xiv

LIFE OF RUBENS.

dependence, induced him to reiterate his solicitations to
his mother—to open to her his thoughts and anxious
wishes, and in conclusion, emphatically to declare, that
the situation of a page accorded so little with his taste
and feelings, that, however it might lead to honours
and distinction, the summit of his ambition was to
be a great painter, and in the pursuit of this object
he should enjoy a life of liberty dearer to his heart
than all the charms which his present situation might
promise.
This declaration made a suitable impression upon his
parent, who was well acquainted with the predilection
of her son for the arts; and it was agreed, after consult-
ing the rest of the family, that he should be permitted
to pursue the bent of his inclination. Having decided
upon this, their next object was to find a suitable in-
structor for him, when a painter (whose only recom-
mendation probably was an acquaintance with the
family) of the name of Tobias Verhaest was accepted ;
but the penetrating scholar soon discovered his master’s
deficiencies, and quitted him to enter the school of Van
Oordt, or Noordt, an artist at that period of some ce-
lebrity, but whose works, consisting of familiar subjects
and portraits, have, like those of many others of that
date, long since been forgotten.
The young artist, eager to acquire knowledge,
entered this school buoyant with gay expectations, and,
doubtless, resolving in his mind to compete with his
two fellow pupils, Henry Van Baelen and Sebastian
Francks; these intentions were, however, blighted by
the morose disposition of his instructor. The temper
of Van Oordt, so opposite to the mildness and affability