d'Arc; and resolved upon sending into her native country to ascertain the life she had led, her character, and her morals. During this interval, a

self with the actions of a simple individual, or even with the concerns of a kingdom ?

Ans. Sometimes, and always for the good of the concern in question.

Ques. Is it not more fitting for God to employ his angels in accomplishing his will than to have recourse to man?

Ans. If God in ancient times thought fit to depute a crow, in order to give sustenance to Paul and Anthony the hermits, with much more semblance of reason might he resort to the agency of men.

Ques. Is it more fitting that the Almighty should employ a woman than a man?

Ans. The Virgin knew the mystery of the Incarnation, and the Sibyls taught men secrets which they acquired from the Divinity.

Ques. May it not be an artifice of the devil?

Ans. That will be ascertained by the good that results.

Ques. In such case is it not necessary to employ prudence and wisdom?

Ans. That costs nothing.

"that notwithstanding

M. Luchet then continues to state, these answers of archbishop Gelu, and the revelations made to the king respecting the prayer addressed to the Divinity in his oratory at Loches, where he was not at the time she specified, Jeanne acquired no great reputation. The kind of insensate rapture with which we frequently hail momentous occurrences failed to denote any grand success that might accrue to our heroine in future, as the only conclusion was, that Jeanne should undergo a second interrogatory."

lodging was assigned for her in the castle Ducoudray. Many noblemen went thither to see the maid, who were astonished at her natural eloquence, the tone of inspiration that reigned throughout her discourse, and the extraordinary piety she manifested. It appears that Jeanne spent nearly the whole of the day in prayers, and was frequently found upon her knees bathed in tears. After watching all her actions with scrupulous care, no symptoms of imposture were discoverable; every thing on her part announced a self-conviction of supernatural agency, which she insensibly infused into the minds of all those who approached her.

The king, still undecided, nevertheless wished to see Jeanne before the return of the agents whom he had forwarded to Domremy; but at the very time when she approached his residence, being overcome by fresh doubts, he was not prevailed upon to admit her until the journey she had so recently performed was represented to him as miraculous. This expedition, which, on account of the circuitous routes that were traversed to avoid the enemy, had extended to a hundred and fifty leagues, was accomplished in eleven days. In the course of this march it was found necessary to cross the rivers Ornain, Marne, Aube, Armançon, Yonne, Loire, Cher, Indre, and many other streams, rendered dangerous on account of the inundations which regularly occur at the season when this journey

was undertaken. The individuals who had served as an escort to Jeanne were astonished at finding no obstacle in traversing an enemy's country in the depth of winter, and along such difficult roads.

An audience with the king was at length accorded to Jeanne, on the third day after her arrival. Fifty torches illumined the apartments of the prince; many lords more sumptuously dressed than the king were present, and upwards of three hundred knights had assembled in the audience chamber.

On the same day a singular event took place, as if for the express purpose of bringing the most incredulous minds to believe in the heavenly mission of Jeanne d'Arc. At the precise moment when she entered the royal residence, a man on horseback who had seen her pass, made inquiry of a bystander, whether that was not La Pucelle? who being answered in the affirmative, exclaimed, blaspheming the name of the Lord, that if he had her in his possession she should not long continue a virgin. Jeanne, having overheard these words, turned her head and cried: "Ha, en mon Dieu, tu le renies, et se es si près de ta mort: Ah! by my God, thou blasphemest him; and yet thou art so nigh unto thy death!" About an hour after, this man fell into the water and was drowned.

As soon as the king understood that Jeanne was coming, he stepped aside, in order to ascertain whether she would not mistake some other person

for himself. La Pucelle, however, distinguished the monarch in the crowd; stating that her supernatural voices had made him known to her.*

* Jeanne d'Arc was presented to the king by the Count de Vendôme, and without hesitation recognised the monarch at first sight, although there was nothing particular in his attire, or exterior appearance, and he was indiscriminately mingled with the crowd: she immediately made a profound reverence, and thus addressed him: "Gentil Dauphin, j'ai nom Jeanne la Pucelle, et vous mande le Roi des cieux, par moi, que vous serez sacré et couronné à Rheims; vous serez le lieutenant du Roi des cieux, qui est roi de France." Charles, removing from those that surrounded him, conversed with Jeanne in their presence, but without being overheard; which conference lasted for some time, and all the courtiers perceived that a degree of satisfaction was legibly depicted on the countenance of their sovereign during this parley. The king afterwards declared to several persons, that a revelation which she had made to him, of a secret known only to himself, gave birth to the confidence with which she inspired him.

Robertson, in his introduction to the History of Charles V., examines the mission of La Pucelle in a political point of view; and while rendering justice to her wisdom and courage, deplores her misfortunes, and most eloquently inveighs against the superIstition to which she was sacrificed: he however considers her but as an instrument and a victim to party. Our countryman is not the only writer who has raised objections against this heavenly mission : we find that one Dr. Beaupère, who acted as an assessor during the trial of Jeanne, was of opinion, "that her alleged visions and apparitions were rather the effects of human invention, than originating in divine inspiration ;" and in the "Histoire Générale des Rois de France depuis Pharamond

"Dieu vous doint (donne) bonne vie, gentil Roi-God give you a prosperous life, comely king," said Jeanne

jusqu'à Charles Sept," written by Bernard de Girard, Sieur du Haillan, first historian of France, and genealogist of the Order of the Holy Ghost, to Henry the Third, appears the following statement, given as nearly as possible verbatim.

"Some say that Jeanne was the mistress of Jean, Bastard of Orleans; others, of the Lord of Baudricourt, who being wary and cunning, and seeing that the king knew no longer what to do or to say, and the people, on account of continual wars, so much oppressed as not to be able to raise their courage, resolved to have recourse to a miracle, fabricated in false religion, being that which of all things most elevates the heart, and makes men believe (even the most simple) that which is not; and the people were very apt to imbibe such superstitions. Those who believe she was a maid sent by God, are not damned; neither are those who did not believe. Many esteem this last assertion an heresy; but we will not dwell too much upon it, nor too much on the contrary belief. Wherefore these lords, for the space of some days, instructed her in all she was to answer to the demands which should be made of her by the king and themselves when in his presence; for they were to interrogate her; and in order that she might recognise the monarch when conducted into his presence, they caused her to see his picture several times every day. On the day appointed, when she was led to him in his chamber, which they had already arranged, they did not fail to be present. Having entered, the first persons who addressed her were the Bastard of Orleans and Baudricourt, who demanded of her her business? She replied she wanted to speak to the king. They presented to her another of the lords who was there, telling her that he was the king; but she, instructed in all which