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A UTHOR :
TITLE:
GOODRICH,
SAMUEL ...
PICTORAL
HISTORY OF FRANCE
PLACE:
PHILADELPHIA
DA TE :
1874
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT
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Goodrich, Samuel Grlswold, 1793-1860
A pictorial history of Franco for ihe use of
ed. brought down to the present time. Philadel.
phia, Butler, 1874.
360 ?• illus., ports., map. 19 cm. •
Illua. t— p.
;?3751
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LIBRARY
PICTORIAL
F R A N C E.
FOR THE USE OF SCnOOLS.
HV S. G. GOODIUCIJ.
AUrnOIt OF PKTEK I'AKI.Ey S TALES.
r.EYl.SEl) AND IMPROVED EDITION
UROUGIIT VOWS To HIE PRESENT TIME.
PIllLAlJELl'lllA:
PUBLISHED BV J. H. BIJTLKK .S: (X>
1H74.
Kntertil ucccrdiuj:; to Act of Conj^ress, iu the year 1842, V>y
S. O. (JOODUICII.
In t > Clerk's Omce of the District Court of M:u*s;i<hu.<tltj»
PREFACE.
In tlie preparation ot the following pages, it is proper to say, that t le
writer has been largely assisted by Mrs. 31arkham's History of France,
especially in the details which relate to the manners and customs ofdi^
ferent ages, and the progress of civilization.
The work is particularly designed tor schools, and therefore especia
elTurts have been made to render it interesting and instructive j to keep
the general thread of the narrative clearly in view, while a variety of in
cidents are thrown in, illustrative of events, and reflecting light upon thr-
spirit of the age.
The history of France occupies so large a space in the general history
of EurojK}, and is so interwoven with that of surrounding nations, that
It Incomes, of necessity, to a considerable extent, a history of Europe
It is believed., that, as an introduction to the study of European History,
this work may prove useful.
Entered, iiocoraing to Act of Congress, in the year 1S55, by
S. (5. (;(H)1)KICII,
Id th« Clerk's OfTue of (he Di.-trirt C"urt of the Southern District of New York.
Entered accord injj; to Act of CoTi.iires.s, in the year 1"^71, •'.>
TIIK IIKIR.S OF S. G. (JOODRICH,
III tlie Othce of til.' Mhnirian of Congreistj, at Washington.
i
D
3
"":>
d
STANDARD
IIISTOIMCAL SCHOOL SERIES
BY S. G. GOODRICH.
1. GOODRTCirS PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
AND OTHER PORTIONS OF AMERICA.
2. GOODRICHS PICTORIAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
3 GOODRICH'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FRANCE.
4. GOODIlRllS PICTORIAL HISTORY OF GREECE, ANCIENT
AND MODERN.
5. GOODRICH'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF ROME AND MODERN
IT.\LY.
6. GOODRICH.— PARLEY'S COMMON SCHOOL HISTORY— A Brief
COMPEND OF UnIVEKSAL HiSTORY.
7. 'iOODRICirS FIRST HISTORY— An Introduction to PARLBY*g Com
MON SCIOOI HlSTORr.
294424
Ji
'. '■%-
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION
JdAPTBR I -Boundaries, Extent, Climate, ^ .9
II. —About the Towns, Cities, and Inhabitant* »f France, ... II
III. —The Inhabitanta of France, 13
HISTORY.
I. — About the early Inhabitants of France, IC
II. — The Romans comjuer France, 19
in. — About the Franks, who drove the Romans out of France. — Phara-
mond. — Clodion. — Meroveus. — The long-haired Kings. — (.hilder
ic. — Clovis is converted to Christianity by his wife Clotilda. — The
sacred Phial 20
IV. — The Superstition of Clovis. — The Salic Laws. — Anecdote of CloTis
and the Soldier, 23
V. — About the Merovingian Kings who succeeded Clovis. — The Mayors of
the Palace, and the Fain^ans or Sluggards, •25
VI. — Review of the Merovingian Period of French History, .... 28
VII. — About King Pepin the Short, 31
VIII. — About Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, 39
IX — Continuation of the Reign of Charlemagne. — The Normans, , . 35
X. — De.ilh and Burial of Charlemagne, ... .... 36
XI. — About Louis the Good-natured 37
XII. — Of Charle.s the Balil. and the Language spoken in F*rancc, ... 39
XIII. — Account of the Feudal System 40
XIV. — The Feudal System, continued, 42
XV. — RoUo the Norman establishes himself in Fnmce. — The Counts of
Paris become more powerful than the King 43
XVI. —The Race of Cliarlemagne lose the Throne of France, . . , . <**
XVII. —General Remarks \\\yon France during the Citrl.ivingian Dyttaety, . . 5(1
XV'III. — Fnmce UHiler Hugh Gipel ffk
XIX. — Literature of France in the Tenth Century 53
^X. —The People believe the World to be coming l<> an end. — Cxcomnumi
c.-\linn of King Rolierl and its Consequences 56
XXI. — !Vew Style of Dress introduced. — Anecdotes if Iving R^tbei I. — Hi*
Death, ge
XXII. — Reign of Henry I. — Henry sends to Muarnv y ,ir Russia for a Wife, . 58
XXin. — Chivalry. — Education of a Knight. — Ann-" -.f i Knight, . . .60
XXIV. — Effect of Chivalry up«in the Condition of ilie People, . . . . (B
XXV. — Philip tlie First. - Villiain the Conquer .r .m.l his Son Robert. . . 63
1
s
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION
JatPTBR I - Boundaries, Extent, Clinialc, &c .9
II — About the Towns. Cities, amllnhabitanta »f France, ... II
III. —The IiihahiuntJ of France 13
HISTORY.
I. — Al)out the early I iihal)ilant9 of France, 18
II. — The Rotnans com iner France, 19
III. — About the Franks, who drove the Romans out of France. — i*hara-
moiul. — CUulion. — Meroveiis. — The Ion?- haired Kings. — ( hilder
ic. — Clovis is convened to Christianity by his wife Clotilda. — The
sacred Phial, 20
IV. — The Su|>erstition of Clovis. — The Siilic Laws. — Anecdote of Clovis
and the Soldier 23
V. — Alwul the Merovingian Kings who succeeded Clovis. — The Mayors of
the Palace, and the Fain^ans or Slu??ards, •25
VI. — Review of the Merovingian Perioil of French History, . ... 28
VII. — About King Pepin the Short 31
VIII. — Alxiut Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, .32
IX. — Continuation of the Reign of Charlemagne. — The Ni»rmans, . . 35
X. — Derilh iwid Burial of Charlemagne, ... .... 36
XI. — AtxHit I.,ouis the Good-natured 37
XII. — Of Charles the Bald, and the Language s[K)ken in France, ... 39
XIII. — Account of the Feudal System, 40
XIV. — The Feudal System, continued, 42
XV. — Rollo the .Norman establishes iiim.self in Frime. — The Counla of
Paris become more fxiwerful than the King 43
XVI. —The Race of Charlemagne lose the Throne of France, ....<'*
XV'II. — General Remarks ui>oii France during the CMil.iviiigian Dyitaaty, . . &(»
XVMI. — France under Hugh Ca|)el b'2
XIX — Literature of France in the Tenth Century 53
^X. —The People believe the World to be coming t<> an end. — Excomnumi
cation of Ki.'ie Ro'ieri and it.s Consequence.-' 56
^Xl —New Style of Dresi i i it roduced. — Anecdote- •>! Iving Rolieit. --Hi9
I»ealli 56
XXII. — Reign of Henry I — Henry sends to Mu.^rnw ..r iiiissia for a Wife, . 58
XXIII. — Chivalry. — Eduratioii of a Knight. —Arm-' ..f i Knight, . . .60
IXIV. — Effect of Chivalry upon the Coridition of 1 lie IVopie, .... 82
XXV. — Philij) the Fir.-l - Villiam ilie Comnifr >r md tiis .'nmi Rolnrt . .63
1
il
lit!
CONTENTS.
II
I'aj»
Cn4nrm . . . ^
XXVI — Account of Ihc Crusailes, • '
XXVI - Cause, of the Zeal of the Cn.sa.lcn, - The first Bund set out unde
Peter the H,nnit and Walter the Penniless. - They never reach the
■ • • • n<
KXVIM - IvWe all^ufthe fiist Crusade. -Th^ Kingdo'.n > fJerusalem f.unded, 5S
XXIX. - The Knights of I.M, Temple and of St. John. - The Ch.ld's Crusade. . -
X\\ — Wretched Coadilion of France under Phihp I. . • * ' ' *
Xxi' - Reign of Louis VI.. surnan.ed the Fat. -Tlu Condition of the Co.n- ^ ^
mon People improves, ' * ' '. ,
XXXIl.- Melancholy DeathofPriace William of Englar d. -France ,s attacked ^^
by powerful Enemies, .■..,*.'" i..*,
XXXIll.-The Oriflamme is unfurled. -A French Prince k.Ued by a h-?^!*^' ^ ^^
Accident, ' * ' ,.' , r i ^w« 77
XXXIV -The Progress of Learning.- About the Troutadours -C....rt> -f Uve, 77
XXXV. -Reign of Louis VII.- The second Crusade, . . ■ ■ ^*
XXXVI — More alwut the second Crusade, . . • • • • ' ' ^
V WVII - Illustrations of the Manners of the Age of Louts \ M . • • •
XKkZ. - Perfulious Onuluct of Louis Vll.-He .uakes a P.l.r.nn.e t<. the
Shrine of ThomasABecket.- Death of Ia.u,s\ II
XXXIX - Philip II., surnamed Augustus. - Improven.enl ol Pans • • "
xl -Third Cnusade, under Kichard the Lion-hearted and Ph.l.p Augustus.
- Captivity of Richard. - Saladin the Great ' ^ '
XLI. - The fourth Crusade. - The Venetians make a hard Rirgain w.th the ^
Crusaders, .*,,',* ' oi
XLII - Conti.u.ation of the fourth Crusade. - Constantinople taken, • ' '^^
XLIIi:- Philip gets possession of Nornuu^dy.- Battle of Bouv.n^,. . - ^
XL V - Crusade against the Albigenses. - The French mvade England, . . 94
i^V. _ LUelur^of the Time of Ph.lip Augustus. _ Fablieux and Romances. ^
— The nflh Crusade ' / * *».»,-
„ f I ...ioVlII the Lion. — Queen Blanche governs lh«
XLVl. —Short Reiiin of I-ouis N lii-, i»e i^iuii. v^ . . 97
Kinuduni as Kc^enl, .J *o- t •' oa
XI VII - Anecd .te of Queen Blanche. - (M.aracler of Uuis IX. . or St. Lou.S, . 98
XLVII. - Anecu ^^ ^ Prisoner. - He is released upon
XLVIIl. — The sixth Crusade. — M. Loui^ i.iKtn ru»uii ^ ^
Pavm.Mit of a lariie Kan.som, . • • '■',.* * /
XUX.-m^e uU... St. l.oui. -Hi» Lova of Justice. - The Parhnn.en. of ^^^_
Paris. — Betl of Justice ^^^
I. - Seventh Crusade. - Death of St. Uu.is, ^
f , -AlK.nt Lord Jouiville.- A Chateau, . . • • " ' " '
LI. — AiHMu L.» 1 . , r. I I TU^ Ktne's Barber —The Romance
LII. — Phili|) III-, surnamed ihe B..ld.- The Kmg s Baroer. ^^
LIU. - Trills* by''th?Judgn,aU of G^d. - Ordeals and Judicial Combats. ^^^^
Sti.ry of the Dou: of Monurgis,
1 IV - The Sirilian Vespors. - Death of Philip the Bold, . . • • • «
, V P ilin , ho Fair. -Sumptuary Uws.-Cnrious Fashions of Dre«. • Hr.
;v,.Ipe2.l!rsLductof Philip the Fair.-War with the Flemmg. - ^^^
The French suffer a great Defeat, ^^^
j.Vll. — Destruction of the Knights Templars, ^^^
f VIII AUuit Tournaments , * ,>, r>u»..«.
LIX.-i^rideof the Fren.h Nobles.-The Stales-General. -Cunous Charge ^^^
IX -DeatroTLi.sX.lThe Silic Law confirmed. - About the J«W8. - ^^^
Chiules the F lir. - The • loral Games, . . • •
Ca«PT«R
LXI
LXII
LXI II
IJtIV.
IJCV.
LXVI.
IXVII.
LXVIII.
L.XIX.
LXX.
LXXI
lA'XlI.
LXXIII.
LXXIV.
I.XXV.
LXX VI.
LXXVII.
I -XX VIII.
I -XX IX
LXXX.
LXXXI.
LXXXII.
LXXXIII.
I.XXXIV.
CONTF^TS. n
Pam
— Philip VI. of Valois - Edward does homage for Guienn?. - Bravery
of the Countess de Montfort, 120
— Biilile of CrtMjy.— Cannon.— The Galwlle, 12;^
— Sie^e of Calais. — Heroic Conduct of Six of ihe Citizens, . . , I'M
— Why the eldest Son of the King of Franco is called the Dauphin. —
Biittle of Poictiers. — Moderation of the Black Princo, . , .125
— In.->urrection of the Pea-sanls, called the Jacquerie. — Great Feat of
three Knights, 127
— How King Edward is induced to make Peace with France. — Honora-
ble Conduct of King John 128
— The daily Occurrences in the Streets of Paris. — Charaaer of various
Naiioiis. — Alxiut Astrolocy 129
— AlNiut (.'hades V.. surnamed ilie Wise. — The Kuyal Library at Paris.
— The Co:i.stal>le du Guesi'.lin, 130
— The Literature ami Painting of the Reign of Charles the Wise. — How
llie Kui!.' lived 132
— The Edncaiion of the Lidies of the Fourteenth Century, . . 134
— More alHiut the I^idies of the Fourteenth Century, 136
-ClurhM VI., surnamed the WcllBelovtHl, 137
— AlNxit Mysteries and IVIoral it ie.-», 133
— Siiiijuliir Preparations f.>r ilie Iiiva.sion of England. — Melancholy Sto-
ry of Charles the Well Beloved 140
— Battle of Agincourt. —The Game of Cards intrinluced. — Meaning of
the Figures on till! Cards, 142
— Charles VII , surnamed the Victorious. —The Maid of Orleans . 144
— More alxiut the Mai«l of Orleans, . . 145'
— I»e.uh of the Maid of Orleans. —Charles returns to Paris. Dre.nlfut
Famine and Pestilence, J47
— Wicked Conduct of tlie Dauphin, and unhappy Di-ali of Charles the
Victorious. - Sini;ular Fa.shions in Dre.ss 148
-l»uisXI. - Til.' I -.'ague of the Public GihkI ISQ
— AI)out Burgundy. - l^mi.s a Prisoner to diaries ihe Bold. - The Per-
fidy of I.ouis meets its due [•uni.sinn.-nl, 151
— Meeting Ix-nvcen l^uis XI and KdvvanI IV - .Alioni Switzerland, . 152
— Marv of Bnriinndv, ... tr^
— About I-oiiis XI - Hi ; SiiNTslition - Tbe Ka.al Anuisements. — Rat
"""""■- • - 165
— Chirles VIII., surnamed the Oiurtei.us. - Anne <•( Beaujeau governs
the Kingdom.— Charles wins the Hand of the Heiress of Brittany, 157
-Charles invades Italy —His rapid Succes..^ and its Cnsepiences.—
Retires from Ii.dy. — Gains ihe Battle <.f Fomnva, . . . .159
Sudden Change in tbe Conduct of Charles the O.mrteous. — The Man-
ner of his Death and bis Cliriractt^r iflQ
Louis XIJ., called the Father of his People.— A l).iui Cardinal d'Am-
boise, his wi.se Minister. - More of Aime of Brittany, . . , i«i
Singular Ceremony performed by the Nobles of Castile. — Alx)ut Isa-
Iwlla of Cii-siile liu
Ambitious Project of Po|)e Juliiis 11. -The Uague of Cambray —
Change in the regular Habits of L. uis Xll. causes his Death, . . 161
AJ)oul Francis I. _i.;„iiP3 firgt ap|.oar hi Court. — Change in the
Fas^pp ':f Dressing the Hair. — War in I:h v, . . . . {0
j^ CONTEN I>5.
PaoI
'^HAPTBR
" XCIl. - Extensive Posaesa.Jns of the Emperor Charles \ - Rivalry between
Charles V. and F-ancisl.-A»)out CardinnlWc bey, ' * ,,-
XCIII. -The Field of the Cloth of Gold. - Wicked Conduct of Louisa of Savoy 170
XCIV. — Alwut the Constable de Bourlion. - His unfortunate Falc.-Charlte
V. gains an unexpected Advantage over his Rival « »
XCV -Charles visits Francis in Prists. - Charles releases Francis. -A'wut
vhe Chevalier Bayard, the Knight without Fear and without Ke- ^^^
proach _,
XCVI — The Ladies' Peace. — About the Architecture of the French, . . • I '»
XCVII. - More about French Architecture. - A Six Years' Summer and its Con-
sequences,
XCVUL - Death of Francis I., calletl the Father and Restorer of Letters and the
Arts. — Henry II. marries Catherine deMedicis, '77
XCIX- Charles V. resigns his great Power of his own Accord. -How he
spcn*. his Time in his Retirement, , u '
C - Battle of St. Quentin. - Philip of Spain's two Vows. - Palace of the
Escurial.- Calais taken from the English. - Henry killed at a
Tournament, *r«v 'u '
CL- About the Refonnation- Martin Luther. -John Calvin. -The Hu-
, . . loA
guenots, , , , u
GIL -The Family of Guise l«come powerful. - Pen^eculions of the Hu-
guenots. - The Psalm:* of David proscribed as heretical, . . 18J
ail - More alxnit the Hu-nenols. -Trial and Condemnation of the Prince
of Cond*. — Death of Francis II., and its Consequences, . . . 1»5
CrV. - Catherine dc Medicis. - Invention of Side-saddles in France. - Anec-
dotes of Catherine's Belief in Magic *^°
OV. - About Charles IX. -The Triumvirate. - Commencement of the Civil
CVI —War between the Roman Catholics and Huguenots. — Death of the
Duke of Guise. -Singular Fate of his Assassin. — Present from
Elizabeth, Queen of England, to the Huguenots, and their Return
for it. — Arms in use at this Period .190
CVn. - War with the Huguenots renewed. - Death of the Prince of Conde. -
About the Bearnois. — Their Dress '9'
CVIII - About Henry Prince of Beam, aflerwar.ls Henry the Great. - By thi
Death of his Mother he becomes King of Navarre. - His Marriage.
— Calm before a Tempest, ^
CIX — The Massacre of St. Bartholomew ''•'
ex. -The Duke of Anjou elected King of Poland. - About the Polish En-
voys and the enterlainn.ents given to them. —The superior L-^arn
ing of the Poles, '
CXI -Sufferings and Death of Charles IX. -Conduct of his Mother. - He
finds one Friend. -The Chancellor THopilal makes great Reforms
in tlie Administration of Justice, '•
CXIl. - About Henry III. - He leaves Polanf with Delight. -His Habits and
Amusements. - His Mode of Expressing Grief fcr the Death of a
Friend,
OXin. -About the League. - A Plea to exclude Henry of Navarre from the
Throne. — War of the three Henrys. - Death of the Prince of
Conde, rnw
CXrV. — Plots of the Duke of Guise. - Murder of the Duke. — Death of Cath-
erine 3e Medicis, .
CXV.
CXVI.
#
p CX\ u.
rxviii.
cxix.
cxx.
cxxi.
cxxii
::xxiii.
cxxiv.
cxxv.
CXXVI.
cxx VII,
CXXVIII.
XXIX.
^oxxx.
CXXXI.
CXXXII
CXXXIII.
CXXXI V.
cxxxv.
CXXXVI.
CXXXVII.
-:.xxxviii.
''^XXXIX.
/ CXL.
CXLI.
CXLII.
CXLIII.
CXLIV.
CXLV.
CXL VI.
/
CfJNTRNTS f
1*4 te
— Decree o, the Doctor* of the Sorbonne against Henry. — He seeks Aid
from IL 5 King of Navarre. — Death of Henry III., the last of the
House of V'alois. -General Character of that Race of Kings, . . 2i)
— Effects of the Civil Wars on the Condition and Manners of the French
People. — AlK>iil the Soldiers. —The Authors of this Period. — Daily
Life of aSchooltxty, '^i:,
— About Henry IV., called the Great. — Story of the Woodcutter who
wished to see the King, 20.'i
— Siege of Paris. — Magnanimous Conduct of Henry IV 2U7
— Henry IV. becomes a Catholic. —Joy of the Parisians. — About the
Regalia of France 207
— More about Henry IV. —The Etlict of Nantes. —The Way in which
he put down Insurrections. — His Marriage, 203
— Of Dress and other Personal Matters, 210
— Of the Furniture. — Of the Authors of the Time of Henry IV., . 211
— The Duke of Sully, 212
— Henry's Plan for a Christian Republic. —Omens, and his Opinion of
them 213
— Coronation of the Queen. — Death of Henry IV^, 21'j
— Character of Mary de Medicis. — She is a Patron of the Arts. — Mar-
shal d'Ancre. — The King's Favorite, de Luynea. — An old Charge of
Sorcery revived, 2I6
— Slate of Manners in the Time of Louis XlII 2I8
— Fashions of Dress in the Time of Louis XI II. 219
— Cardinal Richelieu. —The Siege of Rocholle, 22U
— Death of Richelieu. — His Patronage of ihe Arts and Literature. — Cor-
neille. — Moliere. —The French Academy. — The Garden of Plants,
— The first Newspaper 222
— Death of Ixiuis XIII. — Character of Cardinal Mazzarin. — The Treaty
of Westphalia, 223
— War of the Fronde 224
— Character of Marshal Turenne. — Treaty of the Pyrenees. — Death of
Cardinal Mazarin. — Character of Louis XIV. at that Period, . 22li
— Lnii.s XIV. invades Flanders.- Is compelled to retire and to make
^^^^^ 22s
— Louis XIV. declares War against Holland. - His rapid Conquests in
that Cdiiniry, Qog
— The Situation u( Holland appears to be desjierate. — The Prince of
Orange, afterwards William III. of England, takes the Command.—
The Peace of Nimeguen, 231
— The Palace at Versailles. —The various Manufactures inlrtxluced into
France by Colbert.— The Canal of Unguedoc, 23£
-The Literature of the Age of Louis XIV., 234
■The Churchmen of the Time of Ixjuis XIV., * . 236
— General Manners and Customs ^ ^ 237
— Madame de Maintenon.— The Duchess of Burgundy 538
— The Duke of Burgundy —The Dauphin ' , 2-10
— Revocati(.n of i.ie Edict of Nantes. — Persecution of the HufuenoU, 243
-Continuation of the Persecution of the Huguenots, .... 244
-New War in Europe. — Peace of Ryswick, 345
— New Object of Ambition to Louis. — Proposed Partition of Spain . 9M
1*
•,it
yi CON I K.N I>.
Chawbr *'*'*•
CXLVIl. — Philip of Anjoj.GraiuliJoiiof Loui3, -ecomes King of. Spain. - Anoii cr
War in Europe '^'
CXLVIIl. —The French siifTer many Defeats. — Capture of Gibraltar by the Eng-
liah • • ' f**
CXLIX. — lx>ui3 reduced to a very didtres^ed Condilioa. — Peace of Utrecht, . 25f)
CL. _D<Mnestic Afflictions of Louis XIV. — His Death, '-^''1
CLI. — Character and Habits of Louis XIV. — Great Change in the Character
oftheNoblea, 2.0.3
CLIl. — The Duke of Orleans appointed Regent. — IVIi.ssi.s.sippi Scheme. . v54
CI.III. —The Pestilence at Marseilles. —The Ijenevolenl Bishop 2iVi
CLIV.—1/Ouis XV. — Hi.^ Character ^y
CLV. — Cardinal Fleury. — The Nobles, . . '-^'^
(JLVI. — Maria Theresa and the Hungarians 260
CLVII. — A Tribute to Merit —Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. — How Louis XV.
came to be surnamed the Well Beloved 2G1
CLVIII. —The Military Schcxils established. —Fashions of Dress. —The Arts, 262
CLIX. — The old French War. — The Seven Years' War. — Quebec taken from
the French. —Canada conquered by the British, 263
CLX.— The Silhouette Style.- The Family Compact. — France reduced to a
very low Slate, ^^
CLXI. — Good Character of the Dauphin. — His Death. —The Philosophers. —
Voltaire and Rousseau 265
\OLXII. — Disputes Ixjtween the Jesuits and Janseni.sts. —The King quarrels with
the Parliamentii. — Life at Chanteloup 267
CLXin. — Lettresde Cachet. —Abuse of Power by Richelieu 26.3
CLXrV. — Death of Ix)ui3 XV. -About Frederic II. of Prussia, called the Great, 269
CLXV. — Louis XVI., surnamed the Desired. — Marie Antoinette, his Queen, . 271
CIXVL — More ab«iut Marie Antoinette. — Monsieur, afterwards Louis XVIIL —
The Count d'Artois, afterwards Charles X., 273
CLXVIL — Dr. Franklin in Paris. — Revolutions in Dress, 275
CLXVIII. — Turcot. — Necker. — The American Revolutionary War. — La Fayette, 277
CLXIX. — Events which preceded the French Revolution, 278
CLXX. —The Duke of Orleans. — Madame de Genlis. —The Duke de Charlres,
now Louis Philippe. — Mirabeau, 2S0
CLXXl. — Meeting of the Slates-General. —The Jacobin Club. — A Royal Session.
— Meeting at the Tennis Court, 281
CLXXIl. — The Royal Session held. — Indignant Speech of Count Mirabeau.—
The tri-colored Cockade adopted. —The National Guard organized.. 283
CLXXIII. — Commencement of the French Revolution. —The Bastile destroyed. —
The King and Queen deserted, 2.94
CLXXIV. — Abolition of Titles. — Character of Necker. —The Poissardes. — The
King brought to Paris, 235
CLXXV.— The Confederation. —The Emigrants form an Army, . ... 236
CLXXVI.— The Flight to Varennes, 2S7
•'I AX VII. —The Flight to Varennes, continued, 288
;i..\'XVHl. — Great Change in the Personal Appearance of the Queen.— The Emi-
grants receive Assistance, -"^
CLXXIX. — The 10th of August, 1792.— The King deposed. — Royal Family im-
prisoned ^^
•"I ,XXX. — The first Year of the Republic. — The Jacobins become ihrt Rulers, . 291
CLXXXI. — Trial and Death of Louis XVI. 293
CLXXXII. — The Dauphin, called Louis XVII., 294
rLXXXIIL — The Fate of the Rest of the Royal Family 295
CLXXXIV. — Succesa of the French Army. — Spirit of the People, . . .297
CONTENTS.
Vll
Chapter
CLXXXV.
CLXXXVl
CIXYXVII
t.?-\xxvni
•;l.\xxix
cxc.
cxci.
CXCII.
CXCIII.
CXCIV.
CXCV.
CXCVI.
CXCVII.
CXC\III.
CXJIX.
cc.
CCI.
ecu.
CCI 1 1.
CCIV.
CCV.
CCVI.
CCVII.
CCVIII.
CCIX.
ccx
CCXI.
CCXII.
CCXIII.
ccxiv.
CCXV.
CCXVL
ccx VI I.
ccx VIII..
crxix.
ccxx.
CCXXI.-
• Pagi
— The Reign of Terror 29P
— Napoleon Bonaparte, 299
— Bonaixirte selected for a difficu'l Service. — His Success, and its Re-
ward —His Marriage, 302
— Another Change in the Const! ;ution of Governmert —Commence-
ineiit of the CaiMp.Ti:,'n in Itily, 303
— More alxiut the Italian Camjxiien. — Battle of I/kU. — Taking of Ar-
eola. — Bdiiajiartc saved by his Grenadiers, ..... 304
— INIore alK>ul Napoleon Bonajiarte 305
— CoiichLsion of the Italian War. -Treaty of Leoben, .... 306
— Life at Montebello. —Peace of Oampo Formio, 308
— Bonaparte's Ilereption at Paris. — Description of his Appearance at
Ibis Time. — A new Expedition, 309
— The Expedition to Egypt, 3i(.t
— Triumphal Progress of Bonaparte through France. -Is made First
Consul, 313
— The Pa.-<sage over Mount St. Bernard, 314
— Battles of ]\Iareiig<» and Hohenlinden. — Peace of Luneville and of
Amiens, 315
— Napoleon elected Emperor r»f the French 318
— War reneweil. — Bjitlle of Austerlitz. — Peace of Presburg. — Column
in the Place Vendome 31^
— The Battle of Trafalgar. — More Victories of Napoleon. — The Peace
of Tilsit. — Meeting of Emperors, 321
— The Queen of Prus-sia. — Napileon makes new Kinffs, . . . . 32i
— Austria is again suUliied. — Peace of Vienna. — Marriage of Napt>.
leon with Maria I><iuisa, 324
— Disastrous Russian Campaign. — Burning of Moscow. — De.struction
of the Grand Army, 32f
— France is invaded by her Enemies. —Abdication of Napoleon, . 329
— Of the Parisians g-j^
— I^iiiis X VHI. railed to the Throne. — Return of Napoleon from Elba.
— Hi.s Rerepi ion in France, 331
-The Allies agaio make War upon France.- Battle of Waterloo, . 33:]
-Napoleon is sent to St. Helena. — His Death 335
— Death of Marshal Ney. — Escape of Lavallelie, 336
— State of Parties in France, 337
-Charles X. — The Liberal Party gains Strength. — War with Algiers, 339
— Commencement of the Revolution o' the Three Days, . . . 34C
-Conclusion of the Rov(dution. — La Fayette again in conniKind of
the National (Jnard, . . »,,
'•••••... t>41
— Louis Philippe call, d to the ThroiH-, 3^2
— Louis Napoleon IJ(mapart<', qi«
-Perjury <.f I^.uis Napohon.-Thn Coup d'Ktat.-Destruction of
tlio Kt'public — The Knipiio .^^g
-K*if;nof XapoUon III. — Crimean and Italian Wars. — Kx| • di-
tion to Mtxico.— Enibullishment of Paris. — Profligacy of tl...
Court. — Degeneracy of the People ' . ,3.-0
-War with Prussia. — Revolution in Franco, .... 363
-The Siege of Paris. — Surrender of Metz. — Negotiations for
^^'*^^' 355
-The Terms of Peace. — Entry of the Germans into Paris.— Civil
War. — Conclusion, ge-
-Tablts of Royal Families, gjp
\
i
FRANCE AS IT NOW IS.
CHAPTER I.
Boundaries, Extent, Climate, ^c.
1. France is one of tlie most important states in Europe. It is
wtuated in the western part of Eiirojn?, and lies about three thousand
two hundred miles east (.f the United Stales. By looking at the map
on the next pape, it will he perceived that it is hounded on the south
by Spain and the Mediternineati Sea; on the east bv Sardinia, Swit-
j^M-luMd :md n r M..,v . i „,rih bv Belgium and the English
Channel, and on the west by the Bay of Biscay, which is a part
(»t tlie Atlantic Ocean. Corsica, a fine island in the Mediter-
ranean, belongs to France.
2. Tiie most famous rivers of France are the Garonne, the Loire,
t:.e Rhone, and the Seine. The Pyrenees are a range of liio-ii
mountains between France and Spain ; and tlie Ali)s sej>:irrte
/nfn.du.'l-o>,.-CHAP I vpfsp I Wluu ..f Fra.ic.u? In what part of Kun lie la
hranre / Point t..vvar.l-< Fra, ..•,;. H..w lir otT is France from lh« Uniteil Slal«-s / H(.«»
IS hraiir.e lxiiiii.le.1 -Ml the Morih / Fast? South? VVent / What of Corsica ? 2. Wha'
•ire I ho tnosi fim-tis rivers of France? Which wav does the Oaronie flow? Whet*
Joe-s It empty ? Which way .Im!^ the Kh'nie flow ? Where does ii einpiv ? Which wav
iW«iheSeiiie rt..w? Where does it empty ? What of the Pyrenees! The Alps? Thi
10
INTRODUCTION.
1NTIUH>UCTI0N.
11
: i
France from SwitzcrlaiMl and Italy. In the centre of the kingdom is a
chain of nKninlains calli-d the Ccvennes.
8. France is about OOU miles Ion*?, and nearly as wide. It coit
tains 2i>.'),(H)U s«inare miles; and is almost twice as large as (Jreal
Britain, and four times as large as the state of New York. Its l»>pii-
lation is nearly fortv millions, about equal to that of the I nitod
States. France is divitled into departments somewhat like our
coimties. These dei)artments arc generally named from the rivers
that run through them. A Jfap of France follows.
S Q I^ A AT w
IV^
L:~
#OV|.
s<-
UNCty
,> ...LI
'•^y"}^ ^ s~dP
P-~5i
^''fst
1? <
\JOtlcif
'<^.:^
'^:x^
- * Q
15
-^
Vi
Terul ^
4^/^
4. The climate of France is very pleasant. At Paris, the weathci
IS much the same as at Washington ; at Marseilles, it is warmer, and
resembles that of Charleston, in South Carolina. The traveller in
France will observe that the people are able to live a great deal ou«
of doors, which gives the country a lively and cheerful aspect.
5. It is a very fruitful country, producing great quantities of wheal,
Cevennesi 3. Lenirlh of France 7 Width? Its extent? Population? Departments'/
4 Climate? Weather at Paris ? At M>rdeilles? 5. Productions of France?
' Questions on thf Map. Which vvaj is Paris from London? (.^isica ft jm Pans I
DirectioTi of the (ollowin? places from Pat is — Toulouse ? Mar.-^eiUcs ' Lyons .' Rheims 1
Nismesi R<jn3eaix ? Metz? Orleans? Calais? Nanus? Brest? Ha-^ie? Soiasor.sl
rye, oats and barley ; it abounds in fruits, such us cherries, grapea,
figs, peaches, &c. From the grapes large quantities of wine are
made.
CHAPTER II.
About the Toimis, Cities, and hihabitants of France,
Palace of the Tuikrtes.
1. Paris is one of the gayest and most beautiful cities in tlie
world. It is enclosed by a wall, and contains about two millions
of inhabitants. The river Seine passes through the city, and is
crossed by several beautiful bridges.
/.>,
HI
5 Philippe and Mana Amelia^ the last King and Queen of Pance,
2. Among the fine buildings of Paris, the palace of the Tuileriws
takes the first rank It was the favorite residence of the King« of
'•I.— I What of Paris? The wall? The Seine ? 2. What of the Ti ii»-ie» ? Wnt
10
INTPvOnUCTION.
lNTI{ul>l < 1 inx
11
¥
hi}
i
iM-aiirc fn»iii Swit/crl.tiMl a.ul Italy, lii tliu (viitiv of tlw Uing<loui is a
chain of iiiotmlains calK-il ilu- t 'i'Vi'iiMcs.
:j. FraiM'i- is aUoul «i()0 miles lon^', ami m-arly as \\'n\v. li coir
tains -Ji »•">,'»; M. ) s.jiiar-' miK-> ; and i- ainu.sl twice* as lar-:.' a^ <ircal
r.ritain, aial t<.i;r times as lar-c as tlic state of New York, l.s popu-
lation is iicarlv forty millions, alxnit c<jual t(» that of the I nitr.l
State-. Trance is "(livi<le«l into «le|tarlmenl> somewhat like our
oinuie^. These departments are -iiierally named from the rivers
iha! run !lirou<;h them
A M<ii> •>/ Fninn: follows
' -^^h
rr-
4. The climate of France is very pleasant. At Paris, the weathri
js mueh the same as at Washinffton ; at Marseilles, it is warmer, anil
resembles that of Charleston, in South Carolina. The traveller in
Franee will observe that the people are able to live a great ileal ou«
of doors, which ffives the country a lively and cheerful aspect.
5. It is a very fruitful country, producing great quantities of wheat,
Ceveiinesl 3 Length of France? \Vi(Jth? Its extent? Population? Deparlmenla ?
4 Climate? Weather at Paris ? At M>r^eille3? 5. Productions of France?
Q»/^.^7to^•s on thp Map. Wliich wav id Paris from London? (,>isiC4i fK>ni Pans/
DirectioT! of the (ollowin? place? fnim Put is — Toulouse ? Mar^'oilU^a Lyons / Uheims 1
Ni3mes' R.jrde;»ix? Melz? Orleans? Calais? Nantes? Brest? Ha-'ie? Soiasonsl
A
rye, oat.s and barley ; it abounds in fruits, sueli us cherries, grapes,
tigs, peaches. &c. From the grapes large quantities of wine are
made.
CHAPTER 11.
About the Towns, Cities, and Inhabitants of France,
Palace of the Tuiknts.
1. Farls iri one of the gayest and most beautiful cities in the
w<Mld. It is enclosed by a wall, and ('<»ntaiiis about two millions
of inhabitants. The river Seine passes through the city, and ia
cro.-jsed by several beautilul bridges.
'.•>ui$ Philippe and Maria Amelia, the last King and Queen of F"ance.
'2. Among the fine buildings of Paris, the palace of the Tuileriea
'akes the first rank It was the favorite residence of the King* of
H.— 1 What of Paris? The wall? The Seine? 2 What of the Ti iiu-ies ? Vfn»
12
INTKODUCTION.
France, for many years. The last king wlio lived there was Louw
Philippe; he came to the throne in 1830, hut in 1848 he was driven
away by the people, and fled to Ix)ndon. Al the present time (1871)
France is in a state of anarchy, and can hardly be said to possess a
government. ^ r^ . x %k jx •
3. Among the other splendid edifices of Pans are the Mad* «me
Church, the Exchange, the Church of Notre Dame, the Pantheon, the
Chamber of Deputies, the Council of State, and the Hotel de \ die,
or City Hall.
4. The public gardens of Paris are very beautiful and attractive,
riiat of the Tuileries is laid out with neat gravel walks, and is
ornamented by statues, fountains, trees, and [lowering plants. It C(.n-
lains about 70 acres, and is in the heart of the city. It is the resort
of the people of leisure, and every fine day thousands of persons ma>
be seen here. Among these, there are always hundreds of young chil-
dren, with their nurses, giving a very lively appearance to the scene.
5. The Garden of Plants is in the eastern part of the city, and la
filled with curious and interesting objects. It has an immense variety
of plants and fiovvers, besides large mustMims of various curiosities.
It has also a collection of rare animals, from all quarters of the globe.
6. The Elysian Fields consist of extensive pleasure-gn)unds, laid
out with broad avenues, and decorated by foresrtrecs. The avenues
are the daily resort of hundreds of carriages of every description, and
thousands of people, drawn hither for amusement and recreation.
7. Among the streets of Paris, that of the Boulevards is the most
celebrated. This is several miles in length ; here are the finest shops,
and here is the greatest throng of people. Every fair day, this street
is filled with crowds of persons, who seem to be seeking pleasure and
pastime. Many of the buildings are seven stories high, and many are
in a very rich style of architecture. The beautiful shops, the gay
moving throng, the superb edifices — all together form a spectacle of
elegance and luxury rivalled by no other street in the world.
8. Paris is more interesting from the fact that the people are polite
and cheerful, and always seem to pay respect to a stranger, as if they
desired to make him feel happy and at home. One may spend a year
in looking at the pictures, statues, gardens, edifices libraries, and
institutions, of this famous city.
9. A very curious thing respecting Paris is, that beneath the city, at
Ihe depth of several hundred feet, is a vast cavern, dug out and made
a burial-place of the dead. Here many thousands of people have been
buried, and their bones are set in rows, so as to look like a countless
congregation of human skeletons. This place, called the cata-
combs, may be visited by all who desire it. ^ - , •
10. There are other large towns, as Rouen, very celebrated in lu^
tory, and now famous for its manufactures of jewelry ; Bordeaux
famous for its wines; Havre, the port where American ships gener
kll venter; Marseilles, also famous for wines, and for its extensi^*
wns ihe last king Ihai inhabiieil the Tuileries? Wh:il of Umis Philippe? f Jf^'^f
fine imildings in Paris ? 4. Describe the Tuileries. o. Describe the Ganieu of PlajjU^
6. The Kly^laii Fields. 7. Des.;ril)e the Boulevards. 9. Dc-3cril>c the catacombs. P Whal
ri; Rouen? Bordeaux? Havre? Marseilles? Lyons/
INTKODUCTiON.
rj
conmierce ; and Lyons, remarkable for its manufactures of silk There
Aie also many other fine cities and towns in France.
CHAPTER HI.
The hifiabitants of France. .
1 Wi: have said that there are forty millions of people in
France, and we are glad to say that, on the whole, they area hap|)y
nation. They are generally cheerful an«i light-hearted, and,
havinir a pUasant climate, they arc much in the open air, and
they a^-e very sociable with one another. They take a great deal
vf pleasure in conversation, in wit, in trlling stories, &c. They
are said to be the most polite nation in the world.
2. But although ihe French prople arc fond of amusement, they
are also a nation of great genius. There an; many learned men in
the country, and especially in Paris, who have done a vast deal
to a«lvauce the sciences of astroiuimy, chemistry, mineralogy, &c.
For many of the modern improvements in the arts of lite we are
indebted to learned and ingenious natives of France. The French are
a M> famous for their skill and 'ourage in the art of war.
Fnnch costumes.
3 The French have great talent for the fine arts, as music, sculp
lure, painting, architecture, &c. They also excel in making watches
III - 1 Population of France.' Whil of the nation? De-scrihe ih? French nation
< What of learned mer ? What of sciences t M.Hlern improvements^ / War ? .i »">i
2
1
i-
12
INTUODllCTION.
FraiKV, tor iiiutiv y^ars. Tlu' last kinj? who livid tlieri- was Loui^
riiilipiK-; Ij«' canu' to the throne in ISliO, hut in LSlS he was driven
away Uv the |)eoi»le, and lUa to Lon<lon. At tho pn-^vnt tiim- (1871)
Fraiu-e* is in a stato of anarehy, and can hanlly Uv said to i>osstss a
ijovtrnincnt, i »« i
3. Amonfr the other splendid editiecs of Pans are the IVlade,eine
Church, the" Kxehanjre, theC'hureh of Notre Dame, the Paiitiieon, the
ChauiluT of I), piities, tiie CiMinril of State, and tlie lloitl de \ ille,
or City Hall.
I. The [nildie ^r;irdcns of Pans are very l)eanlitul and ;iltraetiv(
That of the 'I'nileries is laid out with n«';tt <rravel walUs, and i?
ornamented hv statues, fountains, tn-es, and flowfrin-j plants. It eon-
lauis alMHit 70 aeres, and is in the heart of th.' eity. It is the resort
of the pe(»ple of leisure, and every fine day thousands of perscMis ina\
he seen tiere Among these, there are always hundreds of y(»un«; ehd-
dren, with their nurses, «;ivinj]f a very livrly apprarance to the scene.
r». The (iar«len of Plants is in the east.'rn part of the city, and \s
filled with curious and inteivstinfr ohjects. It has an immense variety
of plants and (hiwers, hesides lar<re museums of various curiosities.
It has also a coll(>cti(»n of rare animals, from all (piarters of the glohe.
(). The Klysian Fiehls consist of extensive pleasure-irnmnds, laid
out with broad avenues, and decorated by foresrtrees. The avemu'^
are the daily resort of hundreds of carriages «»f every description, and
thousands of people, drawn hither for amusenuMit and recreation.
7. Among the streets of Paris, that of tlie Hmilevards is the most
celebrated. "This is several mih-s in length; here are the finest shops,
and here is the greatest throng of people. Every fair day, this street
is filled with crowds of persons, who seem to be seeking ple;isure and
pastime. Many of the buildings are seven stories high, and many are
in a very rich style of architecture. The beautiful shops, the gay
moving throng, the superb edifices — all to«rether fi)rm a spectacle ot
elegance and luxury rivalled by no other street in the world.
H. Paris is more interesting from the fact that the people are p(dile
and cheerful, and always seem \o pay respect to a stranger, as if they
desired to make him feel hai)py and at homt?. One may spend a year
in looking at the pictures, statues, gardens, edifices libraries, and
institutions, of this famous city.
9. A very curious thing respecting Paris is, that beneath the city, at
the depth of several hundred feet, is a vast cavern, dug out and made
a burial-place of the dead. Here many thousands of pet)ple have been
buried and their bones are set in rows, so as to look like a countless
congregation of liuniun skeletons. This place, called the cata-
comhx, niav be visited bv all who desire it.
10. There are other large towns, as Rouen, very celebrated in hij>
tory, and now famous for its manufactures of jewelry ; Bordeaux
faimuis for its wines; Havre, the p(»rt where American ships gener
h!l venter; Marseilles, also famous for wines, and for its exteimnfl
was ihe l.-«l kins? llv.t i.ihal.iie.l the Tuileries? WluU of Louis Philii.lH.? ?, ,^'*;a'
fine l.uil(lini,'=. i.rPan.s ? A DescriU. the Tmleries ... I>escrU« the Orir.U-.M.f I U.,ls
6. The Kly^iaii Fielil.i. 7. I>es.-ril»e tlu; Buuk-vimis. y. l>.-.scrilKMhec;iia(omlw. 1 > W hal
rfRonenI Honlcanx ; Havre 7 Marseilles? Lyons/
1
I.MUOIUJCltON
la
rommerce ; and liyons, remarkable for its manulaetures of silk Theib
Aie also many other fine cities and towns in France.
CHAPTER III.
The Inhabilants of France. ,
1. \Vi; have sai«l that there are forty iniHi(»ns of people in
France, and w«' are glad to say that, on tlie wliob-, they area hap|.y
nation. Thev are generally elieerful and light-hearted, and.
haviiiL^ a |deasaiit eliiuate,*they are niiuli in the open air, and
thev jire very sociable' with (uieanother. They take a ^reat dt-al
vf jdeasure in conversation, in wit, in l< liing stories, «&c. They
are said to In- the nn»st polite nation in tin* world.
t'. lint altheuiih the French people are fond of iinniseiuent, thev
are also a nation (d' great <rcnius. 'i'lien- an- many le;une«l men \u
the comilry, and especially in Paris, who have done a \ast deal
t(» rulvauce the sciences of a^ln my, chemistry, mineralogy, ^:c.
For many of the modern imi)rovemen1s in the arts of life we are
indebted t«) learned and ingenious natives of l-'raiice. The French are
a JO famous for their skill and « outage in the art of war.
Fruuh coahiviea.
'6 The French have great talent for the fine arts, as music, sculp
Hire, painting, architecture, &c. They also excel in making watches
III - 1 Pnpiilanon of France.' VVhil of llip iii.iin,,? rescritm tlu« Fr.Mich naii.;n
< Wliavofl^-ariie.! mer? What of srio.i.-.' ^ ' M..,It>n. improvetneoti' ^ War? -i. h 'X
•2
14
INTROinji;i|ON
INTRODUCTION.
15
\*\
and fine je\v«lry ; in devisiiifj and rnHnnfaciurino; tasteful articles'* o/
dress Almost all our fashions in dress come from Paris.
4. But while the inhabitants of Paris arc fond of dress, and vcr^
fond of chan^'-ini^ the fashions, it is curious that the j)roph3 in the conn
try have the sauje fashions as their nreal-j^raiidniothers and jrreaj
jkrrar.d fathers had a hundred years mjjo ; and while a lady of Paris
wears a thin delicate slip[)er, niade »>f the soft skin of a kid, the woni.-'i
c»f the provinces wear vvoodcMj shoes that weifjh two poinids a pair!
5. The French, in short, are famous for ^reat tliintis, as well a*
small. They excel in ahnost everythiutr they undertake; in makint,'
war, and in dancinj? ; in studyinjr the iicavenly bodies, or in making
wigs; in planninsr a cam[)aign, or in devisiny: new bonnets; in build-
»ng fortifications, or manufacturinir hoots and shoes ; in settling the
nolitical affairs of Ivarope, or in making soups.
Mudtrn Frt/ich diligt/tce.
6. The common stafje-coach of France is a heavy, lumberiuj^
vehicle, cylled a diligence: and it is well named, for, though it doe«
not CO fast, it is very diligent, and ^^ets alonjj a fjreat distance in a
da> . The French are not equal to \\\ii English and Americans in navi-
rration. bill they havt; improved in tiiis of late, and have now a fine
navy. Their ii'rmy is usually large, and well equipped and traiiK-d.
They have also good railroads and steam boats,
7.' It is a (|uestion of some interest, how so many as 40,U(K),(MM)
people can live in a country only four limes as larLre as tlie sla'r
of New York ; but this is easily answered. In the first place, the
country is fruitful : in the second place, the people are industrious .
and in the next place, they are moderate in their wants and wishes
I
Two thirds of the whole nation are occupied in tilling the soil;
the rest are occupied chiefly in manufactures.
8. Tl'ie government of France under Louis Philippe was monar-
chical ; that is, the king was at the head of the nation, but the laws
were made by the chambers or parliament, with the king's assent.
The king was the executive branch of the government, — that is
to say, he executed the laws. The government of France was,
therefore, what is called a limited monarchy. But, as we have
said, France is now almost without a government.
{>. It is the story of this great nation that we are now about to tell.
We shall go back to the earliest period, and endeavor to show you
what has haj)pened in France during the last eighteen hundred years.
We shall tell you about her kings, her great men, and the people.
And we shall endeavor to show how it is, and by what influences, a
populous and polished nation has grown' up, in the progress of years,
from scattered tril)es of savages.
10. We may here remark, so as to give a general idea of the his-
lory of France, that when the country was first known, it was called
(j.'iut, and the people Gauls. These were conquered by the Romans,
and afterwards tribes of rude people, called Franks, flocked into the
country, conquered it, and settled in it.
11. From these France takes its name. The present French peo-
ple are descended from the ancient Gauls and Franks ; their language
is that of the Franks, mixed with Latin and Gaulish words, together
with many new words, introduced in more modern times.
1*2. Thus the French nation has been about two thousand years in
being converted from a barbarous or savage people to what they now
arc. When Paris was first know^n it was only a little collection of
huts on an island in the Seine, being surrounded by thick forests,
infested with wolves. How great is the change, and how interesting
must be the history of events, which shows the means by which it has
been wrought !
in France? 8. Describe the government of France. 9. What is thai you are to learn
from the fol owing pages? 10. What of the Gauls? The Romans? The Franks 1
11. What of the name of the French? The French people 1 Their langiiage ) 12. Whal
•f the hista y of France ? Paris ?
wiiat (»lher thiiizs have the French great talent? 4. What of the country people. <is
compared with those of Paris? 5. For what are the Frencli lainoiis/ ('•. What of I'lS
■iiligencc? Navigation? Navy? Army? 7. How "s it tliat 90 many i>eople can li%
n^
14
l.\ FKOIMltlON
INTKOnrcTlON.
16
h '
II
and fine ie\v(«lrv ; ui (i«'visiii;z and manuractiirmi: tasti-fvil article.'* oi
dress Almost all our taf^liions in dnss com*' troin Paris.
4. But wiulc till- iuhahitants of Paris arc loud of dnss, and ver^
fiindof chaiiifini; the fashions, it iscuriotis that thoj>roj»l(> in the coun
try have ihn saiuf fashions as ilu'ir i^rcat-j/randuiothcrs and iin;ii
tjrar.dfathrrs had a liuudrcd years aL'o : ami uhilf a lady of Par:?
wears :i lliin delicate slipper, made of the soft skin id" a kid, the u nnci
(d the pr(»vinces wear wooden shoes that weiLfh two pounds a pair I
T). The, French, in short, an- tiimous for i^reaf thiui2>. ;i- w-W a&
biiiull. They excel in ahuost everythiuL'^ they undertake ; in niakiiiL'
war, and in dancin<i : in studvintr the liea\euly iMtiijes, or in makiuf,'
witrs ; in i)lamiinu a campaign, «n' in devising: new honnets ; in huild-
• ujr fortifKMlions, or n\annfae!uriiij7 httots and shoes; in settling the
political artairis of Iv.irope, or in makiun; ;.(mps.
Mudtrn ri'iirh i!iUi(t.'!ry .
6. The eonunon sta^re-coach of France is a heavy, lumherin^
vehicle, called a (hH'^rnrr: and it is well named, ft>r, tlnuigh it dor*
not ijo fast. It is very (/ilii^'nf, and et^ts alontr :i {jreat distance in a
!a\ . The French are not etpial to the l'ai>ilish and Americans in navi-
i!a\
•nation, hill ihev have impvovt^d in this ni' late, :md have now a hue
navy. Their army is usually lar-e, ami well e<iiii|)ped and UaiiK '
■' I,
'I'hey have als(> u'ooil railroad- ;ind stt'aiiiboats.
7. It is a (iiu'sliou of some interest, iiow so many a> 4(>,tHio,o(M)
p«ople can live in a country only tour tim<'s as huLie as ihe >ta''
of N"\v Vt»rk : hut this is easily answered. In the lirst phu-e. ih*
countrv is truitlul ; in the second phu-e, the peopK- are iudustr.' ...-
aiui in the next [dace, they are moderate in their wants and wishes
wiial otiiiT Iliiii!,'^ have tli.> Frciich ltciI tali'iit / 4. Wnat r,f ihe rotmiiy [i-uj):.'. d«
rotnp.iri'il with tlinse of Paris ? 5. For what aro the French laiiuu!?- / C. WlM i»f l'i«
'iiligflnoc? Naviiraiioii ? Navy? Army? 7. How 's il tlial 30 many i»eople can li*
1
Tv.o lhii<U of the whole nation are oecujdeil in tilling the soil;
the re>t are occupied chielly in manufactures.
s. I'lu'iioverumentoi" France under Louis Philippe was monar-
chical; that is,thekiiii:- wasat thi' head of the nation, but the laws
wen- made by the chambers or parliament, with the king's assent.
'file king was the executive branch of the government, — that is
to say, he executed the laws. The government (d" France was,
i':. r.lore, what is called a limited monarchy. Hut, as we have
^aid. France is now almost without a government.
*:>. It IS the story of this jjreat nation that we art? now about to tell.
We shall go l)ack to the earliest period, and endeavor to show yon
ahat has hajtpened in France during the last eighteen Innidred years.
We sshall tt 11 you about her kin^s, h(;r fjreat men, and the people.
Anil we shall endeav«!r to show how it is, and by what inthienees, a
populous and polished nation has jxrown'np, in tht^ progress of years,
fnMii .scattered tribes t)f savages.
10. We mav hen? remark, so as to give a general idea of the his-
lorv of Franct', that when tin; country was first kiujwn, it was called
(laiil, and the ptiople iiauh. Thes!^ were coiKpiered by the Romans,
auil afterwanls trihes of rude people, called Fraidis, llocked into the
ciunilrv, cou'iuered it, aiul stntled in it.
11. From these France takes its name. The present French peo-
ple are descended from the ancient (Jaulsand Franks ; their lauijuage
is that of the Fraid^s, mixed with Latin and (iaulish words, together
witii many new words, introduced in more modern times.
\'Z. Thus th(> French nation has been about two thousand years in
being converted from a barl)arous or savage people to what they now
are. When Paris was first known it was only a little c(dlection of
huts OH a!i island in the Seine, being surnnmded by thick forests,
infested with wolves. How great is the change, and how interesting
must be the history of events, which shows the means by which it h:is
been wrought I
in France'' S. Describe t tie government of France. 9. VVIial la tliat you are to learn
fn»m the fol owini: jxitfes? 10. What of the Gauls.' Tlie Ri»nian.s? Tho Franks)
11. \Vhat'>f the name of the French? The French people ? Their Ian^ia;?e 7 12 Wh«
•f the hiPlo y of France / Paris ?
m
CHAPTER 1.
About the early Inhabitants of France.
1. Franjk was not always one kingdom, as it is now, but the
country was anciently divided into many small states, governed by
independent rulers. The rulers of one, becoming more powerful than
those of the others, by degrees made themselves masters of the whole,
and thus formed the powerful kingdom of France.
2. The first inhabitants of this fine country probably came from
Hermany, perhaps 2500 years ago. They had no alphabet or written
letters, and of course no books; all we know about them is from the
Romans, with whom they were continually at war, until they wvn
finally subdued by Julius Csesar, a Roman general, about sixty years
before the birth of our Saviour.
I— I How was Frane situated in early times? How did it become one great kin^
•m» 2 3. Who were the first inhabitants of France? Describe the Gar's. WbaJ o*
\i
EARLY INHABITANrS.
»•
3. ('aesai besides being a skilful general, was a g> jd scholar, and
wrote a history of all that he saw in the countries which he con-
quered. What is now France was called by the Romans Ga/Iia, oi
(iauL The inhabitants, called Gauls, we are told, were very similar
in their character to the French of the present day, at the time Ca*sar
conquered them, though of course men rude and savage.
4. They were cheerful and light-hearted, with feelings quick and
impetuous, but not deep or lasting. In their manners and habits they
were little better than our own Indians. The city of Paris was then
hut a collection of huts, made of wood and clay, like the Indian
wigwams
House of the Ancient Gauls.
5. They lived by hunting and fishing, and their arms consis f d of
oows and arrows, and an axe, which, like the Indian tomahawk, was
hurled at their enemies in battle. They resembled the Indians also
in their vi ,'s, for they were very intemperate in the use of intoxi-
cating liquors.
6. Tlteir dr^ss consisted of tight trousers, with a mantle thrown
over their shoulders. In one particular they were creditably distin-
guished from the Indians. The Gauls treated their women with the
greatest honor and respect, and these in consequence were much
superior in their character to the women of most savage nations.
7. Th'; Gauls had no churches ; but in tlie midst of thick forests
were er cted huge circles of rough, unhewn stones, placed upright,
many of x\hich are now to be seen, though in a ruinous state. A
these the people assemRed, and the priests, called Druids, clothec in
lulius Csesar? How did Cai^sar describe the Gauls? 4. What of Paris in the limeol
C.-esar? How lone; ago did Cresat live? .5. How did the Gauls live? Their armsl
Their vices? 6 Dress of the Gauls ? Treatiiient of women ? 7. Religion of tl"* GauU)
S. The Druids 7
!l
v/_---.'J :. V'-. '' ^^w.--'v'
CHAPTER I.
About the early hihabitants of France.
1. Franjk was not always one kinn^flom, as it is now, but the
country was anciently divided into many small states, iToverned by
IndependtMit rulers. Tbe rulers of one, beeomiiiL: moro i)<>\veriul than
those (tfthe otliers, bv tlejjrees made themselves masters of the wlwdr.
and thus formed the powerful kinjidom of France.
2. The first inhabitants of this fine couniry probal)ly came from
( Jeniiany, perhaps *2.")()0 years ago. They bad no alphabet or written
ti'tters, and of course no books ; all we know about them is from the
Romans, with whom they were continually at war, until they wen
finally subdued bv Julius Ca'sar, a Roman general, about sixty years
before the birth of our Saviour.
I
tni
- I How \v;is Fmiie sitn;ite«l iti wirlv limes? How ilid it become one great kiny
» '2 ;l Who were the first iahahitania of France? Describe the Gars. What o#
HAKI.V I.NHAniTANrv
'^. ('aesai besides being a skilful general, was a g> jd seludar, and
»*Tote a hisvory of all that he saw in the countries which he eon-
ipicred. What is now France was called by the Pomans Gallia, or
Haul. The inhabitants, called (lauls, we are tidd. were very similar
HI their character to the French of the j)rey(Mit day, at the time Ca-sar
coiKpiereU them, ihouizh ol" course men rude an<l savage.
1. They were cheerful and light-hearted, with leelings quick and
im[)etuous, but not deep or lasting. In their manners and habits they
were litth; better than our own Indians. 'J'lie city of Paris was then
i)ut a collection of huts, m.ide t)f wood and clay, like the Indian
\vi If warns
House of the Ancient Gauls.
5. They lived by hunting and fishing, and their arms c(»nsis m1 of
oows aiul arrows, and an axe, which, like the Indian tomahawk, was
hurled at their enemies in battle. They resembled tiie Indians also
in their vi 's, for they were very intemperate in the use of intoxi-
cating liquors.
f). TJM^ir dre^s consisted of tight trousers, with a mantle thrown
ovrr their shojilders. In one particular they were creditably distin-
fniished from the Indians. The Gauls treated their women with the
greitf^st honor and respect, and these in consequence were nmch
siuperior in their character to the women of most savage nations.
7. Th'. (Jauls had no churches; but in the midst of thick forests
wen. or cted huge circles of rough, unhewn stones, plac('d upright,
many of uhich are now to be seen, though in a ruinous state. A
these the people assembled, and the priests, called Druids, clothec :n
liilnis tV.sar/ How did Ca.iar de.scril« lliR (iaulii'/ 4. What of Fari-s in the limeol
C.-esar? How Ion? aso diil C.'psat live? B. How did the Gauls live? Their amisl
Tlioir vires; 6 Dress of the Gauls ? Treatii.eut of women? 7. Religion of tte tjaul«)
S The Druids /
3*
18
THK I)IM)II»S
while cire.sses, and crowned with oak leaves, offered sanificcs t(» iht
one (lod, whom ihcy worshipped
Drmdicol place of morship.
8. These Druids were the historians and lawyers of their day ; foi
ihe records and laws, being made into verse, were committed to
memory by them, and were thus transmitted from one g^eneraMon to
The Druids
another. They appear to have had a despotic influence over Ch6
people, even so far as to have the power of life and death, and i<
•♦x?ms that they often sacrificed human victims to their deity.
THE R031ANS IN GAUL
t»
CHAPTER II.
The Romans conquer France
Caspar attarking the Gauls.
1. We have said that Gaul was conquered by the Romans nnilei
Julius Cffisar. You will remember that at this time Rome was a
crreat and splendid empire. She governed it for more than foui
centuries without disturbance. During that time a great many
Roman citizens settled in the conquered province, and brought with
them their manners and arts.
2. The Gauls lived in poor mud huts, or ill-built wooden hovels;
but the Romans built fine houses, and palaces, and baths, Some of
which are to be seen at this day. At the city of Nismes there is a
beautiful amphitheatre, almost as perfect as when the Romans went
to it to see the shows. There is also a much more useful monument
of their greatness ; this is an aqueduct, carried over a deep valley and
Mver, upon three tiers of arches, built one over the other, of immense
FJones.
ft. The Romans lived in houses large enough to contain a great
many people. One side of every houso was appropriated to the
{somen, who lived very much apart from the men. Each family had
i great number of slaves, who were prisoners taken in war.
11— 1. How long did the Romans govern Gaul ? What of Roman citizens? 2. Houew*
•f '-he Gauls ? What changes did the Romans causo ? What of Nismes ? Which way
* Nismes from Paris? How far from Paris? 3. Houses of the Romars? 4 Whai
l^
I'Mi-; i!i;i ii'<
white dresses, uml crowned witli oiik It^iives. otli'ied sMeniiecs to llit
oru' (mmI, ulioiii thi'V \vorslii[tj»e(l
m
rHK ROMANS IN CiAUL
CHAPTER II.
The Ro7nans conquer France
19
If -I
Drmdkal place o* v^orshtp.
8. These Drui<l.s wi-re the liistorians and lawyers of their <hiy , for
ih(* records and laws, beiii^'- made into verse, were committed t«
meinorv hv them, and wen^ thus trans\nitted from one <reneraMon to
The Drmds
I-
another. They appear to liave had a despotic influence over the
people, even so far as to have the power of life and death, and \^
■♦'ems that they often sacrificed human victims to their deity.
Ca!^nr ottnrhvs the Gauls.
1. We have said that Gaul was conquered by the Romans uiidci
Julius Ca'sar. You will remember that at this time Rome was a
irreat and splendid empire. She fjoverned it for more than foui
<"enturies without disturbance. I)uriii<,^ that time a js^reat many
Roman citizens settled in the conquered ])rovince, and hrouj^ht with
them their manners and arts.
2. The Gauls lived in jxmr mud huts, or ill-built wooden hovels;
but the Romans built fine houses, and palaces, and baths, Some of
which are to be seen at this day. At the city of Nismes there is a
beautiful amphitheatre, almost as perfect as wiien the Romans went
to it to see the shows. There is also a much more usi^ful monument
of tixMr greatness; this is an atpieduet, carried over a deep valley and
'iver, upon three tiers of arches, built one over the other, of imn»ei!s<i
fiones.
f^. The Romans lived in houses larjit enoujjh to contain a ^-reat
many people. One side of every hovise was appropriated to the
vAomen, who lived very much apart from the men. Each family had
1 frreat number of slaves, who were prisoners taken in war.
(I — 1. How loM^ did the RuiTian.s 2oveni Gaul? Wlialof Komancili/:e:is ? 2. Houses
•I 'he Gauls? What chamjes did » ho Romans causo? What of Nismes? Which way
• Nismes from Paris? How far from Paris? 3. Houses of the Romar3? 4 What
:^0
THK FKANKS
PHAKAMOND — CLODION - MEKOVF.US. - 44^.
2i
ill'
4. TI.C com.uesl by the Honians was of great service to Gau By
,ts means civil zation and the arts were introduced. Commerce Hour.
11,:^ and the cities of MarseUles, Aries, Autun and Lyons at amc^
,<> 'J considerable size. Thv, company of the merchants «f /jj « ^^
established at this i,eriod,and hascontmuedto exist to the present day.
Roman nqufilncl at Nismes.
5 'iTie head of the company was called the provost f th^ rmr-
chants In the course of time, the company became powerful, and the
X^st came to be the principal officer of the cjty, ----"^ P^^^^
Bimilar to those of the mayors ot our own ci les This office has
descended to modern times in France, and is called prejcct.
CHAPTER III.
About the Franks, who drove the Romans out of Frame. -
^a.ildcric.^Clovis is converted to Christianity by hu
vnfe Clotilda. — The Sacred Phial.
I A RESTLESS love of chan-e, desire for plunder and perhaps
•carMtv of food, which arose amoncr the people who did not steadily
rultwate the soil, and who yet increased in numbers, induced various
tribes for a loner series of years, to emi^rratc from Germany, and
to establish themselves within the limits of the Roman empire, which
was already tottering, from its overgrown size
benefits foUoweil from the ronqiiedl oflhe Kunians?
5. Whalofthe;»oroj>7?
Ul \ What •»«■ variou8 irilws lu Germany f /
What considerable towns grew rpl
What of the Franks ? H What >'
2. About the middle of the third century, several iri d vttf had
settled along the Rhine and the Weser, in German , ass, )oiated
themselves together and took the name of Franks, o' Freemen, tc
show their determination to be free. After a contin'iv 1 struggle oi
ilU) years, they finally established their capital at i'leves, on the
Uhiiif, in Germany. From this point they soon sp jad themseHck
into (Ja'il, or France.
Pliaramond, reigned 420 to 42b
Clodwn, 42M tt 448
3. We know very little about their history ^\nng this period
But the general belief is that Pharamond led the* loes of Franks who
first established themselves in France. He died i 428, and was suc-
ceeded by Clodion, celebrated for the beauty of b .. hair. Clodion di*id
n 448, and was succeeded by Meroveus, who ;i.ve his name to the
Merovingian, or first race of French kings, 'i is true there is som »
Meroveus, reigiied 448 to 458.
doubt about tnis ; all we can say with certainty is, that ihe FranKa
were a powerful people in the fifth century, and that in the year 45S
there was a king named Childeric, who extended his territories to the
river Loire, in France.
4. This Childeric was a brave prince, but his subjects, being dis-
Pliaramond' Ciodinn ? Meroveus^ What of the Franks in the fifth century ? Wh«
iid the fi«' reiiUiry »)^?in and end? Wh.il ..f Childeric ? 4. ">. 6. THl the «rU>rv or
L^O
THK FKANKS
PHAin vro.VD — CLODION- ."MKIIoVFr^ li".
2i
h i
4 TI.C oon<,-H,>sl bv Um' Uon.ans xvus of jTreiit servRv to Gau Bj
,ls means civil /.iiti.u.and ih.' ;trt« were introduced, a.umierce iljur
ish"l, and the eitws of MarseUles, Aries, Autun and ^vons attaine^
,o a considerable size. 'Vhv, comi>any ol the merchant. <d I ans ua«
,.s:aMished at this peri(.d,and has continued to exist to tin- i.resent aay.
fxoniiin <itjunliiri 'it \ismes.
5 The head of the company was called ffic prorost <?//'" 'y
^hanfi In the course of time, the eon.pany became powerful, and the
j^rov^lst came to be the principal otf.cer ..f the city, ^^^^T/^'"^ l",^^™
similar to those of the mayors <.f our c»wn ^Mties 1 h,s office has
descended to nK.dern times in France, and is called prrjicf.
CHAPTEK III.
Ahmif the Franks, who drove the Romans out of France. —
Pharamond. - Clodion. - Merovms. - Thejon^ -hatred hi n^s.
^Cf.Udfrk.—Clovh is converted to Christianity by his
wife Clotilda. — The Sacred Phial.
1 V uKsTi.Kss love of chan.je, desire for plunder and perhaps
icarMtv of tood, which arose amouir the people, who did not steadily
rulr rate the soil, and who yet increased in numbers, induced various
tr ;« tor a lon.r series of years, to emigrate from Germany and
to ^tiblisb thenrselves within the limits of the Roman empire, which
was already totterinjj, from its over«,^rown size.
benefits foliovved'fV^h7.^,.^^e Komans / What ronsKlerabJo towns grev, rpl
5. Whalofthf/xoro.s/; , . .. , i ., vvi.n of ilu- Franlv-. ? :■ What »'
J
2. About the middle of the third century, several \r[ a v^ »* had
settled alonji the Rhine and the Weser. in German , as& »ciated
itiemselves tojjether and took the name of Fran/is, o' Frranrn, ic
sliow their determination to be free. After a continuv J struOfj^le oi
i.'iO years, they finally established their capital at l^e^'es, on the
iviiliie. in (Jermany. From this point they soon sp ju(/ themse'vet
iuto (la'il, or France.
Pharjmond, reigned 120 to 42b
Clodwti, \2H u 4 18
^. We know very little about their history ''-riuj^ thia period
Hut the jx'^neral belief is that Pharamond led the* <oes of Franks who
first established themselves in France, lie died i 4'28, and was suc-
ceeded by Clodion, celebrated for the beauty of h • nair. Clodion d'*!d
ri 448, and was succeeded by Meroveus, who ^i,ve his name to the
Merovingian, or first race of French kings, 'i is true there is soiv »
Meroveus, reigticl 1 18 to 458.
daid)t about tnis ; all we can say with certainty is, that the tY'uiKs
were a powerful people in the fifth century, and that in the year 4.18
tli.'re was a kin'j named ChiMeric, who extf nded his territories to the
river Loire, in France.
4. Thia Childcric was a brave prince, but his subjects, beinp dis-
PliarainoiKi
Ji«1 ihH fi»"
Cltilion? MerovpiH ■*
■eilUiry l>»?in <M\i\ <Mtl
VVlmt <•! 111.: Fr.nik.s ni the fifih century ? Whini
.' Willi ..r Cliil.lerir ': 4. :">. 6. I>ll ihe wtorv oi
• >•/
CIllLDbKlL — ULUV'iS — OLOULDA.— 401.
.uiiu'iiied, (in.vt! hirii troiii tne couniry, and placed Ei^edras, a Roman
ueiieral, upon the llirone. Childeric had left p:ood friends behind
him; one of uiese, named Wionald, ^rained ffroat influence oyer the
new kiniT, and indued him to i)erform such actions as made hmi
•idious to liis subjects. ,
5. As soon as Wionald perceived this, he sent -.0 is old niaster
the half of a piece of gold which they had broken at their last niter
view. Cliilderic understood the token, and returned to Gaul. Col-
lectinir an army, he ai^ain possessed himself of the throne, and main-
lained'^himself upon it till his death, in 481.
(>. In IG53, a tomb, said to be his, was discovered. Amonf? other
rerK-s found in it, was a seal ring, with the impression of a man of
jreat beauty. His face was shaved, his hair long, plaited, separated
on the forehead and thrown back ; in his right hand he helda javelm
ind on the seal was the name " Childeric "
Childerir. reli^ned 458 to ISl. Chn-is, 481/0 511. Clotilda.
7 The Merovin<Tian kings were called thp hm'^-lioircd hni'S,
because the roval familv allowed their hair to fall in long curls ovei
their shoulders, while all the other Franks had it cut short at the
lack of the head. .
8 Clrlderic was succeeded bv his sen, Clovis. W hen he came to
'he throne h(^ was a pauan. Hearing much of the beauty and virtue
ot* ("lotilda, niece of the King of Burgundy, he asked her in marriage.
Her uncle wius afraid to refuse his consent, for fMovis had already
a«-quireil great reputation :>s a soldier; and so the matter was agreed
upon.
Chil.Wic. 7. WlKil were the Merovingian king:* called? Why? ^. W, U of i>-iii1
CLOVIS A.V HIS CHARGKrt— 496.
33
9. The ambassador set out for Burgundy to bring Clotilda, and
j.avinff presented her with two little bits of money, she was con.
fiidered as married. The young queen, having made her prepara-
tions, started on her journey in a wagon drawn by oxen. This wab
the mo.st elegant carriage then in use. Carriages <lrawn by oxen art-
used by Turkish ladies for pleasure-riding, but they would hardly do
for French queens now.
10. Clotilda was a Christian, and was very desirous to convert hei
husband, but he steadily refused, until, in the midst of a battle, his
iroc»ps i>egan to give way, and he then made a vow, that, if the God
of Clotilda would grant him the victory, he would be baj.ti'zed. Clevis
was victorious, and kept his vow.
11. On Christmas day, A. D. 496, he was baptized at the city of
i^heims, together with his sister and about three thousand of his sub-
jects. Clovis was thus the first Christian King of France ; before
him, ihev had been pagans. The superstitious people of that age
believed that a dove descended from heaven, bringing a phialfilled
with oil for the consecration of the king. This phifvl has been kept
lo the present day, and is called the sacred phial.
CHAPTER IV.
The Superstition of Clovis. — The Salic Laws. — Anecdote of
Clovis and the Soldier.
1. St. Martin of Tours was the favorite object of the worship ot
Kinrr Clovis. On a certain occasion, being about to engage in l)attle,
he made a vow that if he was victorious lie would bestow on this
saint his tavorite charger, which was probably the thing he loved
most dearlv.
•J. He gained the battle, and then wished lo redeem his pledge lor
one bundr^i'd pieces of gold. But the saint would not let him off so
easily, and the horse would not stir from the stable till the saint
was "satisfied. "An excellent friend in time of need, this St.
Martin," said the king, "but rather difficult to transact business
«^•ith."
3. The religion of Clovis never restrained him in his cfMirse of
imbiiion, for h'e seized every opportunity of extending his doniinions
either by fraud or violence. In his day, and long after, it was
believed that all crimes might be atoned for by the erection of
churches and the support of monasteries.
Clotilda'' 9 Hnw did Cl<>vi.-j w.m1 Cl.iiildii ' How did ladies travel in the time of Clovis?
What of Turki.sh ladies ? 1<». What of Clotilda and Clovi.-^ ? 1 1. When was Clovjs l-ep-
tized? What of the sacred phial.'
V. — 1 2. What of Clovis .ind St. Martin of Tours? X W'hat of tie religion of
Clovi.<»' What opinion prevaile<l in the liine of Clovis ? 4. What of the \ intor:** * tb#
I
Si CMIl.ilhKU. — «.I.U\ .S — lJlX)riLI>A.— -vsi.
, um-'iiird, (in.vr liiiii fruiii Uie (Muinirv, :in(l iiUiohI Euetlias, a Roman
.H'lieral, upon tlif tl.-nMie. Childcric h:ul left ffoo.! triends behini.
fiiin; one of Uics*', n:.m.-(l Wioiiald, uaiiu-.l irivnt iiilluence (.yer tlin
now ki.iu-. :iii.i iM<lu(v.| l.im to iH'rlnri.i surli iicticns :is made lum
odio'.ia tn his sulijecls. ,
5. As s(M)ii ;is Wionald perceived this, he sent '.o xs old niaster
the half of a piece of ijold which they Imd broken at their last inter
view. Childeric understood the token, and returned to (laiil. (ol-
l.'etinir an army, he aj^ain possessed himsidf of the llirone, and main-
laiiied himself upon it till his death, in 481.
f). In inr):i, a tomb, said to be his, was discovered. Amonj? otlier
rcdi'-s found in it, was a seal rinf^, with the impression of a man of
^rirat beauty. His face was shaved, his hair lonjj, plaited, separated
on the forehead and thrown back ; in his rijrht hand he helda javdin
and on tlie seal w:ls the name " Childcric "
CLOVIS AN HIS CHAKGl.iC. -49f).
5!3
Vinhlenr. nhvied -158 fo IM. Ch,ri^, IM to 511. Clotilda.
7 The Mrroviii'nan kitiirs were called fhr InniS-hnirrtl hrii'X,
liecause the roval familv albmed their hair K. fall in loiiir curls ovei
their shoulders, while all the other Franks had it cut short at the
lack of the head. .
8. Clrlderie was succeeded by his sen, C lovis. \\ hen he came to
'he throne he was a pn^an. IT^arinir much of the bea\ity and virtue
of ("lotilda, niece of th^' Kinij of Hurjrundy, he asked Iv^r in marnajre.
Her nnele was alVaiil to refuse his consenl, for ('lovis had already
ace,uired great reputation as a soldier: an<l so the matter was agreed
upon.
i;hil.l^ric. r. Wlul were ihe Mc roving inn king.-, calleil ? Why ? *. W: »i of iV-i^ 1
»»
9. The ambassador set out for Burgundy to brinrr Clotilda, ant^
i.avinur presented her with two little bits of money, she was rnn.
sidered as married. The young queen, havinjj made Iwr^ preirara-
lior.s, started on tier journey in a wagon drawn by oxen. This wap-
iti ■ MKfst eU'L'-aiit carriage then in use. Carriages drawn by oxen are
i-s-m1 by Turkish ladies for pleasure-riding, but they would iiardly dii
tor Frencii (jueens now.
10. Clotilda was a Christian, and was very desirous to <*onvert hci
husband, bat he steadily refused, until, in the midst of a battle, his
troops lu'ir-du to give way, and he then made a vow, tliat, if the (iod
of Clotilda would grant him the victory, he would be baptized. Clevis
was victorious, and kept his vow.
11. On Christmas day, A. D. 41K;, he was baptized at the city of
Kht'ims, together with his sister and about three thousand of his .sub-
jfeis. Clovis was thus the first Christian King of France ; before
him, thcv had been pagans. The superstitious p«>oplo of that age
bi'lieved'that a dove descended fr«»m heaven, bringing a phial filled
with oil fi>r the consecration of the king. Tliis phiM has been kept
to th<* present day, and is called (he sacred phial.
CHAPTER IV.
The Snj}frstitirm of Clovis. — T/te Salic Laws. — Atiecdote of
Clovis and the Soldier.
I. St. Martin of Tours was the fiivorile object of the worj-hij) ot
Kini: Clovis. On a certain occasion, being about to engage in battle,
he made a vow that if he was victorious he would bestow on this
saint his fiivorite charger, which was probably the thing In; loved
most dearlv.
•J. Hr oained the Ir.ittle, and then wished to ndttni his pledire for
onr liniidre<l j)ieees of uold. Hut th(^ saint would not let him oil' so
easily, and the hors*; would not stir from the stable till the saint
was "satisfied. "An excellent friend in time of need, this St.
Martin,"" said the king, "but rather dilTicult to transact businosa
(\ith."'
'^. The religion of Clovis never restrained him in his course of
md)iiion, fiir he seized every oi'portunily of cxtendinir his dormnions
either by fraud or violence. In his day, and long after, it was
believed" that all crimes might b.^ atoned fi)r by the erection of
churches and the support of monasteries
Clotilla? 0. U"\v liiil CInvis v..-.l (Jl.iilila ' l!n\\ <ii<! ludies travel in llie time of Clovis?
What of Turkish la.lie.'? .' 10. Wivil of Clotii.la a.ni Clovi-; .' II. When was Ciov:s l-ap-
lized? W' hat of ihe sacred pi'.ial.'
V — I. 2. W^hit of Clovis iM.l St. Marliii .-f T.-nrs? X What of tw religion of
Clovis 1 What opinion prevaiJPfl in th»» tiino of Clovi< ! i. Whnt of the tistnr.w * U»
- I
I
;
:
I
I
^
I
s '
I.
*i4
CL0V1S.-5U.
4. The .nests, «ho .ere ^f'^^<'^'y^l^'^:^^:::^Z
i„ their histories huve ,«>ss,..l »;". ^'^^^.f ,'^^d ,l,e hea^s of
treachery, 'l'" secure his ow.i ''"^^ "'yf' ';tva ds, lest time should
,„„,V of his relations to he ,f ,»;^"i.' ;' ',,^f , ' ^u heu, to death,
re.mvv the l.infr ha,r, ihe emhlem "t f" V^^V ^ ' • p^^,,,^,, ,„„„
:,. Ch.vis may he consiclere<l as the "' ™" J ■ Xhough
arehv, ior he first co,„h„„.,l the -^^^^^'^[Sed j ^ and hua.ane
so cruel, he was a wise inonareh. M«J^^f' f„^„ {he name given
|.aws. One code was <^^'>«f,/''fks of the 'riers Meuseaud Rhine,
to the scddiers who S"*"''^ V' '" ,y'"'^,,v V"^ ' the Sael, on the banks
6. Another code was called "';^^^'' ;/^X la',, is s ill tamiliar to
of which it had its origm. l''^, "^" :„' ^.''."h i, ,hat which excludes
us, for one of its provis.m^ is yet a hirce , t ^^ ^^^ ^._^^ .^ ^^„^j
females from the throne ol ^'■'»^^- .i ," oresent day there has never
,„„.„, hut '>•■"' '''y™«;/J■'■^Vr,:" a o^tW this 'provision will be
been a sole (lueen ot Trance. ""- . , , .„
apparent when 1 tell you "''""\.^';;',,^';';'J;4t. perpetual wars. He
;ive.l in .he mi.lst ot his ^",''''"»' r h.s trooDS were only kept togethei
rather lilce a chief ol >'-'".''' '• '« J^^aJ^'^PThe rel'^'i"'' "' "'"'^'' >'«
by the hope and the Py^ "^^ ''^, ;' J,',;- ,„ „„ecaote.
sto(Kl to his people will h. 1" "•™^'' f^„i, f„„„d among the booty a
8. His army, having I'l""','--"''' ^'^'X „!. The bishop besought
what fell 10 his share. Soisscns for the
division of the spoils. ^^^^^^ ^^/^ P ^^ ive him the vase. Al
„..ddle Cl-s -^-;:^-^t,fit"w haughty soldier hfted
appeared wiUincr to J^^'^^^^y;!*^^ , '^'....g. ^vith the utmost violence,
Stv' V.fu 'sh'^l' rtelotnTt.- but what the lot gives
you
'■ '^O.' The king concealed ^'l^:^Ti!!:^:X:'^^^^
deferred. At a review in the field ot Mars ^.^ ,^^_^j
with his arms not m prope ^ierj^ Uie ^^_^^ ^^^^^^
isunder with his sword. It was inus,
the vase at Soissoiis.'' ,,■„„„„„ clevis erected a church at
1,. At the solicitation of > %q"^^";^^° compared with what it
Franks now in existence. Clovis diedm^u^^^^^
Sjvis build « When did he die ?
CHILPKBKKT- CLOTHAIRE-CHII-PKRIC — 5ft»
CHAPTER V.
sr>
Ahout the Merovingian Kings wno succeeded Clovis.— - Tkt
Mayors of the Palace, and the Faintaiis or Sluggards
Cfnhkbert, 511 to 558.
Cloth (I ire, 558 to 561.
1. ArcoRDiNG to the custom of the Franks, the kinjjdom uas
divided hetween the song of Clovis — four in number. These were
Theodoric, called Thierry I., Clodoinir, Childebert and Clothaire.
Clothaire survived all his brothers. One of these had left three sons,
who had been entrusted to the care of their p^rand mother, Clotilda.
2, KinjT Ch)thaire sent to her a sword and pair of scissors, which
she n^adily understood to mean, that her nephews must either die, or
rut of!" their hair and enter a convent. She chose the sword, and
two of them were accordina[ly killed by Clothaire himself. The
t.hi-d founded a convent near Paris, railed St. Cloud, a corruption
of lis name of rhlodould.
Cfiaribert, 561 to 567,
Chilperic, 567 to 584.
3. Clothaire now reii^ned alone till 501, when he died, leaving
four sons, Charibert, Gouthran, Chilperic, and Sigebert. Sijreber
iTiarried Rrunhault, daughter of the King of Spain, and his ambaa-
V. — 1. How w.-is lli^ kiiieloin of Clovis .livi( «»d ? 2. What of Clothaire? What rl
Ihe three nep'iews f.f Clothaire? Wliat f St Cloud? '.i. When 'lid Clothaire dip'
s
*i4
CI .O VIS. -"11
,r,.a,-l...rv. To sour,. !..:< "«„ • '" ". .;.,"„.^,,,,,, ,,.„ „„„■ sl,..ul.i
.I. .VU..11..T !.• was rail. . M' ~'; ';,,,. ,.,„. |^ ^„|| ,a,niliar f.
„s. .or on,, of ,ts i^rov.s.ons js v, |u 1.-;^.,,,^ ,„. „,., ;,,„„ „ .,,,|..,1
;r;;;;::tru.J. ;:;:.■.:..;-■;;.-- ,. ..■
n„l,..r li1.o a.-lM,.|- ol •-"•'""•,",;,„';" 'tIm- n^lauon in «ln.-l, I-'
^^::;;^^;: ;;::;^':inv>'? 'f :: -ir;^^^ ..„..i
S. His unnv. hav.nu^ r'''''•'•''";^^ Man vh Tlio b-ish.p In-sou^rhl
what tVll to lus shun-. . Si»issoiis for tin'
a. Th. ar,ny «- assnuW .».;;;• '^^ ^^ ^^,^^, ,„.,,, .„ .,
,l,vision ot ll... sl...lls. Ill s. » f j ,,;,„ ,i„. vasr. AM
>■""'■"■ , . 1 .,1 Lis roscntmi'iit. I'ut his vcn|ii-ance was only
10. Tlu- kins eoii'-ralot l.is f>^^.\"" .'\,.,,^ ,iu- soldier ■.ii.iK'aro<l
lolVrr,.!. A. a rev.cw .n .1... u ot M. r- ^^_^^^ ^^.^ ,_^,^
vv-uh lus anus not .n pro,..^ ^ ■^^,V,„;"•■ Iai,l he, " that yon Btrn,-k
isnnder with his swor.l. H " •'' '""' '
the v;use at Soissons ■ ^ted a chnrrli at
11. At the solieilat.on ol '■ '^ '"-j:;;^ eotniK.re.l with what it
Pans, whtoh at thts t,me wa-s ^-^^^ ^^^,, ,„„,,, i„ i,, au.l t..
now is. A pi.i..s woman. .v..m-.l ^^ ;';;;;.„„ .„■ „„s ehnrch yet
-^ ''" :^r:'.:^^^^^ ^^•^^ """^""" -""' "" '""
'Sks-:- in «istence. ^C.ovi^d^5il__
S,T,9biultn When Jul he die?
c;mi.i»i:i;KKr (lotmaikk cmim'kkic. &fH
2r>
CHAITKK V.
.{f'ouf the Mirorinirinii Kiiii^s irno surcpeded C/ovis. — The
Mayors of the Pa/f/rr, and the Fahuans or S/ui^gards
Clnhf'hr/f. r^\ \ fn ...V
rinfl.fiire, 5C)H to .Wl
I. A« < (iiMMN*; to the nisldiii nf ilir Friiiks, thn kiiifjdom \%'.ia
liviilrd hrtvvccn tin'; sons of ( 'lovis- four in mirnUcr. These were
'I'lieodnric, culled 'i'liierry I., ( 'lodoiuir, ('liildf'hert and ('l(»tliaire.
• Mtitliiiire survived all his hrolhers. ( )ii(! of these had l(;fl three sons,
who had l>e«'n (Mitnisted to the rare of their (jraudinother, (^lotilda.
'J. K'\]\<r ("Idthaire sent to lu-r a sword and pair of scissors, vvliich
*<he r< adilv understood to mean, that her nephews must either di«', or
<Mit oil" their hair and enter a convent. She chose the sword, and
• wo of them were accorditif/lv killed hy ('lothaire himself. The
»lii-d founded a convent near Paris, called St. Cloud, a corruption
ttf lis name of ( 'hlodoald.
I
Chnrihprt, •'itil to 'xlT.
Chilpprir, .^67 to 581.
3. ('lothaire now reiLrned alone till '>(i\, when he died, leavin*?
four .sons, ChariluTt, Gouthran. Chilperic. and Sicohert. .Sijieber
married Bnmhault, dauj^hter of the Kin-j of Spain, and his aiiibas-
V. _ 1. How was tli'i ki.iTluin of Clni^ -livit ».! 1 2. Whai of Cl«»ihaire? What rt
rtw Ihree iiep'iew.-; ..f (Initiiiire ? Wkil { S\ Cloud? :{- When iid Clothaire dir '
2g . C1.0rHAIRE ll.-l)AOOBERT -t«-
^or on that occasion w- Gogo Af„^; «/ * P«^- J
first n.eMt.on m history "f f f '?"' ^^7,', departure fr.nn Spam .n a
U,e Spaniards were to the G,.nn.u s -^ ^^^,^_^j Fredego.ul-,
4. Chilpenc took for lub f"^» '' L.^^uisheil for her beauty, he.
a daughter of a pe..«uut, '''''i."!";' > j f ^*^ "ee„ Brunhault and fre
talems,andhercrunes lleq^^^^^^^^^ ,„,i,ed all h«
degomle deluged France "'l'' »'"^>; ^j j„„ „.as divided betwee,.
'S^i^:^'^^'^^^^:^^^^^"'^'' -0 «otha.re U , ..
of Chilperic and Fredegonde.
Clnthdire II.
Dd'Mert, tViS to 038.
5. Childebert died in f^^^:^:ZJ^^
Clolhaire 11., and ^^';\'.':;:V,^' " f-'b^'^bert by the murder of hi*
sons, Dagobert 1. »"d Cha. Ik rt 1 . im5.0D , , ^^
:;rr; rc,ortn!r,i:^trdlt"l;!:-^hed .. b. iust,ee ,n -he
-Tt^^ -.'"•- ';• ,r ^itSfiZfuXr n
comtnerce flourished ; and f'''' '" ' ^';''^.,7i^ o38, and the n.on-
^r^o^=^"' !;;;■ £Stf-- z. ss^.
:? tr;:^aee: ^^^ lTq;r;::I;S and a., power feu .nto
the hands of the mayon "ff'.V!:Z„ „!,l Gem.an words, monl;lo,ne
7. This title ts derived f' »'"'";; ',^7,,i,,U8 ,,ieted up a U
meaning judge of murders. Bm^^^^^ 2,,„, . ^^^^,, ,,^
iir^nF^LitXt aganrXnged into .„ai.. -/» H- — V™
of the palace. —
What were the names of hi^ fmir son. ? Whni ^^^f jrfifi^^Vic^.^^Snd '"vifrr^ W hat of
^lace? What of ?if ^^^ ^ i" Reiween^hl w^ he kingdom of France d.vu^ed .
Gouthran? When dul he ihe 7 Between wnoi.iw^ What of l)a<io\)erti b. \\ h«'
Twh^nc^-^ ChiUlebert die? >^^haM.apPened^ m 6^^^ ^^^^^^ ^.^.^ ,v^^^, ^f ,„,
of France uarmg Vhe reign of P.igobert /
THE FAINEANS. — 741
27
8. Ill 688, Pepin d'Heristal, Mayor of the Pai ice, assumed thr
whole power, merely suffering the king to ap{)ear at tl e annual meet-
ing in the Field of Marcii, wliich was an assembly of the nobles and
people, at first held in March, and afterwards in May ; and there
fore it was called at tiist the Field of March, or Mars, and afterwardv"
the Field of May : at all other times the king was kept in confine-
ineu*.
Clotis 11. , 038 to 656.
Clothaire III, 656 to 668.
'i. Pepin died in 714, and was succeeded in his office by his son,
Chailes, called Martel, or the Hammer, from the weight of hia
blows in battle ; a man who, by his great valor and activity, saved
Uie kingdom from the Saracens, who had already conquered parts of
Italy and Spain. On the death of Thierry IV., in 737, Cha''pa
thought himself powerful enough to dispense with the ceremony ><
aopointing a nominal king.
: I
Childeric II., 668 to iMA.
Thitrry III, 673 to 690.
10. He therefore mounted the throne, and at his death, in 741, he
bequeathed th<; kingdom to his sons Pepin and Carloman, who as-
sovereigns who succeeded him? 7. How did the riile. m.tvor df the palace, orieinatel
H. What of Pepin d'Heristal? 9. When did Pepin d'Herisial die? What of Lrjdflea
Martel ? When did Thierry 11. die ? 10. What die' Charles ."Nlartel do l pon the dealli of
Thierry? How wa-^ the "M.^nn-mjirin rare of king? .enninated? How hns had tbialirw
of kings reigned ?
I i
1
i! \
i !
I 11 ^
-J I-LOIIIAIKK 11 I'AOimKltl tT^
.a,l»r.mll,.t.»r.xsi,u,«.s(io..M..A^^/..r.^^^^
,ir.i „„•„.,..„ u. I.islov "I .«. ^^ . ,v„,„ si«,n in;.
::::;:; ;:;:^'Xr;:::';J:tr^i..-..;i;-. -■>-"
,l,...,n.l.- .1.-1UL'.'.1 I'l-"'--' ""'..'",: l,iu..l.'n.wns,liv„lr,ll,,'lw..c..
otClnlperic aiul Fmlegonae.
THK KAINKANS
II
27
Cliithiiir'' II-
l),i'-i>hcrt, •VJ.'^ /(' <'".>8
5. ,-,.,.a,.,„-n .lie,, in f^'V'''^t■^!::t^lri,w;!";!^e::t;;
noihain. 11.. -.."a ^" -, ;;:; ;•;'l^'i i:,;!;^ i; 111. .".-.1.. .,f m.
!:?;;:!;;:;:ru:;;r::;i:r:,r;n.;;:,;l.i...a..Hi..si,.^^
.„„„,..■„•.. ll..urisl.o,l ; •■'"' I'"''' ; ,lH ; die in 038, and Ihe nu.u-
the hands of the maiivrs ^'^/^'^ /;';^;'; ! ; ,,j (;^,^,,,^„ ,,,,,as, ;m)n/-.A'>«''
of the paliice. ^
- . v\'tv.. »f<rrr'hor' 1 \Vh;U "1" l»"' mayor cf ihe
What were iho name, of Itis l.mr soa. ? U h u > :.^j ;; ,.^ ^^,,.,„., .,,f, ; What of
^Uce^ What of ^'r^^^" ^J:""''! Je,. Ih >M v.i^^^^ kingdom of iMaoro . hvideci ;
bouthran? ^hon i i-l h.\ il e .- Kenvee.ov^^^^^^^^ What of Da?o!HMt ♦-. \V h«'
of France unring ^he rei^zn "i im^'mm^fu .
8. Ill HH8, Pepin iri[«'ri«l:il, Mayor of the Pa we, assumed tin-
whole power, iiicn-ly siilleriii!,^ tlii' \i\n\i t(» appear at tie annual meet-
inj^ in llir l''ir|(l of Maii-h, uliieji was an asstinldv '>f the nohle;-- an<l
[MMple, at first jicid tn Man-h, and afterwards iii May; an<i tin re
Ion; it was called at fust the Fnld of March, or Mars, and afterward."
i!ie Field ot" May : at all (MJier tunes the kintj was kept in confnie-
MHUl*.
6(V>t/.s- //.. f,:;s i(, firxi.
Clothaire III., 05f) to Gti8.
V. Pe[)in died in 711, and was suc(X'eded in his office hy his son,
('hailes, called Martrl, or the liimtiur, from the weifrljt of his
hlow's i:; 'nattle ; a man who, hy his j^reat valor and activity, saved
Uie kiii<,^dom from tlu; Saracens, who had already conquered [)arls of
Italy and Spain. On the <leath of Thierry iV., in 737, {'A\d/\»
ihou<,dit himself p(»werfiil etiou^^h to dispense' with the ceremoni »<
appointing a nominal kin<r.
Childeric 11., 6G8 to f»7.;.
Thitn!/ ///., 673 to 090.
10. He therefore mounted the throne, and at his death, in 741, lit-
Ne«pieathed the kinfj<lom t(» his sons Pepin and f'arloman, who as-
"overeiiiiis whit siicci-citcd liirii? 7. How diil iIil- -ill*' riiiiv.ir df Uie palace, orieinate J
H. What of Pepi,, .rHf-ristal .' 0. VVIicn .lid Popin d'Hr-ri t:»l .lio? Wtial of Cridfiea
Marlel ? When did Thierry It. die .' 10. What (hJ Charl^^s Marlel do i \»in the death of
rhierry ' Ffmv wns the ^T^- ■ ■ 'in mm of kin?-! prniriat-'d ? How hnq had iMsllr*
of king* reieiipd '
*
^ REVIEW OF IHL MEHOViN.nAN PYNA^FY - H. lO 741.
..ed the title as well as power of kin^^^^^^^^ ^he'thrt
Merovingian dynasty, or race of Clovis, wno
from 481 to 741.
i !
CHAPTER VI.
Review of the Mero^ngian Period of French History,
Throne of Dasobert, in the Museum at I'aris.
France. U will be «>"i"''^"'- ' .";."^^ . ;,„,v know that about lilty
U,e eon.,«est o Vsar - — ; .^ ...rlVance was oeeu,iea 1 y
S" ^%alle.rbX"."'.o^^a "-;;f^^t„:il^a.t;t four
o. We know that R.""'« ^"IT"! 4%te
,;„■! years held PVPf^'"" "L'lT,r;"^.,' f other countries to the
.,.a..v, HoUan.!. Belsuun ^ vU^Hau. a .1 oh ^^^^ ^^^
ceased t.. be her P"f ''f''""^; ,., .,„ ,,„„ „iven name and oriein to
..e^'^nrnStr^^^e'oer^^^^
What of Rome ? 3. What of the Frai.fe* '
VI. — 1. What of France in early lime^ ?
KKVIEW OK THE MEROVINGIAN DYNASriY. — 161 TO MI.
•J9
auout the year 400, and established themselves there. It is probable
ihat they advanced by degrees, and perhaps a considerable niinaber of
years elapsed between the first march from Treves, on tbe llhine, and
the final overspreading of the whole territory.
4. As to Pharamond, Clodion and Meroveus, we have said there
is much doubt and uncertainty ; but there is none as to Clovis. Here
the page of history become.'^ clear and certain, although it must be
admitted that it does not present a very pleasing series of pictures.
The people were rtide, and the kings thought it right to murder
fathers, brothers, or cousins, that might stand in their way. Still,
during this period of 200 years occupied by the long-haired or Mero-
vingian kings, of which we have given a brief notice, the French
natPon was gradually advancing in civilization, numbers and power.
Table of the Merovingian Kings.
Clovis began to reign in 481 ; and from this point is dated the found
ation of the French monarchy.
Tliierry I., 1
Clodomir, 1 Sons of Ci(»vis —began their joint reigns in 512.
Childebert I., | Clothaire w&e the survivor, and died in 5GI.
Clothaire I., J
Charibert T.,
SJouthran,
Chilperic, married Fredcgonde,
Sigebert, married Brunhault,
Childebert II., son of Sigebsrt,
Clothaire II., son of Chilperic,
I Sons of Clothaire — began thei?
joint reigns i n 56 1 . Gouthran w;n
the survivor, and died in 503.
Joint kings.
1
(1 k-
Thiernj II
Childebert II.
Theudebert. } Sons of Childebert 11. — reigned jointly with Clo-
Tliierry JI., ( thaire II., till 613, when Clothaire became sole king
4. WhU of Clovis ? What of the people under the Merovingian kines? What of the
kings ? What of France u ulf;r these kin^s ? When did Clovis besia to reign ? Whal
of the four sons of Clovis .' What of the four sons of Clothaire ? What of Childebert II
and Clothaire II. ? Whal of the two sons of Chi' ^ebe^t II. 7 What of the two sons o
Clothaire / What of Si^elieri 11. and Clovis II '■ rVhat were the nani&s of the six 9'»i|
3*
I ;
KKVIIAV (»l' rni. Mi;i;nVI.\(JIAN ItVNASlV 1-1 ro 7\\.
•J«
! i
111
1
? I
.„...ed the .u>.., us wen ..s v^^ ^!,^:^^^:XT:::^ t^'^
Merovingian .iyniisty, or rucc ..I < -1"^ •».
from 481 to 741.
CIl.M'THK VI.
Reuewofthe Mrro^n,i.n, I'm.! 'tf l^rn.h U:,ory.
nru,u uf Da.,.be,t. i,, the ISInHxm nt fam-
I „>,.r ilw first staec of llic liistory ol
,, Wk Imvo now l"'^^! '' " / " U i^i'' thi^ tbut all, previous to
Fran.-,.. It vv.ll « rou.arU.a. i r nu m„ ^^^ i ^,^^_,^, n,.^
„,, eon,,,,.-., of . a-.u ;;>»;;; , ,,.;;"l^,..„e.. „.s oocn,n,.,l 1 v
... Wc know that ^"-^'y^Zl^^i^^^ liritain, Uo,-
,1„,1 yo:,rs l,.l. possess,,,,, "f '^ f,;' .^ , ,> ' ,„, „|„.r ,.o„n„ios to tho
nanv, ll..lla".l. I olaium, -^^ '■ ' " ; ,. n,-,,, „.,„„rv. Uoine wa,
riolS i,;t;":o::W r^::;:^''':'*;,;:.' l. t.,cse sev.:ra, countnc.
t-eased to he her P'^f ;f ^^i!'; ,.. ,,.^,,, \,^,.,. civen name and oricjin to
\Vh:\l(»f iheFrai.^*'
a.Kiut llu' y«Mr 100, -.md cstiiUlishod tlj«Mnsi^lves tliore. It is prohable
that they advanced l»y den^rcos, and |urhap.s a cuiisijlcrahle nu'iibcrof
voars ela[>sed lu'tweeii llu* first niarcli fnnii 'I'rrvcs. on the Rhine, and
tlie fnial overspreading of the wh(d«' territory.
4. As to IMiaraiiiojid, (Modioli and Merovens, we have said there
is nnieh douht and inieertainty ; Ijnt then; is none as to ( *h)vis. 1I(to
lh«> pa^M; of history heeoiner i^lear and eertaiii, altlioiijjh it iinisl he
admitted that it does n<»t present a very pl«asin^r series nf pictures.
The peoph- were rude, and th(; kin^s thought it riirlit to iiiiirder
fathers, l)rolhers, or cousins, that nii<.dit stand in their way. Still,
dnrinj; this period of uMiO years occupied hy the loiiL^-haired or Mero-
viiiixian killers, of which vv<' iiave <,Mveii a hrief notice, the French
nation was jiradiially advancin^^ in civilization, nnnihers and [)Ower.
Tahlk ok tin: Mkkovingian Kincs.
( Movis hciiiin to reii,Mi in IHl ; and from this point is dated tlic found
ation of the French uioiiarchy.
Thierry I., ")
1 Sons of f'iovis — hrrran tlnur joint reijrns in 512.
[ Clothain^ wf^s the survivor, and died in .'')() I.
( Modomir,
Childehert I.,
( "iothaire I.,
' "harihert I.,
'Ni'oiithraii,
Chilperic, married Frede;.roiide,
Siirel)ert. married Jirunhault,
I Sons of r'lolhaire — hejjan thei?
V joint reifTMs in .'iOl. CJonthran \v:!j
th'j survivor, and died in 5i).'i.
(:inldebertIi.,sonofSijjeb.rt, I j„,„t kings.
Clothaire II., son ol Chilpenc, S
Thierry II
ChiUhhrt II.
V1.-1. WlvUofFrancei..e.rlyiime..' 2. Wlut.fH-.mc?
Fheudcbert, } Sons of Childebert 11.— reirrned jointly with Clo
Thierry II., ^ thaire II., till 613, wlien Clothaire became sole king
1. Wliit (.f Clovis t VVh:it of the people iimler the Merovinsian kines? What of the
kiiiijs 1 What of France u itirr these kin^s? When iVh\ Clovis becrin to re\sn 1 Whal
of the four snn.s of Clovis .» Whal of the four sons of CLilhaire .' Whal of Childeberl II
and Clothaire II. 1 What of the two .sons of Chi' ^e^>erl II. ? Whal of the two sons o
Clothaire / Whal of Si?el»eri II. and Clovis II Vhal were the ua!ne.s of the six Vuf
.3*
il
ll
r
n '
;ji
REVIl-W OF THK MKKOViNGIAN DYNASTY. -481 TO 741
Daffoberl 1 . } Sons of Clothaire II.— began to reign in
Charibert 11., i In <"»:il Dagobrrt became sole king.
eaft
Clovis III.
Dagobert II
Sigebert 11., ) Began to reign in 638. Clovis survived, and died
Clovis 11., ^ in 055.
Dagobert 11., ]
l)agot)erl ii., |
Ciotbaire HI., | Faineuns, wlio bore the title of kini
'nii(!rrv III., K^, 711^ ji„,i vvho were under the go>
ChiUleric II., ^ p^ i,j i'lleristal.
r«i-...:.. Ill '
gs from 655
governnieM' oi
f;iovis III.,
Dagobert 111.,
Chilpcric II
Clothaire IV.
VMu^ll IV', ^ Faineans under the government of Charles M-..rt-i
Thierry IV., )
, ,'nl kin.. u^iiT^^I^ii^eristal 1 How 1. ng. did ey relgu J What of the h1 H^^
k ..^a uador Charles Marlel ? Exlcnt of ihcir reign .
»
\
PEPIN THE SHORT.— 75
CHAPTER VII.
Ahmt King Pepin the Short.
31
Chillier ic III.
1 The ai fdnToment which Charles Martel had made foi he svio.
c.iicn did nut kst long. Pepin, though called the UilU or th«
SAor/, from the sh(.rtn.3ss of his stature, had an active mind and an
ambiiovs spirit, and s.K»n induced Carlonuui to enter a convent.
Cm was iotsure the people would consent to the total exdusum
of the Merovingian family, and therefore gave the title of king to a
prince known as Childeric 111. Ju,^ooH nt
^ 2 But, having strermthened his own power, he soon disi>osed ot
Chiideric as he had <.f his own bn.ther, and caused ^^f^r f \« f I^^.
claimed king. At Soissons he was raised upon a ^^leUl, he prm
cipal ceremony at the inauguration ot a monarch ; and to render hia
person sacred, he was anointed with oil from the sacred phial,-a
Snony which has ever since been performed nt the coronation of
kings oi France.
t'p.]nn tht Short, 751 to 768.
•> This ceremony of consecration by anointing is an im tation o\
»a old Jewish ceremony ; for we are told that Samu el poured oil oi .
" VII - I When do« the (:arin7i,^ian race of Icings begin ? Wha. of Pepin ? 2^Wha'
•f Childeric? What did Pei>in do now I What ceremonies took place? 3. What o»
1
11 !
I
l> .
' i
;<i
RK
ivii-w OF rm: mkkovingian dynasty. - i-» to 74i
Dasohcn \ . i Sums u( Clothaire IL-l.e^nm to reign
CharilHTt II., S 1" «'-'l l>:i;-*»^)«'rt became sole king.
in
62ft
Dagobat II. ^^"^'^ ^^'•
Si.elu.rt 11., ^ Began to reign in 038. Clevis survived, and died
Clovis 11., i[ in r)')5.
Da.M.lu.rt 11., 1
Clutl.aire 111., | K.inruns, who bore the title of kings tmm (i'.S
Tbitriv 111., I ^„ 7n, ..uul who were under the govermnen» el
ChihhTie 11., , p, |„ a'lleristal.
-b.vis 111., I '
Dagobert 111.,
Chilptric II
Clothaire IV.
ri!!lbnire iv', ^ Faineans under the government of Charles Mart^i
Thierry IV., )
r^-7^^>maer Pepiu .t'Henst.i; How I. ng did .ey rel.n ! What of the «! 1S«^
I ,,^s uiulor Charles Martel .' Exlcnl of their reign ,
PEPIN THE SHORT. -7£
CHAPTER VII.
Ahtmt King Pepin the Short,
31
Childeric III.
\ TnK-a.r.inm^tnent which Charles Martel had made foi he sut>
c.iicn did ,otl:ist lo.t.. Pepttt, though called //. I.nl. or lh«
Wmr/, froni the short.tass of Itis stature, had an active mind and an
atnhi hIs spirit, and so<»u i.tduced t'arlotua.i to enter a convent.
IV n ^^-as , ot sure the people would consent to the total exchts.on
of 'the Merovingian fanuly. and therefore gave the title of king to a
nrince known as Cliilderic lil. i- j *
' a. llut,l.av,„i Blr..„s.l,en,.l his.m,. i-ONver, he soon Jsix'sod o
ChiUloric as !.<■, l,;..l of l,is own l.r,.ll.or, and causo.l '"•".«':'[ '",;'', ™-
clain,ed kin-. A. Soisson. ho was rais.d n,,on a '^'•"^ f ' ' '^^ ;
cioal coron-.onv at tin- inauynration ol a nionurch ; and to render Ins
ners(Hi saertiL'he was anointed with oil Iron, the sacred ph'al. — ?
eerelnony which has ever since i,een performed al .he coronation of
kings of France.
t'f.pin tht Short. 751 (>> TiiH.
S This ceremony of c«)nsecration hv anointing is an im tation ol
in'old Jewish ceremony ; for we are told t jialSamud poured oil oi.
' VII - I Wh«n do^. the (Tario^.^ian race c»f kings bet^ii. 1 Wha. of Pepin? 2^Wlu,'
tf^-hilderic? Whal'ii.l P.-pin do t..nv • What rcromon.es t.H.k place? 3. What or
'&
CHAKLEMAGNE. -768.
the hoa.] of Saul. Under the reign of Pepin, Fiance Mlaiiied to greM
rtreuffth and consequence. His fame reached oven to Lonslantinople
and the Emperor of Mie East sent him macjnificunl presents, and
amoncr other\jnngs ai. orcran ; the lirsi that liad bec.i seen in 1 ranee
4 The courtiers of Pei)in were v.ry apt to make jokes about tlie
diminutive size of the little king, lie resolved to put a stop to this ;
and for this purpose invited them to see a fight between a bull and a
Hon The lionSiaving thrown down the bull, Pepm turned to the
courtiers, and inquired which of them had the courage to separate or
lo kill the furious combatants. i n i
5 The bare proposal made them shudder. No one answered. 1
will' do it myself then," said the kincr; and drawing his sword, he
ca up to the lion, and pretty soon dispatched him. 1 hen with great
mtrepidity, turning upon the bull, he cut oQ h^ head at one blo'A
Vou .nay be sure That no more jokes were cracked at the expense of
**'6 Pepin died in 768, leaving two sons, Charles and Carloinan.
Carioman soon died, and ('harles was left sole monarch. He is gen-
erally known as aarlana^ne, or Charles the Great ; and although
this name was not given him till after his death, the plainest way w U
he to adopt it at once.
CHAPTER VIII.
About Charles the Greats or Charlemag?ie.
Charlemagne, 708 fy 816.
1 Charlemagne was one of the most famoua of all the French
kin-s. He was not onlv a great warrior, but a great si atcsman
Everywhere he was successful in making conquests until heat last
re\^^^ over France, Germany, and Italy. Ihus his empire wa«
Fr„,„ i,nder Pepinl Whal of hi. fame! 4, 5. What of Pepm ami hU co»ni.rs»
" v'ltr-f'wTa'. car;,V,''inf'l"Sna^eJ 0,« w-a. co..„.rie,.W h. r.* '
UHAKLEM AGNF. — 768.
33
If really extended, and he was called the Emp, or of thi West, as the
king at Constantinople was called Emperor of the East. This title
vvhi'ch he ijainetl had been before held by the emperors of Rome.
2. Charlemagne was as much larger than common men as his
father, King Pepin, was smaller ; for he was nearly seven feet in
height, and well proportioned, excepting his neck, which was rather
toolarge ; a serious defect in those days, when the throat was uncov-
ered. IJy his dress he could not be distinguished from the meanest
of his subjects, except upon great occasions, when he appeared iu hia
robes of state.
3. At first he wore a long cloak that reached to the ground ; atmI
it is not surprising that he should havt; changed this for the s.iort
cloak of the Germans, made of many colors, which was much bi iter
suited, from its size, to a fighting people. The conquest of Italy {^ave
him a taste for the silks and the rich furs which the Venetian -aer-
chants imported from the East.
4. His under dress was a kind of shirt made of linen ; and over that
he wore a garment like a frock, bordered with silk. His legs were
covered with stockings, bonnd tight by cross garters all the way up
and down. But though the king was so simple in his own dress,
some of his subjects w'cre disposed to be extravagant ; he therefore
fixed a price upon all kinds of cloths, and said what sort should be
worn bv each class of citizens.
5. He was very economical of his time, and while dressing he
heard and decided causes; and while he dined some person read
aloud to him from the works of St. Augustine, or the history of
Jerusalem. He had to(» many important things to occupy his mind
to bv". very particular as to what he had for dinner, but, as the cook
knew his taste, boiled meat was generally provided for him.
G. He was very fond of learned men, and invited foreigners to his
court; among others, an English bishop named Alcuin, one of the
most learned men of the age. He bestowed upon him so many
estates, that Alcuin is said to have had twenty thousand slaves. As
all learning v.as confined lo the ecclesiastics, it is not surprising that
they should have been familiar with a monarch so fond of literature.
7. He established schools, where the scholars were taught gram-
mar, arithmetic, and church music: an education that may be con-
sidered (piit;^ complete, in an age when the chief qualification
required in the priests, the only persons who had the least tincture of
knowledge, was, that they should be able to repeat the Lord s prayer.
8. Althongh Charlemagne reproached the ecclesiastics with theii
love of riches, yet he continued to enrich them ; and his bounty laid
the foundation fir that great wealth and power which made the high
churchmen such troublesome subjects in the times of his successors
Bishops became great lords, and differed in their manners and habit ^
from other great lords only by being more arrogant and luxurious.
How did he extend hia empire ? What was he called ? Who wa.-? called Emperor of thp
I
Ml
I
onomy
•e
CHAKLEIVIA(}NE.-76a
the head of Saul. Under the roian «.f Pepin, Fiance Mtamed to ^reM
Itrencnh and consciuence. His lame reached even to Constantinople
and tlic Emperor of ♦he East sent him maamhcent presents, and
amoncr c,lher\hini,s ai. orj^an ; the f.rst that had been s.yn m P ranee
4 The courtiers of Pep»'» ^^•''■*' ^''"V ='i'^ ^" "'''*^'' -5"''''* ^^^"^'\ ^.*"^
diminutive size ..f the little kin-, lie risclved to put a step to this ;
and for this purpose invited them t(. s.-e a h-ht hetween a bull and a
Hon The lionS.avin.r thrown .l..un the bull, Pep.n turned to the
courtiers, and in,piired which of then. h;ul the conra-e to separate or
lo kill the furious combutants. i .. i
'i The bare proposal made them shudder. No one answered. 1
will do it mvself then,'' said the kin- ; and drawing his sword, Im
ran up to the lion, and pretty soon dispatched him 1 hen, with <xreat
mtrepiditv, turmn- upon the bull, he cut oil h.s hea.l at one blow
You may' be sure that no more jokes were cracked at the expense of
*'o Pei'.in died in 7(iS, leavin- two sons, Charles and Carloman
Carioman soon died, and Charles was left sole monarch, lie is ijen-
.^rally known as Charlnna^n.. .n Charles the Creat ; and although
this name was not -iven him till after his death, the plamest way w.U
he to adopt it at once.
CHAPTER VIll.
About Charles the Great, or Charlemagne,
I
Charlemagne, 708 fw 816.
1 CHARLE.MAr.NE w.is one of the most famous of all the French
kincis. Tie was not onlv a -reat warrior, but a ^'^^'^t ^J^^*^"^;^"
Evervwhere he wns successful in makintr conquests umil heat last
J^i-ned over France, (iermany, and Italy. Ibus his empire wa.
F...ce under Pepin' W..U of h=.s fume? 4, 5. What of Pepin and hi. courtiers^
' ^;if ^[.'^lial c^'^'lu'^S^S'lSUe^ over what countries .id he reir '
UH A K LE31 AGN F. — 76S.
a:i
If really extended, and he was called the Emp. or of llu West, as the
kintr at Constantinople was called Emperor of the F.ast. This title
which he -ainc^l had been before held by the emperors of Home.
'J. Charlema-ne was as much lar-er than ctmunon men as his
father, Kin- Pepin, was smaller ; for he was nearly seven feet in
hei-ht, and well proportioned, exceptin- his neck, w hich was ratlu.T
toolar-e ; a serious defect in those days, when the throat was uiu'ov-
ered. "liy his dress he e(»uld not be distinguished from the meanest
of his sulijects, except upon -real occasions, when he appeared ir^ hi.s
robes of state.
3, At first he wore a Ion- cloak that reached to tiie jjrround ; md
it is not surprisin- that he should hav«> chan-ed this for the .s.mrt
cloak of the Germans, made of many colors, which was much bt tier
suited, from its si/e, to a fi-htin- people. The concjuest of Italy j^ave
Inm a taste for tlie silks and the rich furs which the Venetian -aer-
chants imi>orted from the East.
1. llis under dress was a kind of shirt made of linen ; and over that
he wore a -arment like a frock, bordered with silk. His Ic-s were
covered with siockin-s. bttund ti-ht by cross jrarters all the way up
and down. Hut thou-h the kiiifr was so simple in his own dress,
some of his subjects were disi)osed to be extravajrant ; he therefore
fixed a price upon all kinds of cloths, and said what sort should be
worn by each class of citizens.
5. lie was very economical of his time, an<l while dressing he
heard and decided" causes; and while he dined some person read
aloud to him from the works of St. Au-ustine, or the history of
.I(3ru.salem. He had too many important tliin-s to occupy his mind
lo be very particular as to what he had for dinner, but, as the cook
knew his lasie, boiled meat was -enerally provided for him.
0. He was very fond of learned men, and invited forei-ners to his
court; am;«n- others, an En-lish bishop named Alcuin, one of the
most learni^d' men of the a-e. He bestowed upon him so many
estates, that Alcuin is said to have had twenty thousand slaves. As
all learni.i- v.as confup'(l to the ecclesiastics, it is not surprising that
they should hav«' been familiar with a monarch so fond of literature.
7. He established schools, where the scholars were taught gram-
mar, aritbmeiic, and church music: an education that maybe con-
sidered (pii? • complete, in an age when the chief qualification
required in the priests, the oidy j)ersons who had the least tincture of
kuowled-e, was, that they should be able to repeat the Lord s pray^T.
8. Altliou-h Charlemagne reproached the ecclesiastics with their
love of riches, yet he continued to enrich them ; and his bounty laid
the foundation for that great wealth and power which made the high
churchmen such troublesome subjects in the times of his successors
Rishops became great lords, and differed in their manners and habii^
from other great lords only by being more arrogant and luxurious.
