179-* anecdotes of Adrian Broor. 255 



There is nothing more diverting than the adventures 

 Tvhich Broor met with every day. In one of his rambles 

 he was stript entirely by robbers. Not having money to 

 purchase a new wardrobe, he took it into his head to make 

 himself a habit of Hnen, on which he painted flowers 

 In the taste of the Indian robes. The ladies were de- 

 ceived by it, and were anxious to have a similar stuff and 

 pattern. Broor contrived, in order to undeceive them, to 

 mount a stage at the end of a performance j and, taking a 

 spunge soaked with water, he elTaced before their eyes all 

 riie pictures on his drefs. 



Whilst war was entire'y desolating Flanders, Broor was 

 •rery desirous of going to Antwerp. Notwithstanding the 

 representations of his triends, he could not resist his impa- 

 tience, and was taken in that city for a spy. Being fliut 

 np in the citadel, he had there the good fortune to meet 

 the duke of Aremberg, whom he informed of his profefsi- 

 on. The duke, who received sometimes visits from Ru- 

 bens, begged that great artist to give to a prisoner some 

 materials and other things wanted tor painting. Rubens 

 had no sooner cast his eyes on the picture which the pre- 

 tended spy was making, than he cried out, This is a picture 

 vf Broor^s.' and was absolutely for paying him six hun- 

 dred florins. 



Rubens employed all his friends to get Broor out of pri- 

 son •, he even became surety for him, and having obtained 

 his enlargement, he clothed him, and took care to have 

 him lodged, and braiight him to his own table. Far from 

 making a proper return for all these generous cares, Broor 

 fled precipitately from the house of his illustrious bene- 

 factor in order to enjoy his liberty. 



Broor perceived at length that he was despised by his 

 relations on account of his ill drefs. Sensible of the marks 

 of their disdain, he bought a very genteel drefs of velvet. 

 Oue of his cousins seeing him so v/ell ■tiq^uipped, begged him 



I 



