Whilst they were yet exchanging felicitations, the gondola swept around
the point of land which had concealed the city from view, and Antwerp,
with its thousand vessels, its lofty spires and noble edifices, lay spread
out in all its majestic beauty before the eyes of Signor Deodati.
A cry of admiration burst from his lips.
"O che bella citta! What a beautiful city!" he exclaimed.
"What is that magnificent tower, which like sculptured lace lifts its
beautiful spire proudly to heaven, and like a giant looks down upon all
others? What are those singular buildings whose rounded cupolas and
pointed roofs so far exceed in height the surrounding houses? Oh! let the
gondola float with the current; your city enchants me, and I wish to enjoy
the view for a few moments."
Mr. Van de Werve gratified the curiosity of the Italian gentleman by
pointing out to him the most remarkable buildings of the city, saying:
"Before you now is the new city constructed at his own expense by
Gillibert de Schoonbeke--a man to whom Antwerp owes its later increase and
the creation of countless streets and houses.[9] Those large and massive
towers, in which you may notice loopholes, and which stand immediately
upon the Scheldt, were the ancient fortifications of the city. That small,
graceful spire is the Convent of Faucon; it is called here, Our Lady of
Valkenbroek. Yonder, near the river, is the church of Borgt, the oldest
temple of our city; for in 642 a wooden chapel stood on the spot, and in
1249 it was consecrated as a parish church, just as it now is.[10] That
lofty edifice at the foot of the gigantic tower of Notre Dame is the
entrepôt of Spain. Every nation has its own manufactories and magazines,
where every one may claim the protection of his flag. The massive,
unfinished tower belongs to the church of Saint James; the original plan
was to elevate it above the spire of Notre Dame, but the work has been
long discontinued for want of funds. Do you see, a little further on, that
square building surmounted by a dome? It is the palace of Fugger, the
Croesus of our times: he was elevated to the nobility by Maximilian on
account of his wealth. Furnishing money to kings and nations, he sees gold
daily pouring into his coffers, and if God does not interfere, the royal
power will bow before that of the opulent banker. On the right you have
the church of Saint Andrew, and near it the convent of Saint Michael,
where our Emperor Charles stays when he visits his good city of
Antwerp."[11] While the gondola was skimming over the surface of the water, and Mr. Van
de Werve was explaining to Signor Deodati the various edifices which were
worthy of remark, there stood upon the shore, at a corner of the
dock-yard, a man who coolly followed the boat with his eyes, and who
endeavored to comprehend what was passing in the gondola, and to discover
what might be the emotions of the young man and the young girl who were
seated within it.