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His father, staar KingĆ altbon be bud

fall in esta inheritance, beyneatbed by Queen Joanna, could yet innen these rich poseSLEN aren might hope eventos Induen bel, perhaps, as Oy the siderations, than by his persicÅ DATIS, the Duke and Dubess declanvi themselves in favor of Rend's sii; mi their youthful dischter borate Lis trile ere she ha l'attained her if coach Tear.

When Isabelle luke allena native Lamine, and son panded by husband to Provence, she Hirt from the friend of her virili Ales Sorel shared the joys, and sympathised in the sorrows of her wedded ... At first the horizon was bright and clyn lless. Isable, who was tveran al rei wife, became the proad mother of four children, “the most beautiful ever seen"-so the extemprary chronickers assure us; but when her father's death made her heiress of Lorraine, the gathering clouds of war, and its attendant miseries, cast their lurid shade ws around her: Ler cousin, Anine de Vandement, contested the succession, asserting that Lorraine was too noble a tief to descend to a female. Sing. larly enough, the question had never before arisen: Charles of Lorraine was the first prince who had not left behind him male heirs. The Duke of Burgundy supported the claims of Antoine de Vandemont; and René, after bravely fighting for the inheritance of his wife, was taken prisoner at the battle of Balligneville, and condemned to a rigorous captivity in the castle of Dijon.

This fatal battle was lost by the rash impetuosity of the young nobles of Lorraine and Bar, who fought in the ranks of their Duke René. The veteran general Barbazan had earnestly entreated his master to act on the defensive.

**Quand on a peur des feuilles, il ne fat pas aller au bois," said a young willant, contemptuously.

Ces paroles ne sont pas pour

mol" rended the trave old soldier;

ors vécu sans re&ord hui on

te le bon conseil

me dict parler de la sorte." The real fueled his prediction: Bé, bring droe all that a brave HAI COLE SK and received many ho. DICTUM Tod fell into the hands of his loenT. When Isabelle learned the of things of this disastrous fight, and band this ber beloved lord was in catat ty, she hasized to Chinɔn, to entrent Charles's aid and mediation with the Duke of Burgundy to procure the freedom of her husband. But René owed bis beration from captito & Dore rosanile cause than the

o of E's royal brother-in1 of Burgandy having +165 aftive found him employed painting." Rizé Lad executed on is very charming and faithful porPhilip and his father, Jean

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The Kal-hearted Duke To kated and interested: he conversed fr pendy with the acco:n1&d rice, and restored to

His Marty, only stipulating that 1. should surrender himself a captive the following year, if the conditions anexed as the price of his freedom should not have been complied with.

T.. - visit of Isabelle to Chinon was, nevertheless, productive of important results. Agnès & rel had accom

- her; and, in the interview which the princess of Lorraine and Bar had with her Sovereign, the grace and Kany of the "Demoiselle de Fromenteau" struck the ardent fancy of the young Charles. The impression she Lal made was observed by the wite and mother-in-law of the king. The latter, Yolande of Anjou, was a Wollan of masculine mind; she swayed the cardless monarch, and, unconsciously to him, had long guided his counsels. The passion alike of Yolande, of her daughter, Queen Marie, and of the beautiful stranger, was patriotism. France was in subjection. Charles its king, and who ought to have been its deliverer, was insensible of his dishonour, or too much devoted to pleasure, to make the necessary exertion for his country's safety. Marie, beautiful and amiable, was not beloved. The influence which alone could stir Charles to noble resolves, should spring from a passion which Yolande perceived her daughter could never

excite. She conceived the singular, we may say the unexampled design of exciting it by the charms of Agnès Sorel. Wonderful force of the sentiment of love of country! Marie, stranger still to record, assented. Hopeless herself of influencing Charles through his affections, and quite conscious of his passion for the beautiful stranger, Queen Marie listened without disapproval to the suggestions of the vigorous-minded Yolande, that they should wean the voluptuous monarch from his effeminate indolence and unworthy favoritism, by giving him as companion and friend, one who, they both saw, was gifted with a high and commanding intellect, and a gentle nature and constant heart. Surely we cannot wonder that such an age was rich in noble enthusiasm, when it witnessed a sacrifice of pride and feeling so extraordinary in persons so exalted. The disinterestedness of friendship has nothing to compare with this astonishing instance of patriotic devotion. But still we must not estimate the sacrifice at more than, in truth, it was worth; or suppose even these heroines capable of impossibilities. Marie had had frequent occasion to lament her husband's infidelities; hr conjugal love could not be further outraged by the substitution of a comparatively virtuous attachment for those ephemeral amours which had hitherto marred the happiness of her wedded life. That influence over the mind of Charles which she had failed in securing might, she fondly hoped, be so wielded by the beautiful and spirituelle friend of the high-minded Labelle of Lorraine, as to change the destinies of the hapless realm of France. She asked from her brother's wife permission to promote the fair Agnès to be her maid of honour. Isabelle felt keenly the unavoidable separation from her friend, should she yield to the Queen's entreaties; but she could not allow her selfish affection to be a barrier to the advancement of Agnès Sorel. The young girl, ignorant of all that was designed for her, was from thenceforth to live at court, attached to the person of Marie of Anjou, who even personally had conceived a warm regard for one whom she designed to make, if possible, her own rival.