Hf.w did he exlend his empire ? What wiis he calletl ? Wlio was called Emperor ot the
K:i.st ? Who ha.l held the liUe of Emperor of the West Iwfore CriJirlemagne ? 2. . . -1. Wha»
of the person of Charlemagne? His dress? 5. What can yon say of ^^^^f"^^^*
«..momVoflime? 6. What of leamad men ? 7. What of schools ? ^. -.i Whatofeccl*
34
CHARLEMAGNE -«fXi
Jl
q Far from behav. i^ themselves like the ministers of u reli^rior
„f T,ei;e tl ev uerc the most factious subjects, and most forvvard in
hJ cSc s of t,.e tim.^.; and, in spite of the laws vvhich Char e^
In^ne made to restram them, were foremost in the fields of blood
'*"lO With all his fondness for learning this f ^^^^"f^^f ^^.^^;;^
know how to write. When he vvas an old man he oo^^reat p.uns
to learn, and practised a ^^reat deal, but he never ^*'"»^y'^^'7,^\«^"i^;^
the 1 Jtt^rs. But wntin,/ in those days was an art conhned to a few .
who made it their business to write letters tor I'lre
11 Althou'Th the kinjr was so abstemious lumscll, yet he knew
how 'to .he handsome entertaimnents. Twice a year ^^ "^vited a
he nobk-s t.. a L^reat feast, each of which lasted tor a ^veek and was
c Jled a "ienarv'court. The nobles came with a crowd of attendants,
and all were entertained at the expense of the kins:.
l'^. Every day at the end of the dinner three heralds entered, each
wi h a pold cup in his hand, and crying out three times '' Bounty
of the most powerful of kinj^s,'' threw money ^-'^^""g^^he c^rowd
After this, the learned monkeys, and bears and dops, were brought
,n to show oir their accomplishments for the amusement of the king
'"Is't'c reign of Charlemagne forms the link between ancient and
modern histo. v, and marks the period when learning and the arts
r: first encouraged m France! The French ^^-^J^^^^^
proud of tiiis monarch, not for the extent of his ^\>"<l"f ^^' X"
manv persor.al virtues ; his justice ; his wisdom in the enactment ot
lawsVhis zeal in the cultivation of the arts and ^^^^"f ^ ' ,7^^,^^!
extreme earnestness t., soften the manners of his subjects, and to pro
mote their welfiirt; an<l happiness. . ,
14. His whole reign was. a perpetual series ot ^^ars , but t^ht
account of them would be little interesting to you. You "^^Y' ;
haps, have seen the battle of Roncevalles mentioned, for the poets
have made it almost as famous as the biege ol ^^oy. pu„Hp-
15. It was o,ilv a fight between a few of the ^j^^ie f of C ha^^
ma<nie and a body of savage mountaineers, who ^^^'^^^^^^^^^^J^^Ylled
hls^rmy as he returned from Spain in 777, and among others, kilUd
Roland, the nephew of the king.
suislic. or priests? 10. What of Charlemagne's learning to write? '} J^l of [n^
enSnments7 12. Wlu.l happened after the ent^ert.m^^^^^^^^
l( Charleinasrne 1 Why are the French proud of the rngn ol Ohariema^^
i' \i« Utile of Roiift;\ alios ?
CHARI.EIMAGNE.-SfW.
30
CHAPTER IX.
i,(mtinuatio?i of the Reign of Charlemagm. — The Nonnans,
1. In the year 800, Charlemagr.o visited Rome, and the Pope, as &
testimony of his gratitude for llie benefits he had received, resolved
to confer upon him the title of " Emperor of the West.'' But this
he intended as a surjmse for the king.
2. Accordingly, on Christmas day, when the great church at Ronu)
was crowded with people of vailous nations, the Pope carnc^ softly
behind the king as he knelt before the altar, and placed a crown
ui>on his head. ^ The lofty dome resounded with the cry, " Long life
U) Charles the August, crowned by the hand of God! Long life to
the great Emperor of the Romans!"
3. Charlemagne testified the greatest surprise at this honor, and
protested that if he had known vhat the Pope intended to do, he
would not have gone to church that da/. However, he had been
anointed with the sacred oil, and there was nothing to be done but to
endure the honor. I think he pretty soon became reconciled to the
burden, fi)r he was very particular in requiring other sovereigns to
address him bv his new title,
4. The incursions of the Nornia?}s, or Norlhmm, or Men of the
North, compelled CharhMiiagne to build a hrge number of vessels, by
means of which the whole coast, from the moutli of the river Tiber,
in Italy, to the limits of his (Jennan dominions, was protected.
.'5. 'riiese Normans issued originally from the countries of Norway
and Denmark, and are the same jjcople who, in the early history of
England, are called Danes. The tbrests with which their native
cou'^itries were overgrown furnished them with the means of build-
ing vessels, which were navigated with two sails and a number of
oars.
6. Each of these vessels contained about one hundred men, with
beer, sea biscuit, cheese, and smoked bt^ef, fi)r their support. Sailing
along the coast, these pirates would land wherever it was not
defended, and after ravaging the country^ return home with theii
booty, generally without seeking to establish a residence in the coun-
tries they laid waste.
7. The churches and monasteries were the chief depositories of the
riches of these countries, and were the principal objects of attack,
and this circumstance occasioned the loss of many valuable records of
thr«e times which had been prepared by the mr»nks.
8. There was one old friend of most young readers who lived in
the time of Charlemagne. TLit« \t. Sultan Haroun al Raschid.
I suppos. uany have fancied that hr was no more a real man, than
that the paiaces of Aladdin were lea' palaces.
IX. — 1. What new honor was l)e.st.nvel on ';harlemai?nc ? When? By wliom 7
i, 3. What of the ceremony ? 4. Wnal iew e- emies api^areJ ? What measure did
Charlenia^r.e adopt? 5. W^ho wpre the N'orna «? What of their vessels ? 6. W hat
•' theii ..xper.ilioriS ? ''. .Vlw t (ooB w-* o.. aa^ ei. ^v them i Why ? 8. 9. Who wa-
* ■
i
36
CHARLEMAGNE. — bV3.
9 He was, however, a real man, and a very great man. He
reigned over the Arabs in Asia, from 78G to 807 and was a mosl
v,ise and learned prince. At that period, the Arabians were u pol-
ished and intelligent people, well skilled in the sciences I roni them
we Irive many of the terms most familiarly used in science, surli as
alcrebra, alkali, &c. ^ ^. , i „<, ..
10. The sultan had a great respect for Charlemagne, and. as a
,,roof of his regard, sent him a curious machine for measuring time
by means of water. Tlie dial of this clock was composed ot tv.olv..
small doors, which represented the division ol the hours.
11 Each door opened at the hoyr it was intended to represent, and
out of it came the same number of little balls which lell one by one
upon a brass drum. At 12 o'clock, twelve horsemen issued torth
and, marching round the dial, closed the doors.
CHAPTER X.
Death aiul Burial of Charlemagiie.
1 All the power and greatness of Charlemagne could not secure
happiness to him. The death of his two eldest sons afflicted him to
60 great a degree, that in a sh.)rt time he was reduced trom a state of
usual health and strength, to a condition in which he could not Mnlk
without assistance. . ,» , • i • i i i >
o He was now at the city of Aix, in Belgium, which he had
selected to be the capital of his <loiuiMi..ns. He had erected a mag-
nificent palace, and also a superb chnprl, from whicli it derives Us
present name of Aix-la-Chapelle. , . r r i n Tho
3 The dome was embellished with a globe of solid gold. J he
gates and balustrades wi«re of bronze, the vases and chande hers ot
sold and silver, and the ornaments displayed a richness hitherto
unexampled in that region. As the use of bells was introduced into
France during this reign^this chapel was undoubtedly furnished with
4* To this chapel Charleinaune repaired. He was arrayed in his
imperial robes, with a crown of gold upon his head, and supported
by his only remaining son, Louis. Taking the crown from his head,
he placed 'it on the altar, and after urging his son to be a good mon-
arch, as well as a good man, commanded him to take the crown and
put it on his own head. This was in 813.
H.iro.in al Ra.schi.l J Whore di.l he live ? What of the Arabians ? 10, 1 1. What presenl
did he serul to Charlen»a-n.! ? I'escnbe u. vviv.t ritv waa his itnilal'
Y —1 What of ihe com itioii of Charlemagne? 2. What city was ni3 t^P'^a'
Whence .1. name? In what country i3 Aix-laChapelle ? 3. What of »"^ ^^hapell
4 What event look place there? When? 5. How .lidCharlem^e occupy h.s lim«?
Note. It is reconiinend.Hl thai in every instance where ihe name of a plar^ occuip, the
oupil should be required ic tell where it is. what direction from Pans. *r
i,OUIS THE GOOD-NATURED. -- SI 1.
31
6. Charlemagne now gave up all the cares of government, and
Hjcupied himself in works of devotion. His time was spent in read-
ing the Scriptures, in prayer, and in acts of charity. His strength
gradually failed, and in January, 814, he had become so weak as to
be unable to swallow anything' but a little water. On the twenty-
eighth of that month he 'expired, uttering, in a low and faltering
voice, " Into ihy hands, O Lord, I commend iny spirit."
0. He die I in the seventy-second year of his age, and forty-fouith
of his reign. His body was deposited in a vault in his chapel. Ii
was placed ui)on a splendid throne of gold, dressed in the fmperia.
robes, with the crown on his head, and his sword by his side; the
Bible was placed upon his knees. But under the imperial robes waa
♦he hair shirt of the penitent, and he still bore the pilgrim's purse,
which he had carried in all his pilgrimages to Rome.
7. The tomb was filled with gold and silver, and scented with the
choicest perfumes, and a triumi>hal arch wiis erected, bearing a long
inscription. But the tomb was robbed of its riches by Otho HI., in
1001, and a single inscription, " Carlo Magno," in the pavement, is
all that now marks the spot where his remains are deposited.
8. At the death of this great emperor, his empire extended to the
Ebro, on the south, to the Eyder and Vistula on the east and north,
and to the sea on the west. It included Italy, the whole of Geimany,
with the present Hungary, Bohemia, Poland, and Prussia, half of
Spain, and all France.
\
CHAPTER XI.
About Louis the Good-natured.
Louis /., 811 to 840.
1. Louis was in Aquitaine at the time of his fathcv> death, in
his journey from thence to Aix-la-Chapelle, he wafi everj-where
leceived with acclamations of joy by the people. The goodr«88 of
When did he die ? 6. What was his age ? How long had he reigned? 7. W»i«l ^ h**
lomb ? 8. Describe his empire al his death.
I
f
i
36
CHAULKMAGNE -MJ.
9 H« was, however, a real man, and a very fc^reiit man. fk
ceicrned over tlic Arabs in Asia, tn,.u 760 to 807 and was a rnosl
wi^ and U:arned pnncc. At that period, tlie Arabians were a ptd-
ished and intclli^^ent people, well skilled in the sciences. I n^';' ;^;"
we derive many of the lerms iiiost tamiliarly used m science, surn a.s
ah^ebra, alkali, &c. . ... , « ^.^ ..
"lO Tho sultan had a great respect ior ( harlemajrne, and. af, a
proof of his regar.l, sent him a curious inachinr for ""'^'^"'•'"^Jj;;
bv means of water. The dial of this rlcck was compusr.l ot tv.oK.
small doors, which rei.resented the division (d the hours.
11 Each door opened at llu; hour it was intrnde<l to repres.'ut, an<l
out of it came the same number of litth- balls which trll one by one
upon a brtujs drum. At 12 o'clock, twelve horsemen issued torth
ami, marching round the dial, closed the doors.
£ (•"
!
CHAPTER X.
Death and Burial of Charlemagne.
1 All the ix.wrr and n;reatness of Charlrmapne could not secure
happiness to him. The dr.lh of his two eldest sons afll.cle.l him to
so rrreat a d.-ree, that in a short time he was reduced tn.m a state o
usual health and strrnirtb, to a cMuiition in which he couhl not vv'.lk
without assistance. i • i i i . i
'^ He was now at tlif ntv ol Ai.x. m n.-lgium, which lu' h.id
selected to be ihc capital of his .lomiMions. lie had erected a nuiL-
uificent palace, .and also a superb .-bap,-!, from which it derives .ts
present name «»fAix-la-('hapelle. ,. ,- i n mm
S Tb<> doui.' was rmbeUishr.l with a globe ot solid g(dd. J he
rrates and balnstra.lrs wrr»> of bron/.e, the vases and cbande hers ot
irold and sihvr, and the ornaments displayed a richness hitherto
nnexample.1 m that reLnon. As the use of bells was introduced into
France durin- this reign^this chapel was undoubte.llv furnished with
**"V To thischaprl ('harleman.u; repaiiv.!. He was arrayed in his
imperial robes, with a crown of ^j^.M upon his head, and supi.ortcd
bv his onlv remaining s,.n, Louis. Taking the crown from his head,
he i.lacedit on the altar, and after urging his son to be a good mon-
arch, as well as a good man, commanded him to take the crown and
put it on his own head. This was in 813.
H.irounanJasil.i.l.' Wlvro .li.l h.- hv ; Wh;u ..fih.^ Arabian. 7 l", W. What jrescnl
ai,^^he^ond u. a.aH....... : IV^^ 2 What oty was ni-M^J-i;
wttR-e .1. name? L. what country is Aix-U-Cha,>elle ? 3. What of Iv.s chapd?
4 What event took place there ? Wheii ? 5. How .li.l Charlemagne or:upy hi3 lime ?
Sott It is recommended tliat in every instance where the name of a plara occiup, the
impil 8houUJ \yc required tc tell where it is. what direction fron» Farrs. *r
rtfclll Ii I 11,1-JL.iiy..,,
I.OU1S Tilt: (il)Oli-NArLUKL>. sn
X\
6. CharhMuagnc now gave up all the cares of government, and
H,'cupied himself in works of devotion. His time was spent in read-
ing the Scriptures, in praver, and in acts of charity. His strength
gradually failed, and m .himiary, bl 1, he had bt^comc so weak as to
be unable to swmIUjw anything but a little water. On the twenty-
eighth of that month he 'expired, uttering, in a low and faltering
v(»ice, '• Into thy hands, () Lord, I commend my si)irit.''
t). He die 1 in the scvcnty-sieond year of his ag«', and loiiy-fiuirlh
af his reign. His body was deposited in a vault in his chapel. Il
was placed up«)n a splendid throne (d' gold, dressed in the rmperia.
robes, with the crown on bis htad.and his sword by his side ; the
Hible w:is placed upon his kners. Hut under the imperial robes was
♦he hair shirt of the penitent, and he still bore the pilgrim's purst\
which he had carried in all bis pilorimages to Rome.
7. The tomb was filled with gold and silver, and scented with the
choicest perfumes, and a triumphal arch was erecied, bearing a long
inscription, lint the tomb was roblxd of its riches by Otho 111., in
1001, and a single inscription, "Carlo Magno,"' in the pavement, is
all that now marks the spot where his remains are deposited.
8. At the death of this great emi»t«ror, his empire extended to the
Ebro, on the south, to the Eyder and Vistula on the east and north,
and to the sea on the west. It inchuied Italy, the whole of Geimany,
with the pn'seiit Hungary, JJidiemia, Poland, and Prussia, half of
Spain, and all France.
CHAPTEI! XI.
About Jjniis Ihr Ciood-nalnred.
Louis I., 811 to 810.
1. Louis was in Aquitaine at the time of his tathcvf death. In
his journey from thence to Aix-la-C!iapelle, he waii everj-where
leceived with acclamations of joy by the people. The goodi'ess of
When did he die ? 6. What was his age ? How long had he reigned ? 7. Wtial »f h-«
lomh? 8. Describe his empire at his death.
38
LOUIS THE GOOD-NATURED. -S40.
his disposition, which acquired for him the surname of Lv Debonnatr^
or Good-natured, seemed to promise a peaceful and happy reign.
2 He possessed virtues which would have made him most esiima-
hie as a private man, but he was totally unfit to govern a large empirt^
in so stormy a period. His first error was the division ot his domin
ions between his three sons, Lothaire, Pepin, and Louis.
3. Lc.uis had another son, named Charles, who was born aflc^r this
division, and it became necessary to provide for him a kingdom trom
the territories which had already been bestowed upon bis elder broth
ers. This excited resentment in those- princes, and they rose in rebel-
lion against their father. i u. i
4 The two parties n.et in a field between IJasle and ^tiras^'^urg.
The Pope, named Gregory, took part with the rebels and, by his
promises and threats, induced the king to submit himselt to his rebel-
lious sons. The Pope and the princes paid so little regard to then
promise's, that the place is yet cal id the Fnid of Lies.
5 The king was deprived of his crown, and condemned to do per-
petual penance. Pcnancr was a punishment inflicted by the priesta
for any offence which they said was against the laws of the Chrisaan
reliiiion : and so great was the influence of the priests that they had
caused it to be considered as established law, that no person couhl
bear arms, or execute any civil office, during the period ot his
'^'^G^"b\' perpetual penance, therefore, the king was forever disqual-
ilicui frJm resuming his power. The first act of his penance was per-
formed in the church at Soissons. A haircloth was spread betore the
altar, and Li)uis, takiuii off his sword and coat, threw himselt upon
the ground, and, with his face to the earth, confessed that he hud
marched a body of troops in the time of Lent, and had taken up arms
in his own defence I , ^ i • u i
7 He was then clothed in sackcloth, and confined in a cell, where
nothincr was allowed to him but what was absolutely necessJiry to
sustaiir life. The rebels could not agree amongst themselves, and this
hni to the restoration of the tather, who finished a disastrous nngn ot
twenty-seven years in a tent, near Mentz, dying of griet cau-ed by a
new rebellion of his son Louis, A. D. 840.
was tl.« first error of his rei-n ? 3. What event occasioned truube ? What a ni^ M.na^
r W il .van dul the P..l« act 1 What is the fieUl of meetin? tailed ? Why T *^ How
Ls the & treated 1 -.Htal of j^nance 7 f. What of the ,v,na,.ce of th. #in,r .' 7
Wluu cauHwf his restor on to the crown 1 When did he die ?
U .
I
OM
CHARLES I. — 840.
39
CHAPTER Xn.
yf Charles the Bald, ami the Tyi)iguage spoken in France,
Charles /., 840 to 877.
1 Tme glory of the Carlovingian race had expirid with Charle-
„.A^,.e His successors, by their folly and vices, destroyed the vast
fabnc of power which their ancestor had raised. No sooner was
f.ouis dead, than his sons began to dispute about the possessions
which their father had bestowed upon them. Charles called the
Bald, from his bald head, and Louis, united themselves agamst
Lothaire. , , , i r * ;r. o
2 Each party assembled an army, and the hostile forces met in a
)lain near Fontenoy. Thev were drawn up in battle array, and the
leaders proceeded to ad.lross them. But as they had no common lau-
cruage, they made use of several. Charles, who commanded the
Franks and Gauls, who now for the first time began to be called b>
the general name of French, was obliged to use two languages m
addressing the inhabitants of the different parts of the country.
3. To those coming from the north, he spoke in \he lajigm d oil,
or laninie d'oui, which very much resembles the modern Irench
and is a great deal of (Jerman mixed with a little Latin. But those
comincr from the south used a great deal of Latin mixed with a little
German, and to these he spoke in the langue d'oe, which was modi-
fied into the Provengal, and, after being for two centuries the favorite
language of poetry, has cca.sed to be a living language.
4 These lancruacres derived their names from the different words
meaning yes; vlz.,^wi, and or:. In a siniilar manner the German
was called langue de tja, and the Italian the langue de si. Charle-
magne would permit nothing but German to be spoken in his own
family, to the no small mortification of his French subjects.
VII __ 1 What of the successors of Charleniaene ? What of the sons of puis '!
2 Wiiat if the language ? What of the Franks and Gaul. ? 3 What wa« t^heja,.|«.
d'outf What of the lamtce d'oe ? A. Whence these names 7 What was ih^e lan?uaf-
38
rX)UIS THE GOOD-NATUKED. -r?40.
his disposition, which aaiuired for him the. surnaiiK? ot Lr Dtlonnatre
or Good-natured, seemed to promise a peaceful and luippy reicrn.
2 lie possessed firtues which wouUl have made hnn most esimia-
hie as a private man, hut he was totally unfit to povern a larjie empirt*
in so stormy a peri..d. His fust error was the division ot Ins domin
ions between his three smis, Lothiiirr, P.-pm, and Louis.
:i L„uis had another son, uanu-d ( harles, who was horn niter this
divisi.ni, and it became necessary to provide f«»r him a kin^nloni troin
the territories which had alnady b.'en best(»wed upon Ins rider broth
<>rs. Tiiis excited resentnu-nt in those princes, an. I they rose m rebel-
lion a«rainst their father. i t:. j ,„
\ The two parties met ma field between Ha.sle and Strasburg.
The Pope, named Gre-orv, took part with the rebels and, by his
pronnses and threats, induced the kin- to submit himself to his rebel-
lious sons. The Pope and the prin.-e* paid su little regard to then
promis.>s, that the place is vet eal >d i/u: FnldoJ Lus.
;-, The kinrr was deprived .»f Ins crown, and condemned to do per-
petual penanci). Pntann was a punishment inllicted by the priests
for any offence which thev said was ajrainst th.^ laws of the ( hris.ran
ndi.ri<,n ; and so preat was the influence of the priests that they ha.
,.:,used it to he considered as established law, that no person couhl
bear arms, or execute any eivil ofllce, durii.n: the period of his
penance. . , ■ ^ r . .1
(\ Hv per|)etual penance, therefore, the kin- was forever disqu.il-
.U^^A from n^snminir his power. The first act of his penance was -per-
formed in the church at Soissons. A haiivloth was >pread be tore the
,llar,and L.uns, takini: otf his swor.l and coat, threw himselt upon
ihe -round, ami, with his face to the earth, confessed that he \"n\
luaivhed a body of tr.u.ps in the time of Lent, and had taken up arms
in his own defence ! , .^ • • n i
7 He was then ch.tluMl in sackcloth, and conhned in a cell, wfiere
notbin.r was allowed t(» him but what was absolutely necessiry to
susfni7 life The rebels could not a-ree amonirst themselves, and tins
l.-d to the restoration of the father, who finished a disastrous rein-n of
twenty-seven years in a tent, near Mentz, dyin- of grief canned by a
new rebellion of his son Louis, A. D. 840.
\1 I VVh;U..fI..Mivi How wrislu-surnamed? 2. VVl.al ol l.is characur? \\ ha.
wa. , ^l t rs ,. o of hi. rei.n I X Wl,al event m-casioMcl trouh e ' W ha I « n.. .....^
\ W-luat .an .li.l the Poi-e act ? What is the fieUl of nieel..,." mUc*! ? V\ h v I J^ How
i-as the K t'rLued 1 ''Vl.at of ,euance ? J. What of th. .Huauce 0. the .tn^ .' ^
What f-aurtuil his restor 011 to the crown ? \N hen did he die .'
I
CHARGES I. -840.
39
CHAPTER Xn.
yf Charles the Bald, and the T/iiiiruage spoken in France,
CharJcf /.. ^10 to Sll.
I T'tE Morv of the CarlovinLrian race had expirid with Charle-
s..A.M>p. H'is »ucccssors, by tluur folly and vices, destroyed the vast
fabr.fc of power which their ancestor had raised. No .sooner was
f.ouis de:id, than his sons began to dispute about t le possessions
which tneir father had bestowed upon them. Charles called tlu^
Bal.l, from his bald head, and Louis, united themselves against
''•> 'loach party assembled an army, and the hostile forces met in a
>lain near Fontenoy. Tlu-v were drawn up m batth> array, and tlie
leaders proceeded t., address them. But as they had no c(mimon lan-
crua.r,., thev made use of several. Charles, wno commanded the
Franks and Gauls, who now for the first time began to be called l)>
the general name <.f Fr.Mich, was obliged to use two languages in
addressing the inhabitants of the dilTerent parts of the country.
3 To those coming fn.m the north, he spoke inihelangiie d oif,
or /an<rne d'oui, which vi'ry imich resembles the modern irench
and is a great deal o( Cermau mixed with a little Latin. But those
comin- from the south used a great deal of Latin mixed with a little
German, and to these he spoke in the langnc d'oc, which was modi-
fied into the Proven9al, and, after being for two centuries the favorite
lan-ua-e of imetry, has ceased to be a living language.
4" These lan-iui-es derived their names from the different words
.^leaning yrs ; vlz.,"o7//, and or. In a similar manner the German
was called hmrue dr yr^, and the Italian the languc de si. Charle-
maane would permit nothing but German to be spoken in his own
farnily, to the no small mortification of his French subjects.
Yir _ 1 Wint of the successors of Charlemaurne ? What of the sons of Eouia?
■2 Wh-7 of the UinLnia-e ' What of the Fras.k.s and Gauld ? 3. What was the lavgu^
d'oSi/ Wharof the^^^^^^^ 4. Whence these names 7 What was the Ian guar-
r ''
40
THE FKUIUI- SYSrEM
5. Cl.arles and Louis were victorious, and a new division ot he
empire was the consequence. To Lothaire was given Italy and a
part of France, including: the present Lorraine w Inch is a corr.ip-
ion of Lotharingia, or land of Lothaire Louis took ^^---y' -
hence is called '' The German r and Charles assumed the croxM. o*
^ T Qiarles had four sons, two of whom he wished to make chv.ich
n.cn* under the idea that the dedication of his sons to the service ol
(iod'would expiate his own sins; for in that superstitious ape the
people had persuaded themselves that all otlences might be ci.mpen-
sated by gifts to the church. , , ■ ^ i ,u„ r^tV^pr
7. OfSll these sons, but one, named L<uus, survived the lather,
who died at a miserable hut by the wayside on the Alps in 8//,
not without the suspicion that he was poisoned by his Jewish phys i-
cian. He had few Virtues and many defects ; he was ambitious ad
enterprising, but weak, timid and irresolute, and destitute ot the
spirit^or ability to execute the projects which he had capacity -nou^h
to form.
CHAPTER XIIL
' i
Account of the Feudal System.
1 It is proper at this period to look at the system of government
which originated among the Franks, and continued to f(jrm the bn^is
of many European governments, down to a recent period ^ou will
recollect that the Franks were originally a number of tribes ot tree-
men, who combined for the purposes of conquest and plunder. 1 her
chose one man to be the principal chief or king. Under him were
other chiefs, who led the dillerent tribes ; and which were again
divided into smaller companies, undpr various leaders.
2 In the conquered countries they kept up their military organiza-
tion. The conquerors occupied themselves sole y in war and m
amusemenS IcJing the cultivation of the soil, and all the mechanic
arts, to tne .enqueued people, who were reduced to a state of slavery,
''"s ThdT"ondition ditrered from that of household slaves only in
this • serfs could not be removed from the land to w-^iich they had
been allotted, but were bought and sold with it, like the tree, ^vhtcl
grew upon it.
L^l hv rhirlema-Mie ^ 5 What new division wa.^ made of the empire ? 0. Mow many
sons had SrlS r Wl.at d.d he purpose to do ^vith two of them ? 7 How many su:-
itI^Ii Whnn.n.l Louis die ^ Where 7 What of his character ? .
v.ve. I^u;s? Whe^id.dl^^^^^^^ the Franks 7 2. What of their conduct m ih.
eoSJriee"t\.e7c" ;- were the conquered l^^^^^^^f^^^S^.^Z^iTZ
pied? 3. Howdi.^ they differ from household slaves? 4. What was aone wun »»
THE FEIDAL SYSTEM.
41
4. All the personal property of the conquered countries was at
once divided by lot among the whole army. But the land was con-
sidered as the' property of the king ; not to keep, however, but to
bestow upon his followers. He retained a portion for his own sup-
port, and, as there were no taxes, his power depended on the extent
of his private estates.
5. The remainder was bestowed on the next highest chiefs, to be
occupied by them for life ; and at the death of each, his portion of
land, called a fa/d, or Jief, went back tc the king, who l)estowed it
upon some other person. It is from this word feud that feudal ie
derived, and therefore the feudal system means that system which ia
founded upon these fiefs.
Aunt' lit Junl'il rosffe
6. Those upon whom the king ])estowed fiefs were called vassah
t)/ the crown. The land was given to them upon the condition thai
ihey should join the king whenever he should summon them, with a
number of soldiers in propo tion to tlft extent of the land they ha^
received .
persor al pn>perty of the conquered :ountriea? What with the land? 5. What wa»
a fie'' - 6. Who were vassals of the ( rown ? Upon what condition di( they hi>Ui tanJ 't
\ *
\^
iO
TMK FKi;i>AI, SYisTEM
5 (.1.arU>s iiiul T.ouis were victorious, and a new liivision of the
empire was the c.nse.iuenee. To Lothaire was given Italy ami a
.art of France, inehnlinj: the present Lorraine, which is a corr p-
ion of Lotharin-ia, or hmd of L..tha.re. Lou.s took .ern,a..y, .nd
hence is called - The Gcnnan ;" and Charles assunu-.l the cn.w. o»
'rl!7:harles had f<Kir sons, two of whom he wished to make n.u.eh
n, nnch.r the idc-a that the chnlication ot his s(M.s to the -^'rvice o
Codwouhl expiate his own sins; h.r ,n that superst.UM.s ..^n. the
,„,,pl.. had persuaded theu.selv.-s that all utl.nces notiht In- rcinp. n-
s:Hed hv f,nfts to the church. , r i .» , f..tUnr
7. Of all these sons, hut one, natned Louis, survived the father,
who died at a miserable hut by the wayside on the Ali>s, in 8/ / ,
uot without the suspicion that he w.s poisoned by his Jewish p h s i-
.ian. He had few virtues and nnny .l.lecis ; he was ^";«'f ^ '^. ^^ j
enterprising, but weak, timid and irresolute, and destitute ot the
spirit or alnlity to execute the i.rojects which he had capacity onou^h
te form.
CHAPTKU XIll.
Acamnt of the Feudal System.
1 It is proper at this period to look at the system of ^overum.'nt
^vhich oriuinated amonir the Fra.dcs, au.l eontinued to f.jrm the basis
of many Kuropean un.vernments, <lown to a recent period. \ou w.„
recollect that the Franks were orifjinally a number of tribes ot free-
men, who combint.l f..r the purposes of comp.est and plunder. 1 her
chose one man t.. be the principal chiet or kmp Under him wee
other chiefs, who led the dilFerent tribes; and which were ajiam
tlivided into smaller companies, undf^r various leaders.
-> In the conquered countries thev kept up their military oruraniza-
tion The con(iuerors occupicMl themselves solely m war and m
amusemenS leaving the cultivation of the soil, an<l all the mechanic
arts, to tnf tcmiuered people, who were reduced to a state ol slavery,
'"':! '''Xi? con(litLn\lim>re^ from tlu.t of household slaves only in
this • serfs could not be removed from the land to vvhich they had
been allotted, but were bought and sold with it, like the tree? ^'hieb
grew upon it.
0S..1 bv Charlemagne ? 5. What new division wa. ,na.Ie *>f 'he empire ? ''H;;;;;"^^;;;^
sons lull Ciiarles / Wlial .1..1 he purpose lo do willi two of th«n 1 7 How many su.
sons ;Y V; , vvhp,, ,lid l^Hii'^ die ? Where ? Wlial of his character ? ,
"'xm -t wS f t e .^^^^^^^^^^ of 11- Franks 1 2. What of their condnct m ih.
CoSJiee UiercSliuered/ What were t'- con.jnered I-MJc calle^.. Ju.w oc.u
pied? 1 Howdi.1 they differ from household slaves? 4 v\ hal was uone wn.
THE FEt ?*AL SYSTEM.
41
4. All the personal property of the ctmquered countries was at
once divided by lot among the whole army. Hut the land was con-
sidered as the' property of the king ; not to keep, however, but lo
bestow upon his lollow'ers. lie retained a portion for his own sup-
port, and, as there were no taxes, his power depended on the extent
of his private estates.
5. The remainder was bestowed on the next highest chiefs, to be
occupied bv them for life; and at tlie death of each, his i)orlion of
land, called a /mt/, or Jiff, went back t<. the king, wlu> i»esto\ved it
upon .some other {)erson. It is from this word feud that feudal i«
derived, and therefore the feudal .system means that system which ia
founded uj)on these fiefs.
A urn lit fi in)'! I rn^t!*
6. Tho.se upon wlioin the king l)estowed fiefs were called rar^xah
i»/ the crown. The land was given to them upon the condition thai
they should join the king w'ncnevcr lie should summon them, with a
number of soldiers in propo tion to tl# extent of the land they ha^
received .
persoral pr()perty of the conqueretl ionntries? What with the land? 5. What wa»
a fie'' • 6. Who were vassals of the f rown ? Upon what condition dit they hold tariJ *
^ THE FEUDAL SYSTEM.
7 To do this, they bound themselves by an oath, ^vhich was calleiJ
swearing" a term denved fron. an old word "^eamng faittu
TlTe ceremony used on the occasion was this : the vassal to( k off ha
c-iu oe t and^purs ; then, kneeUng before his lord, he pl^ced Im
Cw'o'haK and swore to use his hands, his fortune and his life,
'" 8 ''ini^ kTna called the lord paramount, on his part swore to pro-
tect'hiitssaC'and not to contin^ie in arms -re tlum ort>^ ay^^
one time, and not to bear arms against the church .^ l'"^. .\'^^^\l^}
TecZn imitated the example of the sovereign, and distributed their
lands amon^r their followers upon the same conditions.
9 These could parcel out their lands into other fiefs, so^»at ^e ts
and sulSs migh? be nmltiplied to an infinite egree^ Each d^^^
hc.m-icreto the lord from whom he received his 1^"^' ^"^ "'^ X\r
r,nf w=L the same, except that all the inferior brds swore they
woJd never summon their vassals to tight against the king.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Feudal Systefn, continued.
1 The fiefs as I have told you, were originally bestowed only foi
linJs hey succeeded Tn establishing as a r.ght, ^^l''^' ]2l'n
'%Tl:l rcTthe';r IX^"^ ^he fe«dal systen. tha,
Zr JgMltnl'areTth'e sYJ co.f:i L'l su^ef of the sa.e
""T'-Even the king himself, though liege lord of tlm whole kingdou.
«i a visal to the Abbot of St. Denis, of whom he held a sn»all fiU.
Xn theTSals of the same lord were called pans, or peers, that >s,
^'''f The vassals of tl.e king were '-^^Y^'Se'L^'^u^Z
was no limited number of these peers ""<'«\>'^f,^f 't"\,X-sis
i;^;XsS;^5^:£^^
;i.^'„7fraS" H.l« -« ':^« Ji,:r4i.tauTrHoT„Jn, at » later P«ri„. , 'V^.
MANNERS OF THE FEUDA AGE. — ROUO. - 876.
43
Norn.andv, Burgundy, and Aquitaine ; the Counte of Flanders,
Champagne and Toulouse.
6. The nobles, when not engaged in general war, lived in heir
castles like independent monarclis ; they distributed justice in iheir
own right, coined money, and made laws. Close to the castle walls
were the houses of the' shoemaker, carpenter, blacksmith, &c., who
were slaves, and worked for the benefit of the lord alone. Upon the
approach of an enemy these retired within the walls.
7. The merchants'of those days resembled our own pedlers, except
in the extent and value of their goods. They travelled from castle to
castle, carrying precious stones, silks, spices, and every article which
was then esteemed rare and costly.
8. They were the newsmen of the day, and their visits served to
break the monotony of the ladies' life. In this life there was little
excitement. When not engaged in attending upon the sick and
wounded, or in the domestic duties of milking the cows, or cooking,
which the greatest ladies did not disdain to perform, their time was
passed in sewing and embroidery ; and frequently the only journey
they made in their lives was from the castle of their father to that of
the husband.
CHAPTER XV.
RoUo the Norman establishes himself in France. — The Coiinis
of Paris become more powerful than the King.
Norman ships.
1. By a lavish distribution of titles, Louis II., who was called th^
Stammerer^ from an impediment in his speech, secured the supper
were the lay peers ? G. How did the nobles live? What of the ine«;han tst 7.
jf the merchants ? S. What of the lariiea 1
Whil
42
THE FF.LDAL SYSTEIVl.
7 To do this, they bound thenisdves by an oath which wascal ed
swear n/yw/y a ter.n denv.d tVo.n an old word n^eamn^ aitiu
^,e ceremony used on tiie occasion was this : the vassal took otT ha
o m oe t and «purs ; then, kneelinu before his h.rd, he paced I .
";^^K'nds m and swore to use his hands, his lortunc and his lite.
'" 8 ''rirkun^ called the h.rd paramount, on his part sworo to pro-
tec^-hiL!:;.^ii;and not u> continue la anns "--^l'^ ;r;>J;y^;^
one time, and not to hear arms apinst the church . ;;^ff J^^
Uie crown imitated the example of the soverei^M. and di.tiibutcd tlu ir
lands amr)n.r their fcdlowers ui.on the same conditions.
'' 'n...s.:,.oul.l parcel out their lands i"to/>tber hefs, so that ti. s
an.l sub-hels mi,l. be nmltiplied to an in unte j^;;;;-- -h^^l
Zl\ never su.nm.m ihoir vu«s.ls t» li«l,. api.nst the king.
CHAPTEU XIV.
The Feudal Syxtcm, continued.
I Thk fiefs as I have tel.l veu, were ..riunually bestowed only fm
,ife- I tl. hoWers were naturally cles.rous "V'"""''.:u;,'c"s^ o tl e
%=v;t:;i' r!r.;.:::r :;:';iu:r\nnhc feuaa, system .ha
.he sa ,: ^r:;;;. ;;!i.ht m. 1,0.1. lora a..!l v.ussal. A .InUe^lor ,ns..u,o.
„r„Tht receive the hou.a?e o. a eount for a co.... , • ml ^t e .^a
lime might do hon.aso to the same eonnt lor a sul.-fiel ot the
""'.r'-Even the ki,.s l.i...self. .l.ouffh liege lord of the whole kinsdou-
«as a \V a 1.0 the Ahbot of St. Denis, of whom he held a small .1.
All .he "ssals of the same lord were called pmvs or peers, tha, ,„
"'''f The vassals «f the king were ealle.l /■<--•., .C ';>'"''-, ^;^'';;:;i
wai no limited ntnuber of these peers ''ml'-V*''^; '[''"'' t>l« 'Is >
\\\ III.- l.)nl p.irainoiiul proiiiisie / W iMl "itl me ^.u^.ai-*
MANNERS 01' THE FEUDA AGE. — ROL? O. - 876.
43
Norn.andv, Bur<jundy, and Aquitaine ; the Counts of Flanders,
Champasine and Touhuise,
0. The nobles, when not cnunfred in jreneral war, lived m hcu
castles like independent monarchs ; they distributed justice in iheir
own rijrht, coined money, and made laws. ( 'lost^ to the castle walls
were the houses of the shoemaker, carpenter, blacksmith, &c., who
were slaves, and worked for the IxMieiit of the lord alone. Upon the
approach of an (Miemv these retired within the walls.
7. The merchantsOf those days resembled our own pedlers, except
in the extent and vahu; of their ffoods. They travelled from castle to
castle, carrvinir i»recious stones, silks, spices, and every article which
was then esteemed rare and costly.
8. They were the newsmen of the day, and their visits served to
break the" monotony of the ladies' life. In this life there w;ls little
excitement. When not enj^ajied in attendin<r upon the sick and
wounded, or in the domestic duties of milkinfj the cows, or cookinj:,
whicii the frreatest ladies did not disdain to perfttrm, their time was
passed in sewincr and embroidery ; and frequently the only journey
they made in their lives was from' the castle of their father to that ot
the husband.
CHAPTER XV.
Rdlo the Normaii establishes himself in Fraiirc. — The Coiuils
of Paris become more -powerful than the King.
1. By a lavish distribution of titles, Louis II., who was called t?y
Stammerer, from an impediment in his speech, secured the suppor
were ihe lay peers ? C. How did ilx- limbics live? What of the mc«;han :s ? 7. Whil
jf the merchants 1 S Wliat of the ladies?
14 LOUIS 11 - CAKLOMAN. - LOUIS III. -THE NORMANS. - 888.
of the nobles to his claims to the crown, but survived his accession
only two years, for he died in 87U. , ■ , i ^
2 Before his deatli, he sent the crown and sceptre to his eldest
son Louis, thus desiirnatin? him to be the successor. But the nobles
would not acknowlcdcre his title. At lenfrth Bozon, the most power-
ful of these, havin^r first secured for himself the kingdom of i rovence,
divided the remainder between Louis and Carloman, sons of the late
king.
CHAKLES THE FAT. - NORMANS - EUDES- 39^.
45
Lours II., 877 to 87H.
Louis III. and Carloman, 879 to 884.
3. Louis and Carloman did not live long, and their brother Char e.
being very young, the nol)les and bishops gave the crown to (.harles
the Fat.iLn of Louis the German. He was already Lmpen.r ol
Germany ; and thus tne whole empire of Charlemagne, except l^ro-
vence, was reunited under his great-grandson. Charles was unequal
to the management of such extensive territories. He was not oniy
proud and cowardly, but contemptible for his gluttony.
Charles the Fat, 886 to 888.
4 The Normans now fell upon France with greater fury than
ever before. In 886 they laid siege to Paris. This city vvas still a
email place, occupying only the island in the Seine, over which were
two bridges, strongly fortified by towe rs. The city was defended
" XV -1 What wa3 the surname of Um\s II. ? Wheu did he die? 2. Whom did
ne wis». lo succeed him? How were hi^ dominions di^P-ed of 3. JVhal l,^a.ne of
his sons' To whom did the nobles give the crown? V/hal of Charles the Fal ; 4.
Wh^?f the Newmans? What of Paris 7 Who commande.1 there 7 6 What weapons
t>y liie bravest .nen in France, with FAides, Count of Paris, at theif
head. • xv j-
5. The Normans expected to take the city by surprise, t inding
It well fortified, thev built movable towers, from which to attack the
(kfendera of the hridgt^s. But these towers were destroyed by huge
-itoncs, hurled from engines constructed for the purpose. Battering
rams were likewise used by the Normans, i)ut without success. After
Paris had stood a sierre of four years, ( 'liarles the Fat made his
aj)i)earance with a large army.
6. From all quarters of his empire his subjects had come together
U) drive out these savage invaders, from whom they had suffered so long
and so much. Judge, then, their surprise and disappointment, when
Charles, yielding to his own personal fears, consented to purchase
the safety of the city of Paris, at the same time giving the enemy per-
mission to march into another portion of the kingdom, to ravage and
lay it waste. .
7. So great was the disgust of all classes and nations among his
subjects, that thev at once renounced their allegiance to him, and he
fell into such al)iect poverty as to want the mere necessaries of life,
and was only siived by charity from starvation. A most touching
letter, addressed to his nephew, who was chosen to succeed him, beg-
ging for the crumhs which fell from his table, is recorded, and aliorda
& most affecting picture of the uncertainty of human affairs.
Count Eudcs, 888 to 896.
8. The brave Count Eudes was chosen king; but he probably
proved too resolule in the reform of abuses, for the nobles and bishops
soon grew tired of him, and took advantage of his absence to cr(»wn
Charles, son of Louis the Stammerer, and himself surnamed the. Sim-
vk, from his incapacity. His youth, for he was but fourteen years
old, and the weakness of his intellect, rendered him unfit to govern
He was a mere puppet in the hands of ambitious nobles.
9. Eudes died in 898, and Charles was recognized as sole king
In 91 1, Rollo, a leader among the Normans, appeared in France, and
*ere uswP How Ions was the city bcsiesred ? 6. How was it relieved? 7. How was
^harle-s tre.it eiP 8. VVh«» was chosen kinff ? What of Charles the Simple? 9. When
lid Eudes die' Who was Rollo? Whon did he appear in Franre? What ar.Unge
i
14 LOUIS n -CAULOMAN.- LOUIS IlL-THE NORMANS. - 888.
of the nobles to his claims to the crown, but survived his accession
only two years, for he died in 871i. , , i .
2 Uefore his death, he sent the crown and sceptre to his eldest
son Louis, thus (lesiiTuatin? him to he the successor. But the nol)lea
would not acknowi.'d^rc his title. At lenjrth IJozon. the uu.st power-
fill of these, haviu^r first secured for himself the kinjrdom ot i roveiice,
divided the remainder between Louis and Carloman, sons ol the late
king.
Louts 11., S77 fo b7l'.
J.'>ins III. and Carloman, 879 to bb4.
3. Louis and Carloman .lid not live long, and their brother harCi
hein.r very young, the nobles and bishops gave the crown to ( harles
the Fat, a son of Louis the (Jerman. He was already Lmprror ot
Germany; and thus ine wIh.K^ empire of Charlemagne, except 1 n>-
vence, was r(«iinited under his great-grandson. Char es was une.pial
to the management of such extensive territories. He was not onij
proud anf". cowardly, but contemptible for his gluttony.
Charles the Fat. Sbt) to SS8.
4 The Normans now fell upon France with greater fury than
ever before. In 886 they laid siege to Paris. This city was still a
email place, occupying only the island in the Seine, over which were
two bridges, strongly fort:ified by towe rs. The city was defended
~XV -.-L What wa:. the surname of Lo.iis 1 1 ? VVhe.i di.l he die ? 2. \Vhom did
ne wisL U> succeed hnn? How were hi. dorniuious di.p....ed of? 3. fha l>^a ne of
his 8ons^ To whom .hd the nobles give the crown? V. hat of Charles he Fat? 4.
Wh.U^flheNJnlns? WhatofParis? Who commanded! there 7 5 What weapons
h i,
CH AKLES THF. FAT - NORM ANS — EUDES. — S9^.
46
t>y (ne bravest .nen in France, with Eudes, Count of Paris, at their
head.
5. The N(.rmaus exi)ected to take the city by surprise, finding
it well fortified, they built movable towers, from which to attack the
dt fenders of the bri«'lges. Hut these towers were destroyed by huge
slones, hurled from engines constructed {ox tiie purpose. Battering
rams were likewise used by the Normans, i)ut without success. Alter
Paris had stood a si(>La' of four y«'ars, CharUs the Fat made his
apiH-arauce with a large arm v.
(i. From all quarters of his empire his subjects had come together
I., drive «)ut these savage invaders, from whom they had sutlered so long
ynd so much. Judge, then, their surprise and disappointment, when
Charles, yielding to his own personal fears, consented to purchiise
tiie safety of the, citv of Pans, at the same time giving the enemy per-
mission to march into another portion of the kingdom, to ravage and
lay it waste.
"7. So great was the disgust of all classes and nations among his
snbiects, tliat thev at once renounced their allegiance to him, and he
fell into such abjei't poverty as to want the mere necessaries of hie,
and was only saved by charity from starvation. A m(»st touehing
letter, addressed to his neplu!W, who was chosen to succeed him, beg-
ging for the crumhs which fell from his table, is recorded, and allorda
& most affecting picture of the uncertainty t)f human alfairs.
Count Eudes, 888 tu 896.
8. The brave Count Eudes was chosen king; but he probably
proved too resolulfc in the reform of abuses, for the nobh's and bishoi)S
soon grew tired of him, and look advantage of his absence to (;rown
Charles, son of Louis the Stammerer, and himstlf surname<l the Sim-
p/r, from his incapacity. His youih, for he was bv.t fourteen years
old, and the weakness of his intellect, rendered him unfit to govern
lie' was a mere puppet in the hands of ambitions nobles.
«). Eudes died in 898, and Charles was recognized as sole king
In 1)11, Rollo, a leader among the Normans, appeared in France, and
Apreiis.Mp H.>w loiiu w.i^ the citv besipsed? 6. How was it relieved 7 7. How was
CJharles treated f ^. Who was chosen kinL' 1 What of Charles the Snnple? 9. Wher
lid Eude.s die? Who was Rollo? When did he appear in France? What ar."anBe
4A U^'IA/) -911. -CHARLES THE SIIMPLK. - 'J22.
I'harles to secure the rest of his kingdom, offered to bestow .i,,«.;
hh« au ex'Ln^ve territ<.ry between the Seine and the sea. He also
bred HoUo his daughter in marriage, if he would he<^;>«^7,,^ '^^^^^
Ian RoUo accepted both propositions; and he and his lollo%Nera
were baplrl and settled themselves in what has since been called
Normandy.
Charlts tilt Simplt, b".»!> lo \f2f
10 Rollo had the title of duke, and was required to do homage foi
his fief of Normandy. To this he consented, but positively rel\^ed
to comply with one of the established ceremonies which was that ot
k sX he king's foot. But he at last consented to do it l>v proxy.
Accordingly, he deputed one of his soldiers to go through with it loi
*" Ti The man showed the small value he attached to the perforin
ance "by the careless and disrespectful manner ^^^^'"^ ^^^^''^^
it. Instead of kr.eeling to salute tb. royal toot he c.iught it up ..
erformed the ceremony by lifting it to his mouth. n this aukw •
l!peration, the rude Norman well nigh overturned the simple king
ihrone and all.
Raoiil, »>23 to 936.
12. Rollo faithfully kept his promise not to molest the Frenctr
He gave u? his predatory habits, es tablished schools, and fr amed
CHARLES. - RAOUL -- LOUIS IV. - U-Sl
n
wise laws. His followers, in one or two generations, became assimi
lated to tho French in language, manners and customrst race of French kings, the armies consisted
itimost whoUv of intantry ; under the Carlovingians, cavalry hecame
common. C-isques for the head, and cuirasses for the breast and
i)ack. were also adopted bv the soldiery at this period. I he b rench
preserved the German custom of «roin^- to battle sinonng ; and the song
of Roland, killed at Uoneesvalles, was preserved as a military chan:
.ill the fourteenth century. . , i .i
0. During this period, the nobles still reserved to theinsehxs the
n.rht to adnunister justice, and decide upon questions ot lit.; and prop
er'ty, in respt-ct ti. all under their authority. Judicial cc'iibats of
duels were authorized by law, and often practised. The Lai n tongue
cea.sed to In; the comm.)n language of the nation during the ninth cen-
turv ; and a mixture of Frank with bad Latin, forming the basis ot
the present French language, became the common vehicle ol speech.
Table of tuk Carlovinmuan Race, ou thk Descendants of
Chaki.emagne.
Louis the (;»MMl-natured, son of Charlemagne, left four sons.
Si)ns of Louis the Good-natured.
Lothaire, emperor, died 855.
Pepin, King of A(iuitaii.c, died 838.
Louis, King of Germany, died 870.
Charles the Bald, King of France, and afterwards emperor, died
877.
^ns of Lothaire.
Louis the Young, emperor, died H75. ) . . ., ,
iK^thaire, died 808. \ All died without male
Charles, died 808. ) ,. , . , , ., .
Pepin, son of Pepin, King of Acpiitainf;, died without children
Sons of Louis the German.
Carloman, died 880, leaving one son, aftx^rwards emperor.
Louis, died HH2, without children.
Charles the Fat, Emperor and King of trance, died 888, wilhoul
children. ,. , . ,
Arnoul, emperor, son of Carloman, died m S91), leaving one son
Louis, emperor, who died 911, leaving no male heirs.
Son of Charles the Bald
lionis 11., or the Stammerer, died 876.
Sims of Louis the Sfammrrrr.
Louis 111., died 882, } j^^^,j ^^ children.
Carloman, died 884, y
::harles the Simple, died 929.
heirs.
1^^ 5. Oflhearn.y? G. Supine 'f Laii?ua^«'? Her.i the leaclu^r will pul siich (]«.(.>
lioiis as htf tbuks \>e:M ii|x>ri lli« table of kiiisrs
'
HUGH CaPET-UEKBKRT.
«K»f).
53
.g HUGH CAPET. -yS7.
Son of Charles the Simple.
Louis IV., or d' Outremer, died 954.
Sons of Louis (T Outremer.
Lolhaire, King oft ranee, died 987.
L^t''v'°WL^rr:a>ea 087-, and in him ended, he C...
Jingian race.
CHAPTER XVlll.
Fraiice laider Hugh Capet.
/
II„^h Capet, 987 to m).
hmd, and fig»""™>y^Tf , ;w,m Forn Jrlv none but proper
"t\i,;s^e;enet7;:r„ rr -:j— i^r^::f.Jri
the tin.e of Hugh, surnames bccano ^»'»" "^^^ '^h,", f„„ o.e
'X ^h^^'h, :. 'rr;»r St^^ir rU son. natura,
defect or striking characteristic consecrated at
;t=rt".i;;mS'reJJt.^^^^^^^
srnoni;r';r^uri.;:;S''i:^.^ .- y^
another generation. ^
VOien'* :l. What of the coiisfrratiun of Hugn uapei I
'-, There were at th s time eight powerful I^^^f^P^^^'rf ^„V Nor-
all inde^ndentof the erown ; these «ere B>.r|>;^dy Aq>n,a,„ Nor
,„andy,'Gaseony, Flanders, Champafrue a d Jo. 1 '^^ ^^^^
was a dependency on Normandy . li^Mdes ''"^«^ S^^'^^t.ii .hose who
were inuLerab/e smaller ones l-rj-''^; jl '^^^-f^^fo ^Tol^ce
could a.^quire possession ol any ''^"'"''y " * ''\" iLanee of the royal
6. No-hiu? can better dc-n.onstrate the '"^'^^^/f^"^ „ho, on
authority than the answer o^one of the^e^ c^a.ed 1 ^^^^^^ ^^^
"^.r^VZ mafe'yo^alinT^'ia question to whtch Hugh
IvmurdeS,, cruelty, immorality, irrelig.on and violence.
CHAPTER XIX.
Uterature of France in the Tenth Century.
1 V.,„ mav ask if there were no men of peace no scholars or
1. You may asK 11 inei Doubtless there were
philanthropists worthy "^ ."l'"? "'™' ","; to right, the qualities i-os-
«uph ■ but in times when might is superior lu 1 1|, ' '
employed in recording the deeds ot ^^^ PP";*; ^j^' superior from
'l^ and '^l^^tZ:: 't s'w^: find"on':pr,... wruin„
made to commence with a <^. „„nvcPi,tionahle diaraciers.
3. Among the most "t^^;''".' 7,.' ^ ""hc Xs tl'e son of poo,
was Gerberl, secretary I" }\"f\ ^ ;'l''^ ; . "^„",ement8 he was like
parents, but Vv his wonderful .^-.>s an aequ™ ^^^^ ^^^^
3 meteor illuminating a dark sR\. J
. u wthPneonlei Whalof the nobles? 5. How many
How did Hugh gain the '^'^^^J "/' V\^^ P^Tre ^ called 1 6. What shows the week-
powerful principalities were there ? V\ rial were u ;, ^ ^ ^^
'.ess of Vne king's power? ..
„,„er. 7. Wher;'irdHughreii,le! Wnindid he die! What U
■ ess ui mc 11.1115 -J jnivn^i .
«aid of tlie tenth centunr? who alone possessed any learning? "0;^.^/*"
XIX. - 1. What of the scholars 1 ^ 2^**^^^^"'' ' what is aaid of Gerbert ? Gi»« hlf
tnjployed ? What curious ixiem w;is written 7
I
h*
IRUJH C^PET - UKKBKKT. '.KT,
53
b2
HUGH CAPKr.-iW7.
Son of Charles the Simple.
Louia IV., or d'Outremcr, died 954.
Sons of Louis W Outremer.
Lolhaire, Kin^r of !• ranee, died 987.
'i!::^^:':^:^!:^!!:^-^''^^ «87 ; a-a . ...m ended ,he C.,.o
tfingian race.
CHAPTER XVlll.
Fra7ice under Hugh Capet.
Iliiiih Captt, 9S7 to y^J»).
,. w. now ,...,;„ .he ..isw., .r .... u,,,. f- ;^^;;^t A*::^':
Various exp|a"H..on--J^ ■;;',. -;';-^^ ,;,,„,.„ ,„„,
the tin>e of Hush, suruun..s becauu. ™"" 1; ' .^,,,, ,Von. .he
Khui>ns. l)ur,us t''« -^j ->^;;^ ^ "? ! ; , '|,i„,. because it hu,l
ilieorown upon his head, but llugn F^^,^ ; i,,,
„„.,„ ,-..n.,ol.l ,0 hnu that >",'^,""«",.;"„f., , , was not aoluully
S.:;:u'^:;ui;r;;:;i:::;r;i;r'Ua;':u;;i.v i,, his ..niw -o y.
another generation.
— " 7^ 7r wi..t ..f iviiiwd ' -2. Whence were surname.
f
1
4 Hu.^h ha.i brought over the clergy and the .nonks "h.s interest
„v renou,Tei„« the abbeys ,vhieh he had "^•-'.;« ^J ^ .".^'l L'; tt
excess of devo„o„ for 'f '- =i'';-f^ j;^^^ ^ '«t sl^to have
Requier, whose shnne he had c..rn..l ' ' " ' ' ,\;,^,,,.„3,,ess and am-
nromised liiiu that lie should nr kniji. Hi. th. r. Ml. .s u.s a
o the nobles prevented him from ''"Py^'l^^^^^^ ; , ..^tes,
r, 'ri,cre were at this time e.-l.t power ul 1'"' "^ l''l' " f." Nor^
.1, i,„le,K.ndcntof the crown ; these were ""''f 'V^^ ,i,;^^ "'"S?^t„; c
„,andy,'Gascony, Flanders, ^ J^-'n-.;; ; ;^- ' .,' ™:e' states, th-^r.
was a dependency on ISormaiidy. ''' ^'' ,S^„''''^,,^„ ,,,, „„ ,,,osc who
.veie iuuumerable smaller ones i;-;!:; -''^j ' ^-^..^oJ violence,
could u.-quire possession ol any '' " '"'X" ' ' iJ,,ifir,,,ce of the royal
G. Noibins can better d™.ous.Ta.e the "-P ', J^^j,^ ,,h„/„„
authori.y .ban '''^I.^'X". wrnnde >™ a mint'- rettlrned for
'r;^r-; Whl l.S'vouTi;in?ia question to which Hugh
™fi^:gnJia;^h,cip..y.P.^
lv,nurde?s, cruelty, immorality, irreligion and violence.
CHAPTER XIX.
Literat,ire of Frame in the Tenik Century.
,. Yoi, .nayask i.-tl.ere -^^^^^^^^
emp lived in recording the n cos oi '"^ 1 , g,,,,,,,. „r from
pinverful and more wily bishop, or in V J^ f ^^f ,. " , " ' les, wri.inu
Ivhom proceeded office ""' '-"j;: ^ ,^ , ^^e I'vord "f which was
along poem in praiscMif < hnl"- ."« i"io. e y
made to commence with a i^ M,„.xcep.ionahle diaracters.
3. Among the most '■"'""'■•'";■">; "" u, \ ,s the son of poor
was Gerberl. secretary .o 1 ugh (.ai. • ' ' f;^,^,,,^ |,„,,.,^ like
parens, hut Kv'iisw.niderul mni.s - a M— ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^
a meteor illuminating a aark sk\ . j
S^';?"lK'iLS';;rrT rVJ^S SS, re^lLe, W.e„ m he die,^ What ,..
eaid of the tenth century ? ^ possessed any learnin
XIX. - I. What of ihe «^''''''^"l.j^^,Viten™ What is said of Ger
tinploved ? What curious ix^cui was wriilen ?
la
i<i '1
How was il
IvhaTTs ^Yd of Gerben ? Giva hll
h*
54 OEKBKlir. ^ UrEUAlLKK. -TENIri ^;EN1UKV
>-.f AnrilHc and devoted himself with «ucli
fharity into the convent of ^unllac, anu superiors,
ardor to study, that l>e soon "^'=""f,f ^^e ctesic authors of anti-
4. He applied hunsell '"^ I^ f^"^''^^; '^f' lufcoteraporaries. He
nuity, with a success "f1"='"'^''.X !t the University of Cordova,
?raveiled into Spain that he "''^''' f^ ^'•^,,,,," edge of tte
gain from the learne<l ''^^^^''^Y'tX^^^Ze, ha? his fame spread
Lienees. He made such S"'f, "^'=.;V"his wonderful acquire-
rtT'lntXe all:.ns a.ry"-eS a^ wnte the Arahic charae-
^s^'i'the people X^\''^Z:^L abandoned France
5. He was now employed 7 ,"."f " ,j ' eivinc the archbishopric
in disgust, on '«"'?,' '-1'^^%^^ '"j^fe tercd fnto the senice of
of Rhcims, to which '•« f P':^^„^"ga him with honors. Finally,
r b^rrh:\«::rSyt;::n« ... career .. Pope SyWes-
'^"■But your surprise at, he Uttie^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
these times. vviU h^ '"">"'■;'- ' ^^J^" Ro'„"rLote their books either
of the few books which "'"'';' ;,/''f Egyptian papyrus. The latter,
on parchment, or on paper nude °f ^-^P'^" P .^.j gut after the
being the cheapest was ol course ""'^ «7^„"^„/ „,« communication
^rr r:;i:rl^?;;t;:e' rs^nT., .h papyn. coum n„
-el': vaC t:^::^}l;'Sii^ ^tr^tx:^.
i^^::Z:71"T^^v!Z!^e been lost to us, and what
lXl'eV:,td is the ^l^::-^:Z^^.r.r...or^ for
8. Private persons f 'f °'" P^'^Xsc A <^<"'""=^ "^ ^"J°" ^'"'^
tune was not '"ffi«?"' f^^/^^e&s book, two hundred sheep, five
for a single copy of a,''"'^'' ^''S' j „/ „e and millet.
quarters of wheat, ^''-l 'l« ^™^^?"?" J xi borrowed the works of
^ 9. Even so late as 14/1, when I.om^^^^^^ ^^ „„^ „„,
Basis, an Arabian Phy«,f ■»"yXte but w& obliged to procure a
S^^^^KShL^^
S nV-:rlKjKL,»f ? ' 8. a wKUuae^s are v,ve„ of the value of books ,
KOBKkT. — 1000.
Sb
CHAPTER XX
I'j. p.oWp hpJit^re the World to be coring to an E?id. — Ex-
"^ 'c^t^n^M^of Kins Robert ani Us Co,.e,p.nces.
RohtTt, «iW to 1031.
o u ^ ,»,„ Pinns there is a more than ordinary want of
I. About Robert the f '"f '^^^ ' ^^d by a curious circumstance.
information ; and this '^ '". I'^J^^'fthe „orld was only to last one
It was very g-^^f "''V .^^''^'itienement of the Christian era A»
rerrltlTlel^Too'o^rCrrTgencra, gloom and dread pre-
^t The minds of the --. --f ofdevTo^The^^rand' Ve
wilh the necessity of P-%""'';^li:[,ty couW, and Ponged into
thoughtle^ -if" ""'""Ue nSer he drea/ed yea; approached, the
every kind of vice. 1 he nea'CT ' apprehension,
more calamitous were the f «^^ '"X^fjed, all useful labor ceased,
3. The lands were no ' >"S7,^"'"!2-„ ' moment. Above all, it
and the people thought only of t^epassmgm ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^^
letters, especially <if the ><=""'=<L^^''^f;e ensued-the people must
4. But worse <="''«=X'"Tf t^ere eouW have been a general agree-
all have starved to t*''' ~ 1 n,rnartv contended that it was thr
to death - •f;''«g ~-° ":;;Sed fhat it .^ th.
;r roS;>t ttot^' S •' no, r tCLd years will not be com
pletedtiUtheendof lOOl.''
* _ t-. .1 ,.rli<^ hold tn
mem wui*.^" -"^
year 1000 ; the other ^^
pletedtiUtheendof 100 1. , i^ion cultivated their land yet
5. So those who held ^^^Xoked for the destruction of the world
,>ne year more ; and those vvlio looked ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ,„„u courage.
,n the year 1000, findincr ^»^«"^J^™i^ 'Errors of famine were
and went to work again ; and thus tne ^
averted. . * o^intpd with his father in the goveni-
^ ''~~. T~ -^ „f Prhert' 2. What waa the
^^v 1 AVhat ciirious belief prevailed m the reign ot K Ten, . prevenleJ -
^^-^- ^llt^^nZxTi 3. What other consequence. *, ^ > J^" I ^^^^
•£mre wStofEkingI What disturbed his quiet • Whom
\
it
54
oKiuii-.iir
irlKKAlllUK IKMil iJEMUltV
. f (Inrniic and (Imolcd liiniself with such
rhurily mi" tl>e e....v.Ma of -^ " ; ?'.k" ' Uce .,f l.is superiors,
ardor to «.ndy, .hut ho .oon " '^^'J ^.^^'^Vthe claLic authors of ant.-
.,. ll.a,.|diod huHselt ;•; «;\7,^' 7 cotcmporaries. He
nuUv, with a success uuenuaMLd hy any m . j' ,- (;„rdova,
Lveiled into Spain that he "'•!^;l' ''!'«,,.';:' .^4 Jftl.o abstn.se
pain fron. the learned ^ "'"■''" ,'',1 of , is ti^Cl.aT his lame spread
^iences. He ■»-\^, -[;/;;;;; ^1.:^":.^ 1- vvonderf«l acquire-
^nt; an^i"Xe all his -dnUty to re.l and write the Arah.c charac-
S;",'^;>ade\he people «;-">- '-■•-;' "^.h abandoned Fntnee
5. He was now «'"l'l"y«'^'7 .^V^g' "-■'l^^Ji^j..^ „,« archbishopric
•„, dissnst, on hems disappointed "" »' ,^^,^:^ "-„,„ ^j.e service of
„r Uheims, to which ''e asinre . 1 e -r |^_,,^^^^ i.,„„„y,
:i;^'c^;h;:;a;:\'-"S;^'y;':nh.d „. career .. Pope Sylves-
"■;>"»,. your surprise at ,.. MM-^--^;;. ^,^^2^^^^
these times, will ^e ain.m.sheil win 1 ^ y°» ^^^^ ^,,^,i, ,,„„Us either
of the few books which ''M^'"'; \ " i' "v ,tian papvrus. 'I'lie latter,
on parchmimt, or on paper m de J^'OT^^ ,;.„,. Hut after the
beiils the cheapest was ol co rse '^^^ « "^ ,^„/ „„ communication
ISr K;;;::ra;;d'S[;;e w^slXn .,..; a^d papyms co„,d no
lontxcr he luul. ■ pntirclv on narchnieiU, and
'•. '''""•^ "";V;^^":t i: r .M ;booL hTcaiL vJry rare and of
as the price .^ '^^^ '"'ilc^aUie of the parchiuent, that the works
I^'l:.:^;^;:^r^.he\fia^^«f-r^h,ramode^^
8. Private persons ff "" l'"^X;''\!l^ t:„untess of Anjou paid
tune was not ^^'J'^ ^\Ju^^.,^, two hundred sheep, five
for a siuRle copy ol ",'• ""''";"'=;' „,i,v of rye and millet,
quarters of wheat, ■"»' ' '« ^^n iC s' XI. borrowed the works of
;Sr'iV>^.'Jk:ul.u^-n ' S.'9. ^viSu'.u,.c» „rc =,vc„ of 0,e va>,.e .f !>-*. ,
hORKuT. - lOLlO.
CHAPTER XX
5&
rh. Peovlc belkce the World to he coring to an Eiid.-- Ex-
' "" t£ wL of King Rolert ani its Consequences,
Robtrt, yilti to 1031.
o » iihn Pious there is a more llian ordinary waul of
1. About Roherl the ^i^^"^/' '^^ ' ,,.^,, by a curious circumstance.
vailed. ^ , ^.^vwui^^ and nious v)ersons were filled
2. The minds of the •"";';. ^^'^^'^^'f'l^iion' The gay and the
with the necessity ol P"f"""'f X,ha thev eould, and plunged into
thouahtlc^determined oero<^^yal haltlM^ , approached, the
every kind ol vice. he ".'/^^J.' , „„„, apprelnMision.
more calamitous were the f *^'« "' ^.!;,^J a„ ,4eful labor ceased,
3. The lan,ls were no '""S^ "'""^'•^„^' „ „,„enl. Above all, it
and the people thought only <;' "^« P^'i",^, ,,, o,at was so soon to
:rt ::'h-::^rk.tvtdg^^^^^ -pt .om private
letters, especially of the '™"'"' \;J'/;^;„ p„sued-the people must
4. Bui worse C"';''«l"<="7^, 'J f,^; d have been a general agree-
all have starve.l to ' <;'''"' " ' V"'IV ^^tv contended that it was the
r ro^ ttM;"' S - no, r .&d years will not he com
(,ne year more ; and tliosc vNho loc kcci »«y' , • ^„„^ courao^e.
-j'-S^ror^-tSir-I^Uh^ste^Ss Jf .mme^vere
nent, continued lo occupy uic ^ ^_^
^ " T . ,w.«fR-Vrti 2. What waa the
YY 1 Wlial curit.us belief prevailcxl in the rc'?" «[ f. ^4"" r, wiuil prevcnteJ -
^^ ' \V ^n manners 1 3. Whal olher couse<iucace. % ' ^^j^^.
'tST^eT WlSl of the kiag ? What .hsturl^ed h,s qu.e.t
f
5Q UOBERT'S EXCOMMtJNKATION. - lUf«.
,iriuL5>, lit u..t"r-.r ihp intt-rlVrence ot the 1 ope.
have been l«-f ''f"' b" '"^ Rol.rt married Herll.a, l.is fourth eousin.
7. About the year 9i)H, ' ""^^^ "" J/ , „,„i f,„ a sliort time the;,
'"ir'Sn refuse,, to obey tbe order a,u. --^-^'^J'^.r
etcommun,ra,al, that is |>ut out of the ' r-h ' " I ^r ^^^^^^^^
den to speak to him. or hav.! ur.ytb.nR "Jl/V' ' ' "\„ eeelesiastics
t.me the kingdom was put ''■"'••■^"'"Xt'o' religion in that king-
were forbidden to perlorm any ot the otiices oi reu„
'1: The ehnrehes .ere shut up, -^-^0 7e^'rveTiSt"a
..wried; and even the dead ""; ,'"™\^'', u7„ And queen were
prayer. So terrified were the peop c "^ J,^.^^ "° They were left
Seserted by the eourtiers, an,l ''";"' y'^^„^^;\"es\.e„,ure,l to set at
in the solitude of the palaee. »'fJ;"/Zif^Zlcs to attend upon
defianeethe P»P«"^ '•''^'==''^,^";V:^;':^; Sever had been upon the
^T"='tr™;ort.;ned on all s«les to yield ; but ..U he^and
Bertha, who were sineerely »"»^hed to o ,e anothe
T^:jrZ^: ;[e''=lVtr;;ara.,on,Vnd poor Bertha
went into a convent.
CHAPl^ER XXI.
New Stylcof Dress introduced.- Anecdotes of Kms Robert,^
*^ His Death.
,. U ...0... Robert married a --'j.-if;' .^^rXwlfd^r^^^^^
aprotid an<l indolent pnneess. f ^e e .ghted '» M^
•"'•"• ^■"' '""'a oXrSvlt 1 cou rdTfn.lm of the age
the most gay and the most '-'^'''"^ ' ^, y^ .^ere not at all t»
o. The manners and dress "f """"^^ ^"""f "" what these maimers
the ta^sle of the king or h.s S^^^^'^^'^f ^^^ „H historian tells us.
tt^:^'^^^^:^^^ ^^^ntoni^nee, beeamethe resort
ROBERT —1031.
\ fr'.vnlons of men. Their manners and dress
i*%ri:H;Vu.t »,:;rand^^uipments of their horses were
-r-^^nrmiddle p.. of 0.^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - -;^ -^ ti;
heads were shaven like Merrv A"<",^,"-, ,,^^,1 neither faith nor
,,uskins were shame uUy ^'^^^.J 'h^U "h'uneful examples were
:!;r;r::;m,t';Xed"b;;ttede raee of Frenehmen, formerly
SO seemly in their manners ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ j^^^ ^^ en
i:;i;i;5.^^roMrg^'rhLt— ^^^
'" rS.e dry^ had hulden a beggar u,*rU. ta^^^^^^^^
^r ^V^dl'mrrs :^l!.f^^^ .one. a.!d the gold
.rnLents of the king's mantle «"« «-« «"„ ,„a „„e day she
6. I have told you that the ^"f " ''"''^^JSd with rich silver
presented the king w.th a ^P^"'''^. '--- ^ e-^y-g ^his fine
.rnaments. As '''C k ng ^v^ S J Reckoning to htm to
lanee m Ins >">f ' '''',„^';7'/„ „^d gS s<^me carpenter's tools,
come, he ordered the man '"?"■""*■ R„bert took him nto asnug
With great sol.Mnnity and parade a sealed P^^^^^' ^ ^^^^ some
and thirty-fourth of Ins reign.
.. r 1 r, Rpiate the anecdote oflhe king and a « beg
How o"l was he 1 . How long had he re.gned ?
i I
!i
ll
bS
HENRY 1 - 1031
CHAPTER XXII.
Rei^n of Henrv I. - He^iry sends to Muscovy, or Bu^sm fc^
° a Wife.
Hinry I, 1031 to 1060.
1 Robert left three sons, of whom the youngest was the inother'.
favoV.^!'aTd she tried ^^■^^f^^^Z^::'o^^^^^T^^^^^^
'^:^,:i..'Z2rnl ':^'^'^ yea^ oia when his
obliged all to swear allegiance to the you K^n. ^.^^^^
Khrh:x';;^r/hL"B^S^^^^ -.« Kohe.
'"^■"TVil'Rotrt''teing oppressed with remors.. for his sins det^er-
age to Jerimlem r e ^^^,^^^ ^.^ departure. ^
arranged his attairs as wlii a» lu whom he wished
*; His chief anxiety was about an onl\ son, lo wnum
,0 i.cl^: tt ini.eriun'ee of h.s ''--^j;;-;,^"-;* ^rfel?^ to'^Ms
r4 '-r SrrrSrnf fa^ut J's' ^X^u'ir the Con.u^eror, of
17 2. What did Constance do? W'^^^^'^iJrKns'J 5 What was his chief anxi-
irTw^.^^sirniZ^m ss'-nr;-' w^a. ... .ho,„M o. .h. poo.. ..
HENRY 1. — (:H1VA..RY.— I'JfiO
69
. Kiiiti^s which afterwards distinguishei him, and, with
age the great abilities nv l"^i^ ^"^^ ^ maintained his rights. .
the aid of Henry, ^^^ 1^^." ^'XTciused him so much inconvenience,
7. The marriage ot Robert had ^^^^ea mm ^^.^
pie with one eye and one leg. K^rmlpss nueen • she endowed
P 8. This Anne of Russia w^ajeryijm^^^^^^ Ts for Henry him-
a convent, and was enrolled n the ^f^ «^^^^^^^^^ ,^ i,.^ve forgotten
most powerful. pi^jii^ Robert, and
9. Henry du^ m ^^^^'^ ^^^^^V^- '^^^^^
Hugh, Count of Vermandois^^ 1 2tVuU period ; the people made
nifi?ant, yet his reign was a very "^P"^ ; '\\);^^^^^ had evir before
more rapid strides Jowards ^V'^^^'^ ni'Sure owing to the insti-
done This improvement was in a great mtasurt owmj,
tution of chivalry, which arose ;^{;:;"^ /^ire.fin'to great disorder. The
10. At this time the church had lale "^^« ^ ^^ ^p to
most flagrant abuses prevailed .^y^^^f ^^^^^^'^ j'^^s at onetime the
sale to the highest bidder, and a lad ^^" ^^^^^^^ "/^J^^^^^^ of Benedict
infallible ruler of the consciences ^^^^ ; " f,^\^^^^^^^^ of here
IX. The corruptions of the church gave rise to manj t>u
sies. 1 ^ ♦„ tntil ibstinencc from animal food,
, ,. There was one sect who ^ J^''" ^^^^^'^ ^,,53 ^p^.e diet was a
k:l 1^^, we^l^K' h^Sd^tt"- staUe. and hnrnt
as heretics.
hernliM '
. I ; ;-
W
bS
HENKY 1-1031
CHAPTER XXII.
Reign of Henrv I.- Henry »eWs to Muscovy, or Fu,>.i^
a Wife.
{o'
Hemij I, 1031 to lOfiO.
1 RoBKRT loft three s.,ns, of whom lli.^ younscst was the mother'a
tt:>rr'er:rH:! !;;v'a!;.:,ruv™Vy ,-.1 ...a .he., hu
oMicrtnl all to sNvoar al cRiancc to he X^ ;: '^^ - j ^j^^ ^,„hition
.o • ec": the' !..hen.a,L, of h. ''•";••"•;-'';;;;,; -^fell^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
,«; ttT.^.^ar =f fa^!: rwr..rr C^,,. Je.. of
HENRY I -CHlVA.UY.-lOfin
59
. » ,1,,,.. vvhii-h aflcvwaras aisiincruishei hiui, and, with
T '^"^ ^'u nrv vu.- n -' ana, maintain^l his rights. .
the aul c)t ilenr>, ^^^ '>/';' '7, . j him so much inconvemence,
7. The marriage *.l Robert haa \^'^\^'^'^^^^ ,y^ i,^ g„,^ on this
U.at Henry resohea not ^o ;--;y^^ (^ i'>end^
point, he sent to Muscovy tor a x U. a ut 1 1^ 1 ^ .1^ .^ ^,^^,^^^^^
a convent, ana was enroHca n the 1».^^ ^'^J^ "'^ ^ ^^ ,,,,ve lorgottrn
self, the French lustorians..h.^l>-*K^-^ ,,. ,,^^,„,,
tliat such a person was m exi^tu.ce s ^"^/^ . ^ • ,^,,,,,,.,.
^;;^;;:::';;:^f^;^,:roft:;l.^.&.:»a.s'cha.,.,,a^,e..e..he
lluol., t'.mm oi Vcr.i.a..aoib. i !'""-' '' ■ , . \,,e people i.ia.le
..ifiSaot, vet his rei... was a very ""!"' ; " ' .;. Zi J^ before
more rapid str,.les »nvaraB n..pro e . en ^^l^- ,„ i,,e i„5ti.
done. This i..iprovcii.ei.t w;is ... a s;.e..i ......Mr.
t...i».. orc/»™/,-y, vvhieh "";■?, •;;';;\!li;'.,ri,"„-sreal disorder. The
10. .\. this t,..,e .he eh, M.h l''" <• '^^» ;, al erown was p..t up to
sies. 1 ,. ♦« tnf.l •a)stinence from animal food,
, , . There was one seet who to U^'; 1^-^"^' ji^, ,,,, .,
;;;;;l![r^:S!a'r;£io.!;:s^a.^^
k t:l ^irS ti: Ual.£ "^ 1;= ar^lS^^ ^o the staUe, a..d h„r..t
as heretics.
^
CHIV/ R Y. — ELE V ENTH CENTURY.
CHAPTER XXIll.
Chivalry, — Ediccatirm of a Knight. — Arms of a Knight
^:' «;; .?^i;;ji5^*^^ ' "- ' '*^-
A Knight-errant.
1 The o-rc:il (M)prossions and abuses which prevailed ahcut (ht
^ccinning of the eleventh century crave occasion tor an ^'-^^IJ";;; »"f ';>
'nst tulion. We can trace the spirit to tlie tunes of he earliest
Franks but the peculiar system known as chvaln, had Us origin in
fhe piety of certain nobles; who d.^sired to give a religious tendency
to the profession of arms. .
2 They devoted their swords to (iod, and took a solemn oath to
use 'them only in the cause of the weak and oppressed Those who
took iipo" themselves these obligations were called ^.;^^ 5; and in
^ very short time every noble (for only men of noble birth could be
admitted into this order) aspired to the honor of being a knight ; nnd
thiTled to more care being bestowed upon the education ot the
vounT, f.,r something beside mere brute strength was necessary.
3 Tl . candidate for knighthood must be courteous, generous, and
respectful in his deportment to his superiors in rank or age, and to
he iXs. The cultivation of these virtues naturally softened b,.
character! and made him kind and affable to those whom Providence
had placed in less fovored circumstances.
l^To acquire these virtues, the young noble vvxs placed, at a very
early a<^" under the ^are of some lord distinguished for his kn ght y
luaHtie;. ile was domesti cated in his castle, and was instr uctea in
XXIII. - 1. What insliuuion arose at the beginning of the deventhcen^^ 2^ Who
y;^i^J? V^ ^^^^SXX e^cS -^ S t .earn .
CHIVALRY. -HLF.YENTH CENTURY.
B\
,„ the observances of chivalry. He ba. ^^^^^^ ^S
obedience. . . ,, . .,„ „f ,im m.re — for so was he oallcii - was
5. Tlie imncipallmsim-ss of tlic page r ,.„ae out,
,„ assist lus lord >„ dross.n^ V";t J th sHav. ,1,. whc'.e
and to wail ..|«m h.n. a..d 1 us '''^ ''' 'f ':;;j.,',,,„ „.;is placed ii. ".e
househuM dined at .me lal.le. A large ^^ -"^ , ' „,^ ,„,, ,,^,
,„,ddle, to nrake a div.sKU. '•f-'.^,';" '^^J'^^, ,, fetf bv tl.e servants.
Willi liis guests, and that pari wliu-li " !>« "^ "1 ^^ ' J cucaged
6 When not iu attendance upon '"^ '""'• ''"; ''•'«^, "^..a f;*^be
«i?h his companions in unWtary spans ,n '^^r ^" /s^me^ "' '''^
evening be ,,o,ued in the >".-'-' '^'""^fiVjf, ^t he^" ed his lord
person in Ibe order, liul i ic >ouiv ,,„,,! pvalttd iu rank, or
'receiving the honor from the hands -^^ ^' « > "^^^^^^ \t, difficult^ in
the most distinguished lor v rlue. As ' ">^ "" ^ ^ ;„ ,■.„„, „,•
Jetcrmining this latter po.ul, hut ''""« " ^'^'^ ■" ^, ^^o be considered
he king, so the sovereign came ».'^''"'"^'' ' j:,id„.^i ngl.l what
as the iTiuntaiii of all honor, and came 1 ..s J^^^^f ^'^ '^'j, ,^,,,f.
Je trdescrihed. ^yJ^SLt' Sf t km i:^.'!.:
bath ; as if to express that in F .«^" '« ^,j j^^ j^^ ^^^e bath he
in a complete suit ot black ^rmor ^^,^ ^^^^
must always be prepared. symbol of chastity.
,0. His dress w^ then completed^^^ ^^
and a pair "^ ^I7^'.^''7,.X', ° "„„rd w:is girded on, and thi.
;i;nf thi^'ettil;' wasi^'in-iea ''y - -'"■~ - "« '"^-
''i/"^The whole was concluded by a stroke on the shoulder from
f .V.O ivicTpi 6 What were his amuseinentB? 7. Whc
LS;"makrkf4\S""«'i"" l*ly ™^« 'h.m, 8, 0, 10, ... Describe U,e ce«o»a,
6
il
^
<:HIV; RY.-KI.KVHN'I'H CKNTUKY.
CHAPTER XXIll.
Chivalry. -Edmation of a Knn^ht.-Arms of a Kiiighi
A Kmsrht-ermnt.
1 T.iK "rc;.t opurcssions ;m<l abusps wlii<-l. |ir<>v.ulv(l ulic.i (V.(
wiimin.r (,? Ih.^ rl,.v,-,.tl, .-.■nlurv -:.vr o,T.si,.n l..r an ,;Mr:,nnlinar>
:nsl u m. Wo .-.n trur. ,1,. spirit t„ tly nines n tl,e .arlu-st
;!,o"vi..ly «f ccniin nnhlrs; who .i.'«i>-,-.l to fitve a rol,s,o„s to„<|..M.cy
to tho nrofosftion ot* arms. ,
2 Theydcvotr.l thrir swords to CotLruul took a solonu. outl. to
nsrthon, Llv it. tho <-:u,sc of th. u.ak ;uul ^^VV^^f'.,}:';^'^;;^
took upon llu'insrlvrs those i.hl.-^it.ons were calkn /rm.'/> ^ «"rt n
avorv short time every nohle (for ot.ly tnen ot ..ohle h.rth cou1<l
(huilLl i.ito this order) aspired to the ho„or ot .emii ^ k.u.^ht : nd
this led to m<.re care h-in- bestowed upon ti>e <>dueat.on ot thc>
voun- for si.methi.t- heside mere hrut.' strength was necessary.
•i Tl candidate tor Uni-hth.xxl must he courteous, ffcnerous, and
respectful in his deportment to his superiors in rank or a.ee, and to
tTe la ies. The cultivation of these virtues naturally so tener h,s
diaracter! and made him kind and atlUhle to those whom Providence
h-ul nlaced in less favored circumstances.
.^ T^acquire these virtues, the youn^ nohle was placed, at a very
earlv a-- under the -.are of some lord distmiinished hu- his kn fititly
luatitie";. ilo was domesticated in his .-astle, and was lustructed in
wero k..i-hts ? 7.> what n.v.l ditl the instiUitit.u lead ] X What mn^l bt l f'''-^/^^*- J
IJTkSt ? 4. Where «a^ a ..oble youth placnl for cducat.o,, ? W hat did ht, 'earn /
CHIVAI.UY. - KLl^VKN rn CKN ITUY.
B\
,.. ,l.e o,.erv. of .>„valry. He W ^;^^^:J: :f^::::!^ ^
!::;. j-:;;l t!::"'^::inr;::^k^^ .^'.^-' ^-^^ -•> --
3. The pnncipul l.uf mess ol ih. (m^i • , „,„
,„ assist his io„i n, .hess,,^, \;^':;;'tZ 1." ' 'i-.'- ""• "'»■'■'■
|,„„„.hold .li"e.i at one table. A lar?ie s.'t <-"•"• "1 , ,
„.,,,,U., to tnake a a.vision '>-;'-;•':" '-••';^^, ,;f '' ^ , Inants.
with Ins cnests. an.l that part wh,e "■;"'!; >,„, ,,,,3 ,,,j.,o,.,l
,;. When not in alte.ulanee upon I'"" '''•.'';,,' ''-.f,, „„J i„ •.he
„.,h h,s eon.panions in „,il,tary sports n, ' ,j^,^"'\,;,™;,l,.,,U,e
even,,,, be ,,o,n,..l ,n .l,e „>ns,<;, f"""^J^"^^ t.\^Z^A L- lor-l
pi-rson to the o,-.lei. lint "il \oui^ „„„t oxalleil in rank, or
'reeetv,,,,. th,. Itonor l,-o„, -Ite han-ls "'";";., ,^' .,,,v,.-.,lty ,„
!i:;;er,,;:;tnr;;;nt:irn,,,e^t.n..^^^
i;::h ; t'l^ t^;::;t .ilf n, ';;f-;;.Vnnse. ^.^^>^^^ l;e
:: !^; tni;;' Mairtiirw;:;:: St!;, e.- aea.„ .. wb,e
must always be prepared. symbol of chastity,
a„<l a pair ol ,^1'"^;., '"'',", " i.j, ,„.onl was frir.led on, an,l this
l^ll^'^f 'IW .;:;;I!u;l.,:v'was!:^lnp!:ue.. by a„ exhortation .« be bra.e
-"i;:>;it who.o was '^^^^'y,:^:^- ^^t^."::.
'""I':. The appointntenis of a kni.b . <-.,siste,l in a ^ml of armor,
,'.-: !'. Vi ,1„. wbob oersoi,. So„,eti,nes it was maile ol nia,i,
rhlirL, Sol ,r::;.:f,;rl:;i,':« a .... ".•".■.-,rl< .iress^^aln^-po^^
" ^ , '.a w'hTi \v.>rp his aniusemenlB ? 7. Whc
6
62
CHIVALRY. -ELEVENTH CENTUK^
elrable. either to sword or lance. Latterly, the armor v^.ts composea
of plates of iron ^vhich protected the men-at-arms trom head to heel
13 The offensive weapons of the knight were a la..ce twelve or
fifteen feet long, a heavy sword a dagger and otien a species ol
battle-axe, or a steel club, called a mace-at-arms. Ihe horse, like
tlte knicrh , was covered either with mail or with an armor ot plate
14 Upon a march the knight seldom wore the heavier parts of his
arnio'r, v^hich were borne by pages. The heavy -ar-horse w^s led
by a pa-e, while the knieht himselt rode a more common beast, and
received liis arnied horse fresh at the moment ot battle.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Effect of Chivalry upon the Condition of the People.
1 Perhaps you think that this chivalry might be all very well fox
tho noble«» and vet the other classes be not at all the gainers. Hut
yt wM^^ that one of the vows of tlie knight wa^ to protect
U^e weak and oppressed, whose wrongs had been one of the causes
of th.3 institution. But the indirect consequences were far more im
^T Whilst it refined the manners of the nol)lcs it introduced habits
of expense, that gave a stimulus to industry. Knighthood led to a
more costly style of dress, of armor, and of all sorts of equipments.
The kni-hts v'ied with one another in all these, and in like manner
in the nmnbcr of their attendants, and in the size and architecture of
their castles. Thus trade was increased ; talent and invention were
encourage ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ confined to roving ped-
ers'; the towns were again peopled ; the streets were filled with shops
..nd warehouses, and the merchants became rich and were enabled to
tngacre in foreign commerce. Though they still continued without
nolitrcal ri^rhts, yet their wealth made them important. ^
4 The condition of the country people and farmers was aiso im-
nroved They still labored only for the benefit of the lords, and
iherefore could not grow rich. But they were subject to fewer
personal injuries, and one of the clauses of an agreement entered into
by the nobles about this time, was for the protection of this class of
people They acrreed that no one should molest the laborers in the
field, nor deprive'^them of their implements of husbandry.
5 This agreement among the nobles is worth mentioning, for the
times must have been very bad, when such a league could have been
considered a blessing. A Bishop of Aquitaine pretended that aft
offgjv. an«s Vll 'U^e'rhe'eSt. oVcSr? ? 2 \o what did 't lead the nobl«:
• 8. What of trade? What of the towns ? 4. What of the farmer..? What agrwmeiv
PHILIP l.-ii6a
63
...gel had ap. eared to lam, and bi^ught him a w^
enjoining men to cease from their hostilities, and to oe
""eTgreat pestilence was desolating the ^-^ ' jte'l^tL^ fo
men were disposed to receive P^-%^T'wraU; of gX Ige'feral
perform anything, in order to avert t^.e wrah -^ J^^'^^^^^J ,^
peace took place, and continued for seven years, i ^
[hat, for the time to come, from Wednesd^^^^^^ agreement
morning, no act of violence should be committcQ. b
was called the " Truce of God." ^ r^^ ^^^^
7. But the effect of fear and ot remorse ^on v oie ott-
was found to hang heavy on th^:i\^ands and U^^^^^^^^ ^^^.^
CHAPTER XXV.
FhUip tht First, - William the Conqueror, and his Scm
Robert,
n
ti
Philip /., 1060 to 1108.
, u e u^r^^rr T his son Philip was only seven yean
1. At the death of Henry i^^h^^^^^^^ y^.^ ^^^ian.
old, and Baldwin, Larl ^f^fj^"^^^'^^^^^ for his virtue,
Now this Baldwin ^f^.^^XcaSofihe young king was properly
ild^^ ''B:^n^n:.^^^^ whL thl king wa. fourteen
^Tu^tas probably foun^aa^^^^^^^^^^
agree among themselves ^ Jo ^^^ ^^^;7^^i3,,d, a king was not con-
although by the .^^^^ „^t .'pntv-one vet it was determined that
:n:Z^^ r;;^;,;r^^7^formaUo„! 6. Wlmwa, the Truce of
SS i"t Dfd it ile '» '>«„"^'?;T'',' Who was the guardian 1 What of the educa
XXV.-l.. Whosucc^ded Henryl Wl»v^^ gu^^^^^,^^^^^,,^,, ,, ^„,
,iSt^ L^^^S^- »-- '^'"^ '-•'" °"" '
62
CHIVALRY. -ELEVENTH CEMimv
elrable. either to swur<l or lance. Latterly, the armor vyis eomposea
o Xt^rot- iron v.hiclt protected the .ueu-at-arin. Iron, head to hoel
13 'n.e oliensive uelponsof the kniglit were a lance twelve o
fifteen feet lonff, a heavy sword a dagger and ollen a ^V<^-^
l.attle-axe, or a steel club, called a macc-at-arms. i he h. r^t like
the k.ii.rhi, was covered either with mail or with an armor ot i)late
14 r>n a march the knight seldom wore the heavier parts ol his
armor, which were home by pages. 'Hie heavy -ar-horse was ed
by a pa-e, while the kni-ht him«elt rode a more commiHi beast, and
received his armed horse fresh at the moment ot battle.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Effect ofCkivalry upon the Condition of the People.
I Pkuh^ps you think that this chivalry miubt be all very well foi
,he n<.bh-s,and" vet the other classes be not at all the gainers. Hu
V u will recollect ihat one of the vows of the knight was o protect
the weak and oppressed, whose wrongs had been o.u' ot the cause.
of tho institution. 15ut the indirect conse.iuences were tar m.,re im
^"T Whilst it rethied the manners of the nobles^, it introduced habits
„f expense, that gave a stimulus to industry. Knighthood led to a
Hore c<.sth' style of dress, of armor, and ot all sorts oi equipments.
The kniolits vied with one another i.» all these, and in like manner
i„ the nu';nb,.r of their attendants, and in the size and architecture of
their castles. Thus trade was increased ; talent and invention were
''T^The/tratlic of the country was no longer confined to roving pcd-
ers : the towns were again peopled ; the streets were toied with sh(3ps
..nd warehouses, and the merchants became rich and were enabled to
en-a-re in foreian commerce. Tbonuh they sti.l continued without
poTitu-al rights, yet their wealth made them mjportant. ^
1 The con.litlon of the country people and tarmers was aiso im-
proved They still labored only tor the benefit of the lords, and
herefore could not grow rich. ' But they vvere subject to fewer
.>ers(,nal injuries, and oiu^ of the clauses ot an agreement entered into
by ihe nobles about this time, was for the protection ot this class of
people They a.^reed that no one should molest the laborers in the
field n».r deprive them of their implements ot husbandry.
5 ' This aUi-ement among the nobles is worth mentioning, tor the
times must have been very bad, when such a league could have been
considered a blessing. A Bishop of Aciuita ine pretended that a a
nf nvikin- a kni"hl. 12. VVh;il of tlu^ defen-sive arms of a kuiijhl ? It. What of the
• a. Wlili 01 trade ? Wtial of the, towns ? 4. What of the farmer. ? What agreenieiv
PHILIP t.-li6a
63
..,el had ap. eared to him, and bt.u.M Mm a writi^
enjoining men to cease trom their hostilities, ana lo oe
one another. . , , i ,.,,,| xhQ minds of
0. A greut pestilence w:is desolat.njj "'« ;"" ' J^ .^,„, ^-aUng to
,„en were ^^i to ro..-e.ve l"'"'^""}''^'^'';" f,' '"'g h1 A general
porloru, ;u>yll.in,., in ora.-r '", •-■" J^"-, "^j^ ' "' IMe.obles agreed
,oace t».,k place, and eonlmue.l lor ^ev >^^r-- j^„„j
1,,,,, lor the ti.ne to come, ro,u l^^'" ';_,",™y^,^''".V,Ti, agreement
,„„,nin.4. n» act of violence slumld 1« cmnnutKd. b
was cullwl llie '• Trmv "' ^ , ,• ...... =n„ii wove oil. TUe time
7. lint 11,0 ellecl ol tear and ol rj ». «' « •"■ ^„,„
«a.louna lohan. i.eavy on '''':;:■,, ;'^;^;^ ''',,, Monday morn-
rh'dip the
CHAPTER XXV.
First. — William the Conqueror, aiid his So:i
Robert.
Philip /., 1060 to 1108.
. L r IT .v« T b?s son Philip was only seven year«
1. At the death of He ry.. \^.^ ^^^^^j^,,.
Md, and Baldwin, Larl "^J^^f ^^^;^[fj^Xin ruished for his virtue,
No^v this ^^^l^^:Z,£::;iZ^yonn, king was j^roperly
al^^d^;:^ =tu;un;!>:uui:S U. died when the king was fburteen
years old. lur.onU m-iiter for the great nobles to
- 2. Itwaspr«fomjdad,m ult^nuuer^ J^^^ ^^,,
r:::^^^ - Wl«"»' toi.sformatio„^ 6. What w,3 Ae Tr.,ce of
S;3r1°Di;iUcOKlumetolH>J,b-rY.n ^^, ,„, a„„, What of lh| ataca
.,„^^oft.;^L^^^Wht''«"°Sk"iil.saU,ofag.l WUat.fthek,,,;! 4. Wl...
«4
PHIllP 1-1160
vices, lie Iw.l naturally " 2">f jlrC ^ Jlo.l, u.ul scusHaluy, anc
that orhi8Si.bj..«« «"«" '^f.V^'^e 'of Kttsilund. I'h'lil' ""^ ""'
ha.l scate.1 l.i...sL-l upon f ' « ''" ';^^„<,e should thus have Rained a
plcaBod that one who owed "" f hf, ow", «ith povvev n.tich .note
kin.'doni, as ainpl,' and as iair as his ov ,
extensive and abs<dnte. . „f William to rebellion, and the son
5 lie excited Kobert, the son of W>11'^'.^° garrison, headed
«n. besieged by the father '" ^ Jl"'"" .j-Jj^ts kn.Rhl, me of the bravest
hv the vcutng prince, "uide f, f. '{• ^..^ "t'Anlpht, who appeared in
'■•;".ir;,u..tof the yoi.i.^j ^^zt:^':^^^^::^
,„st, horse an,l man ; and «"'r'^ ' l'';!y^,7 ,,is lifc, ha,l he not recoR-
,|,e disuuMint,..! knight wouW h.e taken m , ^^^ _^^ ^ ^
„i.c,l, by the I'"'" »' ^"JV. he'd scovery^ he HuuR himself Iron, us
'' ^: ^^;;lis, Robert -P-ajiis ^..r to .«..n . hhn sc^eof
;;;:^-rn='hrwe:r^.^^^^^^^^^
part with his doininions till Ins '■''='"'•.. i„ Kobprttiuis-;ard,
^ I Another party of these No™J =>ubj'^te > ■ _ ^^^ ^^^^ ^.,,g,,,„„
or the Robber, » Jescendant of RoUo, l^e d p ^^^^^ ^ ^_^ ^^^^
iS::^ hS^'^riSt^^
_^ " vvh-tldiil Phil'pdo? VViiiiano-'
,„.»>,„i«u, 7^-^,Y,iK,ll^SJi\":V '8:"?V,^,t of »,c Non;,.„. in ^. ... ;
I'HE CRUSADE.V
•<>
, CHAPTER XXVI
Account of tfie Crusades.
i 1
Crufiadcr and Saracen
. 1 »*vF -ilrc-ulv told vou thai Robert the Magnifioenl made a piV
';-m^r.:r Jrs^ll^iS^hrine in Italy or P^^esnn,. vv.re h^ld U;
be the siirest and most -^P^t^^i^^.^.L't'.'.rcies received.
"Tiw'wt werfin diffieidties'or dangers often made a vow
that 'fto^ -extricated they wo,,h...aUe^^^^^^^
the holy places, and 'here .esufy !>y a ms praycrs. a^^_ . ,^, ,^ ^^^_^^
ehnrch, their sense ol the protection J reliL'ious voy-
^^•''"'tUtnn"rH^hrre^s" U"!dtCtu'of.^ '
""T'The pWim avened on' foot, and his peculiar .1-- ^^--^
K,'himinlu^;bristiHneo«.,triesahns^n P" <^^^^^
or, as the '^-'^}-' V^^f";^ do h, wUh fu 1 sl'eefes, fastened bya
posed of a tumc "^ ^^^^/^^'i^'^ U, having a cockle-shell or seal-
lr;or.Su ; and aS will, an iron ferule, to support h.s weary
'T WhllsrPalelunl'renS'a part of the K.stern F.mpire the
4. Whilst 1 *"f •"''^ . ,.isrhar<»in" bis re igious vows. Undei
«iXer™;^ of r SaSU u., access^ to Jerusalem wa.
•I
-, o WVwi nuide the»«? To wJial places were they
XXM.-1. Whalof pil.rn.s.^s 2^ ^'^^lld V^ Saracens Irea^hem ? 5 H.>^
uade ) 3. What was the pil^'rim s <ire:»3 .
u
PHIIIP 1-1160
.,„;, yncv \m^ l..M'a.iie a slave to hi?
3. l.ea onnrMy to bis ^^^'] ^^^^^^J,,,^^^ ^nd . com.lv vem>n
vices. H.-. l.^^'l -'^'^^"•.'f >• -•' '" , .: m Jloth uud sensv.alny, anc
4. liut though tins Nvas he '^f^'y^^^^^^,^^ D^k.' i.f NonvKiiuly.
,,;„! sraUMl hi.ns.-lt upcu Le \» ^^; .^ shouM thus have -avu.a a
^,,.. Uhatonowhoc.^^ b f.^^^^^ ,,^ev nuu-h n.re
Uiu.mIimu, as auiph- and as lair
extrusive aiul al)S()lute. WiUiuu to r( iM^lion, and the son
5 He eMUled KolMTt the son ot \y lu. H^ ^ aarrison, headed
his li.lin<a. , <■ ._„ „rincc bore down his anl;i^^»>-
,, Tl.,. o„..t ,.f the y.|U"i; ■; ,;,;'■:, ,a,„.... ... .1.0 .l.ro.. "t
„„• ;r,s,uo„u,.-.l Uu.jj Wt, "■""';.'', .^,'i,va^ in .l.e act oC slav,n^' M»
„„,,.,|, l-y ^U'■ '.».- "1 "" VX', '•; , V 'rv 1... thuvr l,in,..ir Iron, ms
-;;,t;i:a.^;^;s;;:..:i;;.»nU.:.iau,e.u.nn>..^^ '
|,i. .N.,r,na,. ,,ossosB.ons, "' " ''V^,"^ , »,' ' !u. h.' oxv-C-a ■»-"";
„r tho Robl-or ^-'e^oenaant «t Ho ", '.' , Vormev, aftor a ton )o.r.
.11
rHK CRl'SADKh.
tJAPTEK XXVI
Account of t}i£ Crusades.
65
Crusader (ind Saracen
. T ,.. ..IrP-.dv t..ld von thai Robert the Macrnifioont niadn a pll-
be tho surest a„,l most ^J';!' ;' ; , 'tt.i u "^ nieroies roceive.1.
Heaven for l^as. -'"«"«"'•. ^.'^'^^ :;r an<-ors often ntade a vow
2. Those vvl.o "•''';^'" ™, '^^^^^ a jonrnov .0 one of
(Int. if Ihey were V^l"*"''"' ''\'f /," , s r.v<-rs ami .'nfls, to tl,e
ehiircn, their sliisg *'» '"^ l . . , ..uippi „r these re mmous voy-
.ep.,le.,re vvas ,ut,u,a y . o I.n.. P «h^^^^^ ^
^'^?^\'l "T W loll'l or^ot, a,.d his pecul, ress seet^l
,; ,,„\:':,/.,rC,,risti.. eo;n,.rie. a,.s^^^^
or, us the earher poets ea it. o ""^ ; ,,,^„^,„,j , ,.
,,ose.l of a tunic of '•""'■^^i-'^''V'^': ,'.'.," ., <,,ekle-sl,ell or scal-
i.Ue ; a lar.e hut tn rue ^'.l',, -'J-.';!" •';;;•',,,■ wallet hn„,
l:;i:r.i:e';iir; '!:u;ra':,!!ir w„l, an i,on femK to support h.s weary
^''f WhilsriHl"su::!.'len'':n;:;'la pa,t„f .l,e Iv.s,ern Empire the
4 W hilst 1 .11. St' " ,|isehar.nntf liis relif.ious vows. Undei
lwf^„"JiS:nerrt\eoi'0;'sa^^^^^^
made J 3. What w.us lUc |)i1;.ti..i » .ire»:> .
b6
rut. CRUSADbX-PLTEK THE HERMI'l
Bccurecl lo the pious pilgrim, and the regular ^^^^^J^^l;^' ^^ ^^
suhiected formed an important pari ot the revenue of the feullan.
5 But when the rude and fanatical Turks obtained possession of
J^.ru^,alem, about 1004, an act of pilflrrimage became not only peril-
ous and expensive, but wa^ often an introduction to martyrdom. 1 he
c er^y were insulted, stripped, and thrown into dungeons ;artd every
Christian found in the Holy Land was treated with the greatest
'"JT:^ Alexis, the Christian Emperor of the East who lived at Con-
stantinople, made the most earnest supplications for aid |he ^m*^
made so strong an impression upon the mind of one man ^l^^^t, like
fire falling among combustible materials, the flame spread through-
"""T^Thriaan was Peter the Hermit, a monk of Picardy. He was
of a slicrht, indifferent figure, and owed nothing to external accoin-
pli'hme^ts'. He had himself been a pilgrim ^o Palestine, and couM
therefore, speak as an eye-wilness of the atrocities ol the Turks, and
nf thp siifferintTS of the Christians.
8 Crere with rags, barefooted, he travelled from court to court
from castle to castle, from city to city. Everywhere ho «a^ ''^t™';;
to as a prophet, and the people were inspired with an enthusiasm
"™' The Poprsummoned a council at Clermont, and multitudes
flocked to it. Whilst he was yet addressing them, there burst forth
„re shniliaieous shout. " It is the will of God!" and this became
?hc w tchword throughout Europe. The people crowded round to
recehe flom the hands of the Pope the symbol of enlistment in the
To" Thistyinbol was a cross of red stuff sewed to the shoulder of
the cioak ; hence the undertaking was called ;i crusade, and those who
oined its ranks were called crusaders. So great was the eagerness
Lf ?he m^UUude to assume the cross that some of the princes cut their
robes to pieces to furnish the symbol. ti „!.,,„„=
11 The whole of France was like a troutiled ocean. The barons
were' selling and pawning their lands to raise money for the expe-
toionrlnd^he citizens were seizing the opportunity to purchase
pSges, which the nobles, regardless of every hing but the present
occasion, were now willing to sell them.
France ?
4
THE CRUSADtX
CHAPTER XXVll.
^1
Causes of the Zeal of the Crusaders. — The first Band set out
under Peter the Hermit and Walter the Peiiniless. — Th*>y
never reach the Holy Land.
A Crusader in his armor.
1. But the zeal we have described must not be imputed to piety
ftlone. The passion of the age was for war ; the nobles were delighted
with the tlu)ught of adventures, and were attracted by a desire to
acquire glory and wealth. If principalities had been conquered in
Italy by a handful of Normans, what was not to be expected from the
valor of an infinite number of warriors fighting under the banner o^
the cross ?
2. Again, a full remission of sins was promised to all who assumed
the cross, and thousands of offenders, to whom a long and severe pen-
ance had been prescribed, thought that going to war and making con-
:iuests would be a much more easy and agreeable mode of expiation.
3. If they succeeded, their fortune in this world seemed secure; if
Uiey died, a crown of martyrdom was promised in the next. The
assumption of the cross, too, gave to the poor debtor a complete dis-
charge from his debts ; and the rich one had only to point to the badge
upon his shoulder, as a sufficient answer to the present d<^niands of
his creditor
XXVI I - 1 . '2. 3. What were the inducemenla to the crusaders 1 4. How many assiuue*'
o<5
riih cKi)sAi)bx-ri:ri:K rnK hkk.mh
1' '
i!
Bocurea U) the pious pil^^rim, and th. regular ^^^^ i^^ 'A' ' ^'^ ^^ ^
subieolcd toruiwl aa imporlant pari ot the revenue ot the buli.ui.
5 But when the rude and Tanatical Turks obtained possession of
.Irr.Kvalem, about 1094, an act of pil-rimage became not only peril-
ous and expensive, but ^^:^s often an introduction to "'^^rtyrdom^ 1 he
Her-v were insulted, stripixd, and tl.rown into dungeons aitd eNcry
( 'hmtian found in the Holy Land was treated with the greatest
''"If Alexis, the Christian Kmperor of the F-ast who lived at Con-
stantinople, made the most earnest supplications tor aid |l^e oU.
uri.ie so stroncr an impression upon the mind ot one man, that, like
nnrtallinganiong combustible materials, the flame spread through-
""T^'S'.uan was Peter the Hermit, a monk of Picardy. He was
of a slight, inditferent figure, and owed nothing to e>^^^7";;^ Z'^;;^-;;;;;-
plishme^us. He had himself been a p.lj:rim ^.^P^^7\\"^^.'^"\.f ^^^^^^^
therefore, speak as an eye-witness of the atrocities ot the lurks, and
i)f the sul!erin<TS of the Christians.
"^8 ('>vered with rags, barefooted, he ^--l^-\»-"\ -'-;;" ri:;
from ciistle U. castle, from city to city. Everywhere he ^^^ ^ 1 st m^
to as a prophet, and the people were inspired with an enthusiasm
similar to »J];; "^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^„„,ii ^, Clermont, and multitiHies
flocked to it. Whilst he was yet addressing them there burst iorth
„n Itaneous shout, " It is the will of God!" and this became
d?e watchword throughout Enn.pe. The people crowded round to
rLTve fnun the hands of the Pope the symbol of enlistment m the
'To' Tldstymbol w.is a cross of red stufl^ sewed to the shoulder of
the cioak ; hence the undertaking was called ^.cru.aclr, and those who
ined its ranks were called rn,.nfrrs. So great was the eagerness
Lf the mulutude to -.ussume the cross that some of the princes cut their
robes to pieces to furnish the symbol. K^rn.m
11 The whole of France was like a troirtded ocean. I he barons
were'selluKT and pawning their lands to raise money for the exi»e-
ditimiramfthe citizens were seizing the opportunity to purchase
privileges, which the nobles, regardless of everrhing but the present
occasion, were now willing to sell them.
^ . . .u 1 A \vh-.t .lid -M.'viado' 7 What of Peter the Hermit)
r^J:iSl^SS ^^t L^>!r itl^enJ:? a What dij Uje Pope d. ^^.
effect was oroduced ? 10. Whence the name critsade? 11. What was the en«ci
Krance ?
TflK CRUSAI>F>».
CHAPTER XXVH.
61
Causes of the Zeal of the Crusaders. — The first Band set out
under Peter the Hermit and Walter the Penniless. — Th*>q
never reach the Holy Land.
A Crusader in his arinor.
1. Hut the zeal we have described must not be imputed to [dety
alone. The passion of the age was for war ; the nobles were delighted
with the thought of adventures, and were attracted by a desire to
actjiiire glory and wealth. If principalities had been conquered in
Italy by a handful of Normans, what was not to be expected from the
valor of an infinite number of warriors fighting under the banner o^
the cross ?
2. Again, a full remission of sins was promised to all who assumed
the cross, and thousands of ofl!enders, to whom a long and severe pen-
ance had been prescribed, thought that going to war and making con-
luests would b(; a much more ea.sy and agreeable mode of expiation.
3. If they succeeded, their fortune in this world si'emed secure; if
;hev died, a crown of martyrdom was promised in the next. The
assumption of the cross, too, gave to the poor debtor a complete dis-
charge from his debts ; and the rich one had only to point to the badge
upon" his shoulder, as a sufficient answer to the present d'^mands of
his creditor
/f'i-
XAVII -\.'^. :i. What were the inducementa to the crusaders ? 4. How many assimie**
68
THK FIRST CRUSADE.
4. Whilst sjick alluring lemplalions were held "ut to every chisi
anil order, it will not surprise you to leiirn that moir. '-ban a niiUion
of people pledjred themselves to the holy war. But you must no»
Huppose that these were all stout men and soldiers. A very large
proportion were women, chihlren, and decrepit old beggars.
5. Such as these required little time lor preparation, and were in
such 3 hurry to depart that they would not wait for the rest. The
nobles were not sorry to be rid of such troublesome travelling com-
panions. So off they started, to the number of 300,000 ; Peter the
Hermit, with sandals on his feet and a rope round his waist, and
Walter the Peimiless, marching at their head.
6. They bad chosen these to be their leaders, and they were very
good representatives of the motley crowd which piety and penury hao
associated togirther. Such was' the gallant army which first left
Europe to rescue the holy sepulchre ifrom the fierce and well-disci-
plined Turks. You may judge of the efficiency of this army from the
fact that only eight horsemen could be found among them ; and this
it a time when the principal strength of an army consisted in cavalry.
7. They were in all other respects e(iually unprovided. 'I'he
greater part were ignorant what distance they had to go, and through
tvhat countries they were to pass. It was enough for them to know
♦.hat they were going to the Holy Land, and that their priests had
assured "them that this object, if attained, would secure the salvation
of their souls.
8. They had been persuaded that God would employ miracles to
supply all their wants, and that they should be fed on the way, as
the Israelites had been fed of old in their journey through the wilder-
ness. They had no sooner passed the boundaries of France, and
leard a strange language spoken, than some of them supposed they
had already arrived near the end of their journey.
1). The poor children would '\m\\\\rv at every town, '• if that was
Jerusalem." Their conductors^ led them by the way of Hungary ;
but they were almost as ignorant (d' geography as their followers ;
and they often wandered about at random, sometimes following the
track of an animal, or the flight of a bird, which they would fancy
was sent expressly to guide them.
10. Finding themselves disappointed of the quails and manna which
they expected" they were compelled to resort to force to obtain food ;
and, consequently,' the inhabitants of the countries through which
they passed rose against them. Nearly the whole of this vast multi-
tude fell a sacrifice to hunger, fatigue, or popular fury.
11. Peter and Walter were among the few survivors; and they
waited at Coustautinople for the better disciplined and more efficient
forces, which we left making their preparations, and to wliom we will
now return.
the cross? Of wlial description were the crusaders? 5. Who set out first ? Whole.^
ihe w;i V ^ 6, 7. What of the strength of this l)ody ? 8. Fow did thoy expect to l)e fed )
9. Wiial of : .e children ? What guides dii they follow 1 10. What of th«ir auffennga 1
II. Wiia: became of their leaders ?
THE FIRST CRUSADE
69
v<
CHAPTER XXVm.
Mo,e about t)u first Crusade. - The Kingdmn ,f 3c uale
founded.
. This frreat armament, amounting, in the whole, to more than
^00*000 hVtoV men, had assembled from different nations, but
J'. , "^ "^ .,, if UP mav believe the testimony of historians,
:;^l^:;^n.ier;by iZ:^^c.y. «« .^ acco.pa„i.d by h.
't'H^.ht^v:rra„fors!Trot,.er .0 the King of France; Robe..
„fkS oAvbom w^ . rave already spoU.^; S^p^^^^
fnthpr of Stenhen afterwards King of England, K-ot)en., r.an ui
''"TTlie tbird division was led by Raymond of Toulouse, a veneru-
, 1 I ^Vnlmncl esteemed for wisdom ;vs for valor. He was lord
hie ><■'■? ''/rfirsfdistiei of France, and was one of the most pow-
ItTo? I.rr nrhoes tuTt^^ aU fron> motives of religion, and,
;:^gnlra"tohS-n,aban'do„ed Ins country, witb ibe determma-
"°f"ThJFmnenIr Alexis wbcn be asked for aid, bad only expected
:.i»Ii tbpi m- ts d-mr fS ^ ;r :^
-^S^Slt ^&X^(^ &™ faH^e
ii—r^ ^fr.rGe wa's lied S A, a^d
:Sries""'TheVlooked trpTu-eTreeks as barbarians, and treats!
^ s'ontX'aTollng French count, called Robert of Paris. tooU
1 • J;rnnoI Ibe tbrone wberc ibe emperor was reposmg m state,
xcSnT" This Greek is an audacious clown to presume to s,.,
wben so many noble knighu are standmg.
,. Vho c.Mnnmnded Jhe n„l d.v-. ' , ^to o^^frey .of B^^^^^ ^^^ Ray"0"J' ^-^
manded Ihc second divww" ' f„||,ij of Alexia! 6. 1* whal is ■: compared' 7. How
Toulouse! 5 yi^'J^J' tti^\:S,e oU^eir neMu ,z -.1 9. Whalw..lh,
did the cn'sailers treat n m ? o
^ niK CULTSADKS "1099
1 * oil ihp adventures ot ine cm
; mse"- ' l'r"'<^« "' Ai.(i<";l>- A ' « , .^ ^,,,,,11 r..in«;nit.
11. This city wa» laWui I'Y •'- , , „„ „s «a\ls. C.odtr y
"U elect...! Km "' .''.'"'i "j, .1 in s.-ir - b.te...ler ol 1 1... II"
,,i,„ to as«.....e .1.^.1 W>«- , \''.,'; I . . .1."".^. •"«"•••»' "' «"'''• ^'^
CIlM'TKli XXIX.
W^ framed a complete code t>l
.. Go„K,..v w.« n wise V--; .«;JX.." S«- -t::.
.vrilteu laws, calld ''"•,■;.■,,,,. «o derive ..ur ,.n..cipal k."ml
T,V»c...lo vol "•>»»'"• *'"' f""" y^i , Lvail-...! in U.o IV...lal l'».os-
il f ll... laws an.\ c.isl.n..s «l.ul. \'ri>a ^^^ ^,^,, „„.
,.„';« a....r..a the new «'"" ^^;:" ,„ ,„«vs«r.-8 lor .Is s^onty.
1 0..o..fll.eses..c..t..s .l"ole.l .«>J rf.mna.ice ot th.s s.-r-
.1 j;-r.mW.«, aga">«' "": '""*,t„.l.m U l.o l.o..ors. an.l tichos a...
. ^^% ...em.^^ v-f„ '^;'n:'t;iel''o..eaie.,ee t.. the ,onn„a,...s o.
pleasures of \ite, auu lo
their crrneral. , _,,^„ .,,>j when not engaged in >^ar,
/r„,>A/5 Hospitallers, lluiinr^
° ^ ' . . . »%rK.,., »«n>i thai
° ' . ^ . Til When wad thai
• " 7~i T 10 Which of iheiureadYiJ^'ni^'j!;^^,, whal mark of hu
ronilucl of U>e l«'^'>-'" • J L kin^ ' What lUle did Cuxlfrey take
S taken? Who was made k,«, . vVho were .he K.u«hU
„i^^^i_hc.»u,.v;^^^^^^,^,f^,y, Wh.aofh,s.aw.1 3.4.
PHlLiP I "1100.
71
f(,T the pil^rrims. But, like ihe Templars, they chiefly devoted
themselves to militarv exploits ajjainst ihc inhdels.
(5 \s thrv never attaini'd to tli.> same eminenee as the lemplars,
BO they were not exposed to thi^ same dann^erv; ; and the order ot the
Kni-hts of St. John, under tlic new name of Kni^rhls (>f Malta, con-
tinued their sworn war ajrainsl the Mahometans until a very late
^** 7* 'Hiere wen* sev.M» jrnat armaments or crusades in the course of
the two iwxt eenlnries. The enthusiasm of the first is natural and
simple, while hope was fresh and dan-er untried; hut it may wel
excite our pity and wonder that six succeeding gen<-ration« slnnild
have rushed headhM.g down the same preeipice. ,,,.,.,,,,,
H Perhaps the nu)st remarkahle is the one called the (.hild s t.ru-
side " As it has no particular connection with my story, 1 may aa
well mention it new, altlu.ugh it did not take place until near the end
t)f the twelfth century. . i i- «i .
•) It was he.run hy a hoy, who was so fanatical as to helieve thai
he had received a commission fnnn (Jod to redeem the ludy sepul-
chre which he assertiul could (»nlv !)«' accomplished hy the innoccnl
hand's of children. He travelled ahout the country m a richly orna-
mented car, followed hy his train of yovu.g crusaders, which was con-
tinually increasing in numher. , . , .. ,• •
10 'Kvervwhere tliey wen; received with a kind ol religious re-
spect* At last, they reached the shores of the Mediterranean and,
hclicving that they should he carried to the desired port hy divine
guulance, they emharked in ill-j.rovided veesels, and the whole i)er-
islu'd in the waves !
CHAPTER XXX.
WretrJied Condition of France under Fhilip I.
1 The crusade relieved King Philip of many turhulent nohles and
iroublesome subjects. Still, there remained enough to employ him
ttt home. Hut he was himself sunk in sloth and sensuality, and he
abandoned the government to his son Louis, whose character was the
reverse of that of his father. r . i • i j
2. The lords, taking advantage of the indolence of the king, had
erected castles and towerr »n the very neighborhood of Pans, from
which they sallied forth like captains of banditti. The most trouble-
some of these were the lords of Montford and Montleheri. The ruini*
of the tower of Montleheri may still be seen near Pans, where its
ji.rd used to be on the lookout for the merchants coming from Orleans,
and from whence he would pounce upon them, as a lion on his prcjy.
fi. Wlio Ihe Knights of St. John 7
What of them?
Templars? Wlial of them? -, - -r-o , , -^un. .-..„„ u
7. How many cHHadcs were there 7 8 9 10. Give an account of the Child's ci^^^^^^^^
XXX -1 What of King Philip Who managed affairs? 2. What of the lord.1
Who were the ino.i trouhkso.ne ^ 3 Wh.tl did they .lo? 4, What did I>ouia .lof
72
PHILIP 1-l.OUlS VI. -1108
S If a rich morchai.t was so unfortunate as t<. fall ir.lo his hands, he
„a mpr soncd in the castle dungeon, and tortured till he would
l.r„e to pay such rans.,u. as the lord of the castle chose t., d^n^nJ-
'■i UuTschiu,tised the insolence of these lords, an.l thereby gained
Ko much popularity as to draw up.,u hin.self the hatre.l of his step-
moto lertrade,\vho wished tor his death in order that her sou
It succeed to Ute crown. She even gave l.on,s a dose of poison,
and his life w:is saved only by the skdl ol bi.s phraim n.
