All the virtues seemed to have come out for an airing in one chariot, and were now waiting to offer their homage to Francis Hercules Valois.

Religion in "red satin," holding the gospel in her hand, was supported by Justice, "in orange velvet," armed with blade and beam.

Prudence and Fortitude embraced each other near a column enwreathed by serpents "with their tails in their ears to typify deafness to flattery," while Patriotism as a pelican, and Patience as a brooding hen, looked benignantly upon the scene.

This greeting duly acknowledged, the procession advanced into the city.

The streets were lined with troops and with citizens; the balconies were filled with fair women; "the very gables," says an enthusiastic contemporary, "seemed to laugh with ladies' eyes." The market-place was filled with waxen torches and with blazing tar barrels, while in its centre stood the giant Antigonus--founder of the city thirteen hundred years before the Christian era--the fabulous personage who was accustomed to throw the right hands of all smuggling merchants into the Scheld.