Queen Yolande, for she was titular sovereign of the two Sicilies, was a far

sighted and ambitious woman, unscrupulous, as we have seen, in the choice of means which might enable her to obtain a desired end. When the fortunes of Charles were at their lowest ebb, she had never despaired, but courageously cheered and animated him to exertion. Let us cast a rapid glance at Charles's past career. The imbecility of his father, King Charles VI., and the hatred which his unnatural mother had conceived for him, had made the Dauphin, in his earlier years, an outcast from the sweet charities of home. The tragical murder of Jeansans-peur of Burgundy, on the bridge of Montereau, had drawn down on his head the intense hatred of the Burgundian party, then the most powerful in France. Well might Francis I. exclaim, when he gazed, in the Chartreuse of Dijon, on the effigy of the murdered duke, "Through that gash," pointing to the wound which disfigured the forehead, "the English entered France!" The Dauphin always asserted, probably with truth, that he was innocent of this foul murder. Tannegui du Châtel struck the fatal blow; but Charles had expressly invited the Duke of Burgundy to this ill-fated conference, and the assassination was accomplished in his presence. Philip le Bon, son of the murdered Duke, thirsting for revenge, threw the weight of his vast power and influence into the opposing scale, and allied himself with the enemies of his country to avenge his father's death. By the conference at Arras (1419) he paved the way for the infamous treaty of Troyes (1420), which disinherited the Dauphin, and transferred the royal diadem to the English invader, Henry V. In the treaty, by which Charles VI. thus disowned his son, the following insulting clause occurs, which must have been peculiarly galling to the Dauphin :

"Considérant les horribles et énormes crimes et délits commis par Charles, soi-disant Dauphin de Viennois, il est accordé que nous, notre dit fils le roi, et aussi notre trèscher fils Philippe, Duc de Bourgoyne, nous ne traiterons aucunement de paix et de concorde avec le dit Charles, si non du consentement et du conseil de tous et de chacun de nous trois, et des trois états du royaume."

Two years later and the Dauphin found himself King, though he had but a scanty territory, and few adherents.

The imbecile Charles had breathed his last. The victorious Henry had also been snatched away by the unsparing hand of the destroyer. Paris and the northern provinces were, however, held for the young Henry VI., by his uncle, the brave Duke of Bedford. Charles VII. could only establish his court on the southern bank of the Loire; and even there he scarcely felt his position secure. "Le petit Roi de Bourges," was the name contemptuously given to him by the English. Charles "le Victorieux, "Charles "le Bien Servi," were titles which he could triumphantly claim, not many years later. His wondrous success is to be ascribed, not to his personal exertions, for he was, as has been intimated, indolent and excessively addicted to pleasure, but to the discriminating wisdom, or rather instinct, with which he chose his counsellors. He had the art, or the good luck, to gather around him and attach to his cause the greatest captains of the age, and the wisest and most far-sighted politicians; and, notwithstanding his indolent habits, had the good sense to profit by their counsels and services. We have only to mention the names of "the brave Dunois," the Comte de Richemont, La-Hire, Saintrailles, &c., who conducted his military operations; in the diplomatic department the sagacious Yolande of Anjou, Jacques Boureau, and his brother Gaspard, who created for him the most effective artillery in Europe; and in finance, that most skilful of exchequer-chancellors, Jacques Cœur.

Yolande seems to have understood fully the character of her son-in-law. She knew him to be of an affectionate and trusting nature, and peculiarly sensitive to the refined charms of female society. He was capable of appreciating all that is excellent in the character of woman-her heroism— her generous abnegation of self-her enduring devotion. Yolande artfully availed herself of these influences. Unseen herself, she was, as we have already observed, the guiding hand which influenced Charles throughout his entire career, and through him the destinies of France. Her daughter, Queen Marie, was a very superior woman, amiable, accomplished, generous, and gentle; but she never possessed her husband's affections, though her conduct secured his esteem and respect. Stimulated by her mother,

she strenuously laboured to make the King lay aside his besetting sin of indolence, and act with vigour against the English. Fortune seemed invariably to desert the banner of the lawful sovereign, and Charles found his best generals and bravest troops so often defeated that his friends lost hope and confidence, and his dispirited soldiery deserted their colours.

