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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 nor Deodati

A cry of admiration burst from his lips

"O che bella citta! What a beautiful city!" he exclainificent tohich 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 ratified the curiosity of the Italian gentles 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 sraceful 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