5 Philip finished his slothful life in ll.W, m ibe dty-seveu h year
of his a"e and fiftieth of his reigu. On his dealh, he showed sorae
ouiiousness of his own unworthiness ; for he desired that he might
not te burS i, the abbey of St. Denis, the usual burial-place of he
French kings, being, as he said, too great a sinner to presume to lay
his hones by those of the great martyr. , j ;,. i,„.,
6 The power of the monarch of France had now reached us lo v-
• est state of debaseineul; and it did not extend over more than a dis-
trict of oc hundred to one hundred and twenty square miles, of which
Paris w^ the capital city. But each succeeding century now added
"'7"vVe"nms\not forget to mention one curious fashion o.' dress
wlii'ch prevailed at this Time. The Earl of Anjou had a strange de-
ft 'rmv'n bis feet. To co,K-,.al it. he invented a shoe with an nn-
Inen^ peak. The fashion was at once adopted .n France, and Irom
ilu'iu-e it sureiul into Eii^IhihI. r 4 ;»,
8 An M Fr.M,ch wrUer tells us that they were worn two leet n
length an.l shaped like the tails of scorpions ; and that, in a battle
,e ween 1 e (Jreeks and some Norman knights, the alter were in-
vhS so long as tbev remained on their horses ; hut, when dm-
mmi ted they became a certain prey to their enemies, as the length
of Ihei- shoes'^ rendered them helpless, being in danger of tailing
every step.
at
5. VVheadid Philip. lie? Hi. age? 6 What of .he ,K>wer of the king.1 7. 8. Wl^
turitms fashion in ilress?
LOUIS Vl— IIOS
73
CHAPTER XXX..
Reign of Lm is VL, sur named the Fat.— The Condition of the
Comvion People improves.
Louis the Fat, 1 108 to 1 137.
1. Louis, who luid been associated in the crown at the ago of
rwenty, was about thirty years old at tlie death of his father. He had
no taste for learninjr, nor any political talents; but he had, what was
far better, a good heart, an inflexible love of justice, a friendly dispo-
sition, and a gay and cheerful temper.
2. lie was naturally brave and exceedingly active, nor did hfe
allow his corpulence, which was so great as to acquire for him the
surname of " the Fat," to render him indolent. lie lived with his
soldiers more like a comrade than a king, partaking of the same
hardships, and exposing himself to the same dangers.
3. During the early part of his reign he was engaged in constan
war with his great vassals, and putting a stop to the outrages and
robberies of the lesser nobles. In all these he was successful. But
tiie advantages lie thus gained, as they could be but temporary, were
of trifling importance ctunpanid to that of a grand discovery which he
n»ade in the courst; of these (juarreis.
4. You remember that, of the common i)eople of France, one class
had, as it were, bouiiht their time ; and tlie feudal lord had no claim
uiKMi them l)ut for tlie payment of certain fixed taxes. This class
was etio-aored in trade and "^manufactures, and had collected in cities
and towns, and had become rich.
C). Such people are little di^^posed to be superstitious ; and they
would be littlt! alfected by the other imlucements to assume the cross.
I'liBy had no debts from which iney wished to be discharged, ai.d the
path to fame was closed to them, because oidy those who could prove
a descen*. of four generations from nobles could be admitted to the
honor of knighthood.
vVAi —1,2. What of l^oiiifl • 3. How was the early part of his reien occupied
4. Whii of the common jieoplr ir> .he towns ami cities? 5. \v>y could they noil*
1)1
72
I'lm.iP I -i.ouis VI -ni«
3 If a rich n,.Trha„t was so imfi.rlu.ate as u, iM into lus liands.he
J ,,pr OM..1 in U,. eusllo ,ln„cro„n, an,l ,ort„r<Kl l.ll be would
i,M.. my such rausoHi as tlu= h,r,l of.hc v^^'U' .-hos,- to , .Muan.l
i'Lous chastised the insolenco ..f these lunls. a.,,1 thcrchv samel
snmuch opularuy as to ,lraw u|,ou hunsclf the han-d ol h,s sic,.
r.Ir -l ™lc, wl.o wished li.r hi» death n, onl,,- that l,cr sou
'succeed to U.e ctowu. She eve,, .ave I ou,s a dose ot ,,o,sou,
,T his life w:us saved only hv the sliill ol his |,liysu-ia i.
5 PI p iuished his slothYul lir.. iu 11"-. .0 the mty-seveuth year
efhis arc aul nil.cth of his re,eu. Ou his de.th. he showvd sou.e
iusciousm'ss ofhts ,.wn uuworthu.ess ; for he des.rcl that he ungM
,^1X0. iu the -ahhcv or St. Deuis, tlu. usual hunal-place ol he
Kreuch klu ss. hciu,.. as he said, too srea, a si 'r to ,.res,iu.e to lay
' ' The «. v.-r of the luouarch of France liad uow reached its low-
•es state ot'dehaseuu.uf, au,l it did uot exteud over luore thai, a dis-
»^t 0,1c huudred to one hundred and tueu.y square toiles, ol which
Paris was the ..aiutal city, liut each succecdtng century now adile.l
''':"u'e' must' not forget .., u.enti me curious fashion ot dre.ss
which prevailed at this tune. The Karl of .Vnjou i.ad a s,ra„ue , e-
^,riu V m hi- feel. Tocnn-eal it. he invented a slme with an uu-
IiHiisc peak The fa.sh,o,i was at once adopted .n France, aiul iroin
ili.'m'f it sDi't'tul into l'iiiL^l;»ii(l. . .
8 \ h French writer tells us that they were worn two lee. in
leinitli Old shaped like the tails of scorpions ; and that, m a ha. le
: '±n Un. (ilecks and some Normal, km.hts. the "J- --; ".
vincihle so hni.' as thev remained ou iheiv horses hut. «lun ills
", ,1 ted hcv Sc'caine a' cn-tain pr.-y to their en.Mnics, as the hmg
"fliiei- shoes rendered them helpless, he'll." m danger ol tailing at
evrry sUip.
5. When tlitl PliUi|» die ? Mis age 1
curiims fiwhion in dross?
G What of tlif IMUV.T of lilt' kill!,'-*?
7. S. Wli*!
ixiuis VI. — lias
CHAPTER \XX.
7J
Reign of Loi U F/., surnamcd the Fat.— The Condition of the
C'mimon People improves.
L'>iiis the Fat. 11(1^/0 li:>7.
I. Loi IS, who had been ;ts:-:oeiu1eil in th(^ crown at the ajje ot
Jwonly, was about thirty years old at tii»' death of liis lather. ]le had
no taste lor learninir, norV.iy political talents; but he had, what w'Jis
far better, a <rood heart, an i'nllexible love of justice, a friendly dispo-
sition, and a j^ay and clieerfni temper.
•J. lie was naturally brave and exce-v-dinjily active, nor did lit
allow his corpulence, which was so <rn"»t -is to acipiini lor him the
surname of " ///r /•>//," to render him indolent. He lived with his
s«d(liers more; like a comrad(; than a kint:, partakin.u of tbe sauui
hardships, and ex[»osin<r liimself to tlu; same danjj^ers.
:{. Durintr the earlv part of his reiirn he was entjaL^ed in constan
war with Ins iireat vassals, and puttinij a stop to the outraf^js and
nihberies of the lesser nobles, in all tbesc; he was successful. But
tiu! advantaircs he thus LTainetl, as they couM be but temporary, W(;re
of trilliu!,^ importauc' cmpared to that of a irr.unl discovery which ho
made in the course of thes;' tpiarrcls.
1. You rememlirr that, of the connnon pople of Fran<-e, one class
had, as it were, bousjlit their time ; and the ftuidal hu'd had 110 claim
ii[)on them but for tln^ payment of certain fixed taxes. 'I'his cla.ss
was enu-aired iu trade and maiuifactures, and had collected in cities
and towns, and had beccjine rich.
;'). Such people are little disposed to be superstitious ; and they
would be little air.'ct.'il iiy the other inducemiMits to as.-uirie the cn>s!-;.
Ihey had no debts from which iliey wished to be dischar^'ed, ai.d the
path to fime was clos'^i to them, beiraus.- only those who eouM j)rovfc'
a <lesceu* of four trcuerations from iu)bles could l)e admitted to tlic
honor of Uniiihthood.
v.WI —1 2 Wlnl of L.»iiis • H. How vv;\s ilie earlv part of his reien ocfupied
t. VV»in ..(" ihe crninmi pr-.tpli ii. lie towns ami cities? 5. \v» y could they not be
74
LOUIS vi.-nu8
ll
ll
< 1
little for their f''^''^';,J^X^"t:,Wu:%^>^ "f .l.«>" "P"" -^'^
money. '1 Ley were, !'«'-'"-: ■; '^ ; ^^^ „„, ,.,„,,s availed ll.em-
"T" !;;::;' rrl^lrlKlt^tha,, ., ,>„„ as ...^n^.. de-
pended t^.ni.s feudal p«ssess,ons it ^va. -H'-"- ■ ^t. If
mauv of its own vassals possessed more "to s vc i
he could make friends of tlus nsu-c; <^'^^,^' ''", "^'^^\ "' T'l'er, "'igl'»
into subjection, and then, by opposn.g one class
't '^'e citizens uere ..ad to ava.l ^^^<^"'^j;^ ^.^^^
tion of the king towards t em, to l-rocu^^^
^iral'SeirXt :,d;'wr U,ey freed fr... al, servitude, but
sovere'i: and then uude'r onWers "fXlZ;LX^'"^^
tion of these eonununes was sireimously opposeU oy me
power it so much abridL'ed. , .mfii,„ted bv
the mercy of capricious, and olten cruel, ma^^^^^^^ ^^.^^^
,1. Arts sciences and ^'"J^Xr,^" freedom spread frou.
brought under cultivation. In anotl.er <"; "';y' ^.p^e ,10 longei
the towns into the country d'^tncls, and th as^W «^ «_,.
bought and sow with the trees "'at «"-.» »" ^^^ '^i es from th<^ com-
:i::;;tr!:^:;=u:t:l^t'"' -- ^ -""^" "" '■""
etto been confined to ihe nobles and prelates.
CHAPTER XXAll.
Melancholy Death of Prince WilUaM of England. - France «
attached hy imcerjid Enemies.
,. But there was one of the .--; .XiaWerr' Vi'" w^l
rcrt Kiii::ft;^.^;Tbo.^ tr» -wed .legi
mce to the King of France.
1 ,1 7 WhM course did ihe kins adopi
-i:XA\r-1'%Vho"vS"?"e"mo-t powerful vassal of France 1 2. Wh, were war. 1^
lOUiS VI.-DKATH OF PRINCE WIIXIAM.
T6
i P war now conuuonced between them. Wars ii lliose days
were not very blixulv, since each party was eager t( take llieir
enemies alive,' for the sake of the ransom. 1 only reter to t us war
for the purpose of relating a melancholy story o anected with the
return of peace. ^ vt a *^
3 \ peace havino- been concluded, Henry hastened to bartleur, to
f'mbark for England. Just as he was going on board ship, a luan
came to him and claimed the privilege of carrying the kmg m lua
ship. This man's father had carried over William the Conqueror
when he went to tin? conquest of Enjrland, and as a reward, that
monarch' hud promised that he and his posterity should forever liave
the rifrht of carrying the kind's of England across the seas.
4 The man said he had fitti^d out a gallant vessel, which he called
the White Ship, and had (^nipped and decorated it in a style proper
for the occasion. Henry had made other arrangements, and could not
k Unwilling to disapi)oint so zealous a servant, he consented that
his son, with Ins suite, composed of alUhe young nobles of England
and Normandv w ilh their attendants, together with the prince's sister
and many noble ladies, should embark on board his vessel.
6. The vessel i)eing delaiueil, Prince William ordered wine to be
distributed to the ship's crew. Many became intoxicated, and even
the capUiin himself was not perfectly sober. They sailed about sun-
set, and beinjj desirous to overtake the king, they crowded sail, and
plied their oa'is. They had not left the harl)or, before the careless-
ness of the pilot brouorht them upon a rock.
7. Tlie vessel struck with so great violence as to force many
planks from her bottom, and she at once began to fill with water.
The boat was hoisted out, and the prince entered it, and having gol
clear of the ship, might eafjly have reached the shore in safety. But
he now recollected that iiis sister was on board, and he could not be
induced to forsake her, i)ut ordered the sailors to row back.
8. Terror and despair had now destroyed all distinction of rank,
and no sooner did the boat approach the ship, than every one, actuated
by a desire for self-preservation, attemj)ted t(» get a place, and in con-
sequence it was instantly sunk, and all on board perished. But much
happier was th«; prince, who thus perished in the cause of hmnauity,
than that man whose misconduct htid caused the disaster.
9. The cajnain might have saved himself upon the mast, which
still remained above water, and upon which the only person of the
whole company who was (inally saved had taken refuge. The cap-
tain gained the same place, but so great was his remorse upon find-
ing that the prince had perished, that he threw himself off, and was
drow'ned.
10. The peace with Henry was not of long duration, and by hia
influence the Emjieror of Gt^rmany also took up arms against France.
Against such powerful enemies a more than usual effort was neces-
bloody ihan now ? 3. 4, 5. 6, 7, S, 9. Relate itio melancholy death of Prnce William
10. W -.at new war was France enffa^jd In 7 Wliat wa.s the conduct of he ''ass*!* m
■ t
u
i!
76
lAJUis VI -ini.
sary. In a contest betvvcMMi the kinjj :iiu\ a vassal, the otlic. v.issal*
would {generally take the part of the latter. Hut against a foreigner,
who vv;is the common enemy of both, they readily rallied.
CHArXER XXXIIi.
The Orijlajnvie is vn furled. — A French Prhice killed by a
siu^ular Accident.
1. PKKiiArs you do not know that each of the old Catholic comi-
tries of Kuropi^ considered one of the saints as more peculiarly its pro-
tector. Thus we hear «»f St. Georij^e for Merry Kn<jlan(i, St. Andrew
for Scotland, St. l*atrick for Ireland, .&c. The patron saint of France
is St. Denis.
2. In tiu; monastery of St. Denis, upon the altar of the duirch, was
deposite<l the sacred standard of France. The nu)nks pret«Mided that
it had hccn placed there hv an anjjel from heav«'n in the time of Clovis.
The stair was of tfold, and the llatr of red silk coviTcd with golden
Mames. Hence it was called the orijhinnnr.
3. The kings of the house of ( 'apet claimed tlu^ right to ht^ar this
banner, as being Counts of Paris. A piect^ of St. Martin's old hlu«
cloak had hitherto been borne as the royal banner. The orillamnui
continued to be used from this time until the reign of Louis XI.,
when it disappeared.
4. This was iu)t the standard of the monarch, but that of tlu; king-
dom ; it was only to be brought forth u[)on the most i.nportant occa-
sions ; and tlu> unfurling of the orillanuuc was the s-ignal for all llu
vassals, from oiu' eiul of Fran<'e to the otluM", to assembh; round theii
king, and to follow him to war.
Ci. 'i'lie summons upon this occasion was promptly obcy»(i ; ami
Louis fouiul himself at the head of an inuueuse army, who had assem-
bled alm»)st as instantaneously as if they sprung from the ground.
Never was the advantag«; of being fully prepared for any danger morii
apparent ; for the enemy, being satisheil that nothing couM be elfected,
at once retreattul.
6. In ILJl, Jiouis had the misfortune to lose *iis eldest son i)y an
accident, which exposes to us the lilthy state in which the, streets of
Paris were then suH'ered to be kept. They were very narrow, and
full of dirt and rubbish, and the pigs had come in for their share of
the immunities of tht; conunoners, aiul enjoyed the iVeedom of the
city
7 But the pigs of Paris, of that day at least, did iu)t possess the
politeness lor which the other citi'/«Mis have been go famed ; for one
•XXXlIl — i. W'liut iif siiiars ? 2. \Vli;it ofi'u' uridaimiit' ? \Vlii» wore llie first kinffs
I'lUl used it? 3. What hat! Iiitliorto lieen llie siamlard i)f the kiiigd of France ? 4. When
irad llie nriflai ime brou-rlit I'ortli .' Of wiial was llii.s the signal ? 5. How was the sum-
ip«(\ji now ol» veil.- What w;is the effect? 6. What caiiseil the death of the son of
1
LOUIS vB -Tin: rKouiunouns. ti:j7
77
.f them ran against the horse upotj which the yom.^ prince waa
riding, and caused him to fall ; aiul tlu; rider was so severely hurt aa
to survivj' but a few Iumus.
H. As IS fn'iiueutiv the case, the abuse of privileges by oiu; causes
th.- loss of th< 111 to all. An i»rder was issued dedarmg ibr the future
that no pig should be sulli red in the streets. Hut the monks of St.
Aulhouy remonstrated so elfe.-tually, that an especial permission was
oraute.rio their pigs to run in the streets, proviih-d they had bel > on
ihcMr necks. . ,. i r i
\). 'i'he loss of this sou, who was worthy the all«*ction ot his lather,
almost overpinvered the kiuu:. In lliJ'J, he crowned his second son,
Louis, who was then only twelve years <dd ; and it is supposed that
upon this occasion the peers of France were reduciMl to twelve;.
10. Louis the Fat died Augu.st Isl, W'M \ and never was a king
of France more sin'-en-ly lamented, especially by the poorer classes
of his subjects, whose friend and protector he had always been. His
dying address to his son and silccesscu- juoves him to 1iave had a just
estimate of the duty <»f a ki!ig.
11. " RenuMuber, mv son," sai<l the expiring nuMiarch, "that
royalty is a public trust', for th«' e.xercise of which a rigorous account
will be exacted of you by Him who has the sole disposal of cro\N na
and sceptres."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Progress of Learniyig. — Aboid the Troiiladaiirs. — Courts
of Love.
1. Though Louis had no great taste for learning, yet his measun s
made a great change in that respect among all ranks of people. By
forl)idding the .sale of church preferment, he opcHied a path to all who
were eminent for learning or virtue. Low birth, which was an
exclusion from other dignities, was no hindrance to advancemeni in
the church.
2. 1 have already told you about Gerbert, >^ho, from being a pool
charity boy, came to be Pope ; and his was by' no means a rare case.
Ill tin; times of which I am now speaking, there was Pope Gregory
VII., originally a poor monk of Clery, who aspired to universal
dcuniuion.
:\. He was th«; first who |)ut forth the claim that all Christian kincs
were his vassals, and attempted to make them submit to his authority.
This power the popes claim as the successors of St. Peter, who, they
maintain, was the first Bishop of Rome.
Louis? 8. What lollowed from thi.s accident ? 9. When wa-s Ills son I»uid crowned'
What was the numljer of |)cerd ? 10. When did Louis the Fat die? What is jfaiu .«f
him ? 11. What wa.s his dying speech?
XXXJV. — 1 . What of the progress of learning ? What of the church ? 2.
Po|;e Grngory VII ' 3. W at claim 'm1 he make? On what ground? 4.
7*
What ol
What if
!
II
II
;!;
78
LOlns VII.-TROUBADOURi: AND TROt VERES
4. The chief counsellor o the king *vas the Abbe Suger, one of
the wisest and most virtuovs ministers that ever governed Franco
under any of her kings. He was of obscure birth and unprepossess-
ing appearance, and was indebted solely to his uncommon learning,'
and virtue for his advancement.
f). Hut the great genius of the age was Abelard, a tencher of t\w\-
oric, philosophy and tli(M»logy. So numerous was the concourse of
scholars who Hocked to hear him, that he was obliged to deliver his
lectures in the open air, no hall in Paris being large enough to on-
tain his audience.
ti. This great uudience was composed chiefly of the sons of the
merchants and manufacturers, for the nobles were interested in less
u.Hcfu! kinds of learning. They devoted themselves almost exclu-
sively to pfKJtry and romance ; and an acquaintance with the writings
of the Tnnihtnfours and Trourtrcs became a necessary part of the
education of gentlemen and of ladies.
7. The trouveres were the poets of the north of France. Their
sonnets were written in the French Wallon language, which very much
resembles the mod«!rn French. The trouveres did not confine them-
eelves to poetry, but wrote romances also ; and the name of trouveres
is intended to distinguish them from tlu; writers of the true histories.
8. But it was the troubadour whose works were most prized, and
whose visits were most acceptable, at court and at the castle. The
earliest of them were natives of Prov«'nce, and they wrote in their
native dialect; and from this time the Provencal, or language of Pro-
vence, became the language of poetry, and for the space of two or
three centuries was universally studied and admired.
9. Suddeidy it ceased to be cultivated, and it is now almost forgot-
ten ; and though there are immense numbers of Provencal manuscripts
in the royal lii)rary at Paris, the language is so obsolete as to be
scarcely iiUelligible.
10. The tntubadours in general were persons of little education,
who poss;'s.sed the faculty of rhyming, though this was not an inven-
tion of th(>ir own, but borrowed from the Arabians. They possessed
the happy art of fascinating their hearers by the harmony ami sim-
plicity of their verses. They roved about at pleasure, and were wel-
comed wherever they went.
11. Their songs were chiefly filled with complaints of the cruelty,
at.d com[)liments to the beauty, of the ladies they pretended to
admire ; and the flattery with which they were well seasoned, no
doubt, rendered them more delightful to those for whom tlu^y were
intended.
P2. Hut besides tliose who made writing verses a profession
.here were many gallant knights who gloried in the title of troulia
dours. Even Richard I., King of England, was of the number, and
have no doubt he took as much pleasure in his reputation for skill in
Itie AI)Ji* Su^ar? 5. Whil of Al)elard ? What of his lectures? G. Who attended tlieinl
7. Who wcr^' the trouveres ? In what langtage did they write l What did they wnlei
5. Who we.-j the first troulwdours? What ■ ' the Provencal lantruage ? 10. \\\va\. -.vai
•^ho gene.u clianicter of the troubadours ) What was the chararier of their compo
tii
UrtllS VII -THK SFCOND CKUSAPK - 1137.
T9
...aking verses, as from his funu. us the u.os. acemnpUshed knight of
'''' *"*;■.„ r ,.,t„- w,« i"irried to such an excess, that every
13. The laste for pwtr) «as "-a""-" , ' vV'hile the jren-
ladv at all e.uincnt for rank "^ «;" .^/^^Vlf;,,;", '.e la^lU^ \»'\ 'lieir
Uemcn '■•■'d /heir .ournan.eu a d m 1. .. arms,^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^
14. in intst <^"""a ^ ^ assimied still
;ir:;ie':r;;Lr^k,:i!riti r\.:::'l:";:i.i.«... ... d...hey .hei.
'"■"iT'' Amone im.,v weiehtv causes brought l,ef«r<- then,, was the
'" m" \rter "taKT arguments, the court roferre.l the matter t« two
CHAPTER XXXV.
Beigu of Louis VII. — The Sccmd Crusade.
Loms VII.. 1137 (« 1180.
1 Loui-« Vll., iurnaraed " Ihc Young,'' to distinguish him from
nis 'lather, was, upon his accession to the throne, more powcrfnl han
any of his immediitc predecessors. He had previously marr ied I'.lea-
iui,.,.; la^'w^aT^n-Tile .-.'-I- "-^ .f ,■i^^'»^.l::;"JL^^lSht°Ufo^'.lim''^''"'
,„.^:. were ;j;-f ^^-f-Vjjruio of Lo\ua VU/ -tyh^^f hi, Sower, Wt»mdM W
i
i!
Ii
78
l,()l;iS VII - TKOUBAPOUKb AND TROtVEKf^?.
4. Tlie cliicf counsellor a tho king ivas the Abbe Sufjer, om» of
the wisest :uul most virtuoi 5 ministers that ever governed Frrmco
iiiider imy of her kiii^rs. lie was of obscure birth and unprepossess-
iiiir ai)[K"araiif(\ and was indebttMl solely to his uneomniou learninj,'
and virtue lor his advaneeinent.
;'). IJiit the j^rreat jrcnins of tiie a^e was Abelard, a leaeher of riii t-
orie, philosophy and lli"(do<ry. So numerous was tiie 'auieourse of
scholars who (loekcd to he.ir him, that he was oblitred to de!iv(T his
lectures in the ojten air, no hall in l^aris beinji larjje enouiih to "u-
taiti his audicncf.
J>. Tliis <;reat auditiicc was composed chiefly of the sons of the
iiK;rch;ints and manufacturers, for the nobles were interested in less
usidh! kinds of learnin<,^ They devoted themsedves aiumst exclu-
sively to p(M;try and romance ; and an acipiaintance with the writinjrs
(d' the Tnnihtii/inn'.'< and Tnmrtrrs became a necessary part of the
edut'ation (d \M'ntlemen and of ladies.
7. The trouveres wen; tlu; poets of the north of France. Their
sonnets were \vritt(Mi in the French Wallon lant^niatre, which very much
resend)les the modern French. The trouveres did not confine them-
eelves to p<K'try, but wrote rom;inces also ; tmd the name of h-in/rt'rrs
is intended to distiiiLMiish them from the writers of the true hist«)ries.
H. Hut it was the trou!)adour whose works were most )>ri7.ed, and
whose visits were most acccptablr, at court and at the (Mstle. Tin;
earliest of tliciu were natives (d" iVovence. and they wrote in iheir
native dialect; and from this time tin; Provencal, or lanmia<,n> of Pro-
vence, became the laniruaire of poetry, and for the space of two or
three centuries w:is universally studied and admired.
9. Suddenly it ceased to be cultivated, and it is now almost forixot-
len ; and thouirh there are immense numi»ers (d' Provencal manuscripts
in the n»ynl lilirary at Paris, the langua«^e is so ol)solete as to be
scarctdy iuttdliLrible.
10. The trouliadours in i;eneral were iiersons of little, education,
who poss "ss ed the facultv <d' rhymin<;, though this was not an inven-
tion of their own, but borrowed from the Arabians. Tluiy [jossessed
the happy art cd' fascinatini^ their hearers by the harmony and sim-
plicity of tlieir verses. They n)ved about at pleasun-, and were w(d-
comed wherever thi'y went.
1 1. Their .soults were chielly filled with complaints of the cruelty,
ar.d compliments to the beauty, of the h'.dies they pretended to
a<lmire ; and the flattery with which they were well seasoiH'd, no
noubt, rendered them more delijxhtful to those for whom they w(;re
;ntended.
l"J, IJul besides tliose who made wriliie^ verses a pndes.siop
.here were manv sxallaut kniehts who Lrloried in the title «d" trouba
dours. I'iVen llichard 1., KiuL"^ of Knjrland, was of the nundu r, :nid
have no doubt he took as much pleasure in his reputation for skill in
Itie Ali»>* Su?ar? 5. Whu of Abelani? Wluilof his lectures? fi. WluKUtouded tlioiv?
J. Who wen! tlie troMv^res / In what lansreasre did they write .' Wh.u did tliey wriloi
3. Wlio wei the tir-sl troii'Kutour.s? What ' the Provenral ianinia^e / 10. What -a-sui
'he geue.a. cliiiracter of the troubadours 1 What was ttic ctiara<aer of their cornp*
1A)ITIS VII - THK J^KCONI) ClU'SAt^K - 1137
79
..aking verses, a. fVotn his latt. as the ttu.st accomplished knigltt ol
his age. .,.,.r;../t ti» such an excess, that every
,:j. -riu- f.,s,e lor poetry "■^'^,;: ""' 'i^^. If,! . While tin- -en-
l,.lv .t all cnnnonl f..r rank ;'^ ''; ' ./,'f. ,'' rn r.1,0 la.lios l,a,l li.e.t
^;::;,,^!;;;t'j::^.r:rii;;M;,::;;t;;n;:'«.;;;:^
;:::,r;;!;r:!;;;;:iL,^:;ru,;i^i:i.!:;i :.;.>- '-•''■' •> - ''-'-^ •"-
"'",''"'"r,m,n^- n.-mv wci-hiv cau.es br.u.^U. lul-r^' H"'"., «■:.£ the
Z^ tllem n, the. ' j,.dsu.c,,.. The decs.o,, .s not re«,rded.
CHAl'TER XXXV.
Reisn oflMuis V 11.— Tlie Second Crusade.
l.„im Vn.. 1137/" IISO.
t Uui-^ VJl., iurua.aed '■ th- Ymng:' to .lislinguish him IVoi.i
n,.- t;„her, was, ,..<„. hia aecessio,, to the throne, n.ore l»'werlul han
" ,y of his iu.n.e,li!.te i,redecess.,rs. lie had ,,rev,„usly n.arned^lca-
■i-.. ! .^- win.. .f ......... "••""•'■'v'^i IS ,^r."irJl::,';™.^;r'«iorc-'..»tnj"'''"'
!
i I
11 M
'\ '
m
LOUIS VII— 1137
nor, 6ole heiress of Aquitaine, and that extensive ♦*'ri -orv had thus
been united to the crown.
2. lie was naturally amiable, but witliout uui 1> talent, and tins
h:id not been at all cultivated by education. So lonf^ as the wise
SuiTfr lived, this deficiency of tbe kinf,' was not so apprirent ; but
after tbe death of Su^er, when tlie kinp was called u[)on to act for
himself, his want of jud<,nnent became but too apparent ; n ore espe-
cially when he was called into competition with Henry 11. of Eng-
land, the miist sagacious monarch of the arre.
Thibault, Count of Champagne.
J. Ihibaiilt, Count of Champagne, had rebelled against his sove-
reign, but had been obliged to submit, and had been pardoned. A
sc^cond time he took up arms : and then Louis, irritated at his want
of good faith, resolved to punish him.
4. Th(^ count retired to his castle of Vitry, which Louis took by
assault, and then set on fire. The flames, raging m<»re fiercely than
the king had expected, si)read to the neighboring village, an<l a
••hurch, in which many of the inhabitants had taken refuge. w:is
destroyed, with all its inmates.
5. So shocked was Louis at this accident, that le at once ^ave up
the war, and made peace with Thibault. In the agony of remorse,
he vowed to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While the king was
in this mood, the news reached France that the infidels were making
ittempts to regain the Holy Land.
•narry? 2 Whal was his character? 3.4.5. Wlial event induced fiOuis to asBume bt
1
I
LOUIS VII. -THE SECOND CRUSADE.
81
i> Bernard, abbot of Clairvr-ux. a man of gieat learning md virtue,
jut enthusiastic and fanatical, was held in such reverence : y the peo-
ple at this time, that he might almost be called the oracle ot 1^ ranee.
He was employed to preach the second crusade.
7 Takin«r adva'ita<re of th<' state of mind ..t the king, 15eriianl
urtred upou^him the necessitv of at ouce fulfilling his vow, and ol
atJning ior his crime bv the deslruclion of the infidels I he wise
Suger, on tlu- contrary, did all in his power to dissuade the king Irom
•Mio-a'nu'r ptrsonallv in the mad uiiderttiking.
H ''The prcui.lices of the age would not permit him to oppose it
altoirether, but he thought the king might ellectually assist by troops
and^money, whilst his presence at home would preserve the trau-
luiUilv of his hereditary dominions.
\). Now both Hernafd and Sujier were actuated by good motives.
But Suger was the nmst sagacious, and he was willing to be in-
structed by past experience. He was not less devout than Bernard,
but he foresaw that the W(«lfare and happiness of whole nations would
be sacrificed, without advancing the interests of the church or pro-
motiui; the cause of religion.
10. But the earnest exhortations of Bernard, who assumed to be
a i>rophet, and i)ledged his word for the success of the undertaking,
added to the inclinatuMi of the king, carried the day. An assembly
of nobles and prelates, now for the first time called a *' parliament, '
was held at Vezelay. So great was the number present that the
meeting was held in the open air.
11. Alter the assemblv had been addressed by Bernard, Louis
received from his hands across and a pilgrim's scrip, which had been
consecrated bv the Pope for his use. Crosses were then distributed
to those who'wished to join the expedition, and so great was the
uuniber of these, that the great store of crosses which had been pro-
vided was exhausted, and the king and the abbot cut up their own
cloaks to supply the deficiency.
CHAPTER XXXVL
More about the Second Cnisade.
1. From VcAelay, Bernard hastened into Germany. He did not
understand the language, to be sure ; but this was a trifle. The
people were moved by the pathetic vehemence of his tone and ges-
ture, and yet more by the numberless miracles which he professed to
vvork.
2. But the " miracle of miracles," as he himself called it, was the
cro.ss? 6. Who preached the secoiid cm-sade ? 7. What wa:? 'he advice cf the king •<
counsellors ? 9. 10 What is said of Su<rer and Dernard ? Whose advice prevaile«l 1
Vhatoftheparliamenl? 11. What followed the address of Bernard? „ _,, v.
XXXVL — 1, 2 What was the success of Bernard in Germany) 3. Wbc 9A tr«
8(1
LOUIS Vll— 1137
I
It
[It
!i
1 1
nor, aole ht'iress of Aquitaine, and that extoii^ive • t: on hiu\ ihua
bfoii iiiiitfd to th<^ crovvii.
'J. 11." was naturally anii:il)l('. hut \vitli(Mit niu 1i tal.iu, ami tins
hrid not l)Cfn at all cuitivatt'd hy rducation. So lono- as tht- %vir:;e
SuiTfr lived, this deficiency of ilie kinu" was not so a[»i)-irent : hut
after tin; death of SuLTtT, when the knii: w;us called upon to act lor
himself, his want of judi,nnent hecame hut too apparent; nore espe-
cially when he was called into competition with Henry 11. «>f Kng-
land, tlu; iwiist saj^acious iiKMiiirch ot' the a<'^e.
(^14111
•^.'^a^ii**-
Thibault, Count of Champa i^oie.
d. Ihihault, Count of Champajriie, had rebelled against his sove-
rcif,m, but had been ohliired to submit, and had been pardoned. A
second time he took up arms ; and then I,ouis, irrit:ite<l at his want
of <j:ood faith, restdved to punish him.
4. The count retired to his castle of \'itry, which Lfuiis took hy
assault, and then set on fire. 'I'he flames, riiifinf: more fiercelv than
the kiiiii had expected, sjiread to the neif;hhorin<r villaw-e, and a
••hiirch, in which many of the itihahitants hnd taken refuse, was
destntyed, with all its inmates.
5. So shockt'd was Loui.s at this accident, that le at oiici ja\( up
the war, and made peace with Thibault. In the iiirony of remorse.
lie v»)W(m1 to make a pilirrimajre to .Terusaleni. While the kinjr wais
in this mood, the news reached France that the infidels were making
itlempts to retrain the Holy Land.
•'Uirry? 2 VVhal wna his clianicter? 3. 1. .'> Wluu oveiit induced f^uis to aasume b«
inns VII rut: skconh chusade.
81
b Bernard, abbot of Clairvaux. a man .>f iiirat learnmr 4ml virtue,
jut enthusia.stic and fanatical, \%a.s held in such reverence y the peo-
ple at this time, that he mjoht almost be called the oracle ol 1^ ranee,
lie was employed to pn-ach the second crusade.
T. Takiier advania-e of thr slate o\ mind ..f ihe km-, IJernar.l
ur.r,-d upoii'bim the necessity of at ouc- fullillmu: his vow and ol
alonintr for his crime bv the destructn.n of the mluhds. Ihe wise
Suirer'i)!! the ceutiaiv. «"iid all iu his power to dissuade the kin^r Irom
en""a"^in"^ p« r>onallv in the mail uiidertakitiL'"-
^ "ria- pre;udie."s of llit< a-e woubl not permit him to ..ppo.si' it
uho-eiher, hut' he ihou^rht the kinjr mioht ellectually assist by troops
and inoney, whilst his presence at honu> would preserve the tran-
piillitv of bis hen'<litary dominions.
-.1. Now both Hernafd and Suiicr were actuated by s^ood motives.
Hut Suurer was the most sa,i,racious, and he was williiifj: to be in-
slruett'ifby past experience. He was not less devout than IJernard,
but he foresaw that the welfare and happiness of wlude nations would
be sacriliced, without advancini,^ the interests of the church or pro-
motmi: the cause of religion.
UK Hut the earnest exhortations of IJernard, who assumed to l)0
a [.rophet. and ple.l^ed his word for the success of the undertakmjr,
added to the inclination u\' tin; kinjr, carried the day. An a.s.sembly
of iioldes and prelates, now for the first time called a '' parltanunt,''
was held at \ «'/elay. So ^^reat was the number present that the
me«'tiii<r was Indd in the open air.
11. After the assembly had been addressed by Hernard, l.ouis
received from his haii<ls across ami a pil«rrim*s scrip, which had bix-n
consecrated bv the Toiie for his use. Cnjsses were then distributed
to those who Wished to join the e\pediti(»n, and so great w.is the
number of the.M-, that tlu'L^reat st(»re of cro.sses which had been pro-
vided was exhausted, and the kiny- and the abbot cut up their own
cloaks to supply the delieieney.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
More about the Second Crusade.
I. Fkom Ve/elav, Bernard hasteiMul into Germany. He did not
understand the lanfrua;ie, to b(> sure ; but this was a trifle. The
people were moved by the pathetic vehemence of his tone and {les-
nire. and yet more by the numberless miracles which he protessed to
^vork.
'J. But the " miracle of miracles," as he himself called it, was thr
cros:^? 6. Who preiiclied llie si'.niKl rpisi.l.- .' 7. Wl.al wa- 'he advice of the kiagN
-niiiiseliors 1 9. 10 What is siii.l of Suwr ;unl r^iniard? Whose advice prevail»n
Vhiit of Ihe parliament / 11. What f »ll')\ve(l the adMretw of Bernard?
XXXVI. --1, 2 What wa^ the success? of Reniard in Germany! 3. Whc tod tr«
I
]
I
11
82
LUUIS Ml. -THK SECOND CKUSADE
prevailir.g upon the Em; iror Conrad to take up the i^ross. So great
was his success, that he iinsclf tells us thai in the countries in which
he preached, the cities and easlles were deserted, and the illages sc
far stripped of their inhabitants that only the women and children
were left.
3. Even these would not seem wanting; in piety ; h)r in the army
of Conrad was a company of women, armed, :ind ridinjjr in the hish-
ion of men, and led by a woman, who, from ner gilded spurs and rich
Imskins, was called i:;ohlai-foot(<L
4. In the French host, the part of ilie trohlon-footed dame wns i>'T
formed hy no less a personage than Queen Eleanor herself. She was
attended by a large band of the yovith of both sexes. Some gallant
damsels appeared mounted like men, and a chosen band of the gayest
and most noble young men styled themselves "Queen Eleanor's
Guard."
5. You may easily imagine that pilgrims of such an age, and ot
such manners, would i)romole tbe gayety, rather than add to the dis-
cipline or to the success of the pious undertaking.
0. Conrad, with about two hundred thousand followers, vvas the
first to set out ; and, after a series of disasters and defeats, in which
the greater part lost their lives, the emperor arrived, almost alone, at
Anlioch. From thence he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and then
returned to Europe.
7. Louis met with no better success. The Saracens were far
superior in skill, and equal in courage, to the Christians of this age.
They followed close \ipon the heels of the crusaders; took advantage
of every error ; and the immense army of Louis was at length reduced
to a mere handful of men, with whom he was glad to take refuge in
Antioch.
8. From thence he also proceeded to ])erform his devotions at the
holy sepulchre, at .lerusalem. His vow being fulfilled, he had now
nothing to detain him, but he lingered a year in Palestine, as if reluc-
tant tcrshow himself in France, a defeated and dishonored man.
«K At length, however, he returned ; and of all the two hundred
and fifty tholisand wbo went out with him, he brought hack only
Queen Eleanor and a few of her courti»'rs. At home, he found him-
st^f reproached as the destroyer of the flower of the population ot
Friince.
10. IJut St. Bernard came in for the largest share of the re-
proaches. They accused him of being a false prophet ; of having
.neddled in matters that did not concern him, instead of confining
himself to the duties of his profession.
11. To the upbraidings of the widow and the orphan, he onl>
replied by referring to the example of Moses, "who," he said.
" like him, promised the Israelites, in the name of God, to lead them
into a happy country, and yet saw the first generation perish in the.
deserts."
women " 4. Who was chief of the French women 7 What of her suaril ? 6. Who w
om firsl ? What v/tLi the fate of Conrad's army ? 7. Wliat was the success of ly.iis)
9 Wha. w;is "lie fate of his army 7 How diil his 8>uhjects receive him? 10. Ho-» mw
•i
1
LOUIS Vll.-MA.NNERS OF HIS AGK.
93
U, The CO elusion of the undertaking had proved that Suger was
.he true proplel. He was too good a man to take pleasure m this
/mmph o' 'r Ins t>pponent, especnally as the deinonstration of his own
.upermr sagacity had been attended with sucli ^i^«:^^';""%^^^"\t*tinn.
\) Hut his iieart must have been gratified by the benedictions
which all France was unanimous ifi bestowing upon hmi, lor tbe wis-
dom and prudenct« with which he had governed during the kino s
al,sence. Louis could not but be sensible ot tbe error he had com-
initir,! in not following tbe advice of this wise counsellor
, I The reproacbes of his subjects and his own sel -accusation
.otnpletely changed his temper. His cheerfulne.^ torsook »""; ;»;;^'
being displea.sed with himself, he was cross and morose to others
He had (luarrelled with his queen, too; and, laking advantage of a
ilistant relationship between them, obtained a divorce from her
CHAPTER XXXVH.
Illustration of the Manners nf the Age of Louis VII.
1. Louis had a perfect right to retain a part, at least, of the vaat
dower he had received with his wife, as a portion for her two daugh-
ters But he resigned the whole, and Eleanor, within six weeks,
married Henry Plantagenel, Duke of Normandy, who became King
of I'^njrland at the death of Stephen ; and thus her important terri-
tories became annexed to that crown.
•> For the next twenty years Louis and Henry were engaged in
almost continual war. During a short interval of peace, they went
together to receive Pope Alexander HL, who fled to France for
refuse from the troubles which distracted Italy.
3 T':ach king taking a rein of tlie bridle of the horse upon which
the'Pope rtKle, they condnetcd bim with the greatest respect to the
lodLTinffs provided for him. One day the Pope went to pay his devo-
tions at the church of St. Genevieve, at Paris. A splendid carpet
was prepared for him to kneel upon. , , ^ , , i
4 When the Pope had finished his devotions and left the churcli,
bis attendants and the monks of St. Genevieve quarrelled for the pos-
session of the carpet. They fell to blows, and the uproar was sc
frreat that the king came in person to quell it. . , ^ , .,
'i But the prize was too valuable to be relinquished by either
party ; so, without regarding tbe presence of the king, they continued
the battle, and he, after getting a share of the blows, was compelle^
L.) retire. The monks gained the victory, and carried oflf the carpet.
Bernard received? 11. What was hi.s reply lo their reproaches? 12 13 What of Suger?
,4 Whal change la„k place n ihe king ? What measure did he adopt ?
WWII - What beca .e of the territories of Eleanor ? 2. What is said ol tne nein
t«^uy;'an,r ' What K^ned during the short peace ? 3. What of the reception of
S4
»,OUIS VII. - 1169.
6. Th r triumph was short ; for when the Pope saw what a beat
ing his ,>^3ople had got, he turned the monks out of tlie monastery.
A piece of cari)et was a valuable article in those days, when even the
floors of kings' palaces were covered with loose straw.
7. WliiU; such were the manners of the churchmen, the amu^i^-
ments of the court were not the most refined. At a royal mtirria^'^c
at the court of Navarre, the princes and jjrincesses were entt'rtainnl
by a comhul between two blind men and a pig. The men were arnn'd
with clubs, and tbe pig was to be the prize of whichever could knock
it on tb»^ head.
8. The pig, having tbe use of bis eyes, could generally avoid tlu
blows which were aimed at it; and tbe blind men, instead of strikin,
the pig, generally hit one auotlnn*; and in this, it seems, the chs ,
diversion of the sport consisted, at least to the spectators
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Perjldiaiis Conduct of Jjyuis VII. — He ?fiakes a Pilgrimage tc
the Shri7ie of Thomas-u-Bvcket. — Death of Louis VII.
I. Louis took for his second wife Constance of Castile, and upon
her death was married a third time. In 11(59 he had a son born,
named Philip, whom he surnamed the ''''Gift of Gody''^ but who is
better known in history as Philip Augustus.
'2. The character of Louis in tbe latter part of his hie will be best
illustrated by an anecdote, lie was besieging Kouen with a numerous
army ; the town was well garrisoned and provisioned ; the siege had
already lasted many montbs, and seemed likely to continue some time
longer.
3. In honor of St. Lawrence, Louis proclaimed upon this day a
.>uspension of arms, which was joyfidly accepted by the people of
Uoucn ; more particularly by the younger portion, who, tired of being
coope<l up within the walls, went to enjoy themselves by tbe banks
of the river, where they anuist.'d themselves with various sports.
4. S* iw) of the counsellors of the king — not the good JSuger, you
maybe sure; he was long since dead — seeing the security of tbe
^iti//^ns, pro{)osed to Louis to take advantage of the confidence which
they [)Iaced in his good faith, and to seize the opportunity of surpris-
ing the town. Louis at first rejected the proposition with the scorn
it deserved.
5. At last, however, he yielded to the temptation, and gave orders
for the attack. It happened that a priest of Rouen, having notbiiii;
else to do, went up to the top of a hiigh tower, in which hung tbe
Che Pope ? 4. 5. 6. Whal anecdote ia related of the attendants ? 7, 8. What of t he
iiniisempntg of the court 1
XXXVIII. — 1. Who w;u5 the second wife of Louis? Wiien was his son bom? Wliai
was h« CAlled? 2. What anecdote is related of the latter pari of the life of Louis? 8
1 1
LOUIS VII. -1 ISO.
d5
.1
alarm bell, and there amused himself with looking into the enemy's
^^O^'VII at once he perceived a prodigious onmiotion , men hurrying
tnnn t'ent to tent, some carrying scaling ladders, which were used to
laount the walls of besieged places, lie at once --P- ^^ ^^^^
ireacherv, and without losing a moment, began to ring tbe alarm be I
7 Tlie people, hearing -. left their sports and hasiened to tbe
lowli The urates were shut, and everything was soon in preparation
„. receive the enemv, who, when they arrived, instead ot entering a
defenceless citv, f.ni'nd themselves vigorously repulsed, bo that tue
nerf'dv of Louis met with the ill success which usually attends it.
8. L(.uis was desirous of seeing his son Philip crowned. He had
now reached his fifteenth year, and it wtus determined that the cere^
mony should be perfi.rmed witb great pomp, in the Presence of aL
the great nobles who had already assembled on the occasion But on
the dav before that on wliich ttie ceremony w:is to have taken place,
the vo'un.r prince, when hunting, lost his way in a iorest.
<>' lle'wandered about all night, and was found m the morning
|,v"a wcunl-cutter, who carried him back to his terrified attendants^
'ibe fatigue and cold brought on a dangerous illness, which aftlicted
the kincr'so much, that he determined to make a pilgrimage, not to
Palesli.re, f.>r be had already had enough of that, but to the toinb of
Tbomas-a-Becket, an ambitious but learned man, who had been Arcli-
bisboi) of Canterbury in England and was buried at that place
10 So rrreat was the anxiety of Louis about this only and long-
desired son, that he was onlv gone five days, when the fatigue and
an Viet v brought on an attack of palsy. He languished for several
months, and died on the eighteenth of September, 1180. When on
his death-bed, he caused all his money, clothes and jewels, to be
brought, and distributed them with liis own bauds to the poor.
What did the kingeamedtly wish? What arndent happened to the prince 7 9. Wlial
did the king do in consequence of the iUness . - the prince ? 10. When did Louis cl«»
Wlmt did he do on his death-bed ?
S8
PHILIP 11-1190.
CHAPTEF XXXIX.
PkUip II. , Sf,^ named Augustus. — Imjrraveihent of Paris.
FhiJip II., 1180 to \22^.
1. We have now reached one of the most remarkable periods in
Krench history. Until this time the French nation was a sort of
confederation of princes, governed by a feudal chief. Philip soon
made himself an absolute king. He substituted a regular army foi
the old feudal militia.
2. Philip owed his success in a great degree to the adoption of
the same means which ensure success in other ranks of life. He laid
his plans with skill, and he pursued them with the most steady per-
s(werance. He is the first King of France whom we can call a poli-
tician. Without being a great man, he performed many great
actions.
3. At his accession, France was in a quiet state, and the king took
advantage of this leisure moment to improve and beautUy Paris.
It was not much extended beyond the little island in the Seine, and
•he king undertook to enclose the buildings, gardens, and other cul-
Uvated lands that bordered both banks of the river, with a strong
wall.
4. This was a great undertaking, and it took twenty or thirty
years to complete it; but when finished, Paris was nearly four tiuxt^
its original size. Outside the walls, he erected a dark, gloomy build-
ing, which, according to the custom of the times, was both a palace
and a prison. This he intended for his country residence. It still
exists, and is called the Louvre. But if you should go to Paris, and
wish to see it, you must look for it in the heart of the present city
5. Amongst other things, Philip built a gYeat market-house for
.he convenience of merchants, who were thus enabled, as the old his
lorians tell us, to expose their goods for sale without the hazard oi
their being st.*len by '* gentlemen." But his greatest improvemeni
was the introduction of water into the city by an aqueduct.
PHILIP IL-n89.
.-r
I!
6 Another improvement was the pavmg of the streets; and the
....^umsmce which l.d to this may be best given you m the words of
^„ .rSorir " The king, one day, walking about in his royal
^"Afo^^n to'the window i; divert his thoughts by watching the
^™,rso"ol X river. Wagons drawn by horses were traversing the
Syaild, by throwing up-the mud, made such an intolerable stench
'"^i^ 'll^'irSXw— rnceived a difficult but ..ecessary project
„n -wliiih .tine of his predecessors had ^ared to exccute^b^^^^^^^
Iw .lillicultv and expense ; and this was the paving ot the streets,
lie trefoL caused the two principal streets to be paved "th large
la^ so.o7 The accumulation of dirt has been since so great that
51 original pavement is now found seven or eight feet below the
""T'lirt'tesll' pacific employments could not long interest the king.
He llo M Ten lishly of his own talents, and longed to try hi.
" en ih w 1. tl e w.'e and politic King of England. Causes of d*
puJfre soldon, wanting when men desire to quarrel, and they sooD
^TS^:Sertrr,''but Henry ^'.."^V.rrorrtti
for it was for his interest to preserve peace. 1 he two kmgs neia
dilate fr'iemls^^^ would live in the sanu. tent, sleep in the same
l:iX Lrannk ou".f the same cup But tins great inendship soon
turned to deadly hatred, as you shall hear.
CHAPTER XL.
Third Crusade, under Richard the Lion-hearted and PhUip
Augustus. — Captivity of Richard. — Saladm the Great.
1 On the death of his father, in 1 189, Richard 1. became King of
Knffland He agreed with his friend Philip to engage m a new cru-
Bade They were to take no pilgrims, but only soldiers ; so that this
was the most elfective host that had ever left Europe. But, unfortu-
X':<XIX —1. What is said of the French nation? 2. What of the king? 3. Wh»i
irore IPS first niejisures 1 4 What of the Louvre i 5. What of the market-house? 6
What other improvement in Paris? 8. What were the feelings of Philip towards Hen-
gr? 9 What of their conferences? 10. What of the mtimacy Jetween Philip aud
XL."" ■« Who goi up the third crusade 1 What of the friendshi; between the king.1
S6
PHILIP II. -11*.
CHAPTEF XXXIX.
Philip 11. , sf.^naiyied AugKstiiS. — Improvemejil of Paris.
Phihp II.. 1180 to 12'Jj.
I. Wk have now reached one of tlie most remarkable periods »n
Trench history. Until this tiiiu' the French nation was a sort of
r(»nfe(lerati()n of princes, jrovtMiied by a feudal chief. Philip soon
made liiins(df an absolnte Uiiiir- He substituted a regular army for
the old feudal militia.
"2. Thilip owed his success in a {rrfat dep^ree to the adoption of
the same means which ensure success in other ranks of life. He laid
his i)lans with skill, and he pursued them with the most steady per-
severance, lie is the tirst Kinji of France whom we can call a ptdi-
ticiaii. Without l)ein<r a <:reat man, he performed many great
actions.
;{. At his accession, France was in a (pjiet state, and the kinir took
advantage of this leisun> moment to improve and beautify Paris.
It was m»t much extended 1»< yoiid the little island in the tSeine, and
•he king undertook to enclose the buildings, gardens, and other cul-
«.ivated lands that bordered b(»th banks of the river, with a strong
wall.
4. This was a great undertaking, and it took twenty or thirty
years to complet»> it; but when finished. Paris was nearly four tinies
Its original size. Outside the walls, be erected a dark, ijfooniy bnild-
inji, vviiicb, according to the custom of the times, was both a palace
and a prison. This he intended for his country residence. It stil!
exists, and is called the Louvre. Put if you should go to Paris, and
wish to see it, you nuist look for it in the heart of the present city
5. Amongst 'oth(^r things, Philip built a great market-hou.-'e lor
.he convenience of merchants, who were thus enabled, as the old his
torians tell us, to expose their goods for sale without the hazard oi
their being stolen by '' gi7itkmin." But his greatest improvemeiii
w:is the introuuction of water into the city by an aqueduct.
X'A'XIX —I. What is said of the Fro-irh nation? 2. What of the king? 3. Wh».
were l|is fKs' niwisurcs 1 4 What of tlie Louvre/ 5. What of the market-house?
PHILIP n.— ns9.
S-
6 Another improvement was the pavmg of the streets; and the
Mrcimttwe which led to this mav be best given you in the words of
n is ori in " The kin-, one dav, walking about m his rov^al
:"i:^ t' 'the w'ublw t; divert his thoughts by watchmg the
^ of the river Wa.nins drawn bv horses were traversing the
::iruMll-thn"in.up^he mud, made such an intolerable stench
ihlt the km"- could not endure it. .
- • lie Tl lW.a .....ment conceived a .lifficuU but -..eccssurv p.".!"-"
„„ 'uLuhl oflus prcloccssors iKul aarcl to excc.le beca,,^ of
s ,1 IK U V in.l .■M.ensr ; an.l tbis was tbe paving ot the » rcct..
I, J T accumula,,:,,. ol' d.r. ba» been « nee so Rrea tha^
•LLoriiinul pavomeal is now Imntd seven or e.^bl feet below tl>e
''T llrutlM""'- e,„i.b.yn.en,s conUl not '""f ""-f 'l';;^!;"j«.
ll,.U,m.rbl v.TV iii"lilv of I'is own talents, an.l onged to try hu
tret w 1. be w,sc and p.ditic Kins of England Causes of dl»-
p,U.' are setllo 'u wanting when nten desire to .,narrel. and tbey soon
Trnst> hetWiMMi llcurv and Philip. , . , •
P ,1,P was oaier for war, bnt Henry "-'",.;;-■- "'^i^^^fheW
,-„, ,, „...'.;,r bis interest U, prese^ ,H.n.e _^ .1^ two^.n^s held
; ;;;''b;:i;;:';;rF;rn .i Nornriy^ L eac, eonui stani ..pon
s , ■ mi rv. M last. l>b.Up, n> a passn.n at ln„l,ng that Henry
e::,ld,;e,.b:r "frightened nor .•beat,;.!, cnt down the ehn, .leclar.ng
tie.t thev should never meet Ivneath its shade again.
^^'UL Miu! ; now tried lus artifices upon the s..n. ot H-O;; -^ -^
c led m makm, tl.em rebel against ^^''^^^ v Wan^ T ui^^
Richard, the eldest, under his protection. 1 1'") >- "'^ ^ tCt^
tiinite friends; thev wouUl live in thi^ same, tent, ^Kh p in t ic same
bTat!d drink out-of the same cup Put this .real inendship soon
turned to deadly hatred, as you shall hear.
CHAPTER XL.
Third Crusade, under Richard the Lion-hearted and PhUip
Augustus. — Captivity of Richard. — Saladin the Great.
1 On the death of his father, in IIHO. Richard I. became King of
Knaland. He agreed with bis frien<l Philii. to engage in a new cru-
sade They were to take no pilgrims, but only soldiers ; so that thia
was the most elTectivc host that had ever left Kurcpe. But, untortu-
Whit )th(>r improvemenl in Pari.s? 8. What were the feelings of Philip towartls Hei»-
Jyf 9 WhTtof their ctinfereuces .^ 10. What of the intimacy :«tween Philip aud
^ XL."^ \ Who goi up the third crusade ? What of the friendshi. between the kings?
88
PHILIP II. ANP KICHAKP I nf KNGLANU.
nately, the two kintrs agreed to pass the winter tojrether at Messina,
and hcfon; the end of it their friendship had hecome (pute cool.
2. Wlien spring ctiine, Philip hurried away to Acre, which had
been taken from the Christians by Saladin the (ireat, Sultan of
Egypi, and which the Christians were now trying to recover. Rich-
ard', having waited to be married, did not arrive till the month of
June. \ha the kings could airrci' no JHllijr than they did in Sicily.
A. Instead of pressing the siege, the French and F.nglish thought
oidy of exhibiting to one an»»ther their horsemanship and skiU in the
us;.' of arms. But at length the approach of Saladin forced them to
unite their eflbrts and to exert themselves, and the town was taken.
4. Richard was tlie most celebrated knight of his age, and hia
courage and skill hail gained for him the surname of the " Ltun-
hrarM/." Upon this occasion he obtained so much praise that the
jealous heart of Philip could not brook it, and, after taking a solemn
oath that he would make no attack on the territories of Richard, he
departed for Europe.
5. No sooner had he arrived in Italy than he applied to the Pope
to absolve him from his oath to Rifhard. Hut the Pope would not
sanction such ptirfidy. Philip reached France in lli)2,and there had
the mortification to find, that, whilst he himself was looked upon as a
deserter, Richard was regarded with admiration by all Europe as the
champion of Christianitv. .
6. In the following vear, Richard set out on his return, but, being
shipwrecked, was made a prisoner, and detained in Germany; and
this circumstance, which would have been a matter of regret to a
generous rival, was to Philip a source of gratification. He at once
attacked Normandy, and endeavored to stir uj) the English to rebel
lion.
7. Rut both English and Normans were faithful to a king whose
faults were forgotten in admiration of his courage, and in natural pity
for his misfortunes. At last Richard obtained his liberty ; and a little
incident which led to the discovery of the place of his confinement is
worth mentioning, as it shows that the professed troubadours, light
and frivolous as they were, were not all of them wanting in generous
and noble feelings.
8. Amongst all those who had shared the bounty of the king, there
was but one whose gratitude and affection were strong enough to lead
him to devote his life to the service of a ma.ster whose power of re-
warding was supposed to be at an end. This was Blondel, his favor-
ite minstrel.
9. It was known that the king was in confinement somewhere, but
Ihe place was carefully concealed. But Blondel determined to dis-
vjover it, and, if possible, to procure the release of his master. But
he wandered from palace to castle in vain. At last he heard that a
very strong and almost inaccessible castle on the Danube was guarded
with uncommon care.
2 When tlid Philip reaclj Palestine ? When did Richard ? 3. How were the troop*
tmployed? 4. What of Richard's conduct ? What of Philip? 5. What did Philip do
ik ftalv ? How was he received in France ? 6. What accident happened to Richard J
PHILIP II. — SALAUIN— liyj.
89
H
10 Thither he bent his anxious steps, and approaching the castle,
heard the melancholy captive solacing himself with music. Blondel
kMiched his harp ; the music of the captive ceased ; upon this the mm
It I played the first part of a favorite tune of his master ; the captive
in'^anth played the second part ; and thus the faithtul servant obtained
a certain knowledge that the inmate of the castle was no other than
his roval master. , i r^ i
1 1 ■ lie at once made his discovery known throughout Europe, and
ih.' Emperor of Germany, who had detained King Richard, was com-
pelled to release him ; but he first exacted the payment ol a arge sum
of money, as a ransom for a man whose only ollence was the misfor-
tune of having been shipwrecked on his coast.
12 The memory of Richard was long retained among the bara-
cens * The Syrian mothers used his tremendous name to fngliten
their children into silence, an.l if a lumse started on the road his rider
was wont to say, " Dost thou think King Richard is in tha bush ?
13 But I must not forget to tell vou som(>thing about ^ahuiin, who
was' far s.iperior t<. his enemies in all the (pialities which constitute a
good man. He had been brought up in all the etremmate habits of
The Exst, and his early y.nith was devoted to pleasure and luxury
But these he soon renovmced, and became a pattern of simplicity and
abstemiousness. ^ , -n . i . u«
14 Amidst all the gorjreous splendor of the East he was to be
distincruished from air his attendants by his dress of coarse doth.
Water was his only drink, and he was most strict in fulfilling all the
duties of his religion. He set an exami)lc of clemency and modera
lion in victory, which the crusaders would have done well to hav.
followed : his whole condtict was a mortifying contrast to their coarse
and brutal cruelty.
r. He was liberal and generous, and he did not confine his bounty
to those of his own faith. He founded hospitals, into which the
Christian and the Mahometan were alike admitted, ihe whole ot
the creat riches which he accpiired in his conquests were expended in
works of public utility, or in acts of kindness to indiyiduals, and when
he died only one piece of gold and forty pieces of silver were founi^
in his treasury.
Wnat di Philip then do? 7, 8, 9, 10. 11. Relate the «"a.,ner of Richard's rek-
12 Wlia-. iid th« Saracens think of Richard ? 13. What of Saladni ?
8*
JHI nCK CKlfSADES.
CHAPTER XLl.
The Ptntrth Crusade. — The Venetians make a hard Bargain
with the Crusaders.
1. Before I go back to my story, 1 may as well tell you about the
fourth crusade, which produced more lastiiif? conse(iuences than either
:)f the others, and resulted in placing a French subject on the ilin)ne
.»i' the Caesars. • i /
2. A third prophet now appeared, but far inferior to eitiier ()I
those who preceded him. An illiterate priest, called Fulk of Ne-
villy, claimed to have received the divine command to rouse all
Christendom to make a fourth attempt to drive the infidels from llie
sacred places. . ^ i> i
3. The result of his first efiTort was not very promising ; for Kich-
ird, King of England, only laughed in his face, as much as to say,
the man must either be a fool himself, or think me to be one, if he
supposes that I am to be caught a second time in such a scrape.
4. Philip received him with inore politeness, told him that he had per-
formed the pilgrimage once, and that it was not convenient for him
to leave home again ; but he was willing to assist him with money,
and he accordingly imposed a general tax for the service of the holy
war. , • .
5. At the same time, a tax, called the Saladin tenth, was levied
by the Pope on the whole Roman Catholic church— not only upon the
laymen, but upon the clergy ; and as it was found to be very lucra-
tive, it was continued after the occasion for it ceased, and is the
foundation of the tithes paid by the clergy to the Roman pontiffs, or
to the sovereigns to whom thev may have granted it.
6. But thoui?h tiie kings were so ill-disposed, there were enough
others who were ready to avail themselves of the olfers of the Pope ;
glad to obtain absolution from all temporal and spiritual obligations
upon such ea^y terms. A large number, nobles as well as com
mons, assumed'the cross. Having determined to go by water, they
sent agents to Venice, which was the great commercial city of the
age, to engage ships and provisions.
7. You will see by the map that Venice is very conveniently situ-
ated for carrying on commerce between the East — from which were
to be obtained all the luxuries of life, such as silks, and spices, and
jewels — and that part of Europe which alone was civilized enough to
prize these luxuries.
8. In their intercourse with the East, they had learnt how to make
^lass and fabrics of silk, and between commerce and manufactures
they had grown immensely rich. Whilst everybody else lost by the
crusades, they had been great gainers ; as others had grown poor
THE CRUSADES.
91
ihey had grown nch, for they were the only pei sons who couk fur-
n sh the crusaders with provisions and other necessaries.
9 Thrwe^^^^^ re.dv, therefore, to furnuh everythmg that
.hie new crusade?s required. Fen- the payment ol a very large sum
o^^::^ in advance, Ls agreed tluU on a fixed ^'^^^^
berof ships, with an ample supply of provisions, ^h^"!^ »;^ ' "^^
npss The price was very high, and the ccrms of payment m ad
va"; were '"v hard, but the agents could do no better, and so th.-y
•K'ceptcd them, and returned home.
XLl. — 2. Who preaclieil iho fourth crnaade ? 3. Mow diil KichanI receive hiinl
1 How d=d Philip ? 5. What was the Salatlin 'xix I 6 What success anions the people i
CHAPTER XLII.
Co7iti7iuation of the Fourth Crusade. — Constanthwple taken.
1. The crusaders, having chosen 15aldwin, Count of ^l^landers, tn
be the leader, appeared at Venice on the appointed day. 1 hey tound
everythinrp e^^^^^^^ -<'^«^^'in? ^" ^»'« ^^^"^^ «/ '^^ agreement : nice
stalL fof thei? horses, comfortable quarters for the droops, and a fi-
fleet of vessels, all ready to hoist sail as soon as passage and freight
"T-Brlht3dt be done so readily. The crusaders had come
a long journey already, and all their money was spent. It wjis in
vain thai the cliiefs gave up all their plate and jewels ; still there was
-i large sum deficient, and the Venetians were obstinate in f^^^J^^
give credit. They tit last hit upon an expedient by which all diffi-
culties would Im' removed. . . ,
3 Th" Venetians had some troublesome Christian neighbor^, v\ho
rather interfered with themselves in the way of trade. As destroy-
injr cities and conquering countries was the profession of the crusa-
ders, it was very natural that the Venetians should propose to them
to make payment in this way. , , ,r . n- ; „ t^
4 Accordinrrly the proposal was made, the \ eneUans offering to
receive the destruction and conquest of these cities instead of money.
The crusaders hesitated about accepting the offer. Their contract
with the Pope was still in force, and by turning their arms even tor
a short time, against Christians, they might lose all the advantages
" 5 ' However, means were found to secure his approbation, and the
crusaders, having no other scruples, soon fulfilled the ti3rms of the
Venetians. But they had now found out that fighting Christians was
•J much more agreeable business than fighting Saracens. I hev could
get much more booty with less hard fighting. . , „ .
^ G. But here again the Pope was to be consulted. But he waa
V^;;ri.^paration did they make ? 7. What of Venice ? S. How hailthe crusades aflTect-
ed Vouice^ y Whai asreenienl did they make with the cru-saders ?
XU -1. How did the Venetiaaa i^rform iheir agreenienl ? 2. How was .1 «nth^
tnisaders? 3 What proposal did tlie Venetians make? 4. Why o'^"*® "^ g
toiSS ? 5 bid "hey^arrVpt it ? 6, 7. What expedition did they undertake n«rt 9 8
w
PHILIP 11.-1199.
e.'Lsily convinced that bringing the Greek empire under his subjec-
tion, and converting the Greeks to the Roman C'alholic religion,
would be full as meritorious as delivering the Holy Land from other
infidels.
7. Having obtained his consent, the erusaders at once turned their
ships towards Con.slantinople, and entered the harbor, after having cut
the ciiains whicii we'rt; stretciied across the entrance, with great shears
fixed to the bows of their vessels.
8. 'I'lj^ city soon yielded to them, and, after dividing an immense
booty amongst all who were engaged in the enterprise, they deposed
the old emperor, und placed their leader, Baldwin, Count of Flan-
ders, upon the throne; thus establishing the Latin empire in the
I'/ist.
y. Baldwin was soon after killed in a war with the Bulgarians.
He wa'^i succeeded by his brother Henry, who was poisoned in 1210 ,
and tht^ crown then came to his nephew, Peter de Courtenai, a de-
scendant of one of those barons whose robberies caused so much dis-
turbance in the beginning of the reign of Louis VI
CHAPTER XLHL
Philip gets Possession of Normandy. — Battle of Bouvirtr^
John of England and Prince Henry.
[. Richard died in 119!>, and, as he left no children, the crowi
\( England belonged, of right, to his nephew Arthur. But lh»
What of their success? Who was made Emperor of the East? 9. Who succeede*
Baldwin ? Who succeeded Henry ?
XLIII. - i. When did Richan/ I. die ? Who succeeded him 7 2, 3. What did Pluli|
PHILIP 11.-1214
93
*u«,nf PiMr.rd John surnamed " Lack-land," because he had no
iTu ; -^U^Mn; dunn, the Uie of h.s lather, seiz^ ujKm .i
I'ul, having V>t possession of the person of Arthur, put him to
'^''o'^'philip had long set his heart on Nornumdy, and r . hoped now
to^oe a p etence fo? taking it. John, as Duke ot ^--•'- y^^^
the'vassal of Philip. Plnlip therefore summoned him to appear at
P-iris to answer for the murder ot Arthur.
-i 1 bn did not obey the summons ; and was in consequence pro-
.xe<-uli(.ii Norumiulv [.roved an easy .•.u.quest, i..r J''h» h-'d •{•'a''
lo ,0 hi,ns,.ir K. ploaMlre. a„a maae ,u, cliort to retain U, and the
>i„r, .LIS would not fK'hl Tor so despicable a sovereign.
4 J hn w s t e las't of eleven dnkes who ha.l governed Normandy
,,'tw: tiXd and ninety-three years. P'f l'.-'»;,f ^.^^^
,„-,sier of Maine. Toiiruiiie and Anjou, and was only pre^'=n^^"
by .he peremi^ory oonunan.l of .he Pope from invading tngland
''t 'philip was now threatened to be overwhelmed by a powerfi:
e<,nfederael. The King of England the Duke of 1 landers and I ;
|.^nl.l.^o^ o{ Germany, united against him. Philip, at the neaa t
firyTmsand men, m^t his enemies at Bouvines, near Tournay, on
■^"f'Tlf army'of ihe eonfederates, under the eommand of the empe-
ro! «".s even more numerous; but .he superior ski and vigilance
rf Phiin, g ™ned him a decid-'d victory. William ol Bretagne, chap-
laiu to 'king Pl'il'P, was present at the battle, and has given an
■u-counl of it Some extracts from this may interest you.
7 'I'lK French armv had passed the bridge of 1 """nes and Olho
thou.'lit this a favorable moment to commence the attack, vynen
' IM wa^ informed that Otho w;is moving, he, fatigued with the
lengill oflbe way and the weight of his armor, was resting under an
♦Lsh^trt'o which errew near the church. , , i
8 At' thus iie^s he rose up and went into the church, and address-
mtr a short prayer to God, he went out, took up his arms, and with a
^^ous foce as'if he had been going to a wedding, remoun ed his
Lorse In crossing the field, the cry "to arms ' was heard he
trumpets sounded,1md the squadrons which had already crossed the
""^^.'Vh1"i was hot and impetuous. The German cavalry
VincT warlike and very audacious, pushed close to the king. 11 s
Sams defended him; but they, with their Teutonic fury, would
htve nlvthe kin-. In the mean time the mlantry came up, and,
w h h r tie hmces and their hooks, dragged the king from h^
hdrse, and he would have been killed, had not Providence preserved
"^'To. His standard-bearer waved the banner in token of distress,
-,.v, ir. .u^ How .lid he cTeoi it^ 4- Wliai further conquesla did Philip make!
TvUo maL "roa Phlwp 7 ^^ ^ When? G. Wh.ch party w.-«
•f .
PHILIP ii.~i'^it
93
^2
PHIl-lP II. — ll'.>0.
I'. It t
f.isily cMMiviiHMMl that hriiifriiijx the (Ircek empire iiinler liis sufijec-
lioii, and Odnvertiiiiz the (ireeks to tlie Koiiimii Cnlliolie relinfjoii,
would be full as nierilorieus as d-liverin^^ the Ht)ly Laud tVeiii other
iii(i(l(;ls.
7. Having obtaifK'd his coiiMiit, thf crui-aders at ouee turned their
Bhi[>s towards ( "oiislaiitinoph-. and entered the harbor, alter havinji eiil
tlie chains wiiieh wrn- strrtchrd aitn.ssthe entrance, with jjnal shears
fixed to the bows (dthtir vessels.
8. 'I'liv city s(»ou viehlcd to tlien), and, after dividing- :in innnensc
booty :inion<:st all who were eii^raucd in the enterprise, they deposi'd
the old emperor. ;iud placed their had*-r, lialdwin. Count <»f Flan-
ilers, upon the throue ; thus establishinji; the Latin enn>ire in the
Mast.
U. Baldwin was soon after killetl in a war with the JJulji'ariaiiS.
lie wa'i succeeded by his br(»tlur Henry, who was jioisoned in I'JIO,
:^lH\ the crown then came to his nephew , Peter de Courtenai, a de-
scendant of one of those barons whose robberies cau.scd so mueli dis-
Uirbanct: in the besjinn;nt^r of llie reign of Louis VI
CHAPTER XLIII.
Philip gets Possess io?i of Nnrnmndy. — Bo.ttle of Bouvinrs
John of Engldfnf and Prince Henru
1. HicHAKii died in 110J>, and, as he left no rhildren, the crowi
if Encjland belonged, of rigiit, to his nephew Arthur. But ihk
What t>f tlieir success? Who was iiiade Kniperor of the East? 9. Who suoceede*
i?alil\vin ? Who succeeded Henry ?
XUW. - i. When did Richan/ I. die ? Who succeeded liim? 2, 3. What did Pli-lii
.rother of Riehard, John, surnamed - L:i.-k-land,- because he had no
;^^ o .^ ^n.a ;> hint dunn. the lile <.f his 1-uher, seized ujjon U
!uui, haviu.r.M.t possession of the person ol Arthur, put him to
''''''^'Philii. had lon-r set bis heart on Normau.ly, and r . lu.ped nou
U. ::e a e e IW takm. it. John, as Duke of ^onnandy w^
Ibe^as^aild-Ph.l.p. Plnl.p tberelore summoned him to appeat at
P-iris to auswt'r for the murd«r ol Artbui.
ill I did not obey the summons ; and was in eotisequenee pro-
b=,J';~!ir;:;:/:r,;:xr;:;;r.S^'=
Normans would not fi-ht for so despieable a soveitijrn. ,
lolm was the last of elev«M» dukes who ha.l governed Norman y
,.\w!; Imndred and timety-three years. ^''^ ^P---;-';;,:^^^
by ,;j. ,,,.,■. nM'.,.ry .•.mm.uM.l ..r .l,c I'opc 1V„.U .nvu.l.ng bnglana
■'t 'VlnliP was „ow ,hr,.aU',u.,l .,. l>o ..v.rwl.ehn.d by a poworf.:
ImTlluiusalul „>,■„,.;.... IMS ,.„..n,„.s at l!.,uvincs, near lournav, on
•^'(T''lVf arnn'ol'tlv.. oonll.lorat.-s. .n.d.T ll..' con.n.an.l ..f the enipe-
r„ \v se nmr,- nun.eruns : In.t .he superior .kl an.l vg.lanee
i'h ,,. . a ne.l hnn a ,l,.ei.le,l vietory. Willia,,, el iretaRne, chap-
„, „! Kin!" I'InUp. «as present a, the battle, and l.a3 given an
.;,,,„uil ..|- It" Sunie extra.-ls Irem this may interest yon.
• 7 'I'be Krenel, annv bad passed the brtdgc ol ""^'";«\»''\'. ''
thouubt tins a iavorable n.onient to ennnnence '''«;''';"•;• ^.'' '™
I'hilM. xvas inl-orn.ed that Olho was niovnig. he, latlgued with the
1. nutl, of the way an.l the w.-ight of Ins armor, was resting under an
•isli tree which iiH'W near the church.
s \t tins news he ro.s.- up and went into the cbureh, and address-
nm-i "short i.raver to Co.d, he went out, took up his arms, and with a
Us ni!^. as- if he had been going to a wedding, remounted ns
horse In cro.ssing th.. field, the cry -to arms ' was heard le
mnnpets soun.led, and the scp.adrons which ha<l already crossed the
^'"'''nir^omliat was hot an<l impetuous. The German cavalry,
't.eiii.r warlike and very audaeimis, pushed ch.se to the kmg. Uis
tcnda,,ts<l.dended him: but they, with their 'reutonic fury, wo Id
have only the kin-. In tin- mean time the mlantry came up, am
':,h their little h.mces and their hooks, dragged the king from his
h/use. :.ud lu> would have been killed, ba.l not Providence preserved
^""o. His standard-bearer w.v. d the banner in token of distress,
m^\^ 10 d..' How thd I..- on-.vi a; l. What further ^l''^^^' wK mrtytvw
rvVhoMudevvirouPh.l.p? Whali«itth3wa^fou«t ? When? 0. \\ h.ch parly WM
94
CUUSADE AGAINST THE ALBIGKNSES. — 1208.
L»TERATUKE.-THK FIFTH CRUSADE
m
which brought some knitrhts to the rescue, and the king, though
wounded, mounted his horse. The emperor also encountered equal
danger, and was only saved from a stab aimed at his neck by the
thickness of the armor which it was the custom of the day for the
knights to wear.
II. It was still the fashion for the priests to engage in the battles,
but instead of a sword or a lance, it was thought more becoming for
them to fight with a mace, which was a large club ; this, while it was
not quite so convenient for shedding blood, was not less efficacious ii*
destroying life, and thus they saved their conscience*-
CHAITHK XLIV.
Crusade agaiiist the Albigcjises. — The French mvade Eng'
land.
1. But a crusade of a less questionable character was now about
to deluge the southern provinces of France with blood. This was
against a sect of Christians called Albigenses, from the city of Alby,
in Languedoc, where they first appeared, and also called " goo<' peo-
ple," from the regularity of their lives.
2. They differed in opinion from the Catholics, and this was
thought a sufficient reason for waging against them one of the most
cruel and exterminating wars that ever disgraced the annals of any
nation. The arbitrary and cruel tribunal of the Inquisition was first
instituted against the Albigenses.
3. The Pope, finding that the monks who had been sent against
them, armed with all the power of the church, were not sufficient to
stop the progress of what he called heresy, in 1208 proclaimed a cru-
sade against them, granting to those who should join in it the same
privileges and indulgences which were promised to those who took up
arms against the Turks and Saracens.
4. Now most of tiiese people, who were the snbj(>cts of this cruel
persecution, lived in the territories of the (^ouEit of Toulouse, and he
accordingly undertook their defence, and was himself excommuni-
cated, as being a favorer of heresy. The most cruel of thf persecu-
tors was Simon de Montfort, whose zeal was increased by the promise
of all the country which he should conquer from thti Count of Toulouse
and the Albigenses.
b. The Count of Toulouse was obliged to submit, aitd. having been
c.ubjccted to the greatest humiliation and beaten with rods, he at
lenjjth received absolution. Thousands of Albigensi^s were burnt or
■ massacred without mercy. Tt Avonld seem as if murder w<Te esteemed
an act of Christian piety.
fictnrious? % 3, 9, 10. Relate the king's crmducl in the bailie. 11. Whal of clergy
ftehlins? .„.
XLI" — 1. Wh.li of the Albigenses? 2. What of the Inquisition 1 3. What measuii
•iid tl« *ope adopt "» 4. Who defended the Albigenses? VVhn wa.s their most cniel par
b:
"-'"De Montforl was killed at the siege oC Timlouse, in 121S, and
,„■,;; Z del .he war subsided ; bu. ,, w.^ -■;■•- ---^ 'r Jpf ^
.,„e„t i.en«ds. We will now S,"^ ^-W •■ bH,, «1»^ c^re.g-^^
S^to" d^i^ r'XoJV E^'..'ri„ righ.' „f h,s wife.
"Tphilip. n.,t choosing to quarrel with the Pope, »l.'P^"«^ «°^
,I,M leased with his son, for acoedinrc to the wishes ol the t.nchsh
'"V , , 1 e s->me tnie he furnished him with an army, and
'I'l-rianded'in Knglanrnnd was everywhere hailed as a deliverer
«,(. detestable bad John become to his subjects.
ch Louis had almost completed the -'"^"f ^^^^-^^l^"^^!^^^^^^
,l..uh of John entirely changed the aspect of afiairs. 1 »»^\^^^^«"^/^;
Vu^A-mA deserted him, repenting now that they had invited a for-
i nor hito the k^ 'The;^swore allegiance to young Henry,
:;^':f triatrkingranTLouis was ohliged to abandon the enterpnse
;uid return to France.
CHAPTER XLV.
Uterature of the Time of PhUip Augustus -^ Fablieux and
Romances. — The Fijth Crusade.
,. Thb la«t net of importance in the reign of Philip wms the fitli"^
„u a new erusade against the Saracens. V"'"'"'*'.'". "'''^,1 e^Ye
saders pr.«eeded to lay siege to Cairo. An inundation ol the N.le
"'o ''S.'rhrlgi:;' as ii wee m » trap, they wore gla.1 to accept
,u<-b terms^,s .he Sidtan would grant them, and he generously ,« -
milled .hem to return home. Philip «as .00 infirm .0 .Migage in .bi»
iir anv o.her ac.ivc employme ... . 1 ;, :, „. 1,;, .,.1.
■i He was vcrv fond of loading romances, and it is to his taste
,1,:;, we owe all the marvellous histories of -A.ng Arllmr an.l in.
kLm. ofllu- Round Table-' of - Charlcmogne and /"■''«'"-/"
,< ■'^ Alexander th, Orcair This las. was wr,..en in .he kind M
verse now used b> .he French in their serious iK-etry, which is there
fore called Alrxnndrinc verse.
„cn.„r! .'•,. Wtol «;i3 the rf»i!l! 7, .S Whal .liJ Prince I/-«i. undert-ike ! 9. Wh*
»■- W' -^'^Val wo. the tot act of impnrmnce of rblMp ? 2. Whal •^•^Jl"'^^};:
.1. What of Philip's .a.<ef"rlilBn>tur»! 4. Whil of ihe ro,mncc«J :,. Whaloflh.ro
i
96
PHILIP Il-l-as
, Ti CO r,.,mi,fc<i bear verv liulo resemblance to the « yrks whicli
, *■ 3 f r a Te D?esenl day. We shoul.l eo.isicler il a pretty
:-l'. ";!;;. ^nt'l: C^fliL t« read oae of .>.- .l.rou|^..
V„r„ lit le r.-..ura was paid to liislorical or froosrapbiea pob.ib lilies.
Kty of liabvlm, w'us placed in l-rnPce, and Judea is described as
^ TZ. :ru;e:!;,reSaid was calle,, Hrulu. f »"»'---
nnnv <i( the lairv tales wind, still amnse some c nldreti.
'"■ r^' 'L Frend. bave always been very ^""^ "[}'"y^2erG^>e
.1 ♦» . . V,... -.r.. iiult3l)iea for the tiimous Melodies oj Mother uoost.
TlieVl.-^ alsi/sb.,;; t'rl^s in verse called FaM.eu., «bich contnineo
'"f 'wb^llwonVd be to us a serions objection to the old romances
8. VV lial would oc lu ua J . J ^^. ^gj^
reau uuv.u^ii, ^ pi,;i;,v i,n,i tnore serious employments man
SiSSes; rrrtAl;;::';ia ?t r^ary to set L^t arranging
'"'if 1'eelin. some eon.pnnetions of conscience at the "••""";'■;''
wl "it his "asnres bad bien an.asscd, he arpr.,pnated ^J l-t"^ «-
,„ .he express V'^V^^^-^J^^y^'^^ tJ^' n-li^T^
;t;ay-S;. :. rmH^'^tnbyear^
of his rei^m. His son Lonis, s.irnatnetl the L,on, succeeded lum.^_
5 Whul was a ureal reconimemlalion to a boot . v> uy
lb. Whaii di.l Philip die ? Who succeeded him 7
UUIS VIII. — 1223
CHAPTER XL VI.
Short Reign of Louis VIIL, the Limi. — Qn£e7i Blamhe goverm
the Khifrdom as Rege7it.
Louis the Lion, 1223 to 1226.
1 Why this Vww was called the Lion, except it were in derision
I cannot tell you ; for he was feeble both in body and in mmd, and
♦he only merit that flatterintr historians could find for him was, that
■-' he was the son of an excellent father, and father of an excellent
2 He was in his thiitv-sixth year when his father died. His
mother was a descendant t)f Charlemajjne ; and thus the two races of
Charlematrne and Capet were united in his person. It was perhai)S
on this account th:il Philip omitted the usual precaution of sccurinfr a
p(>aceahle succession to his son, by havinjr him crowned during his
own lifetime. , tii • j
:j. Louis and IJhmche, his queen, were crowned at Kheims, and
the Parisians, alwavs ready for a frolic, celebrated the event with
trreat demonstrations of jo v. They huntr carpets from their windows,
and decorated the buildmjrs with irarlands of flowers ; tables covered
ivith provisions were placed in the streets, at which the jjoor were
fed, and minstrels and troubadours i)araded the city singing the
praises of the kinjr.
4. The sbort rcijjn of I^uis was spent in war with Henry ill. ot
England, and in a relentless persecution of the i)Oor Albigenses. Bui
the\'rongs done to these last were in some measure avenged. The
kinu' had laid siege to one of their cities, init the inUuisc heat of the
weather was the'^cause of a fever which carried ofl' 20,000 of the
troops : and finallv the king himself fell a victim to it.
5. Having assembled his nobles around his bed, he made them
swear that they would cro\^-n his eldest son, and would respect and
obey Queen Blanche as regent of the kingdom during the minority
XLVl. - 1 . What is scd of I/iui3 VIII. ? 2. What of his right to the crown 1 3. What
of his coronation ? 4. Wlvit events in his rei?n? What caused his death? &. wttwi
96
PHILIP II - 1"^^
4 Tln.^P nui.inc«>s br:ir very little roseniblunce to llie wc^rks which
bear that .mm- at tic l^^^^^'^ ';;>.,, ^^, ,,,..,i ^,,^ „f tlie.n thn.u^h.
sf:r,sirrX';;ff;;;;.r3"S:;!;;i;;;;;s.
'"r'^'l'l • : • . I ^t: : vs l.,.n, v,.,y io,,,! ..f .Uiryl.cs. It .s U.
i WIvil w.is ;i t.'n.-;il rfc,..iniiieM.l.iii.'H to .1 iK>oK.. v» i.j
lb. \V1>«*> iii<'- l'l»l'P J'« ■ ^'''" succeeded hiin /
If
IK
UUIS VIII.- 1-223
CHAPTER XLVI.
Short Rtign of Louis VIIL, the Uoii. — Qitcen Blanche goverm
the K'niirdom as Regciit.
Louis the Liou, 1223 to 1220.
1 Wiiv this kiiK^ was called the I. ion, cxeejU it were in derision
I caniis.t tell you ; Tor he was feeble both in body and m inmd, and
•h.' onlv ni.-rit that llatteriii<,^ historians C(mld find lor him was, that
•' he was the son ..f an cxerllent fatluT, and father of an excellent
V He was in his thiitv-sixth year when his father <li(d. His
nidtiicr was a descendant ».f Charleniajine ; and thus the two races ol
('hirlenia<nie and Capet were luiited in his person. It was pi'rhai)S
„n this account that l»liilii» omitted the usual precaution of secunnjr a
pf-aceable succes.sit>n to iiis sou, l)y havinji him crowned dnrinrr his
own liietime. , ,,, • j
:{. Louis and Blanche, his (pieen, were crowned at Kheims, and
llu; Parisians, alwavs iv:uly for a frolic, celebrated the event with
irrcat demonstrations of j..v.' Thev hun«: carpets from their windows,
and decorate.l the buihlinos with i:;irlands of llowers ; tables covered
vvith pr(»visions were placed in th«- streets, at which the i)oor were
(rA, anil min.strels and troubadours [>araded the city sini,nng the
praises of the kiniz. ^ itt *
I. The short reiirn of Louis was spent in war witli Henry 111. ol
K!ii:land, and in a ndentless per.secution of the poor All)ii:f»nses. l$ut
tbe^'wronirs done to these last were in some measure avenyred. The
kin«^ hail^laid sieirc to one of tln'ir cities, but the intense heat of the
we;7ther w:is ihecause of a fever which carried oil" '20,000 of the
lroop.>: and fiiKillv the" kim^r himself fell a victim to it.
5. Havinc: assembl.-d his nobles around his bed, he made them
swear that They would crown his ehlest son, and would respect and
obey Queen Blanche aa retrent of the kinj^dom during the minonly
XLVI. — 1 . What i,^ .^ ud of l/iuis VIII. ? 2. What of hia right to the crown ? 3. What
of hia corunati'.n 7 4. WIvil ..-venLs in his reii^i?
What caijsed his death? 5. When
96
LOUIS IX. -1226.
,f U.a «on. He died u> October, .Q26, having reigned a U«le n..r,
n" t:r£che was very -^^'^^l^s" ilTf '"she^'^-^^^^
„a'd, b». «l.e d,.l not vvas^ any ^---f^I^^^^X peace of'the king-
at once to adopt sucli ""r'*"f„^„'^^ f ' "s,,e knew too well the oharacte.
dom, and the safety of h« son ■ f"r^^'« ^'^ ^ ^ „„ oath which
of the great nobles to suppose that i*^l^
tound ihem to obey a woman ^"''^^^j^Smpii.hments, both bodu,
7. But she was a woman fS^^^'^^lZgxe^i personal beauty.
and mental ; of an undaunted sp.nt, and "^ g J^ f„, ^, years,
Her cl''«f/"""^'^''°'XVude n bis mann"--- ='■»' his adv.ce was
^^^^'^^-^^h'^;^^^^ of her conduct, was
^ 8. Blanche, by the decision and prompWud ^^ ^^^ ^^^
fj:ert.f hfr :lVradtS"K"of twenty-one. when she re-
Signed the regency.
CHAPTER XLVll.
r^ ^ WniirhP — Character of Louis IX., or &.
^7i€C(/oi6 oj Queen BlaiKhe. ^na
Louis IX.. I22ti to 1270.
r n on Hlmche will be better understood Irom
?iwSn;irrrdsr:;,dTof ;V\t . '^^d P-s, m an.er.
V'-^rpS :;': 'rsS"hat .^e, oouw --^y -rhe-l
iidhediel • --
■chief counsellor
Who was app«imtetl regent .'
What of Queen Blanche 1 7.
Whow«
LOc.;* IX. -1344.
99
il.pn. lo set the rnen free, and offering to be security for the money
S^LSed of them. The priests toof offence n^ this, declaring that
thP nueen had no right to interfere about tlieir slaves.
3^ They seii^d u^pon the wives and families of the poor men and
crowdTd tLm all in^ the same small place, where many died o suf
focation. On this, the queen proceeded to the prison -;«^; ^«J f ^^^^^^^
ants, and ordered them to force open the doors, bo f ^ J;^;^ ^^ "^^^^
fear of offending any person connected with the church, that not one
'T'tU q7ee:\^ took an axe, and with her own hands began to
break down the door. Thus encouraged, her attendants set to work
and the doors were soon opened. - The poor pnsoners were brouglu
out ; many of them fiiinted as soon as they fe t the fresh air Ihose
who were able to speak loaded her with blessings. Her kindness di(.
nnt rpst here for she made them all free forever.
5 LoutsIX ctnmonly called St. Louis, had a truly upright and
ben;vorent disposition. His temper was mild and torgiving, and at
the sl^ne time brave and firm. In prosperity no man had more meek-
ness Tor Tadversitv more fortitude. Under al circumstances, his
"ntegrhy was inflexible, and he was governed solely by religious prin-
*^^V*His piety did not deprive him of the qualities becoming a king.
His' liberality was not in the least inconsistent with a wise economy.
\t that time, the revenue of the king arose only from his own estates,
;md not from the purses of the people. His grandeur, like that of any
private person, depended upon a judicious economy.
7 Louis did not, like his predecessors, regard the foiinding a mon
asterv or building a church as an expiation for sin. He used to say,
when speaking on this subject, " that living men were the stones
of God's temple, and that the church was more beautified by good
manners than by rich walls."
CHAPTER XLVHL
The sixth Crusade. — St. Louis taJcen Prisoner. — He ts re-
leased upon Payment of a large Ra7ismn.
1 In the year 1244, Louis was attacked vvitli a violent illness, and
as he lay in a state of letharszy, he imagined that a voice spoke to hiro
**rom heaven, ordering him to take up the cross against the infidels:
and scarcely had he recovered his speech, when he made a vow to
carry on a crusade. „ , , j
2."^ His mother and all his wisest counsellors vehemently opposed
the project ; but he considered his vow as a sacred bond, vhich men
XLVn. - 1 - 4 Relate the anecdote of Queen Blanche. 5. What of Louis IX. 1 6. Vhai
*^iS>Rn - 1 What happ*r ed to Louis IX. ? What vow did he make ? 2. What mmn
96
lyOl'lS lX.-l'i-^6.
LOv:;^ IX -1244.
99
,„„d, but Bh... a„l nn, «as,e uny ;" J ^^^t, ,^,,e peuce of ,he king-
at once to udopl su.-l. " ' •'^"''^ ' '' J ' ^ ,e knew too well the .•haraelet
d„m, and the sakty ol her "^ ' • " ^^'J ^J^„,d ,.,„ard an oath uhicl.
of the ureat nobles to suppose that t^y^
t„un.i then, to obey a wonum lf;lJ^^'^f^^,';^,,Umo:^^s, both bod.iy
7. Hut she svas a won.an ot f'^f ^^ J .^^ beauty.
and .uental ; of an >>"'l-";\';'l^ '"•,::„ respectable for his year..
Her chief counsellor was U en , ^^^^ \ ,„,, his advtce wa.
filonts and virliif ; rallicr runt in m=>
genc'ftlly «,veu in .be f '■V"J„<'J^",;r^„„de of her conauet, was
8. lllaueluN by the decision » ." ' J" J^,,,;,, a,„l ,„ nuiintaiu b.'r
;ttrti?rtr::i1SatX:.1..e •;-e'of tweW-one. ^vhen she re-
Bijrned the regency.
CHAPTER XLVU.
A,ualae of Queen Blanche. -C^ra^ter of L.is IX.. ^ &.
T ■■ JY i-''^t) to 1270.
, T„.eharaeter of Queen Blanche wi..K^
.n'aneodote "Htor U >.j^in--t . aSc .o P^y certain comtdn.-
. ., fi What of Qoeea Blanc he 1 7. Wlio w«i
Whet' ^^K;rs"'«rS".'.-e-'
tar chief counseUor? »• »'*^''
Ihen. to set the men free, and offerinfj to be seeurity for he money
denuuuled of them. The priests took oll^Miee a^ this, deelarmg that
the (iiieen had no riirht to interfere about their slaves.
V Thev seized ni.on thr wives and families of the poor men and
oro'Vde tUm all into the same small place, where many died o sut-
focation. On this, the qneen proceeded to the prison -;^ '-.f ^ ^^^
ants, :ind ordered them to force open the doors, feo ^^^^^''^lone
four V.f otVendinjr any person connected with the church, that not one
'^r 'ni:^:;u^^ Uien took an axe, and with her own h-ds began U,
break down the door. Thus cncouracred, her attendants set to work
and the doors w.re soon opened. The poor Vr^^^^-^J^^ ^^^^
out ; many of them fainted as soon as they le t the tresh air. Ihosc
who were able to speak loaded her with blessings. Her kindness die.
not rest here, for she made them all tree lorever.
5 Lonis IX., commonly called St. Louis, had a truly upright and
benevolent disposition. lIis temper was mild and lorgiving, and at
the si^ne time brave and firm. In prosperity no man had more meek-
ness mr 7^ more fortitude. Under all circumstances, his
integrrty was intlexible, and he was governed solely by religious prin-
*''^(!''"His i.ietv did not deprive him of the qualities becoming a king.
His'liberality-was not in the least meonsistent wuth a wise economy
\t that time, the revenue of the king arose only from his own estates,
and not from the purses of the people. His grandeur, like that ot any
private person, depended upon a judicious econ(Mny.
7 hduis did not, like his predc^cessors, regard the tounding a mon
asiery or buildin- a church as an expiati«.n for sin. He used to say,
wh(Mi speaking on this subject, - that living men were the stones
of God's temple, and tliat the church was more beautified by good
manners than by rich walls."
CHAPTER XLVHI.
The sixth Cri/sade. — St. Umh taken Prisoiier. — He is re-
leased u]XJ/L Payment of a hru'e Ransom.
1 \s the ve:ir 10 H, Tiouis was attacked with a violent illness, and
as he lav in a state of lethar<rv, he imagined that a voice spoke to hira
%.m heaven, ordering him to take up the cross against the infidels:
and scarcely had he recovered his speech, when he made a vow to
carry on a crusade. „ , i j
2." His mother and all his wisest counsellors vehemently opposed
the project ; but he considered his vow as a sacred bond, vhich men
XlvVII. - I - 4 Relate the anecdote of Queen Blanche. 5. What of Ivouis IX. 1 6. Vhai
*^ JCL\^in - I What happ^r (A to Louis IX. ? What vow fli.l he make ? 2. What mw
4
rXlUlS IK - iSM.
.Oi
100
LOUIN IX l2.Ta
were not perniitte<l to unloose. He devoted four years to pu iii^ hit
kintrdoin in order, and then sailed for Kf^^ypt, taking vv ilh luni his (laeeii
and his hrothers.
.'J. Now if Ijouis had listened to the voic<^ of reason, he vvouhl not
only4iave seen the injury ho was doinjj t(» his own country, hy tluis
draniing her of her wealth and population, hut also the extn'nie in-
justice of this w:u*, which seemed Ut him so just. He had, ind«'<'d,
no rijrht to carry the desolation of war into the H(»ly Land ; hut a de-
sir*^ to preserve the holy places iVoni desecration served :is a pretence
of right.
4. Hut in ravaging Egypt, he had not even this pretence. There
was no more reason ft)r making wai> upon the Sultan hecausc; he was
V Mussulman, than there w«)uld h»> at the present day for carrying
war into the empire of China, hecause its inhahitants are not Chris-
tians.
5. In complete armor, with the oriflanune waving over him, St
liouis was the foremost to leap upon the shores of Egypt. Damiettu
at once opened her gates to him, and leaving there his cpieen and her
ladies, he advanced towards C'airo. Hut the same fate awaited him
that had hefallen the last crusaders.
G. Hemmed in hy the waters of the Nile, and hy the enemy, he
was compelled to surrender himself, and such of his troops as had
stirvived the dangers of war and jxstilenee, as prisoners to the Sultan.
This event took place Ai)ril r)th, liifjO. When the news reached
France, the grief and desolation of the people were excessive.
7. Queen Hlanche did iu)t long survive it. She died partly froui
grief at her son's misfortimes, and partly from remorse at having had
two persons put to death as spreaders of false news, who had tirst
reported the defeat of the army.
8. The kin<i^ was at first loaded with chains; hut as soon as the
Sultan, who was a descendant of Saladin, heard of his capture, he
sent him a robe of honor, and forgave him one fifth of the ransom
which the king had himself offered. After a captivity of two months,
Louis regained his liberty, upon the surrender of Damietta and the
payment of 100,000 pounds of silver.
i). This great amount of money was raised with much dilTiculty,
aiul, among other expedients, they were obliged to melt down the
silver balustrades which surrounded the tomb of Richard the Lion-
hearted, who was buried at Rouen. They did not coin this into
mon(\v, but delivered it by weight.
10. The silver coin of the country had become so debased with
copper that few persons would receive it, except in small sums.
There was not silver enough in it to give it the color of silver, and
therefore it was called moiutn negra, black money. In the reign of
Philip I. a piece of leather with a silver nail in the middle was the
c irrent coin.
11. Instead of returning to Europe, Louis \ ent to Acre. Whilst
be was there, he found that a mistake had been made in the payment
■»f the money for his ransom, and he at once made good the defi-
ciency. His courtiers thought him over-honest ; but Ix>uis reproved
them, and made- them know that ho valued his honor and his integ
rity too highly to fi»rfeitthem for silver or gold.
I'J. Hut we left the j>oor (pieen and her ladies at Damietta. As
you may well suppose, they were not a little alarmed when they
heard of the fate of tin; king. The queen was in consUmt terror ;
sIm' thouglil every noise she heard was the approach of the Saracens
and was fi)rever crying out, " Help, help, the Saracens are coming!"
and an old knight, more than eighty years old, who attended her
would constantly answer, " Do not be alarmed, madam; I am with
\'.i. Now this old knight she would scarcely ever permit to leave
her, and one day she threw herself on her knees before him, and in the
gr«Mtest agony besought him that he would cut oft' her head the in-
stant that the Saracens should take the city, that she might not fall
alive into their hands, and be made a slave.
11. To this the old knight replied, that " he begged she would
make herself perfectly (jasy, for it was what he had already deter-
mined in his own mind to do, if she had not desired it." However,
his resolution was not put to the test, for. the queen and her ladies
were included in the ransom, and were permitted to join the king at
Acre.
ir>. Louis, after reinaining four years in Palestine, at length re-
turned to France. He was received with every demonstration of joy ;
but it w as observed with regret that he yet continued to wear the cross
ui)on his shoulder, a sign that he still nourished the design of going
again to Palestine.
CHAPTER XLIX.
More about. St. Louis. — His Love of Justice. — T/te Parlitb'
ment of Paris. -^ Bed of Justice.
1. Louis now devoted his time to repairing the damage France had
sustained by his absence. He maintained great state and regularity
in his court ; but in his own dress and manners he preser\'ed the plain-
ness of a private man. He earnestly applied himself to the reforma-
tion of abuses.
2. Sitting under the shade of an oak which is still standing m
the forest of Vincennes, near Paris, he heard the complaints of the
poor, and redressed their wrongs. He framed a code of laws which still
ures did he adopt ? 3. What is said of the justice of the cause ? 5, 6. What bflfcU Louia
in thi3 expedition ? 7. What of the death of Queen Blanche ? 8. How was the kine
mated ? Hnw '-d he regain his liherty 1 10. Whatof ihenoney of France? II. Wha
insuace of Ixjuin' honesty ? 12. What of the queen ? 15. How lone did 1 tuis remain
in t;aiestine ? How was he received in France ?
XLIX. — 1. V'hat of the conduct of Louis ? 3. Relate the anecdote of his Viatica •
9*
103
LOUIS IX. - 1254.
goes by hi.s name, and justice was administered with the strictest im
partiality.
3. His brother Charles, Count of Anjou, had a dispute with a pri
vate gentleman, one of his vassals. The cause was tried before the
count's officers, and a decision, of course, (jiven in his favor. The
gentleman appealed to the king's court, and this so enraged Charle?
that he threw him into prison.
4. The king, h'laring of this, at once summoned his brother .'nto
his presence, and said to him, with a stern countenance, " Because
you are my brotlmr, do you suppose you are above the laws?" and at
the sjime time ordered him to release his vassal, and to let the law
take its course.
5. The count obeyed ; but the gentleman could not find a single
lawyer who had courage enough to undertake his cause. When the
king heard of this, he appointed an agent for that purpose. The
cause was discussed with the strictest impartiality, and a decisioi.
was given in favor of the vassal, who was reinstated in his posses-
sions.
6. But the greatest compliment to his character was the reference
made to him by the king and barons of England of the disputes be-
tween them. His award was too wise and temperate to suit either
party, but the honor of being selected to decide between them was one
which would be paid only to a virtuous prince.
7. A council, composed of all the great vassals of the crown, the
prelates, and the officers of the king's household, had existed under
all the kings of the house of Capet. The constitution of this council
was now changed, and, by the name of the " Parliaimnit of Paris,''
it became a superior court, to which an appeal might be made from
,he other courts all over France.
8. Beside being a court of justice, this parliament was employed to
-egister the king's edicts ; and sometimes they chose to remonstrate
igainst them, and even positively to refuse to give them the sanction
jf being registered. When this happened, the king was obliged to
^o himself to the place where they held their sessions, and order them
to register the edict.
9. There was then no escape ; for it was a maxim of the French law,
that in the presence of the king the power of all officers and magis-
trates was suspended. When the king attended the parliament, his
seat was on a couch under a canopy ; and hence he was said, on such
occasions, to hold ^hed of justice^ a phrase which often occurs in
history.
WThat coinpUmenl to his cluiracter? 7. What was the parliament of Paris? a Wlitf
n tO0 'uty of the p;irliainent ? y. What i.s a ted of justice 1
LOUIS IX. -1270.
CHAPTER L.
103
Seventh Crusade. — Death of St. Lotiis,
1. The Pope, who assumed the right of disposing of crtivns and
kingdoms, having taken offence at the King of Sicily, offered that
kingdom to St. Louis for one »f his sons. But he declined it, say-
ing that it was not just for him to accept the property of another.
•J. He said, that, as a matter of good policy even, a king should be
just ; for that the reputation for honesty gave a king more real power
than any accession of territory could do. His brother Charles, of
Anjou, was less scrupulous, and accepted the offer of the Pope. Aftei
a bloody war, he succeeded in establishing himself in Sicily.
3. The anecdote I have already related will give you an idea of the
character of this prince. He was ambitious, cruel, and selfish : his
memory is even now held in detestation by the Sicilians. He made
the very name of Frenchman hateful to them. They took a most
horrible revenge, as you will presentlv hear.
4. By a wise administration of the government for sixteen years,
Louis had brought his kingdom into a state of complete tranquillity :
had recruited his finances ; and everything seemed favorable to the
execution of his favorite project, another crusade. Accompanied by
a crowd of nobles, he embarked in .Tuly, 1270.
.'). Prince Edward of Eiigland and Charles of Anjou were to fol-
low. Animated by the wild hope of converting the King of Tunis,
Louis directed his course to Africa. Instead of a willing convert, he
found a formidable enemy. Louis resolved to try force to accom-
plish so desirable an end, and laid siege to his capi'-jl city.
0. The excessive heat of the climate proved destructive to the
troops. The plairue broke out in the camp, and destroyed great num-
bers. The king himself was attacked by i- , and was soon at the point
of death. Sending for his eldest son, he gave him a paper in which
he had written directions for his future conduct in life.
7. He earnestly exhorted him to govern with justice and equity,
and to make the fear of God the rule of his actions. To show his
humility and penitence for his sins, he caused himself to be lifted fronn
his bed, and laid upon a heap of ashes on tlie floor of his tent. In this
situation he died, August 2.5th, 1270. He was fifty-five years old,
and had reigned forty-four years.
8. Just at the moment of his death the fleet of Charles of Anjou
arrived. As soon as that prince landed he sounded his trumpet, and
was surprised to hear no answering blast. Alarmed by the solemn
silence that pervaded the whole camp, he mounted his horse and gal-
loped to the royal pavilion, where the first object he saw was the body
of his brother extended upon the ashes.
L. -1. What offer ditl the Po|>e make? 2. What was the answer of Louis ? 3. What
jfCLirles of Anjou? 4. When did Louis set out on a new crusade? 5. Who were lo
follow? Where did Louis £o ? 6. What hippened to his troops and himself) 7. What
was the dying advice of I^ouis ? When did ^ die ? What was hia age ? How 101* hw*
»ie reigned? 8. Vhat of Charles of Anjou .
N
104 LOUIS IX -LOKD lvOL\Vn,LE. — 127U.
CHAPTER LI.
About Lord Joinville. — A Chateau.
1. Per Ji APS you may be curious to know how we have learnl so
much about this Kiiifr Louis. His virtues jorained him many personal
frirnds, and amoucrst others, Lord Joinville. a nobleman of hijh rank.
They met at Cyi)rus, as they were both ^in\\\i on the sixth crusade,
and were so much pleased with one another, that they at once became
the best of friends. There was a greut similarity in their charac-
ters.
ti. Aftei Joinville had determined to go on the crusade, he sum-
moned all liis friends and vassals to his castle, and entertained their
for a week with ail manner of feasting and merriment. He then told
tliem tluit he was going to the holy war, and might never return ; if
there was any one to whom he had done wrong, he wished him to
come forward, and he should receive amends.
3. Joinvilh? then .set out on [)ilgrimages to various holy places in
the neighborhood, determining when he left his castle not to enter it
again till he returned from the holy war. In the course of tliese pil-
grimages, which he made barefooted, and with no clothing but a shirt,
he often pass(!d in sight of his own home.
4. II(! says, " I did not turn my eyes that way, for fear of feeling
too much regret, and lest my courage should fail on leaving my two
fine children, and \\\f fair castle, which I loved to my heart." A
picture of this castle ornaments the Memoirs of Joinville. It is on the
top of a hill, and the walls seem designed rather for ornament than
defence.
5. As lh(^ feudal system declined, the nobles became less of fight-
ers, and tlnur rhnlfdux (every French gentleman's house in the coun-
try is now called a chaleau) becauie less of fortresses. On the slope
of the hill was the vineyard, and' there, during times of danger, the
laborers, while at work, were under the protection of the archers on
the walls,
6. At the bottom of all was the town or village, where the houses
of the serfs stood clustering under the eye and shelter of their liege
lord. Joinville shared in all the dangers of the crusade, and was ex-
posed to even greater perils.
7. Joinville had more true wisdom than the king; for he excused
himself from going on a crusade a second time, saying that, on his
return from the former exi)edition, he found that his poor vassals had
been so much oppressed and ill-treated, that he could not, in consi<l-
eration of the duty he owed them, leave them again.
8. He lived, honored and respected, to a very great age, being
more than a hundred years old when he died. " The queen, know-
ing his atfection and love for the king, and with how much fidelity
he kad ser\ed him, earnestly entreated him to write a small book of
I'HILIP III. — 1270.
105
he holy actio^« and sayings of her deceased husband. * It is from
his " Memoirs" utat we get our knowledge of those times.
CHAPTER LIL
Philip HI., sur named the Bold. — The King's Barber. - Tki
Rotnance of the Rose.
11 — '. Who relates the life ol Lo»#s1 2, 3 What p'eparaiion did Joinrill* make foi
Philip the Bold, 1270 to 1285.
1. The young king got his surname in a curious way. He waa
with his mother in Egypt, and when she was frightened by the Sara-
cens, he would laugh at her, and say that '' he did not fear them at
all ;" and so they called him a bold little fellow.
"2. At the time of his father's deatli he was himself too sick to take
the command of the troops. So his unc/e Charles undertook to lead
them to battle. The Arabs defeated them in a novel way. As often
as the French advanced, the Arabs would stir up the sand, for the
country about Tunis is a complete desert, and the wind blowing it in
the faces of the French, they were blinded and compelled to retire.
3. Philip resembled his father in some respects. He was pious,
liberal, and just; but he was much inferior in understanding, and so
very simple and credulous, that people were continually imposing
upon him. His subjects were very prosperous and happy during his
reign, and the French esteem him one of the best of their kings.
4. In 1274, Philip, his first wife being dead, married Mary, of
Brabant, to whom he became very much attached, and who, conse
quently, acquired a great influence over him. Now the king had a
servant, who, from constant intercourse, had become a great favorite,
and was employed in affairs of state.
5. His name was Peter le Brosse, and he is called the king's bar-
ber. But you must not suppose from this that he was altogethei
the cm Slide ? Wlial of his chateau? 7. Did Joinville go on the last crusade? 8. Why
did he write his Memoirs ?
LII. — 1. Whence the surname of Philip III. ? 2. How were his troops defeated? 3.
^ha^ of his character 1 4 What of his queen? 5. What of his barber ? 6 Whatpkt
104
LOUIS IX -l,OKI) ?OI.\VII,LK.
1270.
I'Hll.lP III — 1270.
ia5
CHAPTER Li.
he holy acti(»^« aiitl say*iifrs of her deceased husband. ' It is fioni
his " Memoirs" i.iat we gel our knowledge of those times.
Aljoid Ijjrd Joi/icille. — A Chateau.
1. Pkijiiaps you may be curious to know how we have learnl so
much about tliis Kiui; Louis. lfi« virtues gained him many personal
rrii-nds, and amoiifr.st otiiers. Lord .loinville.a nobleman of lii^rh rank,
'i'hfv met at ('yi)rtis, as tlu-y wrre both going on tb(; sixth crusade,
and were so nnicb pleasrd witli one aiiotlier, tli;it thev at once became
the best of friends. There was a greiit .similarity in their charac-
ters.
"2. Aftei Joinville had (ktermincd to go on tlie cru.sade, he sum-
moned :ill his friends and vassals to liis castle, and cntertaiiH'd tlien
for a week with a!i manner of feasting and merriment. He then told
them tbat \\v was «,M)ing to the holy war, and might never return ; if
there was any <»ne to whom he bad done wrong, he wished binl to
conu' forward, and h(^ sh<»uhl receive amends.
3. .loinville then .s(>t out on ((ilfrrimages to various holy places in
tin; neiiibl)orlio«»d, determinini: when he left his casth; not to enter il
again till be returned froiu the ludy war. In the course of these pil-
grimages, wbicb he made barefooted, and witii no clothing but ashirt,
ho often pa.vsed in sight of his own home.
'1. lie .says, " I did not turn my eyes that way, for fear of feeling
too much regret, and lest my courage should fail on leaving my two
fine children, and u\f fair castle, which I loved io my heart."' A
picture of this castle (u-iiaments the Ahnioirs of .loinville'. It is on the
top of a hill, and the walls seem designed rather for ornament than
defencj;.
5. As till' feudal system declined, the nobles became less of lli,rht-
ers, and their rhatKiui (every French gentleman's house in the coun-
try is now called a chdlnnt) became less <d' fortresses. On the slope
of th(! hill was tlu^ vineyard, and' there, during times of danger, the
laborers, while at wi>rk, were \\\n\vx \\\v. protecticm of the archers on
the walls.
0. At the bottom of all was the town or village, where the houses
of the serfs st(»od clustering under tin; eye and shelter of thi'ir lien-e
l(»rd. Joinville shared in all tln^ dangers of the crusade, and was e!x-
posed to even greatt^r i)erils.
7. Joinvilb> had more tru(; wisdom than the king; for he excu.«sed
himself from going on a crusade a .seccuid time, sTiying that, on his
return from the former expedition, he found that his poor va.^^sals bad
been so much oppressed and ill-tr(>ated, that he could not, in consid-
eration of the duty he owed them, leave them again.
8. He lived, honored and respected, to a very great age, beinfr
niore than a hundred years old when he di»\i. " The (|uecn, know^
ing his alfection and love for the king, and with how much 'fidelity
he had served him, earnestly entreated him to write a small book of
1! — '. Who related the life ol Ixn^is? 2, 3 Wh.^l p-eparaiion did Joinvil> make foj
CHAPTER LIl.
Philip III., sur named the Bold. — The Kiiig^s Barher.
Romance of the Rose.
- 7
•/.,
Philip the Bold, 1270 to 1285.
I. Thk young king got his surname in a curious way. He waa
with his mother in Egypt, and when she was frightened by the Sara-
cens, he would laugh at her, and say that '* he did not fear them at
all ;" and so th(;y called him a bold little fellow.
«. At the time of his fither's d<'at!i h.e was himself too sick to take
the connnand of the troops. So his unc/e Charles undertook to lead
them to battle. The Arabs defeated them in a novel way. As often
as the French advanced, the Arabs would stir up the sand, for the
country about Tunis is a complete desert, and the wind blowing it in
the faces of the French, they were blinded and compelled to retire.
3. Philip resembled his father in some respects. He was pious,
liberal, and just; but he was much inferior in understanding, and so
very simple and credulous, that people were continually imposing
upon him. His subjects were very prosperous and happy during his
reign, and the French esteem him one of the best of their kings.
4. In 1271, Philip, his first wife being dead, married Mary, of
Brabant, to whom he became very much attached, and who, conse
quently, acquired a great influence over him. Now the king had a
servant, who, from constant intercourse, had become a great favorite,
and was employed in affiiirs of state.
5. His name was Peter le Brosse, and he is called the king's bar-
f»er. But you must not suppose from this that he was altogethef
lhecru-«ule? What of hid chateau? 7. Did Joinville go on the Ia.sl crusade? 8. Why
did he write hi.s Memoirs ?
LII. — 1. Whence the surname of Philip III. ? 2. How were his troops defeated J 3.
W^ha/ of his character 1 4 What of his queen? 5. What of his harber? 6 Whatplct
I
106
PHlLlf III. -1274
Ignorant -ind illiterate. Besides learning how to 'Ve&a nair and
shave, the barber of those days received a medic, education. He
had charge of the health of the king, and was, in fact, his physician
and surgeon,
6. The queen's influence over the king excited the jealousy and
hatred of the barber, and he determined, if possible, to eflect her ruin.
He tried to make the king believe that Mary was trying to get rid of
the children of tlip king's first wife, that her own son might inherit
Ihe crown.
7. His wicked parpose was favored by tiie sudden death of Prince
Louis, and the charge of murder was openly made against the 'jueen.
I he king and the relations of the queen were very much shocked at
this accusation. Tliey adopted methods to ascertain the truth or false-
ness of the charge, in which we should not place much confidence.
8. The king sent for a woman who pretended to be inspired, and
to be able to tell fortunes, and as she declared that the queen was
guiltless, the king was satisfied. The queen's brother took another
method ; he employed a champion to fight the accuser, and as his
representative got the better in the battle, no doubts remained of the
queen's innocence.
y. The wicked barber was soon after detected in some acts of trea-
son agamst the king, and was hung on a high gibbet v;hich had lately
been erected at Paris. Queen Mary wa.« a great ])a1ron of the poets
but thev were of a dilferent character from the troubadours.
10. The taste for their lively and gay son'^rs had gone by, and a
very grave and serious style was now the fashion. A poem, called
the '' Romance of the Rose,'' begun by one i)oet in the reign of St.
Louis and finished by another who lived thirty years afterwards, was
the great favorite. It is the history of an imaginary dream, and was
extended to twenty thousand verses — a great merit in those days.
did '.\c form ? 8. How was the innocence of the queen ascertained?
II i« iture of this period ?
K. Vhat of Um
"THE JlrlXiMENT OF (iOD.
CHAPTER LHL
W>
Vtiak by the Judgment of God. — Oi deals aiid Judicial Com'
bats. — Story of the Dog of Mo?itargis.
Mcuaire and the dog of Moutargis.
1. If any of you have chanced to be in court when a person waa
to be tried for any crime, you may have heard the answer he makes
to the question of the clerk, " How will you be tried?" The accused
person replies, " By God and my country." Now this answer has a
different meaning from its original one.
2. It is a relic of the feudal times. If any person had a quarrel,
no matter what was the subject, whether money, the title to lands, or
any personal offence, or if one person accused another of any crime,
both parties went before the superior lord of whom they held their
lands, and were each of them sworn to tell their stories truly.
3. If these stories did not agree, the lord did not undertake to deter-
mine the question himself, but referred the decision to ^^The Judg-
7unU of God,'' as it was called. There were two modes of doing
this — either by ordeal, or by the duel. In either case, the party who
came off safe was declared to have gained the cause.
4. There were various kinds of ordeal : the parties were made to
walk through fire, to carry hot iron, to walk over hot iron, to be
tiirown into the water as witches are at the present day, among some
uneducated people, even in civilized countries; or they were made to
swallow a piece of bread or a little water, which had previously been
•i.Msecrated by the priest, and by which the guilty party, it was sup-
uised, would be choked.
5. But if the party accused should demand a trial by the dael
IJIl -1. 2. What of lawsuits in feudal times? 3. How determined in case par
s
106
I'lllin- III 1274
ignoram -Mid illiKMiilr. hrsiflra Irarnintr how to 'rps.^ nair aiiH
sliavo, \Uv. harhrr ol ih.w «laya rcrciv^'.l a hhmIj.- . rijiir.inn!! lid
IkuI rharj:.' of flio h.-alth oi \\w kin^r, ;in<i was, in Ta.-t, Ins plivsinan
«»iul s\irfi«'on.
<>. Thr (jiHM'n's mniicncr over the Kini,' r\nir.| ilir |r;i|.Misv am!
hafr«ul oIiIm' h;irl»»'r, and In .|<ti'rniin«>«|, if possiltlr. m iflcri Imi rnin
Ho trir»l to niakr ihr Kini: hrln-vn lliat M;iiv u:is h\inn to jmI ti.l of
lln' oJuMn-n o| ili.> Kind's <ivsf wilr, ilmt li.i ..\vn sun niiulil uiImmi
JIk* <to\\h.
7. Ills wirK.'d it.nposr was laNorrd U\ [\\r sn<l.l.n d.-atli n| '•imrr
lionis, :ni»l iIm< rliarfr.- o| nnmirr was (ijhmiIv ina«l«' aunjnsl tlir ju. r n
I In' kiny ami tin- nj.itions ol llm «pn'«n u. i. \. ry nnn-li sliock. .1 u
lIuM a»viisatiun. 'I'licv adopt. m| uu'thods to asn'itaiii llio lintli or false
(M'ss o\'\Ur clnir^o, in wlin-h wr sImmiM not pl:ir.< inn«-li ronlnlcn.-.'
