for action; and that, whensoever the cry was TO ARMS, "elle étoit la première et la plus diligente, fut à pied ou à cheval: that she was the foremost and the most active, whether on foot or on horseback." In addition to which, a contemporary historian, speaking of her equestrian prowess, asserts: "A principio ætatis suæ ..... pascendo pecora ... sæpius cursum exercebat ; et modo huc atque illuc illi frequens cursus erat; et aliquando currendo hastam ut fortis eques manu capiebat et arborum truncos

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percutiebat," &c.- Phillipe de Bergame, in Hordal, p. 40, who, according to Moreri, under the head Foresti, was born in 1434.

Page 73. And many other knights, bannerets, and English noblemen, were drowned.

It is a curious fact, that in confirmation of this circumstance, when the new bridge was building at Orleans, a number of helmets, breast-plates, &c. were dragged up from the bed of the river at this very spot.

And truly was there wrought a miracle of our Lord, performed at the request of Saint Aignan and Saint Euverte, &c.

After Jeanne and the Bastard had taken the bastille, Dubreton, at page 203, gives the following marvellous narrative. "This great victory was signalized by a still more wonderful miracle; which was, that two young men, armed in a different manner from the other combatants, perfectly beautiful and well-grown, were seen in the air upon two white horses; and that the cries of a great army, accompanied by the clangour of trumpets,

were heard during the hottest period of the battle. It was commonly believed, that these two young men were Saints Aignan and Euverte, whom the inhabitants of Orleans firmly believe their patrons, and their tutelar divinities in all mischances that may chance to threaten them."

Superstition, which might very justly be termed an epidemic disorder among the people at that period, was fully called into action upon the subject of Jeanne d'Arc's exploits; and a few instances will be sufficient to demonstrate how far this weakness predominated, even with writers and studious personages, whose pursuits were calculated to dispel such chimeras from the brain. In the history of the Abbey of Saint Dennis, which was translated by Le Laboureur, in a chapter where he treats of an eclipse of the sun, he seriously remarks that "The astrologers, judging from a natural science of effects from causes, prognosticated that extraordinary accidents would ensue, and which happened accordingly."-Laboureur, p. 548.

From Juvenal des Ursins, archbishop of Rheims, we learn" that sometimes the image of a certain saint had suddenly turned its back upon a soldier who sought to purloin the same, and who, in consequence, lost his wits, while the rest of his comrades turned devotees," — (page .50.) Sometimes priests, by means of invocations, raised the devil; and such was the confidence placed in them, that the council of Charles VI. enacted, that they should offer up their prayers in order to effect the king's recovery. (Page 192.) In another place, the thunder entered the hotel of the dauphin, killed a child, and wounded others; in which strain he continues,

"Until a sprinkling of holy water in the chamber and about the dwelling, expelled the thunder no one knew whither." (Page 206.)

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While we are occupied upon the subject of visions and revelations, this same Juvenal des Ursins testifies, that the most illustrious persons were not less superstitious than the poor. A Mathurin, a Carmelite, and others of the University, assembled in 1413, to imagine what would be the termination of the Burgundian government, and they in consequence entreated Juvenal de Treignel, father of the archbishop, and one of the most eminent characters in the state, to join them. They in consequence deliberated, and came to a determination that it was requisite to consult studious and religious persons; when the latter communicated their visions. . . .. The one having seen three suns; another three different periods; a third the king of England at the top of the towers of Notre Dame. Upon which these grave and sapient doctors decided, that there might be a change in the government of the kingdom. (Juvenal, p. 316) Seven years afterwards, the archbishop of Rheims, who was then occupied in writing his history, having occasion to speak of the treaty of Troyes, did not forget to call to mind Ces visions vues par bonnes creatures trois soleils: these visions seen by good creatures of three suns; for, continues he gravely-" There were three kings in France, namely, the English monarch, and monseigneur le dauphin:" (Juvenal, page 477.) In short, his mother had equally visions of the same wonderful force.-See also Voltaire's Essai sur les Maurs, ch. lxxix., note 16.

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Page 74. And much rejoicing was there testified on all sides, &c. unto Jeanne la Pucelle, who remained during this night, as well as the lords, captains, and men at war with her, in the midst of the fields, &c.

"This strong fortress of the English having been captured, and the whole garrison either put to the sword, or drowned, although the French army was very much exhausted and harassed, and that night was fast approaching, the Pucelle, nevertheless, would not suffer the same to re-enter the city to seek refreshment, but caused the forces to remain without; arranging the troops during the whole night to keep watch as with a camp in a state of siege, for the purpose of holding the place which had been gained. This combat ended, all the people assembled in the churches to offer thanks to God for this signal victory, so advantageous to their city and the whole kingdom, as well as to supplicate for a continuance of his favour and assistance. The Pucelle, great and illustrious even prior to this combat, began to wax greater and more illustrious in the general opinion after this victory, accomplished by her wise conduct and her generous devotedness in battle. The soldiers and the citizens extolled her to the skies; and the English, changing their contumely into respect and their vile abuse into admiration, were in greater dread of her than is customary in respect to a mortal creature. Briefly, all the French and their enemies began really to apprehend that there was something divine in her, and that a wiser head and a stronger arm than that of man fought in the person of

this excellent and incomparable girl."

pp. 204, &c.

Dubreton,

Page 75.

At the end of the hour did the Englishmen set forward, &c.

When speaking of the English raising the siege of Orleans, Holinshed, at page 601, thus expresses himself. "The Frenchmen, puffed up with this good lucke, fetched a compasse about, and in good order of battell marched toward the bastile, which was in the keeping of the lord Talbot the which upon the enimies approch, like a capteine without all feare or dread of that great multitude, issued foorth against them, and gave them so sharpe an incounter, that they not able to withstand his puissance, fled (like sheepe before the wolfe) againe into the citie, with great losse of men and small artillerie. Of Englishmen were lost in the two bastiles, to the number of six hundred persons, or thereabout, though the French writers multiplie this number of hundreds to thousands, as their manner is.

"The earle of Suffolke, the lord Talbot, the lord Scales, and other capteins, assembled togither in councell, and after causes shewed to and fro, it was amongst them determined to leave their fortresses and bastiles, and to assemble in the plaine field, and there to abide all the daie, to see if the Frenchmen would issue foorth to fight with them. This conclusion taken was accordinglie executed but when the Frenchmen durst not once come forth to shew their heads, the Englishmen set fire of their lodgings, and departed in good order of battell