equestrian exercise; and while riding onward upon the _boulevards_, or ramparts of Brussels, which are so delightfully shaded by trees, and enjoying the beautiful scenery that surrounded him, his horse was rapidly pacing in a full trot, and his Grace was proceeding without any attendant; when it so chanced that his horse picked up a stone in one of the fore-feet. The duke on the instant sprang from his saddle to free the horse's hoof from this impediment; and while employed in the act, a stranger of n.o.ble deportment and appearance advanced, who had been also enjoying the fineness of the day in promenading this shady avenue. He most courteously advanced, and tendered with peculiar politeness, and all the meet grace and due courtesy of chivalry, to a.s.sist the duke by holding the check-rein of the bridle. When, surprising to behold, the horse almost instantly loudly neighed, and joyfully licked the stranger's hand! Our readers will readily guess that this distinguished stranger, whom this n.o.ble animal so instinctively recognised, was no other than his late valiant master, the truly gallant colonel of the brave Brandenburgh hussars, who had presented, upon their parting on the plain of battle, this n.o.ble charger to the ill.u.s.trious duke. The duke and the stranger had met each other as deadly foes in the direful day of civil war; and in the dreadful onset of personal combat, performing each prodigies of valour, they encountered as foes, yet they parted as friends!--respect, admiration, and love occupying those hearts so lately swollen by hostile pa.s.sions. They now were both mutually rejoiced once more to meet, and soon were locked in a cordial embrace.
”This,” said the duke, ”certainly, gallant friend unknown, was wholly unexpected--unhoped for quite!”
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