^*. 'I he kuiii srnt for a woman who pmcndftl to ho mspirnl, :ini|
lo he :il)h' to tell tortnncs, and as sho deelarrd that the <pir(>n'\\as
jjuiltlo.ss, the kini: was satislied. The .pieen'a brother took nnolher
nn-thod; ho nnphnod a ohainpion t«) (ieht the arenser. and :is his
n'presentative irot thc^ hett»>r in tho hatlle, no donhts remain.'d of the
•pieen's innorenor.
;>. The wieked hiirhor was soon after deteete.l in .sonii* arts of irr.i
son atjainsl tho kin^\ and was hnn^ on a hioh ^ih»»et w hirh had hitely
hivn erfvt«'d at Pans. Qne.ii Mary was a jrreat patron of the poets,
hnt tlu'V were of a dillerent ehai.ieter fr(»ni the tronl>a«lonrs.
It>. I'ho tasto for their lively and ^r;,y soni:s had i,'one hy, and a
very pravo ap.d porions stylo was imw the fashion. A j)oeni, oalhd
the " Ro/nnnrr of On I\os/\" heenn hy one poet in the rei^n of St.
lionis and }inis!u\i hy anolhor who lived thirty years afterwards, was
lh.> eroat t:ivoril<\ li is the hist<.ry of :ui imaoniarv dream, and wii.s
oxtondod to twenty thon.sand vers(\s a i,Meat nierit"^in ih.ise days.
I..1 'K Jhrm ? S. How wa.s the inn... , , i thn quoon a.<c.Tlaiuo.l ? U An.a ul <U
III* Mure of this pcri\n • ".« ui .i»
y^-
.^i^
14
1
'if
lift MMKJMKNI r>F fiOli
CMAI'IKfl [JIF
101
/>/«/t '-•// f/ir .hill ^111' itl 'tf (iofl. Onlfffls find Juiinnl Com-
hfifs Sffnif nf the Iht^ of Mtnitnr^is.
^V'^'^'ri',,
"^1
Mf/iy/ir' (I /III tfi< fliKj II f V''"'' -' / .
I. Ik any of you li;i\c rhnrieed to h*' in romt v\ lien a f»orson wan
»o he tried for any oriirie, voii may have, hfiard the answfT hfi makoa
to the question (»f the elr-rk, "• Ifovv will yon he trif<l '"" Thr; aocnsod
j)erson replies, •■ hy («od and my eonntry." Now this answer has a
dilforont mranintj from its oriLnnal ono.
'J. It is a relie of the fe.nflal timos. If any porson had a quarrel,
no matter w hat was the suhjoot, w'hf;ther money, the title to lands, or
any pors(Mial «tlIeno«', or if one {jerson aer-nsod another of any erirne.
hoth parties went before the suporior lord of whom thoy hehl their
laruls, and were eaoh of thorn sworn to toll thoir storios truly.
.'{. If thosf; stories did not arrroe, the lord difl not un<lertake to deter-
mine the rjnestion himself, but roforred the dorision to ^^Thp Judir.
limit iif dod,"' us it w.'ifl called. There w(;re two modes of doinj?
this — (Mther by ordrnl., or by the dv/l. In either case, the party who
o:imo off sate was declared to have orained the cause.
\. Thf-re wore various kinds of ordeal : the parties were made to
ualk thronob fire, to carry hot iron, to walk over hot iron, to be
tiirown into the water as witohes are at the present day, amonsi some
niiedncat«'d poo{)Io, even in civilized countries; or they were made to
swallow a pioee of broad or a little water, which had previously been
•Mnsooratod by the priest, and by which the nruilty party, it was sup-
uised. would be choked.
Hnt if the party accused should demand a trial by the duel
5.
IJIl -1. 2. WtMi of lawsuits in feudal times? 3. How delermineii in case par
108
TIIK IKhi OF MONPAKCJIS.
TH«: SICILIAN VKSPKKS .2S2.
then h.! drew down hi« ^Unc, uiid tho acousor vv:..s obJijred to take it
up, and ihis was an am^ptanc^i of the ohallrij^ro. 'Vhv \xuUrv f,xeci a
•lay lor th.; tw«. parties to appear, an.l dtridu by streiicrti. or'^skill the
inalter iii disjuitc!.
0. At III,' appointed lime and plac.', u|ii,-|, was usually at sunrise,
and in tin; courlyard of the castle, th.- people far and near assend)led
to witness the li-ht ; and even la.lies took plr;usure in these brutal
entertamnin.is. Jf nlher party fa.ird to appear, lie w;is held infa-
mous, anil ilu! eause (l»cid.>d ajrairisi inni.
7. The tw.) eoMd)ata.its approaebcd the plaee on horseback, in full
cetensive arnmr, and with their otliuMve arms borne before then.
I hey came <m. softly an.! sh.wly, bavin- raeh of them in his hand the
iiiKi^'e otlUu saint on wh.uu he relied for assistance, and to whom he
addressed ins prayers.
H. The plan; enclosed for the combat was called the /is/s, and the
parties were introduced by two kni-bis, on.' selrcted by each parly
to see that t,he rules were not violat.-d. Ka.-h combatant took bis
station at a different en<l of the lists, and at the sound .)f a trumpet
tliey rushed to^n-ther, each party tryin^r to push his adversary from
us horse with the point of his lance ; and the succt^ssful party Irain.«d
tiie suit. * -^ *^
9 But S(mietimes they wenr obli^r^d to ,lo m<,re than this, ami to
cc.nt.nue the battle on foot, and with their swords ; and if the parties
were e<pially matched, the contest would continue throufrh the whole
( ay ; m such cas<>s tlu; cause was considered as decided in favor of
the delendant.
10. Kv(M. points of abstract law wi^e referred to this decisic.n In
the reipi ol Otho III., the doctors of law bein^r „nable to a.m'e about
a -eneralqiiestu.n of inheritance, the emperor submitted the decisis,!,
o the ,u,lj:men ot God, and selected two stout fellows to maintain
tin. lillenM.t sides ot the ar-Tumeut. The victory fell to one of the
i^ngly "" "" "' '*"'**' ^*' *''i«^'=^y' ^^:'s madeaccord-
11. A sinrrular trial by eo-nbat took place in the reign of Charles
II' f "u" "'"V^^' '^'''^ ^vas murdered in the forest of Hondi, not
ar from laris, by J\ acaire, his mortal enemy, win, concealed the
body under a tree, and returned to Paris, thinking that there had been
no witnesses of the iUnni.
12. In that he was mistaken ; for, besides the watchful Kye which
witnesseth every deed, Aubri's faithful dog had observed the w Imle
transaction, and laid himself ,lown on his master's grave, never leav!
mg It except to go in search of food. For this purpose, he usually
repaired to Pans, to the house <.f his late masler'L most intimate
-.nlo'Jlr ^a""'''^' s"n>rised at tbe singular appearance and disappear-
arri ul at the tree, under which Aubri had been buried, the do.,
scratched away the earth, and disclosed his master's murdered l>od/
109
14. From this time, the dog would never (piit thr; friend. It waa
^fl)serve<| that whemner he saw Macaire, he always growled at him,
.'lew at him, and showed every sign of ang«'r, insomuch that Macaire
was suspected to be the murderer. To decide his guilt or innocence
lie was s<'iilenced to a trial by combat w ith the dog. . '
15 The dog had his natural weapons of claws and teeth ; besides
A iich he had the a.lvanlage of a tub to retire to when he was weary
I Ih! man was only allowed to hav(. a .stick and a shield. The com-
bat took place at Pans, in the pr(!.s..nce of an immense concourse of
peoj.],. It lasted so long that Macaire fainted, through fatigue, and
wheti he came to himself, c(.nfes? d the crime
CHAPTER LIV.
T/it Sicilian Vespers. — Death of PhUip the Bold.
1. In th(; C(»urse of our story we have avoided telling about scenw
ol bloodshed and horror ; but there is one transaction of this chara^
ter, which, Irom the figure it makes in history, and from its being
fre«iueiitly referred to, w(; must notice.
'2. You will recollect that the Sicilians were determined to have
rev(!nge for the cruelties practised by (Jharles when he conquered that
kingdom. Amongst tin; sufferers was John of Procida, who had
been depriv.d of a little itiland in the gulf of Naples, of which he
was lord.
3. This man <levoted his whole lime and thoughts to obtaining
rev(>nge. JSometimes in the disguise of a physician, and someiimes
of a friar, he trav<dled from place to place, and at length succeeded
in engaging .several monarchs, and all the people of Sicily, in one of
the most horrible ploti> ever conceived by man.
4. This was no less than to massacre all the French in Sicily, and
so to extirpate them from that island. The plot was two years in
agiUilion, and yet, so well was the secret kept, not a Frenchman had
any suspicion of the impending danger.
5. It was at first propo.sed to strike the blow when Charles was
upon the island ; but they feared that his vigilance and activity might
disconcert their plans, and detennined to take advantage of his
al)sence. At length everything was ready, and the ttdlinrr of the bell
for evening prayers, called vesi>ers, on Easter-day, 1282, was to be
the signal to the assassins.
At that hour, as the French in ignorant security were sitting &\
v^ipper, the Sicilians rushed upon them, and in the short space of
two liours, but one Frenchman was left upon the island. The life
of this one was spared on account of his extraordinary virtue. This
massacre is called the '' Sici/ian Vespers.''
ii.«Snti«io'™s^atiifi,'. i;•iL^?i'^l5;'?^^^•ls 'r»L
r .'[ T \ ^l^^^ of John of Procida ? .3. To whtt did ho Jevoie his time ? 4 5 WhM
of the plot he formed 1 6 Why is it called the Sicilian Vesucra 7 " Who awistiyl ^
10
II I
ir
J 10
PHILJP IV. -1289.
7. The Sicilians had been assisted by Peter, Kinff of Araffon Tliifc
^ve offence to the Pope, who offered the kingdom of Ar^on to the
King of I ranee Either Philip did not possess a nice senTe of ricrht
and wrong or else he had great faith in the right and authorityV
Q T ; ""^ ^^ i^'^f'^y accepted the gift in behalf of his son Charles.
H. l^hilip marched with an army to take possession of it ; but Peter
who had no thoughts of giving up his kingdom at the pleasure of Up
Pope, prepared to defend himself. The French fleet, with all the
stores lor the army, was destroyed by the greatest admiral of the day
Andrew IJoria. -^
i|. Pliilip, disheartened by the lo.ss, determined to abandon the
undertaking. He set out for home, but died upon tht'. way, having
reigned hfteen years, and being in the forty-first year of his age. Ho
left four sons and threii daughters, one of whom, named Margaret,
married Edward 1. of England. ^
CHAPTER LV.
P^Ap the Fair. — Sumptuary Laws. — Curious Fashions of
Dress.
Philip the Fair, 1285 to i314.
1. The happy days of France were now for some time at an end.
I he new King Philip, though beautiful in his person, and hence sur-
named the Fair, was anything but agreeable in the qualities of his
heart. He was not deficient in abilities, but all the powers of his
mmd were directed to the gratification of his own selfish desires
2. He loved money, and scrupled at the commission of no act
however cruel or unjust, to obtain it. The possessions of the French
crown were now very much increased. He had himself married Jane,
heiress of Navarre ; and upon the death of the Count of Toulouse with'
out heirs, his territories came to the king.
^ilians? Wha was the consequence? 9. How long did Philip reign ? What was his
LV -I. What of Philip the Fair 7 2. What did he «taiP by hie marriage ? 3 Whitt
PHI1.IP IV. — 1285.
11]
3 The early part c»f Philip's reign was occupied in making ivhat
we called suniptuary laws ; that is, laws regulating the cost and style
of dress and living of his subjects. There were but two meals taken
in the day : the dinner, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and the sup-
per, which was the principal meal, at five o'clock in the afternoon.
4. The king ordered that no person should have more than one
dish of meat at dinner. At supper, two dishes of meat, and also a
jish of soup, were allowed. On fast days, when there was but one
meal, two dishes of herrings and two of meat were permitted. The
law was soon evaded, by placing several kinds of meat on one dish.
A new law was made to prevent this, and at the same time it was
declared that cheese should not be considered meat, unless made into
a pie !
5. The usual dress of this period was a long tunic, with a robe or
a cloak, and sometimes both, over it. The cloak of a noble waa
made of scarlet or violet cloth, and his cap was of velvet, laced with
gold. The cap of the plain citizen was of cloth.
6. Over the cap a kind of hood was worn, with a cushion at top,
and a tail hanging down behind. This part of the head-dress was
called a chaperon, and was worn by both sexes. The cliaperons of
nobles were larger than those of others, and were trimmed with fur ;
those of citizens were plain, and shaped like a sugar-loaf.
7. The number of dresses and the cost of the material were regu-
lated by law, and varied with the rank of the wearer. The wealth
of many citizens enabled them to vie in splendor with the nobles.
To restrain them, it was enacted that no citizen's wife should keep
a carriage, or be lighted in the streets at night with waxen torches ;
that she should not wear ermine, or other rich furs, or gold, or pre-
cious stones.
8. A man's rank might also be known from the length of his shoes.
A prince might wear them two and a half feet in length ; those of a
baion were two feet; while a simple knight was reduced to eighteen
inches, and a plain citizen to twelve. Hence the French proverb,
" Eire sur un grand pied dans le tnonde^'^ the literal translation of
which is, " To be upon a great foot in the world."
9. The clergy long exclaimed in vain against this absurd fashion
and the wearing such shoes was very near being declared heresy. To
please them, a succeeding king, Charles V., forbade the custom, and
imposed a fine upon all who followed it. This regulation had the
desired effect.
10. But what was taken from the length was added to the breadth ;
and shoes twelve inches wide at once made their appearance. The
shoes of each fashion were frequently adorned with horns, claws, or
some grotesque figure ; the more ridiculous it was, the greater the
beauty.
11. The female dress at this time was very graceful. It consisted
I
laws did he make? 4. What laws as to eating? 6. What of dress? 7.
citizens ? 8. What of the shoes ?
female dieaa i
10. What kind s^cxee'letl lone shoes ?
What of Um
11. What A*
J 10
PHILIP IV. -law.
7. 1 ne Sicilians had been assisted by Peter, Kunr of Aragon Tlii^
gave offence to the Pope, who offered the kingdom of Aragon to the
King of f ranee Kitlier Philip did not possess a nice sense of riaht
and wrong or else he had great faith in the right and authority'of
Q x^ul ^"^ r''i''''y 'Accepted the gift in behalf of his son Charles.
H. 1 hilip inarched with an army to take possession of it ; but Peter
who had no thoughts of giving up his kingdom at the pleasure of tl"^
P(»pe, prepared to defend himself. The French tleet, with all the
slorj-s tor the army, was destroyed by the greatest admiral of the day
Andrew Doria.
!|. Philip, di^shrartened by the loss, determined to abandon the
"nd..rtaki,,g. He set out for home, but died upon the way, having
reigne<l tittcen years, and being in the forty-first year of his arre He
left h.ur sons and three daughters, one of whom, named Margaret,
married hdward 1. of Kn<Mand. ^
CHAPTER LV.
P/i^Jp the Fair. — Siimptuanj Laws, — Curious Fashimis oj
Dress.
Philip (fie Fair, 1285 to i3l4.
I. The happy days of France were now for some time at an end.
I he new King Philip, thouirh beautiful in his person, and hence sur-
named the Fair, was anything but agreeable in the qualities of his
heart. He was not deficient in abilities, but all fhe powers of hi»
mind vvere directed to the gratification of his own selfish desires
L. He loved money, and scrupled at the commission of no act
however cruel or unjust, to obtain it. The possessions of the French
crown were now very much increased. He had himself married Jane,
heiress ot Navarre ; and upon the death of the Count of Toulouse with<
«'Ut heirs, his territories came to the king.
^.lians? Wha was the consequence? a How long did Philip reipn ? What wash!.
LV -I. Whal of Philip the Fair 7 2. What did he *raiP by his marriage ? 3 What
PHtl^rP IV. — 1285.
in
3 The early part of Philip's reign was occupied in niaking ivhat
ire called sumptuary laws ; that is, laws regulating the cost and style
of dress and living of his subjects. There were but two meals takeu
in the day : the dinner, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and the sup-
per, which was the principal meal, at five o'clock in the afternoon.
1. The king ordered tliat no person should have more than one
'lish of meat at dinner. At supper, two dishes of meat, and also a
lish of soup, were allowed. On fast days, when there was but one
meal, two dishes of herrings and two of meat were permitted. The
law was soon evaded, by plaeing several kinds of meat on one dish.
A new law was made "to prevent this, and at the same time it was
declared that cheese should not be considered meat, unless made into
a pie !
5. The usual dress of this period was a long tunic, with a robe or
a cloak, and sometimes both, over it. The cloak of a noble was
made of scarlet or violet cloth, and his cap was of velvet, laced with
gold. The cap of the plain citizen was of cloth.
G. Over the cap a kind of hood was worn, with a cushion at top,
and a tail hanging down behind. This part of the head-dress waa
called a chaperon, and was worn by both sexes. The chaperons of
nobles were larger than those of others, and were trimmed with fur ;
those of citizens were plain, and shaped like a sugar-loaf.
7. The number of dresses and the cost of the material were regu-
lated bylaw, and varied wiih the rank of the wearer. The wealth
of many citizens enabled them to vie in splendor with the nobles.
To restrain them, it wns enacted that no citiziMi's wife should ket^p
a carriage, or be lighted in ihe streets at night with waxen torches ;
that she sluuild not wear ermine, or other rich furs, or gold, or j)re-
cious stones.
8. A man's rank iniLrhtalso be knt)wu from the length of his shoes.
.V prince might w ear them two and a half feet in length ; those of a
baion were two feet; while a simple knight was reduced to eighteen
inches, and a plain citizen to twelve. Hence the French proverb,
" Eire siir un graiul pied dam k mondej'' the literal translation ot
which is, " To be upon a great foot in the world."
9. The clergy long exclaimed in vain against this absurd fashion
and the wearing such shoes was very near being declared heresy. To
plea.se them, a succeeding king, Charles V., forbade the custom, and
imposed a fine upon all who followed it. This regulation had the
desired effect.
10. liut what was taken from the length was added to the breadth ;
and shoes twelve inches wide at once made their appearance. The
shoes of each fashion were frequently adorned with horns, claws, or
some grotesque figure ; the more ridiculous it was, the greater the
beauty.
11. The female dress at this time was very graceful. It consisted
laws did he make? 4. Whal laws as lo eating? 5. Whal of dress? 7. What of th«
citizens ? 8. Whal of the shties ? lU. Whal kind 8«jccee<'etl lone slmea ? II. What o«
female iieaa 7
112
PHILIP I v. — 1299.
3f a liglit boddit 3, made very high, and fitting the si ape, over which
was an open robe trimmed with gold or fur. The breadth and rich-
ness of this trimming were strictly regulated by the law, and depended
on the rank of the wearer.
CHAPTER LVl.
Perfidious Cmiduct of Philip the Fair. — War with the Flem-
ings.
The French suffer a great Defeat.
1. The attention of the king was soon called to more serious mat-
ters. A Norman and an English vessel met off the coast, and each,
having occasion for water, sent a boat to the land. The crews camo
at the same time, and to the same spring. A quarrel ensued as to
who should first fill their casks, in the course of which a Norman was
killed.
2. This scuffle between two sailors soon kindled a bloody war, and
the greater part of Europe became involved in the quarrel. By a
mean artifice, Philip got possession of six towns in Guienne, belong-
ing to the King of England. To get possession of Flanders, he made
use not only of treachery but of great cruelty.
3. The Earl of Flanders was a brave old' knight, who had accom-
panied JSt. Louis to the Holy Land. Thinkintr to strengthen himself
against Philip, he offered his daughter Philippa in marriage to Ed-
ward, eldest son of the King of England.
4. Philip was resolved to prevent this marriage, and he took eflect-
ual means to do so. He invited the old earl to make him a friendly
/isit at Paris, with his wife and daughter. The moment they arrived,
ne shut them up in prison. After keeping them in confinement about
a year, he released the earl and his wife, but he detained Philippa
until her death.
5. Such conduct made him many enemies, and at one time almost
all Europe was combined against him. By bribery and artifice he
contrived to dissolve the league. To secure the good will of Ed-
ward, he gave him his sister Margaret in marriage, and bestowed the
hand of his daughter Isabella upon the Prince of Wales, the eldest
son of Edward.
6. He was now able to turn the whole force of the kingdom against
Flanders. He summoned all his vassals, and that no one might be
hindered from coming, he forbade all private wars, all tournaments,
iiid all trials by combat, until the king's wars were done.
7. The old earl, finding himself hard pressed, determined to go to
Paris and plead his cause in person. Charles of Valois, who com-
manded the king's troops, promised in the king's name that he should
.w^^ITt!" What caused a war ? 4. What of the treatment of the Earl of Flamlersi 5
Uow did Phihp gain the friendship of Edward ? 7 What new instance of hia treacherr
& Wnat of hia success against Flanders 7
PHILIP IV. -1307.
113
DJtuni i.i safety. No sooner had he reached Paris, than Philij hrew
him into prison, saying that he was not bound by the prom.se of
Charles. The latter, offended at this breach of faith, left the service,
and retired to Italy.
8. The imprisonment of the earl did not secure the submission of
nis subjects. The king sent against them a well-disciplined army of
50,000 men, under a skilful general. The Flemings, more merchants
than soldiers, were little better than raw militia.
0. Their want of skill was their best security ; for the French, de-
spising these shop-keepers, as they called them, did not take the
necessary precautions to secure victory. In consequence, they suf-
tVred a defeat, with such terrible loss, that the Flemings, after the
battle, collected on the field four thousand golden spurs, of the kind
worn only by knights.
10. Philip now went against them in person, and they in their turn
were defeated. The Flemings, by no means daunted, shut up their
shops, and assembling in a vast multitude, marched boldly up to the
French army.
11. The king, amazed at the sight of so numerous an army col-
lected in so short a time, could not help exclaiming, " Shall we never
have done? I verily believe it rains Flemings!" His astonishment
was increased when their heralds appeared, offering instant battle or
an honorable peace. Philip was wise enough to choose the latter.
CHAPTER LVH.
Destruction of the Knights Templars.
L I HAVE alreac'v V)ld you about the origin of the Knights Tem-
l»iars ; and T must now give you some account of the disastrous fate of
the order. Its heroic devotion to the defence of the pious pilgrims,
and the piety and valor of the knights, had excited the admiration and
gratitude of the Christian world, and ample possessions in all parts of
Europe was the reward.
2. Their great riches had in some degree relaxed the severity of
their virtue. Most of them preferred the ease and luxury of Europe
to fruitless struggles in the East. It was easier to gain renown in
the tournament, than in fighting the infidels in the sultry deserts of
Asia.
3. Though a neglect of their duties afforded a pretence for theii
destruction, yet the true cause is to be found in the cruel and vindic
live spirit of Philip, who had taken offence at some emi.ient Tern
plars, and in his cupidity, which longed to possess the grtat wealtl
which the destruction of the order might secure.
4. It was necessary to obtain the consent of the Pope. For thi
purpose Philip had several interviews with him, held, fox greate
I.VII —1 2. What oflhe Knights Templars? 3. What led to their destniciion? 4, f
10*
w
\u
PHILIP
» V. — 1314
tion known to the order ^' ^^ ""^^^ ^^^ ^^^"^a-
0. Ill ohellience to a secret order everv ']\.,n^u^ :„ t?
arrested upon the same dnv Thn L-f 7 i'niplar in France was
Dronertv '^''"'V> '''"»« ''''y- J"(^ l^'ng took iiossession of all their
reYiX'X!rsiu;n"'rth":;;rs^ '"-'"-''""'^ ">" "^^ ^''-'<' -« »
whi^lf r" ""^ "'" ''"!?'"«' overcome by the severity of the tortures to
which they were subjected, confess,;d their guilt f but wrha?dl»
e exception retracted the confession, and fuffer'ed the most'' {
TiTI k .' ''"' *''■■'""' "'^"''e'' of the order, was in Cvnm,
fhough cautioned not to trust himself in the power^f PhUin h«
hastened to maintain the honor of the order ^'
St^.:j':L„t re-r;^-i;red'irr^^ ^ '^^ '-' "^ -- --
ceivedhrr'that't'wasTnnoce'ntM"' "" '^^'^^ "'■"-'""- ^ad de-
to in'st.m execulTon^'fi-v "'"" ''"''■"""'' ""™S'=''' =""' "^ered de Molai
the pile" h?s ^.iH fh ,"3 ?,"■; " "'',"' "^" '''^ o"-" g"d<^n »=ill as
.n f The f:;: ^^r^r;-.:'.;:? :," 't^^^^^^ittr;
.ttt«ri^7iei"J»iYnfei'li;^ '"^°- 4ont^';:erS;
8. What measures did Philinadonf? 7 w^o. ..r.i j
rOURNAftlENTS. \\Q
CHAPTER LVIII.
About Tournaments
1. 1 HAVE already told you that one of the employments and awiLso
nients of the young nobles was carrying on mimic battles in the ras-
tle yard. Those who had already reached the dignity of knighthood
amused themselves, and acquired fresh skill, by similar exercises.
2. Sonuimies the inmates of one castle would challenge those oi
another to a trial of skill. The challenge was frequently extended
still further : the knights of one country would challenge those of
another to a friendly encounter. Sometimes a bold knight would pub-
lish a challenge to the whole world, offering to break a lance with
any and all who should appear at the appointed time and place.
3. These trials at arms were called tourna/ntnts. By degrees they
eame to be attended with more and more pomp and ceremony, till at
last they became almost affairs of state. The laws which were made
tor the government of the combatants would fill whole volumes.
4. As they professed to be friendly encounters, and as the great
point of skill was to push an adversary from his horse with the point
of the long lance while the parties rushed furiously together, the prin-
cipal laws were, that the combatants should not use sharp weapons
nor be tied to their horses. *
5. The proclamation of a tournament was made in the most pom-
pous language, a long time before it was to take place, through every
province, and at every court. The announcement produced the great-
est excitement. As the time approached, the country far and near
Jhe appointed place was in motion.
6. The enclosed space in which the contest was to take place was
•.ailed the lists. It was surrounded with stagings, built in the shape
)f towers, decorated with all i)ossible magnificence of rich carpetings
md banners. In these were placed the kings, queens, princes, ladies
ind damsels, and, lastly, those ancient knights who had been selected,
Dn account of their long experience in the management of arms, to be
judges upon the occasion.
7. Now the chief object of the knight, in these contests, was to
maintain the superior excellence of his lady, and to prove his own prow-
^ss. Some means must be adopted, therefore, to distinguish one from
another. He could not be known by his face, for this, as well as the
rest of the body, was covered with steel. Each one, therefore, selected
some particular object, and caused it to be painted on his shield, when
It was called a device, or bore it upon his helmet, in which case it
was called a crest.
8. Sometimes the knight would wear, over his armor, a coat made
of cloth of gold, with the same device embroidered on it in brilliant
colors ; and hence the term coat of arms. Lions, tigers, eagles, and
other animals of superior courage and ferocity, were great favorites.
LVIII —1,2,3. What were lournameiUs ? 4. What were the chief tws ^ For what
leasa.sf 6 What of the lists? What of the compa>jy ? 7. Wh»i >f the knighu)
IJ6
PHII.II' lY.-LOUES X. -lail
Some, hovve\cr, took less fierce and ambitious emblems. That ol
the King of Franco is called a lily, though in truth a pike-head.
9. While the lists were preparinrr, the shields of those who wer«
to contend in them, or ejitcr the /ists, as it was called, were displayed
on the walls of some neighboring monastery. A herald named to the
ladies the owner of each. If among the candidates any one was found
who had given a lady just cause of complaint, she touched his shield
to point him out to the judges ; that is, to demand justice of him.
10. The necessary inquiries were at once made, and if the crime
was proved, the knight was excluded from the tournament. If, in
spite of the sentence, the knight presented himself, a shower of Ijliws
from all the knights present, and perhaps from the ladies themselves,
punished him lor his temerity, and tauglit him to respect the ladies
and the laws of chivalry. '
11. The most beautiful lady was selected to be the queen, and all
entered with the greatest vivacity into the success of the combatants.
A favorite knight was encouraged by a favor, as it was termed. Thia
was a scarf, a veil, a sleeve, a bracelet, or some article of dress or
ornament, with which the knight ornamented the point of his lance,
or the summit of his helmet, or some part of his arms.
12. These precious facors often passed into the power of an en-
emy ; m such case, the lady sent others to her knight, to console him
for Ins loss, and to encourage him. During a long and anxious con-
test, the poor ladies would appear at last almost stripped of their
finery. ^^
CHAPTER LIX.
Pride of the French Nobles. — The States-Gefieral.-^Curimi
Charge of Magic.
Louis X., 1314 to 1316.
1. Held in abhorrence by all good Catholics f»/r his quarrels with
the I'ope, and odious to all good people foi his treatment of the Tern,
What i8 a device ? What a crest 7 S. What of coals of arms ? 9. What preceded th.
Uir •ment ? 1 1 . What of the ladies ? 12. What of fav- ra -■ preceded lh«
LOUIS X. 814
nn
plars, Philip made himself obnoxious to his people bv lis oppressive
taxes. It had always been his policy to depress the nobles, and
therefore they hated him.
2. He allowed citizens to purchase fiefs, and further mortified the
old nobihty by raising his goldsmith, Ralph, to that dignity. This
ihey considered as an infringement on their privileges. The French
nobles w'ere the proudest people in Europe, and, on account of their
descent from the old Franks, looked upon themselves as a superior
race of beings. The king might make Ra.ph a count, but he could
not make him a Frank.
3. Philip took a more effectual mode of raisir.g the citizens. He
admitted them to the general assembly, which had hitherto been con-
fined to the nobles and prelates. In 1302 he called together the
States- General, as they were termed, composed of the clergy, the
nobles, and the deputies of the people. Meetings of the states-general
were frequently held until 1614, when they were discontinued until
1 789.
4. In 1314, as the king was hunting, his horse fell, and he was so
much hurt that he died. He was in the forty-sixth year of his age
and twenty-ninth of his reign. On his death-bed, he was touched
with a late repentance, and taking pity on his poor oppressed subjects
he besought his son Louis to moderate the taxes, to maintain justice,
and to coin no base money.
5 He left three sons and two daughters. The sons succeeded one
another on the throne in quick succession, and each dying without
male heirs, the crown passed to a son of Charles of Valois. The
oldest son of Philip was Louis, surnamed Hutin, which means Per-
vish; but why he was so called is not known.
6. Louis was twenty-six years old when he began to reign. Ha
left the government to his- uncle Charles of Valois, whose first act
was to effect the ruin of de Marigny, the minister of the late king
The superior abilities and integrity of de Marigny had made him
obnoxious to the other nobles.
7. He was accused of theft, and Charles caused him to be executed
without a trial. The wife of de Marigny was accused of a queer
crime, that of trying to kill the king by magic. The charge was,
that she had made a waxen image of the king, which she exposed t«
1 gentle heat, so that it would gradually melt.
8. It was said that as the wax melted the king would waste away,
and as the last atom melted the king would expire. Upon thi^ charcre
she was committed to prison. But Charles bitterly repented of Ins
injustice to de Marigny. Remorse is said to have occasioned his
death. As the physicians could find no particular disease, it was
imputed to magic, the common mode of accounting for everything
that could not be readily understood.
9. Louis founl the treasury empty, and in order to fill it, he
issued a proclamation offering freedom to all his serfs upon the pay-
LIX.- 1. What of Phil i
4 When did Philip die
p? 2. What of I he nobles? 3. What of the states-general J
Hr-v old wa.« he ? 5. What of his sons ? What was the rir
»
< i
Ii6
I'M 1 1. II' IV. -LOUIS X. -1:514
Some, h<ivve\er, took k-ss fierce and ambitious emblems. That o(
the Kinjr of France is called a lily, tlioij<rh m truth a pike-head.
9. While the lists were |)repariti<r, i|,e shields of those who wern
to contend in them, or niter the /ists, as it was called, were displayed
Dn the walls ot some nei<rhborinir moniisterv. A herald named to the
iadus the owner ot each. If amontr the candidates any one was found
who had friven a lady just cause of complaint, she touched his shield
to point him out to the judjres ; that is, to demand justice of him.
10. Ihe necessary inquiries were at once made, and if the crime
was proved, the knirrht was excluded from the tournament. If in
spite ot the sentence, the knirrht prrs.nted him.self, a shower of blows
hom all the knijrlus present, and perhaps from the ladies themselves,
punished him for his temerity, and tauyht him to respect the ladies
and the laws of chivalry.
11. The most beautiful lady was selected to be the queen, and all
entered with th.; ^rrratest vivacity into the success of the C(.mhatants.
A favorite kni<>^ht was encouraged by a favor, as it was termed. This
was a scarf, a veil, a sleeve, a bracelet, or some article of dress or
ornament, with which the knijrht ornamented the point of his lance,
or the summit of his helmet, or .some part of his arms.
\2. These precious />//•«/•>• oftrn passed into the power of an en-
emy ; in such case, the lady smt others to her kni«:ht, to console him
fcr his loss, and to encouraire him. Durin^r a long and anxious con-
test, the poor ladies would appear at last almost stripped of their
hnery. * *
CHAPTER LIX.
Pride of the French Nohlrs.— The States-General-^ Curious
Charge of Magic.
Louis A'., 1314 to 1316.
I. Hkld ill abhorrence by all crood Catholics f(;r his quarrels with
the Pope, and odious to all good people foi his treatment of the Teni,
What is a device ? What a crest ? S. What of coats of arms ? 9. What preceded thi.
ViP •meat? 11. What oflhe ladies? 12. What of fav rs " ** nai preceded th»
LOUIS X.
914
m
plars, Philip made himself obnoxious to his people bv i.is oppressive
taxes. It had always Ix^en his policy to depress the nobles, and
therefore they hated him.
•2. He allowed citizens to purciiase fiefs, and further mortified the
old nobility by raising his goldsmitli, Ralph, to that dignity. This
they considered as an infringement on their privileges. ^The French
nobles were the i)roudost people in Europe, and, on account of their
descent from the old Franks, looked upon themselves as a superior
race of beings. The king might make Ra.pli a count, but he could
not make him a r rank.
3. Philip took a more ellectual mode of raising the citizens. He
admitted them to the general assembly, which had hitherto been con-
fined to the nobles and prelates. In 1302 he called together the
Staus-Gnural, as they were termed, composed of the clergy, the
nobles, and the deputies of the people. Meetings of the states-<Teneral
were frequently held until 1014, when they w-ere discontinued until
4. In 1314, as the king was hunting, his horse fell, and he was so
much hurt that he died. He Wiis in the forty-sixth year of his age,
and twenty-ninth of his reign. On his death-bed, he was touched
with a late repentance, and taking pity on his poor oppressed subjects
he besought his son Louis to modenite the taxes, to maintain justice,
and to coin no base money.
5. He left three sons and two daughters. The sons succeeded ono
anotlu^r on the tiirone in quick succession, and each dyiufr without
male heirs, the crown passed to a son of Charles of Valois. The
oldest son of Philip was Louis, surnamed Ilutia, which means Per
vish; but why he was so called is not known.
G. Louis was twenty-six years old when he began to reign. Ha
left the government to his- uncle Charles of Valois, whose first act
was to effect the rum of de Marigny, tluj minister of the late kintr
The superior abilities and integrity of de Marigny had made him
obnoxious to the other nobles.
7. He was accused of theft, and Charles caused him to be executed
without a trial. The wife of de Marigny was accused of a queer
crime, that of trying to kill the king by magic. Tlie charge was,
that she had made a waxen image of the' king, which she exi)osed tu
1 gentle heat, so that it would gradually melt.
8. It was said that as the wax melted the king would waste away,
and as the last atom melt.Ml the king would exjjire. Upon thi:^ char<re
she was committed to prison. But Charles bitterly repented of his
injustice to de Mariiiny. Remorse is said to have occasioned his
death. As the physicians could find no particular disease, it w;is
imputed to magic, th(^ common mode of accounting for everything
that could not be rearlily understood.
9. Louis founl llie treasury empty, and in order to fill it, he
issued a proclamation offering freedom to all his serfs upon the pay-
LIX.- 1
4 When d'd Philip die
What of Philip ? 2. What oflhe nohlM ? 3. What of the stales general J
H^ -v (.id vvH.« he ? .'5. What of his sons ? What was the mu
\ V
118
PHILIP V. -1316
ment of d certain sum of money by each. But the greater part pre-
ferred their money to their freedom. Money must be had, however
80 the king hit on the sinirular expedient of forcing them to be iree.,
whether they would or not.
CHAPTER LX.
Death of Louis X. — The Salic Law co7iJirmed. — About tht
Jews. — Charles the Fair. — Th^ Floral Games.
1. Louis Hutin, after a rei^n of nineteen months, died suddenly,
from the effects of drinking cold water when he was hot. He left
only one daughter, named Jane. You will remember that, by the
Salic law, females could not succed lO the throne of France. There
had been no occasion to apply this law for scvei-al centuries.
2. Some of the nobles seemed disposed to dispute its validity, and
to assert the right of Jane to the throne. But the parliament con-
firmed the Salic law, and took the oath of allegiance to Philip Sei
uncle. Jane succeeded, however, to the throne of Navarre, in whicn
kingdom the Salic law did not prevail.
Philip v., V.\\uto 1321.
3. Philip reigned six years, and his reign is ..nly remarkable for
an attempt which was made to p(,ison all tb.> wells and springs in
h ranee, 1 his, whether justly or not I cannot tell, was charged upon
the Jews who were always made the scape-goats, and under every
reign had been subjected to tin; most cruel persecutions.
4. Cutoff from intercourse with the rest of mankind, hated and
despised alike by Christian and by Mahometan, an excuse -as never
wanting to torment them. The pious believed they were dointr God'«
fecrvice by destroying those who had crucified his Son, and the cruel
and avaricious were glad to make use of the same pretext to wring
from them the riches which they devoted themselves to amassing.
name of the eldest ? C W ho governed ? What of de IMarienv 1 7. 8. What of hiT^e I
What of mag,c ? 9 What expe.lient did Um\s adopt to fill the trea^nrv ?
I^ - I, 2. What of the Salic law? Who siiccpc<Jed 1 ouU X. ? '3. How loi.^ dkf
CHARLES IV. -PHILIP VL-1328.
119
J • I J -P ' ^"'"^""e<^ ^^^ Long, removed his residence from the
old island in the Seine to the Louvre. He died in 1322. As he left
only daughters, he was succeeded by his brother, Charles TV., sur-
oamed the Fair.
Charles the Fair, 1321 to 132w .
6. His reign affords nothing worth mentioning, except it be the
establishment of the Floral games, at Toulouse. In 1323, seven
lovers of poetry issued a general invitation to all the poets of Pro-
vence, the successors of the old troubadours, to meet at Toulouse on
the^ following May-day, there to recite their poems.
7. A violet of gold was to be the reward of the one whose poem
should be adjudged the best. The entertainment was found to be sc
pleasant, that the citizens of Toulouse determined that it should be
repeated annually at the public expense. A society was formed for
Its proper regulation ; a president and secretary were chosen, and the
seven institutors were made directors.
8. Two more prizes were added : an eglantine as the second, and
a pansy as the third. The festival continued three days, on each of
which poems were recited. On the third day, the city gave a mag-
nificent entertainment, and the prizes were awarded. The violet was
given for the best poem, the eglantine for the best eclogue, and the
pansy for the best ode.
Philip VI.. 1328 lu 1350.
9. If any one person took all three prizes, he was dubbed a doctor
of the gay science, ;is p oetry was called. In 1540, a lady of fortune
Philip the lx.ng rcien ? What event occurred ? 4. Wh t of the Jews 7 5. Where did
fhillprcdide? When ilid le die ? Who aiicreeded him P 7 8. 9. DcBcribe the Floral
m
I
118
i'UUAP V —1316
ment of a. certain sum of money by eacli. But the greater pan pre-
ferred their money to tiieir freedom. Money must be had, however
BO the kin;^ hit on the siiii^ular expedient of forcing them to be iree,
whether they would or not.
CHAPTER LX.
Death of Loiiis X. — The Salic Law confirmed. — Abovt tht
Jews. — Charles the Fair. — Thr Floral Games.
1. liOUls HuTiN, after a rejtrn of nineteen months, died suddenly,
from the effects of drinkin^r cold water when he was hot. He left
only one daufrhter, named .June. You will rememb(>r that, by the
Salic law, females could not succed lO the throne of France, 'riiero
had been no occasion to :ipply this law for several cunturies.
2. Some of the nobles seemed disposed to dispute its validity, and
to assert the riirht of Jane to the throne. Hut the parliamen't con-
firmed the Salic law, and Xuuk the oath of alle«riance to Philip '\ei
uncle. Jane succetMled, however, to the tlirone of Navarre, ir. whicn
kingdom the Salic law did not prevail.
rmiip r., i;-iit) w v.vix.
3. Philip reigned six years, and his reiirn is ,.,dv remarkable for
an attempt which was made to pcuson all the wells and springs in
b ranee, I his, wh.'ther justly or not I cannot tell, was charged 'upon
the Jews who W.T.; always nuide the seape-^cats, and under every
reign had been sul)jeete(l to tlie most cruel perseeutious.
4. Cut otr from intereourse with the rest of mankind, hated and
despised alike by Christian and bv .Mahometan, an e.vcuse ^ as never
wantmiT t,. tornuMit them. The pious believed they wer.' dointr God'«
fccrvice by destrovin<r those who had crucified his' Son. and the cruel
aiid avaricious were irlad to make use of the same pretext to wrino
from them the riches which they devoted themselves to amassing. "
name of the eldest ? R Who -ovenied ? What of de IMari-nv ? 7. S. What^f hi^^Jl
What "f '"a^.c ? 9. What exF«,Iieut did Louis adopt ,o till iho treasury"
lO. - 1, Z. What of the KUic law? Who siiccpeded 1 miU X. ? 3 How lor.g dkf
ly?
CHARLES IV. -PHILIP VI.- 1329.
119
i. P*»ijip ^ •, surnamed the Long, removed his residence from the
old island in the Seine to the Louvre. He died in 1322. As he leli
only daughters, he was succeeded by his brother, Charles IV.. sur-
named thf' Fair.
Charles the Fair, 1321 /o 133k.
6. His reign affords nothing worth mentioning, excej)t it be the
establishment of the Floral games, at Toulouse. In 1323, seven
lovers of poetry issued a general invitation to all the poets of Pro-
vence, the successors of the old troubadours, to meet at Toulouse on
thc^ following May-day, there to recite their poems.
7. A violet of gold was to be the reward of the one whose poem
Bhould be adjudged the best. The entertainment was found to be sc
pleasant, that the citizens of Toulouse determined that it .should be
repeated annually at the public exi)ense. A society was formed for
its proper regulation ; a president and secretary were chosen, and the
seven institutors were made directors.
8. Two more prizes were added : an eglantine as the second, and
a pansy as the third. The festival continued three days, on each of
which poems were recited. On the third liay, t!ie city gave a mag-
nifieent entertainment, and the prizes were awanled. The violet waa
given for the best poem, the eglantine for the best eclogue, and tha
pansy for the best ode.
Philip VI.. 132b lo J3oO.
0. If any one person took all three prizes, he was dabbed a doctor
of^the gay science, as poetry was called. In 1540, a lady of fortune
Philip the Lr.i.e roi-n ? What event occurred ? 4. VVh t of the Jew^ ? 5. Where did
» hilip rcdi.le ? Whfti liid ho die ? Who siicreeded him f^ ~ «'.>. Dewcri tie the Floral
120
PHILIP Vl.-13!«.
left her whole estate to secure the maintenance of the custom, ztnd
added a pink to the number of the prizes. The institution continvied
to exist to the time of the great revolution, in 1789.
10. Charles the Fair died in 1328, leaving no male heirs, and the
crown passed from the direct line of Hugh Capet to Philip, sori of
Charles of Valois ; and hence this is called the Valois branch of hi*
family.
CHAPTER LXI.
Phutp VI. of Valois. — Edward does Homage for Quien'^ie,
Bravery of the Countess de Montfort.
Costumex of the age.
1. Philip of Valois was crowned at Rheims, in the thirty-filUi
year of his age. He was surnamed the Fortunate^ from the circum
stance of his obtaining the crown : there seems to have been little eh^e
in his life to merit the appellati(m.
2. He was violent, rash, selfish, and suspicious ; his only merit
appears to have been personal courage. His title to the throne waa
games. 10. When did Charles die ? Who succeeded to the throne ? What is the new
family called ?
LaI. - I What was the surname of Philip? Why? 2. His character? Who disputed
PHILIP VL-I328.
121
u..mted by Edward HI King of England, who claimed it for him-
• F?^^'/ V' '""^'^«^'/^ho was a daughter of Philip the Fa r
S.i \ u- ' "^'T ^^f^^^^Jy ^'i»»»o"t any foundation f for byle
;^alic law h,s n.other had no right to the throne hersdf, a.id of
course could transuut none to her son. If the Salic law we e sot
aside, then Jane of Navarre, and her descendants, were the ri^u?;i!
4. Edward was not (luite ready to prosecute his claim by force of
arms, so he concealed his designs, and even went so lar^s to do
i^ ranee. 1 he ceremony was performed witli jrreat splendor and vn
may be sure that Philip „.ade it as disagreeable i'p'Set^^^
5. He was himself .seated on a splendid throne, clothed in a rich
robe ot violet-colored velvet, covered with golden 1 lies • on his head
was a crown sparkling with jewels, and in his hand he held a ~
The kings of Bohemia, Navarre, and Majorca, and all the . reai
princes and nobles of his kingd<,m, stood around him "^
b_ Edward was led in by one of Philip's officers, and, havin.. taken
off his spurs and h,s sword, was made to kneel beforeKingP ilip
Fhe officer then said to him, " Sir, as Duke of Guienne vouHt^k.u w
edge yourself to be the vassal of my lord the king ; and you roZ;
to bear true faith and allegiance to him." ^ promise
7. Edward was not prei)ared to make such a promise ; so after
some discussion, it wa^ omitted, and the ceremony ended !,y tlie King
of trance giving a kiss to his powerful vassal. Edward soon threw
otr all disguise; he assumed the title of King of France, and di.l
Tr IS oV'tllT^l """'""' '° ^ ^'"^'"' lord, assumed th^ coat of
arms of tlie r rench king.
8. The^ kings of England continued to use the title and arms of
kings of Prance urn, the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, thouTthev
had not possessed a toot of territory there for centliries Wh s he
wa^ bus threatened from without, Philip took no pains to makp
friends within his kintrdom. ^
y. He lost the confidence of his nobles by an act of bad faith He
invited some Breton nobles to a tournament at Paris, and then per!
fidiously caused them to be se,zc>d and beheaded without trial or sen-
tence. Among these Breton nobles was John of Montfort
10. His wife, who, as the old chronicler Froissart savs, - was as
-ood as a man," clothing herself in armor, and mounting a war!
horse, took up(,n herself the din.ction of his affairs. I [er success wis
not equal to her e.ideav<,r.s^ She was driven from place to Z^^^^^
he troops of the King of France, until only the little castle of He.T-
nebon remained to her.
11. King Edward had promised to assist her, but the succors
were lon^ in coming. Her followers began to murmur but she
S n^ '^'"h r '""T '''-' '''''^''- 'rwo of these we e
..Iready past, and the French troops were now advancing, to be
i^^l ^^^-pr-r-ry-;^£-.«^^^^^^ -;
120
PHILIP VI — 13VW.
PHILIP VI. -1328.
121
left her whole estate to secure the maintenance of the custom, stnd
added a pink to the nnniber of the prizes. The institution continued
to exist to the time of the great revolution, in 1789.
10. Charlt'8 tht; Fair died in 1328, Icavintr no male heirs, and the
cTown pas.sed from the direct line of Hufjh C'apet to Pliilij), sori of
(yharles of V^ilois ; and hence this is called the Valois branch of hi*
family.
I
CHAPTER LXI.
Phutp VI. of Valois. — Edward does Homage for Ctiiientie.
Bravery of the Countess de Montfort.
I-
Costitmts of the dii^".
1. Pmilip of Valois was crowned at Rhoims, in the thirty-fifth
year of iiis \vh\ He was surnami'd (Iw Forfuitafr, from the eircum
stance of his ohtaininir the crown : there seems to have been little eh'.e
in his life to merit the appellation.
2. He was violent, rash, selfish, and suspicious; his only merit
appears to have been personal courage. His title to the throne was
e^ine^. 10. When dill Charles (lie? Who succeeded to llie tt\r«>iie ? Wlial ii* the new
f-»rnily called 1
LXI. - I What was the surname of Ptiilip ? Why ? 2. His charartor ? \V ho disputed
d.uited by Edward HI King of England, who claimed it for him-
selr in nght ol his m<.thor, who was a daughter of Philip the Fa r
.>. lalward s chnm was clearly without any foundation for by the
.^al.c law Ins mu,l..;r had no ri,.ht to the' throne hersHf and of
cmrse could traiKsnm none to h.T son. If the Salic huv we e set
asHle, theti Jane ot Navarre, and her descendants, were the Vi^t^J
4. Edward was not (piiu- ready to prosecute his claim by force of
arms, so he conec.aled his designs, a\id even went s fa7as to do
i- ranee. Ihe ceremony was perlormed with .nrat splendor anrl vn,,
may be sure that Philip made it as disagreeable ::;!pS:t^H"
5. He was himself .seated on a splendid throne, clothed in a rich
robe of violet-c<dored velvet, covered with ...Id.-n 1 lies on his I'ea
Ihe kings ol Hohemia, N.varre, and Majorca, and all tl„. . rea
I.nnces an.l nobles of his kingdom, st..o<l aroimd him '^
(.Edward was l.Hl in by one of Philip's offin^rs, and, bavins v.kcu
oft his^spursand Ins sword, was made to kneel befon- Kin. Ph,li
I he officer then said to bun, - Sir, as Doke of (iuienne vou^-Jk .
U^^^re yourself to be the vassal of my lord the king; and v , romise
to bear true faith and allegiance to him." - promise
7. Edward was not prepared to make such a promise • so after
some <liscuss,on, it was omitted, and the ceremony ind.ul by the'Ku
<» 1 ranee .,y,n. a kiss to his powerful vjissal. >:dward so<,n thr u
wla w^^"""/) ''V""^' '''' '\''' ''' ^^'"^ <*^" ^'— ^ '-' ^^
™i rT *';l'"'^V; '""'''""' ^" ^ ^"'"''^^' lord, a..sun.ed th.' eo-.t of
arms of the r rench kiiiff.
8. The kinosof England continued to use the title and arms of
k,ur.so trance unt, the time of Napoleon Honaparte, thouuh they
I'.id not {.....sesse.l a oot of terr.K.ry there for centuries Whilst he
was bus threatened fron. without, Philip took no pains to n ak'p
friends withm his kin<:<l<.m. '
. y. He lost the c.nlidence of his nobles by an act „f had linti, He
invited some 1 reton nob es to a tournament at Paris, and then per-
fidiously caused them to be s(mz..I and Im bc-aded without trial or Im-
tenc^e. Among these Hreton lu.bles was Jcbn of JM<M,tfort
10. Hiswife, who, as the old chronicler Frois.sart snvs " was a^
irood as a man," clothing herself in armor, an.r mountin'.. Twa!
borse, took upon herself the direction of his afl'airs. Her success was
not equal to her endeavors^^ She was dnven fVom placerp™
the troops of the Kini: of Franee, until only the little castle of Hei7
nebon remained to her. ' ^^^"
11. King Edward had promised to nssist her, but the succors
were one, ,n coining. H.r followers be:,an to murmu , but e
>e-ed them to boM <.„t three days lor.ger. Two of ese we e
Uready past, an d^ the French troops were non^ advaru-ing, to be
122
I'HII.II' VI.- |:Mb
ready to take possession of the place th' ^noment the time had
expired.
12. The countess, ahnost in despair, was sittinjj at her window,
lookinj^ towards the sea. What was lier jny to discover the horizou
.covered by the masts t)f a large fleet, steerintr towards Heimebon !
She rushed into the streets, shouiinff joytully, " The red cross, the
red cross! the succors of En<;hiiid are at hand !"
13. The I'^nfTJish, who had been detained for forty d;iys by contiary
winds, now landed, and the brave countess w:«s saved. Tiie g^allanl
Sir Walter Manny, who commanded the Eni^lish forces, thouphl
himself amply rewarded for all his toils by a kiss from this brave and
valiant lady.
CHAPTER LXII.
Battlr. of Crcssij. — Cannon. — The Galelle,
Cannon of early txmes.
1. KowArti) led a powerful army into France, lie was accompa
nied by his son Edward, called the Black Prince, from his dark armoi
and his black plume of feathers. On the twenty-third of Aug^ust,
1316, was foufjht the famous battle of Ocssy. The English were
victorious, and were indebted for t'leir success to the ilisseiisions of
the French nmonorst themselves ; and a nerrligence, which might seern
trifling, contributed in no small degree to the result.
2. On the morning of the battle there was a violent shower of
rain, and the French archers were so much taken up with their
•juarrels nmong theinselves, that they forgot to put th«^ir bows into
the cases. Tlu^ consequence was, that the strings were all spoiled,
was tlie title iriven lip? 9. How did Philip lose the confidence of the nobles? 10, 11
12, i;i. Relate the story of the Countess de iMontfort.
LXTl. — 1. Who led the English anny ? When was the battle of Cressy fought? 2
What oentrihuted to the defeat of lh»* French ' 3 What waa the amount, of the Fwncb
.
PHILIP vi.-iwe.
im
and the arrows fell short of the mark whilst those of the English,
who had used the proper precaution, r lade terrible havoc.
3. Philip fought bravely, but was a. length obliged to flee. Of all
his gallant army, but sixty persons remained in attendance on the
king. There were left dead upon the field of battle two kings, eleven
high princes, eighty great nobles, twelve hundred kniirhts, and more
than thirty thousand private soldiers.
4. Amongst the dead was the old blind King of Bohemia, who was
led into tiie battle by guides. His standard was taken and carried to
the Black Prince ; on it was his rest, three ostrich feathers, with
the motto, in German, " Ich iJicn'' -^^ I serve,'' which the prince
adopted ; and it has been borne ever since by the successive princes
ol Wales, in memorial of this victory.
5. The English employed six pieces of cannon in this battle, and
It is the hrst time we hear of their being used. To maintain the war
Phihp was obliged to impose heavy taxes. But one was so much
more oppressive than any other, being upon a necessary of life, ihat
the b rench word Gabclle, which means /ajr, is applied in France to
this tax alone.
6. The gabelle was long continued, but at last was changed into a
monopoly ; that is, all the salt made in France was brought to the
king's warehouse, and there sold to the people at such price as the
king might choose to fix. In all the latter reigns, the privilege of
selling salt, and all the taxes of the kingdom, were farmed out, as it
IS called.
7. Private individuals, who from this circumstance were called
Jar/ncrs-genrral, paid a fixed price for the privilege of receiving all
the money collected on account of the tax which they bought They
generally made pretty good bargains for themselves, and became rich.
1 hey were of course obnoxious to the people, who looked upon their
wealth as stolen from themselves.
8. Kings sometimes find time to make bad puns, as well as their
subjects. The word 5a/ is the Latin for salt ; when Kimr Edward
heard of this new and oppressive tax, he said that Philip was fond ol
inventing Salic laws.
kjM ? i. Whence the rre.sl of the Prince ..f Wales ?
ifualfJ 7 What were farmers L'enerar/
, 6. W luit is sa;.J o» laxt* ? W fv#
\22
I'HII.II' \l.
|■ll^
ready to trike jxissessioii ol" the pliice i1k ^^oment the time hati
expire*!.
12. 'I'ho countess, a!in(»si in despair, was sittin*? at her window,
lonkinjr towards the sea. Wliai was her j<»y to disrover tlie horizon
.-overrii hy the masts of a larj^M^ tleel, steering' towards llenni*h«/i) !
She rushed into the streets, shouiiuLT joyfully, *• 'i'he red cross, the
red ••ro.i.s ! tlie succors «>t' I'ai^land are :it hand !"
l.'J. The ]'!no-lish, wlio had heen detained for forty d;iys !»y cnnliiiry
winds, now hinded, and the hrave counte.s.s w:is ^aved. Tlie trallanl
Sir Walter Miiiuiv, who connuanded the Enjxlish forces, tiiou^ht
himself anipiv n^warded for all his toils hy a kiss from this brave and
faliant ladv.
CIIAI^TEK LXIl.
Baltic of ( 'r(ss)i. - - Va/nntn. — The Gabelle,
Con lion oj early Umes
1. I'j)U'Ar:i> led a powerful .'irmv into t' ranee, lie was accompa
nied hv his son JMlward. called the Black I'rince, from his dark annoi
and his hlack plume of featluTs. On the twenty-third of Aujinst,
1*U(), was fouLrht the famous haltle (»f ('rc.ssy. TIm" Kn^lish were
victorious, nnd were indehted for t'leir succ(>ss to t!ie dissensions of
the French innonirst themselves ; and n neulifieiice, which miLrht seem
tritliuij, contributed in no small de^"ret^ to tlie result.
•J. On tlu' morninjj of the battle there was a violent shower of
rain, ;iiid the French archers were so much taken up with their
quarrels :iniourr themselves, that they forgot to put th'Mr bows into
the cases. The consequence was, that the strings were all spoiled,
wa.^ lliii lit !i' •ji\ I'll lip? 9. How (lit] Piiilip losr the ronfiflei.rt^ of the nohles ?
10. 11
III lip losr till
r2. 13. Rel.itc the story of the Counte-s dc i\T..!iif..rt.
l.XFI. — 1. W ho lotl the Kiii.'li>h ariny ? Wln-n was the hattle of Oessy foiiirhl? 2
What wntribiitril to the oeftat of Hv Fieorh ' '^ What wan the amount nf the Fivncb
PHiup VI - me.
IS?:?
and the arrows fell short of the mark whilst those of the English,
who had used the proper precautitm, i lade terrible havoc.
3. Philip touirbt bravely, but was a. leng^th obli<red to flee. Of all
his ffallant army, but t^ixty persons remained in attendance on the
kino-. There were left dead upon the field of battle two kinjrs, ehnen
hiirh princes, ei^^lity great nobles, twelve hundreil kiULrhts, and more
than thirty thousand private soldiei-s.
T Amoi.nst the dead was the old blind Kino (,f Uoheniia, who was
led into the battle by guides. Hi.- standard was taken and carried to
th<' Black Prince ; on it was his rest, three ostrich feathers, with
the motto, m (ierman, " /r/i J),rn" —'' \ serve," which the prhice
adopted ; and it has heen borne ever since by the successive princess
ot Wales, in memorial of this victory.
5. The Euirlish employed si.\ pieces of cannon in this battle, and
It is the lirst time we hear of their beinrr used. To maintain the war,
I hilip was obhired to impose heavy taxes. But one was so much
more oppressive than any other, bemn upon a necessary of life ihai
the I rench word Uahdle, which means tax, is applied in France to
this tax alone.
0. 'i'lhi gahlle was long continued, but at last was chan«Ted into a
mon«.j)oly; that is, all the salt made in France was brought to the
kmir s warehouse, and there sold to the people at such price as the
king might choose to fix. In all the latter reigns, the privilege of
sellinjr salt, and all the taxes of the kingdom, were farmed out as it
IK called. '
7. Private individuals, who from this circumstance were called
Jnn/urs-iranrra/, paid a fixed j)ri(;e for the jirivilegc; of receivincr all
the money collected on account of the tax which they bought, 'fhey
generally made pretty g(M)d bargains for tiiemselves, and became rich
Ihey were ot course obnoxious to the people, who looked upon their
wealth as stolen from themselves.
8. Kings sometimes find time to make bad puns, as well as their
subjects. The word .sa/ is the Latin i'or salt ; when King Edward
heard of this new and oppressive tax, he said that Philiu wL fond ol
mvenling Salir laws.
tr!!V/ i^'':;';r'''"'''T^ "'""'"'•'•*'"■•' "'^\'>'l^-*? ■'',«■ Whali.ss,i:.Jo«lax<*? \Vr>4
»l «jl. ' . W hat were fanner-: ■/.•ii.'ral .'
124
PHII.IF VI. - 1M7
CHAPTER LXIII
Siege of Calais. — fleroic Conduct of six of the Citizem
Queen Phihji/m pleadtmr htjnre Ktug Edward.
1. After the baltlo of C'ressy, Edward laid sieijc lo Calais; ftit
that city, he thought, would he a very valuable acquisition to Enj^land
It has been called " the pale to France ;" and ^;o lonj? as the English
kept this crate, an army mifjht at any time be marched into France.
'2. For a whole year the brave j[Toverner refused to surrender; stili
cherishini? hope of receivinnr assistance from his king. Philip came
with a jrreat army to his relief. He found the fortifications, with
which the English had surrounded Calais, too strong to be attacked
with any hope of taking them.
3. lie sent a challenge to Edward to give him battle in the open
field ; but that monarch was too prudent to risk a certainty upon the
jncertain event of a battle. Philip was obliged to leave the city to
Is fate.
4. The wretched inhabitants now gave themselves up for lost.
They were reduced to the last extremity ; their provisions had long
been gone ; and not i cat, dog, horse, nor any species of vermin ihnt
was eatnble, remained in the town. Tje "governor was thereforr
comp*^!lcii : ^ nftJ3r to surrender.
5. Edward, instead of applaudino the citizens for a gallantry
which he would have rewarded in his own subjects, was highly
^y^- —}■ ^h-it tlid Rlvvarl d.) after the luttl,; of Cr.^ssv? "2. .S. What did Philip do
:<) relieve Calais' 4. What were t'lc people r.oin|)ell«>il lodo? r,. Wha*. were the feel
I
PHILIP VI.-iaiT.
125
incensed at what he called their obstinacy. At first he wonM n,..
promise them even their lives. But his own officers obiected to th?
o'itL^s " """'"'""' ''^"' "«^'' ''"""'> '' 'h'^ assembled
I !:.i^l'- "•''* '"!""'' •■""' f<"'f"sion ; no one knew h-v to ■^M A .
anu e^en the Frince , f Wales, interceded in vain for their lives
a great victory « hie 'LI, ,1 l^M J="?'f'', bringing ti.e news of
king-s tent, sL re v .e^l'^ the^fre^ t^f'T^' ^'"'"'"^ "'«
■ot to violale the laws of reli.io, ad oH .? J." """?■, ^"^^'"^ '""«
lt». The king hJ,,L7 -r' o<^l'"""'- by so inhnman an act.
madun,, I cou d «ell 'w ' von hill T"*' ''!" "^ ''^"P"' ^''^' " ^h,
cmnot deny any boon cl^y ou ' 'k rf " f'^'-i^'r It'' ^''^ ' ^''' ^
dispose <,f them as von w II " Ti^ ■ , }"'"' ""=*<= """"' "nd
.'■ith clothes,^ iwi^h moncv f„ ? "" ''"■"" '"'''"§ l"^™ P™-i<ied
safety. "^ ''" ''""' expenses, were dismissed id
CHAPTER LXIV.
^-Zfeff f"f"" ^''Iff Prance is called the Dauphin
Battle of 1 metiers. -Moderation of the Black Prince
KrlncfrnrEn".;^^d."'p:";a7ch^h:':iH
^nsideredas the greMest , r"„s',,f th,, 11 'if'i''" ''"''*' «''° i"
time. " The country - he t"I^,^ - 1^ ' ?'"''' ^'""""' """"'t 'hie
with fire and sword. ' The' fill's ""^y :!^ rilJuCt'ed """'"'^
were^verywher^ ^^^, 1X.'Z^.^Zn-^:
'n?9 of Ed wan I ?
eitizen.s? Wha
w>;.lA^e!Kli;-/^'^-K;-^;^.ce,^^^
M
124
I'lni.iF VI. - i.w
CHAPTER LXIII
Siege of Calais. — Heroic Conduvl of six of tht Citizens
Qurcn Plii!ti>i}(i iiUdthii'j; hi fint Kni'^ Edward.
I. Aftkk tlu' battle of Crcssy, Kdwanl laid sioiro to Calais; ftii
ihatoity, lu' thoufTht, wonlii hv a vrry valual)le aniiiisitioii to EiiL^Hand
It has been called " tli»' ^--aw to France ;" and so loii<r as tho English
kept this irate, an army nnf?lit at any time be marebed into France.
•J. For a whole y<'ar the brave mnerner refused to surrender; still
fherishinir hope of reeeivintr assistance from his Vuvj;. IMiilip came
vvitli a irreat^ army t(» his relief. He fonnd the fortiticalions, with
which the l']nolish had surrounded (iilais, too strong to be attacked
witii any hope of takintj them.
3. IFe .sent a challentre to Edward to (five him battle in the open
field ; but that monarch was too j)rudent to risk a certainty upon the
jncertain (-vent of a battle. Philip was oblifriMl to leave the city to
ts fate,
4. The wretched inhabitants now jjave themselves u[) for lost.
They were reduced to the last extremity ; their provisions had long
been ?(>ne ; and not i cat, doa, horse, nor anv species of vermin that
was eatable, remained in the town. T je qr^vernor was therefon
compt^'li'i, . ' oIIIt to surrender.
5. EdwartI, instead of applaudino the citizens for a jrallantry
which he would have rewarded in his own subjects, was hifrhly
LXlII- — I ^Vliil iliil Kdw.ml (!,» after iho luiil," of ("r.^s-!v ? >. :\. What did Philip d«
« relieve Cnlai.s ' J. What wvro t'<p jvopU- mmpellrd indo ? r,. Wh.r. vvere the feel
I
I
miLIP VI. -1^7.
125
mcensed at what he called their obMimcv At fir* i li
prcnise .l.e,„ evon ,hcir lives. ' BrKn ot/r ^,1 '':c,:,r o .hU
7. All Hxsliiiimll ,111,1 ,-„„fn..i|on ; no one knew h -v to iPt A.
H. i hey were led before Edward in the nrescribcd A«»,; » .
; ;■:; ;;'r;::;;"s ,si; "v:-, "•»-;; ■!="«" -A
in 'V\ I I r<^'i^n(.n and ol honor by so iidiunian -in ■^n^
-nnot ;,,.„. ';;!w I , ';;„ ';;! :;™„f "V';- ;)'- -i^-y ; yet i
'y-n«<>^' ..r iKiii ;,s voii u I •• ' ri . I"'"' ""'**'-' ""^"> ""d
Kifrtv. '"^ '"' ""^■"' ■•-'^Penss, were dismissed iD
CHAPTKK LXIV.
Why theddc^t Son of Ike Kh,^ of France h called the Dauvhin
-battle o) PotCter..- Moderation of the Black Print
«.nsi,lere.l .-.s ,1,7. «, '^.ci, ,:,,'' ''ir"''''™'':'' ''i'l'"" P«-«. who is
<i."n. " The e,n,u r • ,<M I , ' .' '' ""'"' ".'^'"■'' ^ ''^""■'^ ='''""1 1^8
« .tl, fire a„d s«„r, . ^ ■ri . , . h 'v «'!','"''' "''^V" ''<'"■ -l<'SoIated
wcr^^ver^.;.^^
ri6
JOHN THfc <JOUn. -.f356
ti
the streets we» overgrown with weeds, and the people seeroeW aaJ
and downcast.'
John the Good, 1350 to 1361.
3. Philip died in 1350, in the fifty-seventh year of his ajGrc, and
twenty-third of his rcijrjn. He left two sods and a daughter. Before-
his death, Dauphiiiy had been achied to the territories of the crown.
The last prince, having lost his only child, gave it to France, on con
:lition that the eldest son of the king should always hear the title of
Dmiph/n.
4. Hereafter, when mention is made of f/ie dnuphin^ you will
understand that the eldest son of the King of France! is intended, just
as the eldest son of the King or Queen of Fngland is called the Prince
'jf Wales.
5. John, the eldest son of the late king, was forty years old when
he ascended the throne. From his courage in war, which has always
been a favorite quality with the French, he had acquired the surname
of " the Good.'''' His rergn was one of the most disastrous in French
history
6. Peace could not long endure between two nations that hated
one another so bitterly as did the French and English. Edward, the
Black Prince, advanced with a small force into France. The troops
of the King of France, many times more numerous, surrounded his
little army.
7. The king was earnestly entreated to wait quietly, until the
prince, cut oil* from all su[»plies, should be compelled by famine to
surrender. But John wished to have the credit of defeating the
Black Prince in battle. The English camp was very strongly forti*
fied, and could only be approached upon one side, and by a very nar
row road.
8. On the lOth September, IS.^G, the king led his army to the
attack. A panic seized his troops, who fled, leaving the king and
his favorite son Philip prisoners in the hands of the English. They
were conducted to the tent of the prince, who received them with the
greatest courtesy and respect.
Whence Ihe title dauphin J 5. Who succeedeil Philip) 6,7,8. What of the oatt.e
t
JOHN THE GOOD. law.
127
9. Durinp supper he waited upon the king as :«' he had been his
vwn father, and seeing him sa»l and heavy, he sought to cheer him
by consoling words. The captives were carried to London, where
they were received by the king and queen, and entertained for four
years, more like guests than prisoners.
10. They entered London in grand procession. King John appeared
in royal robes, mount.d upi)n a beautiful wliite charger, while the
Prince of Wales rode by his side upon a little black horse, of very
ordinary appearance. In modern times ibis might be considered as
ap allectation of humility. But we must not judge of the feelings of
a rude h^g from those of a civilized one.
11. In Edward's time, it was no uncommon display of the victor
to show coiKiucred princes to the peojjle, loaded with irons ; the very
opposite conduct of the conqueror of Poicticrs wiis considered as a
mark of moderation and humility, and wius received as such by the
vajjquished, and all who witnessed it.
CHAPTER LXV.
bisiirrection of the Peasants, callvd the Jacquerie. — Great Feat
of three Knights.
1. FuANCK was now plunirfd into the greatest misery. The
nobles, havifijr no one to restrain them, endeavored to reduce their
tenants again to the condition of serfs. Tlie acts of eru«^l(y and vio-
lence of which they were guilty, almost exceed belief They burnt
the houses of the peasants, and drove them like wild beasts to seek a
shelter in caves and forests.
2. But even a worm when trod upon will turn again. Some of
these iHMsants were talking over their grievances, when one of them
had the courage to say that they had a right to defend themselves.
JNo sooner was the word s{)oken, than the spirit of revenge took pos-
session of the whole company.
3. Seizing scythes, pitchlbrks, and whatever else they could lay
their hands upon, they rushed to the nearest nobleman's house, and
murdered all the inmates. With hourly increasing numbers, they
proceeded onward, destroying wherever they came. The panic of
the nobles was extreme ; no one knew how soon his own tenants
might turn against him.
L Private quarrels now ceased. French and English forgot the
jlilTerence of country in the fear of the common enemy, who were
called the Jaa/uerie, because they wore short jackets, a costume con-
fined entirely to the laboring classes.
Wlmi!'!If/.nl^^''T'^f '^^'^"=''^- ^- "«^vwas John treated while a prisoner? II
What IS said of this treatment ?
M V - 1 . What is said of the state of France ? 2. What of tho peasants 7 4. Wh».
I
r26
JOHN THE uooii n:>r.
the streets wop overgrown with weeds, and the people seemed aaj
and downcast.'
John the Good, 1 :>.')() t(t \'M)\.
3. Philip died in 1350, in tli«' fifty-seventh yvAx of iiis a£jr, and
Iwenty-lliird of his nMirn. He left two sons and adanjrhler. Before
his death, DaiJphiny had heen added to the territories of the crown.
V\w, last prin«*e, havinij;^ lost his only child, ijave it to France, on con
lition that the eld(!st son of the kiiijx shonM always hear the title of
Duuphin.
1. Hereafter, when mention i.s made of llir (/aiip/tin, you will
•iiiderstand that the! eldest son of the Kinsj of Franc*^ is intended, just
ns the eldest son of the Kinjr or (^uceii of Fnj^Mand is called the Prince
Mf Wales.
C). .lohn, the eldest son ol' the late kin<T. was tortv years old when
he ascendLMJ the throne. From iiiscouraire in war, which has always
heen a favorite (luality with the French, he had acquired the surname
<»f " the Good.'''' His reign was one of the most disastrous in French
history
6. P(\'ice could not lonu <Mulure Ix^tween two nations that hated
one another so hitterly as did the FrtMich and I'aiLrlish. Kilward, the
Black Prin<M% advanced with a small force, into France. The troops
of the Kinij^ of France, many times mon; numerous, surrounded his
little army.
7. The kinir was earnestly entreated to wait quietly, until the
prince, cut olf from all su|)plies, should he com|)elled hv famine to
surrender. Hut .lohn wished to have the credit »)f defeatintr the
Black Prince in hattle. The I'aiijlish canq) was very strongly forti«
fied, and could only he apj)roached upon one side, and hy a very nar
row road.
S. On the 19th Septend»er, 1350, the kinjr led his army to the
attack. A panics seized his troops, who lied, leaving the kinjj and
his favorite son Philip prisoners in the hands of the Kntjlish. They
were conducted to the tent of the prince, who received them with the
greatest courtesy and respect.
WKcnce jIik lilU- i!iuif>hin / .'.. Wlio «iiLtftMlnl Pliilip) 6,7,8. Wluil cf the wiU.e
JOFIN THE GOOn i:r.r,
*)'
12
9. Durinn supjter he waited upon the kinsj as :<* he had been his
ywn father, and seeiiiir him sad and heavy, he soutrht to ciieer him
by consoliniT words. The captives were carried to London, where
they were received by the kin^r and queen, and e'ltertuined for four
years, more like iriiests than prisoners.
10. They j'liti'rcd London in <i rand proc(^ssion. Kinjr John appeared
in royal robes, mounted upon a beautiful white charger, while the
IViiiceof Wales r<>de by bis side upon a little black horse, of very
ordinary appearance. In modern times tlii.s might be considered as
ai" allectation of humility. But we must not judge of the feelings of
a rude :f»:e from tlio.se ola civilizt'd one.
11. lii F<lward's time, it was no uncommon di.splay of the victor
to show riMujuered princes to the people, loaded with irons ; the very
opjK.siK' .'onduct (tf the eompieror tif Poiciicrs was considered as a
mark n| moderation and buiiiility, and wa.s received as such by the
^aiKjui.sbed. and all who witnessed jj.
(TLAPTKR LXV
Imurrectionofthe Pcasauls.raUvd thr Jarquerir. — Great Feat
of (hn'4 Knights.
\. Vu.ysw. was now plunged into the <Tre;ii,>si niiserv. The
nolnes, b.ivmo no one t<( restrain them, emleavoied to reduce their
tenants airain lo the eojidiiion of serfs. The acts of erueltv and vio-
lence of whieh they were guilty, almost ex<-eed belief. 'Phey burnt
tin- bou.ses of the pcasant.s, and drove them like wild beasis to" seek a
sbeltcr in eaves and forests.
'J. But «'ven a worm when trod ujK)n will turn again. 8omo of
these [.easaiits were talkirej over their grievances, wh.Mi one of them
Imd the courage to .say thai they had a right to defend themselves
^o sooner was the word spoken, than the spirit of revenge to(»k pos-
session (»f the wlnde company.
3. .Seizing .scythes, pitebiorks, and whatever else they coidd lay
their hands upon, they rushed to the nearest nobleman's "house, and
murdered all the inmates. With hourlv increasinir numbers, 'they
proceeded onward, d«\stroying wh(;rever 'thev came. 'Piie paimr of
the nobles was extreme ; no one knew bow soon his own tenants
might turn against him.
1. Private cpiarrels now ceased. French and English foro-ot the
ditl.'rence of C(,untry in the fear of the common (Micmy, who were
called the Jaaiurriv. because they wore short jackt:ts, a costume ojn-
fined entirely to the laboring classes.
;
Wll'.'.''^^'^'?/ riy •''''.' '''^' '^ ^T"^'^- ^- "'"^ ^^'-^^ •^"^"' Ire^t'-^'J while a prisoner? 11
Wliru IS saiil of iliis irealment 1 in
».SV -I. Whiil is said ofthe Slate of France? 2. What of iho pea.^anU7 4. Whi».
128
JOHN THK (H. OI)..— I3,',6
5. The city of Meux, in wliicli wrn' the (laupliinrss qnd her ladies,
was aftackod by a party of the insiir^'cnts. TIuto wore no means of
ilefence. The l)uk«! of Orlt-ans was the only nobleman in the place,
and th«^ inhabitants were well inclined towards the rebels, and evee
Ifft the fjatc^s o|>(;n for tbeir admission.
(). At the inom(M)t of their approach, two of Khxn; Edward's
knio-hts hajipcn«"d to be passinn^ near the city, and heard of the dan-
ger of the (lau[»hiness. They at once put spurs to their horses, and
Uallopinc into the t(»vvn, found the Jacquerie surrounding the jjalaee,
and threatcninir to burst open the jrates for the purpose of murdering
every one w iihin. *•
7. The two knitjhts drew their swords, and, bein^ joined by me
Duke of Orh'ans, soon dispersed th<; whole thronp, of whom mon;
than seven thousand were killed. This seems to be an cxtravajrant
story; but you will n-membrr that the knijrhUs were mounted on
!u)rsel)ack, and were clad in steel armor, upon which the weapons of
the peasants could make no impn^ssion.
^ 8. You nmsl not suppose that the kni«jhts were entirely unattended.
No kni^'ht in those days rode abroad without some attendant scpiirea
and men at arms. These were called the furnit\ire of a lance. The
nund)er of these attendants, of course, depended on the rank of th«^
kniijht; but five or six was the usual furniture of a single la»«ce, a*
a knight was called from his principal weapon.
CHAPTER LXVI.
How King Edivard is induced to vmJxe Peace with France. - -
Honor able Conduct of King John.
1. The Jacquerie beinj? at lenpth subdued, and the country brouj^ht
into a pretty quiet state, the dauj)hin, who governed France as reo-ont,
was able to take some measures for his father's release. But Ed-
ward's conditions were severe, and the States-general would not arrree
to them.
2. Edward then advanced into Eranee with an army, even to the
walls of Paris. But the dauphin had grown wise by experience, and
would not meet him in battle, but remained quietly in Paris. Edward
marched about the country, amusing himself with his hawks and his
hounds, as if he had come for sport, and not to fight.
3. He now considered tiie whole kingdom as his own, and notning
short of being acknowledged as king would content him. But sud"
denly his heart was changed. A more violent storm than had ever
before been known, overtook the I-^nglish army.
4. The thunder and lightning were incessant ; and the hailstoneH
were tliey called .' 5, 6, 7. How w.k§ the dauphirte.« saved ? i^. What ( he attendance
>n knighta? ^
LXVI. —2. 3 What is s.iid of King Edward's fontUjcl in f ranee? < V hat induced
"'HN Tin: GOOD - i.jG^i
129
*ere of sueli size, and fell with such violence, that many men and
more than SIX thou.sa.Kl of the hon.es of the' EnglisirLTCe
killed. 1 he king was so much impressed by the aw fulness on he
scene that he considered it as a warning, and at once made p^^^^^^
5. He renom.eed all title to the crown of France, and aS' to
a ransom tor king John, which w;ts t<, be paid in hree naym^nti
tr^s In k.'Mr.rw';v\"' ''"'^''^'' 'tt'' '^'^ ^""i^'^ ^^^ ^^« ^^ <^^^-
W un ;. ^=^f'';.''.,^^'"«»^"^« y »>unuuguiK,n the altar of the
luml. until th.; cause ..[ their trouble is removed. During the can-
mtyo K .J,,, ,^p^.^ vv- placed in the elu/rchVf Not^
Umie a I aris, and kept burning till his return.
been of s'u'c I Mrn.li"'*' ''^V' ^''T /"""'' ^'"'-'''- ^' ^'^'« ^^^^^ to have
wluel Ir V ^^^'""' ength that it might have encircled Pans,
a large wtlld " '"""^- ^ ^' ''^^'''" ^'^ ^'^""^ ^'^^ ^^ ^"P« ^«"»^
lha^tco;'be'e.!irj^^''^"^"'^ ^"t '^^ P"^^" "^'t»'« l'^^"^*^ hostages, if
that can be called a prison where they were allowed to go wherever
Btit't^'^nhrr"'^^' ''"^ "^'""?i ''' '''' ^«^'" -'- i" fou days
wLui to 1 .ins, and refused to return.
John wiis exceedingly distressed at this conduct of his sons
He consid(.re( ,t as a breach of faith which could o.dy be redeemed
by his surrendering himself a^ a pnsoner to Edward. iL^^cordZlv
returned w England, where he died, April 8th 1364 ''^ '^^^'^^"^^^
CHAPTER LXVH.
The daily Occurrences in the Streets of Paris. - Character of
various Nations. — Adout Astrology.
1. I WILL novv give you a description of what was daily iroinfr on
at Pans, about the middle of the fourteenth century. Theiirso^unS
U^at was heard ,n the morning was the tinkling of little bells wMcb
the deahofsuch persons as had died during the night anrcall nf
upon al Christians to pray for the souls of the dece Jd ' ^
2. Ihen came the people who attended upon the hot baths bid-
cold. After that, r othing was to be heard, for several hours, but the
l^nrSKt 4£S./r"r'^lS^?Sl\^ relea^eof John. 6. Whatcu.
V^'!. .t did John do ? When did he die 'Where ^ ""P"^°""^"t of the hostages ? 9.
l-X M I. - 1. What ;vas the fir«t sound rn Pari., in the morning J 2. What succeedH 1
130
UHAKLES v. — 13&4.
CHARLKS V. — 13tyi.
tries of the butchers, the millers, and of those who sold fish fruit;
and vegetables.
3. Of tlie fruits, plums, pears, and apples were the most common.
But the vegetable most in demand was garlic, of which a kind of
Bauee was made, and eaten upon bread, like butter. The tailors made
A conspicuous appearance, standing with their needles and tliread all
ready to mend any hole or accidental rent in the clothes of the pass-
ers-bv.
l/Tliosc who had met with any misfortune stood at their doors
and proclaimed it with a loud voice to all who passed. In addition to
all tin; other noises, were to be heard the voices of the monks and
scholars, begging alms in the streets.
5. These poor scholars seem to have been a pretty miserable set ,
for in a book written about this period, they are described as goin^
about with pale and haggard faces, hair neglected, and iheir clothes
in rags. The frontispiece of an old grammar, then in use, furnishes
a touching picture of tlie interior of a school.
6. There is the master, with his enormous rod in his half-raised
hand, ready to let it fall upon the unfortunate scholars, who stand
round him with their books, and with their shoulders stripped naked,
prepared to receive the blow at the first mistake. Rods were so
much in use, as to be reckoned among the necessary expenses of a
college.
7. The university of Paris was crowded with students of all na-
tions. A writer of the age of St. Louis thus describes them. The
French, he says, were proud, vain-glorious, and effeminate. The
Germans were rough and vulgar ; the Normans, vain and boasting ;
the English, drunkards and cowards.
8. The favorite study was astrology, or the reading of the stars,
which were supposed to have an infiuencc on the events of the world,
and also on the human body ; so that every physician became an astrol-
oger, and consulted the stars before he gave an opinion on tKe case of
a patient.
CHAPTER LXVIIl.
Abaitf. Charles F., mr named the Wise. — The Royal Library
at Paris. — The Constable du GuescUn.
1. Petrauch, the poet of whom I have before spoken, in a second
visit to France, saw the dauphin Charles, now become king. lie
tells us that he was astonished at the cultivation of the dauphin's
mind, and the polished elegance of his manners.
2. But what Petrarch most admired was the wisdom with which
the dauphin could converse upon all subjects; the respect he showed
i:n
tomtn of learning, and his own ardent desire to obtain knowiedee
Char e.) was wont to say, that men of learning could not be too hiehlv
witeemed ; and that so long as wisdom continued to be honored J
France, the kmgdoni would prosper.
Ckarhs V., 1364 to 1380.
3 He spared no expense to procure the best collection of book?
• hat could be had. The royal library in his father's time consisted
ot twenty volumes, but was increased during the reign of Charles to
the number of nme hundred. ^ t^
4. He is entitled to the honor of beincr the founder of a library
Which at the present day contains 900,000 books, Ix^sides ,300 000
maps, &c. , and more than 1 ,300,000 engravings. A king of such a
character well merited the surname of "Mr Wise "
5 He possessed all the good qualities of St. Lcniis, and the gen-
eral increase of knowledrro and his own superior education kept him
rom comrnitting the same errors. The kings of France before him
had been little more than leaders of armies, and to be brave was con-
sidered the chief merit ; but Charles was the first monarch who could
regulate the march of an army without engaging personally in the
Edward HI., King of Entrland, used to say, thai of all Ae corn-
)etitors he ever contended with, Charles was the one who ha.l nevei
appered against him, and yet gave him the most trouble. Bui
^/hai.es knew how to select good rrenerals.
3. VVhal of ihe fruits ? Whal of the tailors ? 4, 5, 6. What of the scholars? What of
ihesc.hiK)ls? 7. Whal of the sludonts of the university ? 8. What of astrology ^
LXVIIl. — 1. What of Charles? 3. Whal of the royal library? 4. Whal ia the siae
he roval libnirv now 7 6. What did Edward say of Charles ? 7. What of du Guet
\:\o
I II m;m ^> \
1 'i-.t
rn
< ru's «»t tlu' hulfli' I , tti. null<MM, ;intl o< tlu»^(' u1h» «n1«| fish fruit
an<1 Vfjrrlahlrs.
:« Of lit. ■ riiiit"^. I'lnm-. prin-'^, nn<l ;»|>plcs wfrr tlu 'Miumoh.
Hilt iltr \i'ir«'t;\bl«- n»"'-t m <itnvii»«l \\:i^ <'MvIm\ ■♦ • l-i.-h i Itm.l nf
k:hi.-.' \\;is nn«lt', :hi<! ' •' " •"<»'« !<».■ ■■' l"»..' Imiti ■ 11-' inl-..-^ ni'.-l.-
. .-.n, ,i.nMMHis :«|>pr;i' -wlin.' ' tluMi mi .||. ...lii I M
> .' in<:nil ;inv Im»I. h1:i1 " "' '" '•"' •''••Hi- "• »•"• p •
rr- l»\ .
I riio-. who li 1.1 m. 1 w \\\\ :uu Mii'<rititim«' stiiit.l it Hi.n »l<t.Ms
:in<l j.r«M-|;iim«-«l tt \\ itli ;i l«'ii.l \n\rv «u nil \\li.> |>» > A In Ml.lilinu In
all ihr <ttlH 1 jioisfs. vvrn- to l»«' Ur-.nA «l\.> \.>i.-. m| tlir innnl<^ aiitf
^i^'lH'lars. l)«'o^i»in«; nlni" \n lh«' slrn'ts.
;■> riirsf poor Rchol < tn In lia\<' l»»'' n a pvrtU no .i >'.l' ■<
tor Ml a ht.oK wiitl.'n about tins p»M)o.l, llnv an- ilrsfiibifl a-j jjrMMij
j»lMnit \Mlh pair an<l ha^riranl iwrv*, ban iKMjbM-tr.l, an. I (Im-ii .Infb.s
ii\ r;ij:'<. Tbr jVontispirro ot an old ovamniav, tluat in hv... jnntiKlirM
a toiM-biHL; pMMnr«> ol tbr Mttrviov o1 a srbool.
li. 'rinMv IS thr luasl. i. n Mb bis nionnoiis lo.l iii \\\-i bill iim»M|
hand, roadv to bt M fall upon lb.> nnrorlunato scbolaiM, v\ bn -jtaiid
round Iniu witb tb«MV book--, and witb tboir sbonbbi^ sinpp..! nalud,
pn'p;iro«l to rorriv*- «br blow at lb«> tir«»t niistak*'. Hods w«'H' ko
iinirb Ml nso, as to b<^ ro< Koin>d anioin; tbo n«M'«'r<«arv rvpiaisrs o| ;i
rolb'*,'"!'
7. Tbr nnivrrsitv ot Taiis was rrowdrd witb stndmts n| all na
tions \ wr t. .1 ibo ajrr ot St. Iionistlnis d<scid»ts ibom. TIm'
l'Von»'b, he says, wrrr proud, vnui j^lonous. and olbiunialo Tbo
iJonuans \V4rr rontjb and\uljjar, tb<' \oiiu n\^, vain and buaKtnijT .
Ibr F.nolisb. drunkards an«l towards.
S. 'I'biMavontr stu«lvwas astr«»lo}2\ . or ibo i.adm' o| tb. tnrs,
wbicb worr supposed to ba\c an nitlurnfi' ou tbc cvrnts ot tbo world,
and also on tbr liuman l>odv , so that rvrry pbvsinan brraino an astro}
op^r. and PonsultiMl llic slars brbuv br }javr an «)pinn»n on l' a';«' of
H patHMit.
(HAl^TKK lAVlll.
Abaitf Charles I .. siirnnnKd the liV.vr. Thv Kniin] Lihrnry
at Paris. — T^/r (\)>/.«//;/7r //// (iti( srlin.
1. PrTUAKcii. t)ir p(»t'l ofwbom 1 bnvc U^fort^ sp»»k(Mi, in :i s^mmukI
visit to Franct\ saw tbr dauphin ("barlos. now luvoino kin^. Il«*
IfUs us that Ih' was astonished at the cultivatitui of tlie dauphin'a
mind, and the p(dished elefranoe of his manners.
C liui whui l\'trarch most admired was the wisdom with which
the dauphin eonid converse upon all subjects; the respect he showed
3 Wtiaio! itu- fruil.- Wha: nf the lailor.« ' fi. VVliat of the scholar- ? What of
iht sciKH»ls? 7. Wliat ofltit' sludtJiUs of llie uuiversiiv ? >. Wlial of a.slri>l(>L'y ''
LXVin_l What iif" Charles ; 3 What of '.he n>yal librtry ? 4. Whal ia the siae
Optecti.. <! , (fid Ml it
Fr:iMCf> f he 1. . ,,,,! ,.
Ci'.at
>l» Ml/
I "f learning rmild not rwj too hi^hlv
visdf>m continue*! to be hotiorcd in
.1 ff' <r)a r'''d no , • i , . r i i
"=•♦ '•""''' *"■ ^'^"' ' •' library in hi.s father's time, cor.s,st.-d
". '""^ "''"' ;ncreji.sed dnrinor the rejrrn of Tharb-s fo
\\\<: nuififKr of tntie. bundn-d.
^ U< IS entitled to tho br^nor of boinrr the fouufler of a librrirv
vvlncf, af the presf-nt day contains 000.000 books, besides .'JOO 000
rna|.s, A/c, and more tban I ,'iOO.OOo rtMrravmrrs. \ !:..-.,»■ ..,.1 j
cbara^-tfr wf II mrrited th« aurnam. z,^ H~w. ■
^V ffe possessed all thr. rrood rpmh- - .. [^„,jj,^ ^„,, ,,,^ ,,^^.
'•ral increase of knowledrrc an.j his own Mui)erinr ediutJiliofi kentlnm
n.n, eo,nmift,nrr the same error '"',„ |,,nos of France before bim
f';';J h'-n little more tb:m b.-adm- ,; ..-mi.'s. and to be brave wa« cr.r..
«idered the chief merit ; but Charles wa.s the first monarch who coul,^
rerrufate the march of an armv witbout en.raiTinrr pcraonallv m fba
'^ampairrn.
(y. Edward IFI.. Kmo- „f Kn-iand. usfMl to sav. that -.f all vfie .-om-
.etitors be ever contended with. Charles was the one who had never
rippered arrainst him, and y. t ^ave him the most tronbir.. B,j|
'^nar.es knew how to select izood ueneral.s.
■lai tfid Eiiwani aay of Charles
Vhal of du Gtm
132
ruAUi.Ks V \:¥v^
7 or ihrsp, tin' most I-Muona \v;«s Aw (i«H'srlin, in r»'ler»^n,-P to
whom lh.« Wurt. nsMl t.. Im;>s1, thai llu-y Im.l tlir xvisrst kinir «,„»
tno, hravrst ^.mkm:.! m I'.uroi).-. H*' was a ir.Mitlnnan of Hntlany.
On arconnl ofhis m.T.l, bo was appoint.-.! hv ( harlrs to l.r ('on^/nNe
ofFranrr. I'lns was a luilitary oHi.v, an.! llu- Inulu'sl in lli.- kini;-
doin iimliT \\v.i\ ol' th.' Kin^^.
H Charl.vs was naturally anxious to n.'t ri.l ol l.is tiuuM.-somP
Knolish n.iirhhnrs. Talunj; a.lvantairr of ihr .lisroMt.-nts n\ soinr of
ihAiascon suhj.vta ..f K.lwanI, lu- sunuuono.l tliat MUHiarrh, as bis
vas?.al. toappoar an.Mo lu>inam« ; an.l, up<Mi his rorusal, at om.m- .Ir
rlaro.l him to h.^ a rolxl, an.l all his possrssions in Fran.'.. L.rt.it.'.L
'.) rii.T.' was no iniusti.M- m this pr.».'.-..lini|, lor snrh w.^r.- th.'
n.iuiili.Mis up..n wIim-Ii ho h.>hl th.-m. Du (iu.s.-lin vv:.s s.m int..
<;ui.>nn.\ with an armv, to tak.- possossi.m o|' that torritory. 'he
mhahitants prt>lorro«l Kmu Charh-s t.. Kmir K.lwar.l, an.l v.-ry nat-
urally ; tor, h.'si.U. h.Miii; a h.tt.>r rul.'r, Thiirhs was also th.'ir .-..un-
trvman. Hu (iu.>sclin th.-r.-lor.' ma.l.' ra|>i.l pro>iross.
10. n.> ha.l lai.l si.'}r«" to a raslh' ni LanmuMlo.', and tln^ uovoriior
a.rroo.l to s^urr.Mi.l.^r upon a n«rtain dav, ifho .li.l m.t r.M'.Mv.^ assist-
ance in th.> intrrval. Th.- ninstahle .ImmI hor..ro tlw app..int.Ml tin..',
an.l th«- ^-ovornor was a.lviB.Ml not to k.'op his ajrr.-omont ; hut ho .h-
claiv.l that ho w.uihl Ix' as lru.> to that h.>ii.irahh> knight in .l.'ath, as
tha* kniirht woiihl have h.MM) t.) him lu lil'o.
11. On th.> appiunto.l day h.^ maivh.^l, tollowo.l hy th.^ wlmlo ^rar
rison, to the Fr.Mieh eamp,aiul pla.M^l the keys o\' the eastle on tin;
bier of the deparlcl hero, llis h.).ly was huri.MJ in the ehuirh ..I
St. IVnis, wh.MV none hut th.> kinj^s o\' VvAucr ba.l hith.>rto been
buried. A spl.Midid tomb was er.MM.^l by th.« kiuji, an.l on it was
placed a lamp, which was k.^pt burninjr lor a ^rr.'at mimb.^r o» years.
1*2. I'he dymj,^ words of the constable were an .'xbortation to hi8
soldiers nev.'r to forjx.n what he had s.) «»lt.Mi t.d.l tb.'m : that into what-
ever country they shotild havi^ t.> carry war, they sh.uil.l u.-v.t .mmi-
sider the w.>men, th<> .hil.livn, the cl.-rjzy, .>r tin' yoov, as .Mi.'ini.s
Yin a lon.u time, no .)ne .-ould be loun.l willing to tak«> his oHice of
instable, all deeming themsi^Ues too unworthy to succeed him.
CHAPTER LXIX.
The Literature and Paint ini: of the Reign of CImrles the Wist
— How the King lived.
1 (^HARLES caused the works of manv of the old Greek and liatin
authors to be translated into French. But these were wretched
productions. A contemporary writer represents the original authort
]
Clin T 8 VVlial course did Charles adopt \o gel rid of ihe Engli.^h? 9, 10, 11, 12 Whtf
• mid of the ctmduct i>f du Gueaclm 1 What of his death ?
•HARI,F.S V IV.i
133
M loudly complaining ." the iiriiorance of their translators, wno m;»d«
Ihem siy things which they had never thought of
2. Many original works aj»p*Mr<d during this reign. A multitu.lc!
of chronich's were composed. Froisstirt was the only historian whose,
works were at once pleasing and instructive; the best' proof of their
merit is, that, n<»t.withstanding the barbarous style in which they are
written, they are still interesting. I cannot say as much for his poe-
try, whifh was no better than that ofhis contemporaries.
':{. Chronicles and private histories in verse were much in fashion,
but ir tli( III sense, decency and truth wore all sacrificed to rhyme.
The art (»f making verses was deemed so diflTicult, that whoever pos-
sessed it was looked up<»n as a conjurer, and was in no little danger
r»f being put to death.
1. 'J'he painters of the age were not much more skilful than the
p(»ets. When they painted human figures, they exerted all their
skill in preserving the driss and the form <»f the hair; they had no
iflea of giving any animation to the person oj c.o\intenance. Tliat the
irieaning (»f the painting might not l>c mistaken, a label was put into
the mouth of each figure.
b. This invention, which had its origin in some jesting advice
given by a distinguished Italian painter to a French artist, just
siiitod the genius of the French, and was seiwd upon with avidity.
Nothing was then seen but pictures by question and answer, and for
greatcr"safety the name of each person was carefully inscribed on the
figure.
(J. Some of tho.se curious performances still exist, particularly in
old tajK'stry. Water colors alone were in use at this period ; paint-
ing in oils was noj introduced till the following century. In the con-
struction of the houses of this period, neither comfort nor convenience
appears to have been consulted.
7. In m.ist of them, the light was admitted through a hole in the
wall, which was closed in barl weather by a wooden shutter, or a few
H\\v.i\H of paper, (ilass was an object of luxury, reserved for the
housf;s of the rich nobles and palaces of the king.
8. Thes*; last were buildings of great extent, but rudely built.
The furniture was as plain as the edifice. The king and all the
royal family, except the queen, sat on benches or wooden stools;
the queen had a chair adorned with red leather, silk fringe, and gilt
nails.
li. In the centre of the rofim was a large stove, around which the
family assembled in cold weather. The state apartments were dec-
orated with cloth of gold and silver, velvet, damask, cloth and tap-
estry. Glass mirrors were very scarce ; those of polished metal
were generally used.
10. Most of the officers of the king's household had apartments
in the palace. In the kitchen, besides the cooka, were fcur officer*
LXIX — 1 What did Charles do for learning ? 2. What kind of books were popular 1
4 What of the painlinea ? 6. What of the houses 7 7. What cf the wmdo^^ ? 8
What of the paiaces ? ' What of the furniture? 10. Wlial ..f the king's officen.
11. Wno were among the most important? 12. \
12
What of the king's g* ard?
134
CriAKIKJ V i:iBl
CHARLES V. - I3M.
ia6
.1.' :vl,!^,^;;;^;:;;l:' t^i;:;;: :;:;'^:::i..;7::";' r^^'T^'*'-'' *"
".".•h .•Mr,.,,,,.,! |,v ,|„,r „ns , ,. ■ ,v!?'., , " "' J''"' "'""
;."u:^:;:r::;.li';;^,:^-::,i;'r:;!;:'",^y^';;;;';;l''>;;^^
CHAI'TliK LXX.
nc E,lucalin„ of the Im.U.s of the I'mcrlnnth Cent,,, v.
I. Tm: prime mover in M ||„. irouhlis which (lisi„rl,,.,l I'.
;?•£=,:=■ i:-SS;7i£';;;:;;i'-i^;s.
life n f tl'i L I / ^*'V ''^ •'">' ""'"•'"t, pm .'.,. end to his
^.!;^^.ciL'S:^5:^-->t^;. ^ -« *-eao^^^^
'
fclormation, if we are to believe tlie accounts we have of the manner*
of the ag:o.
0. The noblest and fairest ladies, we are told, would ride about the
rountry in the dress of ukmi, of various and stranjre fashion; they
would crowd to tlu^ tournaments dressed in party-colonul robes, with
short hoods, and chains bound round their heads like cords, wearing
^rirdles of silver Mud ji^<dd, and across their br(!asts small knives, which
they called datjaers. In this •ruisc; thtiy rode upon charir«-rs, or other
lar^^e horses, rivishm^^ their wealth on jesters and bulfoons.
7. They attended tin- church rejrularly, not f(»r purposes of
devoti(Jn, but to jrossip with the youu}? men, who came with iheii
hawks and their hounds, to show ihiur fine coats. So daufierous was
the example thus set to yomiijer ladies, that a fjood and noble knifrht
thouirht it necessary to write a treatise, jjivinjr advice to his dauph-
lers, which was afterwards printed.
H. lie tells us that he was sittinj,' in his garden in April, 1371
musini,^ on the virtues of his wife, whose «;arly death had left bun to
a lon«r^wi(h»who(»d (»f sorrow, when his reverie? was interrupted by the
appnach of his thre(? dau;,'ht«Ts. This led him to think of the condi-
tion of women in society, and he n^solve<l to write; a treatise, to
enforce the practice of such virtues as slumld secure to them purity
and happiness.
IJ. These «rirls luul Imhmi brou|fhl up in a monastery, and had been
well instructed in all ladylik»; accomplishments. Th«7 had been
taught uee.ll(!Work, couf(;etionary, church uuisic, and surtrcry. The
practice of this last was one of "the i)rincipal and ino.st important of
female duties, in an ajre wberi the m(!n of the family were so con-
stantly exposed to dan<,M!r in the tournament and battle.
U). Th(! ^rood kuijrht «»ri<,Mnally had some doubts about allowing
his (lau<rhters to learn to read ; for he had observed that those who
possessed that accomj.lishmeut, {renerally wasted their time over book*
that speak of love-fables, and such worldly vanities, instead of im-
proving themselves by readinji bool* of wisdom and science.
11. However, that th(;y mifrht be able to read their Bibles and
prayer-books, he had at last consented, liut a« to writing, he thought
it best they should know nothing of th«! perilous art.
12. Uo then enforces tin; duties of cleanliness, and tells them thai
as a knijxht wiuneth honor imd «'stecm by great pain and labor, and
putUJth his body in Influent peril to gain a go<xl name — so a good
woman should ptil herself to great trouble to keep her person neat
and her mind pure.
9. VVUl <.l III.; «!.'ii(aiu'i. df llie kiiiglil'a daughters? 10 What did he perniU t
'e«r 1 ? 12 VVlial diHics dix^a he point out ?
U
km
CHARLES v. — 1384.
f
CHARLES VL-13ao.
CHAPTER LXXI.
Mare about the Indies of the Fourteenth Ce .tu^y.
whom h. holds up as a Tatterrfor h^H fE!"' '"' ^'^"'^^f'^^^d, and
certainly could nof havo CraZtter "^ ' "' ""'^"^^'^ ' '"^"^ ^^
2. Althoufrh she rose from her hod of sf aw „4 • » i
her to cover with haircloth, three times during '.h-\''''" ^^'y ^^^
«n^ down, returned thanks to CUui 1?? '^''"^'"f^^^^^ "'ff^t, and kneel-
yet this watchruh.es Hi not prevent K '" '''■ '^'"'^^^*''^" -"^«'
morninir. prevent her from rism^ earlv in the
tins, she walk-...l in her^arde '2i 'wrTvT'''^ '''''^"'- ^'"'^^
past eleven. Alter tinf «l7,, , . . """<"^^' ,^^'"<^h "as now at half
l^st she had in the hlusl' ""*-''' "'" '"'^' ""^'"S «i.h her the
And if sh/knew of an7«,or^r^,,t';;' ' " *■"? '" "'" ''""' =""i ^i<=k-
she would ad<,r„ her wAhTer fw' ' j^ 1"! i; '.? "?? '" ^ --ried.
woman was to he huried she wn„ 1 .?, u '. ""> P"'"' &«"'«-
occasions. ' " """''' '"'•"'^'' "'« t'-rdies used on such
if ft wts^^LTfot'dTv' wr'"f l''^y^'«',^''« """I'l Lave her supper
per the steward was called ^"'£,1,^^; I, l"!. «'-"'^^-. . After sup-'
for the ne.\t day ' '"" "''■" provision to make
^fti.e'a'^;r/;nHen';r'^Tt;e'\v" ' 'l^f'^T ""^ -I--"""'
week, and was very reChr in nM. '',''■"'>' "''" ''''«'«<' 'hrice a
was walking one daVk n!eht sie ft 1 into 'fT'" t"'"''' ='"'' =^ ^^e
tallins praved for help * '''"''I' *«"' =""1 as she was
JerI^rL^'':„rsLtL^ r^ Hard
r^o;?e'r:ftL"n:^"dalt ^: r '" '? ii" '^ wt„"
well, and took her cmt ^ ^ ' ''''^'' '^*^-^ ^eard her in the
pomts^^lt^^rXm tejl^T ^^1 '^^-« ^''-- - -me othe,
that they shoul in " /. rtnn? ^J'^ t'^^ '^^'^ "'-^'^^ ^"^ «hort
•viththe^ food Wlenfc^^^ ^"^ ^^-^'^ 'i"^-er,
to look in at people's window. V tv u '^''^'''^^ ^'^^-^ "^"^^ "«t stoj.
nor becoming^ ^ windows, foi this, he says, is neither agreeable
Jl^heiAhe^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^j, ^
la"!
^, 7. What story doe* •»»
I
uncij into the room, but stop at the entrance, and announce then
joming by a little cough ; and he winds up by recommendin<r to the
ladies to abstain from stealing and from telling lies. "^
10. Now as this is all to be found in a poem written for the in-
struction ot those who could read, and as this accomplishment waa
confined to the higher ranks, we must take it for granted that the
manners of the noble ladies were such as to require this counsel.
CHAPTER LXXIl.
Charles F/., surnamed the Well-beloved
Charles VL, 1380 to 1422.
1. We left Charles the Wise suffering a lingering death from the
efff^cts of poison. Having made every provision for the safety of his
children and of his kingdom, which prudence could suggest, he
awaited with piety and resignation his final hour. He expired on
the 16th September, 1380, having lived forty-four years, and reigned
sixteen.
2. The kicked King of Navarre survived his victim several years;
but his death shows that there is a retribution even in this world!
To keep himself alive, he had long been obliged to wear cloths
steeped in spirits around his body. An attendant had been sewing
these on, and instead of cutting off the thread when he had finished,
he applied the lamp to burn it off.
3. The whole of the highly inflammable coverii.c of the king was
at once in a blaze, and being unable to rid himself "^of it, he perished
»n the most exquisite torments. By some his death was attributed to
the carelessness of the attendant, but the better informed charged it
to his treachery.
4. Charles VI. , called also ''the Well-beloved,'' was only thir.
teen years old at the time of his father's death. He was impetuous.
y
LXXIL --L When did Charles the Wise die? 2.3. What of the death of Charles a«
12*
im
CHAKLES v.-ir*54.
ir
CHAPTER l.XXl
Mme about the Udies of the Fou.'teenlh Ce itu-y.
who,,, l„. I,„|,|s „,, . , S.m't I '';;.''' fP"'" '"> <-'"l'"""Hl, an.!
cer,,.i„|v ,■,,,,1,1 „„! |,,v,. i;,,,,,,"!. 1!, „, ',^ "'^^''' '" '"'"'"■ • ^""1 '■<=
-*• '^'fli'Hij^^h she rose from her l)-.rl nf «. . i. .
her to cover with hairH.„h thr e , ,, ■ V '' .' •'' ''"'' ^'^'^'^ ^^^
•n-.loun, return..! th:M.ks to , | ^^n ''"'^^^^ ■""' '^"•^'^'I-
yt tins watehfu|,.e.s < ,,1 ,1' T^^' ^"'' ^''^. ^ ''"■''^"="' -'"J^,
nuuMinir. ""^ J*'^'^^^^"^ 'i«'r from risin^r e.irlv in the
past cli.v,.,,. \r„.r ,l,-„" Jl. "","',''','""•''■' "'"'•'' »^is ""»■ at l,alf
Tor the next day ' '"''' ''''■■'' provisi,,,, to make
«e,'k,a,„l was very re,-„ • r i , .iT i ',''"'-'' "'"' '^'""•'l ""-ieo a
>v;is walki,,,. „„o dark nl, ,, ch i- , ''' "'^l':"""^ <^">'<'». a„,l as she
«nLpi,^''::i':Ll^;:;;:-^;':,|;;:;;t:--ii '-de ha.d
well, a„,l ,„„k |„.r Z" ■ '" ^"^ '"'"''' 'h^y h™r<l her i„ the
p»";u.^''ne';",rTiu:,;"\ti'Th.:v"r "r; 'r''"' i"'"--^ "" -•- -i"-
thal they sl„,„ld „,, ',,',, t'a' .}?''' """, "i'''^ '■"• ^1'""
vith their i;„„|. Who, t ,. vn ''''-'I'l''- ""' 'l-'"l> 'iK'ir li„rj,.r,
■o look i„ at ,. le-s i ,,l ,„V, ,v 'u ="■"■'■' "l"^^' ■""^' "'" '"'I'
nor beeon>i„jr. ' """■""•S '"■ 'his, he says, is neither agreeable
-!:T^'!!L!iYJ*!!i^i^'JI;^y^^lHl<i not bo„„ce an a
CHARLKS VI.-I3ao.
13';
lificij into the room, but stop at the entrance, and announce then
Joining by a little coujrh ; and he winds up by reeommendino- to the
ladies to abstain from stealing and from teliincr lies. *
10. Now as this is all to be found in a poem written for the in-
struction of those who could read, and as this accomplishment was
conhiR'd to the hicrher ranks, we must take it for ^^ranted that the
manners ol the noble ladies were such as to require this counsel.
CHAPTER LXXll.
C/iarles F/., suriiamed the Well-Moved
Charles VI., 13S0 to 1122.
1. We left r.harlos the Wise sufTerin? a liufrerinjr death from the
effects of poison. Ilavinfr made every provisi(»ii for the safety of his
children and of his kinirdom, which prudence could sug<rest, he
awaited with piety and resignation his final hour. He expired on
the IGth September, 1380, havinjT lived forty-four years, and reigned
sixteen.
2. The wicked King of Navarre survived his victim several years;
but his death shows that there is a retribution even in this world!
To keep himself alive, he had long been obliged to wear cloths
steeped in s})irits around his body. An attendant had been sewing
these on, and instead of cutting off the thread when he had finished,
he applied the lamp to burn it off.
3. The whole of the highly inflammable coverii.r of the king was
at once in a blaze, and being unable to rid himself Of it, be [)erished
»n the most exquisite torments. By some his death was attributed to
the carelessness of the attendant, but the better informed charged it
to his treachery.
4. Charles VI., called also "Me WeU-behvrd;' was only thiTw
teen years old at the time of his father's death. He was impetuous.
il
LXXII.--1.
When did Charles the Wise die?
12*
2. 3. What of the death 3f Charles Vtm
i
IIB
CHARLES VI. — IAjo.
CHARLES VI. -138.-).
IJ9
but iKj^ssed many good qualities ; lie was affectionate And obliLNne
and never forgot a kindness, nor broke a promise which he had made
lie liad a remarkable facility in remembering the face of any person
whom he had once seen, and he was noted, among other things foi
his great personal strength, as he could easilv bend a horse-shoe with
his hands.
5. Had his good (pialities been properly cultivated, and his reasor
been spared to him, his reign, instead of being the most disastrous ii
l^rench history, might have been one of the most happy. Hut his
uncles, alter his father's death, wholly neglected his education, and
encouraged hiin to engajre in frivolous amusements, that he micrht no*
interfere with their ambitious schemes. "
6. The Duke of Anjou had been appointed to act as regent durino
the minority ot the king; and his first act was to seize upon, and to
appropriate to his own use, the whole of the immense treasures which
the economy of the late king had accumulated.
7. Unhappily for France, the regent had interests of his owr
which were adverse to those of his country. Joanna, Queen of
JNaples in her own right, a woman whose name has come down to us
loaded with infamy, and who was distinguished in her own affe for
her superiority in every kind of vice, having taken offence at the true
heir, Jjcqueathed her possessions to the Duke of Anjou.
8 fhe duke, flattered with the prospect of a kingdom of his own
paid little attention to the interests ut' that country of which he wjui
only regent Assembling an army, he marched into Italy, where the
most fata disasters befell him. His army was destroyed,'his ba.rirHjre
ost, and he was reduced to poverty and distress. Of'uH the i.nmense
treasures which he had brought from France, (.nly one small silver
cup remained ; and death soon put a period to his sufferings
CHAPTER LXXHI.
About Mysteries ami Moralities. ^
1. In 1385 Charles married Isabella of Bavaria, a princess ol
great beauty but of depraved manners. She br-^ught much misery
not only to her husband, but to the kingdom. This marriacre was
celebrated with great splendor, and a play was acted upon *h? occa-
sion. Hut this had very little resemblance to the exhibitions that are
now ti) be seen at the theatre.
2. The plays of those days were called Mysteries and Moralities
and were introduced by the pilgrims who returned from the Holy
l^and. 1 hey usually represented some sacred subject, and each
company confined itself to a con.«*tant repetition of the same exhibi.
W^ap.m,ted resent/ ^ What did the rogol do? ^. What k-cam. <!} h n i ^'
l^XMll. ~ 1. Whom did Charles marry ? What «.f the dueen 1 % What of Mvstene*
iorj. The mystery exhibited before the king and queen was called
* The History of the Death of our Saviour."
3 The performers were all monks, and the play lasted eight days
JThtre were eighty-seven characters in it, and the principal speakei
vas St. John. The actors did not confine themselves to this earth,
but ascended into Paradise, which was represented by the highest of
several scaffolds erected upon the stage, and when the scene lay nearer
the earth, tliey descended to lower scaffolds.
4. The actors were placed on benches in front, from which they
walked on to the stage, whenever their parts required their appear-
ance. These plays attracted vast crowds, and the provost of Paris,
an officer corresponding with our mayor, w ho entertained juster views
of the respect due to holy things, interfered, and issued a law forbid
ding their performance.
5. The monks appealed to the king, and he was himself so much
pleased with the representation at which he had been present, that he
took them under his protection, and gave them a charter as a com-
pany, by the name of " The Master, Governors, and Fraternity of
he Passion and Resurrection of our Lord."
6. Thus sanctioned by the king, the rage for plays became so
great, that the priests were obliged to begin divine service at an
earlier hour on Sunday, that their parishioners might be enabled to
attend both the church and the theatre. But the exhibitions were
not long confined to the monks, nor to the representation of sacretl
subjects.
7. Some young nobles formed themselves into a company to repre-
sent the follies and al)surdities of the times. Their leader was callec*
the Prince of Fools, and he wore by way of crown, a hood with ass's
ears, and once a year he made an emry into Paris, followed by a!
his subjects.
8. The play which they performed was called "T//e Eorhihition of
Folly.''' The citizens and the court were equally delighted with their
exhibitions, and the king chartered the "Joyous Institution," which
quite supplanted the brotherhood of the Passion in public favor.
9. Perhaps one reason of the great popularity of the Exhibition o?
Folly was its being gratuitous, while the monks charged so exor
bitant a price for admission to their performances, that parliament
mterfered and reduced it.
and Moralities? 3. Who were the performers? 4. What of the wuccess of the plays f
5. Who protected the actors ' W^hat name did tiiey lake .' 7. Whil n*^ * com any w«i
formed i 6. What of the new company ?
II
14b
CHARLES VI — 1389.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
Singular Preparation for the Inrasion of England Mela,.
choly Story of Charles the wiiullorlt '^''"*
pentleman who prepared f„r "is exnX """^ '"""'"''• '•''■«fv
atlendant styled 'a ;!<VW, ^r, ^ „St ' 2 ""' fj'"'"'"'' "'"' »"
ness ,t was t.. pilla^ f„r his ^^stcVs benefit ' " ™'"''''' "'"'^^ •'"^'■
whiih cruiA"!:' ule:i'LS':„7r„.r t™""^. ^^"""^ -«"«,
putes at e,.,.r, delayed ho expedii " X k" ''^'""- «'" "'« '^'^^
meneed.when .„a„y ef the v-^Ee t Ir^ the stormy season com-
wo,Hiencasllo drilled into the rifer-iv!:!,*"'f^«''' '"«' 'h" fan.ous
to the Knglish sailors. ""''' ""'' '""'ame an easy prey
.jnd\hllfa?;';;'/r;..:-::n,r.'::!e:': "r'-" <'^"''^'- - "«^
He revoked several unjust ^ZZul^ *^ '• '"""""' ''"" "'^ fi'f're.
'mposed durin,, ,he rcCt.cv iicc eT 1^."*''" ""^ n ^'"<^'' ''••") '"--™
"•ery .lesire to rule witl, .iust'i™ a^l' uiX,™""'^''""-' •■""' ^'-«ed
^ke .;^"t:r^;:2ar "iri-ii^ir 'li^:;r tt" '"^"-'' - "
^-Iciaud left Paris to j„i„ |" "' 'i- ,'I " 7'' '"'"'•""Ps to asseti
tl.rown l,i,n ,„„. a fever " ,, I 1' .,„ \ ""l'';""^'»--« "f l"s spirit had
march into DretaTne ' '^ ■"•'■'"'^nts begged hi,„ to defer his
-etd^::td\ll,:;rK.:,:;:;:;.::/td' "^^ r •""■ »- ^p--
the weather, for it was \ulZl Z ,1 ' '"""•■'''standing ,he heat of
his armor. Itnd increased h,;,,fi,rV' ''"•■'''"'■''''''* *'-'™' "-«'
with pearle over a hood of scarlet clolh^ ^ "'"""^ " •"" ''<''«"«<^<'
had jutt^m^rrrlhrfortT'ff Ma„™th?n"' Jh"", ^"'^ ''«^"''='"'«' ="«)
figure, clad in a white r, he with t^aked fret"'^" '="" ''">'' S''"^"^'
sprang from between two trees n„d /■,"""', ""''">■<=■•«<' hearf,
" King, a,lvanee no further' v™ ?i TI^'"" ]'f ''"'"« •''"■laimed
as suddenly disappeared * "" hetrayed;- The figure ther
a-^n'q^itizfC'reCreZ^ s"-!:;'';'"';'-" "'"■;' ""-^ ••"'-•"-.
the scorching r"ays was alt^os '„;', ;;;^1 1^''-"'"' "''ere the heat of
ollow.ng the king, one of whon. carried h i ''■"" "v"" '"'" P^S'^^
___^1^';;^;^;;;;^^^^'^^ as it were, from a lethargy,
« VXrv - ,. What prepmtion ,a. mad. against Ersl,«J
? 3 What is said rf th*
1
CH.4K1.KS VI. -i:«o
141
imagined the prediction of the apparition was on \\c. point of beinu
a.tcomplislied. Seized with a sudden frenzy, he drew his sword and
rushed madly upon his attendants, who all fled at his approach. At
l^^st, his sword l,(Mu- broken, one of his servants sprung up behind
him, and held him tightly, while the others tied him with cords
J. lie was laid on a cart, and in tliis manner carried back to Mans
It was many months before he recovered his senses ; and a frirrhtful
accident brought on a return of the disorder. At the marriage of
one o the queen s attendants, the king and five young nobremen
agreed to appear in the character of savages. Their dresses were
made of coarse cloth covered with flax, which was listened on with
pitch.
10. On account of the inflammable nature of this dress, orders had
been given that the flambeau-bearers (for in those days there were no
chandeliers or other fixed lamps) should stand close to the wall ; but
the Duke ot Orleans, ignorant of the order, and not thinking of
the consequences, took a torch from one of the bearers, and hofding
It close to the dress of one of the savages, that he might find out who
he was, set fire to the flax.
11. Five of the savages were instantly in flames. The sixth, who
was the king, was standing at a little distance, talking to his sister-
in- avv. t5he had the presence of mind to wrap him in her mantle,
and thus saved his life. The king was conveyed directlv to bed, but
tr« agitation prevented him from sleeping.
VZ. At last he fell into a doze, from which he was soon roused by
he v-oices of tlie peoph-, who, having heard of the accident, had col-
lected around the palace, and would not be satisfied until they had
«een the king. He was therefore obliged to dress, and parade about
the streets, to pacify them. All this brought on a return of his da
Iirium.
13. From tiiistime,for thirty years, he had his reason but for short
intervals, and these only made him feel more keenly the misery of his
situation. The queen abandoned him and her children to the care
of servants, and, using all the revenues of the crown for her own
■imusemenls, left them destitute of the absolute necessaries of life.
