The Amulet

"I am indebted to you for your kindness, Signor Turchi," replied Deodati.

"My nephew, Geronimo, would give me all this information, but he is

surrounded by his young friends, and as he sees me with you, he is

undoubtedly convinced that I could not be in better or more agreeable

company. Have the kindness to tell me the name of the fine-looking old man

seated near the table, and to give me some information regarding those who

are listening to him with so much attention."

"Around the table, signor, are the most learned men of Netherlands. That

gray-headed orator is the old Graphæus, secretary of the city of Antwerp,

and the author of several well written Latin works. The young man, on

whose shoulder he leans, is his son, Alexander, who is also very learned.

Before him is seated Abraham Ortelius, the great geographer, who is

regarded as the Ptolemy of his age. Beside Ortelius is his friend and

fellow-laborer Gerard, also a learned geographer, and one of the

luminaries of the day. The only one whose dress indicates his Italian

birth is Louis Guicciardini, a Florentine gentleman, who is here for the

purpose of collecting materials for an extensive work on the Low

Countries, and particularly on the powerful commercial city of Antwerp.

The gentleman plainly dressed, with a black beard, holding a book in his

hand, is Christopher Plantin; he is engaged in establishing at Antwerp a

printing-press of great importance. Its dimensions are so large that it

will occupy the ground on which several spacious houses now stand;

hundreds of workmen will be employed all day in composing, correcting, and

printing books in every civilized tongue. You must not fail, signor, to

visit the building; even in its unfinished state it will cause you

astonishment."

"The Netherlands is a favored country," said the old Deodati. "If the

climate is not as mild as in our own beautiful Italy, the men are bold,

active, intelligent, industrious, and learned, and they possess all the

qualifications requisite for the material prosperity and moral progress of

a nation. I am surprised to see you, who are a foreigner, as well

acquainted with the inhabitants as a native."

"I have lived here many years," replied Turchi. "These gentlemen are

frequent visitors at the house of Mr. Van de Werve, and I have seen them

so often, that I know them as old friends. Look at the corner near the

piano, where those collected together laugh merrily, jest, and chat

socially. You may easily recognize them by their light playful manners as

artists."