"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."