14. The king, in one of his lucid moments, being told of the de^
iJorable situation of his children, sent lor their governor, who con-
fessed with tears that they had neither food nor clothes. " Alas ' '
eaid the monarch, " I can believe it, for Jane no better tieatcd mv
Belf." '
kins? I, 5 6, 7, S. Relate the iianiculars of the kiiis's loss of reason. 10 II I
^ hat ?^oueK r \ a return of his disonier ? 1 3. Ht.w was he treated by the iroen ) '
10
i
i
I
14!:^
CHAIiLFlS VI - 1415.
CHAPTER LXXV.
(ia^'U of Agincourt. — The Ga?ne of Cards introdiiced
Meaning of the Figures on t le Cards.
Batth oj Agincourt.
1. For a lonjT pc^riod the kiiias of KiinrlaiiH had too much to trouole
\\\e\\\ at homn to tiiid time totrouhle other countries. But Henry V.,
Iiavinf? estahlished peace at home, was able to carry on war abroad.'
With no other pretext tlian the ahnost forgotten chiiiii of Edward III.
to the crown of France, he invaded that country with an army.
2. The oriflamme was unfurled, and the French army assembled ;
but the jealousies of the nobles delayed its march. Henry was per-
mitted to ravage the country without op[)osition. At length the
French army was put in motion, and overlook the enemy near Agin-
court.
3. On the twenty-sixth of October, 1115, the French experienced a
still more disastrous defeat than tliat of Cressv or of Poictiers. They
were four times more numerous than the English ; but these very
numbers were one cause of their defeat.
4. Through the want of skill in their general, thev were drawn up
on a piece of ground so small that they could not use their arms, and
8t> niarshy and \\o\ that the footmen sunk to their knees al every step.
But sickness destroyed fjreal numbers of the Encrlish, and, fjndino
his army toi weak to lake advantage of his victory, Henry returned
to England.
LXXV— .3. 4 What -"f the haule of Agincourt ' A. I.'har of rht- sncces? of Henri
^
CHAKLl-S VI.-- 14'22
14:^
5. He fanded a second lime in France, and made nimself ii.ast(*r of
fill Normandy before the factious nobles of France seemed to be aware
of his presence. Opposition by Ibrce was now too late, and, after
several conferences, Henry was acknowledged as the regent ol' the
■cingdom, and as the successor to the crown ; and the unconscious
rJharles was made to sancticMi these proceedings.
6. The dauphin retired U> Poictiers with a few friends. Henry
and his son, (afterwards Henry VI. of England) were i)oth crowned
at Paris, and acknowledged as the future sovereigns of France.
Henry V. died at Vincennes soon after this event, leaving the Duke
of Bedford regent of France.
7. Charles ended his unhappy life October 21st, 1422. He lived
fifty-five y«ars, and reigned forty-two years, thirty of which were
passed in a stale of almost constant insanity. To amuse him in his
lucid intervals, the game of cards was introduced into France.
8. They were painted in gold and divers colors. It was a renewal
of an ancient amusement, and in less than four years, the rage for
card-playing became so great that the provost of Paris tbrbade their
use. But as the court paid no attention to the law, of course the
common people disregarded it.
9. It is a very singular fact that no change has been made in the
form or figures on the cards, since the time of Charles VI. Those
wiiich are now played with res<Mnble in all respects those which were
used to amuse that monarch, and a very just idea ol ilie dress of that
period may be obtained from them.
10. The figures had a distinct meaning. By the hearts were
meant the churchmen, from the French word cmir^ meaning heart,
iud these cards are called ^^ grns de chceur,'" or choirmen. By the
Bpades, which are in fact pike-heads, are meant the nobles or mili
tary.
11. By the square stones, or tiles, which we call diamonds, but
which the Frencli call rarnauT, was intended the class of workmen ;
and, lastly, the suit which we call clubs, but which is in fact a leaf of
clover or trefi»il, was meant to represent the peasantry.
12. Queen Isabella was treated by the English with the contempt
and nejrk'c't that she deserved. She hated her son, the dauphin, on
account of his virtues, and at last died of vexation at st^eing him suc-
cess tiil.
13. A monument was erected over her, in which, instead of a dog
which it was customary to place al the feel of ladies in the monuments
ol those times, the sculptor substituted the figure of a wolf, as an em-
hleii of her cruel anr' rapacious disposition.
Willi tliil Charles do? G. What of the dauphin? Wlio was the Enirlish regent ol
Kt.M,. -•? /. When did Charles die? What atnusement had he? 10. II. Wliat la aald
••I t w Cgure-s on ca: Is ? 12. What of Isate'ia ? 13. What of her m«.nmwnt I
r
Ut>
'•llMH.h> \l 1415.
CHAPTER LXXV.
(la^'U of A^'i/icofn-t. -- The Game of Cards introduced
Meaning of the Fignrcs on t le Cards.
Battle of Aginronrt.
I. For :i loiiir pn-iod tlu> kiiios of KnirliuKi had too nmoli to trouole
them at home to liiul time to trouble other eoiiiitries. Hut Henry V.,
havinnr (>stal)lisliO(l peace at lioiiie, was al)le to eiirry <m war abroad.
With no other pretext tlian the almost forcrotten elaim of Ivlward 111.
to the erown of Fraiiee, he invade»i that rouutrv with an army.
'J. The orif/wimr was unfurled, and the Freneli :irmv assembled ;
hut the jealousies of the imbles delayed its march. Henry was per-
initlt'd to ravage the country without opp<»siti«Mi. At lenirth the
French army w;is put in motion, anil overto(di the enemy near A<?in-
court.
3. On the twenty-sixth of Octi.bn, I li:., jJio Freneh experienced a
still more disastrous defeat than that of ( 'ressv or of Poictiers. Thev
were tour times more numerous than the Fu<:lish ; but these very
mimbers were one cause of iheir defV-at.
4. Thnuin-h the want of skill in their jicneral. thev were drawn up
on a piece of rrreund so sm.ill tint they could nnt ust tbnr arms, and
so marshy nnd wei th;it the toutmrn siink to their knees ;il every step.
Hut sickness destroyed irreiit numbers of the Enijlish. and, fhidino
his army toi weak to take advantaiie of his victory, Henry returned
to England.
L.^V — :?. t What ^ftho »iattl.> .if Aginronrt •' r, ):\,.v cf fh.- siirrc^y nf Henn
■^^4 45
CHAK[.I> \I - 14^2
I4:i
5. H( (anded a second time in France, and made nimself ii.ast<>r of
nil Normandy betore the tactions nobles of PVance seemed to be aware
of liis presence. Oppositicm by fon*e was now too late, and, alter
several conferences, Henrv wus acknowledued as the reffeni of the
<iii^ulom, and as the successor ;-> the crown ; and the unconsi'ioug
Jharles was made to sancticMi these procetMlinjjs.
<>. The dauphin retired io Poictiers with a few friends. Henry
iud Ins S(tn. (:ilt<rwards Henry W. ot' I'aii^land) were both crowned
at Paris, and aeknowledn-cd as the l\ilure sovereit2:ns of France.
Henry V. died at \ incennes soon tifter this event, leaving the Huke
of IJt'dlord regent of FraiHV.
7. Ch:irles eiuh.'d his uidiai)py life Octi>l>cr t21st, 14*2'2. He lived
fifty-tive years, and reigned forty-two years, thirty of which were
l)a.ssed in a stat(> of almo.st constant insanity. To auuise him in his
lucid intervals, the game of cards was introduced into France.
H. They were painted in gold and divers colors. It was a renewal
of an ancient amtisement, and in less than four years, the rage for
c:ird-playiiig became so fjreat that the provost of Paris torbade their
use. Hut as the court j)aid no attention to the law, of course the
conuuon peo[)le disreganled it.
'.>. It is a very sinj^uhir fact that no change has been made in the
form or figures on the cards, since the time of Charles VI. Those
which are now played with resemble in all respect:* those which were
used to amuse that monarch, and a very just idea ot itie dress of that
period inny h<! olttained from them.
10. The lijjures had a distinct meaning. Hy the hearts were
meant tin- churchmfn, from the French word n£ur, meaning heart,
111(1 these cards are called " i,*-///.? ^/cj rAav/r," or choirmen. Hy the
fcl)ades, which are in fact pike-heads, are tiieant the nobles or mill
tar v.
11. Jiy the s(piare stones, or tiles, which \\v call diamonds, hut
which the Prcncli call rarnaitr, was intcMided the class of workmen;
and, lastly, the suit which we call clubs, but which is in fact a leaf of
clover or trefoil, was meant to represent the pea.santry.
I"-'. Quecti Isabella was treated by the English with the contempt
;ni(l nenlcft that she deservetl. She hated her son, the dauphin, on
account of his virtues, and at last died of vexation at se(Mng him suc-
cesstnl.
l.'i. A monument was erected over her, in which, instead of a dog
which it was customary to place at the feet of ladies in the monument*
of tho.s(' times, the sculptm- substitutcul the figure of a wolf, as an em-
hlfii of her cruel an^' rapacious disposition.
Jiitt <li.l rii.irl.'s (I..? r.. What of tho .luiphin ? Wlio was the Endish regent of
KJ;»),. i;' 7. Wli.-ii ili.iCliarles.lie? What ainiisf«mpiiHia.t tie? 10.11. What i* Mid
.•f t w r.ij.inM <.„ car 1>! .' 12. What of Isalw-'ia ? 13. Whal of !»er tnonuiiQut ?
144
CHARLES VII. — 1428.
CHAPTER LXXVI.
CHAKI.hs Vri— 1429.
145
Charles VII. j surnamed the Victorious. — The Maid of Ut'
leans.
Charles VII., 1422 to 1461.
1. Thk dauphin, now Charles VII., was at once proclaimed by the
princes and nobles who formed his little court. He was about twenty
years old, possessed of excellent abilities and a good heart, but he
commonly suffered indolence and a love of pleasure to stifle all his
better qualities.
2. His countrymen have given him the pompous title of " the Vic-
torious^^^ because in his time the English were driven out of France ;
but I think another surname, sometimes given to him, of " the Well
Served,'' is more appropriate, for he was rather a spectator than an
actor in the deliverance of his country.
3. Rheims was in possession of the English ; he was therefore
crowned at Poictiers. He was so poor that he had little but prom-
ises to bestow upon his followers ; but his affability and kindness
served him instead of wealth, and procured him many faithful and
zealous friends.
4. But agreeable maimers could no* entirely supply the place of
money ; for, being in want of a pair of boots, he was obliged to go
without them, the shoemaker refusins^ to let him have them until they
were paid for. Of all France nothing now remained to him but the
3ity of Orleans ; and in 14*JS the English forces laid siege to that.
5. At the approach of LmiI, which you know is a season of fasting
with some sects of Christians, during which they eat no meat, a large
supply of salted herrinijs was sent to the English, guarded by a strong
force. The French sallied out of the town to attack the escort, but
«vere driven back with great loss. This was called the " Bottle of
the Herrings,'''' and the loss of it reduced the French almost to de-
spair.
•
LXXVl. — 1. Who siiicceftded to ihe French throne '' 2. What is Charles sumamed 1
8. X^here was he crownei' t Why i What of h\^ manners? 5. What of the battle of
o The king now considered the loss of Orleans as certain an«l
*'as about to retire from the country, when his fortunes weJe unex
pecu^dly retrieved by one of the most singular occurrences in history
UtB was the appearance of Joan of Arcfcalled also the Maid of Or"
7. This girl was the daughter of poor peasants, who lived at Dom-
remy near th. banks of the river Meuse.' From her inS she S
been tauirht to look upon the English with abhorrence oraccoimt of
he desolat.<,n they had spread through the country ,''fbr war in\ts
dreadful ravages, does not spare even the humble cot/age of thi pe^
8. These scenes of desolation made a deep impression on her mind
th m bvXlt' T;'r"\'"P" «^--ersalmn,^.nd she r^n^d of
them by night. IJetore she was thirteen years old she fancied she
saw visions and conversed with angels frou; heaven, who asst'red her
as she said, that she was the appointed delivere of h^r " urn rv
►Such assertions will always find believers ind hf^rf-Zf ^'""try
bors looked upon her as really inspired ' ^'"^''^^ '"^ "''^''
cart o^-l'hn''?"''""'''^' '!"^^'«^;^^' ^« serve at a small inn, where she took
care ot he horses and performed other labor, which in our countrv
10. Thus things went on till she was seventeen vears nU .vho„
she went to the king, and offered to deliver OrleSromH..F ^T
an,l then to conduct him to Rheims to be cn.w^^^^^
cotirtiers thought her crazy, and demand from er, mfr^'e it
rei>ly was, that she would soon exhibit one at OrleaL " '
CHAPTER LXXVII.
More uhmit the Maid of Orleans.
ml; ^^"l'"'-''^' ^'}'»«'' H?^"se he could lose nothinj? by the exner..
nent, or because he really believed that she spoke by dfvine -nitC
Uy, granted her request to be furnished with armor,' am u! l^ tm
w h an escort of troops to Orleans. She was theref .re arrav^l i^ ,
ull suit of arm<,r and mounted upon a charger. I„ lu'r h^d w "s a
l)anner, sent, as she said, from heaven. ^
i-. Her fame had n-one befm-p Ui^r- 'V\.,^ \? i- i • ••
-ized with a dread a^d h;rr:r':f fi'^hln..' '^ainffiv:n'''"sh;.:i:d
■X. I..-. M,„v ,li,ni,oki„5 .r™. V?. 2. What .(Tec. „a, ..n.!,,™! „„ th. K-..
144
CHAKLKS VII. — I42S.
CHAPTER LXXVI.
CH.-iHI.f^ Vff - M-:>().
145
Charles VII., surnamed the Victorious. — The Maid of Or-
leans.
Charles VJI., 1 122 /r> 1101.
1. TiiK dauphin, now Cliarlos VII., was at once proclaimed hy ♦he
princes and nobles wlio formed Ills litth; conrt. He was abont twenty
years old, possessed of excellent abilities and a fjood heart, but he
commonly sutVered indolence and a lov«; of pleasure to stifle all his
better (lualities.
2. llis countrymen have ;j^iven him the pompous title of "/At' Vir-
torious,''^ because in his time the Enjj^lish were driven out of France ;
but I think another surname, sometimes o;iven to him, of '' thr Well
Strred," is more appropriate, tor h*.* was rather a spectator than an
actor in the deliverance of his country.
3. Rhe'ims was in possession of the Eng^lish ; he was then*fore
crowned at Poictiers. He was so poor that he had little but prom-
ises to bestow upon his followers ; hut his atfability and kindness
served him instead of wealth, and procured him many faithful and
zealous friends.
4. But atrreeable manners could no* entirely supply the place of
money; fi»r, bein«^ in want of a pair of boots, he was obliged to i^o
without them, the shoemaker refnsinL»^ to let him have them until they
wtM'e paid for. Of all Fraiiee uothinLT now remaintnl to him but the
3ity of Orleans ; and in ll'JS the Kn;_rlish forces laid sieije to that.
5. At the approach of LmU, which vou know is a season of fa.stinw
with some sects i»f f Mirisiians, duriufr which they eat no meat, a lar^e
supply of salted herrinijs was sent to the Eno^lish, guarded by a strong
force. The Frencli sallied out of the town to attack the escort, but
»vere driven back with jjreat loss. This was called the " Bottle of
the Herrings.,'^ and the loss of it reduced the French almost to d«>-
spair.
LXXVI. — 1. Who siicceRded to the Fronoh throne'' 2. What is Charles surnamed 1
8. \^here w.Ts he crowMPi' ^ Why ^ Wh.il of his manners? 5. What of iho bailie of
I
o Th.^ kn,- now considered llie loss of 0rle,„is as cernin •iiul
*as a j.„„ .„ r...,ro fr,.,„ ,l,e coumry, wl,e„ his li.rtunt^ we e ui.ex
pectedly retrieved l,y one of the must singular oeeurrenees in his ,rv
hm was the appearanee „fJoa„ of Are.-'ealled also ,i,e Ma!d oTor'
1 ' ill I o •
7. Tins ^rirj was the dauirhter of po,)r peasants, who lived at D<.m-
n-my .....r th. b:.nks ol ,h. nver Meuse.* Fron. her infa. , vie Id
heen tau,rh, ,o .,„k upon the En,Tii,l. nith abiiorrenee, on acco 1 of
he desolation tb.v had spread throu.^h the countrv ; fo war / ,.
dreadlul ravaoe«, d<>.s n<,t spare even the hun.ble cot/age of 2^^^^
><. These sr.wKs of .lr.s<,lation made ad.vp impression on her mind
uiLin in niiri.t. lJ,.jore she was thirteen years old she fancied slm
'" 1^ s ';i' r"i"'""' "V'' "'^^^^ '^""" '"•=•-"' -»- =- - 1-"
S^.eh . ' m"', '''^" ''•'' .'ippointed deliverer of her counlry
N<'h assertions will always Ihul believers, and her family and 3
hors hu.ked upon her as really inspired ' ^
ercises as most men. i^Apcri in manly e\-
10. Thus thino^s went on till she was seviniteen ve-ir^ .,U »•»
B <| u.-nt to the k.n., and oft^red to deliver ()rlea:n-^,;;t;;^
•iiid then to conduct him to Kh,>iiiis to be cnmned '" '"'^'"^.'^f;*'
riv';^''u;Lf:,''"''Tf'^""'''r'""''"'^^^^^^^^^^^
rei.ly ua.^, that she would soon exhibit one at Orleans. '
CHAPTER LXXVII.
More ahoiit thv Maid of Orh
ans.
„.,,;> '"'"''■•'• '''."'"■'• '',';'■■',"-• '"■ '•""I'l lose nothinLT hv Iho experi-
I lent, or heeause he really helieved that she s,M,k,. In- .ifvi , . Xfr
y. Srante,! her re,,„est to he fnrnisl with 'mnor; an J ti
I, an eseort ot troops to Orleans She was Iherel ,re irn v«l ma
"II suit ol armor, and mounted upon ;, ,.har"er In l,..r l,..,' i
I'^Hiin.r. s,.ni, as she said, fr |„.av,.„ " '" ''"'"' """ *
pt;i::ii::Xel;;rl,s"Lr::;:::r^;:;:i,,,::;:j;:;«li:t:^^^
ihfc Hf.'-riii"..i '
<u«; h.,u-,,M,v,:,:,,;.r,;m;r,,7;;;;'L';,:;T
II..U- ,l,,l ,l„,ki„5 ,P,„„ ,,„, 2. wiiatnirec. w.x, |,r ,,■ ,;i.e K..
Who uMs the IMaid nfC)ilf>ans J fi Q VV»..». «fi - i
t4()
CHARLES V 11. — 1429.
3 Wherever she led the attack, the enemy threw down then %r.Ti*
and fled. So many deserted from the English army, that a priylama
ion was issued in England, offering a reward for the arrest of eveif
Kldier who deserted from France " for tear of the mayde.
Juan of Arc.
4 Bui still the panic continued, and the English general lx>nl
Talbot, was obliged to raise the siege. The regent, ^^^^^\\ '^^^^ng
collected a new army, sent it, under the command ot bir John l<al-
staff, to the assistance of Talbot. The Frenrh marched agamst he
united forces, and on the eighteenth of June camo m sight ot the
^"s^'^Toan, being consulted as to the fate of the battle, answered that
the French must be careful to provide themselves with good spurs.
" How, Joan," said the French general, " will the French run awav
then^" "No," replied she, "but they will have to ride bard to
overtake tiie enemy." Nor did she prove a false prophet. I he
Knglish fled at the first onset.
0' Sir John Falstaft*, a man of tried courage, did not escape the
gener:il infection, lie set the example of flight, and lor his cow-
ardice was deprived of all the honors which a long lite ot service had
pained for him. The maid now offered to perform the secoiul part ot
her mission. The' accomplishment of it seemed to be almost beyond
belief.
7. Rheims was at a great distance, and in the hands of a power-
ful body of the enemy. The way was guarded l>y several strong
fortresses, and Charles had but a small body i>t troops. Hut the
r
I
CHARLES rn.-1429.
147
king, yielding to the importu.iity of the maid, set out on the journey.
His progress resembled a triumph.
8. The towns submitted themselves to him, and on approaching
Rheims he was met by a deputation of the citizens, who presented to
him the keys of the city. Here the consecration was performed with
the holy oil of Ciovis. The maid stood by in complete armor, with
her standard in her hand. When the ceremony was completed, she
tlirew herself at tlie feet of the king, and, with a flood of tears,
entreated to be permitted to return to private life, now that her prom-
ises had been accomplished.
9. But the king would not permit this. As a mark of his grati-
tude he ennobled her family, giving it the name of " du Lys," in
allusion to tlie /i/irs on her banner, and assigned to her a suitable
estate in land. At the same time he desired her to remain with the
army until the English were driven out of France.
CHAPTER LXXVHI.
Death of the Maid of Orleans. — Charles returns to Paris.
Dreadful Famine and Pestilence.
1. The French ofl^cers were very jealous of the fame of Joan, and
were ashamed that a woman should perform greater exploits than
themselves. In a sally from tlu; town of Compeigne she was deserted
by her companions, who lied into the town at the approach of the
enemy, and, siiutting the gates, refused to admit her.
2. She fell into the hands of the Duke of Burgundy, who sold her
to the regent Bedford, for a great sum of money. By every law of
honor and humanity, Joan should have been treated as a prisoner of
war. But Bedford chose to regard her as a sorceress and a heretic.
3. She was brought to trial on this accusation before some clergy
in the interest of Bedford. During a long trial, which lasted four
months, she behaved with the greatest firmness and dignity. She
answered all their questions with wonderful propriety. She was pro-
nounced guilty, and condemned to perpeUial imprisonment, and to be
allowed no other food than, as the sentence of the Inquisition would
express it, " the bread of pain and the water of anguish."
4. At the same time she was forbidden to j)ut^ on the dress of a
man, under pain of death. The regent thought her sentence was too
mild, and at once adoptf^d measures to secure a more severe [)unish-
ment. In the cruel hope that she would not be able to resist the
Jeinptation of dressing herself iu armor, he caused a complete suit to
be hung up in her cell.
5. Poor Joan fell into the snare Persona who had been coo
wh *)ldier3? 4 Wlml dill Bedford do? 5 What did Joan say of li.e re^^nll ..f -.he >v
T Flow wm' she'retVrdedT'""* "'"^^'"''''''"^ ^•^•'"*" ^''^^^''^ '■ 8- What (»f her :iucce*, ?
ili^mlid '^' uL »if ^ r^^. ^'"*' ''f 1'"^ ^^ •i"' ^^'^'''^ ^""'■«'-^ ' '^ W'"»^ accident l^f«ll
ille maul How waa ahe treated by t'>-s Figtish^ ,{ Whai was ..he charged withl
14«
CHAllLKS VII. — M29.
r
cHAKLKs rrr. 1429.
Ul
3 Whenever she led the attack, the (Miemy threw down then u.iui
and fled So maiiv d.sfTtcd IVonithe En<rlish army, that a proclaniH
ion was issurd in 'Kn-l:u.d, (»mrin- a reward for the arrest of ever v
H. Idler who deserted from France " for tear (.1 the mayde.
Juan of Arc.
4 Bui still the panic continued, and the En^rli^sh freneral I^nJ
Talhot, was ohli^n-d t.. raise the siecre. The recrent, H«;'ltnrd having
collected a new army, sent it, under the couuuan.l ot Sir John l^al-
statr, to the assistance of Talbot. The Fnu.-h .narchcd apainst he
united forces, and on the eighteenth of June came m siszht ot the
enemv. . , , , 1 ^\ .i.,.*
5 Joan heitK- consulKul as to the late ot the hattle, answered tliat
the French must he careful to provide themselves with ii..o«l spurs.
" How, Joan," said the French -rneral, " will tli.' French run avvav
then'" ''No," replied sh.«, '' hut they will have to rule hare to
overtake the enemy." Nor di.l she prove a false pr..i)het. 1 lie
Knc'^lish (led at the first onset.
« Sir John Falstafl", a man of tried courase, did not escape tlie
general ini;>cti(»n. He set the example of fliffht, and tor his cow-
anlice v%as (h.prive.l of all tlie h«Mmrs which a Ioul; life *.t service had
trained tor him. The maid now ollered to perf(»rm the second part ot
her mission. The accomplishment of it seemed to he almost heyoud
belief.
7. Uheims wasata areat distance, and in the han.ls ot a j.ouer-
ful hody of the enemv. The wav was jruarded hy several strong
fortresses, and Charles had hut a small body id troops, iiul the
king, vielding to the importu.iity of the maid, set out on the journey.
His profTress resembled a triunipli.
8. The towns submitted themselves to him, and on approaching
Rheims he was met by a deputation of the citizens, who j)reseiited to
him the keys of the city. Here the consecration was performed with
llie holy oil of Clovis. The maid stood by in complete armor, with
her st;ind;ird in her hand. When the ceremony was completed, she
llirew herself at the feet of the kin«r, jiiid, with a flood of tears,
entreated to be permitted to return to private life, now that her prom-
ises had been accomplished.
U. IJiit the k\i\<r would not permit this. As a mark of his grati-
tude he eijii(>l)led her family, jriving it the name of " du Lys," in
allusion to tbi; /i/irs on her banner, and a.ssigtu;d to her a suitiible
estate in land. At the same time he desired lier to remain with the
army until the Fn<rlish were driven out of France.
CHAP'J'ER LXXVHI.
Death of the Maid of Orleans. — Chirks rchiriis to Paris, --
Dreadful Famim and Vestiknce.
1. Thk French ofTicers were very jealous of the fame of Joan, and
were ashamed that a woman should perform jrn-ater exploits than
themselves. In a .sally from the town of (Jompeifjne she was deserted
by her companions, wln> tied into the town at the ajiproach of the
enemy, and, shuttinj,^ the; jjatt's, refused to admit her.
2. She fell into the hands of the I)uk(> of niirjrnndv, who scdd her
to the rcLTeiit Heclford, for a <rreat sum of money. Uy every law of
honor and humanity, Joan should have been treated as a prisoner of
war. iJut liedford chose to regard her as a sorceress and a heretic.
3. She was bnuight to trial on this accusation before some clergy
in the interest of liedtord. During a long trial, which lasted four
months, she behaved with the greatest lirnmess and dignity. She
answered all their questions with wondi'itul propriety. She was pro-
nounced guilty, and condemned to perpetual imprisfinmeut, and to be
allowed no other tood than, as tlu' sentence of the Intpiisition would
exi)ress it, "the bread of pain and tlie water of aiiLniish.''
4. At the same time slie was forbidden t(» put on the dress of a
man, under pain of death. The regent thought her st'iitence was too
mild, and at once adopted measures to secun? a more severe; j)unish-
ment. Jn the cruel hope that sin; would not be able to resist the
temptation of dressing herself in armor, he caused a complete suit to
be bnnir np in her cell.
5. Poor Joan fell into the snare Persoiks who had been cod
idli sc.ldier^i? 4 VVlul ili>l Bedford do ? 5 What did J-.an ^-hv ..t ti.e rt-nlt uf he '»#»
lit!' 7 Wl.ai iiuile the second iiiiderUikiii!,'uf Joan diiliciill' 3
^ Mow was hhe rewarded ?
.hi* m^^H "^ u '■ ^^''^^ ^^^ ''"•' '"''*'''"- "•" ^''^' Vr^^^ih oHi.ers 1 '> What accident 1
«lus .n.*,.l How waa .he treated hy f., F.gliah'? ^ Wha wa- «he charged w
What of her auccess ?
2 What accident ix-'fell
■ ithl
14S
CHAKLES VII 1440.
C. The sentence was executed m the market jwa ^^^^^ ,,^.^^
Z^ ^£. Si^'f^^^nL-:^^^.. 1S.^nX.;; ana t„e. .,
after an„ther sub.uittcd to 1^"'S < i' J^^- ^^ .'^„X^;4th, 1437, he
first to throw ope,. Us Kal.s to 1»" ;•""'' ^.^^'i "e„eo of seventeen
made his ,.ul,lic .nlry .nto '''?71'^; ' ' "^.^Verect a statnc to the
years. One of the hrst acts ot the i i'" '^'^ ^.-'^ 'V ^^^T ■^^ ,,^3 continued
Maid of Orleans on the spot where she died, where
to the present day. ,•„,„;„„ i„ France, followed by a
8. In 14:18 there was a great »■"""- L^,™"^",' p^js, that the
dreadfnl pestilence. So g'^^atw.js the mortal tv / ^ ,,„,
wolves rnau.'d about the nearly -''■•'•'-'^^„.f'^\'[,;"Usent, Uedford.
carried olV belore the eyes "^ ''j^jf^.^Wh In afhori time the
died of vexation at the success ol the t rench. 1
Knglish possessed no territory m i rauce but tne ciiy o
CHAPTER LXXIX.
WMed Cmdvct of the Dauphin, and mAappy DeathJ Charts
the ViclarmiS. - Singidar Fashiwis m Dress.
hiuis XI, I II'>1 '" "8^-
. . ■ . m n .r„n,. WIS Krreed on between the KuRlish and Krench.
1. In l^l"^'"'"^Vfi .'nrU.ms cousin to the kina, who had
'" ""' ^""^ -rin Fulhnd : e?sin "iheSe of .^Kincn.rt, found
•--ii, Lr'S^[;r;i"?cl'!irI:r««e.n France a,Kn,.a„.. ^ 2. What ..
LOUfS XI. — 1461
14}'
K
Jaii^hter of the Duke of Biirjiundv, and liis son was afterwards Kins
of France, by the title of Louis XII.
2. Charles now hoped to have a little enjoyment in attending to
his oardens, of which he was very fond, and i'n other quiet amuse-
ments. 13ut his son, the dauphiri, afterwards Louis XL, would allow
him no rest. He had early shown a disobedient and malitrnant tem-
per- At the aire of sixteen he excited a rebellion acrainst his father,
who afterwards forgave him, and received him into favor.
li. But the kino: was so(mi oblitred to banish him to Dauphinv.
Here he became so obnoxious to the i)eople, that he was forced to fly
mto IJurirundy, where the duke received him with kindness. ThiV
kiiidiie.ss he repaid by exeitintr dissensions between him and his son
the Count of Charolois. '
4. Louis was even charged with havinn^ bribed the servants to
poison his own father. The unhappy monarch, under this fear
retuse.1 to take any food, and actually starved himself to death, in
itbl. He was in the fifty-ninth year of his aire, and had reigned
thirty-nine years. ^
5. As Charles Vll. was of low stature, and had very short legs
he jrenerally w(.re a dress that would conceal his pers(.nal defects'
I he fashion ot lon^r and loo.se frarments, which had been laid aside
durM)<,r the reitrn of John, was therefore revived. Hut in the first
year ()j his successor, Louis XL, a total revoluti..n lo(»k place in dress
(>. 1 he ladies laid aside their lonjr trains, and cut oil" their sleeves
vvhjch had swept the frround ; in their place they had deep borders
ot lur, of velvet, and of other materials, made of .rreat breadth The
ohanjre in the bend-dress was e.pially comj)lete.
7. Jn the reiij.i of Charles V|. it had been necessary to make the
doors wider, to admit a head-dress six feel broad. Now the same
doors must be made hio-ber, to admit an extraordinary structure
nearly three feet in heijrht. This was in the form of a turban, taper'
mn: toward the top, and wreathed round with a handkerchief of silk
or other lig^ht material, the corners of which hunjr to the around
y. l^or men s dress the loner robes were succeeded by short jackets
that scarcely reached the waist, and fittinrr close to the body The
s eeves were slashed to show their white shirts, and the jacket was
fastened by lace to the breeches, which were equally tijrht
brn.; t 'vr^""'^ ''■^''^ ''"^^^' f ^^^ shoulders to make them appear
broad. I he hair was worn so long that it covered the eyes and fkce.
Un the head was worn a cloth bonnet half a yard hicrh. Kniirhts and
squires, indimTently, wore the most sumptuous gold chains The
nobhj authors complain that citizens, and even servants, had 'jackets
of silk satin, or velvet, and that almost all wore peaks at their shoes
Charles' What of his son Louis? 4. What caused hia death 7 r, w>... ,1,
13'
14S
LHAKl.KS Ml 1»W
by the French, and despisea ^^^' ^^ ' /' 7. 'I ;,,,,rrci in the Ltre.ts.
i-:;lr^^S;thel;.d";;;;^^
^^^t tII;: -la'ursrinh.. K..l.h ^ew worse a.uiwor..^^O^^^^^^
tirst to throw <.pen U. oaus to l^n ... n ^^^ ;,,,,, .f seventeen
,nu<le his i.uhlie .ntry into '''^V'^l'lV ' ' \..;^';, "reet a stattie to the
years. ( )ne of th. lirst aets ot the t n ^^ ^^ j^^ .;^;^': -^ ,,^^, continued
Maid of Orleans on the spot where ^lie dud, ulun.
to the present day. ♦•..,„;nP in Franee, foUowed hy a
8. In MM there was a -reat *•» "^ ;. ^^^^ ,„' i>,,ri,, that the
dreadful pestilenee. So .reat was ^^J^^ ^ a hildren were
wolves ro.uned ahout the nearly ^^.^^^.^^^^ .f 'S\>i\;';.,.,„t, Bedford,
carried olf heh.n- the ^'>-'-'* '^J^ J^WH tune the
died of vexatio.i at the success «\ /» ^ J ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^f Calais
Knglish possessed no territory in I' ranee but ine cuy
CHAPTER LXXIX.
Wicked Conduct of the Dauphin, and unhappy Death of Charles
Wicked L07J f^ __ ^^^ .^^, p^^j^,,,,, ,n Dress. ^
Lniiis XJ, n»'i f" ii'^^-
,1 ... »w.t\^.>pii the Kni'lish and French.
LOUIS XI. -1161
14}'
Jiuiffhtcr of the Dnkr ..( Burunndv, and his son was afterwards Kina
ot France, hy the title of Louis XII.
2. ("harles now hoped \o have a little enjovnient in attendino- to
his gardens, of which he was very fond, ami in other quiet ainns*--
ments. JJut his.^on, tlio dauphin. :.ftriward.^ Louis XL, would allov'
linn no rest. H,. J,ud early sjn.wn a disi.hedient and inalii:nant tem-
per. At the aire of sixteen li.- oxeited a rehtdlion nirainst his father,
who alt.Twards lorirave him, and received iiim into favor.
.'{. IJut thr kiiiir was smm ohlijTod t«. hanish him to Dauphinv.
line I,, hi'vuiuo so olmoxiciis f.. il,,. people, that he was forced to fly
mto H.irLMindy, where tl... dukr ivceived him with kindness. TliiV
km. iiess ho repaid hy .xeitinu dis.^cnsions hetvveen him and his son
the ( oiirit of ( 'harojois. '
1. Louis was oven .-harLM'd witli haviii<r hrilx-d the servants to
."M.son his own falhor. The unhappy m.M.areh, under this fear
retii.scl 10 take anv Wnnl, and aetualiy .starved himsolf l<. death, in
IM'l. lir was m ih.' hlty-nmth year of his airo, and had rei<rned
thiriy-nine years. ^
.'>. As ("iiarhs \ II. was ».f low stature, and had very short leo-g
he generally wore a dress that would eoncai his personal (h^fecls'
I lie fashion ot lonji and l.x.se jrarments, which had hoen laid aside
'Iminir tho reiirn of .Ldm, was therefore ivviv.>d. Hot jn the first
year ot his suecessor Louis XL, a total nv..l..iion to.dv plar.> in dress
♦ >. 1 ho ladles laid aside their loiii: trains, and eut olf their sleeves
whieh ha<l swept the irrouiul ; in their place thev ha.l de,.p horders
o Inr, of velvet, and of other materials, mad(> of ^inat hreadth. Tho
•■lian^M' 111 the head-dress was e.piaily comj)loto.
7. In the ri-jr,, of ('h:,rh.s \|. it had l.,>en neo'ssary to mak.- the
•ours wider, t.i admit a Inad-dress six feet hroad. Now the same
•I'HTs mu.s. I,e made hii^her, to a.lmit an extraoniinary structure
nearly three e.-t m heinh,. 'I'his was in the form of a tnVhan, taper-
mjj toward the top. and wreathed round with a handkerchief of silk
or other liirhi material, tin' corners of which hunjr to tin; around "
H. i-or men s dress the lomr roh(>s were succeeded hy short iackets
that scarcely reached tlw waist, and tiltinu close to the hody The
seeves were slashed to show their white shirts, and the jJkct ^^'^
laMened hy lace to the hreeches, which were equally ti-ht.
.♦. 1 1);| jackets were stidfed at the shoulders to mak;> them appear
'read. 1 ho hair was worn so lonjr ih,t it covered the eyes and Le
On the head was worn a cloth homiet half a yard lii.rh. Kniohts and
squires, mdillerently, wore the most sumimious ^r7,|d chains ^Thc
nolde authors complain that citizens, and even servants, had iackets
"f silk satm, or velvet, and that almost all wore peaks at their shoea
'.;tiarles Whiii of hi3 s<.in Louis? 4. What causerl hi<. ,U»i7,t r i.r. . u
13*
m^'
i
160
LOUIi^ XI. -1481.
CHAPTER LXXX.
>
Lmii XL — The League of the Public 6 ^.
1 Louis was in Burgundy when he heard of his father'u death.
Jle invited the duke to accompany him to Rheims. As there were
Bome apprehensions that the succession might be disputed, that prince
summoned his nobles to meet him at St. Quentin ; and so well was
llie summons obeyed, that one hundred thousand men appeared there
at the time appointed.
2 But a vassal at the head of so large an army seemed to Louis to
be rather a dangerous friend ; yet it would be still more dangerous
to turn that friend into a foe by any appearance of distrust. He con-
trived, however, artfully to insinuate to the duke that the appearance
of so lartrc a force might alarm his subjects. The duke, who had no
Sinister motives, at once dismissed his troops, and took the road to
Rheims, accompanied onlv by four thousand of his nobles.
3 From Rheims, where he was consecrated by the archbishop,
Louis proceeded to Paris : and the natural frivolity of the people, or
the powerful force by which he was now accompanied, secured to
hinia.T„<,(l reception. His first act was to deprive his brother of
everything that his father had given him, excepting the county ot
Bern
4. He dismissed all his father's counsellors, and replaced them
by men of low extraction and mean habits, who, he thought, would
be more subservient to his will than he could expect persons of
hiffher rank to be. These measures excited the indignation ot the
nobles, and a lea-ue, called " The League of the Pubhc Good was
formed against the king, at the head of which were the Dukes ot
Berri and Bretatjne. r i •
5 The Count of Charolois also joined the confederacy ; for his
warm nature could not but highly resent the heartless, ungratetul
manner in which the kinjz, forgetful of all his obligations to the hou^
of Bur<Tundy, took everv opportunity to weaken and injure it.
(J The leatnie assembled a powerful army which might have berin
rery formidable to Louis, had they agreed between themselves. But
amontr so many chiefs there was no leader. Although encamped
close "to Paris, thev let three weeks pass away without doing any-
(hincT of importance. Louis in the mean time was collecting forces.
T^Fea.ing to trust to the event of a battle, he sought to dissolve
this formidable confederacy by policy. This great object he accom-
plished at the expense of a few promises ; and with no other loss than
that of his honor, which he little regarded.
8. The Dukes of Burgundy and Bern were satisfied ; and liherU
\
LOUIii XI. — 1468.
15J
proniiajs were maoe to all the malecontent nobles. They did not,
however, gain so much as they had reckoned upon ; for the crafty
king found various means to evade the fulfilment of his promises.
CHAPTER LXXXL
About Burgundy. — Louis a Prisoner to Charles the Bolt —
The Perfidy of Louis meets its due Piaiishment.
1. Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, died in 1467. Under his
'o.ig and peaceful rule, his subjects lived in great plenty and pros-
perity. 'Fliey had but few taxes to pay. " If any country might be
said to resemble the Land of Promise," says Comines, " it was this
country, whicli abounded in wealth and repose. The expenses of the
men and women were great and extravagant, and their entertainments
most profuse and splendid."
2. The city of Antwerp V'as the centre of the commerce of north
ern Europe. Bruges was as large and prosperous as Antwerp. At
Arras, the most beautiful tapestry was made. In Ghent there were
more than 50,000 workmen employed in the woollen trade. The
prosperity and wealth of the people made the duke more powerful
than many kings, and his court was the most splendid in Europe.
3. The Count of Charolois, Charles, surnanied the Bold, inherited
the vast dominions, but not the wisdom and prudence, of liis father.
He was brave and generous, but passionate and hasty. He soon had
cause of complaint against Louis, who, believing himself to be a better
politician and not so good a soldier as his antagonist, desired to have
a personal conference.
4. It wius agreed to have a meeting at Peronne, a town belonging
to Burgundy. Ix)uis, to make a display of his confidence in the
duke's honor, came witb only a small number of attendants. To
secure his own safety from some of his enemies who were in the
town, he desired that he might be lodged in the castle.
5. A short time before coining to Peronne, Ix)uis had sent emissa-
ries into Flanders, which now belonged to the Duke of Burgundy, to
excite a rebellion there. By an unaccountable oversight, he had for-
gotten to countermand the orders. It so ha|)pened, that, at the very
m(»ment when he was at Peronne trying to cajole the Duke of Bur-
gindy, his agents excited the people of Liege to revolt.
6. On the discovery of this treacherous dealing, Charles ordered
the fjates of the c:istle to be shut, thus making the king a prisoner,
riius the artful and perfidious Louis was caught in a net of his own
contriving. He did not, however, lose hu presence of mind in this
emergency
I AXX - 1. What of the Duke of Bureundy ? 2. How di.l L«>"'^ »^'' ;^'* i". ''"" ■ . ,^^ .
4ow\vliuH.i.s received at Paris? 4. What did Ix,m. do? 3.6. What d the nobles
in) 7,8. How did I.OUW dissolve the league?
LXXXI. — 1. What of Burgundy ? 2. What were the principal citea ? What of tha
wealth of the people? 3. What of Charles the Bold ? 4. What did Ixuis do? .0 What
e>l to the imf-isonnient of Louis? 6. Relate the incidents of his inprisonmenl a"»d
152
LOUIS XI.- 1475.
7 H(3 I'ound means, through the few servants wlio were jc imitted
to ffo in and out of the castle, to send temptinjT offers of rich fritts to
thos*5 of the duke's attendants who had most intlucnce witli their
master. These exerted tliemsclves to allay ih% passion of Charles.
8 For two days and three nights, he remained in a state of the
L'reatest agitation. At length he became more tractable, and con
sented to spare the king's life, and to give him his liberty, uiKin con-
ditions sufficiently humiliating. Om; of these conditions vvas, that
Louis should accompany the duke to Liege, and assist m (lueilmg the
insurrection he had himself excited. , •• t
To Lir<re, therefore, the two princes went ; and it Louis was
capable of feding any remorse or pity, he must have been t«)uched at
witnessin«- the dreadful fate which his own acts had broufrht on this
unhappy people ; for Charles, in his passion, spared neither the inno-
cent nor the guilty. , , • , a
10 The Parisians were very facetious at the king s expense, and
at the failure of his fine contrivances. To revenge himselt, he
deprived them of all the tame animals and birds they kept tor their
amusement. He had a register kept of all that the parrots and other
talking birds said, to find out if any of them had been taught to pro-
nouive that unlucky word ''Prronw .''
11 One of tlu' duke's attendants whose influence Louis secured,
was the celebrated Philii> de Comines, who became impressed with
a frreat opini(»n of the king's wisdom, and perhaps also of his liberal-
ity, lie afterwards entered the service of Louis, and has left us, m
his memoirs of his own times, one of the ablest and most entertaining
histories ever written.
CHAPTER LXXXIL
Meeting letwceii Lmds XL and Edward IV. — About Stvil
zerland.
1. In 1475, Edward IV. of England entered France through " the
ever open gate of Calais," with a powerful army. His first step was
t(» send a herald to Louis to claim the crown of France, and to deliver
a defiance in case of refusal. .
2. Louis, who remembered the terrible days of Cressy and Agin-
court, trembled at the thoughts of an English army in France, and
reg<dved to spare no pains to get rid of it peaceably. He received
ihe herald in the most courteous manner, made him rich gifts, and
promised him more if he would use his good otiices in effecting a
peace.
lelease. 8. \^ rial were the conditioiwl 10. What did Louis do U- 1(« Pirisiantl II.
Whut»a3 PliilipdnCtimincs? , , r. i -« r i-
LXX.KII -1. Whar happened in 1475? 2. What was the conduct of Uuii 7 4 ». b.
tOtriS XI —1477.
.53
3. The herald was won by the condescension seconded by the lil»-
trality of the king, and readily entered into his views. Through him,
Louis was enabled to purchase the good will of some of Edward's
most influential ministers, and finally to bribe that monarch himself to
return to Fngland.
4. Witb his *' good brother of England " he requested a personal
interview ; still, however, so much distrusting Edward, that he
would only meet him upon a bridge, in the centre of which was a
large wooden grating, about breast high, so that the kings might dis-
course together leaning over it.
5. Comines gives us a long description of thi; meeting. " The
King of England advanced with the air of a king, dressed in cloth of
gold, and having a black velvet cap on his head, with a large lily
made of precious stones upon it. He was a prince of majestic ap-
pearance ; tall and straight, but not so handsome as he was in his
, ounger days, when he was the most beautiful person that eyes ever
beheld.
6. " When he came to a little distance from the grate, he pulled
off his cap, and bowed himself to within half a toot of the ground.
Then the Kiiijr of France, who was leaning on the top of the raU,
received him with abundance of reference and respect, and they em-
braced through the holes of the grate.
7. " After promising, in the most solemn mamier, faithfully to ob-
serve the treaty they had made, the kings passed some time in fairil-
iar discourse ; and the wit and pl(.«asantry of Louis almost tempted
Edward to pay him a visit at Paris ; an honor which the King of
France did not covet, for fear his powerful rival might be unwilling
to leave it aj^ain.*'
8. Soon after this, Charles the Bold made a treaty with France.
His ambition now turned his arms against Switzerland. This coun-
try seemed to otfer small temptation to a rich and powerful prince.
It was distinguished for little but the poverty, simplicity, and valor of
its inhabitants, and the deputies who waited upon Charles assured
that prince, tiiat their whole country was not worth so much as the
spurs of his knights.
9. Hut these simple peasants, fighting in defence of liberty, were
more than a matcli tor the veteran and well-disciplined troops of Bur-
gundy. (Jharles suffered two defeats, and in the second, lost his own
life. So unacquainted were the victors with objects of luxury, that
the most magnificent pavilions were torn up to make clothes, and the
superb silver and gold plate of the duke was mistaken for pewter, and
readily exchanged fi)r copper, which they esteemed the most useful
of the two.
10. A magnificent diamond, which \\u\ duke had worn in his cap,
was found by one of the pea.sants, who thought it was glass, and
threw it down ; however, as it sparkled and looked pretty, he picked
It up again, and put it in his pocket. He was quite delighted to
find a purchaser for the bauble, at the price of a few shillings. The
7 f^laro the particulars of the intnrvie belweea I/Hiis and Edward. 8. Against whcia rt'
154
LOUIS XI — 147T.
purchaser, equally ignorant of its value, being in want of money, soW
It for a trifle. ^,„:„„ nf thp kincr and was one ot
could be no end. Comiiieb itiis us, ^
ah,.ct and iniseralde people ^h^"/ 1^^/^^^,^,^ ,Lt%^^^^^ „ot less' a
of Charles;" — a strikin? proof hat a v^ariiKe ruiei
^ourge to his own people than to his enemies.
CHAPTER LXXXIII.
Mary of Biir gundy.
1 T u ,s did not attempt to coilceal his joy at the death of the duke,
^"^ a'^'a crreat nart of the mob were moved to compassion, and would
K .^Sd with her ^^^ but others violently opposed it and
t;^^:S.^^X'^^^ pHnce.Un.ea to he. pal-
est son of the Emperor of Germany
tWe. .heB>>.a make war, VVhatl^ii^j^I^j^jr^ft^^^^^^^^
\\ixxT-r2"wto '^^''!f^KS°f»:a:e Duke „f Burg„nd.7 3.4 WK..
LOUIS Al —1480.
\bb
h. ** He was a man," saysComines, " little likely to oe pleaeant to
A daucrhter of Buifrundy, whose tables are nicely served, whose pal-
aces are man^nificenl, aiid whose dress was sumptuous. But the Ger-
mans are quite of a diHerent temper, boorish in their conversation,
and dirty in their way of living."
7. The briilegrooni was so poor or so covetous, that the lady was
oblifred to furnish him with money, and with a retinue, to enable him
to appear in a becoming manner at the nuptials. Mary survived
her father only four years, and was then killed by a fall from her
horse.
8. iShe lelt two children, a son and a daughter. The latter was
sent into France when she was two years old, to be educated as a
wife for tiie dauphin ; and the son, named Philip, was brought up by
the people of Ghent as their future duke.
CHAPTER LXXXIV.
About Louis XL — His Superstition. — The Royal Amuse'
ments. — Hat-hunting.
1. Edward IV. of England being dead, Louis was now rid of all
his most feared and hated rivals. He had, either by secret treach-
ery or open violence, reached a greater degree of power than any of
his predecessors had attained. But now, instead of enjoying the
fruits of his labor, he was to pay the penalty of his crimes.
2. His constitution was broken down, and the fear of death filled
him with indesoribable horrors. As his strength of body declined,
the malevolence of his temper increased. Conscious, as he himself
ells his son, " that he had grievously oppressed his people," he lived
in constant dread of their revenge.
3. He shut himself up in his castle of Plessis, which he fortified
by digging ditches, and placing in them iron spikes. Not daring to
trust his own subjects, he was guarded night and day by a band of
Scotch archers, who had orders to shoot any person who approached
without first making himself known.
4. The great gates of the castle were never opened, but every per-
son was admitted through a small gate, called a wichet-gate, through
which but one person could pass at a time. So great was his dread
of the nobles, that the princes of his own family, and even his own
daughters, were forbidden to visit him without invitation.
5. The avenues to this abode of misery were lined with gibbcfta
instead of trees, and one of the three familiar associates of the king
was Tristan I'Hermite, his hangman. The others were Oliver
t,f ihe youn^ duchesa ? 5. Whom did she marry ? 6, 7. What of Maximilian ? What
oeciiinft of Mary ? 8. What of her children ?
L.\ X>iV. — 1. What of Ihe condition of Ixiuis 7 3. What -*id he do ? I. 5 tV^ritie
156
LOUIS XI. - 1483.
Oaino, his barber, and Jacyaes Coctier, his physician. To the last
this most tyrannical monarch was an absolute slave.
G. Tl»e artful Jacques had pretended that an astrologer had pre
dieted that his death should take place a few days before that of the
kino^. TIk; kiuf^, therefore, watched over the life of Jacques with
anxious care, loaded him with presents, and submitted to all his inso
leuce.
7. Ill the fear that his subjects mi^ht deprive him of the nrovern-
iiHMit <Mi account of his increiisinjr imbecility, he made a great show
of attention to business, and thoufjh he could not sec a single \yord,
lu; pTet(Mi(led to read all the documents committed to his secretaries.
8. That he might learn promptly what was going on in all parts of
the kingdom, he established regular posts. Though these wore em-
ployed in the service of the king, yet citi/.ons wore allowed to ride
the post horses on payment <»f a certain sum. It was not until 1030,
that the letters of privatti individuals were carried by the public posts.
9. The king sought to divert his thoughts by anmsements. As
huntiufj had been a favorite one, when he was in health, he caused a
number of rats to be caught, and turned loose in his chamber, where
he hunted them with cats. Hut he soon grew tired of this, and his
itteudants devised another, which was more innocent.
10. They collected the peasants, and, dividing them into bands,
distributed them in the meadows about tlie castle, where some played
on the pipes, whilst others danced and sung. Louis, who, to conceal
the ravages of disease, now dressed with splendor, looked at them
from the windows of the castle ; but if lie perceived that any one took
notice of him, he instantly retired, and did not appear again that
day.
11. The nearer death api)roaciii'd, the more his dread of it in-
creased. He tried to keep it oil" by all the arts of superJ-Ution. He
kept various relics about his peivson, and his cap was stuck round with
little leaden imajjes, to which hi; constantly addressed his prayers.
He caused the holy oil to be brought from Rheims and kept it on his
table.
12. The Pope sent him various articlos of a.ssistance from Rome,
and even the Grand Turk dosnatchod a (io[)utation of holy relics from
Constantinople : the king feared to accept these last, as they came
from infidel hands, flis chief reliance was on a holy hermit of Cala-
bria, whom he caused to be brought to his castle, and whom he fre
quently, on his knees, besought to prolong his life.
13. Believiughimself to be on the point of expiring, he ordered his
chief officers to go to his son, and to consider him as their master : at
the same time he sent to the dauphin hawks and hounds, and all that
was then considered as forming the royal establishmeint. Reviving a
little, he would have recalled them, but it was too late.
14. His chW.l anxiety now was to iie Dn a Saturday, which he
tiia ca:^l!e al Ple.s.sis. Who were hi3 favorites? 6. What hail Jactiiies |)ei-ui.ler him ^
7 Whaulid Louis Jo to deceive his subjects? S. What of po-sls ? i). What cf l!*
artiusein^nts of Louis ? 11, 12. What did he do to prolo.i? his lile ? I'J. What did Ym *
U lh« a| proach of deal h ? 11. When did ho die ? What was liis only merit?
4
i!
1
CHAKLE.S Vin." 1483.
151
esteemed the most fortunate, day. This wish was gratified, for he
died on Saturday, August 30th, 1483. He left one son and two
daughters. Louis is said to have possessed one merit : though he
oppressed his subjects much, he never suffered any other person to
do so.
CHAPTER LXXXV.
iJharles VIIL, surimmed the Courteom. — Anm of Beaujeu
governs the Kingdom. — Charles ivins the Hand of the Heir-
ess of Brittany.
Charles VIIL, 1483 to 1497.
1. Charles, either on account of a delicate constitution, or irom
motives of jealousy, had been deprived of all the advantages of educa-
tion : the orders of his father to prevent his application to study had
been so rigorously enforced, that on his accession to the throne he
could neither read nor write.
2. Ashamed of his ignorance, the youthful monarch no sooner be-
came his own master, than he pursued his studies with indefatigable
zeal, and even acquired a taste for books. 15ut his early habits of
idleness had given him an aversion to business, and he was very will-
ing to leave the conduct of affairs to others.
3. He was gay and lively, but so deficient in judgment, that, though
he set out in Tife with one of the best hearts in the world, he waa
continually guiltv of unjustifiable actions. He was generous and for-
givino- to excess'; and had so gentle a temper, that it is recorded of
him, that he never, in the course of his life, said a single word which
could give pain to a human being. .
4. Although, bv a law made by Charles V., the young king was
of age to assume"' the reins of government, being in his fourteenth
year"^ vet Louis did not deem it prudent to entrust them to such fee-
ble hands. He therefore, bv his will, placed Charles under the guar-
' JCXXV. — 1,2 3. What of Charh's 1 4. Who managed the government ? 5, 6 Whv
14
156
LOUIS XI 1483.
CHAKl.KS Vm. 11=^».
151
Ihiiiu, his barber, and Jacraes Coctier, his physician. To the lasi
this most tyrannical nioniii-ch was an absolnte slave.
0. The artful .1 acquis had pretcMided that an astrologer had pre
dieted lliat his death should take plaee a tew days before that of the
kiniT. Tht; kin<(, tiun-efore, watched over the life of .laeques with
anxious eare, loaded him with presents, and submitted to all his in<(»
lenco.
7. In the fear that his subjeets mi<rht deprive him of the <rovern-
ini'iit (HI account <»f his increasing imbecility, he m;idc a j^reat show
(•f attention to business, and tbouuh he could not see a siny:le word,
h». prclcndt'd to read all the* documents conmutte<l to his secretaries.
H. That he mitrht learn promi)tly what was {xoin? on in all parts of
the kim^^lom, he estal)lisbed resjular [)osts. Tboujih these were em-
ployed in the servic;; of the kinix, yt citizens were allowed to ride
the post horses on p:ivment of a certain sum. It w:is not until Iti.'iU.
that tin; letters of private individuals were carried by the public posts.
IJ. The kinjr sou-rht to divert his tbounhts by amusements. As
huntinj^' had been a favorite one, when he was in health, he caused a
number of rats to be cau«:lit. and turned lo»»se in his chamber, wh<re
he hunted them with cats. IJul he .^(hmi u:rew tin^l of this, and Iim
illendants devised anotht;r, which was more imiocent.
10. They collected the peasants, and, dividin«r them into bands,
distributed them in the meailows about theca.stle, where some played
on the pi[H's, whilst others danced and sunjx- Louis, who, to conceal
the rava<,res of disease, now dres.sed with splendor, looked at them
from the windows of the caslle ; but if he perceived that any one took
notice of him, he instantly retired, and did not appear a«;ain thai
day.
11. The nearer death appn»aebed, tbe more his dread of it in-
creased. He tried t«» keep it otf by all the arts of superstition, lie
kept various relics about his person, and his cap was stuck round with
little h'aden imaucs, to which he constantly addressed his prayers.
He cause<l the holv oil to be bmuLiiit from Kheiins and kept it on his
table.
1*J. The Pope sent him various articles of a.ssistance from Home,
and even the (Jrand Turk de.>;itatebed a deputation (d' Indy rtdics trom
('onstantino[)le : the kin<: f'ared to accept these last, as they came
from inlidfd hands. His chief reliance was on a ludy hermit of Cala-
bria, whom he caused to be broun^bt to his castle, and whom he fre
quentlv. on bis knees, Ijcsou^lit to pr{donn^ his life.
13. Helievinu himself to be on the point of ex{)irinL^ he ordered his
chief officers to j^o t(» bis .son, and to consider him as their master : at
the same time he sent to the dauphin hawks and hounds, and all that
was tlu'n considered as forminjz the royal establishment. Revivinj: a
little, he would have recalled them, but it was too late.
J 4. His chief .\nxiety now was to iie du a Saturday, which he
his caslle .U Pii'ssi-t. Wlio wore lii.s favorites? 6. Wlial liail Jacipif-s |)eitn.!ef him ^
7 Wlial did Lours d<> to drceivo Ids swbiects ? ^. Wiuit of ih>s1.s ? '.». What cf ll^
ttrtiusf lU'iils of Loiii.s 1 II. 12. Wlul did he do to pn.lo.ii: his liie / i:!. What did h« *
U the a| proach of deal h ? 11. When did he die 1 What wa.s his only merit?
l'
esteemed the most fortunate, dav. This wish was ^rratified, for he
died on Saturday, August :U)th, 1183. He left one son and two
daughters. Louis is said to have possessed one merit : though he
op|)ressed his subjects much, he nevtM- sutiercd any other person to
do so.
CllAinEli LXXXV.
Charles VI 11., sur named the Court cons. — Anuc of Beaujeu
goi-eryis the Kingdom. — Charles wins the Hand of t.h£ Heir-
ess of Brittamj.
Charles VllL, 1 183 to 1497.
1. Charles, either on acctumt of a delicate constitution, or Irom
motives of jealousy, had been deprived (d'all the advantages of educa-
tion : the orders of his father to i>revent his application to study had
been so rigorously enforced, that on his accession to the throne he
could neither read nor write.
2. Ashamed of his ignorance, the youthful monarch no sooner be-
came his own master, than he pursue«l his studies with indefatigable
•/,.'al, and e\en ac.piire<l a taste for books, liut his early habits of
idleness had given him an aversion to business, and he was very will-
ing to leave the conduct of allairs to others.
li. He was gay and lively, but so deficient in judgment, that, though
he set out in Fife with one of the best hearts in the world, he waa
continually guilty of unjnstifiabh; actions. He was generous ^^"^^J^t-
.riviiKr to excess"; and had so gcnth- a temper, that it is recorded of
iiim, that he never, in the course of his life, said a single word which
could give pain to a human being.
4. Although, by a law made by Charles V., the young king was
of acrt; to assume"^the reins of gov;rnm(Mit, being in his fourteenth
year, yet Louis did not deem it prudent to entrust them to such fee-
ble hands. He therefore, by his will, plax;ed Charles under the guar-
'.XXXV. — 1,2 .3. WhiinfCharl—
14
J Who managed the government? 5,6 W!r*»
(58
CHAKLES Vill — 149]
dianship of his eldest sister Anne, wife of the Duke of Beaujeu, who,
being the eldest daughter of the king, was styled Madame.
5. The princes of the royal family, and more particularly the Duke
of Orleans, did not readily submit to this arranofement. An assem-
bly of the states vv;us called, with the hope i)f displacing her, but they
confirmed her authority. She was a very strong-minded woman, and
possessed great talents, with perha[»s a little too nnich of the politi<-
spirit of her father.
(}. She had not, however, his cunning or malevolence, and was ofi
the whole a very fine woman. She was at this time only twenty-tw«i
years of age, but she cheerfully gave up all the usual amusements of
her age and sex, and devoted herself to business.
7. The Duke of Orleans, deeming it unsafe to remain in France,
fled to the court of Bretagne. This was the only fief that now re-
mained independent of the king. Great additions had been made to
the territories of the crown by Louis XI. He took by force a large
district from the house of Burgundy. Boulogne he acquired by pur-
chase.
8. The counties of Maine and Anjou were bequeathed to him by
Charles of Anjou, who also left to him Bar and Provence, and all the
imaginary claims of the house of Anjou to the crown of Naples. As
the reigning Duke of Bretagne had no sons, the rulers of France had
already begun to cast their eyes upon it. Anne was glad of a pretext
for war.
9. The Bretons were defeated at St. Aubin, July 28th, 1488.
The Duke of Orleans was taken prisoner, and closely confined ; to
make his captivity doubly sure, he was shut up in an iron cage every
night. The Duke of Bretagne did not long survive the defeat. His
daughter Anne, sole heiress of the duchy, was onlv thirteen years
old. • ^
10. But she possessed a strong and vigorous mind, and discretion
far beyond her years. The Bretons were anxious that she should
marry, and thus give them a protector. Some advised her to marrv
the Seigneur d'Albret, whilst others urged her to settle all difficul-
ties by marrying Charles. But she did not fancy either of these ;
d'Albret was old enough to be her grandfather, and she looked upon
Charles as the natural enemy of her family.
11. Her choice fell upon Maximilian. They were formally es-
poused ; but, either from indolence, or some other cause, he neither
came to claim his bride, nor sent any troops to her aid. Charles,
seeing her neglected by her betrothed husband, renewed his suit. It
was backed by 50,000 strong arguments.
12. But Charles was too gallant a knight to rely upon these. En-
tering her capital city in disguise, he visited the princess, and plead-
ed with such good success, that he won his cause. They were mar-
ried December 10th, 1491.
if .\iine of Beaujeu ? 7. What of the territories of the king ? 9. What of the battle ol
Kt. Aubiu ; How was the Duke of Orleans ireatetl? 10. What of Anne of Eriltanyi
11,12. What of her marriage ?
CHARLES VIII. -1494.
159
CHAPTER LXXXVI.
Ckarles invades Italy. — His rapid Success aiid its Comequences
. -Retires from Italy. — Gains the Battle of Formva.
I The kingdom was now at the highest pitch of power. Allet
the lapse of several centuries, all France was again united under oiu
Bovereicrn. A passion for military glory rendered Charles insensible
to the pleasure of possessing real power. Caesar and Charlemagne
had been his favorite characters in history. During his period ol
study, ho had caused their lives to be translated into trench.
"> ' He resolved to enforce the claims he had upon Naples hy virtue
of Charles of Anjou's bequest to Louis XI. He was urged to do so
by Ludovico Sforza, a man preeminent, even in that age, tor perhdy,
ingratitude, and cruelly, and who wished to dispossess his nephew
of'the duchy of Milan.
3 Charles set out on the enterprise in 1494, with so little prepara-
tion that he could only collect an army of 18,000 men, and with so
little money that before he reached Italy he was obliged to borrow
the jewels of some of the court ladies, to raise money upon them to
nay his troops. , , i *■ »„
4 Ferdinand of Naples and the Italian princes had ample time to
prepare for their defence, but they imagined tliat the whole would
end in idle talk. Ferdinand, his son Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, and
the Pope, Alexander VI., were all notorious for their vices.
5 ''It seemed," says the old historian Mezerai, "as if txod had
blindfolded their eves,'and tied down their hands, and raised up this
youn^T kintr to chastise them, who came with a small force and a
brainless cmincil." Charles proclaimed himself " the friend of free
dom, and the enemy of tyrants.''' . j o
6 Every city opened its gales at his approach. He entered Home
and 'Naples in' triumph. Ferdinand of Naples was now dead and
Alfonso reigned. As soon as this prince heard of the advance of the
French towards Naples, his terror seemed to deprive him ot his
senses. While they were yet distant, he would faticy that he heard
them in the streets, and that the very stones cried out. France.
France '" which was the war-cry of the I rench soldiers.
7 He would not wait for their coming, but fled to Messina, and
shut himself up in a monastery, where his miserable existence /sas
soon terminated. He had amassed great treasures by fraud and cru-
elty, and yet, when he fled from Naples, he showed no anxiety to
save anything but a few garden seeds. He was succeeded by his son
Ferdinand, a prince of great promise. _
8 Charles was received at Naples as a deliverer from oppression.
This brilliant success absolutely turned the heads of Charles and his
LXXXVI. - I. What was the slate of the kingdom? fhat of Clmrles ? 2. VfhM
claims did he revive? 3. What of his preparat.onjor *«1,.^.;^- .^^f^^^gV 8 Wl^
princes ? 6. W hat of the success of Charles ? 7. W t.a-. : . AM-.o^ of N .plea * o. w '-i
160
CHARLES VIII. -1496.
council. Instead of trying to secure their conquest, they gave them
selves up to diversions and feasting. The soldiers followed thu
example of their leaders.
9. The inhabitants were ill treated, their goods pillaged, and theil
rights disregarded. The Neapolitans soon found that their new mas
ters were worse than their old, and that these professed friends of
freedom were in fact great tyrants.
10. Whilst Charles was thus wasting his time, a powerful confed-
eraey was forming against him. Sfor/a, having succeeded in his
designs upon Milan, joined the other princes of Italy against Charles.
I hey were supported by Maximilian, who had now become emperor
and who had an old grudge against (Jharles on account of the loss ol
his bride, and also by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.
U. C'harles was at length roused from his thoughtless security
His only safety was in being able to return to France. He had but
nine thoasand men left, and his course was » bstriicted by an army of
the allies amounting to forty thousand men, who were strongly posted
in the valley of Fornova. Charles had now his first opportunity of
showing his skill in war.
12. With his little army he broke through the ranks of the enemy,
and gained a victory, with the loss of only eightv of his men. But
three thousand of the enemy were left dead on the' field. The victory
was no other advantage to' him than to open a way into France, for
he was stripped of all his conquests in Italy in as short a time as he
had gained them.
13. The exiled Ferdinand, by the help of Gonsalvo de Cordova,
called the Great Captain, whom Ferdinand and Isabella sent to his
assistance, speedily recovered the whole kingdom of Naples, and
before the close of the year 1 lOfi, Italv had resumed the same appear-
ance as before the invasion of Charles.
CHAPTER LXXXVH.
iyudden Change hi the Conduct of Charles the Cmirtems, —
The manner of his Death and his Character,
1. Charles, after his return from Italy, gave himself up for a
lime to those pleasures and diversions which were the ruin of his
Italian expedition. Yielding at length to the clamors of his sub-
jf cts, he assembled a new army and procee<led again on his way to
Italy ^
2 The advanced cavalry had already passed the Alps, and Charles
had reached Lyons, when suddenly a total change took place in his
effeci h;i<l success on Charles? 9. How did the French !)ehave ? 10. What was the
consefiuence ? 11.12. What of the battle of Fomova ? 13. What if Gc jsalvo de Cor-
dova ?
LXXXVII. --1 Wh»». expedition did Charles undertake? 2 :i Wha change took
^HARLES \ni. — 149^>.
161
^iidracler and conduct. The enterprise was abandoned, and Charhis,
forsaking his frivolous diversions, seemed desirous to live only for the
good of his people.
3. He dismissed all unjust judges and unworthy persons from their
offices. He had shown a determination to effect a reform in the man-
ners of the clergy, whose extreme ignorance and great vices had made
them contemptible in the eyes of the people, when his life was sud-
denly cut short.
4. During hissti.y in Italy he had acquired a taste for architecture,
and on his return he gave orders for tlu^ erection at Amboise, the
place of his birth, of an edifice which was to Ix: more magnificent than
had yet been seen in France. This palace was to be decorated with
splendid furniture, statues and paintings, which he had brought from
Italy.
5. One day, when he and the (picen were at this palace, some
noblemen were playing ball in the ditoh below. Desirous that the
queen should see the sport, he went to her cliambcr, and led her into
a gallery from which she could st>e the players.
6. The doorway of this gallery was so low that the king in enter
ing struck his head against the loj». lie took no notice, however, of
the blow, but entered into eonversation with the persons assembled
there. To one of them he said that " he hoped he should never com-
mit another wilful sin as long as he lived." As he spoke these
words, he fell senseless to the ground.
7. He was laid upon a wretched bed which stood near, and in a
short time expired. This happened on the 17th of April, 1498. He
was in the twenty-eighth year of his age, and the fifteenth of his
/eign. Charles had a very ordinary figure, and with the exception
of his eyes, which were sharp and brilliant, his face was ugly.
8. He spoke slowly and with difficulty, but the kindness of his
manner and his amiable qualities rendered him a universal favorite,
and acquired for him the surname of " the Courteous.'' Never was
any man more beloved ; two of his servants are said to have died of
sorrow for the loss of him, and Anne of Brittany, his widow, was
D.lmost crazy with grief.
9. Charles left no children, and was succeeded upon the throne by
Louis, great-grandson of Charles V., whom we have hitherto known
as the Duke of Orleans, but who was henceforth known as Louis XII.
♦lace IP the king? 4. What of his taste for architecture '/ 5, •>, 7. Relate the manuf I
nf his ifeath. When did he die ? 8 What was hi» surname ? 9. Who aucceetlp I to \X»
Uown *
14*
i&2
LOUIS Xh - 1499.
LOUIS xn— uyy.
163
CIjAPTER LXXXVIII.
Louis XII , called the Father of his People. — About Cardt^wi
d'Amhmse^ his Wise Minister. — Mare of Anne of Brittany.
Louis XII., 1498 to 1515.
1. Louis XII., when he succeeded to the throne, was in /he thirtv-
Bixth year of his age. His early life had been attended ivith many
sorrows and mortifications. The jealousy of Louis XL who would
not permit one so nearly related to the throne to be far absent from
his own person, had caused him to be kept in a state of constant sub-
jection.
2. His misfortunes after the death of that monarch are familiar to
you. But all these vexations and trials had produced a most happy
effect on his character. No king of France was ever more solicitous
to promote the happiness of his people ; and" so enthusiastically was
he beloved by them in return, that they have bestowed upon him the
surname of " the Father of his People.'"'
3. He was anointed at Rheims, May 27th, and crowned at St.
Denis, July 1st. Lnmediately on his accession he rewarded the zeal
and fidelity of Georjfre d'Amboise, Archbishop of Rouen, by raising
him to the dignity of prime minister. And never did a favorite betteT
deserve the confidence of his master.
4. During the whole of his administration he caused the sciences
and trade to flourish. He was a munificent patron of literature ; and
su'^h was his general conduct in the various stations which he occu-
pied, and especially as prime minister, that he was as r iich beloved
by the people as by his master.
5. He labored zealously to effect a reformation among the clergy,
and promoted it by his own example ; for he would hold but one ber.-
efice at a time, and devoted two thirds of the revei. uc of that to the
relief of the povjr and the repair of churches.
6. The first care of Louis in entering on the concerns of his gov-
eioment was to lessen the taxes, and improve the administration of
justice. Being importuned to remove from the command of the army
a brave old general, I)e la Trimouille, who had taken him prisoner
at the battle of St. Aubin, Louis magnanimously replied, '''■that it
(lid not become the King of France to revenge the quarrels of the Duke
<f Orleans.''''
7. At the death of her husband, Anne of Brittany had retired into
her own dominions, where she lived like an independent sovereign.
I'hese were again united to the French crown by her marriage with
Louis. Anne was quite remarkable for the propriety of her conduct,
and tor her simple manners. Her court was a model of decorum.
8. She was always surrounded by a numerous train of young
ladies, whom she employed in embroidery, and in other works suitable
to their rank. She herself would sit at work in the midst of them.
She was a very excellent woman, and one of the very best among the
queens of France. Her heart is yet preserved in the royal library at
Paris, enclosed in a case of gold.
a, 4
'8
LXXXV m. — I, 2. What of the charactor of Louis XH. ? What \v;w he surnameil ?
5. What of Gifilinal d'Amlxiise? 6. What anecdote of the good tem|»er of Loui* i
n hum did he iDarry / Whalr Anne ot Hriltauv '
CHAPTER LXXXIX.
Singular Ceremony performed by the Nobles of Castile. — Abait
Isabella of Castile.
1. It would have been happy if Louis, when he forgave the quar-
rels of the Duke of Orleans, could also have forgotten some claims
which that duke had upon Milan, derived from his grandmother. He
would have avoided many difficulties, and been spared many mortifi-
cations.
2. In 1499 he sent an army into Italy, which, in twenty days, made
him the master of the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Genoa.
The king, clad in ducal robes, entered the city of Milan in triumph.
Ludovico Sforza, being taken prisoner, was shut up in a castle in
France, and there ended his days.
3. Louis, not satisfied with the conquest of Milan, now turned his
arms against Naples ; but foreseeing opposition from the Catholic
king, Ferdinand of Spain, he proposed to that monarch to share with
him in the robbery, and in the division of the spoils.
4. Frederic of Naples, being in no condition to defend himself'
against the combined monarchs, abandoned his territories, and, leav-
ing his children to he mercy of Ferdinand, trusted himself to the
generosity of Louis, who gave him a pension, and made lim Duke
of Anjou.
5. The prey being secured, a quarrel arose as to the division ol
It ; each party desiring something more than his share. From allies
IJCXXIX — i What of ih« cxTedition of Lt)uis into Italy? 3. What proposals die
■Wi make to reiiUitand ? ^. \S tiat was the result of the proposal ? 7. Wh^t of Isabella
I \
162
LOUIS XI I - 1 1»J.
LOUIS xn. H'jy.
163
CIjAPTEK lxxxviii.
Lmiis XII , called the Father of his People. — About Cardi^ial
d'Amheise, his Wise Minister. — More of Amie of Brittany.
Louis XII., 1 l'J8 to 1515.
1. Louis XII., when he succeeded to the throne, was in /he thirty-
sixth year of his afje. His early life had heen attended ^■ith many
Borrows and mortifications. The jealousy of Louis XL who would
not permit one so nearly related to tli«> throne to he far ahsc^nt from
his own person, had caused him to he kept in a state of constant suh-
jection.
2. His misfortunes after the death of that monarch are familiar to
you. But all these vexations and trials had produced a most happy
effect on his character. No kiii<r of France was ever more solicitous
to promote the happiness of his people; and so enthusiastically was
he beloved by them in return, that they have bestowed upon him the
surname of '' the Fathrr <f his Prop/,/'
3. He was anointed at Hheims, May 27th, and crowned at St.
Denis, July 1st. Immediately on his accession he reward(Ml the zeal
and fidelity of (Jeorfff d'Amboise, Archbishop of Houen, by raising
him to the dijrnity of prime minister. And never did a favorite better
deserve the confiderice of his master.
4. During th(> whole of his administration he caused the sciences
and trade to flourish. He was a munili<'(;nl jiatron of literature ; and
su.-h was his ircneral conduct in tlic various stations which he occu-
pied, and especially as prime; minister, that he was as r uch beloved
by the people as by his master.
5. He labored zealously to effect a reformation amonn^ the clerjjy,
and promoted it by his own example ; for he would hold but one ber.-
efice at a time, and devoted two thirds of the revei.uC of that to the
relief of the pt/^r and the repair of churches.
I'XXX\ III. —1,2 VVIi.u of the charactor of Louis XII. ? What wiw he suriunu'd ?
V i- ^' .^''*''^ "'^ Canhiul irAinlxiise ) 6. VV hit autxdt.te of the gcxxl lem|»er of Ltmin J
,8 U hom did he iiiarrv / What r Anne ol Hnttaav '
6. 'Ihe first care of Louis in entering on the concerns of his gov-
einiTient was to lessen the taxes, and improve the administration of
justice. Beint^ importuned to remove from the command of the army
a brave old general, I)e la Trimouille, who had taken him prisoner
at the battle of St. Aubin, Louis magnanimously replied, '"that it
ilid not become the Kifi^ of France to reirnge the </i)arre/s of the Duke
if Orleans."'
7. At the death of her husband, Anne of lirittany had retired into
her own dominions, where she lived like an independent sovereign.
These were again united to the French crown by her marriage with
Louis. Anne was (piite remarkable for the propriety of her conduct,
and for her simple manners. Her court was a model of decorum.
8. She was always surrounded by a numerous train of young
ladies, whom she employed in embroidery, and in other works suitable
to their rank. She lierself would sit at work in the midst of them.
She was a very excellent woman, and one of the very best among the
queens of France. Her heart is yet preserved in the royal library at
PariS; enclosed in a case of gold.
1
CHAPTER LXXXIX.
Singular Ceremony performed by the Nobles of Castile. — Abcti
Isabella of Castile.
1. It would have been happy if Louis, when he forgave the quar-
rels of the Duke of Orleans, could also have forgotten some claims
which that duke had upon Milan, derived from his grandmother. He
would have avoided many difficulties, and been .spared many mortifi-
cations.
2. In 1499 he sent an army into Italy, which, in twenty days, made
him the master of the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Genoa.
The king, clad in ducal robes, entered the city of Milan in triumph.
Ludovico Sforza, being taken prisoner, was shut up in a castle in
France, and there ended his days.
3. Louis, not satisfied with the conquest of Milan, n(»w turned his
arms against Naph's ; but foreseeing oj)position from the Catholic
king, Ferdinand (»f Spain, he projKXsed to that monarch to share with
him in the robbery, and in the division of the spoils.
4. Frederic of Naples, being in no condition to defend himselt'
against the combined monarchs, abandoned his territories, and, leav-
ing his childr<>n to he mercy of Ferdinand, trusted himself to the
generosity of Louis, who gave him a pension, and made lim Duke
ot Anjou.
5. The prey being secured, a quarrel arose as to the division of"
it ; each party desiring something more than his share. From allies
IJ^XXIX — i What of i\w oxwdilion of I^ouis into Italy? 3. What proposals die
v» make to reidutand ? .'S. \> nat vva.s the result of the proposal ? 7. WhJ«l of Isal^lia
164
LOUIS XII. — 1507.
Nhoiii lerdmand nuirricd ur-er the death of Isahelh,
J.sabella was ol a very diirerent nature Iroin the eraltv
o!2 J'^fr ""^'y.^^^' ^"d Gonsalvo de Cordova, partly by the e«*»f.
P "tlv b! ,r U '^'T '^'r'.^^^^^ gained him'his'^surnamc a„d
seonr^Pd -t. f^''^''^^^^ violations of the most solemn enpacremente
;erfidiou'm.";r P""""" ''' '''' '''^^'^''' '^-^^^ to^.is e"u2'
toOu.^L-./^?'^';"i5^T''^*'"''^ ^" Ferdinand all his ripht and title
of Castile.
Ferdinand.
is L,er''4dTC,'",' ".V' "';'''" "",'' ^'"^"'"' "»«"^«' =""1 ^'-' "■■"'"■
in hose vic( th r ' " k" "''•, '■' "?•' '""'" ''" I'ro'ection, an.l
IIV.T f u, ?;. ; ' '"'""'bus made the discovery of America .Sh,.
«a.s mdebK'd lor ,er crown 1„ a suceesslul rcbellio,, IV ,»i,les of
(-astile, disffusted by the vices of her brother He rv IV ,
Ihe ret^.in„ mot.arci., .I,.t,,r,„i„ed to depose him ^ ' ' "''" '''"'
'orv \l ll^'lir "'■l"-'"^'-''-''"'? »^» altogether m.precedented in his-
i7nir. . '"'""■ •""■'*°" "=»'' ""' '" "leir power, they deposed him
:"«^:. ol^iSti-V.^;-'" "^ '■-■'- -P-'.'""i.^hatdfand"tt
.ieptilio: ~r,,r.;" ]lrz x; Arti^ar^-TT.r'
litl'e*'of1cinr',„r',L"'" "'"/""^H"""'"'' =""' """^y P"rehased the
ch!dit';^d%;^i:Tarrb^^^^^^^^
;ege„, m ^ame of bis .rlroTwllo wroff;i'yer;r llS"
;i^sto'Mfci.'^ir^i^'^^jr,f-s^^^^^ '» "-....
LOUIS XII. -1503.
CHAPTER XC.
165
Ambitious Project of Pope Jidiits II. — Tue League of Cam
hray. — Change in the regular Habits of Louu XII . cru.sc.
his Death.
Maximilian /., Emperor of Austria, 1493.
1. In 1503, Julius II. was elected Pope. He was a great patron
of the arts. He commenced the building; of the great church at
Rome, called St. Peter's church, and he was the friend and patron
of Raphael the painter, and Michael Angelo the painter and architect.
Julius was one of the most bold and aspiring pontiffs thai ever sat
upon the papal throne, and it is indebted to him for the greater pari
of its present possessions.
2. The great object of his ambition was to drive all the '* barbari-
ans," as the Romans considered foreigners, out of Italy, and then to
form a powerful state, of which the Pope was to be the head. But
before driving them out, he wished to use their services to humble
the proud and powerful commercial republic of Venice, which, if suf-
fered to retain its power, might interfere with his ambitious plans.
3. Louis, atharme w.Mild
•'hen reproach her husband for bis want of spirit, and would .say, " [f
''='<l '"••'M .I'/fni d-Albret,and V(mi Catharine Foix, w.. should not
fi;iv»> lost «Mir knii,M|oMi."
1. In adrjitioii to tbrsc iriiiin ns** p(.ss<'ssioiis in Kurope Charles
was sovereign of almost all that bad f,ern discovered m the West
Indi.s ami Americ:,. |„ ir,|l», on the denfl, of bis paternal grand-
biliier, MaximiiiiM., he suecee.led t(. all the territories of the house of
i\ usiri.i.
5. 'i'be ofliee of lanprror of ( Jermany was elective. The emperor
as such, did not possess a smgl.^ foot of land ; but as the bead of all
Me .stairs of (.rrmany, be pos-srssed i^^reat power, and was considered
tbe first amone Cbnstian princes. It had bmg been held by .succes-
sive members of the bouse of Austria, and f:harles considered himself
as liaving a hereditary claim to it.
0. Hut Francis ,|,d not acknowledge this cla.m, and offered him-
self as a rival candidate. The contest was earned on with all out-
ward appearance of fri.M.dsbip. Francs on the occasir.n said to
liarles W ,; are two suitors to tbe same mi.stress ; tbe more fortu-
«iat(! will gam her, and tbe other nni.st rest coni.infed." Francis how-
ever, vvas very far from being coiitente.j when Charles was eleeWl
/. Ileeould notconeeal bis disappointnui.t, and be bad a feelina
«d iHTsonal hatred towards Charles nil the day of his death 'I'be
rivalry betwe.,, tb,- tuo princes agitate.l all Kurope, and kindled
lon^rer an.l nw.re geiM,.ral wrrs than bad bitbirto fn^en known in mod-
ern riUroj)e.
fu ^ '''■'[';';, ="'\' f/ancris were erudi anxious to gam tbe friendshii.
of Henry \ IH the Kmg of Kngland. To that end. Francs propose
meeting with Henry. Cbnrles, finding it impossible to prevent it
determined t.. defeat i,s purpo.se, and so scet.re the favor of the
laiifhsb monareb by an aet as flattering as it was uncommon.
UmJ .t'n''; ^*''"">'."" Henry -s generosity for his safety, Charles
andcd at Dover, on bis way from Spain to Flanders. The King of
laiLTland, who w.as already on his way t«, meet Francis, charmed w.th
s.u'b an instance of confidence, hastened to receive his royal guest
Cl.arles, .luring bis .short stay, not only gained the favorable opinion
oMIenry, bu secured the good will and the influence of his powerful
Hiinister and favorite, the Cardinal WoKsev. ^
n ^lif.T*.'?. '"l"' u'' ''•^J^**^"^^' f»ad risen fnmi the lowest condition
n If to the highest offices both in church and state. In his style
^t I.Mng. he exceeded the splendor of kings. Henry was one of ihe
Si^L^f^lS;^,^YTh- ■;^,)j;h-Vf Catharine Foix. 4. What of t.» fbreig..
uruirle.^ / ., V\ hr. of the office of emp,?rnr ' 6. Who was the rival oT
15
no
FKANCIS 1. - 151S
FRANCIS I. — 1922.
171
ijreatest tyrants that ever lived, but Wolsey l,ad gamed a compleu,
■^.T'ThrcIriu';™- equally rapacious and pro.„». was greedy »1
monev vau> aud ostenlatiois, he loved flattery ; ol boundless ami, •
"on he coveted new honors. Whoever desired h,» tavor, or that o.
his master, must sacrifice literally to these passions
1^ The cntperor was perfectly acquainted with his character, and
knowing that he office of Pope was the only one to which he could
aspire, offered his interest to procure for him that honor on the firs,
vacancy.
CHAPTER XCIIl.
The Field of the Cloth of Gold. - Wicked Conduct of Louvia
of Savoy.
1 On the duv after the departnr.; of Charles, Henry went over to
Ca ais U, meet Francs. This meelin. took pliK* near Ardres, and
from the „,a.n.ill«-u.-e displayed on both sides, has l«en called -the
>M If /fcwA,//, ,f^M:- Henry and Francis first met one another
on horseback. ^^^^^ salutation, they dismounted, and entered a
splendid pavilion, and began with great gravity to discuss 'he affairs
?m vvWch tbev w^re ostensibly met. Hut such discussions did not
st^ille temper of either of the young and gay monarcbs. fbey soon
g ew wea y^of them, and, leaving all serious matters to their mmis-
^Xsp^-i't the remainder of the eighteen days they passed together,
"' f OntoTrcumstance is related, which marks the manners of the
times After witnessing a trial of strength ami agility '>etvveen the
FreiKh • nd F.n.^lish wresUrrs. the, two kings retired to a tent The
Kin" of En. ami. sei/,in. the King of France by the collar, said, My
brotht"r I "mist 1 ave a trial with you," and attempted to trip up lus
heels; bul Francis, who was an excellent wrestler, twisted him
round and laid him flat on his back.
rFrom this scene of amusement, Henry went to meet Char es
at GravelTnes, and that sagacious monarch, by the renevval of his
nrom ses to Wolsev, and by" the gift of some bishoprics in Spain, and.
vTatirin- the vanity of Henry, contrived to eftac^ any favorable
in^illres^mns'to which the open and generous nature of Francis might
'■'T ^rnellamed all he wanted, which wa., .hat Henry should
temain neutral in the approaching contest between himself and V lan-
ChatLsl Who succeeded » S. What object had b„lh to gain ! 9 What Jul CI,:.. Ie« do
#, Wliai of tne meeung between (.harles ami Henry
tif. B(ih of these were impatient to commence hostilities, but each
rrished the other to be^in. At length, Francis, taking advantage of
some disturbances in Spain, sent an army into that country.
6. The flames of war once kindled sooji spread. The great battle
was to be fought in Italy. Francis, instead of givina the command
of his army in that country to the Constable de Bourbon, the only
skilful general in France, entrusted it to Lautrec and Bonivet, men
who in rash courage and presumption resembled himself.
7. Nor was the civil administration left in better hands. Louisa
of Savoy, the*king's mother, controlled everything. She disposed of
all the offices of state at her pleasure, and bestowed them only on
those who would flatter her vanity or her vices.
8. With such a government at home, and such generals abroad it
will not seem surprising that the war in Italy should be a series of
defeats and disasters. Lautrec threw the whole blame upon Sem-
blan^ai, the director of the finances, who had failed to send him money
for the payment of his troops, who had in consequence deserted in
great numbers.
9. Semblan^ai asserted that tiie money had been paid into the hands
of the king's mother, and otTered to produce the acquittances she had
given for it. But Louisa, who had applied the money to her own use
contrived by some means to stc^al the acquittances from Semblancai •
and this man, venerable for his years and respected for his intefrritv'
was sacrificed to screen her crime. ^
CHAPTER XCIV.
About the Constable de Bourbo7i. — His unfortunate Fate. ^
Charles V. gains an unexpected Advantage over his Rival.
\. To the folly and crimes of Louisa there seemed to be no end
ihevnow broucrht a new misfortune upon her country. This was
the defection of the Constable of Bourbon. He was a nephew of
Anne, Lady of Beaujeu, and had married her daughter, who was the
richest heiress in France. She died in 1522, and her husband suc-
."eeded to all her possessions.
2. He was still young and handsome, and Louisa of Savoy, who
vvas a great many years oMer, wished to marry him. She desired
the king to propose the match to Bourbon, who was a man of strict
and regular conduct, and had an utter detestation of Louisa's vices
lie expressed his dislike to her in such strong terms, as provoked the
»^ing to strike him. o > r
3. From that moment Uuisa's love turned to deadly hate, and
Sr^'haJ ofThl wStatalv / ^'wi 'f ^"'l ^'^ ^^'-^^ini^tra.i..,. of affairs in France? 8
XCrv - I Whi. ^Jr ^- To*^ "If ance of the wiclce.Jne.ss of Louisa of Savoy »
*UI . - I , What of I^ui.=.a of Savoy ? What of the Puke .,f Ro,.rbon ? A. What did
I
IT2
FRANCES 1.-1526.
FRAiNulS I. — 1 526.
J 73
Rhe detPTinineci to destroy the constable. She put in a claim to all
the Bourbon possessions in right of her mother, and, contrary to al.
law and equity, obtained a decision in her favor.
4. The constable, thus stripped of everything, in a moment Oi des-
peration forgot his duty to his country, and, al)andoning her service,
entered into that of the emperor, w ho received liim willi open arms
His condition here was anything but happy. He met the common
fate of traitors. His own countrymen abhorred him ; and the Span-
iards shrank from him, and treatt^ him with suspicion and reserve.
5. His prospects at first were flatterinfr. Charles waft liberal with
his promises. In concert with Henry VHl., he .'ntered into a secret
treaty with the constable for the division of France. Charles, like
the lion in the fable, was to have the largest share ; a small kingdom
was to be formed for the constable, and Henry was to have Gui
enne. , • , i «
6. But France must be won before it could be divided, liourbon
was appointed to make an invasion, in the hope that the French,
who were greatly dissatisfied with th(! bad administration of aflfairs,
would flock to his standard. Not a single Frenchman, however,
joined him, and he was forced to retreat with great haste into Italy.
7. Francis, elated with this discomfiture of Bourbon, led an army
into Italy, and laid siege to Pavia. The city was defended by An-
tonio de Leyva, a general of great skill ; but its greatest security was
in the mismanagement of the French, who were frequently stopped m
the midst of assaults by the failure of their ammunition
8. A numerous army, under Bourbon and Lannoy, was sent by
Charles to the relief of the city. The army of Francis had been weak-
ened by many detachments, and he was strongly importuned to with-
draw, until he could reiid'orge it. But he had written a letter to his
mother, saying that he would nevt'r move from the walls of Pavia till
he had taken it. Rather than break his word, he risked his life and
kingdom.
0. On the 23d of February, 15'25, his fortifications were attacke.l
by the enemy. Had Francis contented himself with making a tie-
fence, all might yet have been well with him. But he could not
resist the impulse to pursue the enemy, who had been repulsed in the
first attack.
10. The consequences were most tlis:<strous. The French were
seized with a panic, and even the first prince of the royal family, wh<j
had married the king's sister, fled from the field, and never stopped
till he reached Lyons, where he died of shame. Francis fouglit
bravely. His horse was killed, :ind he himself received several
wounds.
11. Two Spaniards, not knowin-r who he was, were on tiie point ot
killing him, when one of the French attendants of Bourbon came up
and recognized the king. This man besought him to surrender to
the ?onstiible ; this he would not submit to, but demanded to see Lan
noy, to whom he presented his .sword.
;he constable do in his ilcsjxiir? H. What treaty was made? 6. What sucrcss nad
Bour»<oi in France ? 7 What did Francis do 7 S. What did Francis say? 9. Wher
i2. Lannoy, kneeling, received it with profi)und respect. Taking
Ais own sword from his side, he presented it to the king, saying,
" that It did not become so great a king to remain unarmed in the
presence of one of the emperor's subjects." Francis was conducted '
to the imperial camp, whence he despatched this laconic but expres-
sive note to his mother—" Madame, all is lost, except our honor."
CHAPTER XCV.
Charles visits Francis in Prison. — Charles releases Francis. —
About the Chevalier bayard, tJie K7iight withmit Fear and
ivithmit Reproach.
1. Charles afl^ected to receive the news of his rival's defeat with
o-eat moderation. He rejected, however, the advice which many of
his counsellors gave him, to restore Francis unconditionally to free-
dom — an act which would have reflected immortal honor on his name.
The terms which he demanded were so unreasonable, that Francis
declared he would submit to perpetual imijrisonim^nt rather than agree
to them.
2. From Italy he was removed into Spain, where he was kept a
close prisoner. Sinking under the disappointment of protracted hope,
he fell into a fever, which threatened to put an end to his life.
Charles iUeu relaxed the severity with which he /was treated. He
even went to visit him.
3. Francis, who was in bed, ill and languishing, reproached the
emperor with having come to see him die. Charles soothed his pris-
oner with kind and conciliating expressions. Such was the {>ower of
jhosc few kind words spoken in season, that Francis from that mo-
ment befjan to recover.
4. After he had been a year in prison, Charles offered him his lib-
erty on nearly the same terms as before. Weary of confinement, he
now accepted them, and agreed to fjive his two' eldest sons as hos-
tages for their performance. Francis then set ofl^, escorted by Lan-
noy, for France.
•'). When they reached the river Bidassoa, which divides France
tnmi Spain, they saw on the opposite bank Lautrec, with the two
princes. The two parties met in a boat which was moored in tke
middle of th»; stream. The father gave a hasty embrace to his chil-
dren, and tfien delivered them as prisoners to Lannoy.
C. It must, I should think, have b?en a bitter pang to him to see
his two poor children consigned to the same prison from which he had
been so anxious to escape. But Francis did not give himself time
11, 12
wii^ 'ho battle of Pavia ? Between whom ? 10. What of Francis' behavior 7
V*5»' i^^PHiro 1 What did he write to his mother?
lt\ - What of the conduct of Charles? 2, 3. What of Francia? 4. Upon wlw
1.5*
.
174
FKANCI8 I. - I.ViG
to reflfi' t upon it Mounting a liorsc, tlie instant he reached the
French sliorc, he waved his cap over his head, and exclaiming, " !
am yet a king !" gaUopod otF, and scarcely stopped till he reached
JJayonne, where his mother awaited his coming.
7. lie was soon called upon hy Charles to fulfil the conditions of
his release ; but he excused himself, under the dishonorable pretext
that promises made in prison were not binding. As a contrast to
this conduct of the king, I will give you the history of a man whose
virtues shed a lustre upon this period, which, in a moral sense, is in
general gloomy.
8. He wiis a soldier, but it was his misfortune to live in an age
when fighting w;is c(»nsid«'red the only suitable employment for a grn-
'leman. There lived in Dauphiny a brave and loyal gentleman by
the name of Bayard, who had four sons. .
9. The eldest of these would have the family estate, but the others
nuist seek their fortunes abroad. Pierre, the secon«l, chose to be a
soldier, and the two others were provided for in the church. At the
age of thirteen young Pierre entfred as a page into the service of the
Duke of Savoy. The account of his departure from his father's house
is thus told by a contemporary bioirrapher.
10. '* Ilis mother, poor lady, was in a tower of the castle, weep
ing bitterly ; but when she was told that her young son was on his
horse, impatient to be gone, she desccndrd to take leave of him, tell-
ing him that she commanded him three thinjjs.
11. '* The first was, to love God above all things, and recommend
himself night and morning to God, and starve him without offiiiiding
hiin in any way, if it might be possibl(\ The second was, to be
courteous to all men, casting away pride ; neither to slander, nor lie,
nor be a talebearer, and to be temperate and loyal.
I'J. " The third was, that he should be ehiiritable, and share with
the poor whatever gifts God should bestow upon him." These wise
commaiyls he implicitly obeyed, and for his observance of them he
was indebted for a title far above that of a prince or noble, — that of
the knight " without fro r ami irit/iout rrproorh.''^
13. From boy to man lie was beloved and respected for his cour-
tesy, bravery, benevolence, invincible integrity and piety. Franciii
I. would receive the honor of knighthood from no hands but his.
Being once asked what possessicms a man had best leave to his son.
Bayard replied, " Such a^j are least exposed \o the power of time or
human force, Wisr/om and V'lrtiK ."
14. Being mortally wounded in a battle m which the enemy were
cqimiianded by Bourbon, the chevalier Bayard caused himself to be
placed against a tree. In this situation, calmly waiting for death to
release him from pain, he was found by the duke, who exjlressed sor-
row for his fate. " Pity not me," said the chevalier ; " I die in the
discharge of my duty ; but pity those who fight against their country
md their oath."
•«rin3 was 'le releaiieit ? Ti, 0. Relate the |)arliculars of \m release. 7. Did he fulfil hi'
tiu^ageinen s ? 8. Relate the story of the chevalier Bayard.
ARCHITECrURK OF THE FRENCH.
CHAPTER XCVl.
I/ft
The Ladies^ Peace. — About the Architecture of the French
1. In 1529 a treaty was made between Francis and Charles, called
he Treaty of Cwnfyray. It was also called " the Ladies^ Pcace,'^ be-
•ause it was negotiated by Louisa of Savoy, and Margaret, aunt to
Charles. 15y this treaty, Francis agreed to marry Eleanor, sister of
the emperor, and to pay a large ransom for his sons, both of which he
performed.
2. The latter he found \\\c most difticult, on account of the great
scarcity of money in France. It w;is several months before the re-
(juired sum could be collected, and then it was conveyed in forty-eight
large chests to Bidassoa, and there given in exchange for the pris-
oners, with the saiTJC formalities with which they had been exchanged
for their father,
,'J. Francis had now an interval of peace, and he availed himseif
of it to indulge his taste for the fine arts. He assembled around him
the most learned men, and the most celel)rated artists of his time. He
tore down some of the old palaces, and built new ones. The inter-
course with Italy introduced a new style of building; — and this
reminds me to tell you something of FnMich architecture.
4. 1 will begin with the churches. The oldest style of church
architecture was rude and simple, and was called the L(mil>ard Style.
They were heavy and clumsy buildings, like the Saxon churches in
England ; but there was a material difierence between the two.
5. In the Saxon, the pi!!:irs were short and thick, and far apart, so
lliat the arches which sprang from one to another were low, and had
a wide space. In the Lombard style, the pillars were thick, but lofty
ind near together, so that the arches were narrow.
6. Under the reign of Hugh Capet, the pointed arch was first in-
troduced, and gave rise to what was called the mixed Lombard. Oth-
er alterations and improvements arose, till at last, during the course
of the thirteenth century, the elegance of the Gothic architecturu
reached its highest perfection.
7. The wars with the English, and the consequent distraction of
the country, put a stop to all public works during the greater part of
the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Under the paternal government
of Louis XII., several new and considerable buildings were erected.
8. The frequent intercourse with Italy introduced a new style of
architecture, being a mixture of Italian with the Gothic ; a mixture
which is much admired by the French, but which is very incongru-
ous, and deprives each style of much of its beauty.
9. One of the most curi(tus relics of architectural antiquity in
France, is a bridge across the Rhone near Avignon. It was. erected
in the i\ irleenth centurv. It is still much admired as a work of an.
XCVl. — 1. What was the treaty of Catnhray? Who negotiated il? 2. What of the
ransom for the sons of Frajicis ? 3. How <iiil Francis employ the peace? 4, 5. What
» aaid of the. Saxon and Lombard styles of architecture ? 6. What of the Gothic? P
>i\
176
ARCHITECTURfc OF THE FRENCH
ntAIVClS I— 1M7.
IT>
,nH irjLS ve.'arded at the time of its erection as so wonderful, that the
arch te^t XsupiLed to have been miraculously assisted, and was
selves in building bridges from motives of piety.
CHAPTER XCVII.
Mm-e about French Architecture. A Six Years' Summer, arm
its Consequences.
1 1 WILL now tell vou about the houses of the French. The
dweimrs onte Gauls/as I have before told you. were me-!y huts
The Romans used stoi^ and brick in their ^u W^^^^'^^ yja^s
An not aonear to have im talcd them in this. Iheir houses were con
IrriedTplalks of woo.l tied together, and the spaces hlled up with
""i' Even public buildings and ll.e walls of towns were built in this
manner When the lords began to build castles then stone came
hito u"-' a..a^. ? hut brick was almost totally disused from the time of
the Romans 1 the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when it be_
ganu?be employed as an ornament. The bricks were so mixed with
stone as to form iiatterus or figures in the walls of houses.
3 I^the thirtLntb cenlurv, po-plo began to cover the roofs with
tiles and these n bouses of distinction were v.rnished and painted n
chemiers Slate also came itilo use for the sune purpose about the
samTtlme. Hefore that peri,Kl, the roofs almost universally were
*T Thetst.fri.alia,, architecture was exhibited in some mens-
..,!'„„ .1 /nutsi,le of the hous'^s which were most elaborately orna-
Inted T er^ ar"- m -"- "Id houses of this period, the exter,or
Twhhlh iscompleulv covered with medallions, festoons of flowers,
irrouns of fio^ures, and' all kinds of faucitul orna,ne,its.
^ 5 "^Thos^'were somettmes n,ade of carved wood, but generally of
Dliter There is a fine specimen of this sort of house at Rouen It
wS built in the reijn of 'Prancis 1., au.l is supposed to have been
ru./«iir>ipr{ hv him ifi his visits to that citv.
6 "^^he C^s "f this period were distinguished by the enormou.
heieht of the rooft, which was supposed to ff,ve an a,r of d,gn,ty to
fhe edmce The;e roofs were likewise loaded with ori,ame,,«.
You w ill recol ec that Philip Augustus erected a palace, called the
Louvre, outside the walls of Paris. ^»tj^ the cit y incre ased in
WtalTftu^nn archUeclur.) 9. What curiou. ralic re,mi„.? 10. Wl,al o( bulldin.
•ne. the walls were exU nded, and before the year 1383, this buildinp
was enclosed within them.
7. Francis, finding this old feudal building .o be very inconvenient,
and withal in a very ruinous state, determined to pull down the
crreater part of it, and to erect a new and magnificent palace in itf
place, after the designs of Pierre Lescot, the greatest architect of tfir
day.
8. From the year 1.528 to 1534, a perpetual summer prevailed in
France; during four years, not two <iays' frost was experienced.
Nature, exhausted by such a continued heat, incessantly produced
blossoms, but had not strength to bring the fruit to maturity. A
scarcity of provisions was the consequence of this phenomenon.
9. The harvest was scarcely sufficient to supply food for the fol
lowing year. Worms, and in'sects of every kind, multiplied in ar
extraordinary degree, and destroyed the little fruit which the earth
yielded. A most dreadful famine prevailed, and the consumption of
the unwholesome food gave rise to a disorder which carried off ono
fourth of the inhabitants of France.
CHAPTER XCVIII.
Death of Francis /., called the Father and Restorer of Letter %
and the Arts. — Henry II. marries Catherine de Medicis.
Henry IL, 1.547 to 1559.
I. Neither Charles nor Francis could long be contented without
the excitement of war. We accordingly find them almost constantly
engaged in it from 1536 to 1544, when a treaty was concluded at
Cressy, which was not broken during the few remaining years of
Francis,
^ 2. In these wars, Henry was generally engaged as the ally of
Charles ; and had these monarchs acted in concert, and not been too
J\ hal of the ornarnenis ? 6. What disiiii^uishetl the hoii-sed of this period? 7. What of
Yr^l?? ^1^ Louvre/ 8. 9. What uf the weather from 155iS to 1534?
A<^V1II — 1. What or wars beiween Charles and Francis? 2 Wliat were the rcsultat
176
ARCHITELTURR OK THK FRENCH
rRANCIS I— 1547.
IT)
»na U-1S re- .»rde(l at the time of its erection as so wonderful, that the
arch tect w^^^^^^^ to have heen n.iraculouslv assisted, and was
ea^foS at^er his death hy the name of St. Benedict orj^enezeU
() The huihlincr of a l)ridc:e was, m those days refiarded as an
act f ch n V t the puhlic, and of piety to God ; and a company wt.^
LmUi^dh^ ^^ the\-oiha-hnod of Brul^.^r who employed them-
:iclves in building hridges from motives ot piety.
CHAPTER XCVII.
More about French Archhecture. A Six Years^ Summer, aim
its Consequences.
1 I WILL now tell vou about the houses of the French The
d.l:il n^ ' t-the Gauls, as I have before told you, -re merely hut^
The Romans used stone and l>rick in their ^^^^j^^f^^,,^',,'^^^^^^^^
do not aopear to liave imitated them in tins. Iheir houses were co
itrucLlcIf planks of wood tied together, and the spaces tilled up w.tli
"" o"*' Even public buildimrs and the walls of towns were built in this
mamie^ Wh.n th- lords briian to build castles then s one cam.
^r use a<rain ; but brick was almost totally disused Irom the tinu3 ot
he Rom n^ til tlu. sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when it b -
Ian tXeinploved as an ornament. I'.ie bricks were so mixed with
Btone as to fcrm" patterns or f.irurrs in the walls ot houses.
3 I^ the thirteenth e.-nturv, pooi'l^ Ih^S^" to coyer the roofs w ith
tiles u the e in houses uf .listinetion were varnished and painted m
cheoVers Slate also came into use for the same purpose about the
same time. Before that p.rio.l, the roofs almost universally were
^'f 'Fi;t!irrital.an an.lu.eeture was exhil>ited in some meas-
ure on tl;r. outside of the houses which were most elaborately orna-
men^d There are st.ll som.. old houses of this perio<l, the exterior
JTf whth iscompleielv covered w„h medallions, test.H.ns oi tlowers,
ffrouos of ficTures. and" all kin.ls .>f f mciful ornaments
^ T^These were sometimes made of carved wood, but generally ot
uhster There is a line specimen <.f this sort of house at Rouen It
Kilt in the rei.n of Francis I., and is supposed to have been
opcunied bv him in his visits to that city. , , , .
6 TUeU,sos,.f tl,is porkKl wore distinn:,„sl,e<l by the enormo„,
hei-^ht of .he r».>ft. wl,icl ' was suppusoil .,. jjive .,. iur .,f .hgnuy to
ihe e<l ice •l'h,.;e roofs were likewise loaded with ornaments.
You w irecollec that Philip Augustus erected a palace, called the
Lo,"vre, outside the walls of Paris. But as the e,ty .ncreased m
WhalorluJi.in architecture! 9. What curiou, relic remain,? 10. What .,( Imil.V,..
4
■ne. the walls were ext* nded, and before the year 1383, this buildinj'
was enclosed within them.
7. Francis, finding this old feudal building o be very incwivenient,
and withal in a very ruinous state, determined to pull down the
greater part of it, and to erect a new and magnificent palace in iu
place, after the designs of Pierre Lescol, the greatest architect of the
day.
8. From the year 15'J8 to 1531, a perpetual summer prevailed in
Kraiice; during four years, mtt two days' frost was experienced.
Nature, exhausted by such a ctMitir.wed heal, incessantly produced
f»lossoms, but had not strength to bring the fruit to maturity. A
ficarcily of provisions was the conseipience of this phenomenon.
1). riie harvest was scarcely sutlicient to supply food for the fol
lowing year. Worms, and insects of every kind, multiplied in ar
extraordinary degree, and destroyed the little fruit which the earth
yielded. A most dreadful famine prevailed, and the consumption of
the imwholesome ibod gave rise to a disorder which carried otf on«
t'ourth of the inhabitants of France.
CHAPTER XCVIII.
Death of Francis /., coiled the Father and Restorer of Letter »
and the Arts. — Henry II. marries Catheri?ie de Medicis.
Henry II., 1.547 to 1559.
1. NEITHER Charles nor Francis could long be contented without
the excitement of war. We accordingly find them almost constantly
enrraged in it from 1536 to 1514, when a treaty was concluded at
Cressy, which was not broken during the few remaining years of
Francis.
2. In the.st wars, Henry was generally engaged as the ally of
''hatles; and had these monarchs acted in concert, and not been too
\\ hai of the ..ruamenis ? 6. What (lisiii,!r„i.,|,e,| the hn.i.se.s of this period ? 7. What of
YPVM? L-^uvre .' S. 9. What uf the weathe-r from Wl-i to \TyU 7
-Vf.VlII — 1. What oi wars h?iwecji Charles aitrl Francis? 2 What were the resultBl
f
178
HENRY 11— I&17.
anxious about i)\e'iT own particular interests to do what wa« ^^^'V,^^*
the common cause, the French monarchy must iiievitably have bee?
subverted. ,
3. For a lonjr time before his death, Francis had been preyed uptji
by a slow fever, which affected his temper, and made him irritable
and restless. He fancied that chanjre of place would bring relief to
his disordered frame, and roved incessantly from palace to palace.
He died at Ranibouillet, in the fiftv third year of his age and the
thirty-second of his reign, on the 31st March, 15-17. He left one son,
Henry, who succeeded to the throne, and two daughters.
4. The king's magnificence accompanied him to the last. He had
the most splendid funeral that had ever been seen in France, and the
people were so absorbed in their admiration of it that they forgot his
f-iults, and pardoned his ambition, his breach of faith, and his disre-
gard of morality.
5. His palaces, his establishments for learning, and the monuinentt
of the arts which he encouraged, have handed down his name to latei
ages as that of a great and glorious king, " the Father and Restorer
of letters and of the arts.'"
6. Henry ll resembled his father in many parts of his character.
Like him, he was brave, generous, and of a gay and lively temper;
and like him he loved show and profusion. But he had not hia
father's superior talents, nor his imposing dignity of manner.
7. He was good-natured to excess, was agreeable in conversation,
had a great readiness in public speaking, and was one of the hand-
somest and most graceful men of his time. Although the facility
with which he suffered himself to be governed by favorites made hinj
a very indifferent king, vet he might have been still worse if he had
been governed by his queen, the universally detested Catherine do
Medicis.
8. But she seems never to have had any influence over him. Noth
ing is to be remarked of her during the reigns of Francis I. and of
hel- husband, except the art with which she concealed the violence of
her passions, and the profound dissimulation in which she veiled her
talents. , .
9. Upon his death-bed, the late king had given his son much advice
as to his future conduct. Amongst other matters, he enjoined upon
him three things : not to remove the present tried and faithful minis-
ters ; not to recall the constable Montmorenci from banishment ; and
not to promote the elevation of the family of Guise.
10. But not one of these injunctions was regarded. Francis was
scarcely laid in his grave, before his father's ministers were removed
from office, and Montmorenci summoned to court and given the chief
place. Francis, Duke d'Aumale, eldest son of the Duke of Guise,
was loaded with favors. You will see how pointedly the misfortunea
which befell Henry and his children may be traced to the infringe-
ment of his father's dying commands.
3. What of l^raucis' habits of life ? When did he die ? Who succeeded him ? ,t jy*^
of hij funeral? 5. What was he sumamed? 6,7. What of Henry? 8. Whftt ol
Catherine de Medicis 1 9. What was Francis' advice to Her.ry ? 10. How wn- •
HENRY II. — 1549 ITJ
CHAPTER XCIX.
Charles V. resig^is kis great Power of /lis own accm d. — Uow
he spent his Time iri his RetireineiU.
1. In 1549, Henry II. and his queen made their public entry into
Paris. This was celebrated by tournaments, and other ontertain-
monts. These were succeeded by the execution of several lieretica
in the presence of the whole court. This horrible spectacle affected
the king extremely. His nerves never recovered from the shock they
then received, and he was ever after subject to convulsive shudders,
whenever the recollection of it crossed his mind.
^ 2. An event occurred in 1555, which astonished all Europe. The
F.mperor Charles V. carried into execution a project upon wliich he
appears to have been long meditating, namely, the resigning his vast
dominions, and retiring from the busy scenes of life. As he advanced
in years, he became more and more surfeited with the greatness which
in his early life, he had so much loved and sought.
3. Several instances occur in history, of monarchs who have quitted
a throne, and ended their days in retirement. Bnt they were either
weak princes, who took this resolution rashly, and repented of it as
soon as it was taken ; or unfortunate princes, from whose hands some
stronger rival had wrested their sceptre, and compelled them to
descend with reluctance into a private station.
4. Charles V. is almost a solitary instance of a prince, capable c^
holding the reins of government, who ever resigned tiiem from delib-
erate choice, and who continued during many yenrs to enjoy the tran-
quillity of retirement, without heaving one sigh of regret, "or casting
hack one look of desire towards the power and dignity he had aban-
doned.
5. All his hereditary dominions he resigned to his only son, Philip.
By his influence, his brother Ferdinand had been elected King ot
Hungary and Bohemia, and also King of the Romans, which last
dignity entitled him to the succession ot the empire. Charles retired
to a monastery in Spain, where he died, in 1558, in the fifty-eighth
year of his age.
0. He never appeared for one moment to have regretted the step he
had taken. At first, he employed himself sometimes in his garden,
and x^meiimes in making models of machines, and in mechanical
f.sperinunts. He was particularly curious with regard to the con
'iiruction of clocks and watches.
7. Having found, after repeated trials, that he could not bring
any two of them to go exactly alike, he reflected, it is said, with a
mixture of surprise and regret, on his own folly, in having bestowed
so much time and labor on the more vain attempt ( f bringing man-
ACIX. — 1 What of the King's entry into Paris? 2. What of the resignation of
Ciuirles v.? 5. Who succeeded him? 6. How did he pass his time in retire-Tr.ent 1
» *A hat -^fleotion did he make ? 8. What singular penance did he perfofm?
180
HENRY M. — 1557.
HENKY \1. — J5h9.
181
kind to think exactly alike concerning the profound doctrines of reli
gion
8. These amusements were at length given up entirely, and his
whole tinu; devoted to religious exercises. A fl'vv days before his
death ho perfnnned a singular act of penance. He went through th^
wnoh; cnrcniony of his funeral, except the interment. Jfe laid him-
self in fiis colfin, dressed in his shroud, and tlie prayers for the dead
were repeated over him, in which he himself joined wth tears, show-
ing every sign of fervent devotion.
CHAPTER C.
Battle of St. Quentiii. — Philip of Spain's two Vows,
of the Escitrial. — Calais taken from the English,
killed at a T(mrnament.
Palace
Henry
1. ScARCRLY had Philip II. come into possession of his father's
great possessions, before he i)ecame entangled in a dispute with the
Pope, who called upon Henry for assistance, holding out the lure of
making the concpiest of Naples. The bait was caught at by Francis
d'Aumale, now become Duke of Guise.
2. The opposition of the wiser counsellors of the king was of no
avail. The Duke of Guise departed, full of hope, at the head of a
gallant army. He met, however, with nothinjj but reverses, and was
only spared from further mortification by being recalled into France,
where his presence was required to avert still greater disasters.
3. Philip no sooner heard that Henry had violated the truce be-
tween them, than he despatched an army of fiftv thousand men into
Francj!. His wife, Mary, Queen of England," sent ten thousand
English troops to his assistance. The conmiand of the whole was
held by the Duke of Savoy, who laid siege to 8t. Quentin, which
\\;is defended by Coligny, Admiral of France, nephew of the Consta-
ble xMontmorenci.
4. In those days the ofTices of the army and navy were not kepi
so distinct as they are at the present time. Those of general and
admiral were fretjuently held by the same person, who commanded
by sea or by land, just as occasion required.
5. Montmorenci hastened to the relief of his nephew, and on the
lOth of August, 15.57, was fought the battle of St. Quentin, in which
the French sulfered a defeat as disastrous as those of Cressy and
i*oictier3. In the course of the battle, Philip made two vows, both
of which he kept. The first was, that if he came safe out of this
fight, he never would be present at another.
6 The second vow was, that, if victorious, he would erect a splep
r,- ■ ,1"^^ '*^'^ '"^ ^ renewal oi the war l^tween France ajid Spain? 2. Who con-
in>..uled ilie b reiioh ' .<. What did Fhilip du ? 4. Wlial is said of the offices of genera;
wd admiral I o. W en w-as the baUle of St Quentin fought? What were Philip i lw»
did palace in honor of St. Lawrence, to which saint the lOth of
August is dedicated. Accordingly, he built the palace of the Escu-
rial, about twenty-two miles from Madrid, in Spain, and built it in
the form of a gridiron, because the saint is said to have suflered mar-
tyrdom by being broiled to death on a gridiron.
7. Had the Duke of Savoy been allowetl t<» follow his own judg-
uHMit, he would have marched directly to Paris, and such was the
consternation which prevailed, tluit it would have been an easy prey.
Hut Philip, ignorant of war, and no less obstinate than ignorant, com-
manded hiiTi to prosecute the siege of St. Quentin, which was defended
l)y Coligny for a period long enough to give Henry time to prepare
tor the defence of his capital.
S. A brilliant action of the Duke of Guise served also to revive the
spirits of the French. This was the capture, on the 5th day of Jan-
nary, 1558, of the town of Calais from the English, in whose posses-
ion it had been for more than two centuries. Thus the ancient rivals
of France were expelled from the last hold which they retained on
her territory. The power of the Duke of Guise was raised still
higher by the marriage of tlie dauphin to his niece, the beautiful and
unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots.
0. In 155J), a peace was concluded between Henry and Philip. To
cement it, a marriage was agreed upon between Philip and Eliza-
oelh, the eldest daughter of Henry. It took place June 17th, 1599.
On this occasion was held a splendid tournament. The king, who
excelled in this exercise, entered the lists, and broke several lances
with different lords of his court.
10. The tournament lasted three days. On the last day, the king
desired to try his skill against the Count de Montgomery, one of the
captains of the Scotch guard, and esteemed one of the most expert
tillers of his time. Montgomery was very unwilling to accept the
king's challenge ; but Henry would take no denial.
I!. Montgomery's lance broke against the king's helmet, but a
splinter wounded him in the right eye. He instantly fell backwards,
and would have come to the ground if the dauphin had not caught
him in his arms. He lay without speech or sense durmg eleven
days, at the end of which he expired.
12. During this time the greatest distraction and confusion per
vaded the court. There was a general struggle for power among the
contending parties of the courtiers. At this juncture the queen came
forward, and for the first time took lui open part in politics, by assum-
ing t^e whole direction of affairs.
13. Henry died July 10th, 1.5.59, in the forty-first year of his age,
and the thirteenth of his reign. He left four sons and three daugh-
tt«, one of whom, Margaret, married Henry, King of Navarre.
vows? 8. What exploit was performed by the Puke of Ghjise? 9. When was peace
ctnclu'led? How was it seen re<] ? 10, 11. How did Henry lose his life? 12. Whatwaa
the cnduct of the queen? 13. How old was Henry II. when he was kilU i ? Who»n di^
bis uauRhler marry }
10
M
182
THE REFORMATION
KKANCIS II. — 1659.
183
CHAPTER CI.
About i he Reformatmi. — Martin Lvf her. — John Calvin.-^
The Huguenots.
I Yoii will rrnuMnbor that tlu^ Pope, assuming to himself a powti
^•hich lu'lonirs to thf Doitv ah.iuN promised a pardon tor their sins
o Mu-h as shouhl as.unu> tlu- cross. This was att.rwards extended
,o t'hose who should assist the holy eause hy irilts ot money.
Fi.ulin.T it an easv mode of raising money, the Popes continued
tolrrant iiM^aurs, as these permissions w(Te called, long after the
i;i,h wars had ceased, hestowinjr then, upon all who pave money for
any pi""s purpose enjoined hy the Pope. c \ ^c Vh,r
3 In 1513, John de Medicis, one ol the illustrious family of 1- lor
t-nce was elected Pope, and took the name ot l^^o A. He was a
liberal patron of men of -euius, fond of pomp and sj^endor, and very
rsinul to con.plete ,he stupendous rhureh ot M Peter's at Rome,
wh eh had been be.Mm bv Pope .lulius 11., h.s predecessor. All thi.
n^quire<l an exlraonlinary supply of money, and the old expedient of
sellinu indulgences was resort«'d to.
