From Cologne, Durer proceeded direct to Antwerp, where he took up his abode in the house of “Jobst Planckfelt;” and on the evening of his arrival[V-39] he was invited to a splendid supper by Bernard Stecher, an agent of the Fuggers, the celebrated family of merchants of Nuremberg, and the most wealthy in Germany. On St. Oswald’s day, Sunday, 5th August, the Painters’ Company of Antwerp invited Durer, with his wife and her maid,[V-40] to a grand entertainment in their hall, which was ornamented in a splendid manner, and all the vessels on the table were of silver. The wives of the painters were also present; and when Durer was conducted to his seat at the table “all the company stood up on each side, as if some great lord had been making his entrance.” Several honourable persons, who had also been invited, bowed to him; and all expressed their respect and their wishes to afford him pleasure. While he was at table the messenger of the magistrates of Antwerp made his appearance, and presented him in their name with four flaggons of wine, saying, that the magistrates thus testified their respect and their good-will towards him. Durer, as in duty bound, returned thanks, and tendered to the magisterial body his humble service. After this little affair was despatched, entered Peter the city carpenter _in propria persona_, and presented Durer with two more flaggons of wine, and complimented him with the offer of his services. After the party had enjoyed themselves cheerfully till late in the night, they attended Durer to his lodgings with torches in a most honourable manner, expressing their good-will towards him, and their readiness to assist him in whatever manner he might choose.--Shortly after this grand Fellowship-feast, Durer was entertained by Quintin Matsys,--frequently called the Blacksmith of Antwerp,--whose celebrated picture of the Misers is now in the Royal Collection at Windsor. [Footnote V-39: As Durer was at Cologne about the 26th July, it is probable that he would arrive at Antwerp about the last day of that month.] [Footnote V-40: The maid, Susanna, seems to have been rather a “humble friend” than a menial servant; for she is mentioned in another part of the Journal as being entertained with Durer’s wife at the house of “Tomasin Florianus,” whom Durer describes as “_Romanus_, von Luca bürtig.”]