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HISTORY,

ETC. ETC.

JEANNE D'ARC was the daughter of James d'Arc and of Isabella Romée, labouring people, living upon the produce of a small landed property which they possessed at Domremy and its environs, of which they were the cultivators. James d'Arc was originally of Séfonds, near Montierender, being descended from a good and ancient family of that country, which is ascertained from several titles and contracts still preserved at Saint Dizier. The armorial bearings of this family were a bow armed with three arrows, the remains of which are still apparent upon some ancient tombs. Isabella Romée was a native of Vouthon, situate about three miles from Domremy. It appears that these villagers were pious, unsophisticated, hospitable, and of the most rigid probity, enjoying a spotless reputation. Besides the heroine of our memoir, they had four children, three boys and a girl. The eldest son was named Jacquemin; the second, John; the

third, Peter; and the sister of Jeanne was called Catherine. Most of the biographers of the Maid of Orleans have omitted to mention this female relative, whose name was unknown to them; but, from authentic documents which have been referred to, there is no doubt of her having existed, and that she was christened as above.

The whole of this family occupied a humble cottage, still existing at the village of Domremy. The chamber which is pointed out by tradition as the birth-place of Jeanne, served to receive the annual produce of the vineyard, that adjoining was a stable for cows, and at the extremity of the building is a cellar which formerly contained the oven for baking. This homely edifice has, however, undergone repairs, and is now carefully preserved as an object of veneration for the French, and of curiosity to the stranger.

The precise period of the birth of Jeanne d'Arc has not been ascertained, but from what can be gathered in the course of her answers during the trial, she was born at Domremy, in the month of February or March, in the year 1411. Her baptism took place in the church of Saint Remy, at this village, the edifice being still in existence, and conveying testimonies of the veneration that the memory of Jeanne d'Arc has inspired throughout the surrounding country. On either side of the grand altar, are placed two angels supporting the armorial bearings

of the family of Arc, the workmanship of which is rude, and does not appear to be of very ancient date.

The parents of Jeanne were only capable of giving her an education suitable to their rank in life; it is therefore sufficient to state that her mind was imbued with religious and moral principles. With reading and writing she was altogether unacquainted, having been taught only the Pater Noster, the Ave Maria, and the Credo, by her mother, which constituted the whole of her religious instruction. From every account handed down, it appears that Jeanne was chaste, modest, patient, very gentle and industrious, fearing God, dispensing charity, hospitable to the necessitous, and attentive to the sick.* Notwithstanding her poverty, she found means to succour the needy; being willing to relinquish her own bed

* According to history, we find that these qualities uniformly characterised Jeanne d'Arc at the period of her bearing arms, when she scrupulously attended to her fastings, which were principally every Friday during the year, unless the fatigues incidental upon military operations caused an infringement of this general rule. The priests, to whom she was in the habit of confessing, declared that they had never witnessed a female more pure of soul, more humble in spirit, or more resigned to the will of the Almighty. Although reared in rustic ignorance, she nevertheless knew how to conduct herself with extremne prudence when ushered into active life; and her piety supplied every defect resulting from a want of education.— Lenglet, vol. i. pages 4 and 5.

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