4 The most active measures w.re adopted to secure a great sale.
Acr;nts were k.'pl at the taverns and places of resort, whilst others
w?re s,M.t to oiler them from lu.use to house, as patent medicines are
hav ked about at the present day. For some time a profitable trade
urai carried on amoufr the itrnoranl ajul credulous.
1 Hut the more enli-htened peoide had lon^r viewed the practice
with ablu.rrence. The princes and nobles were angry at seeing their
vassals robbed of their money to support the lazy pi-icsts in idleness
aiul vice \t length, Martin Luther, himself oiu' of the clergy, ven-
lurtMl op.'ulv to deny the authority of the Pope to imrdon sms.
G Luther was born at Eisleben, m Saxony, A. I). MH.i. m^
parents were too poor to pay for his education, and he supported him-
self while at school, like many other pot)r German scholars, by liter-
ally be.r.ring his bread. From school he went to college, where his
diligence and proficiency in his studies acquired him the respect and
admiration of all the members. w^vinn
7 In l'>Or. he entered a convent of Augustine tri.ir.-b. navinfi
found a copv'of the Bible, which lay neglected in a corner of the
ibrarv he devoted himself to the study of it, with sucn eagerness as
to astonish the monks, who could not conceive what pleasure or
advantage he could derive from it. , • . • ,1
.^ The fame of his pietv and learning led to his being appointed
a urofessor of the university of Wittenberg. In the year 151 / , from
the pulpit of the great church at that place, he first made known hw
Cl - 1 2 What were indulgences, and to whom were ihey granlad ) 3. Who waj
I ^ Y and what is said of him ? 4. How were indulgences disposed oil o. Who
I
1
opinions respecting indulgences. The boldness and novelty of these
opinions drew great attention. Coming from a man of Luther's
character, and delivered with great eloquence, they made a deep im-
pression.
1). The art of printing, which was dis(u»vered about the year 1440,
enabled Luther to make his opinions known through all Christian
eountries, and evt'rywhere they made many proselytes. Li France,
tiu.se who adopted '\\\va\\ were called HuguiMiots, but why they were
so called is not known.
10. Although the reformers agreed in denying the authority of the
Pope, they dTtfered from one another in some matters of opinion.
The ilugueiu)ts for the most part agreed with John Calvin, who wjus
born at Noyon, in Picardy, a province of France, in 1509, but who
passed the greater part of his life at Geneva, in Switzerland. He
died A. D. 1564
CHAPTER CIL
rhe Family of Guise heroine powerful. — Persecutions of the
Huguenots - - The Psalms of David proscribed as Iwretical.
^ Francis 11. , 1559 to 1560.
1. The kingdom was in a most deplorable state, when the one •
peeled death of his father placed Francis, at the age of sixteen years,
upon the throne. It was suffering in every part from the ruinous
effects of thM long wars. The introduction of the reformed religion
had excited a general ferment, and had caused breaches and divisions
in all order* of society.
2. The court was split into parties. The two greatest factions,
which hpt-^d one another most bitterly, were those headed by the
Duke o*" Guise, and his great rival, the Constable Montmorenci.
his or;r /-ns ? 9. What is said of the art of printing ? Who were called Huguenots I
10. Who was John Calvin? , „ . « „rv
• 'II — 1, 2. \"hal was thr coi>dition of France after the death of Henry II. 7 3. Wli»t
1S2
THE REFORMATION
CHAPTER CI.
FKANCI8 II. — 1559.
183
About the Reformation. — Martin Lnf her. — John Calvin.-'
The Huguetiots.
I Yov will vr.mvmhcT that thc^ P<>i>o, assuniii.g to himself a powti
^hich l.rl(.n«s lo the Deity ul.u.c, proinised a pardon tor their sins
•o surh as should assume the cross. This Nvas aiterwards extended
,0 those who should assist the holy eause hy cr,tis ot money.
'> Findin- it an easv mode of raisin<r money, the Popes continued
foTrrant uu/u/irenccs, as these permissions ^^vrc called, lonp: alter the
hofv wars had ceased, hestowin<r them upon all who g:ave money for
anv pious purpose enjoined hy the Pope. r i r vi».
3 In 1513, John de Medicis, one of the illustrious familv ot I lor
.•nee was elected Pope, and took the name ot Leo X. He was a
liheral patron of men of -enius, tond of pomp and sj^endor, and very
iV^ir ul to con.plete ,he stupendous ehureh ot M Peter's at Rome,
v^^h eh had heen he^un hy Pope .lul.us II., h.s predecessor. All hie
required an extraordinary supply of money, and the old expedient of
sellint^ indulijences was resorted to.
4 'IMie most active measures were adopted lo secure a great sale.
Ar^nus were kept at the taverns and places of resort, whilst others
were sent to olfer them from house to house, as patent luedieines arc
hawked ahout at the present day. For s.)me time a profitable trade
vva* c:.irie<l (.u nvnouir the icrni.rant and credulous.
ry But the more enli-htened people had lontr viewed the practice
with ahhorrence. The princes and nobles were anpry at seein? their
vassals robbed of their money to supp(»rt the lazy priests in idleness
Vnd vu-e \t len^rth, Martin Luther, himself one of the clergy, ven-
lunnl ..penlv t.) deny the authority of the Pope to pardon siiis^
Luther was born at Kisleben, in >axony, A. D. MH3. His
parents were loo poor to pay for his education, and »'^ «"Pl""^^/^^^ ^^J"""
kdf whih; at school, like manv other poor German scholars, by Uter-
allv iKMr.rin.r his bread. From school he went to college, where his
diligence and proficiency in his studies acquired him therespect and
adnTiralion of all the members. ,• r ; ,,. Mnvino
7 In llOO he entered a convent ot Augustine fr.arh. Having
found a copy of th.^ liible, which lay neglected in a corner ot the
library he devot.-d himself to the study of it, with sucn eagerness as
t(, astonish the monks, who could not conceive what pleasure or
advantage he could derive from it. , . , ■ • , ,
■; The fame of his piety and learning led to his being appointed
a nrofessor of the university of Wittenberg. In the year 1517, trom
the puliut of the great church at that place, he first made known hi^
Cl -1 2 What were indiiliieMCe:^. a.ul to vvtiom were they granted ? 3^^^"^^^;
I Vy ^n,\ what is .said of him? 4. How were indulgences disposed of? ». Who
I
apinions respecting indulgences. The boldness and novelty of these
opinions drew great attention. Coming from a man of Luther's
character, and delivered with great eloquence, they made a deep im-
pression.
iK The art of printing, which xtas discovered about the year 1410,
enabled Luther to make his opinions known through all Christian
(M)iuitries, and everywhere they made many proselytes. In France,
tlu.se who adopted "them were called Huguenots, but why they w(;re
so called is im)1 known.
10. Although the reformers agreed in denying the authority of the
Pope, they differed from one another in some matters of opinion,
riie Huguenots tor the most part agreed with .Tohn Calvin, who was
born at Noyon, in Picardy, a province of France, in 1509, but who
pa.ssed the greater part of his life at Geneva, in Switzerland. He
died A. D. 1564
CHAPTER CIL
rhe Family of Guise heroine powerful. — Persecutions of tJif
Huguenots - - The Psalms of David proscribed as heretical.
i» Francis IF., 1559 to 1560.
1. Thk Hngdom was in a most deplorable state, when the one
peeled death of his father placed Francis, at the age of sixteen years,
upon the throne. It was suffering in every part from the ruinous
etTects of ihn long wars. The introduction of the reformed religion
had excited a general ferm.ent, and had caused breaches and divisions
in all order? of society.
2. The cciurt was split into parties. The two greatest factions,
which h?t«d one another most bitterly, were those headed by the
Duke o*" Guise, and his great rival, the Constable Montmorenci.
hi9or;r/-ns ? 0. What is said of the art of printing? Who were called Huguenots 1
10. V; ho was John Calvin ?
«"l| — 1. 2. \"^hat was th< coi>dition of France after the death of Henry II. ? 3. Wh»t
Ml
84
FRANCIS It — iSa).
FRANCIS 11.-1559.
185
With all this, the evident incapacity of the king affoided no promise
of any future support to the sinkings state.
3. The king and his young brothers were all that remained of the
family of Valois. The next heir to the crown was Anthony de
Bourbon, whose relationship to the royal family was through St.
Louis, being descended from the youngest son of that monarch. An-
thony himself was an easy, good-natured man, of no firmness or decis-
ion of character, and easily swayed by the merest tritle.
4. He had married Jane d'Albret, heiress of Navarre, and had thus
gained the almost barren dignity of King of Navarre. An anecdote
is related of his marriage which may amuse you. She was then
about twelve years of age, and her dress was loaded with so much
finery that she could not walk, and the Constable Montmorenci was
commanded by the king to carry her in his arms to church.
5. Henry, Prince of Conde, brother of Anthony, possessed a very
different character : he seemed to concentre in himself all the taleni
of the family ; but, having embraced the reformed religion, he wa.s
excluded from all influence at court.
6. The queen-mother, Catherine de Medicis, soon declared herself
for the Duke of Guise, and this, together with his near relationship
to the young queen, soon gave to his party the complete ascendancy.
Montmorenci was deprived of his offices, and the Bourbons were ban-
ished from court.
7. The Duke of Guise was by nature humane and generous, but
he was induced by his brother, the Cardinal of Lorraine, whose big
otry was extreme, to pursue the Huguenots with unabating severity
( -ourts were established for the trial of those accused of being Hu
guenots; and so unsparing were they in couuniltiug to the flames ul'
who could be suspected, that they acquired the name of" the Burning
Cha/nbers.''''
8. Any person who was known to associate with Huguenots wa^
considered as a heretic. The wicked took advantage of the excite
ment to gratify their passions, and many Roman (Jatholics were, froro
the hatred or avarice of their accusers, denounced and executed aj
heretics.
9. Margaret, sister of Francis L, found it difficult to escape per-
secution. She had written a devotional book, and because there was
no mention made in it of saints or of purgatory, it was condemned as
heretical by the doctors of the Sorbonne. Tlie theologians of Paris
were so called, because they held their meetings at the college of the
Sorbonr.e, a seminary for the education of poor students in divinity,
founded A. D. 1256, by Robert de Sorbonne.
10. Kven the Psalms of David were proscribed for the same rea-
son ; and Marot, a popular French poet, was obliged to fly from
his country, for having the temerity to translate them. It is a sat-
id said of the royal family ? 4. Whom did Anthony de Bourbon marry ? 5. What is said
of the Prince of Cond6? 6. What is said of the inHuence of the (jueen ? 7,8. How wer«
the Huguenots treated? 9. What is said of the Sorbonne? 10. Did all Roman Cath-
olica join in the persecution of the Huguenots 7 12. What is said of the Charrolloi
'Hopilal I
jifaction to know <hat there were some good Roman Catholics vho
opposed these sanguinary proceedings.
11. Anne of Este, the wife of the Duke of Guise, witnessed tnem
with agonies of grief. "Shall not,"' she exclaimed, "the bloot]
which is now shed be required of my children I" There was one
honest minister too, the Chancellor ITIopital. He labored all his life
to promote religious toleration, so that he was strongly suspected of
being a Huguenot himself.
12. His labors were not entirely unsuccessful, for he prevented the
introduction of the horrible tribunal of the incpiisition into France.
Such is the influence of virtue and undeviating integrity, that I'Ho-
pital was uniformly respected by Catherine de Medicis herself, even
though he opposed her measures, when he thought them wrong
CHAPTER cm.
More about the Huguenots. — Trial and Condemnation of the
Pririce of Conde. — Death of Francis IL, and its Conse-
quences.
1. You must not suppose that converts to the reformed faith were
to be found only among the common people. In addition to the Prince
of Conde, there were many men and women of the highest rank
among them. The Admiral Coligny and d'Andelot, also a nephew
of Montmorenci, were of the number.
2. The party, which now consisted of an immense number of per-
sons of all ranks and conditions, began to calculate their strength,
and to consider if they might not be able to force the government to
adopt more tolerant measures, and to respect their natural rights.
For this end, the Prince of Conde, as head of the party, entered into
a correspondence with the Huguenots in different parts of the king-
dom.
3. This correspondence boing discovered, the prince and his
brother, the King of Navarre, were summoned to appear at Orleans,
io answer before an assembly of the States-General for their conduct.
Their friends entreated them not to go ; but they thought that if
they refused, it would be considered as an acknowledgment of crime,
and they accordingly went to Orleans.
i. Immediately on their arrival, they wenv to the castle to pay their
respects to the royal family. Guise, as if impatient for his prey,
had them arrested the instant of their leaving the king's presenw
The Prince of Conde was at once brought to trial, and condemned Ui
oe beheaded.
cm — 1. From what rank in society were the Huguenots? 2. How did they «:t1
i, t What was done in regard to the Prince of Cond* and the King of Navarre? 5. Wh«t
IP*
i^-:
1^1
CHARLES IX - ISeO.
I
5 T > virtu».us rHopital lah(.rc«l hard to prevent the execul.on of
Ihe Bente^ce, and the delays which he contrived to interpose were the
means of saving the life of the prince ; lor while his life was thus
.anmng, as it tvere, on a th*ead, the unexpected death of the king
made a sudden change in the aspect of atfairs, and delivered hiin from
^6^ TheTllness of the king was not, at first, thought to he mortal ;
but 'after some days, it was apparent that he could not recover.
Nothincr could exceed the confusion and consternation ot the court
The Guises saw their influence at an end, and knew tliat the queen-
moihcr must possess the chief power <luring the minority of the new
kintr, who was only ten years old. . . •♦u
7 Hitherto tliey had slighted her, hut now they treated her with
the most obseiuiious attention. (Catherine, forgetting her dying son,
thought only how she might best secure her own authority. Ihe
Gui^s endeavored to prevail on her to put the King of Navarre and
his brother instantlv to death. . , , .u ,«-«
8. Fortunately, I'Hopital was able to convince her that they were
her only security against the power of the house of Lorraine b le
therefore sent for the King of Navarre, and assurmg him that she
had taken no part in the trial and condemnation of his brother, otiered
him her friendship on two conditions : the first, that he should relin-
quish in her favor all claim to the regency ; the second, that he should
be reconciled to the Guises. i.„ ^^„
*) The first he readily acceded to, but he was with difficulty pre-
vailed upon to agree to the second. Francis died December 5th,
1560, in the eighteenth year of his age, having reigned seventeen
months. As he left no children, his brother Charles was declared his
successor, by the title of Charles IX.
CHAPTER CIV.
Cathenne de Medicis.— hwnition of SidcSaddles in France.
— Anecdotes of Catherine's Belief in Magic.
1 \s Catherine occupies so prominent a place in this part of my
.torv, it is proper that I should ffive you some account of her. bho
was' the daughter of Lorenzo de Medicis, a grandson of that great
Florentine merchant, Lorenzo de IMedicis, whose wealth and talents
raisfMl himself and his family to the rank of sovereign princes.
2 She was born at Florence, at a time when that city was dis
tracied by the contests between the friends and enemies ot her power-
nil tamilv, and thus she became early familiarized with the intrigues
and vices of dishonest politicians.
•rent happened f.vonvhlo to the prince? 7. S How did Cathenne de Medicos aM7 9.
Whan didTranci^U die? What waa his a-e ? Who succeetled him ? . . .^
aV. - 1, rwho was Ollerine de Med.ci- ? 3, 4. Wha: happened in her whe;. tte
CHi IJLES IX. — 1560.
187
S. When she was only nine years old, her vvhok family, with the
©iception of herself, were banished from Florence. She was de-
tained, as a hostage, to secure the city from their resentment. Thii
did not prevent them, however, from laying siege to the place. The
cannon of the besiegers making an impression upon the walls, it was
proposed that she should be placed there, exposed to the fire.
4. This proposal was rejected with the horror it deserved ; yet
horrible as it was, it vould have saved France from much misery
had it been accepted. At the age of f«»urteen, she was married to
Henry, afterwards King of France.
5. She was a woman of great talents, but of no enlargement of
mind. Her whole thoughts centred in self. To acquire power and
lo retain it was the sole aim of all her actions. But even here her
views were bounded ; she never looked beyond the present moment,
and forgot that there was a future, both as regarded this world and
the next.
6. Hence, she was often entangled in her own nets. She looked
upon deceit and dissimulation as wisdom and policy. She never
acted with sincerity, and hence her whole life was a continued tissue
of artifices. She ba«l a personal feeling of hatred to every Protestant,
independently of her zeal for the Catholic religion.
7. Without having the slightest reason to do so, she always attrib-
uted the death of her husband, which you know was occasioned by an
accident, to a preconcerted i)lan of the Huguenots. Although she
[)ossessed no good qualities, yet she had some great ones. She hatJ
a taste fi)r literature, anti encouraged men of learning, and promoteo
all ingenious and liberal arts.
8. She was by nature cruel, and yet fond of all thoee gayeties
and refinements of life, which are supposed to soften the disposition.
She was both avaricious and profuse, and united in her character the
most discordant and contradictory qualities that ever woman pos-
sessed.
9. Her face was as deceitful as her mind. She had a calm and
composed look, and never was known to lose her presence of mind.
She was fat, and very fair, with fine eyes, and was altogether a very
Handsome and engaging woman. She was very vain of her beauty,
and in particular of the symmetry of her hands and feet.
10. She had also very well turned ankles, and, that tht^y might l>€!
shown to advantage, she was the first person to adopt the u.se of tight
silk stockings. Amidst all her political cares, the care of the toilette
occupied much of her time and thoughts, and her dress was genera'ly
graceful and becoming.
11. She was very fond* of hunting, and invented the side-sadd'e.
Ladies of rank in France, till then, rode on a kind of pad, with a
board suspended fron it for the feet to rest on. She had some severe
falls from her horse in hunting : once she broke her leg, and at an*
other time fractured her skull.
wa3 youn? ? 5, 6, 7. 6. What is said of her character 7 9. What is said of her peraonaf
*P(>«\irance .' 10. Whatofter dress ? II. What of her amusements 1 12. What le «»*J
01 her lp?li«f in migir ? 13. 14. What anecdotes are related of it ?
188
CHARLES IX. — 1560.
ill
12. With all her strength of mind, upon one point she was very
weak. Her belief in magic was entire. She constantly wore a chara
written on parchment, and frequently consulted astrologers. One of
them told her that all her sons should be kings. This prophecy gave
her the greatest anxiety, for it led her to fear that they were all des-
tined to die young, and to succeed one another as kings of France.
13. She therefore tried to fulfil it by procuring for her two young-
est sons other crowns. She succeeded in getting that of Poland foi
one, but tried in vain to get that of England for the other, by marry-
ing him to Queen Elizabeth.
14. Another astrologer had told Catherine that she should die at 3
place called St. Germains. She therefore carefully avoided af
places of that name, and actually abandoned the Tuileries, a splen
did palace which she had built for her own residence, because sht
discovered that the parish in which it stood was called St. Ger-
mains.
CHAPTER CV.
\bout Charles IX. — The Triumvirate. — Commc7icenieiU tg
the Civil Wars.
Charles IX., 1560 to 1574.
1. Charles W. was endowed by nature with many valuable qual-
ities; but they were all perverted by his education. It would have
been better for him had this been wholly neglected ; for it was his
misfortune to be taught only what was bad.
2. His mother early trained him in the arts of deceit, and that she
might secure herself from interference in the government, he was en-
couraged to abandon himself entirely to pleasure. He was entrusted
10 the cair «f the Marshal de Retz, an Italian of low birth, but a most
accomplished cnaster in every kind of vice, in all which it was his
business to initiate his pupil.
C\' — I. What 13 said of ihe education of Charica IX. ? 4. Wliat is said of his iiatum
CHARLBS IX. — 1561
189
S. I \ Bon.^ he was but too successful, but he never coula make the
king a drunkard. He once prevailed upon him to drink to intoxica-
tion, but Charles was so much ashamed of having been seen in that
(iisgusliug condition, that he was ever after remarkably abstemi-
ous
4. He had by nature an ardent and vehement character. He did
everything with violence. When he danced, it was with such im
petuosity an*l perseverance, that the ladies of the court dreaded him
for a partner. He loved all kinds of hard labor, and took great pU as-
iire in working at a blacksmith's forge ; and no laborer toiling for his
bread could work harder than he did for amusement.
5. He was an excellent gunsmith. He possessed great bodily
strength, and it seemed as if violent exercise alone would allay the
restlessness of his mind and the irritability of his temper. In his per-
son he was tall and large, but spoiled his appearance by stooping,
and by an awkward habit of carrying his head on one side. He had
handsome eyes and an aquiline nose. His complexion was fair and
pale, and his countenance haggard and unpleasing.
G. At the end of the short reign of Francis II. the affairs of the
country were in a worse condition than they were at the death ol
Henry II. The evils of a factious court were not lessened, and the
violence of religious differences had very much increased. It was in
vain that THopital exhorted the parties to patriotism and religious
toleration.
7. Catherine and the Duke of Guise were solely intent on the ac-
quisition of power. The duke was very unwilling to give up the
authority he had of late exercised. To strengthen himself, he en-
tered into a close confederacy with the constable, and with the Mar-
shal St. Andre ; the confederacy was called ihe triumvirate, which
term means an association of three persons.
8. Conde, now at liberty, placed himself at the head of the Hugue-
lots, but his brother, the King of Navarre, soon joined the party of
the triumvirate. Catherine now professed great regard for the Hu-
guenots, and granted them several privileges. But the effect of this
conduct was the reverse of what she expected.
9. It added strength to the triumvirate ; for the Catholics, becom-
ing alarmed at these concessions, and believing their own church to
be in danger, relied for protection on the family of Guise. It soon
became apparent that a civil war was inevitable. A spark only was
wanting to set the whole kingdom in a blaze.
10. It was soon struck. Several Huguenots, while at their devo-
tions in a barn, were insulted by the servants of the Duke of Guise,
who chanced to pass by. An affray ensued, in which the duke,
while endeavoring to quell the tumult, received a blow upon the face
with a stone.
11. His servants, exasperated at seeing their master thus wounded,
ttiliicked the Huguenots, and killed several of them. The Huguenot*
chanicler ? .'>. What id said of hl3 personal qualities ? f). What is said of the state ol
the country? 7. What was the triumvirat(> ? 8,9. How did Catherine act, and whal
▼ere the consequences 1 Ifi. 11. What was the commencement of tht> civil \nrs ?
1.'',
188
CHARLES IX. -1560.
12. With all her strenglli of mind, upon one point she was very
weak. Her belief in man^ic was entire. She constantly wore a charn
written on parchment, arid frequently consulted astrolofjers. One of
them told her that all her sons should he kinjjs. This j)rophecy pave
her the ijreatest anxiety, f(»r it led her to fear that they were all des-
tined to die younjT, and to succeed one another as kinps »>f France.
13. She therefore tried to tulfil it by procuring for her two younf^-
est sons other crowns. She succeeded in pettiufj that of Poland foi
one, but tried in vain to pet that of England for the other, by marry-
ing him to Queen Elizabeth.
14. Anotb(!r iistroloper had told Catherine that she should die at a
place called St. Germains. She therefore carefully avoided af
places of that name, and actually abandoned the Tuileries, a splen
did palace which she had built for her own residence, because sht
discovered that the parish in which it stood was called St. Ger-
mains.
CHAPTER CV.
Uout Charles IX. — T/ie Triumvirate. — Commniceineni oj
the Civil Wars.
Charlia IX., 1560 to 1574.
1. Chahlks L\. was endowed by nature with many valuable qual-
ities; but they were all perverted by his education. It would have
been better for him had this been wholly neglected ; for it was his
misfortune to be taught only what was bad.
2. His mother early trained him in the arts of deceit, and that she
might secure herself from interference in the government, he was en-
couraged to abandon himself entirely to pleasure. He was entrusted
lo the cair '^f the Marshal de Retz, an Italian of low birth, but a most
ftccomplished master in every kind of vice, in all which it was his
business to initiate his pupil.
C\ — I Wh.it is .«aiil of the education of Charlca IX. ? 4. What \s said of hia iiatur*
CH.\RLKS IX -- 1361
189
3. 1 . 80ii..i he was but too successful, but he never coula make the
king a drunkard. He once prevailed upon him to drink to intoxica-
tion, but Charles was so much ashamed of having been seen in that
disgusting condition, that he was ever after remarkably abstemi-
ilUS.
I. He had by nature an ardent and vehement character. He did
everyihing with violence. When ho danced, it was with such im
|)eluosity and perseverance, that the ladies of the court dreaded hini
for a partner. He loved all kinds of hard labor, and took great [)h as-
iirc in workinp at a blacksmith's forije ; and no laborer t»>iling for his
bread could work harder than he ilid for anuisement.
5. He was an excellent gunsmith. He possessed great bodily
strength, and it seemed as if viident exercise alone would allay the
restlessness of his mind and the irritability of his temper. In his per-
son ht! was tall and largt>. but si)oiled his api)earance by stooping,
and by an awkward habit of carr\ing his h«'ad on oim side. He had
liand.st»me eyes and an aquiline utxse. His ccunplexion was fair and
pale, and his countenance hagijard and tuipleasing.
(». At the (ind of the short reipii of Francis H. the affairs of the
countrv were in a worse condition than they were at the death ol
Henry II. The evils of a factious court were not lessened, and the
violence of religious dilferences had very much increased. It was in
vain that THopitrd exhorted the parties to patriotism and religious
toleration.
7. Catherine and the Duke of Guise were solely intent on the ac-
quisition of power. The duke was very unwilling to give up the
authority he bad of late exercised. To strengthen himself, he en-
tered into a close confederacy with the constable, and with the Mar-
shal St. Andre ; the confederacy was called tlic triumvirate., whir'h
tern» means an association of three |M>rsons.
S. ('ond«', now at liberty, placed himself at the head of the Hugue-
lots, but his brother, the King of Navarre, soon joined the party of
the triumvirate. Catherine now professed great regard for the Hu-
guenots, and granted them several privileges. Hut the effect of this
conduct was the reverse of what she exj»ected.
\). It added strength to the triumvirate ; for the Catholics, becom-
inix alarmed at these concessions, and believing their own church to
be in danger, relied for protection on the family of Guise. It soon
became apparent that a civil war was inevitable. A spark only was
wanting to set the whole kingdom in a blaze.
10. It was soon struck. Several Huguenots, while at their devo-
tions in a barn, were instilted by the servants of the Duke of Guise,
who chanced to pass by. An affray ensued, in which the duke,
while endeavoring to quell the tumult, received a blow upon the face
with a stone.
11. HissciA-ants, exasperated at seeing their master thus wounded,
attacked the Huguenots, and killed several of them. The Huguenoti
chancier ? '>. What i:^ said nf his jiersonal qualities? Cy. \Vh.at is said (»f the staw o«
Ihe country? 7. What was the trinmrirotp i S, 9. How did Catherine act, and wh«l
vere the dn.swjufiices '!■ in. 1 1. What wa.s the lomTnencemeMi of thi' civil w\rs?
1.1
190
CIIARl.KS IX. -1563.
considered :tie massacre of those peasants as a , reineditated coiniiicnce
ment of hostilities, and at oiiee rushed to arms.
12. Siieli was the r<Miinieneenieiit of ihos;' dreadful reli<jious wars
whieh for so luaiiy years desolated Franer. They wero carried on
with a ferocity ahiiost unexaiTii)led : all family and social ties were
torn asunder, every town hecaine a fortress, and countrymen and lei
l«)W-cilizens cut one another's throats in the streets.
CHAPTER CVI.
War between tnc Roman Catholics and Hugtienots. — Death of
the Duke of Guise. — Sinsru/ar Fate of his Assassi?i. — Pres-
ent from Elizabeth, Queen of England, to the Hifgue?iots,
and their Return for it. — Arms in u^e at this Period.
1. The Prince of Conde. to«)k the command of the Ilv'.jruenot f»)rces,
and the Duke of Guise placed himself at the head of the Catholics.
They met at Dreux. Cinule was taken prisoner, and Coli^niy, who
succeeded to the command, was ohlijred to retire from the field.
*J. Conde w:us immediat«'ly led to the tent of the Dukt; t)f (Juis.',
who received him more as a i;u«\sl than as a prisoner, and, as a mark
of his confidence and frieiulship. made him sleep in the sanu- hed
with himself. Comle. afterwards d.-clared that Guise slept ;is souinlly
as if his hest friend, instead of his greatest enemy, were lyin«T hy
his side; but that, as i\n himself, he did n«»t close his eyes all
niijhl.
3. The next year, ir»<i3, the duke laid siejjrc to Orh-ans. I he
town was on the point of hein;r taken, when, one evenin*:, as the duke
was returninif to the camp from a visit to his family, he received a
mortal wound from an assassin. The duke instantly fell, and th'i
assassin iralloped otf.
4. After havinir ridden full speed the whole of the iii<;ht, which
»vas extremely dark, the man supposed himself to he many miles
from Orleans.' But when daylight broke, he found himself only
about a mile from the spot from which he had first set out. His
horse was unable to ^o a step further, and he was compelled to take
refuge in a house, where, throwing himself upon a bed, he soon fell
asleep.
5. In this state he was (lisc*>vered, and, being carried to Pans, sut-
fered the penalty of his crime. Guise lived only six days after he
riveived his vvouiul ; but before he died, he exhorted ratherine to
make peace with the Huguenots. He was succeeded in his title by
his son Henry, in compliance with his dying advice, the queen made
peace with the Huguenots, and granted them very favorable tarras.
e. In Ihis war, the Huguenots had received aid from Elizabeth
CV I — 1 By whiiin were the armies of ihe iw.i p;irii(!-j roinmaiided ? What was the
te«ult of the fin' battle i 3 What id said of t»»e death of the, IHikt- of Gviir^e ? 4 What
CHAKi.t->s IX
I r^m
191
Queen of England, who considered herself as the ht^ad of ih; Prot-
estant church. Among other acts of kindness, she made them a pres-
ent offline pieces of cannon. This w;is deemed Um valuable a gift t«
pass without some return.
7. IJut the Prince of Conde was poor, and his party so much
reduced, that nothing could be found to send her but some wool.
and a few bells which had betMi taken from a church in Normandy.
'Hie value of the gift of Queen Elizabeth may be judged from the
fact, that, at the battle of Coutras, fought tw'enty years after tliia
period, one party had three pieces of cannon and the other only
I wo.
8. Muskets, however, were the common arms of the infantry, and
the cavalry had exchanged their lances for pi.stols. Armor still con-
tinued to be worn, though the change in the mode of fighting which
had been made by the common use of gunpowder, rendered it rather
in incumbrance than a safeguard.
CHAPTER CVH.
^1
4^ar imtk the Huguenots renrwed. — Death of t he Prince oj
Conde. — About the Bearnois. — Their Dress.
1. Finding the queen totally regardless of her promises, and goad-
nl on by fresh injuries, the Huguenots, in 1507, again had recourse
l«» arms. In the first engagement, the Constable Montmorenci los/
his life. His death was rather a matter for rejoicing than of regret
with Catherine.
2. She had now got rid of all of whos<} influence she was afraid ;
the King of Navarre having been killed in the previous war. She
persuaded the king not to appoint another constable, but to give the
command of the royal armies to her third and favorite son, Henry
Duke of Anjou.
3. This prince was only sixteen years old ; he was therefore
placed under the guidance of Marshal Tavaimes, a skilful general,
but a devoted servant of Catherine. He had carried his obsequious-
ness to her so far, as to offer to cut off the nose of a lady at whom
the queen had taken otfence ! The offer, however, was not ac-
cepted.
1. On the 13th March, 1509, the two armies met near the town of
larnac. The royalists were nearly four times more numerous than
he Huguenots. Conde entered the field of battle with his arm in r.
tling, from the effects of an old wound. Before the engagement
commenced, a kick from an unruly horse broke his leg. Undaunted
•»»^ca?ne of his murderer? 6. By whom were the Huguenots assisted ? 7, 8. What wert
the arms now in common uw ^
CVII. — 1 . When wa.s the war with I he Hueuenois renewed 7 W^hat was one of the firw
•rent.s? 2. Who wa."? appojntod to rninmand the royal armies? 4. When was the bat
*i» of Jarioc foufjht ^ 5 What is saitl of the ttattle. aid of j.he death of the princ«
192
<:haki-K« i\. -1'^9
by this :uvul.M>t, lu- maiie a short speech to his troi ;s, and then le,j
them a^ainsl the enemy. i ♦ . ,k
5 The Hnfjuonols, overpower.'d hv numhers, \ver»« for.-.Ml to 1 1 v .
Conae heina now unahle to move, was eompelle.l to snrren.i.M !<■
wa« lined tVr>m his liors.> an.l plaeo.l on tlie ^rn)und, in tle^ sh:ul.; of a
tree Whilst ho was in this situation, a eaptam ol the l)nU.- ot An-
ton's unanl haselv eamo hehiiul him, and shot him .h'ad. H" Mt
three sons, of whom tho .ddest, named Univy, sneroednl t.. the t.lhv
(; Henrv. Pnnee of Hearn, son of the Kinjz of Navarre, wi.s de-
dare.l the head of the l>,otestant partv. Wr derived his tith- from
that provinee wliieh formed nearly the whole territory of his kjm-
.l<,m The Ilnnw,s, as the people are ealled, are celehrated for their
heantv Their .In^ss is partienlarly neat and heeonimtj.
7 The women, even the poorest, dress with nood taste. U lieti.er
Pn.raiTed in house or field l:d>or, it is always appropriate. 1 •';;;;";""•«'
whieh are hnlliant and showy, are frenerally well ehosen. Ol thesj,
colors, the most tasteful are ^renerally displayed in the handkerehief
whieh forms the hea<l-dress
8 It is of a manufaeture peenliar to the eountry, whieh neitlier
fades nor ernmples. The middle is usually of a <lrah, fawn or hrown
rol.>r, with a horder suited to it. It is adp.sled on the hea. with
ereat skill, so as to set otV the heanty of the wearer. Beneath this
handkerchief are to l>e seen soft hands of ilark hair canMully parted
on the forehead, and placed ajrainst the cheek; so as to contrast witli
the fflowinff and healthv, vet delicate complexions. , , , ,
9 \dd to this a neat little collar round the neck, am a shawl
pinned down m front, over which the han.ls, in cnriously colored mi -
tens, are closely folded. Besides the handkerchief, a kind oH";" '
called a rapufrf; is worn ahro.ad. It is made of white or scarlet cloth
jf the finest texture, often hordered with hlack velvet. I he appear-
mce IS exlromely pretty, whether hannmo loosely from the ho d over
che shoulders, or folded thiek and tlal on the head.
CH.vrTKK CVlll.
Abmd Henry, rrince of Beam, afttrwards Henry the Great. —
By th/' Deaih of his Mother he becomes King of Navarre.
— Hui Marriage. — Calm before a Temprst.
\ Henry, Prince of Beam, was sixteen years old at the time
.,f Conde's death He was horn at the castle of Pau, at which
place the shell of a larife tortoise, which was used as his cradle, is yet
^reserved There is also to he seen there a huge twt)-pronged steel
Wk which was used hv him in after years, and which was thought
of Cond* 1 f. Who l»ecame the lieaJ of the Prolestara party ? 7. Whni is said of l)if
BiVnoM? 5.0 Wlial of lh«ir tlress .»
CHAKF-KS IX. — L'^'i
191
«t that lime, when ff.rks were first introduced, a very refined and del
ieate invention.
•2. As this prinee was de.stined to he one of the most famous men
ni history, I will give yjui his eharaeter, as it had shown itself hefore
this perKMJ oi his life, f jrjve it in the words of a hrter writp ;, :,f
th'- tune, ;itid hy a ^'atludie, his enerny.
.! ' We have jiere the Prinee of Hearn. ft must he confessed
'"•;tl lie 1^ a eharmmtr yfnith. At thirteen years of a^e, he has all the
'•per .pialities of eighteen or nineteen ; he is agreeable, p(dite, ohjig-
injr. and hehav.'s to every (uie with an air ^o e .sy and e.ifrafrina, that
vherever he is there is always a crowd. "
I. "He mixes in eonversaticMi like a wise and prudent man, speaks
.luaysto the purpose, and never .says more or less than he ouaht.
• ^^I'all :ill my life hale the new reli(r,<M,, for having rohhed us of so
uorlliy a friend. Ilis hair is a little red, yet the ladies think him not
llH' ess agreeahle 0,1 that areount; his faee is finely shaped, his noso
nrithertfio large „(ir loo .small, his eyes full of sweetness, and his
whole eoimteiianee .inirriated with uneommon vivacity."
.'"•.In 1.570, peace was at/ain m^wie, and to calm the suspicions of
the l[ii(ruenols, a rnarriagf- was agreed uj)on between the Prince r,f
Hearn and .\lar{^aret, si.ster of the king. The Queen of Navarre,
olitriiy, and all the principal Huguenots were invited to Paris to the
mipt.al.s and the cpieen, forgetting the dying advice of her husband,
:i"eepte(| the iiivilali«in and went.
0. in the midst of the preparations, she suddenly died ; and the
Huguenots believed that her death wjus procured by means of a
poisoned pair «d gloves, which she had purchased of f;atherine's Ital-
1 H. perfumer. Hy her death, Henry became King of Navarre His
•"'linage took place Auirii.st IHth, l.'>7-^.
7. Th«! court was now to all appearance entirely oc/!upied with ban
'Piets and ot.b«;r sphrndid entiTtainments in honor of the marriarre
I h(! Hujiuenots were treated with the rrreatest atu^ntion. fjolicrny waa
npeatfidly urged by his fri(.nds to leave Pans, and -not triTst him-
Kell in th(! power of a king whos; pa.ssion.s were ungovernable, and
ol an Italian woman whose dis.siinulation was unfathomable."
H Hut he would not listen to the eautio.. and declared him.self
n uly to abid.; all ha'/.'inls, ratlier than show a .li.stru.st which might
plunge the country again into a civil war. The very kindness of
Ihe court ex(uted the suspicions of nomr, that foul play was in
leiidftd. ^ ■'
\i. One of (Joligny"h friends, takiiiir leave of him, said, •' Tarn
going to (pjii Pans, becaii.se ihev seem to be loo fond of us '* But
no one could imagine the horrible treachery of which the HuTncnm*
were to be the victims.
<^HII I. 1. VVh.-u is sai.lof Henry. Pri.ireofBearn? n When w:ls nmremadai
1';:,:;:^: " f>n;P'-e.ttosecnre a ^ 6 Wh a event ..cc.rre.l Junn/rhr,Tre?Sii. .« for
!Mh«c?.;rtV '*'''•'• '• "«>^^'"'^lheH..guen,...ireae,i.' Ha.J they any .^uapi^wS
17
IM
rMARI.KS ix.-isri
\W
CHAITKK (MX.
The Massacre of St. Jiarfho/oifieiv.
I For two voars ( 'atliorino l»:wl l..>.'n fontnvm^r \ho most airociout
nlov vv»..Mi IS ,voonU.l m lustovv. Tins was no I.h. than to n.unln
th.' H.uM.onots in Fvann.. Thr luuir, tl.on. , cruH hy naluro,
'Shrunk *Vom sn.h an enormous rrnn.. At last, however, the queen
jrained hiaeonsent. , ..,„|,,.^
o Kvervthnvr ha,l hitherto sucvrile.i arronl.uu o her >us u s
n;nrv ('ol.U-v': ana all the Ira.lers, ha.l lalhn n,.o the snaro whu-h
vas so arttullv lawl, au,i ban.,1 hv the ...t ol th.- kn.^ s ow., .,s eM n
marnaije to Henry, who, nevertliele^s, ,t was on-u.ally inten.U<l
bhoulil h(' one ofthe vietinis.
S Nothnur now remain^,! hut the rxrrut.on, nu.l lor that hr
m'ht of thel>tlh of August wasf.xe,! upon. Th. stnkn.. ot (he
"nnt hell of the palaee was to he the si^rpal tor tlu« <.onuneneement ol
fjw^ mssiere m Pans. The Swiss ayy.vul of the k.n^r :„mI th.> e.ly
lUa w^ apU^a to take the 1.!;<1. To .l,st„.,u,sh then. jr<u..
,hoir victnus, they were or.hMva to su.n a white eross on th.-,r hat.
and a searf »mi the h arni. ... , . ■ i .i .
4 \s the anpoiute,! hour approaeluMl, the k^,K^ h;ss uinlrnr<l than
h.s mother, wis u^ the jrrealest aj,Mtat,o.. ; luMr.MnhhMl Irom hea.l e
Zr His mother a,ul the Duke of (Jmse ha. un-at . hlheu Ity .n
kec^;mcr him to h.s purpose. The <puvn at length toree< Iron, h.m a
romman.l to he^.n tlie slau.^hter, an<l then, to prevent the poHs.lul.ty
oHm retractiu,^ she .avo the s.gnal, without wamnjr h.r the ap-
''*'ij'' nvin not sh.»ek vou hv -ivinj: yon any <leseription of the horri
We "scenes that foUowea. It will h.^ sulVieient to tell you ha e..
Pans alone, more than fne thousan.l per.she.l m what ks .-a UmI th.
Massacre of St. H:nllu.lomew, because it was executetl on hisdav.
Ammi,^ the victims was ( 'ol„niy, a man of the purest iHe, u.ul oi stnet
relu'^ious i)rincij>le. , , , /^ • n . .i. .
6 VI the firit somul of tlie holl, the implacable (.u.s(« flew to the
house' of the admiral, an.l there complete,! his hhxuly purpose ; no.
indeed hv his own hands, for he remained below, and sent his penph-
up to the chamber. The venerable old man, disabled by wou.uls, had
no other defence than his calm, intrepid countenance.
7 The German sonant of Guise approached him with his .Ira wn
.word in his hand. - Younc. man," said Colicrny, " X;- -';;", J.;.'
reverence these ffrav hairs ; but do what you .hmk proper , mv 1. .
ran he shortened but a very little." The sword was plun^^ed into
ftis bodv without a word of reply. - „^ .^ „..» ih.>
8 Orders had likewise been sent into the provinces to put tin
Hu-uenots to death. In many pl.ices these orders were so we..
^.S-*'Twha, i.'t,l^; :::n,"aliir illd whyl How n.a..y w«ra victim- .n
niAKus rx
is7a
lOfj
obeyed that sevnity tlnuisand persons were sacrificed. 'Hiere wero
tome ma|ristrates who liafi tlin eonrafre to di8<»bey. The Vi.scount
^rOrtez, (Jovcrnor of llayonne, in answer to the kinfr's mandate, wrotp
^is f.dlows : '* Your maj»\sty h;us many faithful snljjects in Hayonnr,
but not (Mie exeentiornT."
!». It was originally intended that the Km.; of Navarre and the
vo'in}4 Prince of (^oinh'. should be ineluded in the massacre, but the
kiiii: would not consent to sacrifice those <»f his own blood. I am (rhu\
to say that (Miarles displayed a little hninan feelinjr. He carefully
prnteeted his nurse, who was a Protestant, keeping her C(uistantly by
his side, so lorifj as there was any danger.
10. I'liere was another Prote.stant saved by him, for less disinter-
ested inotiv€?s perhaps. 'I'his was Ambro.se I'are, a man whose skill
in surgery is mueh sp.iken of. Itefore his time, it was rather a
butcher's than a heaiiiitr art.
11. 'IMie eonrt for a time exulle.l in their vietory. Charles was
heard to declare that now he sh(»uld live, in juare. IJut he had for-
ever murderi'd his own peace. His and ('athcjrine's punishment soon
began. In.stead of living in peace, they were a prey to constant dis-
<piif!tu(le.
PJ. At oiM' time, the king deni.-d all participation in the massacrre,
and threw all the blame on the tini.ses. The very next day he avowed
the de.'d and gloried in it, and order(^<l a thanksigiving for what he
palled his victory over tin; Huguen(»t«. Of the.se, two millions yet
remained. Their persenitors found that, instead of extirpating
h.jn^sy, they had made, the heretics desj)*;rat<', and were afterwards
glad to make a treaty with them. ,
CHAPTKR ex.
The Duke of Anjon elected King of Poland. — About the Polish
Kmmys and the Entertainments given to them. — The supe-
rior Learning of the IWrs.
1. CiiAKLK.s had long regarded his brother H.Miry, Duke of Anjou,
with a jealous eye, as being his mother's and the people's favorite.
It was, therefore, with much joy that he heard of his election to be the
King of Poland. Nor did this eircurn.slance afford less satisfaction to
^ ' itherine, for it relieved in some degree the anxiety occasioned bj
the old prophecy.
2. Henry hiins<df was very averse to accepting it. He did noi
like to leave the delights and enjoyments of France, to go to what
Pari-.' What i.i saiil of Culii-'uy ? >. Was the iiia*ia<:re confiiietJ lo P:iri.i? Did all ih*
ina^islralcs obey llin onlen lliey rpr«Mve«!^ 9 Who were spired, and why? 10. What
is joid of Aiiibro;je Par^ ' II. What did ihe kiii>,' aiid Calheriue gain by l he success of
llibir project? 12. What wa.s the ette<M on the Huguenots .'
i'l. — I What evoi rive innch plea.sure to the kiu^ and his mother* .3,4. What l#
I
ll
i
196
»:hari.es IX. — ir.73.
I I
k»e considerod a barbarous country. The king and Catherine were
determined he should go, and he was forced to submit.
3. The thoughts of the court and ministry were now engrosted by
the preparations for the reception of the Polish envoys in a manner
suitable to the dignity of both nations. On the 15th of August, ir)73,
Ihev arrived at the gates of Paris. So splendid an embassy had not
been seen there K»r several centuries. 'I'here were more than one
hundred nobles, besides the twelve envoys.
4. Their aspect, dress, and equipage were no h^ss a novelty to the
Parisians, who gazed with wonder on the large size of their bodies,
their loner beards, their grave and stern countenances, the neb fur?
on their dress, and the brilliant decorations of their arms and horses
5. It was remarkable that the Polish gentlemen could all speak
Latin, many of them German and Italian, and several of them could
speak' French ; whilst anu.ng the whole chief nobility of the court of
France there was not one who understood the Latin language, and
the king was obliged to summon to court two gentlemen who were
distinguished for the possession of this accomplishment.
6. A course of sumptuous entertainments tilled up the time, until
the day fixed for tlu; grand ceremony of presenting the decree of elec-
tion. This was performed in the great hall of the palace, where the
kiufr, seated under a canoi)V. rt^ceived the Polish envoys, two of
whom bore upon their shoulders a silver chest, in which the decree,
havinfT one hundred and ten seals affixed to it, was deposited.
7. This was followed by an entertainment given by the queen-
mother in the garden of the Tuileries, at which a n^prescntation was
introduced, suitgd to the taste of the times. Suddenly, from behind
a curtain, a huge rock crested with silver appeared, hovering in the
lir. • I 1 • ir
8. In its niches were sixteen nymphs, representing by t.ieir dit-
ferenl ornaments the several provinces of France. These nymphs
were playing on various musical instrnments, and reciting verses in
honor of the new king. Then, descending to the ground, they pre-
sented Henry with a tribute appropriate to the several provinces they
represented.
9. Forming themselves into sets, they exhibited whatever was
curious or graceful in French dances. The Poles, notwithstanding
their natural gravity, were much pleased with these gay diversions,
and were well satisfied with the grandeur and liberality of the Fren fh
court.
KiiJ of ihe Polish envoys? 5. WJial is saiJ of the h-ariiiiig «»f iN
S What is said of the eiiierlaiiinieuts eiven to them ?
olivl mtlriiwii I
fflAKl.P-S IX.- 1571.
CHAPTER CXI.
Sufferings and Death of Charles IX. — Co?iduct of his Mot'/wr.
— He finds one Frie?id. — The Chancellor VHopital niaWs
i:reat Reforms in the Administration of Jt/slice.
I. Thk heultb of Char'.es now nipidlv declined. He had nevei
neen quite himself since the day of St." Bartholomew. .His com-
[»lexion, whieli was before pale, was now often Hushed ; his eyes
aeijuired an minatural fier(-ene.s.>, ; his nights were restless and dis-
turbed, and his sleep unr< rreshing
2. The sufferings t.f his body at length became greater than you
can conceive. Nor were the sufTerings of his mind less than those
of his body. Tlu; recidlections of the massacre continually haunted
him, and he w:ts frequently overheard bewailing bis crime with bitter
tears and groans.
:i. Catherine, having forced from Wvn a commission of regency
during the interval that must ela[)sc berveeu his death and the arriva!
of his brother from Poland, thoun|;» no more of him. But he hnd one
triend left, and that was his nurse, wlmse lifi^ he had saved at the time
of the massacre.
4. As she was watching hini one duy, being weary, she sat down
on a chest by his bedside and fell asleep. ]*re.sently she w:is awak-
ened bv hearing the kip.g bemoaning himself with tea'rs and groans.
.'). She approached the bed very gently, and opened the curtains.
The king then said, with a heavy groan, '"' Alas, nurse! what blood I
what murder ! Ah, I have followtMl a wicked counsel ! Oh my Ood,
forgive me, have mercy upon me, if thou wilt !" After a few more
bitter lamentations, the nurse gave him a dry handk(!rchief, his own
being steeped with tears, and closing the curtains, left him to n^posc.
n. He died May 'MMh, 1574, in the twentv-fourth year of his age,
hn-ing reigned thirteen years. He had married Elizabeth, daugh'tci
of the Emperor Maximilian IL, a gentle-tempered and virtuous prin
cess, far too good for the scenes into which she had been brought.
7. It is singular that in this unhappy reign, which on the part of
:he court was one continued scene of wrong and cruelty, many judi-
cious laws were enacted, and many abuses refi)rmed iti the adminis-
ration of justice. All these benefits were the work of the trrea*.
Michel PHopital. ^
S. Dismissed from the office of chancellor by the queen, when she
f.iund that his integrity interfered with her own schemes, and seeing
tliat all his efforts were vain to stem the torrent of political corrup-
tion, he turned all his attention to the improvement of the laws, and
the increase of their efficiency. This great man and upright magis
ale died in 1573, aged sixty-eighl.
u V rl i.r}^^^^ '^ ^'^'^ ^^ ^''« ^*^« "'" Charle.s IX. ? 3. How did hia mother treat
him? 4 5. What friend did he find? 6. Whcii did lie die ? What was his age? What
13 said of his wi!e ? 7. What is said of t lie stare of the laws 5 Who mads the refonw '
B. Wr.en did the Chancnllor THopital die?
17*
196
HE.NKV 111.-1574.
CHAPTER CXll.
Ahmit Henry Iff. — He leaves Pnlujul ivitk Delight. — Hit
Habits and Amuseme/its. — His Mude of exjrressitig Grief for
the Death of a Friend.
Henry III, 1574 to 1589.
I. Henry \v:is at Cracow, in Poland, wlu'ii lio heard of liis brother's
death, lie was so impatient to he oil', that, without takiiicr any meas-
ures for the trovenimeiil of this kiiii;(h>m (hiriiijr liis absence, he tied
secretly in the niirht, and never stopped till he had got beyond itd
limits.
ii. Here he was overtaken by sonu^ Pcdish nobles, who entreated
him to return, which lu; j)romised to do as stuin as he had settled
atfairs in France. In his early years he had displayed some maidi-
ness; but every ilatterinji appearance of character soon vanished.
3. Now, althout,r|i in his twenty-third year, he was more like a
wayward boy than a man. He lived shut up in his palace, occupied
in devisiuLT new fashions in dress. He was exceedingly vain of his
personal appearance, and painted his face white and red, and wore
some kind of plasters at niiiht to improve his complexion.
4. He also slept in gloves to makt^ his hands white, and stained his
hair to hide the natural color, which was red. The dye which he
made use of did not exactly fulfil tlu) purpose of its application, but it
was not wholly without etfect. It destroyed the whole, and left him
bald, and to conceal the baldness he wore a turban. '^
5. The Duke of iSully had an interview with him when he was in
freat distress, and thus describes his appearance : •' I found him in
is closet, a sw )rd bv his side, and a short cloak on his shoulder.-, a
ittle turban on his head, and alxuit his neck was hung a basket, ii
vhich were two or three little dogs, no bigger than my fist.''
(). He was often found playing with a cup and ball, and ihia
amsement soon became so fashionable at court, that gentlemen
I'
CXIl. — 1 . Where was Henrv ITI. when he lioanl of tus hrolher'n death ? How did lie
% 11 2. What is said of his character? ."{, 4. What of his habits .' 5, 6. What of hi*
K-^usemenls J 8 How th'! he express his i;rief for the death of his freiiil I
HK.NKV III
|.'>84
1»9
pages, lackeys and all, were perpetually engaged in it. The queen
tmcouraged him in all these follies, that she might be left at liberty
»o gratify her own inordinate love of power.
7. TIk; Poles, finding that Henry did not return, chose another
kintr, and Henry and his late subjects thought no more about one
.mother. His mind was occupi«'d with grief for the death of his inti-
111 ile friend, the Princess <»f ("ondc.
>i. For three days he al)an(iuned himself to grief, and then set about
devi.sing some mode' of (wpressiiiir it. The result of his labors wa*
the substitution of small death "s heads for the silver tags which wer«'
then much worn on the dresses of trentlemen.
CHAPTER CXHl.
Ahmttthe Leagiie. — A Plea to exclude Henrij of Navarre from
the Throne. — War of the Three Henrys. — Death of the
Prince of Conde.
1. Whilst Henry amused himself with these trifles, his unliappy
kingdom continued a prey to civil war. The Huguenots had been
strengthened by the accession of the Duke d'Alencon, the youngest
brother to the kin<j, and heir to the crown.
2. Ill ir)70, a treaty was made with them, but on terms which were
considered by the Catholics as much too favorable to the Protestants
The Duke of (.'uisc, taking advantage of this feeling, proposed to the
Catholics to tonu a Lmgur for the defence of their religion.
.3. The osteiisibli! object proposed by him was the extirpation oi
hen^sy ; the real ellect of the success of the league would b« o maki
the intluence of the Duke of Guise paramount in France. Vnis j)rinc<
was the idcd of the people. Pos.sessed of brilliant talents, and gei
enms to profusion, he had a towering ambition, which neither ])rin
ciph; nor honor couh' -""strain.
}. Thinking tj divert the storm from himself, Henry declan^l him
self the head of the league, thus giving strength to'a party whose
;'riiicii)les were in reality subversive of royal authority. But this,
Henry did not discover till he was at the brink of ruin.
.'). The death of the Duke d'Alencon, which took place in 1.584,
made a great change in affiiirs. Henry of Navarre was now the heir
t" tlie tlirone. The character of this great prince had already dis-
played itself. The prospect of his succession filled the Catholics
with dread. They endeavored to excli de him, upon the plea that his
ri<rhts were forfeited on*account of his relisrion.
(JXIII 1 What ^ave new slr'-iiii't lo the Hui^iieriots ? 2. What measure wan
- l<.|>t.'(l by the llonian Catliolics? Vhy ? 3. What is said of the Duke of Guise? 4.
Wli.ji cmirse di<l Henry adopt ? 'i. Wh.it rhanfre was pnxiuced by the death of the Duka
} .A'.-r„;.„, ; u'hii' -ii;! the Cv.'.iiiics atieinpl to no ? 6. Did the kinc win with them *
II
2S00
HKNriY III - ir»6S.
6. The Duke of Guise joined heartily in the scheme, but the king
would consent to nothing which should impair the riijhts of the Kin^
of Navarre. He sent pressinp^ invitations to him, in his own and hia
mother's name, "to come to court; but the Kini^ of Navarre would
not trust himself in their hands.
7. In 158.5, Philip II. of Sj)ain declared himself " //»• I^rofrctnr nj
ifu' Laigvr.'''' 'V\\G war which followed has betsn called the war of
ihe three Henrys; that is, Henry 111., Henry of Navarre, and Henry
Duke of Guise.
H. In irjKS, the Huc^uenots sustained a i:re;il loss in the death of tl v.
I'rince of Conde, who w:is poisoned by his own servants. He was a
iiKin of <^ real abilities, of the most strict and sincere intej^rity, and no
way interior to his cousin Henry of Navarre in bravery and generosity
of character. He was a Protestant front the purest principles of
religion and scorned every selfish and unworthy motive.
CHAPTER CXIV.
Plots of the Duke of Guise. — Munhr of the Duke.
Catherine de Medicis.
Death of
1. The situation of the king was daily becoming more \mcom-
fortable. Treated by the leasjue with insolence and tyranny, he knev\
not which way to turn himself. 'l\>o weak to contend either with the
King of Navarre or the Duke of Guise, he acted an insincere part
towards both ; sometimes treating opeidy with the one, at the very
moment that he was treating stjcretly witli the other.
2. He became at hMigih an object at once of general distrust and
contempt. Comparisons began to be made bfitwcen him and the Duke
of Guise, and several plots wen; formi^d to dethroni^ tlu; king and con-
fine him in a mona.stery. The Duke of Guise, by his agents, fo
mented the public disntlection.
3. One of the most active of these ngents was his sister, who, to
revenire herself for some remarks which Henrv had made on her want
of personal beauty, took every means of turning him into ridicule and
lowering his authority. It was an insolent speech of this woman
which finally rousi^l Henry from his lethargy.
4. Showing a pair of gold scissors which she wore at her girdle,
sht said, " The best use T can make (»f them is, to clip the hair k)^ a
•»rince unwcrthy to sit oi« the throne of France, in order to qualify
M..* for a mona.stery, that one more deserving may mount it. '
5. The plots of G-jise were now ripe, and, in defiance of the orders
r. Who was c.iIUhI " the Protector of the Leastit ?" Why was the war calletl the war
of the lliree Henrys? 8. What loss ditl the Hiipienota meet with ? When did Cond*
die 7 What is said of him 7
CXIV. — 1. What is said of the situation of the king? 2. What of the conHuct of lh«
Uukeof Ouise? 3 What of hia sister? 5. W:|it occurred on the duke's coming t«
HK.\RV 111—1588.
20;
<il the king, became to Paris, where he was received with tri imphaui
joy by the populace. H»'nry, in great alarm, ordered some Swiss
troops into the cuy ; [)ut they were overpowered by the Parisians,
who collected in vast nmubers, and wt^re only restrained from the
commissK.n of vKdene.e by the Duke of Guise, who assumed the ap-
pearance of great moderation.
a. Th.' king, no h)ugcr deeming himself safe in his capital, made
his escape during the night by getting over the wall of the garden ai
the back . it the palace, and mouutiMg a horse, took the road to Char-
ires. Catherine, who remained behind, at last procured an appareir
iec«)nciliation betwe.n Henry and the Duke of Guise.
T. Hut Henry had now resolveil to get rid of his ambitious subject,
and s;H"ing no other moile, resorted to the detestable crime of assassi-
nation. In the night of the i>4d December, he himself introduced
lime ot his guards into secret hiding-places in the pa,ssage leading to
his chamber, and i)laeing dagirers in their hands, he conimanded them,
as their king, to kill Henry, Duke of Guise.
8. The designs of the king were known to S(j many persons, thai
the duke receivcMl no less than nine billets, warning him not to attend
the council the next day. Hut he looked on them as contrivances of
Henry to intimidate hnu, imd disregarded the warnings.
9. He obeyed th • sumMionv; to attend the council, and on his way
to the royal chaml) •:•, w:ls suddenly beset by the assassins, and fell,
covered with wounds. From the scene of death, Henry went to hia
mother's apartment, and said, exultingly, ''Now, madam, I am a
king." ^
10. Catherine neither blamed nor approved the deed, but coldly
replied, " We shall see what will come of it." But she did not live
to witness the const^piences, for she died almost immediately after,
her death being hastened by her remorse for the ruin and misery
which her schemes had brought and were still bringing upon hei
race. '^
CHAPTER CXV.
Decree of the Doctors of the Sorhonm against Heiiry. — He
seeks Aid from the King of Navarre. — Death of He?iry III,
thi last, off he House of Valois. — General Character of that
Race of Kings.
1. The assassination of the Duke of Guise was follovved the next
day by that of his brother, the Cardinal of Guise. The effect of
these murders w;is very different from what Henry expected. The
P.iris? 7. By what crime did Henry get rid of his troublMalie subject? 10. Howd^d
tdthenne receive the information of the crime ? •
OX V. — I What event followed the death of the Duke of Guise ? What was the effecl •
202
HKNUY m.-ir)ba
«
partisans of the league wer«; intlaiiuHl with the utmost rage, and flew
to arms.
2. The doctors of tlie Sorhonne, whose decrees were considered
almost as hiiiding us laws, i>ronounc«ul Henry of Valois to have for-
feilni the crown, and al)solve(l all his subjects from their uUegiunre
ti. him. Thus ilenrv, instead of " findinjj himself a king," was on
the point of losing his throne. In this . xtremity, he turned to the
King of Naviiire. • i- i
3. il«; hesouixht timt prince to have rninpassion on his distressed
condition, and t(» come to his ;is.sist;u«<-e. The King of N:iv:irre, who
ahhoried his crinu's :uid suspected his sincerity, could with ditlicully
brint' himself to listen to his entreaties. However, the two Henrys
uiet, ami were reconciled to one another.
4. 'I hey united iImmt forces, and m .lulv, ir»S<), ai)pcared heloro
Paris with a large army. The alarm of the Parisians was excessive.
Tb'ir destnictum appear.Ml to he inevitable ; when an unlookci*
for event made an entin? revolution in the allairs of the kingdom.
5. On the first of August, l.'iSn, a monk, named Clement, obtained
admittaivce to the king's chamber, uikI.m- pretence of having important
communicali.Mis to make to him. I'resenting a paper to the king to
read, he almost instantly gavt^ him a mortal wound with a knife which
he had hitluTto kept concealed.
6. The king sent at once for the King of Navarre, embraced him
cordially, ilecbired him his successor, and conjured him to renounce
ihe reformed religion. In him the house of Valois became extinct,
• »#ing tM'cupie<l the throne for iitU years.
7. Of Ihe thirteen monarchs of this race, it must be said that they
'..•re, for the most part, brave, magnific.Mit, and lovers of the
lie arts. Thev foun<l the kiiigd«»m overrun by foreign enemies,
and parcelled (u'lt into independent states. 'VUcy (>xpelled the hng-
lifh, thev united Dauphiny, Hurgiuuly, Provence, and iJrelagne to
their di)miiiions, and lell to their successors a great and compact ter-
litorv. . .
8.' On the other hand, these kings wvw, with hnv exceptions, arhi
trary and ambitious, lovers of coiuiuest rather than of the prospcTity
of their people, on whose rights thev trampled without scruple. Ihey
ground down the poor by taxes, and degraded the nobles by bestow-
irg he highest dignities' on mean and unworthy favorites.
Table of the Kings of the Family cf Valois
Hcz^n to reicii.
1328. Philip VI., grandson of Philip III.
1350 John II., surnamed the Good.
1364. Charles V,, the Wise.
1380. Charles VI., the Well-Beloved. '
1422. Charles VII., the Victorious.
8. What was the decree of the doctors of the Sorlwnne ? 3. What course did Kerry III
idopl ? 4. 5. What event saveil the city of Paris ? 6. How longdid the family ofValow
occupy the throne 1
Mi' I of them ?
ent saveii me cuv oi raris • u. iiu»t lunguiu mo "»"■■•/ \gf, — .
H(«v manv -nonarchs were thert of that family? 7, 8. Whw w
CONDITION OF THK KKKNCH I'K(»P:.K
203
£461. Louis XI.
1483. Charles Vlil.
1498. Louis XI I., grrat-grandson of Charles the Wise, called
tJK! Orleans- Valois branch of the family of Capet.
1515. Francis 1., gnat-great-grandson of ('harles tlio Wise, called
ilif Aiig(mleme-Valois branch
1517. Ilrnrv II.
iryrAK i'Vancisll.
I5(i0. Charl.s IX.
1574, Ile-nrv III.
CHAPTER CXVI.
Effects of the Civil Wars on t/ia Conilition and. Marw^rs of the
Frtnr/i I'ro/f/p. — A/joat the Soldiers. — The Authors of this
Period. — Daily Life of a Srhofdhoy.
1. These long civil wars had reduced Fraiic<? to a most melan-
choly coudition. They wen; not lilvc wars in which one nation brings
its army afrainsl another, aud one {jreat battle (h'cides the fate of the
war. Those are bad enough. Hut Inn; then; were as many hostile
pow<'rs as there wen* towns.
2. Brother was now arnuul against brotbcr. Relati«»ns deliberately
murdered one another ; nf;ither (Catholic nor Protestant was saft; in his
bed; the lands, when cultivate<l at all, were lilb'd with the sword in
otu; hand and the phmgli in the otlujr. From men; exhaustion, the
leaders of the parties were obliged to agree to a cessation of 0j)en
war ; but with the mass there was nev<'r any pence ; every <lay was
marked by bloodshed.
.'i. Fach party maintained an army of what we should call regular
fnxjps, in distinction from the militia. None but the king's Swiss
guard wore any uniform dress, and th(!irs was of gray cloth, intro-
duced by Henry III. The nobles and ofTicers of each party adopted
a distinction of dress. The Catholics wore crimson jackets and sasheSj
and the Huguenots white ones. But this was a badge of party, and
rot a mi'itary iniiform.
4. The troo[)s had a nominal pay ; but they seldom received any.
.)\iring the Italian wars, this was no jjreat matter to them; for the
Frerieb soldii^rs acquired such prodigious wealth, that it was no un-
(roinmon *liing to see the privates dressed in velvet and gold, and one
man's dr*ss is described as being of green satin, with gold coins for
buttons.
5. But in the civil wars this wealth disappeared. Poverty and
rags had succeeded to all this splendor ; and the French soldiers
noighv have passed muster in Falstaff's ragged regiment. They
CXVI. — 1,2. What was the effect of the civil wars 1 3. What is aaid of the drew oJ
Dm troops) 7 4. Were the troops paid ? 4,5. How did they support thetnaelre* 1 <• ^
204
LITKUrt I'lJRK.
were driven lu obtain the bare necessaries of life by the murder and
plunder of the peasants.
6. The effect of this state of thinr^s on tlie minds of all ranks of
people \v;is most melancholy. Their feelinfjs were made callous by
familiarity with scenes of blood, and their malig^nant passions were
fostered by the violence of party spirit, till they seemed to be insensi-
ble to all (lillbrence bfHveen riu^hl and wrong-.
7. All writers ai^^rec that the character »)f the French people undcr-
wt'ut a irw;il ("liaufje for tiie worse duriii«r the reigns of the three last
kings of the house of Valois. Hut the gloom of this dark period wa.s
in some degree lessened by the progress of literature, to which the
patronage of Francis I. had given a great impulse.
H. The popular poets of the day were Jodelle, Despories and
Ronsard. Jodelle was the father of French tragedy, and Desportes
was famous for his eleg-ies ; but it was the Franciad of Ronsard, the
first French epic poem, which bore otfthi; palm. It was the delight
of Queen" Elizabeth of England in her palace, and the solace of Mary
Queen of Scots in her prison.
9. Mary sent Ronsard a splendid present of silver plate, on which
was a representation of Mount Parna.ssiis, the favorite abode of the
fabulous god of poetry, as a token of g^ratitude for the beguiling of her
sorrows which she had derived from the perusal of his poetry. Ron-
sard greatly improved the French language, which before his time
w:is very harsh and unpolished.
10. Of the prosi! writers of the day, Montaigne, who died in 1592,
is very celebrated. His essays were at one time extremely popular,
and are still read and admired by many. They are written in an easy,
sprightly tAylc, and present a lively pictiire (jf tht; tastes and manners
of a gentleman of that age, but are not well [)leai<ing to the improved
moral and religious taste of the [)resent dav.
11. And now you shall have an account of liu; life of a schoolboy
of thai «lay, as given by himself. " Heiiig, in the year 1545, four-
teen years old, 1 was sent with my brother to study under the super-
intendence of an ancient gentleman. We were with him during
three years, leading a much stricter life, and studying much more
severely, than persons of the present time would suppose.
12. " VV'e rose at four in the morning, and, having said our prayers,
began our studies at five, our great books under our arms, and
our inkstands and candlesticks in our hands. We listened to lec-
tures till ten without intermission, and then dined, after having in
haste run over the substance of the lectures, which we had taken
ilovvn in writing.
I'.l. " After dinner, as a matter of amusement, we read Greek
plays, Demosthenes, &c. At one o'clock, our studies began again.
.\t five we recited, and looked out in our books the passages cited in
the lectures. Then we supped, and read in Greek and Latin. On
\Vh.»l was the efll-ct of th,^ wars on the chanicter of I lie peiijilf ; How was the gloom of
this |)eritHl in *)ine ineasnrt; relieved? >S. U. Who were the |)opular poets? What i«
SHiit ofeactj 1 10 Who was the most ceiehrateft prcwe writer of this period? Wlu<t ;*
Mid of him ? I'. 12, 13. Dedcrilxjlhe life of a schoollr«- 4t this j)eriod.
tlF.SKY IV. — 1589.
206
riolydays we went to church , and during the remainder of the day had
a little music and walking.' Now I will tell you how, under a j?oo(J
king, France recovered from her misfortunes.
CHAPTER ^XVIl. *
About Henry iT., called the Great — Story of the Woodcut ia
who wished to see the King.
Henry IV., 1589 to 1610.
1. When the melancholy catastrophe which put an end to the igno-
ir.inious reign of Henry III. was known at Paris, the people aban-
doned themselves to the most disgraceful excesses of joy. The
siiter of the Duke of Guise, whom I have spoken of, ran about
♦he streets, exclaiming, " Good news ! good news ! the tyrant is
dead!"
2. In the mean time, all was confusion in the royal camp. The
nobles of the royal army were inclined to the cause of the king of
N^avarre, who assumed the title of Henry IV., but who is known in
history, and whose memory is still cherished by every Frenchman, by
the well-deserved title of Henry the Great.
3. But the party of the league refused to acknowledge his right
to the crown, and caused his uncle, the Cardinal Bourbon, to be pro-
claimed king, by the title of Charles X. The cardinal was an olu
man of eighty, naturally of a weak mind, and now in the hands of
Henry. But all this was of no consequence ; the leaders of the
party only wanted his name, hoping by that to govern the country
themselves.
4 . Tlie strength of the army under Henry was much reduced by the
v\ithdrawal of many Catholic nobles, who had been willing to serve
ander Henry III., but professed neutrality in the present contest. At
the same time, they offered actively to assist Henry IV. if he would
become a Roman Catholic, which he refused to do.
CXVII. — 1. How was the news of the death of Henry III. received at Paris ? 2. What
iTM the feeling at the royal camp? ■{. What did the party of the league do? 4. What
!• aaid of ttj strengtii of the army of Henry ? What weakened the forces of Henry FV. 1
18
204
IJTKIt.nllJRK.
were driven to obliiiii the bare iiecessiiries of life by the murdtir and
pluiid(;r of the peasaiit-s.
G. Tlie elfcet of this .stale of thinj^^s on the minds of all ranks of
peoj)i»; was most luelaiieholy. 'I'hcir teelin^s were made callous by
familiarity with scenes of blood, and llunr maii«rnatit passions were
fostered by the violence of partv s[)iril, till thev seemed to be insensi-
ble to all dillirence betv ce'n riLrht and wroni,'-.
7. All writers aL^ree that tin; cbaract'T <if the French peo[)le niidit-
weiii a i^reat chan^t^ tor the worse diiriiiLT the reiirus <»f the thnu- \,\>\
kinifs of the honse of Valois. Hnl the liluoni of this dark period wa.-
in some deirrce lessened by the [)ron[ress of literature, to which the
[)atronatro (»f Francis I. had jjiven a ^^reat imptdse.
H. The p(!i)u!ar [>oets of the dav were .lodelle, r)es{)ortes and
Ilonsard. .lodelle was the fither oi French trajiedy. and Desportes
was famous for his eleiries ; but it was the Frnnriad of Honsard, the
first French epic [»oein, which bore olFtbe palm. It was the delight
of Qneerr Filizabeth of FiUnrland in her palace, and the solace of IMary
(^ne^Mi of Scots in her pris(»n.
J). Mary sent Konsard a splendid pres«:nt of silver i)late, on which
was a rej>resentati(Mi of Mount Parnassus, the favorite abode of the
fibulousy^od of poetry, as a token of fjralitude for the beg^uilint^ of her
sorrows which sh<3 had derived from the perusal of his j)octry. Ron-
sard greatly improved the French langu;ige, which before his time
was very harsh and unp(dished.
10. Of the [irose writers of the day, Montaigne, who died in lolJJ,
is very celebraterl. His essays were at out? time extremely popular,
and are still read and admired by many. 'I'hevare written in an easy,
sprightly sHyle, and i)resent a lively i)i«Mure of tin; tastes and manners
of a irentleman of that age, hut are not well plea>ing to the improved
niural ;uid ridiijious taste of tin* [»re.sent dav.
I I. .Vnd now you shall have an account «d" the life of a schoolboy
of that day, as giveu l»y liims{df. "' Heilll,^ in the year 151.">, four-
teen years old. 1 was stMit with my brother to study under the super-
i!ilend(Micc (»f an ancient gentleman. We were with him during
three years, leading a much stricter life, and studying much more
severely, than persons of the present tune would suppose.
I'J. " We rose at four in th(; morning, and, having said our prayers,
buiran our studies at live, our sjreat books under our arms, and
our inkstirids and candl<\sti(d<s in our hands. W»! listened to lec-
tures till ten without intermi.ssion, and then dined, after havinij in
lia.stt; run over the sultstance of the lectures, which we had taken
liviwn in writing.
V.i. '* After dinner, as a matter of amusement, we read Greek
pi lys, De'inosthenes, &c. At oiu; o'clock, our studies began again.
-Vt five wr ncited. and !o(jkcd out in our books the passages cited in
the lectures. Tli-n we supped, and reatl in (Jreek and Latin. On
W'h.it \v:i.s the etrci-l r.rtl\.> w.irs oii ih»' rh.inuMiT ofilie ptM[il.' ' How was thu ffloom of
tins |);>ri.Ml ill sniiu; nuvisiir.- relieved? •> 1). Who were Ilie |x<i)iil;tr |H>etf! ? "Wtiat i.«
sjtiil (ifeacli ? JU Wtm was tlie most relehrale<i prose writer of this j^eriod? \Vli;<t ;.*
•aid of hitn .' I '. 12, 13. De-scrihe the life of a .schooltr' it this ijcriod.
tlF.S'KY IV
15S9.
206
rioiydays we went to churchy and during the remainder of the day had
a little music and walking.' Now 1 will tell you how, under a goot'
king, France recovered from her misfortunes.
CHAPTER ^LWIl.
About Henry IV., called the Great — Story of the Woodcutta
who loished to set the King.
Henri/ IV., 1589 to ItilO.
1. WhExN the melancholy catastrophe which put an end to the igno-
ir.inious reign of Henry III. was known at Paris, the people aban-
dtned themselves to the most disgraceful excesses of joy. The
sifter of the Duke of Guise, whom I have s[)oken of, ran about
♦he streets, exclaiming, " Good news ! good news ! the tyrant is
dead!"
2. In the mean time, all was confusion in the royal camp. The
nobles of the royal army were inclined to the cause of the King of
N^avarre, who assumed the title of Henry IV., but who is known in
history, and whoso memory is still cherished by every Frenchman, by
the well-deserved title of Henrv the Great.
3. But the party of the league refused to acknowledge his right
to the crown, and caused his unt h;, the (cardinal Bourbon, to be pro-
claimed king, by the title of Charles X. The cardinal was an ohi
man of eij^hty, naturally of a *v<ak mind, and now in the hands of
Henry. But all this was of no conse(pience ; the leaders of the
party only wanted liis name, hoping by that to govern the country
themselves.
i . The strength of the army under Henry was much reduced by the
withdrawal of many Catholic nobles, who had been willing to serve
under Henry III., but professed neutrality in the present contest. At
the same time, they ottered actively to assist Henry IV. if he would
hecome a H "mi;;!! Catholic, which he refused to do.
CXVII. — 1. How wa.s itic news of the (If.-aili of Henry III. received at Paris ? 2. What
WIS the feeling at the royal camp? •!. What did tlie party of the league do? 4. What
!• nid of tij strength of the army i>f Henry ? Wliai weakened the fcxes of Henry IV. 1
18
206
HENRY IV. — 1589.
5. So much were \.a forces diminished, that Henry was obliged to
break up his camp before Paris, and to retire into Normandy. In
idftition to rhe dillicultirs thrown in his way by bis enemies, Henry
suffered nuich embarra.ssment from his friends. The r'atholics who
had joined his party conhl have no toleration for the H»i{,nienots, who.
on their part, had no cordiality for the ('alholics.
G. Eacli party was jealous of any favor or mark of confidence be-
stowed on the other; and as tluiv were none of his own family to
whom he could look for any su|»p<.rl, Henry was oblij^ed to contend
alone with all the burdens of bis diflicult situation.
7. Hut no man ever lived who was more competent to do so. He
was now in the thirty-sixth y«ar ot ins a^^., and had been tried from
his earliest years in the hard schot)l of adversity. He was blessed
with a frank and cheerful disposition, and ^My and buoyant spirits.
I'rompt and vifjilant, he was always ready to act.
H. H.' was sparinjr in his personal expenses, but generous and lib-
eral to others. He is said to have sidxlued his enemies as much by
liis clemency as by his valor. He was a man of rrreat sincerity and
simplicity of manners, and was — a rare thinnr in France — a kin^
without artifice or dissimulation.
i'. His compassion and tenderness of heart endear(>d him to all the
lower ranks of people, who were but little accustomed to receive kind-
ness from their superiors. Of his kindness and condescension 1 can
tell you a story.
10. One day, as a poor woodcutter, who had passed all his life in
the forest of Fontainebleau, was at his usual work chopping fuel for
his cotta<T«!, a hunter rode up, and eagerly inquired if the hounds had
p:issed that way. The old man shook his head, and was sorry, he
>aid, they had not; for he wished to sec the king, of whose goodness
M) much was said.
11. The stranger goo<l-humoredly bade him get up behind him, for.
as Ik; was one of the hunt, he mii.st ride till he came up with it ; theii
he should see the king. '' Hut how shall 1 know him?" said the
wiKKlman. '* Hy his being the only person who will not uncover his
head," w;is the reply.
12. The stranger rode and galloi)ed along, till at last he fell in
with the hunt. All was instantly bustle and rejoicing ; all gathered
round the stranger, who had been long missed ; all hailed him with
respect, and all took off their caps: when the delighted and astonisheMJ
forester perceived that it was the king, '* the good Henry" himself,
who had brought him info the courtly circle !
SWhaiwjis the consequence? Wh.u caused the kins? great embarrassment? 7 »..v.
il. wa.siheknigathi8a4:c««ionioihethroneJ What issaidof hi8charact«r ? 10,11 1 9
V\ liat a ectloie is related of his kindness ? . • • . ■
HENRY IV.— 1590.
201
CHAPTER CXVIII.
Si€f(e of Paris. — Ma^rfianhnous Coiuluct of Henry TV
1. The party of the league was much the strongest, and was sup
,)orted by the money and influence of the King of Spain. It had for
Its leadei the Duke of Mayenne, brother to the Duke of Guise, b-it
in all respects unlike him'. His only claims to consideration were
his rank, and the cause in which he was engaged.
•J In 151R), the league lost their ])liant(»m of a king, who, him-
self, never iiad a» y wish to superstnlethe belter rights of his nephew.
In the same year. Henry laid siege to Paris. The inhabitants had
made no preparations foi difiiu-e, but they determined not to
yield.
3. Th'^y put the city into the bijst state of <lefence they could, or-
t;anizcd themselves into companies to learn the u^of arms, and every
family sent its copper cooking vessels to be made into cannon. But,
notwithstanding all th(;se (Ml^rts, Henry could at any moment have
taken the city, could he have been prevaibnl upon to adopt the vio-
lent measure of an Jissault.
1. "I am," said he, "the true father of iny people. I would
rather never have Paris, than possess it by the death and ruin of so
many persons. "' This clemency saved the city to the league.
When the inhabitants were reduced to the last extremity short of
absolute starvation, a Spanish army appeared, and Henry was forced
to retire.
fj. On the 30in of August, ir>!U), the s«Mitinels, who had been keep-
ing watch all night on the walls, perceived at break of day that th(;
royal army was decamping. Their cries of joy at this unexpected
sirrht were so loud, that thi; awak(Mied and astonished inhabitants
imagined some new calamity had befallen them.
(). Hut when they comprehended the truth, they were almost mad
with joy. Some crowded to the walls to convince themselves that
the news was true ; others rushed out of the gates in search of food ;
while others repaired to the churches to return thanks to God f<»r
their deliverance.
CHAPTER CXIX.
Henry iY. becomes a Catfiolic. — Joy of the Parismm. — Aboui
the Regalia of France.
1. It had now become apparent that there was but one tiling
which could restore peace to this distracted country. The kinc
CXVIII. — 1. What ia .said of the fmrty of the league? By whom were lh«iy com-
manded ? 2. When did Henry lay aieee lo Paris? 3 What did the citizens do > 4.
What is said of Henry's conduct ! 4 What saved the city ? What is said of the feaJ
ir.ss of the inhabiunts 7
208
HKNKY IV ~irm
must become a Catholic He had lonjr thought of the ma iter, auv
had attended upon tlie ins.urtinns of Catholic divines.
2. Sully and others (.f liic most sincere and conscientious Hugut
riots stronj^ly advised this course, as a duty which circumstances
uuposed upon a kiuLj on whom th(! tranciuillity and luippiness of so
larjre a portion of the human race depended. Accordiuijly, on July
'ifjth, 1593, the king made his profpssiou in the church at St. Denis.
.'i. A truce was now <j[rant«'d to the Parisians; and vou shall heat
\yh;it use they first made of it. 1 will give it to you in the words of
Sully: "The next day, a prodirrious concourse of the people of
Paris assemhled at St. Denis. The king showed himself to the peo-
(ile ; wherever he turned his steps, the crowd was so great that it was
soiiietiiiu^s itiipossihle to pierce through them.
4. " At the same moment a million of voices cried, ' Long live the
king I Every one returned charmed with the gracefulness of his
person, his conde^etision, and that popular air that was natural to
him. ' God hless'Tiim !' said they, with tears in their eyps. Tender
and sensitive as he was, the king beheld this spectacle with the
strongest emotion."
5. You shall also hear the king's story. *' They are wild," saya
he to a friend, " to see a king. A pleasant adventure happened to
me at church : ati old woman of eighty years of aire seized me by the
head and kissed ine. I was not the first who laughed at it."
G. The course pursued by the king was attended by the happiest
consequences. The tiobles flocked to him in daily increasing num-
bers to tender him their submission, and Henry received them with a
frankness, and kindness, and sei'ming forgetfulness of the past, which
won the afffction of all.
7. Rheinis was in the hands of the Duke of Mayemie, who still
held out against the king. Henry was therefore crowned at Char-
tres, February 27th, 15'.M. A new crown and sceptre were made for
the occasion, for the partisans of the league had melted down the
regalia of France, as the symbols of royalty are called, not sparing
even the golden Crown of Charlemagne, which had long been pre-
served as a curious and valuable relic.
CXIX. — 1. VVIku was the kiiiir .lilviswl td tin i(» secure the peace of ]is kingdom ? 2
Did he follow tlie advice / When 1 X How did ihe Pari.sians behave a\ the occasidil
1. Whit does Sully siy ahoui their conduct? r». What does the kh^ himself tsay?
B. Whit were he conse<|U9iices of the king's course 7 7. Where v/aa he crowned ? lV»i»
aut at Rheimi ? What is said of the regalia of France 7
HENKY IV 1591. 2U9
CHAPTER CXX.
More zbmit Henry IV. — The Edict of Nantes. — The Way iii
ivhich he put down hisurrections. — His Marriage.
1. Henry was received into Paris Match 22d ; and though hf
entered it at the head of an army flushed with victory, and having so
many causes of enmity against the Parisians, yet no one throughout
this great city complained of the slightest violence on their part.
There was no commotion, and from that very day the shops were
opened, with all the security which a long-continued peace could have
given.
2. The king at once proclaimed a general pardon to all the French
who had borne arms against him. In giving him credit for this act
of magnanimity, you must recollect that it was not extorted by ne-
cessity, but, on tlie c«»ntrary, was grant«>d when he had full power to
satiate his revenge, could his soul have harbored such a feeling.
3. The Duke of iMayenne soon submitted himself, and was received
and treated w ith so much no!)leness ;ind generosity, that he was ever
after one of the king's most faithful S(>rvants. Even the Duchess of
Montpensier, who had been his most persevering and bitter enemy,
was won by the politeness and courtesy of his reception ; for, instead
of covering her with confusion, as many would in his situation, he
conversed with her with the familiarity of an old friend.
4. Thus France at length saw the termination of those troubles
with w'bich she had been distracted duriuff a period of thirty-scv(^>
years. The rights of the Huguenots were secured to them l)y an
edict, called " the Edict of Nan/rs.'' They were granted the frex^
exercise of their religion, and all offices of honor and dignity were
opened to them.
5. The French were delighted with the king, and began to feel the
happiness of a good government. The taxes, it is true, were as high
as ever, but they were paid without murmuring, because the people
were persuaded that the money was expended with economy and hon-
esty
6. Henry paid the greatest attention to the condition of the peas-
antry, a class whose wants and sufferings had hitherto been disre-
garded by the sovereigns. In the early part of his reign, an insurrcc
tion broke out amongst the peasants in Guienne.
7. Instead of sending troops to kill the whole, as had been the cus-
tomary mode of quelling such disturbances, the king had their com-
plaints inc^uired into, and their wrongs, as far as possible, redressed.
The peasants immediately returned to their duty, and l)ecame a wy^i
attached and devoted portion of his subjects.
CXX. — What is said of Henry's entry into Paris? 2. What did the king do' i.
What wa-s done in reference to the Huguenots ? 5. Wliat were the feelings of the Frond
pe^^ple ? 6. To what did Henry pay especial attention ? 7. How did he put down in»»r
rertion ^ 8. Whom did he marry ? What is said of his wife ?
18*
iilO
HK.NKY
1«FJ,
8. In IfiOO, for reasons of state and against his own feelings, Hen-
ry married Mary de Medicis, a woman of weak nind and vioki.
temper. She was entirely governed by her Italian favorites, and cr
ated much dissension at court.
.V
CHAPTER CXXI.
Of Dress and other Persomd Matters.
1. Another object of the great king was to promote the arts and
manufactures. The silk trade of Lyons owes its birth to him.
Thinking to benefit trade and commerce, he encouraged his courtiers
in habits of expense quite opposite to his own frugal habits.
2. The expense of dress became enormously great, on account of
the quantity of gold, silver, and jewels with which it was decorated.
It was not only costly, but dreadfully heavy. It is related of one of
the ladies of the court, that, when she was in full dress, she was so
encumbered by the weight of her finery as to be unable to move, or
even to stand.
3. The dress of a gentleman of the day is thus described : "He
was clothed in silver tissue, his shoes were white, and also his stock-
ings. His cloak was black, bordered with rich embroidery, and
iined with cloth of silver ; his bonnet was of black velvet, and he
wore besides a profusion of precious stones."
4. The ruff had been laid aside in the last reign, because Henry
III. took it into his head that the person whose business it was to pin
on his ruff had been bribed to scratch him on the neck with a poisoned
pin.
5. Its place, so far as the ladies were concerned, was supplied by a
sort of frame of wire and lace, in which the head was enclosed, and
which, in compliment to the queen, was called a Mfdids. Masks
were much worn by both sexes. They were made of black velvet,
and were so necessary a part of the oul-door costume of a lady, that
she was thought to be in dhhabilk if seen without one.
6. This weight of dress led to the introduction of a new luxury.
The ladies could no longer ride to court on horseback. Coaches were
therefore employed to carry them. The first coach made its appear-
ance in Paris in the reign of Henry II.
7. For a h.iig time there were but three in the whole city. 1 -je
queen had one; a great court lady had another; and the third be-
longed to an old nobleman, " who, being too fat to ride on horse-
back, was obliged to submit to the mortification of being carried in a
coach like a woman.''
CXXI. — What did the king do to encourai^e trade and commerce ? 2. What is said
about dress? 3 What of the dress of a ?enlleman? 4. Whv was the ruff mven upi
5. What supplied the place of the ruff? Whatofma.sk?? 6 Wlul new luxury w ti;
HENRY IV. - I60a
211
CHAPTER CXXH.
:^f the Furniture. — Of the Authors of the Time of Henry TV.
1. The tapestry, carpets, and bed-hangings of the houses corre-
sponded in splendor and costliness with the dress. When the (\m-
Hiable Montmorenci was killed, iiis body was brought to his own
liouse, and lay in state, as it is called, — that is, for exhibition, — in a
hall, the walls of which were hung with crimson velvet bordered
with pearls.
2. But in all other respects, the houses, and even the king's pal-
aces, were very deficient in what we should call furniture. Except-
ing one or two' arm-chairs for the heads of the family, the rooms usu-
alfy contained one coarse long table, some stools, a few benches, and
with several chests, which also served for seats.
3. Those who could not afford the expense of hangings of silk, or
damask, or satin, covered the walls with gilt leather, or had them
panelled with wood. I think the last was the most appropriate, from
the description we have of what was perhaps the only parlor and sit-
ting-room of a French chateau, or country-house.
4. *' The hall was very large. At one end was a stag's antlers,
which were used for hanging up hats, coats, dogs' collars, and the
cnaplet of paternosters. At the opposite end of the hall were bows
and arrows, targets, swords, pikes and cross-bows.
5. "In the great window were three harquebusscs, (a kind of gun,)
with a variety of nets, and other apparatus for sporting. In the chests
(called coffers) were coats of mail laid up in bran, to keep them from
rusting. Under the benches was a plentiful supply of clean straw foi
the dogs to lie on."
6. Amidst all this litter, there were two shelves, on which was
deposited the library. This consisted of the Bible, Ogier the Dane,
the Shepherd's Calendar, the Golden Legend, the Romance of the
Rose, &c.
7. From this selection, it would appear that romances were pre-
ferred to those memoirs and histories so much more interesting to us,
of which many had been written. The period itself produced several
writers whose works are still held in high estimayon.
8. At the head of these is the great Duke of Sully, who has given
a most interesting account of those scenes in French history in which
he and his great master bore the most conspicuous part. Next to him
is De Thou, who has written a minute general history of the period
between 1545 and 1C07.
9. Another distinguished memoir-writer was Theodore d'Au-
bigne. half-brother to the king, and grandfather to Madame de Main-
tenon, of whom I shall have more to say when I coire to the reign of
Louis XIV.
CXXII.— 1. What \f said of the tapestry, &c., of the houses? 2. What of the othfli
mrniture \ 4. What is said of tl^e hall of a French chateau ? 6. What of the library •
:. Who were the princiial memoir- writers ? Wliat is said of Sully 1 What of l)e Tbou 1
212
HENRY 17. -leuu.
10. One jf the first cares of Henry was to restore his capital to ita
former flourishing condition. Ho fo"und the streets overgrown with
grass, many of the shops and houses shut up, and others, abandoned
by their owners, had been converted into stables. When the Span
ish ambassadors arrived, a few months after his coronation, they rx-
pressed their admiration at the great improvement which had taken
[dace in the city, since it had been under his rule.
i 1. Tlie king replied, " Wiicn tii(! master is absent, all things gel
into (hsorder; but when he is returned, his presence ornaments the
house, and all things profit."
CHAPTER CXXIll.
The Duke of Svlly,
1. In all tliat Henry did, he found a most able assistant in his faith
ful friend, the Duke of Sully. Although he continued a Huguenot,
he was intrusted with the highest ofiicos in the state ; and he well
merited the confuh'iice, ior lie appears to have had nothing at heart
hut tiie honor of his royal niat^ter and the good of his country.
^ 2. Great attempts wen.> made to induce him to change his religion.
The Pope himself labored to ellect this object, but Sully's answei
was, "that he would never cease to prayfor the conversion of hi?
h(diness." Sully was a grave, dignified ])ersonage, and even after
his retirement from office lived in a nuich more stiff and courtly stylo
than his royal master. His favorite residence was at Villebon, about
sixty m.iles from Paris.
3. Here he was surrounded by such a host of attendants, that, on
some occasion, when above eighty of them were ill, their absence was
scarcely perceived. The readiest way to make you comprehend what
a private person could do with so many people will be to give you a
description of his style of living.
4. The duke rose early. After his prayers, he set himself to work
with his four secretaries. Their occupation consisted in arranging
his papers, lookin* over and correcting his memoirs, in answering .
letters, and various other matters of business. Thus he passed the
morning till an hour before dinner. Then the great bell announced
that the duke was ^oing to walk.
T). All the household at once arranged themselves in a row in the
hall, and the duke issued forth, preceded by his esquires, his gentle-
nuMi, and his officers and guards. Some ot' the family walked by his
side, with whom he conversed, and a long train of oflicers and sol-
diers followed. Having finished his solemn walk, he entered the
J WhaiofD'Ai.bisrnfc? 10. To what did Henry jay particular attention? II. Wha.
wa3hi3 reply to the Spanish ambassadors? •'«•'*-
Jc^^I^rZ ^- "^r^^ 'f ^"^ °'" ^^^ ^"'^« of Sully ? 2. Wliai is said about hit religion »
where did he prefer to lire? 4. Describe hi« mode oflife.
HENKV iV <(kJU
213
satiiig-room, which was a vast apartment, hung round .vith pictures
representing the most memorable events of his own life and of that of
nis master.
6. In this room stood a long table. At the top were two arm-
chairs, for the duke and duchess. All their sons and daughters,
whether married or not, were seated on little stools. Such in those
days was the subordination of children to their parents. They did
not venture to sit down in their presence without permission.
7. After dinner, the duke went to work again till it was time for
his afternoon's walk. This was accompanied by all the formalities
of that of the morning. After a few turns, the duke would commonly
go through a little covered walk which divided the flower and kitchen
gardens, then up a flight of stone steps to a grand alley of lime trees.
8. There he would place himself on a little bench, and leaning his
two elbows on a sort of summer-house window, would enjoy the view
of a beautiful terrace below, of a large pond, of his park, and of afino
distant country beyond. His gardens were laid out in terraces, alleys,
and straight rows of trees, and were full of busts, urns, and statues.
CHAPTER CXXIV.
Henry's Plan for a Christian Republic. — Omens^ and hii
Opinion of them,
1. Henry did not confine his thoughts to the good of his own
people alone. A favorite project of his was to unite all Christendom
int(j a sort of Christian republic, in which each state should be secured
from the aggression of any other. This plan, however, did not meet
with much encouragement from other princes.
2. But all the projects of this great king were brought to a sudden
termination. Reports had for some time prevailed throughout France
that the king would not live long. His death had also been foretold
by fi)rtune-tellers. There were various ill omens too, one of which
is thus gravely related in the memoirs of one of the bravest of the
French generals and gayest of the courtiers, Marshal Bassompierre.
3. *' On the 1st of May, as the king was passing through the grfat
gallery of the Louvre, leaning on M. De Guise and myself, he left us
to go into the queen's chamber, saying lo us, ' Don't go away — I 'm
ffoing to tell my wife to make haste? ;md dress, that she may not keep
the dinner waiting.'
4. " Whilst we were waiting, and leaning on the iron balustrades
of the court of the Louvre, the May tree which had been planted in
the middle of the court fell down, without any wind or apparent
cause. I said to Guise, ' I wish it had not happened. It is a very
CJflflV — 1. What favorite project had Henry 1 V.I 3. What omen occurred » 5. Wh*
214
MKNKV IV
l«10
had omen. May God preserve our king, wl»o is the May ol ihu
Louvre.'
5. '* The kinjr, who had approached without our knowing it, heard
all that 1 said. ' You are fools," said he, ' to amuse yourselves with
Bueh prognostics. 1 thank you for your solicitude ; but lea'-n from
me never, for the future, to c.nc ahout omens and predictions which
are vain and frivolous.
6. " ' For the last thirty years all the astrologers and fortune-
tellers in France have i)redicted to mo every year that I should be
killed, and have warned me lo beware of certain days, in none of
which luis any accident happened lo me. In the year in which I do
actually die, all tlu^ omkmis will be put in history, while nothing will
be said of the omens (»f the pn'ce«ling years.' "
7. Though this wise king had no superstition, and laughed at
omens, still he knew thai he was the object of hatred to some relig-
ious fanatics, on acc(umtof his toleration to the Huguenots; he knew
too that a carriage in a crowded street would aflord the best oppor-
tunity to any orie who wished to destroy him. Hence the stories that
he foretold of his own death.
HENRY IV
1610
215
CHAPTER CXXV.
Coronation of the Queen. — Death of Henry IV.
1. The queen had never been crowned, and in 1010 she demanded
that the ceremony should be performed. The king was very unwil-
ling to grant her recpiest, both on accoimt of the expense, and because
he did not like thois(! great ceremonies ; yet, as he was oue of the
kindest and most indulgerit men in the world, he did not like to refuse
her request.
2. Accordingly, on the 13th day of May, IGIO, the ceremony was
performed, with the greatest magnificence. It was determined that
the queen should make her grand entry into Paris on the 15th of May.
The happy citizens were busily occupied with their preparations.
Triumphal arches were erected in all the streets through which the
procession was to pass, and the whole city was a scene of bustle ami
•^x^K^ctation.
3. Amidst the general gayety, the king alone wore a face of dejec-
tion, and seemed to take no pleasure in the passing scene. On the
I itb of May, in reply to an expression of affection from one of his
.ittendants, he said, " You do not know me now ; but when you have
lost me you will know my worth, and the difference between me and
other men."
was the king's opinion of them? 7. Hid the king believe himself to be in any
danger ?
CXXV. — 1. What Is said of the queen's desire to \te crownal ? What were the king'*
Wishes? 2. When did the ceremony ta'«e place? What ceremony was lo follow it, and
when? 3. What was the appearance of ho kin?' 4.;') What did Bassompierre »y to
4. BassoiTipierre, who was present, thus continues the story :
Then I said to him, ' Sire, will you never cease afflicting us by
■aying that you will soon die? You will live, if it please God, long
and happy years. There is no felicity in the worhl eipial to vours'':
fo\i are in the flower of your age ; in perfect health and strength of
oody, full of honor beyond any other mortal.
5. " ' In the tranquil enjoyment of the most flourishing kingdom,
adored by your subjects, possessed of wealth, of fine, beautiful pal-
aces, a handsome wife, and fine children ; what can you desire more?'
The king only sighed, and said, 'All the.se 1 must (piit.' He then
desired me to meet him in the afternoon at the arsenal, which was the
residence of Sully, who was sick.
0. "I went, according to his wishes, but, alas! it was in vain ; for
soon after I arrived there people came rushing in, exclaiming that the
king was wounded, and had been carried to the Louvre. '^I rushed
out, and seizing the fir.st horse I could find, galloped to the Louvre.
I ran up to the king's closet, and found him stretched on a bed, sur-
rounded by weeping officers. The king heaved one sigh — it was
his passing breath, and the physician cried out, ' It is all over; he is
gone
I' "
7. And now for the particulars of the deed which threw millions
into mourning. The king started for the arsenal in his coach, in
which, beside himself, were six noblemen. Tlu; coach had no glass
windows, or blinds, but leather curtains, which were all drawn up,
that the king might see the preparations for the reception of the
queen.
8. At the crossing of a street he was stopped by a string of vehi-
cles passing in a different direction. At the instant, a man named
Ravaillac jumped upon the wheel of the coach, reached over, arid
stabbed the king twice in the breast. The curtains were drawn
down, and the carriage driven back to the Louvre, to which it might
be tracked the whole way by the blood which flowed from it.
!>. The courtiers at once asseml)led in haste and agitation lo deter-
mine what should be done. The queen was declared regeit. The
whole transaction passed so rapidly, that at four o'clock on the 14th
of May, 1610, the king was in good health, and before half past six
the queen was established in the regency.
riim ? 6. What does Bassompierre relate of the transaction of the 14th of May ? 7, 8.
Itelale the particulars of the king's death. 9. Who was declared recent ? On «»hftl dk)
•»*i the murder cc- nilled?
216
LOUIS xni.-i6io.
CHAPTER CXXVl.
Character of Mary de Medicis. — She is a Patron of the Ai t$
—Marshal D'Aiicre. — The King's Favorite, De Luy?ies.-
An old Charge of Sorcery revived.
Louis XIII., Uiio ^/ U)43.
1. The consternation and public grief were universal ; the king vvaA
mourned for as a father. Tliis excess of grief, on the part of a whole
nation, for the death of one man, may seem unnatural and affected.
But under a despotic government everything depends on the personal
character of the sovereign.
2. The life, the liberty, the happiness of every one of his subjects,
is in his power ; everything, therefore, is referred to the king ; and
while a bad king makes himself detested, a good king gains for him-
self love, and gets to be looked upon as a father.
3. Henry left two sons, Louis, and Gaston, Duke of Orleans.
Louis, the eldest, known iu history as Louis XIIL, was only nine
years old at the time of his fallier's murder. As I have already told
you, the regency was conferred on Mary de Medicis, his mother.
4. Mary was a weak and bigoted womafi, but her reputation is
wholly unstained by any such bloody crimes as those for which Caln-
erine is universally execrated. She patronized the arts, and Paris is
indebted to her for the gallery of the Luxemburg, a collection of
paintings by Rubens, the great Flemish artist, representing the prin
cipal events in the life of his r<»yal patron.
f). The queen made herself very obnoxious to the nobles by sui>
!nitting entirely to the guidance of two Italian adventurers, a man and
his wife, named ('oncini. In a very short space of time the man was
raised to the peerage by the title of Marquis d'Ancre, and made one
of the marshals of France.
6. The discontent of the nob'es was increased by the insolence of
CXXVl. — 1.2. Wh.il \v:u ihc public lee-rn?? Why should so great an effect be prr
duced .' 3. Who aucceetletl Henry? What was the age of Louis XIII. ? 4. What was
the character of Mary de Medicis.' For what is Paris indebted to her? 5. How did sh»
make herself obnoxious to the nobles? 6. What increa.'^ed the discontents? 7. W^hai
LOUIS XIIL — 1610.
toe fa-t orite. 1 o repress the murmurs of the people, and to show the
tate that awaited all who should say anything against him. D'Annre
claused gibbets to be erected in various parts of Paris ; but or.e of
the^se was put to a use he little expected.
7. The king, who possessed none of his father's energy of charac-
ter, was all his hte a mere puppet in the hands of others. At the acre
ot sixteen years, he was under the control of De Luynes. This man
had entered the service of Ilenrv I^^ as a page. By his dilin^ence
and attention he attracted the notice of that monarch, who grante.l
broth^erT ^''^'^^-'' ''''^^''* ^^ employed in educating his two younger
8. The king, hearing of this, was so much pleased, that he doubled
bis salary, and made hini the companion of his son Louis, over whom
he acquired the greatest inlluence. L(uiis was fond of hawking and
shooting, and De Luynes had great skill in these sports ; and by these
accomp ishments he may be said to have flown into the king's favor
and to have been enabled to soar to the great height which he after-
wards reached.
y. De Luynes easily excited in the mind of the king an impatience
the control ot his mother and a jealousy of her favorites, and per-
suaded him to assume the government to himself. His first act was
the issuing of an order for the arrest of D'Ancre, and the execution
ot this order was intrusted to Vitry, captain of the king's guard
10. Vitry met the marshal on the bridge of the Louvre, announced
to him the order, and, without waiting to see if he would quietly sur-
render hiin.self, shot him dead. The king avowed the act as done
by his order, and rewarded Vitry by giving him the office of marshal,
wjiicli he had thus been the means of making vacant.
11. The body of D'Ancre was seized by^he people and hunff on
one of his own gibbets. Meantime, his wife was arrested on the
charge of sorcery. Being asked what charm she had used to acquire
so much influence over the queen, she replied, " I have used no charm,
but the ascendency which a strong mind has over a weak one "
12. The old charge was also revived against her of contrivincr the
death of the king by melting a waxen image; the same, you" will
recollect, upon which Madame de Marigny suflfered three centuriea
bemre.
Wl^'ii V n ^'"= • ^^''" '''''■^' ^f ^"^"^^ • S ""^^- ''"' ''« ^^'ii" »'i« influence 7 1) What
^ elMig did De Luyne. e.vcne in the king', n.ind ? What .iid the king orderV 10 Hoi
TrAncrV) I-/ WhT'."'"' ""^ ^*'^"-'' . ''■ .What charge vva.s made agai.^t ,l,e wif" o"
V v^iicre .' ]4. What charge w;us revived against hor'
19
216
LOUIS XIII— 1610.
CHAPTER CXXVl.
Character of Mary de Medicis. — She is a Patron of the Ai t$
— Marshal lyAncre. — The Kini^'s Favorite, De Lwjfies.-
An old Charge of Sorcery revived.
Luiiis XIII., lt)li» /'/ 1«)43.
1. The consternation and i)iii)lic frrief were universal ; the kinij wai
mourned for as a fatlier. This excess of grief, on the part of a whole
nation, for the death of one man, may seem unnatural and afiected.
Bui under a despotic jroverinnent everything depends on the personal
character of the sovereijjn.
2. The life, the Iil)erty, the hap[)iness of every one of his suhjects,
is in his power; evervthiiig, therefore, is referred to the king; and
while a had kinii makes himself detested, a good king gains for him-
self love, and gets to he looked upon as a father.
3. Henry left two sons. Louis, and Gaston. Duke of Orleans.
Louis, the eldest, known in hii^tory as Louis Xlll., was only nine
years old at the time of his faiher's murder. As I have already told
y*)u, the regency was conferred on Mary de Medicis, his mother.
4. Mary was a weak and higoted woman, hut her reputation is
wlndlv unstained hy anv such hloody crimes as those for which Catri-
erine is universiilly execrated. She patronized the arts, and Paris is
indehted to her for the iraih ry of tlu; Luxcmhurg, a collection of
paintings hv Kuhens, the great Flemish artist, representing the prin
cipal events in the life of his r(»yal patron.
.''). The queen made herself very oi)noxious to the nohles hy sut»
'.nittins: entirely to the; guidanc'e of two Italian adventurers, a man and
his wife, named Concini. In a very short space of time the man was
raised to the peerige by the title of Martpiis d'Ancre, and made one
of the marshals of France.
6. The discontent of the nob'es was increased by the insolence of
CXXVI— 1.'2. Whit
duced .' 3. V"
the character
nuike
LOUIS XIII. — 1610.
217
ftie fa'ioTite. To repress the murmurs of the people, and t.) show the
late that awaited all who should say anything ajrainst him. D'Ancie
caused gibbets to be erected in various part's of Paris ; but oi.e of
lh<^se was put to a use he little expected.
7. The king, who possessed none of his father's energy of charac-
ter, was all his hie a mere puppet in the hands of othersf' At the a«TP
of sixteen yt>:.rs, he was under tlie control of De Luynes. This man
had entered the s.-rvice of Henry I\'. as a page. By his dilj.rence
and attention he attracted the notice of that UK.narcli, who .rramed
um a small salary, which he employed in educating his two \"oumver
brothers. ° - o •
H. The king, heari.iu of this, was so much pleased, that he doubled
lis salary, an.l made hini the companion of his son Louis, over whom
he acquired th.> gri-ate.st inlhience. J.c.nis was I'ond of hawkin- and
siiooting,and De Luynes had great skill in these sports ; and by "these
accomp ishments he may be .said to have tlown h.to the king's favor
an.l to have been enabled to soar to the great height which he after-
wards reached.
J». De Luynes easily excited in the mind of the king an impatience
ol the control ol his mother and a jealousy of her favorites, and per-
suaded him to assume the government to himself. Jlis first act waa
the issuing of an order for the arrest of D'Ancre, and the execution
ol this order was intrusted to Vitry, captain of the king's fruard
10. \ itry met the marshal on the bridge of the Louvre,\nnounced
to him the (.rder, and, without waiting to see if he would (luietlysur-
r.M.der himself, shot him dead. The king avowc^d the act as done
Dv his order, and rewarded Vitry by giving him the office of marshal,
whicli he bad thus been the means of making vacant.
11. 'I'lie body of D'Ancn; was .seized by'tiie pciqde and hung on
one of his own gibb.>ts. Meantime, his wif,' was arrested on the
charge ot sorcery. Being asked what charm she bad used to acquire
so much influence ,.ver the queen, slie replied, - I have used no charm,
hut tlie ascendency which a strong mind lias over a weak orje."
1-2 The old chari:.; was also revived against her of contriviufr the
.leati of the king by m.dting a waxen image; the same, yoirwill
recollect, upon which Madame de Marigny sufTered three centuries
hefore.
.;i'i.^n n r= ^^''•'«^.-^I^fI''>yMe.s? 8. How. li.l 1m> .mj.. his influence? ;> Whal
^. liigdi.l 1)0 Luynes exc.lem the kn.u's mind ? Whal did the kn.-' order i l(J Hot
i> nnc.re ! f4. VVh.ii chirire was revived iiiranist her'*
IJ)
^(&km. ^
07Ma
5>c'^>^is^
218
LUUIS XIII -I6I0.
■i
CHAPTER CXXVII.
State of Manners in the Time of LaMi XIII.
1. Although the king was now noiiiiiuilly the sovereign, yet Vh
Luynes, in fact, ^overnoil. lie was so proud and arrogant, and su
dimcult was it for suitors to get admittance to his presence, that it
was said " that there were three most difficult things in the world —
to square the circle, to fuid the philosopher's stone, (which was to turn
everything into gold,) and the third was, to speak with the Duke de
Luynes." , • • i • r j
2. It has hecn said of the court of France at this time, that it did
not possess one person of honor or worth. Prid.- and haseness were
the universal characteristics. The depravity of morals extended itself
to all classes. „
3. Paris was the scone of constant robheries and murders. IMot a
nitrht passed without bloodshed, so that it was not safe to go into the
streets without a strong gTianl, as one of those whose duty it was to
remedy the evil felt to his cost.
4. One of tlu; secretaries of state, being invited to sup abroad, lelt
orders to havt; his horse brought to him at nine o'clock. It so hap-
pened that the horse fell lame on the way, and the secretary must
needs walk \wu\e. This was not very pleasant, for the streets were
horridly dirty, and the only attempt at lii:hting them was by large
vessels placed at the corners, filled with pitch and other combustibles.
5. He started oif, with his lackey going before with a torch. He
had just reached the Pont Neuf, upon which the (pieen had erected a
splendid equestrian statue of Henry IV., cast in bronze, when he
heard the clashing of swords. He looked under the torch, and seeing
there were but two persons, kept on.
6. He had not gone many steps before the two persons came run-
ning up to him with swords drawn and pistols cocked, apparently in
a great rage with one another. 'I'hey said they were quarre^Umg
about a paper which they had picked up in the street, and, with many
compliments to the secretary, desired him to read it.
7. Accordingly, he took out his spectacles, and beoan to read :
' All persons who pass over this bridge after nine o'clock are re-
quired to leave their cloaks behind thi;m, and if they have no cloaks
:o leave their hats." The secretary started when he read this, aiu'
one of the fellows said to him, " 1 think the paper concerns you,
sir." So they made him take olf his cloak, and walk home witJM.iii
one , ,
8. These robbers were for the most part the servants ot the noUled
and gentlemen, who, instead of trying to restrain thetn, often set
il.emabad example; for we are told that gentlemen would some-
C\XV1I — 1. Wtiat 13 siiiJ of De Luynes? 2. Wlial is said of the court of Vrunce
.lurh." the rule of De Luynen? What of llie morals of the people? 4 What auecdow
is tela -ed to illu^irate them ' S. From vvtiat cla.-a were llie robbers ? Fn.m w»u»i w tha
Una cui-jyurse ileriv«d f
LOmS XIII— 1610.
219
limes steal a cloak, or snatch the well-filled purse af a citizen. It
was the custom to wear the purse hung to the girdle, and the roboer
generally cut it off; and hence the name cut-purse, sometimes apoliec'
to a thief. * ^
CHAPTER CXXVIII.
Fashions of Dress in the Time of Louis XIII.
^:Z^
Gentleman and lady going to court.
1. The king, partly from defect of nature, and partly from a n5g-
lected education, was a man of very weak and contracted mind. He
was fond of music and painting, and had some mechanical ingenuity.
He had contracted, it is said, an abhorrence for reading, from having
been made to read Pauchet's History of France when he was a boy ;
so that after he became a man he was never known to take up a book!
2. He introduced one improvement in the personal appearance of
bis subjects. Up to the time of the death of Henry IV., thick, bushy
beards, well stiffened with wax to make them stand out at the bottom,
ba<l l.een the fashion ; but the same knife that killed him struck at the
roots of these cherished beards.
:i. These were presently shaved off smooth, in compliment to the
smooth chin of his young successor, and nothing w:is left but a pair
CXXVlIl. — I. What is said of tl c character of ljn\i\s XIII. ? 3. What change wa«
atade m ihe pergonal appearance of his subject d ? 4 What is said of the dresa of the gen
218
LOUIS XI 11 1610.
CHAPTER C XXVII.
State of Manner is in the Time of IjLUi XIII
1. Altholgh ti»e kiiif][ was now numiiitilly thf sovereign, yet D«
Liiynes, in fact, fjovernriT. He wns so proud and arrogant, and so
didicult was it for suitors to get aduiittance to liis presence, that it
was said " that there were tliree most ditlicult things in the work —
to square the circle, to lind the philosopher's stone, (which was to turn
everything into gold,) and the third was, to speak witli tlie Duke de
Luynes." , • • , • i i
2. It has heen said of the court of France at this time, that it did
not possr'ss one person of honor nr worth. Pride and haseness were
the univ(n-sal characteristics. The dei.ravity of morals extended itselt
to all classes. .,
3. Paris was the scene of constant rohheries and nuirders. I\ot a
night passed without hloodjshed, so that it was not safe to go into the
streets without a stroni: guard, as oi»e of those whose duty it was tu
remedy tiie «vil fell to his cost.
4. One of the .secretaries of state, heing invit(>d to sup ahroad. lelt
i.rdt'rs to hav*- his hors(^ hrought to him at nine o'clock. It so h:ii)-
pened that the horse fell lame «)n the way, and the secretary must
needs walk home. 'Plus was not very pleasant, for the streets were
h»»rridly dirty, and tlie onlv atteuji.t at Imhling tlu'in was hy lar«re
vessels' place".! at thecoriu«rs, tilled with pitch aiul other coml)UStd)les.
5. He started olf, with his lackey jroiiig hefore with a torch. He
had just reached the Pont Neuf, upon which the queen had erected a
splendid eijue.slrian statue of Henry IV., cast in hron/.e, wIkmi he
heard the cla^hiiiLT of swonls. He looked under the torch, and seeing
there wt^e hut two persons, kept on.
0. He had not gone many ste[)s hefore the two persons came run-
ning up to him w ith swords drawn and i>istols cocked. ap[>arentlv in
a great raije with one another. They said they were (piarrellmu
;J)out a i.aper whicii they liad picked up in lh(> street, and, with many
(compliments to thi; .secrel;iry, desireij him to read it.
7. Accordinuly. he took out his spectacles, :ind he«ian to rend
'All persons wiio pa.ss over this hridge afti>r nine o'clock are re-
quired to leavt' their cloaks hehind them, and if they have no cloaks
:o leav(! their hats." 'Phe secretary started when lie read this, am'
one «)f tlu; fellows said to him, " I think \\\r, paper concrns you.
sir." So they made him take olf his cloak, and walk honu' wiihoi;!
«'ue
H. 'Phese rohhers wen! for the most part the servants ot tin; nol)les
lu^l gentlemen, wh(», instead of trying to restrain them, often set
thei.rahail exanq)le ; for we are told that gentlemen would some-
CXXVII - 1. Wliat id .s;u 1 of De I.uvue.s'' 2. W^lial i.^ aaiJ of ihe court of h ru.ice
iliiriM- l!io rill.- of D.- Luyiieni WUm o( ihe morals of the FciM'le? 4 What ai.«.doM
is rela-tfd to lllusirate tliem ' '?. Fr-ou wlut i lass were ll»e rol.ljers ? hn.,,. vvl,ai i- ll»e
(«rin cutpurse ilerivt>J t
LOnS XIII — 1610.
219
times steal a cloak, or snatch the well-filled purse of a citizen. It
was the custom to wear the purse hung to the girdle, and the roboer
generally cut it off; and hence the name cut-purse, sometimes anoliec
to a thief. * ^
CHAPTER CXXVIII.
Fashions of Dress in the Time of Louis XIII.
Gentlemdii and huh/ 'j^oluij; to court.
1. Thk king, partly from defect of nature, and partly from a n;jr-
lected educati«)n, w'as a man of very weak and contracted mind. He
was fond of music and painting, and had some mechanical ingenuity.
He had contracted, it is said, an ahhcu-rence for reading, fron?haviiio
heen made to read Fauchet's History of France when he was a boy'";
so ih;it after he became a man he was never known to take up a book!
'J. He introduced out^ imj)rovem(Mit in the pensonal appearance of
his subjects. Up to the tinn; of the death of Henry IV., thick, bus^hy
''e:irds, well .stiffened with wax to m;ike them stnud out at the bottom",
hatl been the fashion ; but th(,' same knite that killed him struck at the ,
roots (»f ihesi; cherished beards.
."i. Tiie.se were presently shaved off smooth, in comj)liinent to tlic
smooth chin of his young successor, and nothing was left but a pair ^
CXXVIII.- 1. VV^hal i3 sai.l of iK, charartiT of Loiiid XIII.? 3. Whal chanee wat
tuade III the personal ipijearam e of liis siilijetire' I VVl.ai issiiidof the dresaofthe gen
220
LOUIS XIII. — 1621.
of thin miistachios on the upper lip, and a smajj pointed tuft on thfl
chin. The rest of the attire of a well-dressed man of this period is
»hus described :
4. " He was clad in a velvet mantle thrown carelessly over his
bhoulder. He wore white boots with a larj^e pair of spurs. In his
liand he carried a little switch, with which he incessantly lifted up
his mustachios, that fell over the corners of his mouth, while with the
other he smoothed down the little pointed beard on his chin."
5. The ladies of the day were more like moving tubs than anything
else. Round hoops, stuffed hi[)s, and all sorts of contrivances were
resorted to, for the mere purpose, as it should seem, of disfiguring the
form.
G. As the king approached to maturity, strong hopes were enter-
tained that he would display a little moreenergy, throw off the influ-
ence of favorites, and govern the kingdom as his father had done.
But these hopes were disappointed. De Luynes died December 15th,
1021. His place in the king's confidence was at once filled by the
oelebrated Armand du Plessis Richelieu, soon after created cardinal
CHAPTER CXXTX.
Cardinal Richelieu. — The Siege of Rochelle.
1. Cardinal Richelieu was born the 5th of September, 1.585,
at the castle of Richelieu. He was educated at the Sorbonne.
Being of noble family, he was rapidly promoted, and at the age of
twenty-one years was made Bishop of Lu^on. He commenced his
political career in the service of Marshal D'Ancre.
2. At the first symptoms adverse to the marshal, he made his peace
with De Luynes, by betraying to him the secrets of his rival. By
his abilities and cunning he soon placed himself in a situation to suc-
ceed to power, and from that time to his death, in 1012, he was the
despotic ruler of France, though not prime minister in name till 1020.
3. Not content with ruling the state, Richelieu took the conunand
of armies in person. On such occasions he wholly laid aside the
priest, and assumed the soldier. He appeared in the midst of the
troops, on a superb charger, with a jjlumed hat on his head, a sword
by his side, a coat embroidered with gold, and with the light arnuir
then in use.
4. Richelieu possessed two predominant qualities — an insatiable
iove of power, and an inordinate vanity ; and to the gratification of
tlemeii ? f>. VVtiA. .'ftlie dress of iSie ladies ? C>. Who succeeded Dc Luynes in the kins'?
favor?
C.t^X. — L When was Cardinal Richelieu U)ni? Where did he study? With whon:
did he commence his jwliiical career.' 2. How did he gain the favor of De Luynes?
When did he come into pt>wer .' When did he become prime minister in name ? 3. What
i« «vi«1 of his appearance as a general ' 4. What were Richelieu's pretSiminant qua.'
'M
LOUIS Xlir. — IG28
2)5?.
ihese two passions, he steadily devoted all his powers. He nevei
'^T^i^L-'*"^ P''"jcct, however vast, or any artifice, however mean, b^
'vhich his end could be accomplished.