While the Dauphin remained inactive at Chinon, Orleans, his principal stronghold on the Loire, was closely invested by the English. Dunois, and others of his brave adherents, bad thrown themselves into the beleaguered city; but with slender hope of making a successful resistance to the besieging host. In this extremity of Charles's or rather of Yolande's-fortunes (for it was she who in truth had so far fought the battle of French independence) another still more heroic Frenchwoman suddenly appeared on the stage. Commissioned from on high, as she believed to rescue her native land from foreign invaders-to raise the siege of Orleans, and see her King crowned at Rheims-Jeanne D'Arc, the simple shepherd-girl of Domremi, presented herself to Charles at Chinon. Yolande saw, and at a glance comprehended her enthusiasm. Perhaps, too, she credited her mission: at all events, she sympathised in her patriotic fervour; and lost no time in communicating a share of her sympathy to Charles. Jeanne's divine commission was recognized. Accoutred in armour, and girt with the sword of Saint Catherine de Fierbois, she threw herself into Orleans. Her enthusiasm, her pious fervour, and her conviction of a triumphant accomplishment of her mission, inspired the garrison with new courage. Now here, now there; successive sallies from the beleagured city fell with the speed and destruction of lightning on the English outposts. A being partaking of the character of an angel and a prophetess headed these unexpected and terrible attacks. The superstitious terrors of the English were alarmed. Seven days after Jeanne entered Orleans, the siege was raised, and the English were in full retreat towards the Seine. far, the mission sped prosperously; she had now to retrieve her undertaking to see Charles placed on the throne of his ancestors in the old kingly capital of Rheims; but to carry him thither

So

through a hostile country, every stronghold of which was in the hands of his enemies, was even a more difficult achievement than the relief of Orleans. However, Jeanne's own belief in her preternatural mission had now spread far and wide, and those who at first had probably used her as an adventuress, now followed her as a heaveninspired guide. The expedition to Rheims was undertaken-every obstacle gave way before the enthusiasm of Charles's followers. Rheims, after a progress as triumphant as dangerous, was gained; and the consecrated oil, which would insure the validity of his title in the eyes of all true Frenchmen, was at length poured on the head of King Charles the Seventh. As Charles kneeled by the high altar, Jeanne "la Pucelle" stood by his side, leaning on her snow-white banner, spotted with the fleur-de-lis of France, on which was represented the Saviour of the world, with the simple inscription, Jhesus Maria. "It had shared the danger," she said; "it was meet that it should share the glory."

There are probably few persons who are not familiar with that exquisite impersonation of Jeanne D'Arc, for which we are indebted to the chisel of a second "Maid of Orleans." The princess Marie of Wirtemberg, daughter to the ex-King of the French, has represented her in the garb so minutely described by contemporary writers, "armée tout en blanc, sauf la teste, une petite hache en sa main ;" leaning on the sword in form of the cross; her fair head bowed, and her features expressing resolution, blended with repose. Her mission was now accomplished; she fell at her monarch's feet bathed in tears. Gentil roi," she said, addressing him, "orest exécuté le plaisir de Dieu, qui voulait que vous vinssiez à Rheims, recevoir votre digne sacre, pour montrer que vous êtes vrai roi, et celui auquel doit appartenir le royaume."

66

Jeanne now longed to return to her simple pastoral life, and her native village. She confided her wishes to Dunois. "Je voudrais bien que le gentil roi voulût me faire ramener auprès de mes père et mère qui auraient tant de joie à me revoir. Je garderais leurs brébis et bétail, et ferais ce que j'avais coutume de faire." The only acknowledgment of her services which she demanded, was the exemption from

VOL. XXXVI.-NO. CCXI.

taxation of her native village. Until the revolution of 1793, Neant à cause de la Pucelle was entered opposite the name of Domremi, in the books of the taxing officer for that district of Lorraine. But alas! for Jeanne; a far different destiny awaited her. The market-place of Rouen witnessed a tragedy which, merely to read of, has drawn iron tears" from many a manly breast. The pure, the meek heroine, who had done such great things for "the pity" she had for the realm of France, was here to expiate the crime of patriotism by the punishment of witchcraft. Her infamous judge, Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, condemned her to be burnt alive. "Helas!" she exclaimed, when she heard her sentence, reduire en cendres mon corps qui est pur, et n'a rien de corrompu, c'est un horrible supplice!" As the priest who attended her dismounted from the scaffold, when the executioner was about to apply his torch, she said to him, "Tenez-vous en bas, levez la croix devant moi, que je la voie en mourant, et dites-moi de pieuses paroles jusqu'à la fin.” Her last utterance

was, "Jésus!"

