ss toward his end. After watching him for a
time Duerer took the charcoal from Maximilian, saying, "This is my sceptre,
your Majesty;" and he then taught the emperor how to use it.

Duerer executed some very remarkable drawings and engravings. Among them
was the "Triumphal Arch of Maximilian," composed of ninety-two blocks. The
whole cut is ten and one-half feet high by nine feet wide. It shows all
the remarkable events in the emperor's life, just as such subjects were
carved upon the triumphal arches of the Romans and other nations.
Hieronymus Roesch did the engraving of this great work from Duerer's blocks,
and while it was in progress the emperor went often to see it. During one
of these visits several cats ran into the room, from which happening arose
the proverb, "A cat may look at a king."

The emperor granted Duerer a pension; but it was never regularly paid, and
after the emperor's death the Council of Nuremburg refused to pay it
unless it was confirmed by the new sovereign, Charles V. For the purpose
of obtaining this confirmation Duerer made a journey to the Netherlands in
the year 1520. His wife and her maid Susanna went with him. His diary
gives a quaint account of the places they visited, the people whom they
met, and of the honors which were paid him. In Antwerp he was received
with great kindness, and the government of the city offered him a house
and a liberal pension if he would remain there; but his love for his
native town would not allow him to leave it.

After several months Duerer received the confirmation of his pension and
also the appointment of court-painter. This last office was of very little
account to him. The emperor spent little time at Nuremburg, and it was
not until he was older that he was seized with the passion of having his
portrait painted, and then Duerer had died, and Titian was painter to the
court.

[Illustration: FIG. 63.--THE FOUR APOSTLES. _By Duerer._]

When Duerer returned to his home there was quite an excitement over the
collection of curious and rare objects which he had made while absent.
Some of these he had bought, and many others were gifts to him, and he
gave much pleasure to his friends by displaying them. There had been a
great change in Nuremburg, for the doctrines of the Reformation were
accepted by many of its people, and it was the first free city that
declared itself Protestant. The change, too, was quietly made; its
convents and churches were saved from