5. He said of himself, " I dare not undertake anything till I have
Ihorougnly weighed it ; but when once 1 have made ray determina-
tion, I go to my end ; I overturn all, I mow down all ; nothing stops )
me; in fine, I cover all with my scarlet gown," (his cardinal' "^
dress.)
t>. The power (»f the aristocracy received its death-blow from him
tliose whom he could n(»t buy he mowed down. The nobles hav =
never since been able tc. eont.Mid witli the crown. He put an end U
the religious wars by wliicli the kingdom had been so long distracted —
But this he effected by depriving the Huguenots of all their rights ai
men. "^
7. The siege and capture of Rochelle is one of the most memorabh
incidents in the wars between the Huguenots and Richelieu, whc.
was assisted by Spain, ^^lie town had always been the stronghold
of the reformed religion. It had often been besieged, but its situatici
rendered it difficult to cut it off from supplies bv sea, which it fre
quently received from the English.
8. Richelieu determined upon its destruction ; and to cut off all sup-
plies, he caused a solid mole to be constructed across the mouth of
the harbor, which was more than a mile in width. The English
after a miserably conducted attempt to relieve the Rochellers, left
them to their fate.
9. The inhabitants, encouraged by the exhortations and example
of the Duchess of Rohan, the daughter of the great Sully, submitted
to the greatest misery. She herself and her daughter ate no other -
food during three months than horse-flesh, with a small biti)f bread
each day. '
10. At length all hope of assistance from England failed, and the
city was surrendered. Some idea of the misery they had endured
may be derived from the fact, that of 15,000 persons who were in the
city when the siege commenced, only 4000 persons survived the fatal
effects of famine, fatigue and the sword.
\j i^ "lou^hful of bread was the most acceptable present that
could be made to the survivors, but to many it proved fatal, from the *
avidity with which they swallowed it. The sequel to this melan-
choly story is remarkable.
12. On the very next day after the surrender a violent storm aro?<-
and buried in the waves that fatal mole which had been the occasion
of the destruction of the city. Richelieu took ample vengeance on
J he city for its obstinacy; he destroyed the fortifications, and abol-
ished Its privileges ; and from that day the Huguenots have been
entirely at the mercy of the crown.
~'*'who^. ^"^ ?'i ^'^ ^^'^^ ^''^ aristocracy? How did he treat the Huguenots t
R,K-hit\ T\vl \ TTo' "'e'»o';iWe events in the religious wars ? What is said of
Kochelle ? « What did Richelieu do to procure the surrender of the city ? 9. Who wa«
'T WwTp1?;,"^k,"- '^- ^^""^ i««a<<l of the suffering, of the inhabitants of RocheUe"
*/'. wnat ren arkable event happcne<l after the surrender?
19*
222
LOUIS Xill. -1^42.
CHAPTER CXXX.
t
Deal A of Rig elieu. -
lure. — Coriieille. ~
Garden of Plants.
His Patronage of the Arts and Lttera*
Moliere. — The French Academy.— The
- The first Newspaper.
1. The last seven years of the reign of Louis were spent in
ittennptinf; to repress iho power of the house of Austria. The French
U^iMied some increase of influence in these wars, but little accession of
territory.
2. Meantime the lieallh of Richelieu was crradually decaying.
Ills pride and ambition were proof against decay. Worn down by
disease, he still attended the court, beinnr carried, on the shoulders of
his {Tuiirds, m a machine covered with damask. He yet hoped to sur-
vive the kingr, and was laying his plans to secure the reo-ency, when
death overtook him, December 4th, 1012, in the fiftv-seventh year of
his a<re. " •'
3. Richelieu was fond of display and maimificence. Ke assumed
a regal style of livinnr, and commenced the construction of a palace
upon a scale which excited the jealousy of the king. This was the
t alais Cardinal, now called the Palais Koyal. In its unfinished state
It was finer than any of the palacc^s (.f the kincr, to whom it was de-
vised by the will ot the cardinal, and Louis at once removed into it
4. Another monument of the magnificence of Richelieu is the
church ot the Sorbonne, in which he placed his own monument, the
finest work of the irreat sculptor, (liradon. The noblest monument
o the caitlinal is the (lard^Mi of Plants, which he established. This
has become the most complete collection in tin; world of all tha* is
curioiis and b.viuiiful among animals, vegetables and minerals.
5. Here are to be seen the most rare and beautiful plants, collected
from all parts ol the «nirth. The wild animals, instead of being con-
fined in narrow cages, are allowed space enough to gambol about.
1 he f)irds have room i>n()uj,r|, to stnUch their wings. The large family
ot monkeys occupy an elegant stone building. All are so disposed of
as to teel as little as possible the restraint upon their liberty
6. Richelieu was n(»t only greedy of tlu^ praise of hiscontempo
raries, but covinous of i)osthunious fame. His name and arms
occupy the most con.spicuous places in all the buildinjrs erected by
him. Ihe same craving led him to patronize men of letters, that his
own tame might be immortalized by their pens.
7. The most eminent of these was Peter Corneille, a man of rrreat
genius, but rather too declamatory and grand in his style to suit any
hut Y ranch taste. He was a dramatic writer, and his tracredy of the
•Pi'i^?^9~"w\.)J'|'''*^ ol'jeci occupied the allenlinn of the kin- during the la^l part of fiis
wSi w^' hnte ' '•]' VVhu'i"^' a-e of Caaiinal Richelieu 1- When ,li,l Richdieu d e?
r«n«t, 1 ^ WK .i" "^^ "" '''>"' "'^ ^^"^ GMi\m of Plants ? fi. What proofs of h-t
tanitj J /. Wl'o wa.s the most eminent literary man of this period I WhatTsaid o>
LOUIS XIII. — 1613.
223
t>id was so enthusiitstically admired, as to become the standard of
literary merit : "It is ;is fine as the Cid," became the fashion, ble
*»xpression.
8. The success of this play excited the jealousy of Richelieu, for
he also wrote plays, and was more vain of his talents as a poet, which
were very ordinary, than of his talents as a statesman, which were
very great. He was vain enough of these last; indeed, he was a
complete slave to vanity; and fiattery niid adulation w^ere as necessary
to him as his daily food.
li. Although Moliere did not attain to the height of his celebrity till
the succeeding reign, yet he owed to Richelieu his first introduction
to literary life, jfe was the greatest comic writer of France, and
Louis XIV. pronounced him to be the greatest ornament of his
reign.
10. Richelieu also established the French Academy, which has
become so much celebrated. It was a society of literary men asso-
ciated together for the improvement of the French language, and
style of writing. One of the first labors required of them by the
founder was to criticize the poem ot" the (Jid.
11. The first French periodical work also appeared during Riche
lien's administration. It formed an annual volume, and was similar
to the annual registers now published. It contained notices of events,
and a history of the state of Europe. It was so successful that the
aithors of it were led to engage in a new enterprise ; that of publish
ing a weekly newspaper, which first appeared in 1G37.
CHAPTER CXXXI.
Death of Lends XIII. — Character of Cardhud Mazariii. — The
Treaty of Westphotia.
1. Louis did not long survive his ambitious minister. A slow
fever hung upon him, and Ik^ fi'It his strength decay. The dauphin
was not yet five years old, and tlie king hoped by a distribution of
power to secure a (piiei minority. He appointed his wife, Anne of
Austria, to be regent, but provided that all affairs should oe deter-
mined in council, of which he appointed his brother the chief.
2. This being done, he prepared for death with composure ; and
when the physicians told him that he had but two or three hours to
live, he expressed the greatest satisfaction. He died May 24th,
1643, in the forty-second year of his age, and on the day on which he
completed the thirty-third of his reign. He left two sons, Louis
XIV. and Philip, afterwards Duke of Orleans.
Corneilie? 8. What is sriid of M:helieu'? literary talents? 9. What i.s said of Moliere I
in. What of iho French Academy / It. What is siiid of j)eri(Mlic;J woriis ?
CXXXI. - { Wtiai measures dii' Louis XII. adopt to secure (fuiot after his deathi
8. When did he die? Flow old wis he ? How long had tie reigned ? How many mint
?24
LOUFS XIV. - I6IB.
LOUIS XIV. — 1648
225
3. No sooner was the king dead than his will was openly violated
The eoincil was set aside, and all power nominally vested in Anne ;
L'ut she herself was governed by Cardinal Mazarin, an Italian, in hia
manners the reverse of Richelieu, and in talents quite inferior to him.
Richelieu was haughty and overbearing, and bore down all o})posi-
tion ; Mazarin was supple and insinuating, and affected great gentle-
ness of manner.
4. Mazarin had a very fine face, handsome eyes and mouth, large
foreliead, well tbrmed nose, and open countenance. He had a greai
deal of wit, and nobody told a story more agreeably ; he was per-
fectly irresistible when he wished to please. He remained in office
eighteen years, during which he experienced great reverses, but
always came out of his troubles triumphantly ; in allusion to which
he adopted for his device a rock lashed by the waves.
5. He had neither hatred nor friendship, and only displayed either
as his interest dictated. It always gave him great offence to be com-
pared to Cardinal Richelieu, who was his master, and who surpassed
him in great qualities.
6. The death of Riihelieu did not put an end to the wars he had
kindled. The enemies of the French hoped to derive great advan-
tage from the disorders which usually attend a minority, and they had
little dread of the young and inexperienced general who now com-
manded the French army.
7. But they found themselves sadly mistaken ; for the " great
Conde," not yet twenty years old, by a series of victories more splen-
did than any that had been gained since the foundation of the mon-
archy, compelled the Emperor of Germany to conclude the treaty of
Westphalia, in October, 1648.
CHAPTER CXXXn.
IVar of the Fronde.
1. Mazarin was quite ready for peace, for he found his domestic
troubles quite enough to*emi)loy him. That he was a foreigner and
a favorite, was quite sufficient to make him unpopular. His foreign
pronunciation was the constant subject of jests ; and ridicule, a most
powerful engine among the gay and lively French, played upon him
without ceasing.
i'. The most active in exciting discontent was the Bishop de Retz,
afterwards a cardinal, and a writer of memoirs. He was a man of
restless, bustling, intriguing, seditious character, who seems to have
been actuated solely by a love of mischief-making.
did he leave ? 3. What took place after his death ? What is said of Cardinal Mazarin ?
4. What ot nis personal appearance ? What wais his device ? 7. Who was the Frenck
«"""^ 'V/''" war with Germany ? When was the treaty of Westphalia concluded ?
(.AAAll. — I . What inclined Mazarin to peace ? 2. Who was the most active in cr»-
•img discontent ? What is said of the Cardinal de Retz ? 3 What was the reauX of hia
3. Jj.18 efforts were not long without success. The people of Pari?
resisted the execution of an order of the minister, shut up their shops,
and barricaded the streets. This was the connnencement of the civil
war, called the War of the Frondrjxom the French word fromier, tc
browltcat or censure; a nanie sometimes given at the present day to the
opponents of the government.
4. Tht'(iu('cn, thinking herself unsafe at Paris, tied It) St. Germains.
accompanied by her chiKireu and the Cardinal Mazarin, and Conde.
Here she was obligeil to pledge her jewels to obtain money. The
king himself was often in want of the necessaries of life ; most of the
court were obliged to sleep on straw, and the pages were dismissed,
it being absolutely impossible to supply them with food.
5. Some of the ladies were obliged to pass the day in bed, for want
of means to make a fire. Tiie most remarkable thing in this war was
the ridicule with which it w;is accompanied. Song.s and epigrams
were for a lime the most deadly artillery used.
6. That the parties did not confine themselves to these, may be
learned from a touching account of the state of the neighborhood of
Paris, given in the history of the nuns of Port Royal. Their con-
vent, being guarded by soldiers, became a refuge for the neighboring
peasants.
7. The lady al)bess, in a letter to atricnd, writes thus: *' We are
all occupied in UKikin^ s(Mips for the poor. Everything is pillaged
around. Corn-fields are trampled down by the cavalry in presence of
the owners. Despair lias seizL'd on all whose confidence is not with
God. Nobody will any longer plough or sow, for nobody is certain
of reaping what he sows.
8. '* We have concealed as many of the peasants and cattle as we
can. We are almost stifled i)y IxMug pent up with beasts, but we
could not resist the pressing lamentations of the poor. Our sleeping
hall is filled with horses, and in the cellar are concealed forty cows.
We are crowded! with the old and the infirm, with children, and the
sick and wounded."
0. The ladies took the lead in these troubles. Mademoiselle de
Montpensier, cousin to the king, and the Duchess de Longueville,
were the active leaders on the part of the Fronde. To please these
ladies, many of the nobles joined the Fronde. Others had even less
honorable motives; for they joined solely that they m'ght be bought
over by the government.
10. Some were bought with money or places, others with the hand
of some riclr heiress ; and when they had got what they wanted, they
were quite; ready to change again. The great Conde was as unprin-
cipled as the rest. Thus the war continued for four years, the nobles
changing sides as interest or inclination prompted.
11. Conde and Turenne were constantly opposed to one another,
and yet were constantly changing sides ; Mazarin at one time was at
Bfforts? What was the war which followed called, and why? 4. What did the queen
do? What ia said of the condition of the court? 5. For what is the war remarkable?
6, 7, 8. What anecdote is told of the state of the neighborhood of Paris ? 9. Who Vh)1i
the lead in these troubles ? How did the nobles behave 1 10. Wliat was the conc^J c*
CmkU ? How long did the war continue ? 12. What was the rasult of the whol«i
226
LOUIS XIV
1659.
A
LOUIS XIV. — 1681.
court, and at another in exile, yet governed the queen a.'s absolutely
when in one place as the other.
12. The end of four years found the cardinal quietly established in
Paris, courted by all, while Conde was an exile, leading the enemies
of his country. Tlie only vcstiires renKiinin<^ of the troubles, were
the terms pdUmaittr, applied to overbearing, ill-educated younjj men
Aiid frondeur, applied to one who censures the governmert
CHAPTER CXXXIII.
Character of Marshal Tiireniie. — Treaty of the Pyrenees. • -
Death of Cardinal Mazarin. — Cfiaracter of Louis XIV. -tt
that Period.
.^ouis XIV., 1613 to 1715 — Mad. de JMaintenon, and Duke of Orleans
1. The war with Spain still continued, and Conde, who now com-
manded the Spanish forces, had not lost anything of his military
genius. But in Turenne he had a rival who equalled him in abil-
ities.
2. Turenne was a short man, with broad shoulders, which he
shrugged from time to time when he talked ; an ill habit which he
had contracted from want of self-p(»ssession. A pair of dark, thick
eyebrows gave a most unhappy expression to his countenance. Tc
hear him speak in council, one would think him the most irresolute
man in the world ; but when obliged t») como to a decision, nobody
formed one better or more promptly.
227
3 He had an enlarged mind, and did not think that the pursuit of
earning was incompatible with any profession. lie possessed soma
AcquaintanctA with the Latin poets, and had a thousand beautiful pas-
sages from the FnMich poels at his tongue's end. He was modest in
his dress and in his deportment.
4. Hut his perfect integrity and contempt of riches furnish his
greatest claim to our good opinion. He conmianded the French
army, when he might have amassed an innnense fortune ; but he ab-
siainetl. His extraordinary disinterestedness gained him the alVection
even of those amongst whom his duty to his country obliged him to
carry the desolations of war.
5. He had a great deal of wit, and was one of the pleasantest
conq)anions in the world ; he knew a thousand stories, and loved to
tell tlnnn, and he told them well. He made himself beloved gener-
ally by olTicers and soldiers ; he was above all mean jealousy of the
reputation of others; he was content to do his duty, and, by so
doing, gained for himself the reputation of being the greatest captain
of the age.
0. I do not say so much about Turenne because I think a success-
ful general the greatest man in the world. I think far otherwise ; but
it is rare to find a man who unites in himself the qualities of a great
and successful general and those of a good man ; and if there must be
wars, I would have such taken for patterns.
7. The arms of France were sticcessful in all quarters, and Spain,
wearied out by reverses, sued for peace, which INIazarin willingly
granted. The war was concluded by the treaty of the Pyrenees, No-
vember 7, 1659. On the part of France, it was agreed that Louis
should marry the daughter of the King of Spain, should renounce all
claims to the Spanish throne in case that king should die without
male heirs, and should pardon Conde.
8. The king was accordingly married in 1660. The queen pre-
served through life an inestimable character, and it is recorded, that,
at her death, twenty-three years afterwards, Louis exclaimed that this
was the first cause of regret which she had ever given him.
9. Cardinal Mazarin died March 9, 1661. He had done little for
the good of the nation he governed. But it would be unjust to
refuse him the credit he deserves for the treaties of Westphalia and
the Pyrenees. The title of peace-maker is a glorious one, and the
war he put an end to had caused many miseries, devastations and
massacres.
10. The king was about twenty-three, fond of pleasure, unac-
custo'ned to business, of which he had been purposely kept ignorant
bv Mazaiin ; it seemed impossible that he should not imitate the
great number of princes, who, reserving to themselves the honors
arid pleasures of the throne, have placed all the burdens on oth-
ers.
CX^XIU. — 1. Where did CoiMto conimami? Who was opposed to him ? 2. What i»
said of Turenne t 4. What is lis greatest claim to our good opinion? 7. Withvvhiini
waij ihfi treaty of the Pyrenees'' When was it concluded? What were the conditions?
8. Wlien was the king inarria.? What was tlie character of his wi'e? 9. W lien did
Hazttrin (iie ? What good things did he do 7 10. What \a said of the habits of the kind
226
LOUIS XIV. — 165y.
court, and at another in exile, yet governed the queen as absolutely
when in one place as the other.
12. The end of four years found the eardinal quietly established in
I'aris, courted by ;dl, while (,'unde was an exile, leading the enemies
id" his country. Th*- only vestiges remaining ot" the troubles, were
Uie terms prtii/naitrf', applied to overbearing, ill-educated young men
.,\\*\ frondeur ^ applied to one who censures the governmert
CHAPTER CXXXill.
Character of Marshal Tureujie.
Death of Cardinal Mazarin. -
that Period.
- Treaty of the Pyrenees. • -
Character of Lmiis XIV. it
,Muis XIV., 1613 to 1715 — Mad. dc Mmntcnon^ and Duke of OrUam
1. The war with Spain still continued, and Conde, who now com-
manded the Spanish forces, had not lost anvthinu of his military
genius. But in Turemie he had a rival who equalled him in abil-
ities.
2, Turenne was a short man, with broad shoulders, which he
shrug<red fnnu time lo time when he talked; an ill habit which he
had contracted from want of self-possession. A pair of dark, thick
eyebrows gave a most unhappy expression to his countenance. Te
hear him speak in coimcil, one would think him the most irresolute
man in the* world ; but when obliged It) come to a decision, nobody
formed one better or more promptly.
,\
LOUIS XIV. — leei.
227
3 He had an enlarged mind, and did not think th:it the pursuit of
earning was incom[tatible with any profession, lie possessed soma
AC(piaint;inc« wiih the Latin [loets, and had a tluMi^and beaut il'ul pas-
sages from the Frcncii poets at his tongue's end. ll«' was modest in
his tlress and in hi.-< deportment.
\. \\\\\ bis p«>rt"ect intc^irrity and etdUempt of rielu-s I'urnish his
greatest claim to our uood ojunion. lie commaiuled the French
army, wluii he miii:ht have amassed an immensi' fortune ; but he ab-
>iai!i(^d. His extraordinary disinterestcdne.ss gaiiK'd him the alll'ction
even of those amongst whom his dntv to bis eountrv obliged him to
I'arry the desolations of war.
."). He had a y:reat deal of wit, and was one ot' tlu; pleasantet-l
rompaiii(»ns in th»' world; he knew a thousand stories, and loved to
tell them, and be tidd them well. He madt? himself beloved gener-
ally by ollicers and soldiers ; he was above all mean jealousy of the
reputation of otluTs; he was content to do his <luty, and, by so
doini,'^, gained for himselltlu^ reputation of being the greatest caj)tain
of the aj^c.
<). I do not say so much about Turenne because I think a success-
ful gen(!ral the greatest man in the world. I think far otherwise ; but
it is rare to fmd a man who unites in himself the qualities of a great
and successful general and tho.se of a good man ; and if there must be
wars, I would have such taken for patterns.
7. The arms of France were successfid in all ipiarters, and Spain,
wearied out by rtnerses, sued for peac(\ which IMazarin willingly
granted. The war was conchnled bv the treaty of the Pyrene«?s, No-
vember 7, l().'){). On the j)aTt of I'Vaiice, it was agreed that Louis
should marry the daughter (dthe King of Spain, should renomice all
claiins to the Spanish throne in case that king should die without
male heirs, and should pardon ('ond*^.
8. The king was accordingly married in ifiOO. Tin; (}ueen pre-
served through life an ineatitnable character, and it is recorded, that,
at her death, twenty-three years afterwards. Louis exclaimed that this
was the first cause of regret which she had ever given him.
9. Cardinal Mazarin died March I), Ififil. He had don(^ little for
the good of the nation he jjf^verned. But it would be unjust to
refuse him the credit he deserves for the treaties (d" Westphalia and
fin; Pyrenees. The title of peace-maker is a glorious one, and the
war be put an end to had caused many miseries, devastations and
ma.ssacres.
10. The king was about twenty-three, fond of pleasure, unac-
cu.sto'ned to business, of which he had been purposely kept ignorant
by Ma/aiin; it seemed impossible that he should not imitate the
ifreat numl)er of princes, who, reserving to themselves the hoiu)r8
and pleasures of the throne, have placed all the burdens on oth-
ers.
CXVXIIl. — L Wliere did Coacte coniiiiantl ? Wli.» was opposed to liirn? 2. What i«
siii! (ifTiireruie? 4. Whul is lis ereatesl claim to our ^'ood opinion? 7. Wilhwlxnn
wa-s l!ie ireiily of tin; Pyrenees'. When was it concluded? What were the conditi'ni.sl
3. \VUfi!i w;i.s the king n>arri», ? What was tiie character of his wi**}? 9. Wlien did
Mar.Arin <ii'; 7 What good things did he do 7 10. What is said of the habits of the kinit
228
LOUIS XIV.— 1667.
i
11. But the youii^r kincr had an elevated and ambitious soul, a love
ot glory, and a tonchiess for power. Thougli from habit he had sub-
mitted to Maziirin, he luid long borne the yoke witli imp.itience, and
the moment that he saw himself freed from it, he declared his resolu
tion to take the reins into his own hands.
1-2. From that time till the last moment of his life he was not only
the nomma' but the real head of the state, and kei,t all his ministers
under stijct control. He ai)i,lied him.st'lf most in.iefatigably to busi-
iiass; and to this virtue, more than to any (Uiier, he owes his reputa-
tion especially now that the glare wiiich his conquests and his pomp
last around him, is all faded away. '
CHAPTER CXXXIV.
Lmis XJV. invcules Flanders. — Is compelled to retire a?td to
Tiiake Peace.
1. The reign of Louis lasted seventy-three years ; and may be di-
vided into three distinct periods: his minority, his manhood, and his
Old age. Ihe hrst, as y(,u have seen, was a period of turbulence and
disorder. Ihe second was full of iriumi.h and glitter; but in the
third his lortunes declined. His old age was a melancholy series of
reverses, followed by severe domestic atllictions.
2 Louis had a great passion for military gl(,jv, and soon found a
pretext h)r gratilymg it at the expense of his nt^ighbors. You will
rec(»llect that at his inarriag(> h.^ expressly renounced all claims to
any portion «t the d(,nuni<.ns nf Spain. This scdenni renunciation he
set at nought, and upon the death of the King of Spain laid claim to
r landers and other extensive territories.
3 The Emperor Leopold, aUhouuh, as the head of the house of
Austria, expressly bound to protect the interests of the infant Kinjr of
i^pain, consented that Louis should take possession of Flanders, on
condition that he himself sbould have Spain in the event of the death
ol the young king.
1. h is said ihai LeopoM was so much ashamed of this nefarious
contract, that lie insisted it should be kept a secret from all the world
aud that there should be but one copy of the treaty, which should be
deposited in a meta chest with two h.cks, the key to one of which
8h.>nh be kept by the King of France, and the kev to the other by
nimseli. ' ^
5. Colbert, a worthy successor to Sully in the care of the
tinances, had place d at the disposal of the king more resources than
JwinT' ''• ^'''' "^^''^ '■'^""'^^^- '=*• ^^^"^ '.f his conduct after the death of
2 F^hli"h/H Z!."!! »"^ '""r^ ^^'^ '^'='V'^ ^"'^ X^V. ? How may it be divided 7
xmori\a act/ 6. WJ-> were the king's chief ministera? 7. How were the regi-ner.u
LOUIS XIV -166^
229
iiad ever been possessed by any former monarch, Ix)uvois, the nin-
ister of war, had adopted the novel precaution of distributing maga-
zines along the frontiers.
6. Having made the most ample provision, Louis put himself at the
head of the French army ; the skilful Turenne commanding under
him. The young nobility Hocked with ardor to carry arms under the
eye of their sovereign, and submitted to the strict discipline which he
enforced.
T. He distinguished the dilTerent regiments by uniforms, and thus
injspired the spirit of emulation. But he earricd'with him pomp and
luxury, which was a dangerous example, as the generals would im-
itate him, and the inferior officers, to the extent of their ability, would
copy their generals.
8. P^xcellent and well-disciplined troops, immense preparations,
two ministers of great abilities, and Turenne for a general — with all
these advantages Louis marched to certain conquest. He was accom-
panied by the celebrated Vauban, whose genius made a complete
change in the science of engineering.
9. The rapid progress of his arms alarmed the other powers of
Europe. England and Holland, laying aside, for the time, their
mutual quarnds, united with Sweden, to put a stop to the course of
the youthful sovereign, whose ambition threatened the independence
of Europe. The haughty conqueror stopped short, and propo^^d
peace. This was concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle, May 2, 1668.
10. Jle could hardly conceal his vexation at having the terms of
It dictated by a citizen of Holland, the inflexible republican Van
Bennig, who negotiated withcmt fear and without complaisance.
•' Do you not rely on the king's word ?" said the French ambassador,
one day, to the Dutchman. " I do not know what the king will do, I
only consider what he can do," replied he ; and he dictated the terms
himself.
CHAPTER CXXXV.
Z/w',w XTV. declares War against Hollaiid. — Uh rapid Coiv-
quesls in that Country.
1. Irritated at being thus stopped short in his career of rapid
conquest, Louis thirsted for revenge. Holland was the most accessi-
ble of his enemies, and he determined to wreak his vengeance on her.
But he could do nothing against her, so long as she was in alliance
with England.
2. The great object was to separate them. This he effected by
means of the Duchess of Orleans, sister to Charles H. of England
distinguished? What dangerous example did the kins set? 8. Who was his ensrineer?
9. What put an end to ihe conquesLs of the king? When was peace concluded?
10. Who dictated the terms of the peace ?
CXXXV. — 1. What were the feelings of Louis XIV. at the peace? What prevcntc<«
20
\\
III
230
LOUIS XIV. -1672.
Shf vva?j sunt on an eiiibassv to Entrland, and exerted her influbnie
over her brother to so jrreat purjxjae, that she not onlv detached him
from his alliance with llidland, hut secured his aid afjaiusi it.
3. Louis also secured the aid or the neutrality (Tf ail the other
powers except Spain, and as he entertained no 'drea«i of her, lie
looked upon the concpajst ot" the defcncidess republic as certain. ' To
all his power the little republic of merchants; pould opiuise only a few
hired troops.
4. But yet no pn-text for war had occurred. At last one was
found. The republic, as every country has done, both before and
since, upon some occasion of rejoicinrr, had issued a medal, upon
which was inscribed some [naises of herself.
5. Louis chose to consider this as an insult to crowned heads,
and in I67i3, burst into the Dutch provinces at the head of a most
formidable and nunierons army. He passed the Rhine without dan-
ger, on the 12th of June. The river was very low, and the opposite
bank was occupied by only two refriments, who disappeared at his
approach.
6. The cavalry had to swim but a short distance, and the infantry,
with the kinjT, passed over; undisturbed, upon a bridge of boat's.'
There was nothirjjr difficult or hazardous in the passage ; but it
sounded like a great achievement in the ears of the Pansians, and
was matrnified and panegyrized in the most bombastic style by the
poets.
7. In less than three months, three provinces, and more than forty
strong places, were conquered. Amsterdam beheld the enemy almost
at her gates. Muyden was saved by the singular presence of mind
of a woman. Fourteen stragglers "appeared before the gates, and
the magistrates at once surrendered, and sent them the keys of the
city.
8. But they were kept out of the citadel by a woman, who raised
the (Iravvbridjjc, and refused to let them enter. The magistrates,
finding the party so weak, took courage, and making the enemies
drunk, took from them the keys. The republic was now in despair.
It appeared as if nothing but inevitable ruin awaited them.
h\s gnuifying Ins passions? 2. H<nv did ho offset his object ? 4. What pretext had he
fiir war ? 6. When did ho oinor Itolland ? Hv what pa.^aire did he enter ill G Wt-at.
le said if the ixissi?.- cf the Rliine .' 7. What \va« his succew? H< w was Muvden
i» 'ed 7 J. W lai \v;u-. ih.> r.Militi..!. ..f Holland ' '
«•<
LOUIS XIV. -1672. 231
CHAPTER CXXXVL
rhe Sihiatmn of Holland appears to be Desperate. — The
Pr'mce of Orange, afterwards William III. of England^
takes the Command. — The Peace of Nimeguen.
1. The richest families, and those which were most zealous foi
liberty, prepared to fly into the furthest parts of the world, anti to
seek a refuge in Batavia. They took a list of all the vessels capable
i)f rnakintr the voyage, and found that fifty thousand families could be
thus provided for.
2. Thus Holland would no more have existed but at the extrem-
ity of the East Indies. All this rich and prosperous country would
have been left a prey to the waters, which are now with so much diffi-
culty and expense kept out, and would soon have become a vast mo-
rass.
3. To Louis would have been left only the miserable glory of hav-
ing destroyed the finest and most extraordinary monument ever
erected by human industry. Yet this is what poets, orators, and per-
haps historians, would have adorned with all the flowers of the most
eloquent flattery.
4. In this dreadful situation they determined to sue for peace
Their deputies were received with insulting haughtiness, and intol
erable conditions were prescribed. Nothing short of the most abject
submission, and entire abandonment of all their civil and religious
rights, would satisfy the victors.
5. On the return of the deputies, and the news of the conditions,
the terror of the people was changed into despair, and despair revived
the republican courage. The young Prince of Orange, afterwards
William III. of England, was placed at the head of the government,
and became the chief support of the state.
6. " I have a sure method," said he, " to prevent my ever being
witness to the ruin of my country ; I will die in the last intrench-
ment." William was a man of sound and steady resolution, and bent
all his faculties to save his country. The sluices were opened, and
the country laid under water; an eflfectual protection till the ice should
afford a natural bridge.
7. About Christmas a strong force was sent by the king to take
the Hague by surprise. It marched over the ice, and would probably
have succeeded, if a thaw had not come on. The troops were sur-
rounded with water, and they had no other road but the top of a nar-
row dyke, where only four men could march abreast.
8 There was also' a fort in the way, which, as they had no artil
lery, they could not hope to take. There appeared to be little
chance of escap ;. But what their own courage never could have
CXXXVI. — i . Wliat did many of the Uulcli prepare lo do ? 2. What would have heen
he con3e<iiieiire ? 5. Who was placed at the head of the government of Holland? 6.
WYaX mea? 1103 did tie adopt to protect the country ? 7. 8. What \a said about a Frenrli
232
LOUIS XIV.
1678.
secured was yielded to them by the cowardice of their opponenta,
who surrendered without a blow. '
9. The prospects of the Dutch now began to brighten. In 1073,
the Emperor of Spain declared openly for Holland. The Piincc of
Orange, uniting his forces to those of Montecuculi, the imperial Lren-
-jral, made a demonstration of carrying the war into France, l.ouis
at once recalled his troops, and abandoned all his conquests.
10. In lf)7i, England withdrew from her alliance with France.
Charles was loath to give up an ally who furnished him with money
lor his private expenses, but the clamors of the English people com-
pelled him to make peace with Holland.
11. Louis, undismayed by this desertion, made vigorous efforts
against all his enemies. Turenne gained splendid victories ; but he
tarnished his brilliant reputation by executing the orders of the sav-
age minister, Louvois. In pursuance of these orders, the army under
his command laid waste with fire and sword the whole fertile district
of the palatinate of the Rhine.
12. This fine country was almost converted into a desert. The
elector palatine, from the windows of his palace at Manheim, beheld
at one time two cities and twenty-five villages in flames. In 1678
England offered herself as a mediator between the parties.
13. The pt ace of Niniegiicn was concluded. Holland was left in
possession of everything she had before the war commenced, and
trance was suffered to retain some of the territory which she had
conquered from Spain in the pn^ceding war.
CHAPTER CXXXVH.
1 he Palace at. Versa files. — The various Majuifacturcs intto-
duced into France Inj Colbert. — The Canal of Langiiedoc.
1. liouis had now reached the height of his power. The adula
tion of his courtiers persuaded him that he was invincible abroad
and omnipotent at home. The vain-glorious monarch, in his own
opinion, and that of his dazzled subjects, was regarded as superior
to all the kings and warriors either in ancient or modern history
2. Although military glory was the great object of the ambition
of Ix)uis, ho did not entirely neglect the improvement of his kino-
dom. Paris has always been the pride of a Frenchman, and to beau-
lityand adorn that city, the sovereigns have devoted most of the time
and money which they have spent upon such objects.
l>n^'!''''Jn'^Wh-'*'r1p^',"''T''-. ?■ ^^>t chanire ick place in the prospects of the
Dutch ? 10 U hen du! England withdraw fr.nn the French alliance ? Why i 1 1 What
nfth«,i'lVrr.'?'T'''' t'"'''''"!'''^- '^- "^^""^ '^^ ^*»« consequence of the execution
of these orders ? By whose metlialion was peace concluded ? W hen ? 13. What is th«
peace called? How were the parties left? vynaiisirw
CXXXVn - 1. Wha' Vi said of the position of Ixiuis XIV. at the peace f Nimejruen
LOUIS XIV. — 1678.
^.\!S
^, Bui Louis had never forgotten the part which the Parisiana
took in the disturbances of the Fronde, and never liked to reside in
their city. During the early part of the reign, the court was held
at St. Germains, but was afterwards removed to Versailles.
4. At this place the king erected the most splendid and extensive
palace in Europe. He expended upon the buildings and grounds
the almost inconceivable sum of two hundred millions of dollars ! Tc
furnish this residence for the " grand monarch," the people were
loaded with the most oppressive taxes.
5. While Louis was raising this monument of folly and extrava-
gance, his wise minister, Colbert, was laboring most assiduously to
promote the welfare and prosperity of the country. The most ample
encouragement was given, under his administration, to trade, com-
merce and manufactures.
6. He established a company to trade to the East Indies, which
in time became the rival of the' Dutch, and proved one of the great-
est resources of the kingdom. Fine cloths had hitherto been im-
ported from England, but by his judicious patronage, the manufacture
was established in France.
7. By encouraging the growth of mulberry trees, he enabled the
gilk manufacturers to dispense with Ihe importation of the raw silk
The art of making plate glnss was imported from Venice, and sue
cceded so well that the' French soon excelled their masters.
8. The carpets of Turkey and Persia were successfully imitated,
and the tapestry of Flanders yielded its preeminence to that of the
Gobelins, where eight hundred workmen were employed. Their
works were carried on under the direction of the best painters, and
the finest productions of French and Italian artists were imitated
with a wonderful degree of nicety.
9. The machine for weaving stockings was imported by Colbert
from England, and •women were brought from Venice and Flanders
to instruct young girls in the art of making lace. Tin, steel, porce-
lain, and morocco leather, hitherto imported from foreign countries,
were now prepared in France.
10. But the most important of his undertakings, in point of util-
ity, extent, and difficulty, was the canal of Languedoc, which con-
nects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. The con-
struction of this work was commenced in 1664, and continued without
interruption till its completion, in 1081.
2 To what improvements had the sovereicns hitherto most attended? 3 Why had
Louis a dislike to Pari.s 1 Where did he hold his court ? 4. What is .said cf his pakvce
at Versailles ' r> To what did Colltert ?ive attention? 6. What is .sard of the hast
^nliat,-"dei What of the woollen manufacture ? 7. What of silk? W'hal of glass?
^ Wrtal of carpels? W hat of tapestry ? U. What of stockings? W^haloflace? Uhat
jiner manufactures were introduced ? 10. What was his most important work 7 r hei
wv U Wtun, and when completed ?
80*
294
»AJ CIS XIV. - |67».
CHAPTER CXXXVIIl.
Th£ Literature of the Age of Louis XIV.
Iloiist of Mailanit dr Stvi'^ni.
1. Though he was himself illiterate, yet the vanity of Louis led
ftim to be a liberal patron of men of letters. In this he was encour-
aged by Colbert, who was more capable of appreciatinjr the true value
of literature. At the sufrcrestion of this statesman, Louis ffave pen-
sions to all the eminent men of letters throughout Europe, and thus
secured to himself, at a small expense, more acfulation from men of
real learninpr than any prince of modern times.
2. It would require a volume to irive even a slight sketch of all the
men of eminent literary talent who reflected honor on this reign Of
the dramatic writers, besides Corneille and Moliere, Racine was the
most distinguished. Among the poets were Jkuleau, La Fontaine
and Voiture. '
3. Of philosophers, the chief were Montesquieu and Fonter.elle
I his period af)ounded in writers of histories. There was Henault
president of a court, a man of the highest reputation for virtue and
talent, who spent forty years in writing a short chronological abridfr-
mcnl ot the h:story of France. He was slow, but sure ; and if he has
not given us a lively history, it is at least an accurate one.
4. Ihis is more than can be said of the history written by his
contemp(,rary Father Daniel, which is said to contain ten thousand
blunders ; and well it may, for he took no care to make it correct.
tiif *Sif Jr"[n7hi« T^^f ivf*'' '''" ^^\ P-''»''""'«=« of literature by l^n.is XFV. ? Who waa
nis advi^r in this ? 2. Who wore rho ino.-t rrlphtai.^.l (Iranmlir. writrrj^ Who th«
poeu.? 3. Who we- the chief :)hilu..oph.rs/ Wh;n ,s sa, > of HenrilT 4. wL ll?
I
LOUIS XIV.
if;rs.
2Sb
JiT M "^'^ ^^^t'ng.it, the king's librarian sent him a trreat maaa
Df valuable records, thinking they would be useful to hTm. ^
Statue of Corneille.
5. Daniel sent them all back, saying that he was sure he could
make a very readable history without plaguing himself with ^n!l
paper rubbish. Another of these historians,'and a verT honest
';e tid "^ It wis'' "^r'l " ^^^"S"' "^^'"^ ^^y -^^^^^^
HMhe'lnghl^r^mlm::: tvS"^'^^ ''''''''' ^^ -' '^ -"^^-^^^»^^ -en
KU\ ^'"';j'''^^ ^^^ genius and learning of the age confined to the men
Madame Dacier was distinguished f<,r her knowledge of the anden
classics. She not only published editions of many of them with
French ^""''"^"^^"*^" ^'"^ ""^«^' '^"t translated several of them into
7. We are told, that - though she was the most learned woman in
Europe, yet her great learning did not alter her genteel air in conver-
sa ion, or in the least appear in her discourse, which was easy, mod-
est, and nothing affected." •''
8. The reputation of Madame de Sevign^ is not founded on quite
so solid a basis. Her letters, however, furnish a lively picture of the
manners of the times m which she lived, and are considered as mode',
o*^ epistolary writing. »iouc.«
Miwdel^ig,^,"''"'^"^''""^'-''" '■ What of Madame Da^ierJ 8. WI-, *
T'M
• Mf'Iv M\
r\\ vriKi? r\\\\ ill
Thf J ,itrrntvrfi >
l.'v <<i' ] >u,!y \ \\
niiBinifinll
r .1
^ T"'"« >^;«s InmsHf illii.MMir. x.t (I..- \:n.ilv nl l,.M,m IH
mm to I>r :i ,,Sr;,; i.,,,r.M, ol ;uni ol' 1. ll, , , j,, ||ns |,r u ;, , .mmmmit-
np'il l>v(\>|Uril. ^^ll..^^ is m.uv ,;.p.,!>lr ol .•.ppiv.M;i1lM.» llir lMi.«v;,|Mf
ot lilorntnr.'. Ai tl.r suoj^vsn.xi of ihis ^.f;.t^s,n:.n. i.ouis ,..nr p. „
si.nis to :ill ilip .'mni.Mil www of l.Ml.^rs lliroiiohm,! Mm.. p.-. ;,,..! ll.ii.
JMVurrd to luinspir. ;,; ,. small oxpon.vr, ,noro aJnl:.! ...,, fioin mi.m. ..(
roal l(\arnino tli:i!) nnv priiu'(> of inodoni tinios
It woulij m]; \ol.imr to jrixr ,nvii .» s|ij.|,l sK, t.li ol all ihr
iMfii (.1 (Miuii.Mit lil.niiv laloMt who r.Ml.vlr.l hoiH»r on tins ivi-n Ul
Ih. lirnmnJio vvnt.Ts. Srsi.los (^.rn.M^lr ami Moli.rr. li u-ino'was il,,
most (listiMo^nishcl. Ain.mi: \W rux-Ku,,,- n.ulrau. 1 a Kontaiiir
.'md A oil I.;-!
;^ or pliilo>;»phrrs. th," cJiHr u^rc M..iit.'s.iuir,i ;,ii.l FoM!.«::.||r
I Ins prnoil al)oun(i(<,i in vvntrrs ol' historhs. Then' was llciiaiilt
prrsid.Mit of a conn, a m:ui K^{ tlir liiol.osj n^piitatioii for virtnc aii.l'
talont. uhu spf'iii iortv wars in wrilinn a short chronolo.Ti,-.-!! ahri.h--
lu.'iu (.t the hisf.rv of Franor. Ht- was slow, hut Mir»« ; and if he lia.^
f.ol Lnw.i us a ! - „ lea.st an arcurato ono.
■'• ■' '"'^ '^ •''*"■•' "';" -ai<! (.f the historv written hv hi^
comenip..rarv l-athor Dauin. u nu-h ,s said to contain ton thousand
blunders ; und wtll it may, lor lie took no care to make it correct
tu ad^M^v,, " I , VV '^'^ P'-^tr.. .,„rr by I..,,,. XIV. ^ Whn was
Pl«l« / J W ho H*.- Ihf < iMPf :.t,:i ,„,r..,. r. \VI,,,, ,< ..„ I of f^„,inl! ' -I Wlu.t f
J
4
r <•(' I . (
maM
'o him.
r. Daru^'l «.T.f ih.-n, all f.ark, sayinf? that he > .- .nre hP couW
|. ■.. , '^ r>i'«:ri"ncr nunsolf with such
' , . 'Tr^ir' w -^'istorians, and ri very honcst-
;:;;",; ""/="»»'f'' '• ^ '.f wh.m manv^vh.mJal.st>...^
•ir«" foiM. r 11 I- ,
.11, "■mn|f;-i!orht •
in fhf l.ni'ht' -: ,s:an;;v,- ,;;;vs. ^
fi^ \nr w:, t:-.. ..,,us and !• wnn.^r ^f the a rro confined to the men
;^^"'"'" ^' ' '!:^t:: :. ::.f. .- f^., her knowledjje of ih^ annent
I,'' , 'i^">f'« '^'f many of them, with
.. ^ , OKiatfrt seveml of them into
7. VV e are told, that, •• liK.uoh she was the most learned woman m
Lurop., vet her .r.-.r l.arni. ■ -r. ,,., „^, ^er rrenteel atr in conver-
sation, or k, ih- .ppf-nr rdi>.eoiir.o .Ah,.!, .v.. ...< ^inrt
'^^^ atid nothinff ^lice!- :
" Thr- repii' ■ '.fadar' - •• j i
manners of the tim-- -, „ i.:,.i. ..(..-. r.. ,^ _ ( P'^^»»^« «i " «
^r • . I . nsidered aa mode J
o^cpi.stolary writii;_-
r »r !i*r Iianiel ? 5,
f' ."Vr^jz.
What if Madame Dacier? i Whu «
<3«
LOtIS XIV. - IS/s.
CHAPTER CXXXIX.
The CJiurchmen of the Time of Lmiis XIV.
1. licT the great ornaments (,f this reign were the ecclesiastir»
I he most eminent of ihe.^ for piety, learning, and ehKiuence, wer.
Mossuet BonrdnOue and Fenelon. TJ.e first of these was oricnnallv
to the pulpit. W'd to a change in his destination. " '
:J. On ace<,„nt of t.is gu-at learning, he was app(,inted preceptor to
the daupnn son of Lonis XIV., and the fidelitV with which he dis
charged his duty led to his heing made Bishop of Meanx. He died
n 1/04, at the age of seventy-seven years. lie et.gagea in a theo-
ogical controversy with Fenelon, in which a decisio.rwas m Je m
III his favor hy the Pope.
3. Louis who had taken his side in the dispute, one day asked
hirn wlKU he should have done, if he (that is the kin ^^ad pro
ected tenelon. -Sire," replied liossuet, -I should have con
tended ten times more earnestly : when a man enlists m U^ca se
of truth, he is sure of triumph, sooner or later."
4 II1.S time vvas so wholly devoted to the duties of his profession
hat he allowed himself no leisure for exercise or recreation.^ m"h
he had the most beautiful gardens, he so seldom visited them t fa
hs gardener could not help saying to him one day, - If I were to
plant saints you would come and see them; but ^ai for your L5
you care nothing about them." ^ '
\nth]ll r'''i-^"'' ^'""''^ reputation as a preacher to the manner
in which his discourses were delivered. This was sincrularlv im-
pressive and affecting. The whole audience were frequently iiLC^
into tears by the delivery of sentences, which appear il pr u oil a
string of words almost without meaning. ^
6. Bourdaloue vyas a preacher of a different character- he dis-
dained all flights of fancy. He appealed to the reason, and Attempted
to con^•lnce hat, rather than to afTect the passions. His se^C
and orations have been often published, and are still held in esteTm
inn ^Sr ""'^''^ youngest of the three, has left the best reputa-
ess one of the most humble and pious of men. He was selected to be
he preceptor of the grandsons of the king. His precepts rendered
tfre Duke of Burgundy one ot the most virtuous and accomplished of
8. He was now made Archbishop of Cambray, one of the richest and
most important church offices in ^ance. The virtues of the Duk
of Burgund y gained for his preceptgr the respect and gratitude of
«,.?r^*^ 9^ T^T V ^'''' "'l''^ ^^^ ;"''^^ Jisting-jished ecclesiastics 1 What is .said of Ho.
r{vhafw^S^';;;rto'i;^^^«:^r^'p^r w;;it'w^"l^i::.
preacher ? 6 What is said of Bourdaioue^ 7 VVhat 7s%afd orP^'n^lnn'^^'^T °" ff "
-a. he precepts. What •>.. his success 7 S. "2^ S/^!,^';^:rL^^J^
4A<\J16 XIV. — 1678.
23^
ai France. The character of the young prii ce ^yas contrasted will.
Jiai of his father, the dauphin. The comparison was not favorable to
the latter, and the jealousy of Bessuet, the instructor of the latter, was
Excited .
9. His efTorts to injure the archbishop were promoted by the pub-
lication of 'JMrmarhus, a work which Fenelon had written for the
.imusement and instruction of his pupil. The person who was em-
ployed to copy it, dishonestly made another copy for himself, and solo
it to a bookseller. .
10. Never were purer, more useful, or more elevated maxims ol
conduct offered to a prince. But the picture of a wise and humane
government, and of the evils proceeding from unjust ambition and
ostenUitious profusion, were considered by the king as a satire upon
himself. He therefore became the enemy of the author.
11. Banished from court to his own diocese, he lived universally
respected for the purity of his manners and the mildness of his tem-
per. His great revenues were devoted to charity, and so well were
his aftairs arranged, that he died without debts and without money.
During the wars which desolated Flanders, his house was open to
the poor, the sick, and the wounded, without reference to country.
12. It is among the few pleasing anecdotes of modern war, that the
Duke of Marlborough, and other generals of the allies, gave express
orders that the possessions of the archbishop should be carefully pro-
tected from injury, regarding them as devoted to purposes of common
" .^i^fi.^ence. He died in 1715.
CHAPTER CXL.
'Jeneral Manners and Customs.
1. It may amuse you to have an account of the matters which
seemed worthy the notice of an English traveller who visited France
about this time, being the physician attached to the family of the
English ambassador.
2. The first thing that he noticed was the great fondness of the
people of all ranks for shows, or spectacles, as they called them. To
see the embassy enter Paris, some hundreds of the nobility, includinrz
i)ishops, were content to wait in the streets for some hours, sitting
[)atientlv in their coaches.
W. These coaches had been sominvhat improved in their appearance
since the use had become general. They were now hung on springs,
and were very fine with gilding. Hackney-coaches were in use, but
they were the most miseral)le vehicles that could be.
9, lU. Wiial publication gave otTeiice to the king? Wliy ? II. How did Fenelon em.
ploy his time in hi.s diocese? 12. What were the orders of the Duke of Marlborough?
When did Feaelon die ? . .r . w •
CXL — 2 Oi what are the French people very fond f 3 Wliat is t^aid of the coaches'
16
238
Lours XIV. -1G73
4. There was one kind ot carriage that was new to hiir It *rai
called a rin«i.m7/.. It was a coach on two wheels, drawn oy a nan
3! d pushed by a hoy or a woman ; and this vehicle he considers a did
grace to so niafrmficeni a city. .
oA^.!"''";! '''■^^■^^*'f''"^' ''^ Pf'^'^^^^s to the iKissen^ers in the streets.
Of the.se the cl.urchinen made the most considerable figure havino
splendid cquipaires and fine liveries. The lawyers, hoN?ever a^si^t"
ed by their wives, made some show. ""Nvevtr, asM.-t
To their prole^ssion it seems was attached the ri-ht of havinn
the trains of the dresses carri.nl by a page, and of being preceded
when they went to chnrch l,y a lackey bearmg a great velvet cosher
lliese great privileges they conld impart to their wives
/. A lawyer was an ollicer of the crown, and his office, like all
others from the highest to the lowest, was to be purchased. The
right to quality a wife with the above honors made the place much
more valuable, tor no lady conld resist a suitor thus recommended.
W.lhere has been a decided improvement in the streets since we
l:ist inquired about them Now, they were lighted at all times
dming the night, as well when the moon shone as at other times of
the month, winch cur traveller was induced to notice the more "as
m i^ondoii th.'v had an inq)ertinent custom of taking away the lights
.or halt ot the month, as though the moon was certain to shine,"and
uiat tliere couhl be no cloudy weather."
1). The candles were placed in lanterns suspiM.ded from roi,ea
stretched acro.ss the street. The expense to the city was, even at
that time, mere than two hundred thousand dollars. Dr Franklin
when he was „, Pans, was kind em)ugh to give the p,M>pie some ad-
vice on this subject, namely, that if they would go to bed earlier and
rise earlier, they might save th(;ir tallow !
10. The travelhjrs descriptic.n of the iionses you shall have in his
own words. - All the houses of persons of distinction are built with
wide gates to drive in a coach, with courts within. TIktc are reck-
oned above seven hundred of these great gates, and manv of these are
otten ttie most noble [)atterns of ancient architecture
11. - The lower windows of all tiie houses are grated with stroi.o
bars ot iron As the houses are magnificent without, so the finishing
within an( turniture answer in richness ; as hangings of rich laoestrv
raised with gold and silver threads ; crimson damask and velvet beds
or of gold an« silver tis.sue ; cabinets and bureaux of ivory inlaid with
shell and golden and silver plates; branches and candlesticks of crys-
tal ; but above all most rare paintings.
12. " You can scarce go into the lumse of any man of substance
but you see souK^thing of th.vse luxuries and splendor, and citizen^-'
are observed frequently to ruin themselves in these expenses But
as tor the comtorts and conveniences of life, they were not lobe found
LOUIS XIV. — 1683. 239
CHAPTER CXLI.
Madame de Maiyiteiion. — The Duchess of Burgundy.
1. In 1683 the first wife of Louis died, and two years after he
,)rivately married Madame de Maintenon. She was originally a
Higuenot, and grand-daughter of Theodore d'Aubigne, half brother
of Henry the Great.
2. Her father died when she was very young, and it was remarked
of her mother that her manner to her daughter was so unnaturally
cold, that she never embraced her but twice in her life. She appears,
however, to have been a woman of strong mind, and not easily over-
come by misfortunes.
3. By accident her house took fire, and seeing her dauirhter cry-
ing, she severely reproved her for it, saying, '• Is the loss of a house
worth crying for?" Madame de Maintenon, who herself told the
Btory, added, " I should have had a great deal more scolding, had my
mother known that I did not cry for the house, but for my doll that
perished in the Hames."
4. She did not long remain with her mother, but was taken from
her care by an order from court, thai she might be brought up a
Catholic. The takinjr of the children of Huguenots from their parenta
w:is one of the means adopted by Louis to extirpate the reformed re-
ligion.
5. The person to whom she was entrusted got weary of her charge,
and married Mademoiselle d'Aubigne, at the age of fourteen, to the
{»oet Scarron. She was so poor that Scarron, in his marriage con-
tract, states her dowry to have consisted of " two large eyes, full of
fun, a fine shape, a pair of beautiful hands, a great deal of wit, and
four dollars."
0. Scarron's death did not leavt; her much richer than she was at
her marriage, except in the friends whom the j)ropriety of her de-
portment and the fascination of her manners had gained tor her.
7. These procured for her the office of governess to the children of
a lady attached to the court. In this situation the king had frequent
opportunities of seeing her, and was so much pleased with her agree-
able conversation and placid temper, that he married her.
8. She never received the rank or title of queen, and the only
chaiiijt; that could be perceived in her deportment was, that she with
drew fr(»m general society, and confined herself t«) the company (d'the
king and a few ladies. She possessed a singular modesty, and ajr
sunied iuj airs of greatness in const;(pience of her elevation.
0. But happiness does not necessarily accompany the possession
of power or riches. No one experienced this more fully than Ma-
CXLI. — 1 Wlieii tii«I ihe firsl niieeii iJie ? Wtioiii »liil lie nflerwards marry ? 2. Wlsu
Is *i if! of the mother of Madame de Maintenou ? 3. Relate the story of the fii-; 4
Wliv wa.s dhe taken from her nuther'' .'i Whom iliil she marry? What dowiy did
»|-,e l.riiif? her hushnnil 7 7 What ofhce diil she hI.ihim ' Tn what did this lead? li
240
IX)lJlS XIV ^ 1653
monarcli." „u» thus exoressps herself: " Why can
10. In a letter to a friend she thus «^P«^^„ ^^ get
, „„t give yo« all my experience 'Why can I m.t^ ^^ J_ ^^
,|,e ennu. which devours the R'^f ^ ' *™.i7„f ,7d„ess in a fortune b..
rid of their time' See you not that 1^'« »' ^»« , ^i3„.nc.e
vond what I could ever imagine and that nothing
ufGod prevents my sinking ""f f " • ;„ her apartment, and
11. The kinp! Kcnerally spent his «™" "f '" • "^p,3 \,.hile she sal
would often transact business vv.lh """''.'''; "X any part in what
„, sewing or --^,;;;f j^-' :tirnr:J?l.eVatu T.:; opinion and
Z'^'^Z doetMalTar Sobriety thinUr' But she carefully
She devo-ted herself to the -;"-'--' ''^'^..f'l^y'of Madame de
,3. Tluuigh she t";\'' .F--;;!!; '^f^'t,,'" l^g the happiness of
Maintenon, yet her ehiel deliRht was in roin ^ „p|a„eholy to
„er grandfather, and m '^""^^^" She was only eleven years
;tl':l:she'r,:rfc:ret& the first, great .^.
in adapting herself to the humors of ll'« !"»>;• ;„.,, Sometimes
14. She could be grave or gay as '«'^^'";', Jf '"^J^, .,„i herself on
she would perch herself on l'';' '^"'^ ''fj ^ tu V.f Uich he took in
his knees and canjss or Ujase ' ». 'f -^^^^rved discretion, and
^ridCai.:, lulliJ: wl ™ ;.Uin. ;-"- •'^ — I-,,.., with the
15. In public, the duchess ^^^^ ,«, i;%„, ,„ his latter
-rsr^lrSente! toVr^ L a^- J'-^-f^g
t^^^=^tt:^\>:^£^ .tired to rest...
give him an account of all that had passed.
CHAPTER CXLII.
The IhiJce of Burgundy. - The Dauphin.
.. r.i. Duke of n;;^.-;;ay w. h, f^^t^^^^TlX ^»
^jrheTedeiU^c^^^t^^
LOUIS XIV.- I6J3.
2il
liouis, and to distinguish them the father is called tlie " gratis
dauphin. ^^
Grand dauphin and hia ivife.
2. The yountrer dinipliin was educated by the great and good
Fenelon. He iMcame greatly attaciied to his preceptor, and care-
fully preserved all that he had written for his instruction. At the
death of the (bnpliin. the bigoted king caused all these papers to be
burnt, for fear the |)rineiples they inculcated might be too liberal.
.S. This prince was naturally passionate, but he had early learnt to
i-oiUrol his temper, and, after his boyish days, was rarely known to
give way to it. He was sincerely religious, and very anxious to do
his duty botb to God and to man. He bestowed in charity the money
which was allowed him for amusements.
4. Expecting one day to be king, he studied to acquire a perfect
knowledtrc of everything that could contribute to make the country
nourishing :Mid the people happy. The king, his grandfiither, who
knew how tt> apjireciate his merit, treated him witb a deference and
respect for his opinion, which astoni.shed all those wbo knew how
tenacious Louis was of his own authority and opinions.
5. Altluujgh he was lame and deformed, yet his SfMisibh; face and
noble deportment gave a dignity even to his person. Wo. saw througli
the malice, and despis«Ml the littleness, of the conrtiers ; and the min-
isters soon foun<l tbat they could not impose upon his .s< Mind judgment,
and clear insijrht into allairs.
0. His father, tht; grand dauphin, was neither very good nor very
bad. He was very good-natnred, but inclined to be miserly. He
was educated by Bossuet, whose Universal History was written for
CXLIl. — 1. Wliiii (.r the Dukr <»f Biiriruiulv ? What was he calletl? 'i. By whom
wad he educated ? W lial did the rfin? do at the tl.-ath of the duke ? 3, 4. What i.s .said
of hi.s character •' How did llie kni: treat liiiit? 5 How did he heliave to tiie counieral
6 VVh?t i.s .<iaid of the dauphin ' Ry whom was h- educated .' What Iwoks were
21
240
LOlilS XIV ' \0<i
LOUIS XIV.- IftW
211
"■"""• ""•';■• :,;";;;:.,t^'- s" » 1'=' - -"s • "
I not Rive you all niy experience y ^^
,|,e ennui which jlcvonrs the «7^;';. ^' ' ,,7,,/ , l-ss in a fortune he
ri,l of their tmte ^«^V"» ""' >' ' \ '^^^ ^^^,^ ™„ ,„„ „,„ assistance
v,„„l what 1 ceuia ever nnaffine and Ui.it notI.in„
;,fGo.l prevents my siukniR ""' «[ " ' j ^^ ;„ ,„,, apartment, ami
11. The kins srenemlly spent his ' ^ ' .' ""^„ ' ■ ' ,„3 \,.,,i|,, she sal
.vouhl often transact ''"---,«;::;;;; 'ue i^i'v part in what
hy --vin,or rea in., 1^ ;;1P^^^^^^^^ ^,,^„ „,^ ,,J „,,i„ion aiu
:;;^ *'';''"^h::t ^.11: M-I:: S.,hr,e.y think-- nut she carCnlly
avoiaeil all interference in ''"^•"•■:; V' "'.-''W,,^. ui„„ ,,asse.l tlie reinain-
1-3. She retircl to hi'il very early, ■""""^^ "■ '7,iV,r,.„ His favor-
;;;:s.^i;;r::f?-:!ti:lnse,n.^ton.er.r.^^^^
i:i. Though she took ,rr,.at [■ -"^^.^'. ''„„'>', ,, happiness of
Maintemu., yet her chiet ,leli(.'ht w as > " "^^- } ,„„hnch,>lv to
|„.r ,ran,l.ather. an,l m -^-™;, '^ '" ^, ^.s „nlv eleven >Ws
:^:r::;;;;:ihe'r :';:;Fi^me.:;r^^ ...i, .om ti. ..st, great ...,
in a,laptini: herself to the humors "> 'l';; 1;"'^ ; ■,.^^ Sometimes
1 1. 'she eonl.1 he .rave or jiay as "'■■ ;' ^^ '' J ,,,„i ,,erself on
.he would p<rch herselt on ''•'■''""'' '^, \'i'V;'Vhieh he took in
SllCan^; 41 when the kin. Jl-'^-^'^-i^S-hin, with the
,5. l"!'"V''^•'''^'''''■^?ru\l? do :'.,■. er,and ,n his latter
^- r;;;!v;nr:;im lA::^ tr ^^;:- j---rx!S
l^^^^^tZtt:Z:^"r\:i^^'^ -l^d t,, rest...
.rive him ail ticcomU of uU that had passed.
CHAPTER CXLll.
nr Ihd-r of Burgundy. - The Dauphin.
?XT'raea,h; :;;.-c:':icd'j^^
*'"Hj:',,'i^^itMr..r,i:..r''^:.r:i;::;v.;'r, mi.-..
Jiouis, and to distinguish them the father is called the " gran*
dauphin. ^^
Grand daiiphiii and ins wife.
2. The yoiiiifrer (hMiphiii was educated Ijy the great ami gdod
Fpiieloii. He h( came irrcally altaeiicd to his oreeeptor, and care-
fully prcservrd all that he had written for hi-^ instnietion. At the
death of the (hiiphin. thf hijToted kinir caused all these j)aj)ers to he
hurnt, for !• -ir ilir principles they inculcat.:-.! miurhl he t(K» lilx^ral.
.*>. This priiiee was naturally |)as*i(»nate, hut he had early learnt to
i-niitnil his tcniptr, and, after his hoyish days, was randy known to
liive way to it. He was sincendy relifrious', and very anxious to do
h's duty l)olh to (uh\ and t() man. Ii(^ hcstowcul in charity th(' money
which was allowe<l him for amusements.
1. J'Apcctin^'^ one day to he kiiiir, ho studied to acquire a perfect
knowledirc ,)t" everything that could conlrihute to make the country
lloiirishiiin and the pe«»ple lirippy. 'J'he kinu;, his grandfather, who
knew how to appreciat*^ his nu^rit, treated him with a d«)ferenc(i and
respect for his opinion, wljieh astonished all those who knew how
tenacious Louis was of liis own authority and (»j)inions.
r>. Although he was lame and deformed, yet his smsihlii face and
nohU; deportment <jav(; a diirnity even to his person. Ifc saw throujrh
the malice, and despi.sed the littl(>ness, <tf the courtii-rs ; and the nun-
i.-ters soon found that they cduld not impose upon his sound iud<,nnent,
and clear insiirht into allairs.
<). His fatln-r, the grand <lauphin, was neither very "ood nor very
had. lie was very j^tuxl-natiired, hut ineliiM'd to !>e miserly. He
was educated hy Hossuet, whose Universal Jlistory was written for
rXIJI— 1 Wli.ii ..r ihe Dukr of Bnr-ruinK ' Wli.ii was he called? M. Hy whom
warj he eilucateil ? W l,;ii did the ^iiiir do at the d.:illi of tin- diik.^ .' .J. 1. What U said
of hiH characlcr ' How did tli.i kt i<_' iri'.-il him' ."i How did li.' Iidiave to the coiirHertf
B U hi»t is laid of ilif daii|)l»iii ■ Hv whom wis (c "dur.iied ' What l»cH?k3 were
21
'SVJ
LOUIS XIV. -1635.
his usf Thn most learned men, and women too, were employee .«
prepare an edition of the ancient authors, with notes and explanatio«B,
for his instruction. . • u u
7 The ffra.id dauphin had not capacity enough to nrain much ben-
efit 'from these advantages. He had so little taste f..r literature, that
after he hecamc^ a man, he never read anything hut the lists of deaths
and uiarriafT.'s in the newspapers. ♦
H Hut the lahor of all the learned men was not wasted, tor t lie
hooks Ihev prepared have served for the instruction ot many youths. ;
they are still used, even in this country, in our academies and col-
^^r*lksides heiu'^ so illiterate, he was hashful and awkward, and
seems to have possessed no one quality hecominj; a ruler. His wite
was not a woman to counteract these <lefects. hhe was u^ly, awk-
ward, without wit, and spoke French very hadly. It is not wonc er-
ful that she should have felt out of place in the most hrilliant court m
'"lO^She loved to shut herself up in a little hack room with one of
her German women, with whom she could talk in her native lan-
ffuaire The kin«r and her husband tried in vain to draw her into
more cheerful society. She uradually sunk into a protound melan-
choly, and, as the French ladies asserted, literally moped herselt Ui
death.
CHAPTER CXLHI.
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. — Persecution of tJu
Huguenots,
1 The year lOH.'i is the epoch of the worst blot upon the charac-
ter of Louis- the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and the perse-
cution of the Huifuenots. Louis was naturally inclined to he re-
ligious ; but, until near the close of his life, when disease and afllic-
tion had opened his heart, he possessed little ot the true spirit ot
'"^I?e 'was a bigoted Roman Catholic, and honestly believed that
he did God's service when he murdered those who did not believe as
he did As his vanity led him to think himself superior to all oth.T
nuMi in the brilliancy of his actions, so it led him to believe his own
opinions and religious faith to be inlallibly triie. , ... . ,, ,
:{. Ma/arin had never been a persecutor. During the life of Col-
lu-rt the inrtuence of that wise minister had protected the Hugueui.ts
a.rainst their numerous enemies. He found them useful subjects and
encouraged thrir industry as mueh as lay in his power. But ( olbert
died in [083.
pared fir his use? 7. How diJ Ihe dauphi.. profit by ihem.^ 9 What is said of the
•Hfe of the dauphin 7 10 Hov? did she pa.s3 her time » . ,
CXL I- WhU is ihe greale.sv blm ou the cimricterof Ia,u.s .'What .s sa.d ^
.ha^igious feeling f Louis ,' 2 Wh.i did his van.ty lead him lo believe ? 3 ^\ h*1
LOUIS XIV. -IGcib
24J
4. After his d«';iili, the influence of the ministers coincided with
itie inclination of the king. Louvois was cruel and bloodthirsty
by nature, and his father, Le Tellier, had a bitter hatred to the Prot-
estants. By the iivfluence of this last, the Edict of Nantes was
revoked. He died a few days after the adoption of this cruel meas-
ure, thanking (Jod that lu^ h:t<l b«MMi j>erinitted to live to wit
ness it.
/>. In 1081, several steps had been taken against the Huguenots,
which could not but excite amongst them the greatest alarm. They
were e.xpelled from all offices, exchuled from all situations of profit;
and their children were allowed and encouragiui, even at the early
age of seven years, to abandon iht; nligion of their parents, and were
received as converts to the Roman Catholic church.
6. These severities induced many families to se6?k anew home in
countries where they might worship God according to the dictates
of their own hearts. On this it was ordered that all seamen and
artisans wlio should attempt to leave the kingdom, should be sent
to the galleys.
7. As several families were observed to be prej)aring to sell their
estates, it was further ordered, that the proptTty should be confis-
cated, if the sellers left the country within a year after the sale.
8. Besides appealing to the avarice of the Huguenots, the most
eloquent preachers were sent amongst them to endeavor to convince
and persuade them. But these not proving so successful as he
wished, the king sent dragoons to second their efforts. From the
cruel excesses committed by these soldiers, tiiis persecution is often
called by French writers " //ie dragonade.''''
9. Louvois declared it to be " his majesty's will that the greatest
rigor should be executed on those who will not adopt his religion,
and that such as have the stupid vanity to ludd out shall be pur-
sued to the last extremity."
10. The dragoons established tiicmselves in the houses of those
who refused to obey these commands, and when they had consumed
all the provisions, they pillaged the houses, destroyed the goods,
and seized upon wlialever belonged to the Protestants.
11. The troojis next attacked the persons of the Protestants, and
tortured them in a thousand ways, without any distinction of age or
sex. Numbers who remained firm and unshaken were throwj. into
dungeons ; or if by chance any of them escaped into the woods,
they were pursued like beasts of prey, and, like them, massacred
without mercy.
1'2. Many of the females were placed in convents, where the nuns
would not suf?»!r them to <;njoy any repos(; till they consented to
renounce their religion. All were reduced to |)overty and wretched-
ness, and their places of worship were razetl to the ground.
preveuled iterseculiou in llie early pari of !iis rei'iii ^ 1. Who ailvi.sed to perseculioi '
r>. When di<l (he perseculions coiiuneiite .' What were the fir-st steps? 6. What w;ji
the constkueuce of ihe.se .severities ,' (I, 7. WHiat orders were issued .' ^. What inuaiw
wer<- tried to convert the heretics? W^hal was the persecution called? 10. What ww
Um f .niiliict of the troops ? 11, \t How were the Huguenots treate*! ?
344
ijouis XIV - lea^
CHAPTER CXLIV.
Cnnthmation of the Penecution of the Huguenots.
I There was no saft^v for tlu,' iR-n.eoated Huguenots bat ii
fli.rht; an<l,at the sanir, time, precautions were taken to deprive
th;: unhappy victnns of tyranny of hH possible means of escape.
The guards were doubled on all the frontiers. The peasants were
onh^red to attack the fucritives wherever they met them.
2. Soldiers were dispersed over every part of the country AH
who were taken were thrown into prison, stripped ot what ^tle tiu,y
had saved from the general wreck, separated irom their wives and
families, loaded with chains, put to the torture, and exposed to all
the sufferincTs which the ingenuity of their oppressors could invent.
3 All these proceedings were in exact compliance with the orders
of the court ; and these cruel and merciless orders emanated from a
cour distinguished above all others for the mildness ot its manners
and the refinement of its taste ; the influence of the savage Louvois
seems to have predominated over every one. . , ,
1 Notwithstanding the vigilance of the government, not less, it
,s said, than half a million found means to escape, and carried into
forei-n and rival countries not only the money they hac betM. able to
save," but also, what was far more valuable, their skill m manu-
factures, and their habits (»f industry. ,.,.,„ . , , , ■,, .
5 Many of the branches of manufacture which ( olbert had intro-
duced with great expense were carried on principally, and some
exclusively, by Huguenots; the art of preparing tm and steel was
kno^ o.;i; to them, and the k.u.wledge of it was thus lost to the
"(f ' A^larcre mimber to..k refug.; in America : some wwre to be
lou.ul in al? the colonics, l)ut the greater number went to Carolina,
,he climate of which most nearly resembled that of the country from
which they had been exiled. ,,,
7. Everywhere they met with the most cordia welcome. 1 hen
sufferings entitled them to the sympathy of all. ihese United
States were then m.or and thinly inhabited colonies of Great Ikitam,
anil the acquisition of settlers having such habits and principles was
of inestimable value to them. .
8 The n'vocation of the Edict of Nantes is a very imj.ortant
epoch in the history of France. She ha.s never recovered from the
bow which her industry then received. 1 he Huguenots wen;
Muiet and peaceable citizens. The justice of the observation ..1
Queen Christina, of Sweden, is evident. " \ consider France, said
8he '' as a sick person, whose legs and arms have been cut (.fl, ns
rXllV -1 Wlut mea.im>. wore ;ul.>ple.l I., proveiil lli-l.l 7 2. What wxs .torn- r>^
.e!^.HU,ion o( the E.t I of N.ut.s? 9 What u sai.t of Prote.tau.s smmc thai tt.mi
LOUIS XIV. - 1690.
24^
tt remedy foi a disorder which mildness and patience would have
totally cured."
9. History aince that time has said but little of the French
Protestants. The government has grown milder in Us principles,
and has begin to learn, from sad experience, the crime and folly of
persecution. But liberty of conscience never became perfect in
France till the great revolution in 1789.
CHAPTER CXLV.
Neiv War hi Europe. — Peace of Ryswick.
1. In 1687, chiefly through the influence of the Prince of Orang-e,
a new league was formed by the treaty of Augsburg, which united
(iermany, Holland, and Spain against France. Savoy also joined
the alliance.
2. In 1688, the abdication of James IT., and the Rei-olution in
F./i-r/andj as it is called in history, placed the Prince of Orange on
llie throne of that country. No .sooner had he secured himself upon
it, than he bent all his efforts to strengthen the powerful confederacy
against France.
3. A French army of 100,000 men burst again into the unhappy
country of the palatinate, which had suffered such horrible devasta-
tions in the former war. The direction of military affairs was still
in the hands of the savage Louvois. He now determined to make
an absolute desert of this fertile and extensive district, that the Aus-
trian army might find no means of subsistence in it.
4. Wh(!n he proposed it to Louis, the king shrunk with horror
from the adoption of so cruel a measure. He said that the former
ravages of his army had excited the indignation of the civilized world.
Hut Louvois persisted, and the king made no further resistance.
5. Everything was destroyed by fire and sword. The wretched
inhabitants were comjielled to quit their habitations in the month of
February, 1689. Men, women, and children, had to wander in the
flelds at this inclement season witliout shelter. It is said that the
ravages of the former war were but a mere spark compared with this
horrible conflagration. The officers who executed the orders were
covered with shame at being made the instruments of so much cruelty.
6. A party still existed in Ireland in favor of restoring the crown
of Great Britain to James II. Louis sent 6000 French troops to its
assistance. They met with a decisive defeat in the battle of the
Boyne, July 11th, 1690.
7. William HI. received a slight v^ound in the battle, and a report
CXLV. — I. What new combiualir n wa.s fonninl nirainsl Franco ? When, and by whos4
influence? 2. What event occurred in 1688? :i What did the French do ? What did
Lf)UVois proixjse ? 4. H<tw \vh.^ tlje nmjwsal received by Louis ? 6. What expedition
waa sen', out by I^ui* ? What wa* ho reiJult ? When was the battle of the Bojf
21'
246
LOUIS XIV. -1697.
of his death was spread. Tliis news was reciived at Paris witi
great demonstrations of joy. The bells were rung, William was
burned in elligy, and even the guns of the Bastile were hred, (thcugh
without the orders of the king,) as on an occasion of great pub'i''
rejoicing.
8. Upon the land, the French armies, ur-der Marshals Luxemburg
and Catinat, opposed with success the forces of their enemies, com-
manded by Prince Eugene and Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy.
Luxemburg died in January, 1695, and was succeeded by Marshals
Boufllers and Villeroi.
l). By sea, the advanta^je was on the side of P'.ngland and Holland,
and on the 19th of May, 1692, 'rourville, the Frencii admira , was
completely defeated, and the remnant of his fleet, which took refuge
on the J'^rench coast, was afterwards destroyed by the enemy. James
IL, from a neighboring hill, beheld this disaster, which seemed to
destroy his last hope of being ever reinstated upon the throne of his
ancestors.
10. All parties were at length sincerely inclined to peace. The
Emperor and Spain were weary of a war which had been attended
only with misfortunes ; the people of England had long murmured
at the h*:avy expense of engaging so vigorously in the con'inental
quarrels of their sovereign.
11. The trade of Holland was interrupted, and her most fruitful
pcovinces laid waste. Louis must have become sensible that his own
great exertions had almost exhausted the great resources of France,
and he was also harboring other designs, which the restoration of
peace was necessary to matvire. Under these circumstances, the.
peace of Ri/swirk was concluded, in September, 1697. It is so called
from a small village near the Hague, where the treaty was signed.
12. By this peace Louis restored all his conquests from Spain
and Germany, and acknowledged the title of William Hi. to the
crown of England. Thus he consented, at the end of a war which
had been on the whole successful, to terms of peace which could
scarcely have been expected, even in defeat, from the monarch of
60 great a country as France.
CHAPTER CXLVI.
Netv Object of Ambition to Louis. — Proposed Partition of Spain,
1. The secret of all this moderation is, that a far more tempting
iimbition was now working in the mind of Louis. The King of Spain,
iDuirht? 7. What hap|>eiie(l to William III.? How was the news received at Pari??
8. Which Dariy was successful on the land ? Who were the commanders ? 9. What is
nici of the suo:es3 of the French at sea ? 10. For what reason did the different nation*
desire peace? 11. When was peace ntade? What is it called? 12. What was the
rwult as '.o France .'
CXLVI. —1. What produced this moderation in the King of France? 2. Who were
LOUIS .\1V. — 1697.
247
cive last male heir of the Emperor Charles V., was now on the brink
.»f the grave. All Europe was in anxiety as to the disposal of the
rich inheritance which he had to bequeath.
2. He had no children, and his nearest relations were Louis XlV
and the Emperor Leopold. Bv a remarkable coinci«lence, both wer*
his first cousins, being grandsons of Philip 111., and both were his
brothers-in-law, both having married daughters of Philip IV.
3. Thus both princes transmitted to their children the same rela
lionship to the crown of Spain, by the same double connection, and
in i^recisely the same degree. I»uis' wile and his mother had been
the elder sisters. But then the right of succession had been sol-
enmly renounced for themselves and their posterity, both by Louis
and bv his father. ^ , , c
4. The prejudices of the Spaniards were in favor of the house ot
Austria, and they had also an inveterate hatreil of the French. Be-
sides these two great monarchs, there was a young prince ot Bava-
ria, a grandson of Leopold, who was also a direct descendant, through
his mother, of Philip iV. .
5. Louis, who paid little regard to treaties when they stood in
the way of his ambition, would gladly have seized upon the whole
for himself; but he knew that the attempt to do so would unite all
the powers of Europe against him. With such a combination, he
felt that he could not successfully contend.
6. Whilst Louis wished to get all he could, he was equally desir-
ous to keep out of the hands of the emperor all that he could not get
for himself. With these views, he proposed to the King of England
to join in a treaty for the division of the Spanish empire, after the
death of Charles II.
7. William agreed to his proposal, probabl} from the fear thai
liouis might otherwise obtain the whole or a large share for himself.
The territories of Spain were divided between the young Prince of
Bavaria, the dauphin, and the archduke, Charles H., son of the
emperor.
CHAPTER CXLVH.
Philip of Anjmt, Graiidson of Louis, becomes King of Spain.
— Another War in Europe.
1. The indignation of the King of Spain at this parcelling out hit.
/lominions, may be more easily conceived than expressed. He at
once made a will, by which he bequeathed the whole to the Prince
the nearest r.!lali()u3 to the Kia? of S|)aiii ? What sinirtilar coincidence was there ? 3
WhU i^ said of the riirhl of the French prince? 4. Whom did the Spaniards prefer
What other candidate was there? 5. What restraint was there ur)on I/)ius? 0. Wha
»ec')nd wish had Louis? What proposal did he make? To whom? .'What answei
was made to the proposal ? How were the territories of Spam to be divided?
CXLVII. - 1 . What was the feeling of the King of Spam ? What 'iid he do ? Wht«
UH
LOUIS XIV.— 1701.
of Bavari.a. That youn^ princo died suddenly, and a new partition
treaty was 8i;;ned by William and Louis.
12. All theso arran;!;eni('nts, howovor, won* tinally superseded by
n now will made by the Kin;:; of Sjiain, alxnit a month before his
death, by whieh he IxMjueathed the wiiolcof his dominions to Phi-
lip, Duke of Anjou, j^randson of I>«>uis, an<l second s(»n of the dau-
phin.
3. Louis hesitated whether to accept this splendid inheritance
for his ^ratidson, or to abid(» by the partition treaty, and thus in-
crease the dominions of the French monarchy, lie <lecided t*)
espouse the claims of his grandson. En;j;iand and Holland readily
acceded to an arrangement which ^ave no accession of territory to
either of the continental powers, and acknowledged the title of
Philip V.
4. The emperor, meantime, prepared to dispute this title, and
commenced hostilities in Italy, where his armies, under Prince
Eugene, gained decided advantages oxqy the French generals, Ca-
tinat and Villeroi. England antl Holland soon joined with tho
emperor,
5. The English pcoph^ were yet groaning under the lairden of
taxes imposed to support the expense of the last war, and it is
supposed that their discontent would have forced the king to con-
clude a ])eace with France, if Louis, on the death of James IL, in
1701, had not most indiscreetly acknowledged his son as King of
England; and this notwithstanding he hatl so lately recognized
the title of William HI.
0. The whole English natitm was roused at this insult. Nothing
was now thought of but war. The death of William IIL made no
change in this respect, and Anne, who succeeded him, renewed
all his engagements.
7. Louis could not repress his anger at such a combination ; but
his chief resentment fell upon the Dutch. He declared, with
great emotion, that as for those gentlemen pedlars, the Dutch,
they should one day repent their insolence, in declaring war
against one whoso power they had formerly felt and dreaded.
8. However, the affairs of the allies were in no way influenced
by his threats. The Duke of Marll)orough, a famous English gen-
eral, w*as appointed to the command of the allied army, and proved
the most formidable enemy to France that had appeared since the
disastrous times of Cressy and Agincourt.
uKvlt* new arranj;em«?nts on his I'lirt nnossjiry ? '2. What was his final disposition of
iIm territories > 3. What course did Louis adopt? What did the other power* oi
Kim>iK* do? 4. What is said of the eniiwror? 6, 6. What of the feelings of the Kug-
Ush people? 7. What did Louis thjvaten to do? 8. What infl icnce had thesa
Jireau? Who ootumandiHl the allies?
LOUIS XIV.— 1707.
249
CHAPTER CXLVHL
l he Frtnck suffer many Defeats. — Capture of Gibraltar hy tht
English.
I. From this time to the year 1711, the reign of Louis vva.s a con-
tinued series of defeats and calamities. An account of all these in de-
tral would not he interesting to you. It will be sufficient to tell you
the results.
"2. In Italy, the imperial forces, under Prince Eug«Mie, in the battle
«»f Turin, Sejit. 7th, 170(), gained a victory which left the house of
Hoiirbon no hope of restoring its power in that country.
.'{. The allied armies, muler the Duke of Marlborough, gained the
victorif^s of Hlenheim, Uamillies, Oudenardc, and Malplaquet. Not
oidy was France dej>rivcd of all her conquests in former wars, but
the coutiiuicd progress of her enemies sceincd to threaten her very
existence as a nation.
4. From all these triumphs, the English, at whose expense the
war was for the most part carried on, derived no other advantage than
the name of having gained great victories. A conquest of much
greater importance to them was made with a comparatively trifling
expense of blood and treasure in Spain.
•O. The fortress of Gibraltar stands upon a iiigh, rocky promontory,
and is only accessibh^ upon one side. It wa.s .so strongly fortified by
nature, that tho S[)auianls, to whom it belonged, thought that no one
would be mad enough to attempt to take it from them, and it was
therefore left in the charge of some old fellow, for whom it was nec-
essary to provide an oflice.
6. Sir (Jeorge Hooke, having failed in some object for which he
had been sent with a fleet into the Mediterranean sea, resolved to make
an attem[)t upon Gibraltar. The very boldness of the attempt was
the cause of its success. The governor, astonished at the velocity
and intrepidity with which the British sailors mounted the rocks,
surrendered at the first assault.
7. When the news reached England, it was for some time in de-
bate whether it was a capture worth thanking the admiral for. It
was at last determined to be unworthy the public gratitude, and while
the Duke of Marlborough was loaded with wealth and honors for use-
less services, Sir George Rooke was left to neglect, and soon dis-
placed from his command.
8. Whilst nothing is left of all Marlborouoji's triumphs but the
name, Gibraltar has remained in the possession of the English, and
has proved of the utmost vahu^ for the refitting of ships, and for th^
protection of her commerce in the Mediterranean.
CXLVIIL - 1. What was the f jccess of ihe French in this war? 2, What decldfi<l
their fate in Italy ? 3. Wliat v\.,..iries were gained by the Duke of Marlboroiitrh ? 4.
What advaiila!:e did the English derive from these victories? 5. What ia 8;iiil <>f th«
fortress of Gihraliar? 6 By whom was it taken from the Spanish? 7. What reiuri
was made to Sir George Rooke by the British government? 8. What is said <>f this coj'
quest?
360
LOl
XIV. -1711.
CHAPTER CXLIX.
Louts reduced to a very distressed Condition. — Peace of
Utrecht.
1 ExHAUSTFi) in his ie.s..urces ami hunibleil in his aiiibiMoii,
f.ou'is, tlMMi-h h.' ha.l hcfon- vainly tried to ne^M)tiate, sent in i70|»
an an.l.asHa<iur to II..llan,i K. sue for peace. He offered even n.ueh
more than the allies ha.l elainied at the hecrinuinu: ot the war, and his
nronosals ouo;ht K. hav(^ been accepted. ,.,,., ,
2 Hut the Duke of Marlhoroucrh, who was h.i.d (.1 the power, and
still* more fond of the salary and perquisites, attached to his com-
mand, induced the allies to insist on terms so exlravarrani that Louis
rejected them with disdain. The French i.e(,ple, thoujih opi»ressed
and impoverished, shared in the indi),n.ation which their monarch felt
and expressed. , , , • ^ .,
:J III 1710, Lonis airain sued for peace, and added new concessions
to those he had proposed the year hef.)re. Anion- the rest, he offered
to curknowledcre the Archduke Charles as King ot Spam ; to afford
no assistance 'to his grandson Philip, and even to advance money to
the allies, to assist in carrying on the war against him. , , ,.
4 The allies rejected tlu.'se lerms with insult, and demanded that
Louis should himself undertake to expel his grandson from the Span-
ish throne. This ignominv, Louis, overwhelmed as he was rejected
with scorn, exclaiming, '' Since I must make war, I had rather make
it asrainst my enemies than my own children. . ^ , , u
5 In th.' mean time, J..seph had succeeded his fathe.- Leopold as
emperor. In April, 1711, Joseph died, and was succeeded by his
brother, the Archduke Charles, wiio was the competitor ot Hiilip V
for the throne of Spain. This event gave a great accession of strength
to the French interests. , • ^ c
6 Europe in rreneral was more unwilling to see the union o. fepam
and the empire in the hands of the same prince of the house^of Aus-
tria, than that two princes of the house of Bourbon should be in pos-
session of the thrones of France and Spain. 1 ■ • T?
7 An extraordinary change of opinion had taken place in l^.ng-
land The people were now become impatient for peace. A change
was consequently made in the officers of government, and one ot the
firsi acts of the' new ministers was to recall the Duke of Marlbor-
'^"i He was succeeded by the Duke of Ormond, who had private
instructions not to fight. In July, 1711, the English troops were
CXLl K - I. What was the corulition of L<.uis in 1709 ? Wlat terms of peax:e di^^he
orter ■• 2 What di.l the allies propose.' Did L.mis accepl ihcm? .? Wheu did Loui.
^L propose ^x^h'o? What did 'he offer to do I 4. What did the all.es now requ.rel
W at w;Jlx>u s' a.^swer .' 5 What changes had taken place ui Germany ? 6. Why
^ere the?e cha.i?e3 favorable to Fnince ? 7. What change had taken p^ce m tngbiMl)
uSli?.wed 8. Who succeeded Marlborough? What were his orders? 9 Wbi-
LOUIS XIV.— 1714.
25)
ivithdrawii from the army of the allies. Piince Eugene, left to him-
iclf, was defeated by Marshal Villars at Denain.
9. This victory was the more important, as it cheered the spirits
of the French nation, which was a nation always ready to be rean-
imated by the first symptoms of success, and it raised the tone ^nd
confidence of its ambassadors at lUrecht, at which place conferences
relative to peace were now being held.
10. Treaties of peace with all the pow ers except the emperor were
signed at Utrecht, in 1713. Philip was recognized as King of Spain,
at the same time renouncing the succession to the throne of France
Louis recognized the title of Anne to the crown of England.
CHAPTER CL.
Doj?iestic Afflictions of Imds XTV. — His Death.
1. Thus Louis saw the termination of that disastrous war which
had reduced his kingdom to extreme wretchedness and poverty. The
allies had been punished for their unreasonable rejection of the terms
offered in 1710 ; and the humiliation of France had been in the same
measure relieved.
2. But misery enough remained to show in frightful colors the
crime and folly of ambition, and to prove to ;'^° king, who was now
seventy-six years old, and visibly drawing near his end, that he had
altogether mistaken the true ends of life, and all the ends for which
his power had been given.
3. Domi>tic afflictions, also, had fallen heavily upon him. The
dauphin, the onlv one of his sons who had survived infancy, died in
April, 1711, leaving three sons, the Duke of Burgundy, Philip, King
of Spain, and the Duke t)f Berri.
•1. In February, 1712, the hopes which the nation had fondly cher-
ished of retrieving all their losses under the government of a wise
and enlightened prince, were blasted by the death of the Duke
i.f nuririmdy, who was buried in the same grave with his lovely wife,
vvli'i died only six davs before him.
r». Within three wH'eks the grave was again opened to receive the
remains of their eldest son. In May, 1714, the Duke of Berri died ;
and as the King of Spain had renounced the successi(m to the throne
of France, all the hopes of the Bourbons now rested on the sole sur-
viving son rf the Duke of Burgundy, a feeble infant, for whose life
great fears were entertained.
6. A deep gloom had long since settled upon the court, the splen-
dor and magnificent entertainments of which had excited the envy
?avB new spirit to the French ? 10. When was peace concluded ? Where? What were
•ome of the terms ? „,. . ,
CL. ~ 3, 4. 5 What domestic afflictions had befallen Ix'iis ? Who was the on'O"*;
wir\n% k-sir to the throne? 6. What change had lake- 4ace inthe court? 7 Wbal
252
fOUlS XTV I7IS.
and rwlnurnti^m ol J\nro|)<'. liouis ln<l li'mnt In f'orMi « niorc just I'sli
mato «>r \vii;il is rcnllv vnhinhlr in lilc. HowtMl «l«»v\n \\\\\\ alllirtitMi
he 8ou«Tht a i«'riio»> in the lioprs of n'li;»nMi.
7. In Aiiiinsi, 171 j. il luM'anin rvi«l«in ilitil In- li.ui nm lony It
livo. In his last sirknrss, br «lisj>lavr(l a rorlMiiilf IcniprrtMl h\ Ini
militv. siioli as \'v\\ «>\hihit. lit' rrrollrcliMl lim Dun \vrakn»'s8«'8.
ami li:i«l ilir njairn.utiniitv to «*ont«'ss tlnin. TaKni;' Ins infant snr
"•('ssor in his arm> hf tlin-^ addn'ssrd hiin ahiml in the prcsrmM' of all
his aUciulanls,
8. " \'on will soon li<> kinjz of a jrrpat kinir«loni. What I most
earnostlv r«M'oinnnMi<i to von is. novrr to for^rt tho ol)lijTati«>ns y«ui
arr nmlor to (Jo*!. H<Mn'inlM'r thai to him von owo all that \o\i pos
S4'ss. iMnloaxoi to livr al |>«\h*«' with vonr nriirhhors. I have hi'm
loo t'ond of war.
!>. '' 1\» n« < you t'ollow my oxampio in th'it, nor in mv lavish "x
pi'iKlitnro. TaKO advirr in all thintrs. and rinh'a.or to tind onl »hi
h'-sl. that you may adhrro invariahlv to it. 'loliovo vonr jnoph
trom lavos as so(mi as vou oan, and do thai whirh 1 have had tin' mis
t»Mtnno ot' not IxMni; ahlo to do.'"
10. Ijonis di«'d Sopt. 1st, 1715, IxMnir within a low <lavs orscxjMilv-
srvon years of afjfv Wluai hv v»;s vorv yo\mjj, his mothor ono day
said to him, " My son, «Midrav'»r to rosomhh' your ^randfilhor. and
not your falluM."* Tho kin<j )".i\i :;7 askrd tho reason, " It is." said
sh(\ " h(N'aus(^ the people woy^ al the dealh ol Henry l\., and
laui^hod at that of Louis Mil.' 'V\\o d(^ath of Louis MJI. had onlv
not disturbed tlu' natural pay«'ty of the peoph> ; at the death of Ij^niin
\n . ihcy ahs<diitelv rejoieed.
11. The jxreat ehanj^e which had \:\\in\ jdaee in the eharaeter of
iKinis had Ixnmi elll'<'ted hv the ]nTV«^pts and (>\auiple ol' Matlame de
Maintenou. Dunne the husl, disastrous wars, she luul ^«»ne so fir as
to soil her jewels and horses, to supply the wants of those wlm had
boon rotluced to poverty by the and>ition of Ikt hnsbaml.
12. She never would alh»vv the kiuL'^ to s(Mtle anv properly upon
her, bocause she considered all that he should iiiv«» her wonhl be .so
much added to the taxes, and taken from the hard earniujxs of the
j.oor laborers. At :he kinjj's dealh she was l;^'l totallv unprovided
for.
13. The recent, Duke of (Orleans, offered her a pension, sayinjj,
''that her disinterestedness had rendered it neces,sary." She con-
siMitod to receive a small sum, and retir«>d to St. C\r, a school which
she had fomuled tor the educatit)n of jiirls, whose jiarents, haviurr en.
joyed better circumstances, hail horn reduced to poverty. She lived
here till her death, in 17l!», beiui^ eiirhty-three years old.
w:is ihr .-nniincl of I/itiis in his last i!li,c*s7 •>^, ■.). Wlial was Iiis ad.Ircsd to his heir
Id \\h>'n .''.I 1/iiiis ili»-' How okl w.x^ he? VVhnt was his mother's atlvico to hi»r
when hf v\.i<» v^,„uc ' What \v.i.<= her roa-son ? How diil it aj)p!v to Ixmii! ^ II Whm
hail chanretl the character of Louis ? What was the oomhict of Madame de iMaintenoji
•n ihe wars? 12. Why would she accept iu> properly from the kiim ? i:t. What pro
•imoii wa- ma.ie for her by the i«gent ? Wliiiher did she retire • When .H-l she die 1
hOUIS AlV.- I7i
25)
CUWIKH CLl
Charactn ami Unhits of hnds KIV.-(hfnt Chnn^p in me
Vhnrnrff r of fhf IWfif>/fs.
I. Ma7,M!IN used to say of fionis, that there was sluffenonjirh in
him to make four kinjis, and one lifMiest man. Nature had certainly
intended him f<ir a ^reat man ; but art had .sadly marred the noblo
work of nature. lie had a fine person, which he deformed hy the
dress of the aire ; a fine manner, rdiderrrl almost l>oird»astical by his
hijih opinion of bis dimiity.
y. lie bad a clear miderstandini;, but was profoundly iprnorant ; a
natural uprirrbtness of mind, which was warped by flattery, and by
the evil cour7Rels of the .fesuits, his \elicrions advisers. He was ex-
tremfdy t£ood-tempered ; hut this quality was neutraliWMl hy rijrid con-
formity to rules and etifpiette.
:{. 'i'he kin^r was the im»st exact man in the world ; everything
was refrnlated by clock-wf>rk. Kvery morninff at eight o'clock his
valet called him, and his nurse, who lived to a great age, entered hi?
apartment, accompanied by his phy.sician and surgeon, who examine.!
into the state of his health.
4. Thet^rand chamberlain and a tribe of courtiers were next ad-
united, an«l the king prweeded to dress himself ; which the French
historians tell ns bcrdid " with grace and ease." The first thing he
did was to put on his wig, which was banded to him, at the end of
a loner cane, before the curtains were undrawn, for he thotjght it un-
dignified to be seen bare-beaded.
7,. Y(Mi will rec(dlect that an accident which happened to Francis J.
introduced the fa.shion of short hair. rx>\iis XIV., when a boy, had
remarkably beautiful long curling k)cks, and the servile courtiers,
always ready to copy their master, had wigs made to imitate them.
When the king became a man, he too adopted a wig ; so by degrees
the wigs becanie larger and larger, and were more and niore curled
and fri'/zled, until they became enormous.
(>. We are next told, for the chroniclers are very minute, that the
king did not use a dre.ssing-table, but that one of the persons present
held the looking-girifls before him. When the dressing was at last
happily over, the king fxtcupied himself till dinner-time in transacting
business,
7. He dined in public, and the privilege of seeing him eat was a
highly courted honor. The being gazed at by a staring crowd did
w\ spoil his apfietite, for it is recorded that he would often eat four
plates of soup, a pheasant, two good slices of ham, besides mutton
and salad, with pastry, frnit, and sweetmeats into the bargain.
CLl. - 1. What did Mazaria aay of Louis XIV. ? What waa the chnnrter of Loom
jnV.t 3. WhaX is aaid of his peraonal hahits? 5. What new l^iwnn wjw iutr»
inced » 6. ", 8. How did the king occupy his time after he 'v.is .Iret-^i I '.» How -iw
22
254
I-OUIR XV,
715
8. At twelve, the king retired to his chfimber, where the undreus-
ingr was performed with the same ceremonies that attended the dress-
ing-, and the wig bein<r duly received on the cihI of the cane, the kinji
was left to his repose.
9. Louis liked to be surrounded by a numerous throng of courtiers
►Slaves never were ke[)t in more abject subjection ; a frown was a pun
ishment almost irisup|)ortable, and bani.siiment from the court was
regaided as little less dreadful than a sentence of death. The charac-
ter of these sycophants may be learned from the tritles which tliey
set up as the objects of ambition.
10. The individual who was permitted to hold a candle while the
king was undressing became an object of general envy; he looked
upon himself as the most fortunate of beings, and as amply rewarded
for a life of turmoil and misery.
1 1. The vicious court and corrupting despotism accomplished what
Louis XL, with his iron cages and loathsome dungeons, had in vain
endeavored to eflect. The French nobles lost that energy and spirit
of independence which had distinguished their ancestors. Among
the degenerate set who shed tears when the monarch frowned, we
look in vain for the high sense f»f honor and manliness of Gueaeli*
and Bayard.
CHAPTER CLIL
The Duke of Orleans ajyjmnted Regent. — Missistnppi Scheme
1. l.ouis XV. being only tive years old at the death of his great-
ijraudfather, a regency was necessary , and this was assumed by
Philip, Uuke of Orleans, a nephew of the late king, and the next heir
to the throne.
2. The Duke of Orleans, from a child, manifested great quickness
of parts, with a boundless curiosity, and a capacity for almost every
kind of acquirement. His preceptor, St. Laurent, a man of real
principle and groat merit, unfortunately died before his education
was finished, and he fell into the hands of the Abbe Dubois, who en-
tirely subverted his moral habits, and he became abandoned to vice.
3. The first acts of his administration were extremely popular,
and gave the most favorable ideas of his government and character.
He restored to the parliament the right of remonstrating against the
edicts of the crown, which right had been taken from them by Louis
XIV.
4. He compelled those who had enriched themselves at the ex
pen»e of the public, during the calamities of the preceding reign, to
lie treat his courtiers? Whril was the character of the courtiers? 11. What change wan
nade in the character of the nobles?
CLU. -1. Who succeeded Louis XIV. ? Who was made regent? 2. What vias itie
«".lu»r^c>r '^f the resfenl ? 3, 4. What were the first acts of Fiia governni»>ni .' i To
I.OU1S XV.— 1715.
255
restore their ill-gotten wealth, and he removed from his council thote
who had been most active in religious persecutions.
Louis XV., \l\bto 1711.
6 But this did not last long. An indolence almost become habit-
ual,' and a love of pleasure, led him to give up all the cares of his
office to ])ubois, the most unprincipled of men, and a total change
took place in the manners and politics of the court.
6 T«) bi.M.iry and devotion succeeded oi)en impiety ; to tormality
and decoruiu, eaae atul licentiousness. To this change, the chamc-
ter and exami)l«3 «)f the regent in a large degree contributed. His
levitv was such that he turned everything into pleasantry. Ihis
humor of the regent was but too readily followed by a lively and vo
atile people like the French. r • i- i
7. The most sacred things were made the subject of ridicule.
The discharge of duty w as called a weakness ; regard for honesty, a
prejudice ; and delicacy was considered aflfectation. The regency
of the Duke of Orleans infiicted a lasting injury on the morals of the
nation. . , . , ..
8. One of the most remarkable incidents of the regency was tlin
famous Mississippi scheme of John Law, a Scotchman. The ex
travacrancc of Louis XIV. had consumed all the resources of the
etate.'' To support his long wars, his magnificent court, and above
all his lavish expenditure on his palace at Versailles, he had con-
tracted debts to an enormous amount.
9 The regent was verv much embarrassed by these debts. 1 he
creditors were clamorous for payment. But the treasury was empty,
wh.,m did he gi-e up the duties of his office ? 6, 7 What change look ^^'^^^'}^^l^J^^
lie tiw.ral8» I. What remarkable incident occurrc<l in the regency? 9. Whatw«Mi
Hi
:^54
f-OUIS XV.- 715
LOUIS XV.- I7i:..
255
8. At twelve, the kiri^ retired to liis eliuinber, where the undress,
ing was performed with the same ceremonies lliat attended the dress-
irifj, and the wig beinir duly received on the end of the cane, the kinji
wa.s left to his repose.
••>. Ijouis liked to h(' surround«'d hv a nimnrotis thronu (it'courtifTS
Slaves never were kept in iiiorr ahjtet suhjietion ; a frown was a pun
ishmcnt ulnmst insuj)|)ortahle, and hani.siiment from tlie court was
regaided as little less dreadfiM than a sentence of death. The charac-
ter of these sy<;ophants may he learned from the trifles which tliey
se't up as the objects ol' ambition.
10. The individual who was pernutte«l to hold a candh' u lule the
king was undressing became an object of general envy ; he looked
upon himself as the most fortunate of beings, and as amply rewarded
for a life of turmoil and misery.
1 1. The vicious court and corrupting despotism accomplished what
liouis XI., with his iron cages an(l loalh:;ome dungeons, had in vain
e(id«.*avored to eflect. The French nobhs lost that energy and spirit
of independ(Mice whicb had distinguished their ancestors. Amonc
the (legtMieratt^ set who sIhmI tears when the monarch frowiu^l, we
look in vain for the high sense of honor and manliness of Gueseli*
and Bayard.
CHAITEK GUI.
The Duke (tf Orham appointed Regeitt. — Mississippi Scheme
1. I.oi'is XV. being «Mdy Jive years tdd at the death of his great-
i(randfatber, a regency was neces.savy , aiul this was asstimed by
Philip, l)uk(! of Orleans, a tiephew of the late kinu. and the next heir
to the throne.
2. The Duke of Orleans, from a child, manifested great quickness
of parts, with a boundless curiosity, and a capacity for almost every
kind of acquirement. His preceptor, St. Laurent, a man of real
principh; and great merit, unfortunately died hetore his education
was tinished, and he fell into the hands of the Abbe Dubois, win) en-
tirely subverted his moral habits, and he became abandoned to vice.
W. 'I'he first acts of his administration were extremelv popular,
and gave the most favorable ideas of his government and character.
He restored to the parliament the right of remonstrating against the
i'dicts of the crown, which right had been taken from thein by Louis
XIV.
■l. He compelled those who had enriched themselves at the ex
pense of the public, during the calamities of the preceding reign, to
lie treat Iiia coiirtifrs? What \vn>! the cliaracter of ttie courtiers? 11. What change wm
naile in llie clianutfrotiiie nol)lcs?
CLII. -I. Who succeeded Louis XIV.? Who was made reffent ? 2. What wa.-» xur
r.\\H.r*c'f: of the reijeul ? 3, 4. What were the first acts of Fi»3 govenunoni / i Tr
restore their ill-gotten wealth, and he removed from his council thote
who had been most active in religious persecutions.
Loins XV.. 1715 M 1711.
5 But this did not last lonii. An indoh'iice aluutst become habit
ual, and a lovi- of |)leasure, led him H» give up all the cares (.f his
office to Dubius, the most unprincipled (.f men, and a total change
took plact? in the maniurs and piditics of the court.
(). To bigotry an«i devoti<ui succeeded open imi)iety ; to tormality
and decorum, ea.se and licentiousness. To this change, the charac-
ter and example of the regent in a large degree contributed. His
levity was such that he turned everything into pleasantry. This
hunu)r of the regent was but too readily followed by a lively and vo
atile people like the French. ^ • i- i
7. The most sacred things were made the subject ot ridicule.
The dischar^re of duty was called a weakness ; regard for honesty, a
prejudice ; a'iid delicacy was considered afiectation. The regency
of the Duke of Orleans inllicted a lasting injury on the morals of the
nation. ^ , .
8. One of the most remarkable incidents of the regency was tlm
famous INli.ssissippi scheme of John Law, a Scotchman. The ex
travagance of Lcuiis XIV. had consumed all the resources of the
etate." To supi)ort his lonu wars, his magnificent court, and above
all his lavish expenditure on his palace; at Versailles, he had con-
tracted debts to an enormous amount.
9. The regent was very much embarrassed by these debts. 1 he
creditors were clamorous for payment. But the treasury was empty,
whom did he gi-e up the d.aies of his offlre / 6, 7, Wiiai clunge took P^'^^ *■' ^^^^ P"^
tic morals) I. What remarkahle iacidenl occurred iii the regency? 9. WhatwwlR
25t
LOUIS XV. — 1720.
anil ilti public discontent daily iiicreased. Law innv propo8e<l li.
the rejrent a plan which he said would relieve him i'roni his embar-
rassiTieiit, and add enormously to the wealth and prosperity of the
country.
10. This was to establish a j^reat bunk, which should pay off the
debts of I he state in paper money. The profits of the bank were to
be made l>y tradiufj to the country on tin; banks of the river Missis-
sipjti, which was then believed to abound in ^old and silver and pre-
cious stones. ^ 111
11. Measures, were adopted to depreciaTe the go\i\ and silver
coins, that is, to make them daily of less value in comparison with
the bank notes, which were never' to fall b(>low the value expressed
upon them. All who had <?old and silver made haste to exchange
it for paper money. The officers of the bank could not make this
fast enouirh to supply the demaiul.
V2. The inhabitants of the provinces- rec^arded the citizens of
Paris with envy. They flocked to the capital, where such a con-
course of peoi)le iiad never been seen before. They besiejred the
doors of the bank, brin^infr their jrold and silver. Some expressed a
fear that they were too late, but were solaced by the assurance of
one of the officers, " Never fear, gentlemen, we will take all your
money." i r i j
13. And so it proved, to their cost; for at last the bank failed:
the gold and silver had all disappeared; the worthless paper only
remained ; and half France was rumed. In the haste to get rich,
multitudes had sold their houses and lands to purchase st^k in a
bank which appeared to be making such enormous profits.
CHAPTER CLIU.
The Pestileyice at Marseilles. — The heiiexolent Bishop.
1. There is one other event of the regency which I will relate to
you, as it affords a contrast to the preceding, and exhibits human
nature in a more pleasing light. This was a dreadful pestilence
which devastated Marseilles.
2. In May, 1720, a vessel arrived there from Syria, and the
captain, presuming he had no infected goods on board, neglected to
observe the usual precautions. Soon after his merchandise w.is
landed, the plague appeared in the city, and spread with frightful
rapidity.
3. The streets were filled with the dead. The terrified inhabi-
tants sought to escape from the city ; but the government, that the
consequence of the extntva?ance of Louis XIV. 1 10. How was it proposed to pay the pub
lie debts? How were the profits of the bank to be made? 11. 12. What measure
w.;re ailopfed to pa&s off the paper money? What was the consequence^ 13. What
«aa ilie result of the whole?
CLIII. — 2. Wial occasioned the pestilenre hi Marseilles? ."> What pre» ent*^ »V
LOUIS XV. — 1721.
25-7
pestilence might not spread into the country, had placed a guard of
.soldiers all around, which prevented the possibility of flight. Some,
however, of the wealthier and more prudent had left the city at the
first alarm.
4. Those who now remained were in the most dreadful condition,
and all their energy seemed lost in despair. Four men alone pos-
sessed courage and fortitude enough to undertake anything for the
general safety.
5. One of these was Belsunce, Bishop of Marseilles. He exerted
himself night and day to succor the dying, to cheer the despairing,
and to animate the courage of those few who partook with him these
glorious employments. The duty which he especially took upon
himstilf was to attend upon the sick in the hospitals.
6. In this Christian office he was assisted by some of the Sisters
of Charity^ an order of nuns, who, instead of spending their lives in
idleness in a convent, devote themselves to nursing the sick. The
other three courageous men were Estelle and Moustier, sheriffs of
the city, and Chevalier Rose.
7. They assumed the task of trying to put a stop to fhe pesti-
lence. Their first care was to remove all the dead bodies from the
streets, for so long as these sources of infection remained there could
-le no h(U)e of purifying the air. The hospitals were quite unequal
.. contain the numbers who were daily imploring admittance.
8. A large hospital was erected outside the walls ; but when it
was nearly completed, it was destroyed by a violent storm from the
north. The despairing inhabitants now looked upon themselves as
the peculiar objects of the wrath of Heaven. As strangers were
afraid to come near the city, the inhabitants had no means of pro-
curing food, and a famine was the consequence.
0. It appeared as if the storm had now been sent to complete the
work of destruction which the pestilence and famine had commenced.
But this last seeming misfortune proved to be a great mercy. The
strong north wind purified and cleansed the air, and the violence of
the pestilence abated. Their famine was relieved by some ship-loads
of corn which the Pope sent them.
10. Their courage now bejran to revive. But it was not until
the end of June, 1721, that the plague entindy disappeared. The
good bishop survived all the dangers and fatigues M* this terrible
period. The people, of course, loved him, and he was luuch attached
to them. Though offered a much richer bishopric, he never would
leave Marseilles, where he died, in 1755, at the great age of eighty-
four.
people from leavins the city ? 4. What was the condition of the people ? Were then
ny exceptions? 5. What is said of the bishop? 6. Wliat of the Sisters of Charity ?
What was done to stop the pestilence? 8. ^hat becanre oi the n«5W hospital ' J
What apparent misfortune proved to be a blessing? Why? 10. V.'hat became ot .t»t
gooti bishop 7
22*
255 LOUIS XV - 1723
CHAPTER CLIV.
Lmiis XV. — His Character.
i. The rejrency expired in 17*22, the kinff having then attaincul
ihe ape of thirteen, the period fixed for the termination of his inr
nority. The kinjr had nalurallv very little capacity. He detested
study, and, as uiay readily he imagined, it was not easy to make 9
hov "learn his lesson against his will, who knew himself to he a kinjr.
2 His poverfjcss hit upon a sing^ular expedient to make him more
(lilifient. As it would have been little short of hifrh treason to whip
thcTcinff, she procured a child of poor parents, and of the same a^e
with the kincT, lo be the companion of his studies ; and whenever the
kinff was na"u£Thty, or said his lesson badly, the poor unfortunate
child was whipped in his stead. t • ? l w
3. This was not very well adapted to improve Louis heart or his
head. He grew up vicious and frivolous. Like most ignorant peo-
ple he was extremely inquisitive about trifles. He delighted in mean
.-Tossip ; he knew nothing of the great political events which were
Taking place in his own and other couniries, and upon which the
happiness of his people depended, yet he knew a great deal of what
was going on in private families. ,,,-,•. • i
4 He had a natural love of low company, and delighted to pick
up and repeat vulgar expressions. Notwithstanding this, he acquired
o much of the outward show of royalty, as to have a very digni-
fied and majestic air and manner.
5. He was also remarkably handsome, and had the most beautitui
blue eyes that ever were seen. The preceptors that succeeded the
governess of his infancy were n(.t more successful than she had
been. The Cardinal de IPleury, who had most reluctantly accepted
the office, labored hard to check his vicious propensities.
6. The eflr(»rts of Fleury were not wholly in vain; for so long as
he lived, the king kept within the bounds of decency. But after his
death, he sunk into an abyss of vice, from which he never afterwards
emerged. , ,, .i r
7 A child of such a character could not be able, at the age ot
thirteen, to tnVe care of himself, much less of a kingdom. The Duke
of Orleans, t.y the title of prime minister, continued to carry on thf
government. , i- j i • ir
8 Abandoning his former idle habits, he now applied himselt
with threat dilio-e'nce to the promotion of the welfare and happiness
of the people. " But the reform in his mode of life had been deterred
'oo long. His early excesses had destroyed his health, and a fit ot
apoplexy put an end to his life, December 2d, 1723.
ni.l V. — 1. When did the regency expire ? Why 1 What ia said of Ix^uis XV. ? 3
Will. uv^\e r>f correclio., did his g.,vcrn«.-:s a.Iopt ; :i. What is said of his character 1
[, Wli a. I ^ ^ ...1 of his iwrsonal appearance ? Who was his preroplor ? 0. Wl'^l was u«
3UCC Jsi 7 Who managed the govenimsnl? a W^.-:l..n^e took place inihe Puk^
}f Orlrtans ?
UJUIS XV. — 172.3. 259
CHAPTER CLV.
Cardinal Fleurij. — The Nobles.
1. The Duke of B<»urb(in, a urandson of the great Cond^. suc-
ceeded to the olfice of prime minister. The only event worthy of
notice, during his administration, was the marriage of tjie king to
Maria, daughter of Stanislaus, an exiled king of Poland, who had
taken refuge in France.
2. As Bourbon was totally incompetent for the otfiec, he was
soon dismissed, and Cardinal Fleury, yielding to the yidicitations of
the king, seconded as they were by the universal wish of France,
accepted the ditHcult post, at the age of seventy-three years.
3. Happily for France, he possessed a most pacific disposition ;
for the country only required repose to restore her to a state of pros-
perity. Fleury well understood this : instead of attempting any
great innovations, he quietly left the kingdom to restore itstdf.
4. But the rigid economy which he introduced did not always
prove to be true economy. To save the present expenditure of
money, he did not adopt proper measures to preserve the public
ships, and the entire ruin of the navy was the consequence.
5. Nor was the cardinal long permitted to pursue his peaceful
policy. In order to understand the reason of this, I must descrilxj
the French nobility. There were scattered through France more
than seventy thousand families, every individual of which would
have thought himself disgraced by engaging in any branch of trade
or useful industry. These were the nobles.
6. The ancient nobility did not consist of more than two hundred
families. They guarded their privileges with great rigor. No per-
son was permitted to enter the royal carriage whose family had not
been noble before the year 1400.
7. A large portion of the rest of this numerous class of drones had
purchased their nobility, for the purpose of procuring exemption
from taxation, which was a privilege of the nobles. Their titles ami
this exemption formed their chief distinction. For the most part,
they were mistjrablv poor and uneducated.
8. Excluded from all peaceful employments, it was only in war
that a path to honor and wealth was open to them. In spite of all
his efforts to avoid it, Fleury was, therefore, forced by the nobility
into a war; the ostensible purpose of which was *o replace Sta-
nislaus on the throne of Poland.
CLV. — 1. Who succeede<l the Duke of Orleans as prime minister? What look place
under his administration ? 2. Who succeeded Bourbon? 3. What is said of Cardinal
Fleury ? 4. What is said of his economy ? 5. What is said of the nobles ? 6. What
-.f llie ancient nobility ? 7. Hew were titles obtained? For what purpose? 8. What
Jid ihey force Fleury to do?
I I
?I60 LOUIS XV. -1740.
CHAPTER CLVI.
Maria Theresa and the Hujigariam.
1. Tins war lasted about two years; and the result of it w&a
that Stanislaus received, in lieu of the throne of Poland, which he re-
nounced, the duchies of Lorraine and Bar. It was also provided
I hat these should, at his death, be united to France, as t sort of*
inarriajre portion for Queen Maria.
•2. Thus, from an unprotected exile, whose father soug^ht in
France nothinjj but an asylum from misfortune, this princess became
heiress of thcTnost valuable accession, which, with the exception of
Bretagne and Guienne, any queen had ever brought to the crown.
3. The anxiety of the Emperor Charles VI. to secure the impe
rial throne to his daughter, Maria Theresa, induced him to consent
to this arrangement. The King of France recognized her right to
the succession by a solemn compact.
4. Tn 1740, the emperor died. Various claimants appeared for
the rich inheritance. Frederic II., King of Prussia, who is celebrated
as a soldier, seized upon Silesia. The Elector of Bavaria,^ who
<-l:iimed the throne in opposition t(» Maria Theresa, applied to France
for assistance. Cardinal Fleury did all he could to prevent so shame-
ful a breach of the solemn engagement which had been entered into
with the late emperor. , , •
5. But his efforts were vain, and a French army marched mto
Austria. The Elector of Bavaria assumed the title of Emperor, and
Maria Theresa sought refuge in Hungary. In that country, the feu-
dal system exists even to the present day, though the atmosphere of
courts has destroyed the free and independent spirit of the nobles.
6. At the time of which we are speaking, they lived in their cas-
tles, surrounded by their vassals, and still preserved much of the true
spirit of chivalry. Amongst them Maria Theresa found that sym-
pathy which her misfortunes deserved.
7. She convoked an assembly of the nobles, and, clad in mourning,
with her infant son in her arms, she addressed the assembly with
forcible eloquence, and with the more effect because she spoke in
Latin, a language which was still in use in Hungary.
8. She presented her son to the several nobles, one by one. They
all engaged to defend and protect him. At last they drew their
swords, and cried out unanimously, " Moriamur pro regc nostra
Maria Theresa!'' — ''Let us (fie for our king, Maria Thfresa!''
9. You may think it strange that they should speak of the empress
;is the king, and not the ijiiecn, of Hungary ; but it better comported
with their feudal prejudices to give to their sovereign the title of
kino-, even when the crown rested on the head of a woman.
LOUIS X\'.-I748.
CHAPTER CLVn.
261
a Tribute to Merit. — Treaty ofAix-la-Chapelle. — How Louu
XV. came to be sur named the Well-beloved.
* The fortune of the war was now suddenly changed. The
Crt)ats and Pandours, a set of active but irregular troi>ps from Hun-
gary, crowded to the assistance of their s<»vereign. The spirits of the
Austrians revived, and the French were forced to retreat.
2. They were also defeated at Dettingen by the English, under
George II., who had taken the part of the empress. Cardinal Fleury
died January 29, 1743. He is said to have died with a heart broken
with grief for the disasters of a war in which he had been forced to
engage.
3. There is one anecdote of him which deserves to hj repeated. It
shows that the spirit of peace and civilization may be carried even
into actual war. In the Isle of Man dwelt Bishop Wilson, a man who
had resisted all the temptations of ambition, and refused many offers of
preferment, that he might devote himself to the improvement of the
rude inhabitants of the island.
4. To testify his respect for this good man, Fleury gave orders
that, during the war with England, no attack should be maxle upon the
Isle of Man. though it belonged to England.
5. In 1744, Louis took the command of an army himself, and was
present at the reduction of several places ; but at Metz he was attacked
witli a dangerous illness, which produced a general consternation
throughout France. His recovery was celebrated with transports of
joy by a people at that time remarkable for an enthusiastic attachment
to their kings.
0. The surname of " WcU-l}ehvcd'' was given to the king on this
occasion ; and in return for the affections of his people, he displayed
the feelings of a good heart, and exclaimed, very sincerely as well as
very naturally, " How sweet it is to be thus loved ! What have 1
done to deserve it?"
7. Soon after his recovery, he beheld from a distance the battle of
Fontenoy, in which the allied army of England, Holland and Aus-
tria was defeated by the French under Marshal Saxe, one of the
ablest generals whom any age has produced, and no less remarkable
for his prudence as a conmiander, than for the impetuosity of his nat-
ural character.
8. The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748, put an end to a wai in
which France had generally been successful in Austria and the Neth-
erlands, and generally imsuccessful in Italy. France again solemnly
recognized the title of Maria Theresa. By a previous treaty, Fred
• eric of Prussia had secured the possession of Silesia.
CLVl — 1. How long did the war Insl ? What was ihe result? 3. What ir^diiced the
emperor to consent to the arranirement ? 4. When did the emperor die ? Who claimed
nis throne? 5. What became of Maria Theresa? What is said of Hungary ? 6. How
lid the nobles live? 7. WTiat did Maria Theresa do? S. What did the noblei profD
.se? S Why did they call her kins?
CLVIl. — 1 What cluiiised tlie furiune of the war ? 2. At what battle were the French
defeated 7 Wlieii did Cardinal Fleury die ? 3. 4. Wlial anecdote is told of his kind di-*
position? 5. What happened in 1744/ C. Wliai surname was given to Ixniis XV. ^
What wna his remark ? 7. What is said of the battle of Fontenoy ? Whai of Mar**'!'
