BRUSSELS CELEBRITIES.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 269, 22 April 1875, Page 3

BRUSSELS CELEBRITIES.

The Belgian News says:—“ Everyone in Brussels must have seen a man literally clothed in white from top to toe, for not only are his garments of that color, but also his hat and boots. During the late severe frost there was a great curiosity manifested to see whether he would persevere in wearing the same costume, and he stood out manfully till Thursday, when he appeared with an enormous cloak and hood in addition to the dress he had so long worn, but was still true to his chosen color, and odd enough he looked parading the streets among persons in black or other dingy coats, He is said to be a Dutchman, who some years ago made a fortune in Batavia, hut was aliiicted with a amji tie soldi. The doctors recommended his return to Europe, and following their advice he fixed his abode in Brussels, where he has now resided for some years. His eccentricities are harmless, and mainly consist in the firm belief that he has a personal and intimate acquaintance with the sun, who never fails to honor him by shining when he takes his promenade. His apartments, even including the ceiling and the floor, are gilt, and he fully believes that this was the work of his kind friend, who has also endowed him with the power of stopping a railway train at full speed. Another Brussels celebrity has disappeared within the last few days. For years, clad during winter and summer in a light green costume, a man not much exceeding five and a half feet in height, has been in the habit of parading the Gallery from two to five p.m., keeping his time so accurately that the shopkeepers wanted no other indication of the hour than his appearance or departure. He spoke to no one and seemed to have no acquaintances, and his failing to appear for three days in succession was sufficient to induce the police to make inquiries. They found him in his lodging in a state which showed he hud not long to live, and although a doctor was at once in attendance, he expired during the week. His history is curious enough. It seems he was many years ago an employe of the Russian Government at the diamond mines in the Caucasus, and a brilliant of extreme beauty and size fell into his possession in the course of his duties. He made up his mind to abstract it, but the difficulty of leaving the neighborhood with his booty was extreme, as the search of all persons applying for leave to quit the country was most rigorous. After much consideration he made an incision in the skin of his neck, in which he placed the diamond, and there it remained for months, until the skin had fairly grown over it. He then applied for leave on the score of ill health, and, managing to escape the vigilance of the searchers, reached Amsterdam with his spoil, where he disposed of it for some £12,000. He then came to reside at Brussels, and it is a singular fact that the ultimate possessor of the jewel is the Emperor of Russia, by whom it is highly valued, being of extraordinary size and brilliancy.”