Note 14 — Chapter I · SUMMARY.

Lord Lindsay’s Christian Art, vol. iii. p. 348. His Lordship informs us that Mabuse was a profligate character, who lived long enough to be the subject of a curious anecdote. Many years afterward, when the Emperor Charles V. had arrived at man’s estate, that sovereign was to pay a visit to the Marquis of Vanderveren, in whose service Mabuse then was. The Marquis chose to array all his retainers in white damask. The painter requested to have his allotment of damask in his own possession, under pretence of devising some curious or quaint costume. The rogue bartered it at the tavern for drink, and did, indeed, devise a curious costume for himself, imitating damask on white paper. The trick had been whispered to his master; and the Emperor, who could not help admiring the ingenuity of Mabuse, made him approach his chair, which led to the open discovery of his imposition.