Reuben, His Book (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904. Excerpt: ... REUBEN IN ANTWERP. Antwerp, Belgium, February 3, 1901.--When we were told in New York City that our steamer would land at Antwerp, Belgium, we supposed that we would find a little village on the ocean's bank with a few planks to step off on. How great was our surprise to find a magnificent city of 300,000 inhabitants--the largest and most beautiful in Belgium with the exception of Brussels, its capital. How ignorant are people of each other Up to this date I did not know enough of Belgium to want to see it. Antwerp as a little dot on the geography was all that I knew of it. I did not know whether its people were big or little, white or black, ignorant or wise. On the other hand, I don't believe there is a man in the whole city who has ever heard of Columbia, Mo., or even seen it on the map. And yet people in both places are healthy, and some from both places will go to heaven. Again how great was our surprise when so many people told us that Antwerp was one of the most interesting cities in Europe. We found it so interesting that we remained two days. Antwerp is an old city. Eight centuries before Christopher Columbus thought of being born, people in Antwerp were building houses and steamboats. When Christopher Columbus was sailing westward to establish a republic in America, Antwerp was shipping furs and selling cod-fish. It has always been, and is yet, a thriving commercial city. But its shipping of coon skins and its commerce was not so interesting as its historical landmarks and other things wonderful to behold. The first thing which strikes one in Antwerp is the appearance of the people. I supposed the people in Antwerp would be small in stature and not very good looking; but instead they are the best looking people, up-to-date, that I have seen. Th...