immediately produced his credentials. Charles at once appointed some members of his council to negociate with him, and a pacification was soon effected. The King was so highly pleased with the productions of his pencil, and particularly with his conduct in this diplomatic emergency, that he gave him a munificent reward, and conferred upon him the honor of knighthood, Feb. 21, 1630. On this occasion, the king presented Rubens with his own sword, enriched with diamonds, his hat-band of jewels, valued at ten thousand crowns, and a gold chain, which Rubens wore ever afterwards.
DEATH OF RUBENS.
Rubens, after having successfully accomplished
the objects of his missions to the courts of Spain
and England, returned to Antwerp, where he was
received with all the honors and distinction due to
his services and exalted merit. He still continued
to exercise his pencil with undiminished industry
and reputation till 1635, when he experienced some
aggravated attacks of the gout, to which he had
been subject, succeeded by an infirmity and trembling
of the hand, which obliged him to decline executing
all works of large dimensions. Though he
had now reached his fifty-eighth year, and was loaded
with deserved honors and wealth, he nevertheless
continued to instruct his pupils, to correspond with
his cherished friends, and to paint easel pictures
when his torturing malady would permit, till his
