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turesque object which it is possible to conceive. Whether viewed from the side of the school-house, the street, or the vicinity of the church, its proportions appear to equal advantage on the verdant lawn that surrounds the spot, and the willows that decorate the banks of the Meuse, whose waters wash the base of the edifice in a southerly direction.

M. Jollois, whose profound acquirements in Egyptian architecture have enabled him to appreciate the beautiful and the grand, has combined in this structure, committed to his charge, the strictest plans to ensure the durability of the materials which the country has afforded for its construction. On a quadrilateral base rise four quadrangular prisms supporting a covering of two panes, with the same number of pediments, on which are inscribed the names of the heroine of the department of the Vosges. Under this covering is placed, upon a half column, the bust of Jeanne d'Arc, presented by Louis XVIII. This alabaster figure, which constitutes the principal feature of the monument, is the workmanship of M. Le Gendre Héral, professor of sculpture to the academy of Beaux Arts at Lyons, who has re-produced the image of La Pucelle d'Orléans, represented as a beautiful young woman, robust, and replete with a saintly and generous enthusiasm. Long tresses float gracefully over her shoulders, and her head is covered with the cap or bonnet decorated by plumes of feathers, with which she was represented by those artists who were still living at a period when her features were fresh in the recollection of her contemporaries.

The reserve which the artist has shown in distributing

ornaments may not, perhaps, afford pleasure to those who only expect to find in architecture mouldings and fretwork borders; but it will ensure the approbation of all those who possess a knowledge of what is harmonious in the arts. The architect has been sparing of accessories, in order that the mind of the spectator might not be diverted from the train of reflections, at once melancholy and delightful, which are naturally associated with this interesting scene. He was also desirous that his labours should be longer secured from the ravages of time, and less exposed to the injuries which ignorance might inflict upon a structure whose materials are little calculated for durability; and besides, a profusion of embellishments would have presented an unpleasing contrast to the simple cottages with which it is surrounded.

A monument raised to the glory of the heroine who became a martyr to the love of her country, would have lost much of its moral influence had it not been equally consecrated to public utility. The artist has, therefore, acted in conformity with every wish, by converting the structure into a public fountain, whose waters are derived from a source still bearing the appellation of Jeanne d'Arc. They are conducted by means of pipes to the centre of the square, and spout forth from the base of the pedestal in front of the street and the school-house. The water then precipitates itself into a reservoir, to render its use the more commodious, and from thence it issues by a subterraneous channel, and empties itself into the Meuse.

M. Jollois, not satisfied with combining with great solidity all the proportions of the edifice, has likewise sought to oppose to the ravages of time a precaution still

more efficacious, in order to transmit to posterity the remembrance of this generous undertaking of the department of Vosges, and the munificence of its monarch: he has enclosed in the centre of the mass constituting the basement of the fountain, a soldered leaden casket wherein are enclosed the best works and the principal medals consecrated to the glory of the heroine, together with specimens of the coins of the present reign, accompanied by the subjoined inscription :-

"In the year of grace M.DCCC.XX., the XXVth day of the month of June, under the reign of H. M. Louis XVIII., was deposited the first stone of this monumental fountain, erected to the memory of Jeanne d'Arc. M. Boula de Coulombiers, master of requests, being prefect of the department of Vosges; M. Chevrier, sub-prefect of the arrondissement of Neufchâteau; and M. Humblot, mayor of Domremy. The council general of the department of Vosges consisted of Messires, the duke de Choiseul, peer of France; Sautre, Lemarquis, d'Hennezel, Drouel, Derazez, Muel, Vaulot, Husson, Count Bourcier de Villers, Fallacieu, Champy de Bruyères, de Bazelaire, and Hugo. M. Jollois, chief engineer of Vosges, was deputed to superintend the projected monument, and watch over the progress of its completion."

HISTORICAL PROBLEM

CONCERNING

JEANNE D'ARC,

SURNAMED

LA PUCELLE D'ORLEANS.

BY

M. D. POLLUCHE,

FORMERLY A MEMBER OF THE LITERARY SOCIETY OF ORLEANS.

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