that fixed upon for the king's entrance into the city, Jeanne d'Arc was desirous of going before him. The inhabitants, fully acquainted with the injurious reports circulated by the English respecting her, not knowing whether to regard her as a fairy or a saint, despatched brother Richard to meet her, stating, that they were doubtful as to her mission being from the Lord. This father Richard was the same ecclesiastic whose discourses at Paris had been attended with the greatest success, and who had foretold that the year 1430 would be productive of the most extraordinary events. He approached La Pucelle, making the sign of the cross, and sprinkling holy water before him. Jeanne, smiling with playful gaiety, thus addressed him: "Approchez hardiment, beau père; je ne m'en voullerai pas—Approach boldly, good father; I shall not fly away:" and from that moment brother Richard attached himself to the interests of Charles VII.*

"This Richard," says Luchet, (p. 23,)

was a fanatic

monk, charged with various crimes, and disgraced. As soon as he perceived La Pucelle, he was desirous of exorcising her, but she replied," &c. Our authority then says in continuation : "How are we to sift out the truth from this chaos of absurdities? Writers annex something of the marvellous in the subjection of Troyes, the garrison of which city consisted only of six hundred men with no experienced captain to command them. Nothing from thenceforth could happen in the ordinary course of nature,

After this event Jeanne d'Arc returned to the king in order to acquaint him that every thing was prepared for his reception. Charles then mounted on horseback, and made his entry into Troyes in great pomp, having at his side La Pucelle bearing her standard. On arriving at the cathedral the king heard mass performed, and at the conclusion of the ceremony received the oaths of allegiance from the principal inhabitants.* The day following, the whole army traversed the city amidst the sound of trumpets and the acclamations of the citizens, who, inspired by joy and gratitude, exalted the names of the king and La Pucelle to the skies.

and the finger of God is made to trace out the route of Charles VII. There is not a ridiculous invention with which bistorians have not interlarded their recitals. A-propos, concerning the siege of Troyes, some writers have affirmed that the king despatched letters of nobility to the bishop. What a recompense for a minister of the Lord!"

"The other cities followed the example of Troyes," says Lenglet, (vol. i. p. 104;)" and as the courtiers extolled the actions of the Maid, affirming that no similar instance was to be found recorded in history, Jeanne replied, with a modesty worthy of her pious conduct: En nom de Dieu! Monseigneur a un livre, auquel pas un clerc, tant soit il parfait en clericature, ne sauroit lire! By my God! my Lord has a book, wherein no clerk, however perfect in erudition, would be able to read!' In no one instance was La Pucelle found to attribute the fortunate result of an action to her own courage; she uniformly alleged that every thing was due to the King of heaven."

Charles VII. quitted Troyes with the army, and continued to march with all possible speed to Châlons; being invariably preceded by Jeanne d'Arc in complete armour. The inhabitants of the latter city, to the great astonishment and gratification of the monarch, voluntarily came forth and tendered their submission.*

Tidings of the triumphant march of La Pucelle having spread with rapidity to her native country, some inhabitants of Domremy resolved to set forward and await her arrival at Châlons. They were four in number, among whom were her godfather, Jean Morel, and Conradin Despinal: thus our heroine had the unexpected pleasure of finding herself, for a short period, surrounded by the friends of her infancy. These inhabitants of her native place regarded her with astonishment, asking her a

As soon as the king had taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the city (Troyes), by appointing a loyal governor and a strong garrison, he proceeded towards Châlons. La Pucelle was constantly strenuous in urging the king forward, to prevent his yielding to that indolence to which he was unfortunately subject, and on this account she would not even remain to sleep in the city. The news of the surrender of Troyes speedily arrived at Châlons, the inhabitants of which place, conducted by Pierre de Latilly their bishop, proceeded to lay the keys of the town at the king's feet; when Charles adopted the same measures in regard to them which he had pursued at Troyes, and then continued his march direct for Rheims.-Lenglet, vol. i. p. 104.

multiplicity of questions, to all of which she replied with her accustomed gentleness and good-will. They inquired, particularly, how she had been able to brave so many dangers, and if she did not fear to encounter death in the hour of battle? To this she answered, "Je crains que la trahision - I only fear treason;" as if she already felt a conviction of having met with something of that nature, and perceived beforehand, from the conduct of those by whom she was surrounded, some reason to suspect their fidelity.

The events which had taken place since the raising of the siege of Orleans, and the triumphant march of the monarch towards Rheims, had spread alarm throughout the city of Paris. The regent duke of Bedford, who did not place much reliance upon assistance from the duke of Burgundy, to whom he had given umbrage, continued to send the most pressing applications for supplies from England.

In the meantime Charles VII. made rapid progress towards Rheims, at which city he expected to meet with a most obstinate resistance; and this presentiment he did not scruple to make known to La Pucelle, who uttered the following reply: N'ayez aucun doute; car les bourgeois de la ville de Rheims viendront au-devant de vous. Avant que vous approchiez de la ville, les habitans se rendront. Avancez hardiment, et soyez sans inquiétude; car si vous voulez agir virilement, vous obtiendrez tout votre roy

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aume. Entertain no doubt; for the inhabitants of the city of Rheims will come forth to meet you. Before you arrive at the city the inhabitants will surrender. Proceed boldly, and do not feel disquietude; for if you will act manfully, you will obtain all your kingdom."*

The king with his army had now arrived within four leagues of Rheims, and the inhabitants were quite panic-struck at the report of the victorious career of the royal forces. The call of honour, however, banished the idea of surrendering the place without hazarding some opposition. The two commanders of the city, one named on the part of the king of England, and the other on behalf of the duke of Burgundy,† thought it requisite to consult the inhabitants respecting the course that should be adopted. They inquired whether the citizens felt a resolute wish to defend themselves, and the latter in turn demanded if the military were sufficiently strong to afford them aid and to protect them. The commanders then stated, that if the natives were willing, or could

Deposition of Le Sieur Charles Simon, president of the chamber of accounts, and formerly ainbassador at Venice, delivered the 7th of May, 1456.

+ The duke of Burgundy had appointed a garrison at Rheims, consisting of six hundred men, commanded by Le Sieur de Saveuse, a name once odious to the kings of France, and the Sieur de Châtillon on Marne.-Lenglet, vol. i. p. 106.