Chinon, where Charles held his little court, is a place familiar, at least by name, to most of us, its castle being a favourite residence of our English sovereigns of the race of Plantagenet. Its situation is picturesque and imposing; planted on an elevated platform of rock overhanging the Loire, and commanding its junction with the Vienne, surrounded by the verdant woods and rich pasture-land of Touraine, the "garden of France." The ruins, which are considerable in extent, are of great interest, recalling the stirring times of the crusaders, and, a few centuries later, the wrongs and sufferings of the Knights Templars, whose grand master, the heroic Jacques de Molay, was immolated within its walls. The adjoining monastery of Fontevrault-founded by the devoted enthusiast, Robert D'Arbrissol, who, following the example of his Divine Master, preached repentance and forgiveness to the "chiefest of sinners;" and by his eloquent and heartfelt exhortations reclaimed from vice innumerable Magdalens, miserable outcasts from society, and hopeless, until he proclaimed to them the message of mercy, of forgiveness from God or man,-this noble and beautiful house of Fontevrault con

F

tains the mortal remains of the heroic Coeur-de-Lion.

At a short distance from Chinon stood the Maison Robardeau. This was now to become the residence of Agnès Sorel. The scandal of that day reported, and possibly with truth, that Robardeau was connected with the castle where the monarch held his court, by an underground passage.

Charles possessed many qualities which fitted him to captivate the imagination and win the affections of a young and susceptible heart. His

features were regular, beautiful alike in form and expression; though his tout ensemble was not effective from his want of height. He had a heart warm and devoted, manners gay and fascinating, a mind well cultivated, and elegant tastes. He was personally brave, though his love of pleasure, as well as a natural prudence, deterred him on many occasions from leading his armies in person to battle or victory. But, above all, he had at first sight conceived, and always afterwards cherished for the fair Agnès, an impassioned and unswerving attachment, which ended only with life. The young girl long resisted his suit, though she also loved in return; but she was in the midst of influences and inducements, such as perhaps never before or since solicited a woman to dishonour, and her weak woman's heart at last yielded.

When Agnès Sorel forfeited the approval of conscience-the calm dignity of her hitherto pure and spotless life she forfeited also the happiness she had till then enjoyed. Never more, after such a fall, does Nature unfold her charms, as in the days of bright childhood, or happy and innocent girlhood

"As I wandered free,

In every field for me

Its thousand flowers were blowing:
A veil through which I did not see-
A thin veil, o'er the world was thrown,
In every bud, a mystery;
Magic, in every thing unknown.
The field, the air, the grove was haunted,
And all that age has disenchanted.

Yes! give me give me back the days of youth,

Poor, yet how rich!—my glad inheritance,
The inextinguishable love of truth,
While life's realities were all romance."

-now the murky shadows of sin have obscured the happy vision-conscious

guilt is the great disenchanter. How keenly Agnes felt her position, is evinced by the brief records of her words and feelings which have been handed down in history. Of her deathbed penitence we shall speak hereafter. Yet she had everything in the present, if we except the approval of her con. science, to make life dear to her. He whom she loved so fondly, and to whom she had dedicated her entire existence, repaid by the most fervent and constant devotion the sacrifice she had made for his sake. France, perhaps, an almost equal object of adoration, sprang up in freedom and power under the administration which she helped to guide. No woman was ever more truly loved. For twenty years until death separated themCharles never swerved in his attachment for his "good and gentle Agnès." The honours and splendours of this world were lavishly showered on her; yet she "bore her faculties so meekly," that she made no enemies, but could boast of many, and faithful friends. The Queen loved her as a sister. The contemporary chroniclers vie with one another in eulogising her wisdom and goodness-some of them, in their zeal for her virtue, denying even the nature of her connexion with the King. Allpowerful and beloved, she could find but one faint consolation for the loss of her innocence-promoting the happiness of others, and exercising her vast influence with the King for the honour of her country, by urging him to complete the emancipation of his kingdom from its foreign foes. At the time when his fortunes were most desperate, she had placed at his disposal all her wealth, in jewels or money, for the payment of his troops.

"Hier sind Juwelen-Schmelzt mein Silber ein

Verkauft, verpfändet meine SchlösserLeihet

Auf meine Güter in Provence-Macht Alles Zu Gelde und befriediget die Truppen !”

Well might the enamoured monarch feel the sentiments of grateful admiration for these disinterested services of his fair Agnès, which Schiller has made him utter so nobly:

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