The Amulet

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.