Siia ' M \\\\c.v was pe-ice concluded ? What is it called?
262
LOUIS XV.- 1751
CHAPTER CLVIII.
l'h< Military School established. — Fashions of Dress.
The Arts.
Equestrian statue of Louis XV.
1. The few years which followed the peace of Aix-la-Chapellc
wore amonj]!^ the most prosperous and happy that France had evei
known. Manufactures and commerce flourished, and the colonies,
particularly St. Domingo, made rapid advances in wealth and im-
portance.
2. The k'mff, who appears to have had a fondness for science, in-
stituted in 1751 the most useful and splendid establishment of his
reign. This was the royal military school, in which five hundred in-
digent young men were to he educated at the public expense.
3. Under the same patronage, the sciences, particularly mathemat-
ics and astronomy, made considerable advances. IJut in matters of
laste, such as architecture, dress, and paintings, the reign of Louis
XV. does not deserve any praise.
4. A love of gaudy and frivolous ornament was everywhere vis-
ible. Architecture was deformed, and painting disfigured by il
(jods and goddesses were introduced into scenes at variance with
riistory and propriety, and rustic shepherds and simple shepherde^'sea
were represented as dressed in the most fantastic fashions of th«
court.
CLVIII. — I. What is sail! of the years succeetrme llie peace of Aix-laChapelle? 'A
VVhal institution was established ? '.I. What is said of matters of tasie ? 4. What i-i
•r-.Nitectiire and painting? 5. What of Jre!»s ? 7 What is said <tf Paris?
LOUIS XV. — 1759
263
i. As il i<!gards dress, hoops and Itigh heels were in al. iheii
;:huy. Paint, both red and white, was liberally applied to the face,
!'((;k, and hands; and the heads of the polished court ladies were
loaded with grease and powder enough to excite the envy of the Hol-
lentot belles.
♦). Tiie application of these last was reduced to rules with scientific
•'xactness, and Sieur ie Gros published a volume on the art of hair-
dressing, for the instruction of his twelve Imiulred brother hair-dressera
111 l*aris.
7. Notwithstanding the general bad tasW, the appearance and con-
venience of Paris were much improvc<l hy Ijouis XV. A noble
square was built adjoining to the gardens of the Tuileries, In it was
a bronze statue of the king on horseback, placed on a pedestal sup-
ported by four marble statues, representing strength, peace^ prudence,
•diid justice.
8. After the misconduct of Louis had forfeited the title of Weli'
fjeloved^ this group gave occasion to the following epigram :
Oh fine pedestal ! Oh beauiiiul statue !
On horseback is vice ; on foot, virtue.
CHAPTER CLIX.
The old French War. — The Seven Years' War. — Quebec taJ.en
from the French. — Canada conquered by the British.
1. Coming in contact as the dominions of France and England did,
in widely separated parts of the globe, and with the violent jealousy
that existed between the two nations, it was hardly possible for the
go\"ernments, however pacific might be their inclination, to remain
long at peace.
2. In 1754, the war commenced between the French and English
colonists in America, which the grandfathers of the present genera-
tion used often to speak of as the old French icar. It was in this wai
that Washington gained that military experience he possessed when
he was first placed in command of the army in our struggle for inde-
pendence.
3. The results of this war were very unfortunate for the French
interest in America. The capture of Loui.sburg, a strongly fortified
city on the island of Cape Breton, commanding the entrance of the
river St. Lawrence, was fi)llowed by the more important capture of
Quebec.
4. This city, which almost rivalled Gibraltar in the strength of
its natural position, was taken by the British troops under the com-
mand of (ien. Wolfe in Sept., 1759. The conquest of all Canada
CLIX. — 2. When wa^ ,ke war renewed l>etween France and England'/ Where did it
omr'^ence ? What is i .ailed in this country? 3. What was to France the result of
the war in America? 1. Wher, wai Qneboc talten ? By whom?
When did l\»
262
LOUIS XV. i7r,l
CHAPTER CLVJIl.
']'^^ Military Sc/iooi cstaUished. — Fashions of Dress.
The Arts.
Et/iustritm stilt ut of Louis X V.
1. The few v«'ars which followed the pe:ic*e of Aix-la-Thapellc
wore ainoiij; th<' most prosperous and happy that France liad evei
known. Manufactures ;ind eonuiicrce flourished, and the colonies,
particularly St. l)omini;o, made rapid advances in wealth and im-
portance.
*2. The kinu, wlio appears to have had a fondness for science, in-
stituted in 17r>l the most useful and splendid establishment of his
reijrn. This was the roval military school, in which five hundred in-
dijjent yountr men were to he ediicat(>d at the public expense.
3. Under tlw^ same patrona<re, the sciences, parti<'ularly mathemat-
ics and astronomy. uiad«^ considerable advances. Ihit in matters of
laste, such as architecture, dress, and paintinrrs, the reijrn of Louis
•W, does not deserve anv praise.
1. A love of (Tandy aiul frivolous ornament w:is ev«>rywlu)re vis-
ible. Architecture was delbrmed. and paintin<; disfin-ured by it
(j«;tls and goddesses were introduced into scenes at variance with
riistory and propri«Uy, aiul rustic shephenls ami simple shepherdesHea
were rejin'sented as dressed in the most fantastic fashions of th»j
court.
CLVIII. — 1. What is saiil of llic ye;ir>- surce^'diiiL' tlif jvare of AixIaCliajvlIe? ^
VViial institution was esiablisluMt ' ';!. Wlial i- --.li.l ..f matli-rs <.l tasie ? J VVIiat oi
%r"!ijt«ctiir»» and paintini? ' ."> Wli it oi lives' 7 Wliat m sai.l wf Paris '
LOUIS XV - irr.H
263
i. As il i^^pards dress, hoops and hi^jh heels \\v\o in ul. theii
;:loiy. Paint, both red and white, was liberally applied to the face,
;'rck, and hands; and the heads of tin pcdished court Indies were
loaded with grease and powder enounh to excite the envy of the Hot-
tentot bt'lk'S.
r». The application ofihe.se last was nMJuced to rules witl» scientific
exactness, and SuMir le Gros p\dilished a v»dnme on the art of hair-
(iressiiif:, fju" the instruction of liistwelvt^ hundred brother hair-dressers
III I'arih.
7. Notwithstandino; the irciu'ral !)a(l t:isi(\ the aj)pearane(; and eou-
veninnci' of Paris were much imjirovcd liv liouis X\ . A noble
sipiare was built adjoinin^r to the iranicns of ttie 'I'uileries. In it was
a bronze statue of the kin^^ on luuseback, placed t>n a pedestal suj>-
ported by lour marble statues, rcprcsiiilinLr s/rti>.i>t/i, peace, prudence^
•.mdjusticr.
8. After the misconduct of Louis had forfiited the title of Weli'
Moved, tliis jjjroup gave occasion to the followinir epigram :
Oh fine j)edestal ! Oh beauiilul statue !
On horsohack is vice ; on foot, virtue.
CHAPTER CLIX.
The old French War. — The Seven Years' War. — Quebec tahen
from the French. — Canada conquered by the British.
1. Co.MiNG in contact as the dominions of France and Kni^land did,
in widely separated parts of the globe, and with the violent jealousy
that existed between the two nations, it was hardly p«issible for the
govt!rnments, liowever pacific might be their inclination, to remain
long at p(>ace.
*J. In 1754, the war commenced between the French and English
colonists in America, which the grandfathers of the present genera-
tion used often to speak of as tin old French war. It was in this wai
that Washiufrton gained that military ex])erience he possessed when
he was first placed in coumiand of tlie army in our struggle for inde-
pendence.
'S. The results of this war were very unfi)rtunate fi>r the French
interest in America. The capture of TiOuisburg, a strongly fi>rlified
fitv on the island of Cape IJrelon, coiiunanding the entrance of the
river St. Lawrence, was fidlowed by the? more important cajjture of
Quebec.
I. This citv, which ahuos! rivalled (Jibraltar in the .strength of
its natural position, was taken by ihc Hritish tr«>oj»s under \hv com-
mand of (ieu. VVuhe in Sept., 1750. The coufjuest of all Canada
CLIX. — 2 Wtienwa' .l«e war n'mnvW lit-I ween France and Kncland? Wliere did it
C/tmcence? What ia i alieil in this country / '.' Wlial was to Franre tlie result of
lh« war ill Anit»r.cri ' J Wht-r. wa-* <'^nf>tioc lakfo ' Rv wlmrn .' -I. Whon did llie
264
I.OUFS XV. -17f52.
was uie constMiinMice, aiul it has remained in llic; possession of tlie
IJrifish since thai time.
5. The war did n«»t extend to Kurope till 175(). It is commonlv
.tailed in European history the St.rrn Yiara' War. In the former
war, you recolleet that Frane(; an<l 1'rus.sia were comhme«l a;:;ain.sl
Austria and Kn^^land. In the present war, Austria and France were
lea<,aied toj;elher ajrainsl Prussia, which receivtjd aid from Knglaml
alone.
(». 'I'he secret history ()f this chan<,M' of p(dicy en the part «'l'
Franct! is said to have heen, that Maria 'I'heresa was most lavish of
her attentions to tin; rulin<j favorite of Louis ; and that the favorite,
captivated hy these tlatteries, and an«rry with tin; Kinu of Prussia,
who was said to have spoken sarcastically of her, was the elfeetual
advocate of Austria.
7. Russia, Swe(h'n,and Saxony joined the leajrne aj^aiiist IVussia ;
but Frederic was not dismayed by the powerful cj)mbination. It
would take too lon«r u time to jjive you even a brief relation of the
many exploits which tln^ Kinj? of Prussia performed in the course id"
this saniruinary war. There scarc(>ly exists, perhaps, in the history
of the world, any instance in which any other jreneral ever eflected
so much with means apparently so inadequate.
8. At len«ftli. exhausted even by his own victories, In; was on the
[Kunt of falling,' befon; Russia an«l Austria, wIumi he was dtdivered by
one of those extraordinary <!vents which sometimes are seen to change
the fortunes of nations.
9. Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, died in ITti'J, and was succeeded
by Peter 111. 'i'his younj; monarch was an enthusiastic admirer (d*
the talents and eourafre of Fre<lerie ; he solieit«Ml his friends^uo, and
restored all that Russia had taken from him.
CHAPTKK ( LX.
The Silhouttlc Style. — The Fani'ily ('omjhirt. — France reduced
to a very law State.
1. '1'mk host statesmen of Frauee had l)e«Mi opposed to the war, and
the first elforts (d'the French arms haviiin- proved successful, they en
deavored to prevail u[)(>n the k\\\\r to take advantaj^je of that circum
stance to make an atlvanlaiieoiis peace.
2. Rut Madame de J\inii»a(Ioiir, the kiii<r"s favorite, who now ^^ov-
orned everything, found it more lor her interest to continue the war.
Everything was sacrificed to gratify her avarice and :imbition. She
appointed and dismissed minisl»?rs and ueiierals at her pleasure, and
war l>esui inEnroj)e? Wlial is ii called lliere? \Vtn> were lh«" iwrtie:! to it llicre? <!
VVIuU pRxliiced the cliaiiw ol }K>liry? 7, s. VVJial is said i>f Frederic? 9. What line v
fiprted evpiu occurred ? What were the consetnionces ?
OLX. I What was the advice of the statosmen nf France? 2. Who soverr<v1 everv
IX)UI.S \f.-i76l.
S2Q5
#r» greatly ijis..rumental in producing the disasters which now fol-
l<»wed one another in rapid succession.
^: /-'^r«'»":»l Rernis, whom she luul made minister, provino- too
aithtui to tlu! country, was removed to make room for the Duke de
• hoiseul, who she thoujrht would be more subservient. The care of
'lu- liiiances was entrusU'd to M. de Silhouette, in the hope that he
«»Mild devise some plan to extricate thv country from its embarrass-
ments.
■I. Rut th(! measures which he adoptetl, though despotic in the high-
est d.'gree, were so absurd as to make him iIk; object of the ridicule
nl the lively Parisians. Portraits in the iSilhomtte style, and breeches
in the S,//,nw//r s/,/fe, became all the rage : ilu; wit consisted in the
lineaments (d the former being traced on a shadow, and in the lattei
)«"in;: made with(»ut pockets.
.>. The generals followed the example of the favorite ; money was
■oon; thought of than glory, or th<; interests of the country. So cagei
*u\ sueeesst.d was Marshal Riehelie,, i„ the pursuit, that he acquired
.<nonrst his own soldiers the title oi' (inurul P/u/ukr.
(5. F-ance, being brought to the brink id" ruin, implored the assist-
nce of hMain. In consequence of this application, the famous " Fa?n-
y Comi-aL*'' was entered into, by which Uie subjects of each mon-
rch weie >i.<itled to all the privileges of the other, with the single
t xceptK.n »'i U.e direct trade to America; and the enemies of one were
4 ways to bb legarded as the enemies of the other.
7. France gained lutle at this lime by the treaty; its only effect
was the subjection of her ally to a series' of disasters similar to her
«)wn. All parties at length feeling themselves exhausted, a general
p( ace was concludLd at Paris, in February, ITfKi. Thus the nation
gained repose, but m the expense of a large diminution of her U;rri-
tones in Asia, Aft ..a, and America, which were ceded to Great
Rnlain.
CHAPTER CLXI.
Goo.l Character of the Dauphin.— Hh Death. — The Philos-
ophers. — Voltaire ami Rmisseau.
1. JhK i'eath of Mad?me de Pompad(.ur, in 1764, did not free the
king from his th-aldom. A new favorite at once suj)plied her place.
Ihe king rtb.ai(loi!<3d himself entirely to the dominion of vice.
2. Whilst ti.c i^irrals of the court conformed in a great measure
to the example oi' the kinrr, yet the royal family presented some
praiseworthy exc,)ptn.>s. The queen and her four daughters were
women of exemplaiy ehavacter; but, unluckily, they were also of
w'."V ^- ^^'''"'^ '-^ ''"''^,'V" ■^'^''^ '•-''"? ^- What wa» the -eneral oh>ct of desire?
W ',' r."h Tf ""'I" '" ^''"'*-^ RiChel.e.1 ? G. What wa. the Family Compact? 7
u hat resulted from this compai', \ "^
CI.XJ. — 1. What is said of fh -lorals of the king? 2. What of those of the court*
23
Am
LOUIS X\ - 176D
Tery retired habits, and their example could or^Iy b(. sefi. m a Tery
narrow circle. , q, ^ „,„.
3. The dauphiness, also, was a very charming woman bhe wsj
all kindness and gentleness, and d.>voted her life to the iulfilment of
her duties as a wife and a mother. The dauphin, too was a man of
;in excellent character. It speaks loudly in his tavor thai Madame de
Pompadour was his avowed enemy. «- • r u
4. Amiable and warm-hearted, he had a sincere affection for his
father. But the king, influenced by his favorite, received all his dem-
onstrations of love with coldness. Mortified at such treatment, the
prince, whose spirits were naturally weak, sank into a state ot mel-
ancholy. His health gave way, atul he fell into a consumption.
5 He met the approach of death with the most cheerful tranqui-
lity His only vvorldly regret was on account ot his son, afterwards
Louis XVI., left without a guide amid the dangers ot a vicious cou-t
and a corrupted age. He died in 17(55.
6. His atfectionate wife, who had nursed him with unremitting
care during the whole of his illness, contracted the seeds ot his latal
disorder, and soon followed him to tlie urave.
7 The virtue and good sense of the dauphin were strikingly illus-
trated by his opposition to the works and conduct of a large body ot^
the men of letters, calling themselves philosophrs. " formerly,
said the prince, " the name of philosopher inspired veneration ; but
to call any one a philosopher now, would be an insult that might sub-
ject the party committing it to a prosecution."
8 The avowed object of these self-sl vied philosophers was to over-
lhn»w the Christian religion. They united all their efforts to destroy
what they commonly called ''fanaticism;" but by this term they
meant nothing less than Christianity.
9 The worse the object they proposed, the more determined were
Ihev in the prosecution of it. Circumstances favored their wicked
purpose The corruptions of the Church of Rome had alienated many
people even from religion itself. • t • i i
10 The tone of infidelity spread into all companies, 1 might almost
say ii>io ai: conntries, willi aluruiing rapidity ; and in France espe-
cially if ii did iioi serve to prepare the political revolution ot the sub-
seiiuenl reign, yet it aggravated its worst excesses
11 The most eminent writers of the reign ot Louis AV were
Voltaire and Kousseau The tamilv natne of Voltaire was Arouet.
He was born at Paris. Feb '2(»th. ir.'M. He was a man ot dry wit
and of a sarcastic turn ol expression, but of the most outrageous and
iealous vanity iiTiaoinahle. ^ t^ • j j
12 He was invited to lierlit. by Frederic of Prussia, and stayed
there some time . but Frederic could not bear his arrogant;. He
tied from Prussia, and sen led afterwards at Fernev, near Geneva m
Switzerlani" He died at Pans, May 30th, 1778 To those vhtlos
Were there any exceptions ? 3. What is said of the dauphiness? ^J;.»»^;f ^»^«''?;^'P!^"i!
T. Who were the self-styled philost>phers ? 8. What was their object? 10. What X
Mid of the progress of their infidelity? What of its effect? 11. Who were lb«
LOUIS XV. - 1765
26'
9j)hers who indulge their wit at the expense of religion, the lattei
part of Voltaire's life maj ifford a salutary lesson.
13. No sooner was he attacked by disease, than all his bousted
philosophy forsook him ; .he fear of death induced him to make a
formal retraction of his errors ; on a return of health he relapsed into
impiety ; but a fresh illness gave fresh vigor to his repentance.
14. In short, the perpetual struggle betwticn vanity and duiy^
between the Philosopher and the Christian, that marked the last
moments of his existence, rendered him alternately an object of pity
and contempt, and strongly exemplified the worse than uselessness
of talents, when not subjected to the control of reason and the influ-
ence of religion.
15. Rousseau's writings are very impassioned. His feelings
seemed to follow the current of his imagination, and he had plainly
no principle by which to regulate them. He too was vain, even to
a degree of insanity. He quarreled with everybody, even with those
who were disposed to be his best friends.
16. Rousseau and Voltaire never could tolerate one another.
Rousseau was fond of appearing odd. He once made a visit to Lon-
don, where he attracted great attention by walking about the streets
in the costume of an Armenian. He was born at Geneva, June
28 1712, and died July 2, 1778.
CHAPTER CLXH.
Disputes betweeji the Jesuits and Jansenists. — The King guar
rels with the Parliaments. — Life at Chanteloup.
1. In the reign of Louis XIV. a dispute arose, concerning certair
abstract points of religious belief, between the Jesuits and a sect
called Jansenists, (from Jansen the founder.) The king, who was
entirely governed by the Jesuits in religious matters, and was withal
very bigoted, commenced a persecution of the Jansenists, and the
leaders were thrown into prison.
2. To make their triumph complete, the Jesuits prevailed upon
the king to refer the dispute to the Pope for a decision. This de-
cision was in fav(tr of the Jesuits, and the Pope issued a decree,
which is called a bull, ordering all Catholics to renounce the opin-
ions of Jansen. But the Pope was no longer considered infallible
n;ir was a blind obedience yielded to his decrees.
3. A large portion of the clergy, of the people, and the parlia-
ments, considered the bull as an infringement upon their rights, and
eminent writers of this reign ? 12, 13, 1 1. What is said of Voltaire? \Ti, 16. What of
Rousseau ? ,
CLXII. — 1. What dispute arose in the reiffn of Louis XIV. ? 2. To whom was a de
cision referred? What was 'he declnion? What was the consequence ? 3. Wh?t ws«
268
(X)UIS XV. - )770
the whole kingdom was thrown into a fern rnt. The death of Looii
XIV. checked the tumult, and the Duke of Orleans made such exola-
nations of the hull as induced the clergy to yield .ussent to it ^
4. In I7o0 the dispute was revived. The leading clergv were
now on the side of the Jesuits, wh<,, having also the king wifh them
commenced a persecution against all who differed fn.m then, in opin-
Ta\u parliament* deftnded the rights of freedom of thought,
and the members were banished by the kina " '
rJ-lulL ^^%^""^P^"«d, however, by the clamors of the people to
recall them In the mean time, the Jesuits had made themselves ob-
Zr/ "" ?^T^""'' ^" ^^ompadour, and to the minister Choiseul, and
pressed!' ' """'' '"''^ '^'" """'^"' "^ ^^^' ^'^'^^'^ entirely'sup-
6. The Duke of Choiseul possessed some influence with the kin?
Ihis he generally exerted to advance what he considered the besi
interests of the k.ngd<»m. This of course brought him in frenuen
conflict with the ruling favorite. She took adv^uage of his advi
office^ the cause ot the parliaments to procure his dismissal frc n
7. He received a Idfrc de r^cAr/, banishing him to Chantelou3
1 his was a magnificent palace on the banks of the river Loire Ha
was considered as a martyr to the cause of liberty, and was soon
surrounded by the most select and brilliant society in'France.
a. I he establishment was on a princely scale; the servanta
amounted to four hundred in number. The g^uests e. joyed the r^osl
perfect freedom P'.very person spent his mornings i^e pL^d
At three o clock dinner was served, but those who preferred itTad
dinner in their own apartments. prt^itneu ii lud
eslrAt'^lr^'fT'' ''■''^''"'^V '^"^^ conversed, some read aloud :
every one fi,! lowed his own inclinations ; and those wearisome ques-
tions, ''Why don't you stay?" and " Where are you going"' ^vert
anT^e'nt to b^H ''" '^T^^ '^'7 ''' ^"^"^^^ ^^^-^^ - »- Pl--S!
ment fn J«K ^ ^k''''''^ "' ^' '^^^ "" ^^ ^'^^'^d- The establish:
men furnished, what was then considered essential, a private
CHAPTER CLXIII.
Lettres de Cachet —Abme of Power by Richelieu,
V '^*'? t^^^''^ de cachet, which occupy so prominent a nlace in th«
ms ory of France a. this period, were written orders bearii'g the s^al
uJ the king, banishing the person to whom they were addressed or
ordering him to be confined in some prison. aoaresscd, or
LOUIS XV -i7ru.
£69
wuUu^,.„„ al..e .o discover .he .m-noe VofX'h l!:^^^:^
so lonif n prison ^ r^J^.^ reproached him so much for keeping
•lie... ".I, ; h'.'ri;,r,::^, ,i5r;r:'" "- •■• -""i »
afterwards R'chelieu, wh.ch happened five years
froin the ruline favor te 1 A//~ //. -„ / / 1 , ^"^ """^ Pf"<-"re
cent victim .o"a sXary dun^eof f^f^^ ""= "'"»-
was the only release """-"""' '™'" "hieh, m most cases, death
me to banish you to Chanteloun ^ff,i h^ ^ •,'!■ ^"X"'^' "Wiges
four hours. I'should senT3 much fimC H ^'"'7 "' '"-">-
bear th.^duchess, iu whose h^ealthTfrn 'rrii^e led '" ''''"" '
some ottr^,^; '.''a rV;;'r';;S"co"" ""' •="""«'' ""' «<' '^X^"
»««v. • • . 1 y '^^"' cousin, to protect von " Tu^
tenn cousin is the iisinl nuwU ^.f J^j ^ i'««^'ti.ci, you. ihe
and does not in.p.y a^TreraUoLhfplt'rod™"" ""= "'"^ '^ ' """'O'
CHAPTER CLXIV.
Ucatk of Louis XV. -Mo,a Frederic II. of Prussia, called
the hreat. "
JKloT?'- ^J?l.af iS onS t^":^lJ-It' '' -'''of Cardinal Ficheheu.*
If them in the reign of I^uisX V ^ f wEm ^ of Baseomp.erre ? 7. What of the um
Mid of tlM twm cousin ? ^ ''^^ '^'^^ ^^« '«^'«r l« Cho seul? 9. Wutt J.
2-'>*
270
LOUIS XV. -1774.
w
all the members a" tne parliament of Paris. This removed the only
jheck whicii had ever existed on the absolute power of the kmg.
" 9. A universal lethargy seemed to prevail. All ranks submit-
ted without resistance to the tvranny of the minister, vviio was ssip-
3orted by the influence of the fiivorite. The king was mfluenced
ihrou.rh his fears, and the fate of Charles I. of Enfiland, who waa
beheaded by order of parliament, was constantly placed before him,
fts a warninjT to him not to yield. , ^ t
3 Such was the state of things in France at the death ot J^oius
XV , which took place May lOih, 1774, in his sixty-filth year, after
4 reign of fifty-nine years. He was succeeded by his grandson,
Louis XVI. ^ T^ , . TT r n I
4 I have made frequent mention of Frederic 11. of Prussia, and
as he was one of the most distinguished men of the times, 1 think
you would like to hear a little more about him. His father was a
man of a brutal and violent temper. He prided himselt on being a
thorough soldier, and despised all refinements.
5 He disliked his son, and always spoke of him with contempt,
as a coxcomb and a Frencb wit, because his taste led him to culti-
vate his mind by sludv. The (pieen was an amiable, good woman.
She was very desirous that her son should marry her niece, the Pm-
cess Anne of England.
6 Frederic had seen his cousin, and was deeply enamored ot her.
The kinf^ at first consented to the marriage, but havins: takcR seme
offence at the father of Anne, (I believe for calling him his brother
the corporal,) he fi.rbade his son to think any more of the match.
7 Frederic fi)und this a very hard order to obey, and being more
and more miserable at home, he, with his mother's approbation, de-
vised a plan of escape to England. But, unluckily, the plan was
discovered, and Frederic and his friend and confidant, Baron de LMt,
were seized at the moment of escape and thrown into prison
8 The kin^r's first imi)ulse was to put his son to death, but his
lile was saved''by the intervention of the Austrian ambassador, who
declared that the Prince of Prussia was under the protection of the
empire. William, finding he could not take his son s life, inflicted
on him a most horrible revenge. , • r * r
He caused the unfortunate De Catt to be executed in tront ot
the window of his son's prison. The prince fainted away at thia
horrible spectacle, and was with difficulty brought to himself again
He was kept in close confinement fi)r three years.
10 This harsh treatment made a change in the character ot the
prince. Vie became hard, unfeeling, and despotic. He could be
iust and liberal, because his reason told him that it was good policy
to be so ; but he loved nobody and he cared for nobody. Having
been so great a sufferer from tyranny himself, when he became king
CI.X1V. - 1. What did the king to the parliament ? 2. What was the state oMee ng
in France? How was the king kepi in suhjoclion ? 3 When d.d L'^Ui^XV «l.e?
Who succeeded him? 4. Wlia! ia said of the father of Frederic II. «f Pr\'83'aJ .?
Whom did hrsVolher wish him to marry? 6. Did his father consent? 7 Whn diu
Sr2wir aitemo' to do 1 What was the rcault? What waa the kmg s first inten
MS^rVtaM'S^ntt^lil^excct^on? 9 Wnat revenge did the klnr take? 10. What
LOrjIS XVI— 1774
271
he acted as if he tb >ught he had acquired the greater ngh ^ be »
tyrant.
II. He had great courage and decision, and a clear understand-
ing. Tiie love of fame prompted all his pursuits, and engrossed all
his fiiculties. He divided his time between war, literature, and ihe
government of his kingdom. He was very methodical, and there-
fori; found time to do a great deal.
V2. He read much, and divided his books into two classes, llie
first class consisted of the lighter works of the day, which he read
only once ; the second, of books of established merit, to which he
wished to give repeated attention.
l.S. (X each of these select works he had five copies, one for each
of the five palaces he used to inhabit. Thus, when he removed from
one palace to another, he had only to make a note of the volume and
page at which he left off", to be able to resume the perusal, without
having to carry his books about with him.
14. He was no lover of pomp, and gave little of his time to trifles.
Whilst the dress of a courtier was to Louis XIV. almost an affair of
state, to Frederic II. it was a matter of the utmost indifference. One
day, some person just arrived from a long journey, made an apology
for appearing in his travelling dress. The king rebuked him by
saying, that all he wanted of him was his head, and as long as he
brought that, he might come in what dress he pleased.
15. His own dress was never splendid, and n^ often new. He
commonly wore a blue military uniform, a small wig with a long
queue, and a little three-cornered cocked-hat. He was never seci.
abroad without high-topped boots. In his latter years, he would
indulge himself, when he was indisposed, in wearing a loose gown ;
l)iit even then he w;is seldom seen without his cocked-hat, and never
without his boots.
IfJ He indulged in the use of snuflf to excess, and snuff-boxes,
of which he had an incredible number, were his only personal
vanity. The only living things to which he was uniformly kind were
liis dogs. He had a favorite breed of very small greyhounds, and
some of them were always with him. When he travelled, and even
when enc igeu in war, he would carry one of these little animals m
his arms.
f
CHAPTER CLXV.
f/yuis XVL, surnamed ''the Desired:' — Mark A ntoimtie, hv^
Queen.
1. The extravagance of Louis XIV. and the wickedness of Lruia
?CV. had reduced France to a most melancholy condition. The
.hanee took place in the character of Frederic? 11 What is ^id of his character I
12 13. What of his library ? 14, 15, 16. What of his i^rs'.nal habits?
272
LOUIS XVl— 1774.
Fteople were loaded with the most oppressive taxes, and infidelity and
inentiougness pervaded all classes.
Louis XVL, 1774 to 1793.
2. The accession of a prince " who, in the most corrupt court, had
led an uncorrupt life ; in tlie midst of irreligion and atheism had pre-
served a pure and enlightened devotion ; who was personally eco-
nomical in the midst of unbridled luxury," was hailed with joy.
3. The hope that inspired all classes was well expressed by the
surname, ^^ the Desired,^' which, as it rellected censure on his prede-
cessor, the g^ood feelincr of Louis XVI. would not permit him to accept.
4. Louis apj)lied himself dilinfcntly to redress the grievances of
the people. lie recalled tiie parliament ; he dismissed the faithless
ministers, and banished the dissolute companions of Louis XV.
He labored hard to restore order to the finances. Nothing could be
more amiable than his disposition. The happiness of his people was
the great object of his solicitude,
5. Hut all these good qualities could not compensate, in the opin-
ion of the fickle Parisians, (and in matters of opinion their word is
law throughout France,) for certain personal deficiencies in the king.
6. He was clumsy in his person, careless and untidy in his dress,
and his countenance was heavy and unpleasing. He did not look
like a king, and the French, who are of all people in the world most
governed by the eye, soon lost all respect for him.
7. Long used to the blaze and llutter of a gaudy court, they
could not reconcile themselves to a monarch who preferred the sim-
ple habits and amusements of private life, and tobk more pleasure
, in making locks and keys in his little workshop, than in presiding
over splendid fetes.
8. The (|U(>en also shocked them by the contempt with which siie
treated those unmeaning ceremonials which had been introduced by
Louis, and which like his uhost still haunted the court. This queen
was Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Empress IMaria Theresa.
9. Her marriage with Louis took place in 1770. During the fes-
CLXV -1. What was the state of France al the death of l^iiia XV. ? 2. What ta
«did of the tiiaracter of Louis XVI.? 3. What surname was given lo him? 4. What
did ho do? 6. Wlial i.s said of his personal appearance? 7. What of the fueling of th#
peopla 8. What wiu the conduct of Ih'j que^n ? Who was she ? U, 1' . What ban
»
LOUIS XVI — 1774.
273
tiritiefl of that occasion, an event occurred which the supe»^titiolll^
looked upon as a most inauspicious omen. The city of Paris, to
testify their joy, caused a brilliant display of fireworks to be made in
the square of Louis XV. A crowd of six hundred thousand assem-
bled to witness it.
10. The display of fireworks being- over, the crowd rushed from
the square. The foremost fell over a heap of rubbish which had
negligently been left in the street which was the principal outlet.
Those behind continued to keep on, and thus prevented those who
had fallen from recovering their feel They were thus crushed to
death ; others fell over them, and the whole number of victims to this^
negligence was estimated at between eleven and twelve hundred.
11. The queen was only fifteen when she was married. She was
beautiful, thoughtless and wilful. Her whole education had been
confined to a few accomplishments. Conscious of her own ignorance,
she disliked knowledge in other women, and it is said that sense and
information never found favor with her.
12. It is certain that the two ladies who enjoyed her friendship
were both of them, though amiable, sweet-tempered, and of irreproach-
able character, women of very ordinary capacities. These were the
Princess de Lamballe and the Duchess de Polignac.
13. Marie Antoinette lived to lament her own deficiencies, and to
say, " What a resource in the casualties of life is a well-informed
mind!" Her own defects were apparent to all the world, and soon
deprived her of the respect of the public. Her amiable qualities were
seen only by those who knew her intim^ '^y.
14. Her manners were singularly engaging and fascinating to those
she liked, and with whom she could feel at ease. She was warm in
her friendships, and benevolent and tender-hearted almost to an ex-
cess ; but her feelings were under no regulation, and she attempted
neither to control nor disguise them. Here resentments were also as
warmly expressed as her friendships, and this occasioned her manv
enemies.
CHAPTER CLXVI.
More about Marie Antoinette. — Monsieur, aftencards Lmiih
XV III. — The Count d'Artois, afterwards Charles X
1. It was very natural that a young and lively princess should find
the court formalities extremely irksome. Still she was very unwise
to show her dislike of them. To relieve their tedium, she admitted
gentlemen into her court parties, which no preceding Queen of France
had done.
j»r.ed at the time of her marriage? II. W|)at ia said of her character at that tiniel
»*. Who were her friends? What is said of their character? 13. Wliat furthsr ia saM
of her characte- ? 14. What of her manners ?
"^1
i
212
LUUl^ XVl- 1774.
LOUIS X\l — 1774.
273
fi
eople were lorulcd witJi the most oppressive luxes, an-.l iiifulelitv and
u'leiitioufiiess pervaded all classes.
Lrnns XVI., 1774 to HUS.
2. The accession of a prince " who, in the most corrupt court, had
led an un.'-orruitt life ; in the ]ni(lst of irrelifjion and atheism had pre-
served a jmrc! and enlii:littn''d devotion ; who was personallv eco-
nomical in the nudst of nnl)ri<lli'd luxury," was hailed with jov.
.*{. The hope that inspind all classes was well expressed by the
surname, "' //<^ Dfsira/,''' which, a^ ii rellectcd censure on Ids {)re(le-
cessor, the u^ood feeliiiji of J.oiiisXVI. would not permit him to accept.
4. Louis applied iiinisrlf dili<iently to redress the grievances of
the people, lie recalled the parliament; he dismissed the faithle>.3
ministers, and banished the dissolute com{)anions of Louis X\ .
He labored hard to restore order to the fmanct>s. Nothing could be
more amiable than his (li.sj)osition. The happiness of his people was
the jjreat object of his S(dicitud(\
5. Hut all these y:ood cpialities could not compensate, in the ojiin-
ion of the fickle Parisians, (and in matters of opinion their word is
law throun^lwiut France,) for certain personal (lefi(riencies in the king.
0. lie was clumsy iu his persttn, careless and untidy in his dress,
and his countenance was heavy and unplcasinn-. He did not look
like a kinir, :i!ul the Trench, who are of ail [people in the world most
governed by the eye, soon lost all resj)ect for him.
7. Long used to the blaze and llutter of a gaudy court, they
••ould not reconcile themselves to a monarch who preferred the sim-
ple habits and amusen\ents of private life, and took moi:e pleasure
in making locks and keys in his little workshop, than in presiding
over si>kMHlid fetes.
8. The (pieen also shocked them by the contempt with which she
treated those unmeaning ceremonials which had been introduced by
Louis, aiid wliieb like his Lrhost still hauntcul the c(uirt. This queen
wtis Marie Antoinette, dtiughter of the Kmpress iNIaria Theresa.
U. Her marriage with Louis took place in 1770. During the fea-
Cl.XV -I.Wlint was t!ie si;iie of Fmnce ;it the .le:Uh of Louis XV. ? 2. What it
*.inl of the c.iaractcr of Ldiiis XVI.? ;{. \Vh:it snruaine was iziveii lo hiiM? 4. What
did he do? G. Wlial is said of hi^ periiixvil appeaniace? 7. What of the fueling of lh<
peopl« 8. What was the comtiicl of iho qiie?n ? Who was she? ".>, 1*. What hao
^
f
tiritica of that x!casion, an event occurred which the supe.&iitiouR
looked upon as a most inauspicious omen. "^Lhe city of Paris, to
testify their joy, caused a brilliant (lis})lay of fireworks to be made in
the square of Louis XV. A crowd of six hundred thousand assem-
bled to witness it.
10. The display of fireworks being over, the crowd rushed from
the stpiare. 'Fhe foremost fell over a heap of rubbish which had
negligently been left in the street which was the principal outlet.
Those behind continued to keep on, and thus prevented those who
bad fiUen from recovering their feet They were thus crushed to
death ; others fell over them, and the whole number of victims to this.
n(nrlifT(Miee was estimated at between eleven and twelve hundred.
11. The queen w;is oidy fifteen when she was married. She was
beautiful, thoughtless and wilful. Her whole education had been
cofifined to a few accomjdishments. Conscious of her own ignorance,
she disliked knowledge in other women, and it is said that sense and
information never found favor with her.
12. It is certain that the two ladies who enjoyed her friendship
were both of them, though amiable, sweet-tempered, and of irreproach-
able character, women of very ordinary capacities. These were the
Princess de Laml)alle and the Duchess de Polignac.
13. Marie Antoinette lived to lament her own deficiencies, and to
say, " What a resource in the casualties of life is a well-informed
mind !' Her own defects were apparent to all the world, and soon
deprived her of the respect of the public. Her amiable qualities were
seen oidy by those who knew her intim»x 'v.
14. Her manners were singularly engaging and fascinating to those
she liked, and with whom she could feel at ease. She was warm in
her friendships, and benevolent and tender-hearted almost to an ex-
cess ; but her feelings were under no regulation, and she attempted
neither to control nor disguise them. Here resentments were also as
warmly expressed as her friendships, and this occasioned her manv
enemies.
CHAPTER CLXVL
More ahout Marie Antoinette. — Monsieur, afterwards Lmiti
XV III. — The Count d'Artois, afterwards Charles X.
1. It was very natural that a young and lively princess should find
the court formalities extremely irksome. Still she was very unwise
to show her dislike of them. To relieve their tedium, she admitted
gentlemen into her court parties, which no preceding Queen of France
had done.
per.ed at the time of her marriage? IL WMiat is said of her character at th.it timel
;•-. Who were her friends? What is said of their character? 13. What further i« saiif
of hercharacto"? 14. What of lier manners 7
274
LOUIS XVI — 1774.
2. Her great delight was to abandon the court altogether, and to
retire with a chosen circle of friends to her little farm at Trianon,
where, dismissing the queen, she would act the farmer's wife, and,
attired in a simple dress of white muslin, would employ herself in
her dairy and garden.
3. But here was more the appearance than the reality of a farm.
The thatched building, which looked so much like a barn, proved on
entering it to be a splendid ball-room. The Parisians thought that
acting the dairy-maid was a very silly occupation for their queen.
Ruins of Mane Antoinette's farmhouse.
4. But there Aas nothing which so much lowered her in their eyes
18 her evening walks on the terraces of Versailles. These terraces
were a public walk, and in summer evenings were thronged with
people. The queen delighted to mingle in the crowd, and because
she wore a nrask, she fancied herself unknown.
5. But her grace and dignity betrayed her through her disguise,
and she was often exposed to insults, from persons who would not,
except for her disguise, have presumed to address her. Although
she was fully aware that the public censured her for these evening
walks, her friends could not prevail on her to give them up.
G. She forgot that every station has not only its peculiar duties,
but also its own anuisements, and that what was proper enough for
some persons, might be very improper and impolitic for a Queen of
France. Unhappily, almost all her anmsements were of a sort that
lowered hei in the public estimation.
CLXVI. — 1 How did the queen try to relieve the dulncss of her parlies ? 2. What
was her chief pleasure? ."<. What ia said of her farm? What was the opinion of the
Pirisians? 4. What is said of her evening walks? 5. How was she known in her dia
guiae } 6. What is said of her conduct f 7. What amusement was then the fashion ^
t
LOUIS XVI. -1770.
275
f
7. Private theatricals were at that time a univ,.fsal oaaion i„
trance, and to be able to act was an accomplishment no CesU-
lal to a lady than to be able to dance. This exactly suited Tp
hvely disposition of the queen ; she had her prfvaTe theatre and
on tlfe\ra;r "' ''"''"™"' """''' '"""'""y -''ibH tV^lf
stvVw'ls'?''^ *" >l.e eldest of the two brothers of the king wa.
He eve" write iri^L^f .'I''"'"' P^'^""^". ="'<! f"nd of literltur"
xiL e\en urote articles for tiie newspapers. When i bnv Im U^A #1. .
reputatmn of havn.g the most talent of U.e family ^' *'" ^'^ '''"
.> Ihere is a story that when Louis and his brothers were voun.r
a deputation was sent from the country with an address to hen '
a flari,r/'^f''''^ the dauphin, as bein^g the eldest, Idtegan^^^^^^^^
10 ^ ^»";pl»"|ent to his talents and progress in learning. ^
Monsieur ..in' ^^T^ "^^errupted the spokesman, and pointing to
bo^' Wr^ h'pr .?''' ^°" "^"^V'^^.^n n^y brother; he is the clever
rr^* A .v^ u ''^^^^'' '''* "^'' ^"'s was an honest boy, and he ore-
r^ro^fc^Vitr^" ''''■ ^""^'^" ^"--""^^ -'^-'^
11. The other brother of the king, called the Count d'Artois wa^
Hy't^LtTf^^^ ^' "- handsome gay In^
S ' and nil ri? ^/^'^^^'«"« "•"^h more than serious employ-
ment and partook in all the queen's diversions, and encouraged her
harlLF of wf "''•''""• nT*" ^^""^ ^'^^^"'^ i« the same L
I tiarles X., of whom you will hear more presently.
CHAPTER CLXVII.
Dr. Fraiiklin in Paris. — Revolutions in Dress,
* \' Tr'^u-^ "^Vf " "^ ^""^h ^ character, it was very natural that the
.tyle of fashionable society should have been frivolous in the extreme
Nothing was thought of but amusements. To dress to act to sT^'
o dance, were the sole business of life. To male comp limen" fj
stretch of intellect among the wits of the day.
2. All at once a revolution was wrought in these follies, and an
Trltd'ErDr T'1^''^''y^• This'revolution in fashion wa
iroduced by Dr. trankhn, who now made his appearance at the
French court a^ one of the deputies of the America^ Congress sent
K. ask the assistance of France in the war which the Unfted State^
were then carrymg on to gain their independence.
6 Ihe simplicity of his dress turned the heads of the ladies, and
.LJlVIl.- 1 What was the state of fashionable society in France? 2 What pro
Se74
LOUIS XVI —1771.
LOUIS XVI. -1770.
275
2. Her great delij^Mit was to abandon the court altogether, and lo
retire with a chostMi circle of friends to her little farm at Trianon,
where, dismissing tiie ([ueen, she would act the farmer's wife, and,
attired in a simple dress of white muslin, would employ herself in
her dairy :nid irarden.
3. JJut here was more the aj)pearance tluin the reality of a farm.
The thatched huildin<,s which looked so nuich like a ham, proved on
enierino- it to he a sphiiidid hall-mom. The Parisians thou<jht that
actinjr the dairy-maid was a very silly occupation for their queen.
litiins nf J\Iane Antoinette s farmhouse.
4. But thera .vas nuthmir which so much lowered her in their eyes
18 her evening; walks on the terraces of V(>rsailles. These terraces
were a public walk, ;iiid in summer e'venings were thronged with
people. Tiie queen delighted to mingle in the crowd, and because
she wore a mask, siie fancied hensclf unknown.
5. IJut her ijrace ;iud dignity betniyed her through her disguise,
and she was often (Xposed to insults, trom persons who would not,
except for her disguise, luive presumed to address her. Although
she was fully aware that the public censured her for these evening
walks, her friends could not prevail on her to give them up.
(). vShe forgot that ev(>ry station has not only its peculiar duties,
but also its own amusements, and that what was proper enough for
e«Mne persons, might be very improper and impolitic for a Queen of
France. I'nhappily, almost all her anuisements were »)f a sort thnt
lowered hei in the public estimation.
CLXVI. — 1 How dill the (inoon try to rpliove ibe dulncf^s of her {VtPties? 2. What
was her chief pleasure ? ;?. What ia said of her fann ? Whal was the opinion of ihe
Pifisians .' 4. Whal is said of lier evening walks? 5. How was she known in her dia
|uim? 6. What is said of her comhicl ' 7. What amusement was then the fashion'
7. Private theatricals were at that time a univtrsal Da«ion in
I; ranee, and to be able to aet was an aecon.plishn.ent no lesf esU
lal to a lady than to be able to dance. This exactly suited X
vely d,spos,t,on of the queen ; she had her private the,"tre and
™ Ufe's^nl"' ' "'" '""'■"""'"■ "■""'•' '-l"'">'y -^''ib" herself'
MvVw-ST';;.*' ""■;'''''1 '"■ """"" '■>•<'"'"« of the kin. was
eve, wr,',, M.""'- ".T'""" I«^^""^'S<-, ""d lond of li.enuure
evtu »n tp .Liiiclos lor Ihe newspapers. When a hov he h-.d il...
ivputatm,! 01 huvin^Mhe „,ost tal,.nt of ,h,,. fun,ilv ^' ' "'"
.' Ihere i.s a .s|„ry that wlion Louis and hi.sbroilier<. were von,,,,
a deputation was sent fron. .he country »,th a,, Sre s .. , m"
I be orator .adc^ressed the dauphin, as bein> ,he eldest and ber^n.whh
a lanns co,np|„ne„. ,„ his talents an,l pr.rjjress i„ lea'r'^
Monsieu ^Z' • t'" """'■"I'"-''' "'« «l'"kes,nan, and pointing to
hoy '• Wbe 1,'erM ' •'"" "'"^ '"«="' ">>' '"-"'I'^r : he is the clever
hoy. Wbetber clever or not, Louis was an honest boy, and he nre-
rbrufi^'o^t'orxVi'ir"^'" "'^- "°"^^™^ ^^—-^ -'^'^^ ^
U. The other brother of the king, called the Count d'Artois was
livHv "tr '","',?'■",="«' Monsieur: He was handsom^ gay a,^
liNely , he loved trivolous diversions much more than serio, s emolov-
tnents, and partook in all the .lueen's diversions, aiul c™ouraeed her
i". ri^rof^vt'"''"''""- ,.!'"' '^'"'"•' ''■^""--"-
I narles A., ol whom you will hear more presently.
CHAPTER CLXVri.
Dr. Franklin in Paris. — Rnolutions in Dress.
1. VViTH a queen of such ■^ character, it was very natural that the
.tyle ot fashionable society should have been frivolous in the extreme
Nothing was thonght of but atuusements. To dress to act t w'
o dance, were the sole busmess of |,fe. T<, r^i coruid'imen ry
sTetoh^fln' ,r\""^""'"^"'"*'^ "^^-^ "'•' ^'^^^-«^ -«' most de c«d
stretch ot intellect imioiig the wits of the d;iv
0. All at once a revolution was wrought" in these follies, and an
roduud by Dr. franklin, who now made his appearance at the
brenchcourt.-Ls<.noof,he deputies of the American Congress s(i
lo ask the assistance of France in the war which the Unfted State
were then carrying on to gain their independence.
3 Ihe simplicity of his dress turned the heads of the ladiee, and
^^i^^ wT wa^'h^s c,:;:.tv.''^ ■^'^""•^^^^ ''■ ^^^" -- ^»^« ^'
.LJIV II. - 1 What was the slate of fi^^hionahle society in France? 2 What pro
10
^ihei
276
LOUIS XVI. — 1776.
alter6ii the coats of the j^entlenien. The gold lace and embro.deiy,
and the powdered curls, wiiicli had been the pride ol" the Parisian
beaux, were all discarded. The line gentlemen appeared wiih theii
hair cut straight, and in plain brown coats like that of this sober
American.
4. A t rench writer thus speaks of the arrival of the deputies :
" It was as if the sages of Rome and Greece had snddtMily appeared ;
their antiiiue simpli(;ity of dress, their firm and plain demeanor, theii
free and direct languai;e, formed a contrast to the frivolity, effeminacy
and servile refinements of the French. The tide of fashion and nobil-
ity ran after these republicans, and ladies, lords, and men of letters
all worshipped them."
5. At a spletidid entertainment given to the deputies, the ('ount-
ess de Polignae, one of the most distinguished of the court beUes,
advanced to l)r. Franklin, and placed a crown of laurel on his
head.
6. The revolutions in the costume of the ladies were not less ex-
traordinary in their way than the other great revolutions which were
going on. At the conunencement of the reign of Ijouis XVI. the
hair, loaded with powder and pomatum, was drawn up to a height
which seemed to plac^e the face in the middle of the body.
7. The body was compressed into a stiff case of whalebone, which
checked the i)ower of breathing, and almost deprived the victim of
the power of eating'- ; while a pair of cumbrous hoops, place-d on
her hips, gave to iier })etticoat the amplitude of a small iniiated 1ml-
loon. In this slrauLTc disguise, it would almost have puzzled the
learned nutjon himsc^lf to decide under what genus such a female an-
imal aliouhl be classed.
8. Pictures wrrt? publislied in which hair-dressers were represented
as mounted on laddiTs, dressing the ladies" hair. It was all in vain,
howover, th:it ridicule was levelled anaitisl thcsL' enormous piles.
They continued lo rise higher and higher, till a violent illness of the
queen, which caused her to lose her hair, occasioned their downfall.
Suddenly, as if with one consent, every lady in France was seen with
a flat head !
9. Th(; next great change was wrouryht by the author St. Pierre,
who, in the tale of Paul and Virginia, has described Virginia as
attired in a simple robe of white muslin, and a plain !>lraw hat. This
simple picture instantly captivated the ladies of Paris.
H). The silks, satins, and formal dress, which had reirrned wit'i
different modifications from the time of St. Louis, now all vanishec^
as if by magic, and nothing was to be seen, from the queen to th(
waiting-maid, but white muslin gowns and straw hats.
11. With the rage for liberty was introduced an admiration for the
old republics of Greece and Rome. The ladies then dressed their
heads in imitation of antique busts, and end< ivored lo copy the lighl
and scanty drapery of ancient statues.
diicw! a chansre ? 3. What cluinire was eirected ? 4. What is snid of the ariival of tha
Ainericaa clepulies at Paris ? 5. What happened at an eiucnairimeiil to them? 6, 7.
^iul fashion prevailed at the beginning of the reign of I/>uis XVT. ? 8 Wnat produeail
h
I
\
IX)UIS XVI —1776.
2^7
« While the ladies were thus attired like Grecians, the gentlo-
nien Kept them in countenance by cropping their hair like Romans.
This passion for the antique was put an end to by the appearance at
the theatre of a f unous actress in the character of a t hinese girl,
dressed according to the idea she had formed of the costume of China
with her petticoats U»aded with frills.
13. The novelty of these frills again enchanted the Parisians, who
soon mutlled themselves up in frills and ruffs. The fashion found its
way to America, though many ladies there were, I dare say, quite
unconscious that they were dressing themselves " a la Chinuis uu
Francois. ^^
CHAPTER CLXVIII.
Turgot. — Necker. — The American Revolutionary War. —
La Fayette.
1. We left Louis XVI. trying to devise some remedies for the
evils which, with his kingdom, he had inherited from his ancestors.
The most embarrassing of these were connected with the finances.
The charge of providing a remedy for these was committed to Turgot,
a man of jireat and enlijihtened abilities. ^
2. lie saw clearly the existing evils and the proper remedy foi
them. Hut as the disease was great, so must the remedy be viident.
The king, however well-<lis|)osed, was weak and timic' He feared
lo apply the remedy, and Turgot reliiuiuished his charge.
3. The appointment of the successor is a striking evider.ce of the
pood intentions, and at the same time of the anxiety, of the king.
Necker, a Swiss by birtli, a Protestant in religion, and a banker by
profession, was appointed to an office, for which noble birth, the pro
iession of the Catholic faith, and the being a native of France, had
hitherto been deemed indispensable qualifications.
4. A new cause of disquietude to the king now arose. The dif-
ferences between Great Britain and her North American colonies had
ended in a war. The colonies applied to France for assistance. It
was urged upon Louis that this was a most favorable opportunity of
weakening her old rival, and of regaining the territory and the mil-
itary reputation which France had lost in the last war.
5. 1 hese were great temptations. But Louis was of a peaceable
temper, and felt, perhaps, some repugnance, as a king, to encourage
subjects in resisting their sovereigns. He could have no sympathy
!he first change? 9. 10. Wlial produced the new change? What was the change?
11. What change came next ? 12. What efTecled another change?
CLXVIII. — I. To whom wa.^ the care of the finances commuted ? 2. What is said of
Tiirgol? 3. Who succeeded Turgot? What i.s said of Necker? 4. What new cause
of anxiety irose ? What arguments were addressed to Louis? 5. Whal effect hat'
Ibey ? 6. What was the feelin? of the French nation ? 7. Who was the most ardent
94
278
LOUIS XV - 1784.
LOUIS XVI— 1788.
279
writh rebels, as these noble-spirited colonists were called, and the assist-
ance was refused.
6. Happily for the colonists, a different spirit prevailed among the
French people. Animated partly by a horror of oppression, and
partly by a love of glory, both of which feelings had survived the
death of the more formal attributes of chivalry, many of the French
resolved to give their personal aid to the cause which their kino- de-
clined espousing. °
7. At the suggestion of the Uritish ambassador, the king interfered
to prevent this. The most ardent advocate of the cause of Amer-
ican liberty, the young Marquis de La Fayette, was committed to
prison. Contriving to elude the vigilance of his keepers, ne escaped
into Spain, and from thence sailed to America. He arrived at the
moment of the greatest despondency, but his coming spread iov and
restored confidence. • ^ f j j
8. The example of La Fayette kindled an enthusiasm throughout
Trance. Absolute monarchs often find it politic to yield to the
wishes of their subjects, and Louis was not of a temper long to resist
the popular will. A treaty was made with the United States of
North Anrierica, in which their independence was recognized by
t ranee. This was considered by England as a declaration of wa>
against her.
1). The war between France and England was carried on princi-
pally upon the sea, and with variable success ; but on the whole favor-
ably for France. By the peace which was concluded at Versailles
"u •^""'^'■y' ^*^^' s''*^ recovered nearly or quite all the possessions
she had lost during the former war, except Caruda.
CHAPTER CLXIX.
Events which preceded the French Revoliaion.
1. After the peace of 1783, the internal difficulties of France rap-
idly increased. The expenses of the war had added greatly to the
public debt. The exemption of the property of the clergy and nobles
from the payment (»f taxes, whilst it diminished the national resources,
naturally aggravated the discontent of the people.
2. The queen and the court had never been reconciled to the ap-
pointment of M. Neckcr to oflfice. In addition to his want of noble
birth, his integrity and the austerity of his manners were not to their
taste. He was, in consequence, dismissed from oflfice in 178L
a.lvocale of America \ What is said of La Fayette 1 8. What effect had his example ',
:». What 18 .said of the war? When was peace made? What did France gain by the
CTJCIX. — 1. What was one of the consequences of the war? What increased the evils t
8. WHat IS said of the queen's feeling towards Necker? What measure was adopted 1
te
3. This was an unfortunate measuie for the king, for the very cir-
cumstances which made him obnoxious to the court gave him credit
with the people, and his dismissal furnished new grounds of complaint
In 1783, M. de Calonne was appointed minister.
4. He found himself compelled to propose a measure, which,
equitable as it is, was not proposed until every other expedient for
raising money had been tried in vain. This was to make the landed
property of the clergy and nobles bear its due share of the public
burden.
5. This measure could not be carried into execution without the
consent either of those bodies themselves, or of some great national
council. The assembling of the States-General was the most natural
resource. In this all the orders of the state were represented. This
body had not been called together since 1644.
6. But, in the existing state of the country, this appeared to tlie
king to be a hazardous measure. They might not content themselves
Arith removing the evil for the redress of which they were called to-
gether, but might proceed to the consideration of the other causes of
complaint.
7. For it is to be observed that, at this time, the people not only
suffered many grievances from the actual despotism both of the gov-
ernment and of the nobles, but that (the principles of liberty, which
made them more sensible of these grievances, were very generall}
discussed and very popular^
8. The interest taken in the late war in America had diffused an
enthusiasm for republican principles ; and many writers, Rousseau in
particular, had advocated them with a most persuasive eloquence
In this state of opinion, Calonne reasonably dreaded the conse
quences which might result from the assembling of the States- Gen-
eral.
9. The parliaments appeared determined to support the exclusive
interests of the privileged classes. The only remaining alternative
was to convene the Notables ; an assembly consisting of a number of
persons summoned from all parts of the kingdom, selected by the
king himself, and chiefly from the higher orders of the state. The
Notables had been convened by Henry IV. and by Louis XIII.
10. They now met on the 22d February, 1787. The number of
members was one hundred and forty-four. This assembly, however,
would not listen to the measures which were proposed by Oalonne,
and that minister, finding the tide setting against him, was obliged
to resign his office. M. de Brienne, Archbishop of Toulouse, w;is
appointed his successor.
11. Brienne was equally unsuccessful with the notables, and
they were consequently dissolved in May. Finding himself totally
incompetent to manage affairs, Brienne resigned in 1788. His ad-
ministration had made bad worse. Haughty, and at the same time
3. What were its effects? Who succeeded Necker? 4. What measure was pntfxised
by Calonne? 5. What was necessary to carry it into effect? What \a said of the
Sut^es-General 1 6, 7, 8. Why were they not called together? 9. What was it deter-
mined to do' What is said of the Notables ? 10. When did they meet? What did
Ikeydo? Who succeeded Calonne? II. What is said t»f Brienne? 12 What courw
/I
■ _1J!^ —1. ' , T "
280
LOU155 AVI. — i7S9.
Bervilu and inefficient, he had brought authority into contempt. Hu
had s^Mired to himself the highest and most lucrative ecclesiastica
dignities in the state, and now retired ilIo Italy to enjoy them, leaV'
iiig the king to weather the storni alone.
12. The king now saw no resource but to throw himself into the
arms of the popular party. Necker was reinstated in his office. The
joy of the people was immoderate. It seemed as if they conceived
that he possessed a magical wand ; that by waving it he could pay
oti* an immense pui)lic debt without money; and, that by another
movement of it he could, with the same ease, supply six and twenty
millions of people with corn and bread.
13. In pursuance of the advice of Necker, the States-General were
summoned to meet on the 1st May, 1789. This was composed of
representatives of the three estates of the kingdom, as they were
called ; that is, the clergy, the nobles, and the people.
II. The Ihinl estate^ that is the people, demanded that the number
of their re[)n'beiitatives should be equal to that of both the others
taken together ; and the king, after much deliberation, conceded to
them their double reprtscnlation. Another very important question
was, whether the three estates should meet together and form one
body, or whether they should meet in three distinct bodies.
15. In this latter case, every measure, before it could become a law,
must receive the assent of two of the estates, voting separately. It
would appear to be very easy, therefore, for the clergy and the nobles,
whose interests were very much the same, to unite against the peo-
ple. On the other hand, if they met in one body, the people would
have a great ascendency over the other orders. tDlH>n this question
the king had not courage enough to ccime to any decisioiiTT
. CHAPTER CLXX.
The Duke of Orleans. — Madame de Genlis. — The Duhe de
Char t res y ?ww Louis Philippe. — Mirabeau.
1. There were many among the nobles, who, from dislike to the
queen, or from the hope of aggrandizing themselves, had fermented
the popular discontents. The chief of these was the Duke of Or-
leans, great-grandson of the regent of that name ; he had inherited
some of his ancestor's talents, most of his vices, and very few, if any.
of his cap-ivating qualities.
2. He hated the queen because she had beefl too frank and un
did the km? adopt next ? What was the popular feeling » 13. What was Necker'.s ad-
vice? What were the Slates-General? 14. What did the third estate demand .' Whal
an.swer was made to it? What other important (juestion arose* 15. What were the
reasons on each side of the (luestion ?
CLXX. — I. What is said of many of the nobles? Who was thechief of the discontent
•diioWes? Who was the Duke of Orleans? What was hj-'charac'er? 2 WhjtwashU
IA»UI^. XVI. - 17>T..
283
i^iarded to coticeal her disapprobation of his conduct, and graiined his
malice by attacking her character in every possible way. Most of the
abusive pamphlets, which in the beginning of the rev(dution were cir-
culated against the queen, could be traced to liis palace
3. Not contented w ith vilifying the queen, he is said to have aimed
also at dethroning the king, in the hope of obtaining the crown • this
criminal ambition he concealed under the mask of patriotism. But
his desires exceeded his means of accomplishment.
4. He had no character, and no power of any kind, except what
his immense wealth and his undaunted wickedness gave him. While
he deceived himself w ith the idea that by coiTq»assing the ruin of the
royal family he was at once gratifying his revenge and his ambition,
he was in fact preparing his own destruction.
5. Wicked as he was himself, and engrossed as we may suppose
his thoughts to have been with his ambitious projects, he did not
neglect lilie education of his children. Ihis he entrusted to the cele-
brated Madame de Genlis, whose delightful tales of domestic life were
the first deviation from the stitVand formal old French novel.
0. This selection of governess was a most happy one ; her pupils
have been as distinguished for their virtues, as their father was foi
his vices. The ehh st of these is Louis Philippe, the late King
of the French. Of him, Madame de Genlis always spoke with admi-
ration, but with evident pride, even while she disclaimed all credit.
" His inherent dispositions," she would say, *' were so happy, that
lie owed almost everything to nature."
7. Another of the nobles who attached themselves to the popular
party, was the Count de Mirabeau. He was even worse than the
Duke of Orleans in his nuirals, and was more capable of doing mis-
chief; for in eloquence and genius he stood far above any man in
France. He was elected a representative of the commons.
CHAPTER CLXXl.
Meeting of the States-General. — The Jacobin Club. — A royal
Session. — Meeting at the Teiinis Court.
1. IMosT of the deputies appeared at Versailles on the day appoint-
ed, but as the elections in the city of Paris were not yet concluded,
the king deferred the commencement of the sessions til the 5th of
May. The members employed the interval in forming an acquaint-
ance with one another.
2. The most zealous advocates for the rights of the people formed
\ -~~ — ~ ■
conduct towards the queen ? 3. What is said to have been his aim ? 4 To what did ho
owe his consetiueace ? 5. What is said of his care for his children? To wlwni duJ he
entrust their education? What is said of Madame de Genlis ? 6. Whal is said oi hi»
children? 7. Whal is said of Mirabeau ?
CLXXI. - 1. When did ihe Stales-General meet? 2 Whal society was formed
24*
I I
^ /<i
LOUIS XVI. - 1739.
LOUIS XVI. - i789.
2s:i
»hem3fclvcs into a society. After the place ot' the assembly's meeting
«vas changed to Paris, this society held its meetings in a building
which had been a convent of a religious order of monks called Jaco-
bins, from the circumstance of their convent being in St. James' street,
and Jacobus is the Latin for James.
3. Because this society or club held its meetings at this place, it
received the name of the Jacobin club ; a name which excited alarm
and horror throughout Europe ; for the society, before long, became
the most powerful body in the state.
4. The states inet on the fifth of May, 1789. The session was
opened with great splendor ; the king, seated on his throne, surround-
ed by the members of the royal family (except the Duke of Orleans,
who took his seat with the deputies) and of his court, delivered a
speech, in which he expressed his pleasure at thus meeting his peo-
ple, and a hope that the happiness and prosperity of the nation might
be thvi result of their measures.
5. The deputies of the third estate soon settled the question as to
the mode in which the three estates should meet. They decided that
the representatives of the clergy and nobles were only the deputies
of particular incorporations, whom they would permit to sit and vote
among themselves, but who had no right to act in separate bodies
to make laws for France, Some of the clergy and of the nobles joined
them.
6. They then declared themselves the sovereign legislators of the
kingdom, and assumed the title of National Assembly. On June lOlh,
a majority of the clergy voted to unite with the National Assembly.
The nobles perceived that unless some decided step were taken by the
king all would be lost. They accordingly entreated him to dissolve
the States-General.
7. On the morning of the 20th of June, when the president and
members of the National Assembly were about to enter their hall as
usual, they were stopped by the king's guards, and were told that
workmen had been sent to prepare it for a royal session, that is, a
meeting of all three estates in one room for the purpose of hearing a
speech from the king.
8. The members very naturally were irritated at the arrogance of
the king, in thus turning them out of their hall without so much as
giving notice to their president, and they also feared that he intended
at once to dissolve the assembly.
9. In the excitement of the moment, they hurried to an old tennis-
court, and, in spite of a very violent rain, held their meeting, and
resolved that the assembly should continue its sessions until they had
formed a constitution for their country.
Where did it hold its meetings? 3. What is said of the Jacobin club? 4. How was
the .sessio.i of the States-General opened ? 5. How did the third estate settle the ({uestion
in dispute? 6. What authority did ihev assume ? What name? What happened on
the 19lh of June ? 7. What on the 20lh'of June ? What ia a royal session? 8. Wtai
was the fee'ing of the members of the assembly upon this occasion ? 9. W\).V, did ihef
Jo?
CHAPTER CLXXII.
7 he Royal .Session held. — Indignant Speech of Count Mzra-
beau. — The tri-colored Cockade adopted. — The National
Guard organized.
1. The royal session was held in the most splendid fashion, but
rather too much in the style of the ancient despotism. The repre-
sentatives of the people were treated with marked contempt. They
were kept waiting in the open air during a violent storm of rain,
whilst the nobles an# clergy were comfortably seated within.
2. The king declared his will, amongst various other matters, that
the three estates should meet in separate bodies. He then ordered
the deputies to retire, and left the assembly. He was followed by
the nobles and part of the clergy, but the representatives of the peo-
ple, and those attached to them, remained in gloomy silence.
3. This was interrupted by the entrance of an officer of the king,
who repeated his majesty's orders that the deputies should leave the
hall. The Count de Mirabeau, starling from his seat, indignantly
exclaimed, " The representatives of the people of France have de-
termined to remain.
4. " You, sir, wlio have no seat, nor a right to open your lips
here, are not to remind us of the king's pleasure. Go, tell your mas-
ter, that we are here by the power of the people, and that nothing
shall expel us but the point of the bayonet."
5. The weakness and irresolution of the king were now signally
displayed. Only four days after the royal session, he sent an ordei
to the nobles to meet with the other estates. 15ut he did not pursue
with any firmness the plan of conciliating the people.
6. Yielding to the influence of the queen, he began to collect a
large body of troops about Versailles and Paris, in the hope of over-
awing the assembly. All confidence in the king was now gone : the
only reliance of the people was upon Necker, his minister ; and at the
suggestion of the queen, this last bond of union was severed.
7. Necker was removed from office, and ordered to quit the king-
dom. Paris burst into a flame at this unexpected event. The peo-
ple collected in vast crowds. The opponents of the queen and the
court placed upon their hats the tri-colorcd cockade, of red, blue, and
white ribbon, and all who did not adopt this badge were subjected to
insult, and even death, as enemies of the people.
8. The soldiers were commanded to disperse these assemblies, but
they refused to fire upon their own countrymen. Uniting with the
citizens, they formed themselves into a militia by the name of the
National Guard, and chose La Fayette to be their general.
CLXXIL — 1. What is said of the royal session ? How were the representatives of the
.leople treated ? 2. What did the king do / What did he order? How was hr obeyed ?
3. What look nlace after he left the hall ? 4. Repeat the speech of Mirabeau. 5. What
display of weakness did the kins make? 6. What measures did he adopt by advice of
the queen? 7. What happened at Paris jii the dismissal of Necker? 8. How did ir«
■ol tiers act 7
-;/f
^^sum
384 LOUIS XVI. - 17sy.
CHAPTER CLXXIIl.
Commence nie?tt of the French Revolution. — The Bastils dc'
strayed. — The King and Queen deserted.
1. The commencement of the French Revolution is dated from the
I llh July, 1789. On that day, hostilities an^ainsl the royal authority
were openly commenced by an attack upon the IJastile. This word
nieans ani/ cast/' with tittle turrets, but has lonpr been exclusi'ely applied
lo a buildinff of that description in Paris, used ifh a prison.
2. The very name of this prison spread terror throughout France.
There were dun«;eons twenty feet below the surface of the ground,
the floors covered with slime, and filled with disgusting reptiles.
The only furniture ir a room was a stone with a scanty covering of
straw for a bed
3. It was to this horrible prison that the odious lettres de cachel
Lonnnitted the miserable victims of arbitrary power. But this instru-
ment of tyranny was now elteclually removed. It was taken by the
people from the soldiers of the king who delended it, and then, un-
der the direction of the civil authorities of Paris, was completely
destroyed.
4. Not one stone was suffered to remain upon another. The keys
were sent to General Waslungton, as the head of the great party,
throughout the world, of the opponents of tyranny. They were by
him presented to the United States, and are yet preserved at Wash-
ington.
5. It was now apparent that any further opposition to the popular
will was useless. Necker was recalled, and was received with
transports of j(»y by the whole nation. About the same time, the
brothers of the king, and the nobles who were attached lo the queen's
party, becoming alarmed for their own personal safely, fled from the
country, leaving the king and queen to fight the battle alone.
G. The evils of this desertion of their country soon became apparent.
The most pressing letters were written, urging them lo come back.
To some of them the queen wrote with her own hand : " If you love
your king, your religion, your government, or your country, return!
return I return !"
7. These letters produced no effect, either because the emigrants
did not choose to expose their lives by returning, or because they
thought that they could best serve the interests of their king and
country by remaining w here they were. Those who left their coun
try were called the emigrants.
CLXXIII. — » When diil the French revolution begin ? What happened on that day t
What id said of the Baslile .' 4. What became of the keys? 5. What measure did ihfl
king adopt ? \^hal became of the nobles of hid party ? 6. Was their conduct approved
by the que«*i.' 7. What effect had her letters? What were those who left Fran««
tailed}
285
LOUIS XVI. - l7iM
CHAPTER CLXXIV
Abolition of Titles.— Character of Necker.— The Poissardes.-^
The King brought to Paris,
1 The National Assembly now proceeded with earnestness in the
work of reforming abuses. The nobles and the clergy seemed to
contend with each other which should be the first to ofier the great-
est sacrifices to the public welfiire. When they once began, they
were afraid to stop. Every exclusive right and privilege through-
out the whole king<lom was at length resigned.
2 The assembly then proceeded to abolish all hereditary titles,
and all marks of distinction of ranks in society. They did not pro-
ceed quite so far as the succeeding assembly, who abolished the com-
mon modes of address, Mr. and Mrs., as being loo aristocratic, and
voted that the terms citizen and citizeness should be used in their
3 The abolition of all the distinction of ranks was opposed by
Necker, thoutrh himself one of the people, and born and bred in the
republic of Geneva. He thought that merit should be distinguished
by some particular title of honor. His opposition to ^me ot the
most violent measures had diminished his influence, and on the 4th
of September, 1790, he resigned his oflice. . , , •
4 He was a man of the strictest and most unblemished integrity,
and had, during the greater part of his career of office, possessed the
highest popularity throughout France. He now retired to his na-
tive country, and died at Copet in 1804.
5. The roval family, consisting of the king, queen, the dauphin,
who was born in 1785, his sister, born in 1778, and the Princess
Elizabeth, the sister of the king, had hitherto remained at \ er-
sailles. , , j i. *u
6 On the 6th of October, an immense mob, led on by the pots-
sardcs, that is, the women who sold fish in the markets of Fans,
rushed to Versailles, and made an assault upon the palace. It is lo
be observed that throughout the revolution the women were tore-
most in all scenes of cruelty and bloodshed.
7. They seemed to take a savage delight in human suffering, and
to have lost the usual attributes of their sex when they abandoned
its appropriate duties. Upon the present occasion, all the inmates
of the palace would have been sacrificed, if General La Fayette had
not interposed to protect them. j r u u
8 Bv his advice, the king complied with the demands of the mob,
and returned with them to Paris, accompanied by the royal family.
He was permitted to live at the Tuileries, but was closely watched.
CLXXIV. -1. What is said of the nobles and clerey ? 2. What of titles? 3 W|hu
..p^^ed the abolition of files • 1 What ^ said of Necker? 5. W'^^ ^"jP^^^V^e
rov,i family? Where did they live? 6. What happened October bth 1769? ww £
«"veJ ihe family ? 8. What did the king do? Where did he live m Pans? Wha m
wid of ihei' life there?
i
2S«
LOUIS ATI -1791.
He never wulked in the garden withoit being attended by half a
dozen of the National Guard.
9. The queen was not permitted to stir out of doors without some
of these guards so close at her heels that she could not say a word
to her companion without its being overhiard. Even the dauphin.
a pretty, good-natured looking boy of five yoars old, could not work
with lis hoe and his rake in his little garden without soldiers stand-
mg by to watch him.
CHAPTER CLXXV.
The Confederation — The Eviigrants form an Army,
1. The National Assembly having prepared a constitution, it was
determined that it should be formally ratified by the king on the
anniversary of the destruction of the IJastile. The large plain called
" the Field of March," because the March meetings^of the nobles
were held there in ancient times, was to be the place for the per-
formance of the ceremony.
2. An immense amphitheatre was to be formed upon this plain
Ihe slow progress of twenty-five thousand hiced workmen could not
keep pace.with the ardent wishes of the friends of liberty. Person*
of every class, without distinction of age or sex, to the number ol
two tiundred and fitty thousand, took part in the labor.
3. Every corporation and every society was ambitious of the
iionor of assisting in the preparation of the place where they were
to swear to defend the constitution. Hardly a man, woman, or child
remained an idle spectator. Men of all professions, mixed together
cheertully handled ihe pickaxe and shovel.
4. Delicate females, sprucely dressed, were seen here and there
wheeling along barrows filled with earth ; while lonff strings of stout
tellows dragged heavy loads in carts and wagons. Thus, at the end
ot a week, the amphitheatre was finished, as if by enchantment
5. More than three hundred thousand people, the ladies all dre-^ed
in^ white, were present at the ceremony, which took place July 14th
1/90, and IS called the Confederation. In the presence of this im-
mense multitude, the king, and the members of the assembly for
themselves, and La Fayette in behalf of the National Guard, swore
to observe and to defend the constitution.
6. Whilst these events were passing at Paris, the number of emi-
? rants had been increasing daily. In the spring of 1791 they formet'
an army at Longwy, on the German frontiers. Thev adopted a black
.miform faced with yellow, with a death's head, surrounded by a
laurel leaf on one cuff, and a sword on the other, with the motto
'Conquer or die." '
CLXXV. — 1. What ceremony was tc. be performed? When' Where' 2 Wh,ii
LOUIS XVL — 1791.
2&.
CHAPTER CLXXVI.
The Flight to Varennes.
\ The scenes of bloodshed that were daily exhibited, an<| the
.nurd^r of such of their officers and servants as remained faithl^ I to
them, had ccuivinced the king and queen that they and their fa-nly
were no longer safe in Pans. r u tKpv wptp
2 But it was next to impossible to escape from it. Ihey were
closely guarded in their palace, and besides that, no person was peT-
mMted to leave the city without a written permission, or ; assport, as
K is called! At length a Swedish nobleman, who happened to be in
Paris, devised a plan for effecting their escape.
3 He knew that a Russian lady was about to leave Pans with
her family, and he obtained two passpons for her. One of these was
to be used by the royal family. The governess of the royal cj^ildien
was trpaJ for the Russian lady, and the dauphin and his sister
were to pass for her two daufjhters ; the queen for the governors,
and the king and the Princess Elizabeth for attendants.
4 It was also arranged that a party of emigrant soldiers should
meet them at a certain point with fresh horses to convey theni to
Longwy. Everything being prepared, the dauphin and »»» sisteri^ere
taken from their beds^on the night of the 20th of June, 1791 The
Door little bov was so sleepy that he could scarcely stand, and when
ho saw himself dressed in girl's clothes, he asked if they were going
^T^The 'children and governess were first conveyed to the coach,
which was waiting at some distance from the palace 1 he dauphin
was soon asleep at the bottom of the carriage m happy iporance
of his danger ; but the princess was old enough to comprehentl the
anxieties of their situation.
6. After waiting an hour, which, as you may well fjippose
seemed to her an age, the king and queen and Princess Elizabeth
ioined them, and thev set off Never was a more helpless set ol
beincTs cast adrift in the world than the six poor creatures who were
nowrat the dead of night, to steer their course across a country in
which thev were surrounded by a thousand dangers.
7 They had, it is true, three gentlemen with them, who acted as
servants, but these supported their character so ill, that instead ot
assisting, they only added to the hazards of the royal party. As loi
the kinS and queen, thev knew no more of the manner of travelling
for priNate persons in France, than the poor boy who was asleep at
S.'^ They went on, however, through that night and part of the
next day witlioul meeting with any other mischance than a slight
CLXXVI - I What were the fears of ihe king ? 2. What is said of leavjn? Parlil
3 wis plan wa« adopted ? 4. f,, 6. What of ii. execul.on ? 8. How long d.d lh,y fi
on safely ? 9. Wlv»i of the escort of soldiers 1
1
2SS
LOUIS XVI. -i:oi.
I.OU1S XVI —1791.
289
accident to the carriage, which caused some delay. On this de.ay,
however, hung- the fate of the fugitives.
9. The party of emigrant soldiers, after waiting some time at the
appointed place, and not seeing the royal party arrive, concluded that
ihe enterprise had heen ahandoned ; and, perceiving that they were
exciting the ohservalion of the country people, they returned hv bvo
roads to Varennes.
CHAPTER CLXXVII.
The Flight to Varennes^ cmitiimed.
1. TnK soldiers were scarcely out of sight when the travellers
arrived, and were thrown into the utmost perplexity and dismay at
not finding the ex[)ected escort. They proceeded, however, and
reached St. Menehould, where the king had the imprudence to put
his head out of the carriage window to make some inquiries about
I he road.
2. At this instant a young man named Drouet caught a glimpse
of him, and was struck with his resemblance to the impression of
the royal head on some new pieces of mt)ney, which he had that
morning received from Paris.
3. He drew near the carriage, and the sight of the queen con-
firmed him in his suspicions, and he set olT instantly to give the alarm
al Varennes. In the mean time the royal party advanced. They
arrived at Varennes in the night, and not knowing where to find
IVesh horses, they drove about the town in search of them, thus giv-
ing Drouet ample time to arouse the inhabitants.
4. Presently the place was in an uproar ; the road was barricaded
so that the fugitives could not proceed, and the carriage was sur-
rounded by a crowd of people. At this moment a party of soldiers
rode up, and asked the king's permission to force a way for him
through the town.
5. The king incpiired whether it would cost many lives ; and being
told that it probably would, he fi)rbade the attempt, and yielded him-
self a prisoner. The royal party were obliged to leave the carriage,
and to enter the house of the mayor, who kept a small shop.
6. The queen, sitting down in the shop, exhausted all her powers
of fascination and persuasion on the mayor's wife, (who, it appears,
was the chief manager of affairs in Varennes,) in the hope to prevail
on her to befriend them.
7. The woman seemed greatly touched, but yet remained inflexi-
ble, and persisted in saying, while the tears rolled down her cheeks,
that it would be the death of her husband if she should assist them
to escape. Marie Antoinette pleaded in vain.
CLXXVII. — I. VVIiai impruileiice (litl the kins rommil ? 2. Who recognized himi
♦Josv ? .] VVhAl folli.-.veil .' Wh.it did the fti.'jilive.s do ^ 4. What happened al Va-
reimen.' 5. How were the royal f;iniily treated? G. What did the queen do? 8. W)Mt
8. The wretched fugitives were compelled again to ^et into then
carriage, and to retrace their steps, amidst the insults of a disorderl\
?aob, which the news of their arrest had assembled. Barnave ami
I'eli()n, two deputies from the National Assembly, were sent to meet
them on their return to Paris.
\). The (hi)uties got into the carriage, liarnave treated the cap-
tives witjj kindness and respect ; but Petion, who was by birth a
gentleman, affected to show that he was a good republican, by as-
suming a coarse and brutal manner. He rudely sei'/(Ml the little
dauphin, and placing him on his knee, began to play with his hair,
which was very Ixautiful, twisting the ringlets round his fingers.
10. Tlie poor boy, half frightened and half i)ffeiule(i at this treat-
ment, cried out; ibe queen could no longer conceal her displeasure,
and snatching th«^ cliihl away, said, ''Give me my son ; he is accus-
tomed to tenderness and delicacy, which renders him little fit fo»
iuch rudeness."
CHAPTER CLXXVHl.
L ^ecU Change in the jwrsonal Api)*:arance of the Queen. — The
Emigrants receive Assistance.
1. TiiK treatment of the wretched prisoners was now worse than
ocfore. They were replaced in the Tuileries, and watched with the
utmost vigilance. Guards were placed at the doors of their apart-
m«Mtts niglit and dav, and the queen could only obtain permission to
have her bed-room door closed while she was dressing and undressing
2. The Princess De Lamballe had a short time before escaped into
I'iUtrland ; but when she heard of the imfoitunate termination of the
llight to Vareimes, she resolved to return to Paris, and share the
prison and the afllictions of her friend. The Queen of Kngland used
every argument ti» dctiin her, but without effect.
\^. When sin- arrived at tho Tuileries, and behehl tin; change
which a few wt'eks had wrought in the beautiful Marie Antoinette,
she could scarcely believe her senses, 'i'he (pieen's eyes were sunk
III their sockets, her hair ha<l turned white in one night, and she
looked ten years older.
1. Hut though her beaut v vva.s thus jlinuiied, aini all her hopes
were gone, she still maintaiued the ^race and (ii<rnity of her manner,
and, when it was necessary, c<uil(l call up the energies of her lofty
spirit. As for the king, \\v. appeared at that time to be sinking into
a state of lethargy.
5. The feeling against the royal family w;is very much exas-
.visd 111.' Willi llirt fimiUves? Who met them on ll»t; road? 9. How did the deputies
T-.iitiem' Whal of ihf dauphin.' pi. Wlial of tlie <|iieen?
CI, XXVIII -1. How w.«n'llif prisoners treatifd afier their return? 2 What ol xht
l*riiic*'ss l»e Limlwlle ' :< What ..fthe af>|w>araii. .- <>f tli»' rpieeri i I Wlial of l»»i
25
Jmj
LOUIS XV!.— 1792.
;)eralcd by iIm; mdiscreei proceedings of ihe emigrants and tlieir «
lies, the Aiistrians and Prussians : for the emperor and the King ol
Prussia, fearing that their own subjects, excited by the example ol
the French, miglit be tempted to relievo themselves fron» the oppres-
sions of a despotic government, determined to put a stop to the pro-
gress of liberal opinions by force.
0. This they thought would be a very easy matter ; for most
of the French officers who possessed any experience in the arts of
war had emigrated. They supposed, also, that all the l)etter classes
of French would join them as soon as they entered France, and thai
the undisciplined rabble would not be able to make a stand against
the veteran troops of Prussia. The command of the allied arm'es
was given to the Duke of Brunswick.
7. His first act was to issue a proclamation, threatening with the
most severe punishnu'uls all those who did not at once ren«)unce
those rights which the king himself had solemnly engaged to respect
and mainl-iiin. 'ihe city of Paris was threatened with entire de-
struction. This pr(»chimation very naturally excited indignation
throughout all France. All i)arty feeling subsided, and all united foi
the defence of their coiinlry against a foreign enemy.
The
CHAPTER CLXXIX.
lOM of August, \192.— The King dejxysed. — Rwjai
Family imprisoned.
1. On the 10th of August, 1792, an immense mob assembled
arouiul the TuiUries. 'J'he royal family tied for safety to the hall
of the National Assembly. The Swiss guard of the palace, finding it
impossible to kerp back the niob who pressed into llu' palace, at
length fired upon tliem, and killed and wounded many.
'2. The rage of the pcojih* knew no bounds, IJeing joiue*! by the
National (Juard, who were no longer under the connnand of l-a Fay-
ette, they broke into the palace and munh'red all who were found in it.
This afliiir furnished a new charL^' airainst tlu- king. The Swiss
were said to have fired by his orders, and thus he was accused ol
making war against the peoj)le.
.'i. His enemies took advantage of this excitement to procure hi.s
suspension from the office of king, and the commitial of llui royal
fimily as priscuters to an old, gloomy buildinti, fi)rmerly belonging to
the Knights T«^mplars, and still retaining the name of the Temple.
4. Everything was done that could make their imi»risonment irk-
some 'i'he king, (pieen, and Madame Elizabeth employed their
•naiineri VVIial o( llie kins? '•. What iiKTcastHl llie feelins? a^'aiiisl llieiii ? Win.'
wsisled ihe enii^raiil.s ! Wliv ? i'>. Wliy .liil ilu-v iliink their plan easy 7 Wlio com-
mandeil? 7. What was 1 1 in first an .' it's erteil .' ,- . o .- ■ -> o t»n .
CLXXIX - 1 What ol tli.'lOlli .Aiiifii.si. 17W What ol the Swiss Ouara? 2 Wha
^^ the Na'ti(»ua! JJiiard ' What new . harse as^aiiisl the king ' 3 What was l>»e coiia«
LOUIS XVI.- irr:
21M
pptivity in the education of the two children, and reading ic '-ach othei
roin religious books.
5. They were not allowed the use of pen, ink or paper, for fear
liey should correspond with the emigrants ; but the little princess
ontrived to get some scraps of paper, upon which she made notes
jv'iih a pencil of the daily occurrences ; these notes were afterwards
printed.
0. Only one of their attendants was allowed to accompany them :
his was a man named Clery, who was very much attached to the
king. At first they were allowed the assistance of a woman in clean-
ing the rooms and making the beds. She was naturally coarse and
vulgar, and treated them as badly as she could. In a short time she
lost her senses, and then, in addition to all their other troubles, the
poor prisoners had to take care of this woman.
7. From this time the princesses did the whole work ; they were
rather awkward, and y:ot very tired at first, but soon became accus-
tomed to it. Sewing had alForded a little alleviation to their tedious
hours; but they were soon deprived of this, under pretence that it
might affi)rd them a secret method of communicating intelligence to
their friends.
8. They were constantly subjected to insult and vexation. They
were frequently searched to see that they had no papers, which the
officers might choose to call treasonable ; and they even carried their
insults so far as to accuse the Princess Elizabeth of having stolen a
teacup, which had l)een misplaced.
9. But they lK»n; all these insults with an mishaken magnanimity.
Not a murmur nor a complaint ever escaped from them. In the king
fhere was a singular mixture of cowardice and courage. In danger
and difficulty he had the timidity of a child ; btit in misforumu nu
man could .show more firnmess and resolution.
CHAPTER CLXXX.
The First Vrar of the llfpitUir. — The Jacobins become the
Rulers.
1. TnK first National Assrmhly had becMi succeeded byanothei body
of men chosen by the people, and called the National Legislative As-
<-/o/)h/. On the 20th of September, 1792, this last body gave place
to the National Convention. On the first day of its session the (;on-
\.'Mtion decreed " that royalty was abolished in France."
•J. 'I'hey also decreed that the old giode of reckoning years frou/
the birth of our Saviour, should no longer be used, and that every-
thing should be dated by the y«!ar of the Republic ; the first yeai
qiietice? 4. How were the royal limily Ire.iteil? Hnw cljij ihpy r-mplfiy themselves 't
5. What of Ihe yoiiAg princess .' «. Wliaiof their altenilaiil.-s / o. To what were the?
9iil)jected? W. Mowdid ihev Uthave'
CLXXX I Whose reed'-tl tlie Natinoal Ass»'iiil,lv ^ Wli:ti IhmIv caii.e next ^ Whar *
jit)2 I .urns XVI — i7i*'i
.ommoncing on the t>3d September, 1792. They ^'^^l f 7.^;^^; »*
names of the months. Instead of January, February, &c., they sub
«tituted names denotin- some oharactonstic (,1 the new months, such
as Rainv-month, Windy-month, <fee.
3 So far all th.' liberal party were agreed. But as it regarded
me 'treatment of tlu' royal fan.ily a.id some other measures, then
were two parties. The most ntoderate was that oi the C.ironde.
called beciuse the .-hiofmemhrrs of it came Iron, th|' department <.l
iliat nam? • ealled also Hrissotines, from Brissot, the leader.
4 Th. otC partv was called ihr Afo.n/«/n, because the seats they
occupied in the hall r.>se one above the other in rows ^^^ is ;^ ^^^
knovvn, h..wever, as the Jacobin rarty, the meinbers ot it belongino
to that club. The leaders wt>re Danton and Hobespieire.
5 The Hrissotines were .n f tvor of establ.sh.n.r a republican lorm
of governtuent ; but for treatm, the kmg and the roy.hsts w.Ui mi d-
ness One -reat object of the Jacobins was to lake away the life ot
Ihe kinV Thev were n<.t so numerous in the Convention as the
Girondists, but by their threats they terrified the more moderate into
the adoption of the most vi..lent measures.
(J The ..pentions of the allied annus were at first successful , a.Hl
it was expected that thev would a.lvance immediately on I aris Ibis
apprehension excited in that city a still more savage fury than ha,l
before been maniftsled. . , . i,
7 A sort of c(uirt was instituted, before which prisoners ol . a. 1.
sex a.ul of all ages wt're brought, in mockery of al the forms ot ju.
lice The (lueen-s friend, the beiu:tiful Princess de Lamballe wt.s,
after .ne of Ibese mock trials, murdered ; and her head, placed upon
a pole, was exhibite.l before the windows oi the room m which the
rov:il prisoners were confined. 1 ;..
8 The dreadful specta«-l.^ threw the .pieen into convulsions, in
which she remained for several hours. The number of persons put
to death in Paris alone <luringthe month ot J^eptember, 1 .'.♦'J, ammmt-
ed to several llnnisands. Similar massacres were coumutted in other
parts of France. Ml who were suspected ot being triendlv to the
king, or who were ri.-b, or ha.l in any way ren.lered themselves ob-
noxious to the mob, were put to death. . . 1., . 1
«) Nothin.r can better illustrate the levity ot the French people
•l.an an anecdote which is relatetl of this blo.Hly period An actor
celebrated for his skill in dancing, was convicted ot not bemi: a goo.l
citizen lie was condemned to death ; but was pardoned, on condi
, ion that In- wonhl dance, inmsel:', at the theatre for a wlude year,
without any lee or reward.
wi^l wa.s Ih- tirsl ili'cn-o .' 2. WIkU ..Hut cluu.ged ? 3. Was ll.ere any .liffcrence ..I
p n • r Y ow manv pani.-. ? Wh^ wero they callecl? 5. How ^ '«1^^ Mjlff-*"- ' •■
< "«l A tbt- all. 's .' 7. What was done in Paris 7 9. What anedolo h related ?
LOUl> XW- I7y.{.
293
CHAPTER CLXXXl.
Trial aiid Death of Lmiis XVI.
<)s the 25ih December, I7i>2, l.ouis was ordered 1 1 a| pear br-
forf he ( "onvention to answer the charges that had been made agaii.si
him lie asked permission to employ legal counsel to assist him m
Ins I ;tence. This was jrranted. It was a perilous ofiice, and -.f
iliose who were first invited by the king, only two, Messrs. TroiM-h. i
and Deseze, had the couraire to accept,
ii. The third, named 'I'arn^ct, declined. One of the most distin-
gmshed advocates in France, M. de Malesherbes, at once ollered In,-
services, and they were accepted bv the king. His generous olbr
excited the admiratii.n of th«> people, whilst the conduct of Tart^el
excited ^M'neral dis^^ust. liven the lish-women marked the difference ;
llieyhnn.r^rarlands of tlowersand laurel upon the gate of Malesherbes'
whilst larget waij obliired to conceal himself to avoid their insults.
3. Uie king was now separated from his family. To his applica-
tion for permissn.n to see them, it was answered that he could have
no communication with the .pieen and his sist.-r dilrii.i: the trial ■ but
' hi'l he mi-hi, if he pleaded, hav.- t|,.- c.mpany of his son, who in
tlial case wc.nld n(»l be permitted to see his mother .)r his aunt. Loni^
would not acce])t the privilege on these terms.
1. The defence of the king, which was read by M. Deseze, had no
lufhience on the Convention ; not one singh-member had the boldness
lo assert the innocence of I.ouis. Ui)on the question of punishment
nf seven hundred twenty-one votes given, three hundred sixty-six
were for immediate death.
,.^-,.'^^^*^.^^"*^*^ "/ Orleans, who had assumed the name of Philin
Kgalite, that is, Philip Equality, voted for death. Each member
-ave his vote aJoud. When tiie duke gave his vote that Louis was
uuilty, It excited a murmur ; but when he gave his vote for the death
o his relation, the cries of" Monster !" " Wretch !'' were heard on
all sides.
(J Even those who had the worst opinion of Louis thought none
the better of the duke for joining in the persecution oi one so nearly
niated to him. Louis was condemned t(. death in January, 1793
and before the close of the year Orleans was doomed to a like fate
lb- was executed on the 6th of November, and died unpitied by per-'
sons ot any party. '' ^
7. Lonis demanded to have the question as lo his guilt submitted
"•the nation, but this was not allowed, and on the 20th .Tanuarv
.1 r ^'^s »""«»"ced to him that the next day he must die. He
■.s.<ed for a de ay of only three days to prepare for appearing befort
Ins (,od. but this was refused him. if b
CIA'XXI. — 1 2 When (lid ttie trial of Louis commence 7 What is sai(
id of his counsel ?
-r orlean.s ; «, What l^came of hmi ? 7. What did ]^xm de land? What the an
1294
1.0UIS AHI. — I7y:j
8. Oil the eveiiin«( of the same day he was pemiilted to fee and U>
take his firuil leave of his wife and family. This meetinj^ vas affect-
ing in the extreme, hut the king did not lose his self-cominand. The
remainder of the time he employed in the preparation for death, en-
joined by his relijTJon, to which he was sincerely attached.
9. At ein^ht o'clock on the niorninj? of January 2 1st, he was sum
nioned to his fate. He ascended the scaffold with a firm and difrni.
ficd step, and his behavior there partook of the calm fortitude which
had distinfTuished him throuirh all his scenes of suff«Tinjj. Raisin^!
his voice, he exclaimed, " Frenchmen, T die innocent ! I forgive my
enemies!" He would have said more, but was prevented by the
beating of the drums placed there on purpose to drown his voice.
lOr The executioners now laid hold on him and placed him to n)
ceive the fatal blow. M. Edgeworth pronounced aloud, " Son of St.
fiOuis, ascend to heaven I" The blow was given. A few among the
guard who surrounded the scaffold shouted, " Live the nation ! live
The republic I'' But the most were silent, or only spoke to request
their officers to lead them away from the spot.
11. Thus died, in the thirty-ninth year of his age, one of the best-
hearted monarchs that ever sat on the throne of France. He fell a
victim to the follies and vices of those who preceded him. The peo-
ple had for centuries been groaning under the oppressions of kings
and nobles. They had a perfect right to relieve themselves from thcs'i
oppressions, by force if neccs.sary. But nothing can justify the tior-
»ible murders which were committed in the name of liberty
CHAPTER CLXXXH.
The Dauphin, called Louis XVII.
1. Thk situation of the unhappy queen and the other members of
t e royal family was now worthy of compnssion. They remained
subject to the outrages and insults of brutal and unfeeling jailers. On
the 3d of July, the Convention ordered that the dauphin should be
separated from the rest, and placed in the charge of an uneducated,
wicked man named Simon.
3. The design was to enulicaie all the good principles he had re-
ceived from his father and mother, and to bring him up in a state of
■gnorance and vice. \h' was made to drink intoxicating liquors, was
taught the most blasphemous oaths and wicked songs, which he was
made to rep»3at at the windows for the amusement of the soldiers.
3. Tn a few months, this lovely boy, who had naturally an excel
'e'l', constitution, became a miserable object, diseased and stupefied by
i„ treatment. Bui his love for his mother was proof against all
.macks. Some artful persons had led him to say things, which they
KATK (IF rHK KOVAl, FA.^lll.Y
J7'.M
29iJ
>*hj»e to interpret, as charging upon his mother the commission ot ^
some crime, and they compelled him to sign a written paper to that
••iffect.
4. The child was so much grieved at the use they made of his
words, that he formed a resolution never to speak again ; and this res-
olution he persisted in for a length of time, although threats, an<l
[>romises of fruit and toys, and everything that could be most tempt
ing to a child, were employed to make him break it.
5. In January, 1794, Simon left him, and for a long time the pooi
little child, only eight years old, was left alone, locked up in a greut
room. His bed was not made fo» s i months, and for more than a
year he had no change of shirt oi stockings. Illness soon rendered
him too weak even to wash himself. In this pitiable situation he con-
timied for nearly a year. In the day time lie had no occupation, and
in the evening he was allowed no light.
0. A change of jailers brought an amelioration of his condition.
They provided for his wants; and one of them, named Gamier, would
sit with him for hours together, trying to amuse him. The[)Oor l)oy,
who had l>een long unused to kindness, s(X)n became very fond of
Gamier.
7. But these attentions came too late. Ruined in mind as well ag
in body, the \K>or child lingered until June, 1795, when death re-
lieved him from further sufferings. Immediately on the death of his
father he had l>een proclaimrd king by the royalists, by the name of
r»uis XVII.
..^ern? •^. What of his ror.ilucl the night before death? 9, 10. When itiil be Jie 1
•Iclale the ivirticulars nl" lii.^ death.
OLXXXII. — •-. How were the rest of the royal family treated ? 'Vhal was dit « vilh
CHAPTER CLXXXHI.
The Fate of the rest of the Royal Family.
I. The separation from her son completed the misery of the poor
heart-broken queen. She was entirely iMJwed down by it. Her onl)
consolati(m w;is to go to the top of the tower and watch for her son
who was [)ermittcd to walk on an opjiosile tower. Lcmking through
a crack in the wall, she would stand for hours together to see the
child :is he ptissed at a distance.
'2. But of this mournful consolation she was soon deprived. Abot.t
a month after the separation, she was roused from her bed at two
o'clock in the morning, by a committee of the Convention, who <r-
dered her to rise, telling her that they had come to remove her to tli
Conciergerie, a prison in which none but persons of the lowest ami
n>ost infamous cfescription hiul ever been confined.
3. The poor queen was obliged to rise and dress herself before
these men, who searched her pockets, and took everything out of them
^ «
.he dauphin T 2. What was the object? 3, 4. What instance of firmnesa? 5. Wha'
W9it his life after Simon left hiir ? 6. What improved his contlition ? 7. What was hit
'ate ? What was his title ?
• '.XXXIII.-- What of he qtieeu? What was her cons'ilalion ? 2. Whither wr
2im
t'\\'\: OF rnK KnvAi, I \>iii,v i:"ti
lS shn was passing: thronijh a low «lot)i way, slu* Ptriu'k b»'r li»r»'ln'a«l,
nd onn of the men asked if she was hurt. She roplied, " Nolhinj!
Thoy however allowed her. as a preal favor, 1o retain her po kf»-
handkerehief and her sniellinfTrbottle, lest she should faint hv the way
A!
and
ran hurt m(^ now."
4. She was plaeed u\ a {iloomy, damp e«dl, where shr lirul iioi
fven the eomfort of endiirinjj her sorrows alone. A police nllir. t
was kepi with her nij^ht an<l day, who never lost sij^ht of her. The
two prineesses were n«nv left sad and <lis<*onsolate in thrir tower
i'hev were kept in ifrnoranee of the cpieen's eondition, hnt remendnT
\u(r that she had hcvn aerusioined to heirnile her .'jorn.vs hy work,
they hesonpht pj^mission to send her the materials.
.*>. They coUoeted all the worsted \hr\ could \\\u\, and also a pair
of little stoekin«:s she had hejjun to knit for the dauphin. Hut her
o-uards would n«>t permit her io have them. The queen's inchistry,
however, overeame all nupedimeuts. She found a pi«ve »»f an old
<*arj>ei in l.er eell, which she tunavelled, and hy means of two sticks
■the eontrived to knit these ravellinjis ini«) jjarters.
6. On the 14th of Octulxr. iTlK'i. they w»mU thro^mh the forms of
a trial, and eondenuu'd her io death. On the Kith of that month she
was executed, meetiuii her tale with the oreatest fortit\ule and eom-
|K)sure.
7. In May, ITiM, the I*riueess Kliy.aheth was put to death. The
same piety whieh had puid«Ml her steps am)d the mazes of a eorru|)t
and friv(dous court, was Ikt firm sMpp<ut in the ru<z«r»Ml path she had
now h. tread. In all the alliieUoiis of her fanuly, it was to h(>r they
always looked for suppori autl «'<iust>lation.
8. The serenity of her eountenanee ami demeanor, on many oeca-
sions, iTiade the wretehes who were loadinjj the rest of the royal fam-
ily with abuse, shrink from iusiiltinji her. When con«lenmed to death.
3he requested to be put in the same room with those who w<'re to suf-
fer with her.
9. To these she addressed words of eonsolation and hope. In her
last moments, as in the whole of her precedinp life, she was m(»rc
occupied with the sorrows of others than with her own.
10. But one wretched individual now remained of that family,
which a few short years before seemed to be at the v(^ry pimiaele <d'
human jrreatness and hai>piness For six months the younjT princes."^
remained the solitary tenant of her ploomy tower. At the end of thai
period, she was irivcu u\^ to the Austrians, in exehanj^e ft»r some
Frenchmen who had been made prisimers.
11. When she arrived at Vienna, her friends there used every en-
deavor to cheer her ; but her «;pirits were so completely depresstnl ihai
it was more than a year before she w as seen to smile. • The expression
of melancht>ly was so firmly imprinted upon her countenance, thM it
?ould never he effaced.
<ne removed ? 4. How was she treated in tier new prison? Wlial did tlie prinressef
<»•? 5. What employment did the (pieen find? 6. When was she tried? When exe
•iiiHiI? 7. What became of the Prinrt-ss EliznJ)eth? What of her chararter ? 8. Wha
»t h-r hehavior now 7 How did she employ herself? 10, 11. What of the. young priu
TffK HKPVmM
I J !
LW
CIIAf'TKK (T.XXXfV.
Success of f/if i'h /,f// Arnnj. Spirit of the P/^ojie.
I Wk left the allies carryintr evervtliiii<; before (hern, and yon
nave probably been surprised that the" Duke of Brunswick did not
m;ir-h directly to Paris, rescue the roval family, and execute hl»
(hreata ajramst that city. He wiuild uJadU have done so if he -ouk
Hut he soon learned that he bad nrreafly miscalculated the strermtb
of his op[»f)iient.s.
2. His lu.p.- that the French wruild M..ck to his standard :i.s soon
as It appeared in France, turned out to bo utterly unfounded. In-
stead of a mere rabble, he ffuirid liim.self opposed by a disciplined
•iriny, commanded by an abler general than himself.
.T Dumouriez ri(.t only ret(K»k Verdun and F.on(Twy, but, after
varuMis successful encfmnttTS, .rained at (;enappc, on the .5th of No-
vember. \1S)'2, a victory whieh plaeed the whfde of the Austrian
Netberla.Mis, with the exception (.f Luxembura, in the possession of
r ranee.
1. On ihe I.m of February, I7f>.'?, the C.nvemion declared war
a-:.in.st Kuirland and H(dlan<l, and a fortnight afterwards against
>'\y,\\\\. In ihdiaiid t Ik; successes of Dumouriez continued, but hav-
intr made him.self <»bnoxious t(» some of the .lac(,bins, after in vain
alfemptiiitr to KMbice hi.s army l(» ;.ct ajrain.st the Convention, he fled
(or jiersonal safety \u the Aii.strians.
r,. II.' was accompanied in h,,s flij/ht by a few of his officers
anM.npt »»tliers by LiMiis Philippe, the late Kinjf of the French',
Ihen Duke DeCbarfres, wb.. bad fjaiued apcat reputation for his skill
and bravery.
r.. The rieseriion of Diimourie/, tlu.urrh it checked them for a
mne, did iM.i p„t a stop t(. the successes of the French arms
Amonirst the people the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. They were
not called upon to ri.sk thf;ir lives in battle to jrratifv the vanity or
pinbition of an oppressive monarch.
7. They now enrrajTcd in the cause of their country, of which
each person felt him.self to be an important part. All were dejirous
to contribute iii .some way or other to the common cause. Those
who had no m(,iiey, brouir|,t their personal ornaments and deposited
them in the hall u{ the Convention. Those whose ajre or .sex ren-
dered them unfit for actual fifrhtinff, employed themselves in provid-
ing^ ir»r the wants and comforts of those who were more fit.
H. When such a spirit prevailed amonjr the people, it is not aur-
piisinjr that, under officers who had risen to command simply by the
iorce of their own merits, the French armies should have been every-
where successful.
i w5P. ' What of the allien.? 2. What of the French? 3. What of Dumouriez 1
m.,^ie7? Twhn ?//''"'^^'^rf • ''■ ^hat their auccesa? What SecamT." Du-
Zle7 The J2^nl"^™??"'^'.?"r"'"*"- ^•'^^ «*■ ^he feeling of the Frencl
^ Wh.;, JhoI^!?? vJh "'"'' ''"^ '^'-^ *." ■ ^- The con-equences of thei. ^p>i|-
Whal of Holland ? When wad i«ace made with Pruasia a d Spain '
298
THE KEIGN OF TEKKOK— 1793.
N A POLECN Bt >N A P.\ K I'h
299
9. Before the end of 1794, all Hollaiid was conquered, and re-
mained from this time until the close of the wars of the revolution
dependent upon France. In 1795, Prussia and Spain were glad to
make peace, the latter ceding to France some territories in the West
Indies in exchange for that which France had conquered in Europe.
CHAPTEK CLXXXV.
The Reign of Terror.
Rnhespitrrt and Danton.
1. From the time of the kin«r's death the Jacobin party obtained
ft complete ascendency in the Convention. At the head of this party
was Robespierre, who, huvinu (rot rid of his rivals, was now the
ruler of France. The period durinjj which he controlled the gov-
ernment of France has been called the Reign of Terror.
2. A tribunal was established, which condemned to death all who
m any way incurred his displeasure. T^e guillotine could despatch
but one victim at a time ; other and mor^ cruel methods were resort-
ed to to gratify his love of bloodshed.
3. At the commencement of the revolution he was a lawyer in
Paris, with little prospect of ever rising to eminence in his profes-
sion. But a new career was then opened to him. Exceeding his
fellows of the Jacobin party in cruelty, he very naturally became theii
leader. There was nothing in his personal appearance which indi
•jaled his disposition.
'
i. During ilie most sanguinary period of his reign hb was distin-
guished by the delicate and affected fastidiousness of his dress. A
muslin waistcoat, lined with rose-colored silk, and a coat of the soft-
est blue, was the favorite costume of this monster ; who, inaccessible
to every feeling of humanity, still submitted Xo fashion, which, ujkIci
every form of government, has been thf tyrant of France.
5. Th« nH.i.^iircs which Robespierre adopted to secure his power,
pnived tl".* mr.u.> of his destruction. To gel rid of dangerous rivals,
he cauwd the ii 'st intluential men of the Jacol)in party to be brouojii
before the revol iiionary tribunal, and execution was sure to follow.
It w:is uncertain who might be tin' next victim ; the survivinn
members of the Convention iniiled in defence of their common safety
On the 28Ui of July, 1794, Robespierre was made prisoner, and on
the next day he was executed. The news of his death was received
with joy throughout F'rance, and indeed throughout the civilized
world.
7. Whilst the great mass of the French people had quietly sub-
mitted to the government of the Convention, or those who ruled in
its name, there had been attempts at resistance made in some places
by the friends of liberty ; in others, by the partisans of the king.
8. But all such opposition was speedily put down by the troops
of the Convention, whose victories over their fellow-citizens were
always followed by the most inhuman cruelties. All who resisted the
Convention were declared to be traitors to their country, and to he
entitled to no mercy.
9. Among the disaff'ected was the city of Toulon, which surren
dered to an English force, upon condition that it should be held for
Louis XVII. An army of the Convention soon appeared before its
walls. The cannon of the besiegers were directed by one, who was
destined to act a most prominent part in the affairs of the world.
This was Napcr-eon Bonaparte.
CHAPTER CLXXXVI.
Napoleon Bonaparte.
1. Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio, in (Jorsica, August
15th, 1769. His father was a lawyer of much ability, and his mother
was a woman of great firmness, as well as one of the handsomest
women in the island. He was named after some old saint, so obscure
that his namesake never knew which day he was to celebrate as the
festival of his patron.
2. While yet a lad, the bishop one day questioning him about
this, he smartly replied, that there were a great many saints, and
CLXXXV. — 1. What of the Jac
'ailed ? 3. Who was Rol^.spicrre "^
^\\\sl Who was their leader? What is this periu.
t What of his |)ersoaat appearance? 5 Wh*i ■•»
...» Tieasiires? 6. What liticaine of him? 7. Was there any reaisuince to i<ie Conven-
iin.,? ^. How was it put down ? 9. What of Toulon? Who was distin^iished there ?
nA'\XVl. — l. Where was Bonaparte born? When? For » horn named ? 2. What
KiA ii -i if.Dlv '• I he itishop ? What wa.s the compliment of the Pope? 3. What of hi*
.^00
.% A POL KON RON A PA RTF..
NAPOLEON BONAPAKTK.
:m
only ihiee hundred and sixty-five days to divide amongst them. The
politeness of the Pope, alter Napoleon hecanie powerful, promoted
the patron saint in compliment to the {rod-child, and St. Napcleon
D* IJrsins was accommodated with a festival.
Nopt'leoii fio/hipfirt' .
3. In hischildlutod Najmleon did no inoir mischief than other hoy>».
II IS abilities attract»'d the notice of Marlxeut', the French jrovernoi
of the island, who procured for him admittance into the royal niilitarv
school at Hricnnc, at which lads were (iducated lor enj^ineers and
officers of artillery.
4. Napideon appliiul himself most closely to study. The instruc-
tors, who were recpiired to make reports to government, spoke whh
admiration of his talents, and of his industry, and of course he made
great progress in his studies. His favorite^ studies were mathemat-
ics, and those sciences which were connected with his piofession of
a soldier.
5. His amusements all took the same direction. His little garden
♦v'as turned into a fortified camp, which no one was permitted to in-
vade. In winter, with the aid of his school-fellows, acting uikIct
his orders, he constructed snow forts, with a skill and knowledge
which gained great cri'dit for the youthful engineer.
0. So great was his profnriency in his studies, that, at the unusu
ally early age cf fonrtcen years, he was selected to be sent to the
.•idlege at Paris. Here he attracte»l the same notice as at Hneinie
iud was adnntted to the best literary society of that capita..
7. At the age of sixteen he was made a lieutenant in the army.
•hiUlhood ? What achcKtl was tie sent lo? 4. What nf tiis progress in sliidy ' Wlii'
d he prefe"? 5. Wtuit of his amuseincnls ? 6. Wtiat lienor was paid him fur »»•
!
«
A
i
Hitherto he had led a studious and retired life; but now he vion
a'ore into society, and exhibited his wondert'ul powers of pleasing all
those upon whom he chose to exert them. His handsome and intelli-
gent features, with his active, though slight figure, gave him great
advantajjes. His manners made \ip in sj>irit and energy what thev
wanted in grace and polish.
8. He became an adventurer for the honors of literature, also,
lud gained the prize olfered by the Aca«lemy of Lyons for the best
essay on a ipiestion which they proposed. At the outset of the
revdlution he advocated so heartily the principles of liberty, as to
i-vcite the indignation of his brother officers, and, in conseq"ence, he
withdrew himself from their society, and retired to Corsica, where
he devoted himself with renewed ardor to study.
9. Almost enclosed by the wild olive, the cactus, the clematis,
and the almond tree, is a very singular and isolated granite rock
Heneath it are still to be seen the ruins of a small summer-house,
he entrance to which is almost closed by a luxuriant fig-tree. This
was his favorite retreat, and it yet bears the name of Napoleon's
grotto.
10. The active spirit of Napoleon would not permit him to remain
long in .seclusion, and he returned to Paris. The revolution had
opened to all the path to the highest honors in the state. Noble
birth, though unaccompanied by a single good or noble quality, was
no longer a passp(jrt to office.
11. The notes which the inspectors of the military school alwayb
preserve concerning the scholars, described Napoleon as a lad of the
grtxitest genius and industry ; and to the ch;iracter which he had thus
acquiretl at school he was indebted for the promotion to the rank of
general, and the command of the artillery before Toulon.
12. The Convention, by means of committees, assumed to direct
all military operations. There was such a committee with the army
at Toukm. I'he deputies did not make their appearance on the field
until three hours after the battle was won ; but in the report they
talk largely of their own exploits, and forget to mention so much as
the name of Bonaparte, to whom the victory was entirely to be as-
cribed. ,
13. Rut the praises which were suppressed by the deputies, were
loudly proclaiiiied by the army. He was placed at the head of the
list of tho.se recommended by the commander-in-chief for promotion,
with the ■rointed addition, that, if neglected, he would be sure to
force his own way.
14. The downfall of Robespierre threatened to involve Bonaparte
in its consequences, for he was supposed to be strongly attached to
his party. He was removed from his command, and no attentior
was paid to his repeated requests for employment. His fortunes
,)ri.)rtcici'.cy ? 7. Where did he go from schixil? What were his manners and ap,)eai
ance ? 8. What of his talents for lilerainreV What of his jwlilical principles? U
What of his grotto 1 iO. What ctiange liad the revolution made ? it. To what did hf
owe his promotion? 12. What v w the conduct of the deputies at Toulon ? 13 Wha;
lid llio general say of him ? I What danger threatened Bona[nrte ' VVii;» <i«i h*
wi«ii to do 1
26
.^00
.NAPOKKOX noXAPARTF.
only chiee himdrpd aiwl sixty-fivo days to <livide amongst them. Tbt
politeness ot" the Pope, alter Xapoleon heeanie powerful, promotid
the patron saint in compliiii«iit to ilic ^r,,(|-child, aiui St. NapcKoii
Da IJrsins was accouuuodated with a ri'>tival.
•^^;->»ira;^
NdJ'"!' oil Iniihipdi I' .
3. In hisehildhood Nap<deon did no iiioic niisehiet than other hoys.
II IS ahiliti«'s attraeltMl tiic noticr of Marhonil'. the Freneh governoi
»»f tlu^ island, who pr<»eured f(»r hiui adinittanee inti> tiie ntyal military
sehool at I5ri<nne. at whieh lads were ("diUMted f«»r eiiLlineers and
ortieers of artillery.
4. Napolinn applied hiinsidf most closely to study. The instruc-
l«»rs, who w»Me rtvpiired to make reports to government, spoke with
admiration of his talents, and of his imlustry, and of conrso he madt-
great progress in his stndii's. Ifis favorite studies were matht-mat-
ies, and those seieiicfs whieh were connected with his piofc^sion of
a soldier.
i>. His amusements all io«dv the same direction. His little ganlen
vvas turned into a fortified camp, which no one was permitted to in-
vade. In winter, with the aid of his seho<d-fellows, acting uiuler
his orders, he constnieled snow torts, with a skill and knowledge
which gaini'd great credit lor tin- vouthlul engineer.
(>. So great was his proficiein'V in his studies, that, at the umisu
ally <'arly age of fourteen years, he was selected t«> he sent to tin
>."oliegc at Pans. Iler^^' he attracted the same notice as at Hrienne
ind was ujlmitted to the hesl literary society of that ca[)ita..
7. At the age of sixteen he was made a lieutenant m liie arn»v.
.hihlluuHl? W hilt school \va.s lie :;0 111 tti? 4. What cf liis proL'n-ss iii iJliidy ' Wha'
d he prefe-7 5. Wivil of his ainusoineuts .^ (i. What honor waa piid him tur ^'•
\AP0M:< >\ BO\APAI{ TK.
30i
Hitherto he had led a studious and retired life; hut now he won
ti'ore into society, and exhihited his wonderful powers of pleasing all
I'lose upcui whom he ehost; to ex«Tl them. His handsome and intelli-
gent features, with his active, though slight itgure, gave him great
advant^iixes. His manners made »ip in spirit and energy what thev
wanted in grae(^ and polish.
'^. He hecamt^ an adventurer tor the honors o!' literature, al.so,
lud ijained the jirize «>tlered hy the Academy of Lyitiis tor the Ix^st
c.s.sav on a <piestion whieh they |»roposed. At the outset of the
rev<'lution lie advocated s<i heartily the priuci[)les of" liherty, as to
'•\(.'ite the indignation of his hrother olfieers, and, in consequence, he
withdrew himself tVom their society, and retired to Corsica, where
he devoted himself with renewed anlor to study.
'.'. .\lmost enclosed hy the wild olive, the cactus, the clematis,
and the almond tree, is a very singular and isolated granite rock
Beneath it are still to he seen the ruins of a small summer-house,
he entrance to which is almost closed hy a luxuriant fig-trcc. Thia
was his favorite n^treat, and it yet hears tin; name of Napoleon's
i^rotto.
10. The active spirit of Napoleon would not permit him to remain
long in .seclusion, and he returned to Paris. The revolution had
opened to all the path to tin; highest honors in the state. Nohle
hirth, though unaceom|)anied hy a single good or nohle quality, was
no longer a passp(nt to office.
11. The notes which tlu? inspectors of the military seho<d always
preserve concerning the scludars, descrihed Nap(d(M»n as a lad of the
gn^^itest jrenius and industry ; and to th<' character which he had thus
accpiired at scho<»l he was indehted for the promotion to the rank «)l
general, and the' comm;md of the artillery hefore Toulon.
1"J. The Convention, hy means of connnittt'cs, assumed to direct
all military operations. There was such a committee with the army
at TouK»n. 'I'he dejiuties did not make their appearance on the field
until three hours after the hattle was won ; hut in the report they
talk kirgely of their own exploits, and forget to mention so much as
the name of Jionaparte, to whom the victory was entirely to he as-
crihcd.
\^. lint the ju'aises which were suppressed hy the deputies, were
loudly proclaiiiied hy the* army. He was placed at the head of the
list of lho.se recommended hy the- commander-in-chief for promotion,
with the rointed addition, that, if neirlectf.'d, \w. would l)e sure, to
force his own way.
11. The downfall of Hohes}>ierre threattnied to involve iJoujj)arte
in its eonsequ(;iices, for he was supposed to he strongly attached to
his party. H(^ was removed from his connnand, and no attenlior
was paid to his repeated reciuests for employment. His fortunea
,)ri)tkic.icy ? 7. Wiiere (hd ho iru from scliool ' VVliii were liis manners aiid ai.,)eai
ance ? '^. What of his talents Tt literature'/ Wliat nf lijs |Ktiiliral principles? U
What of his erolio 1 i'l. WJi il tliani.'t; had the revulciion made ? 11. To what did hf
nwe his promotion? 12. What v is the conduct of the deputies at TtMiImi 7 i:) VVha-
lid ihe general say of him? I What danger threatened Rnnri;n!ic ' Win 'i" >»•
wibii to do ?
26
•J02
THE REPUBLIC. - 17«J5.
were now at the lowest ebb. He was destitute of money and friend*
and so disgusted was he with the treatment he received, that he ap
plied for permission to enter the service of tlie Sultan of Turkey.
CHAPTER CLXXXVII.
Bonaparte selected for a difficult Service. — His Success, ard
its Reward. — His Marriage.
1. The Convention had become hateful, if not contemptible, by
yieldinjr so submissively to be the tool of Robespierre. Its authority
was resisted in Paris, and the personal safety of the members was in
danger. A hirfje body of troops in that city remained faithful to
their orders ; but everythiiin: depended upon the leader.
2. A man of the greatest firmness and decision, and at the same
Ume having the greatest skill in influencing others, was required.
The utmost anxiety prevailed ; for such a man is not easily found.
It was then that a few words from Barras, one of the members, de-
cided the fate of Europe for twenty years. " I have the man,"'said
he, " whom you want ; a little Corsican officer, who will not stand
upon ceremony."
3. Bonaparte was sent for, and gave his opinion as to the best mode
of putting down the insurgents. It was satisfactory to all. He was
placed at the head of the forces. The insurgents made an attack
upon the luileries, which was now occupied by the Convention bu*
were repulsed with great slaughter, and before night all open resist-
ance to the Convention was at an end.
4. This service was rewarded by the command of the army
statimied about Paris, called " the Army of the Interior." This was
a difficult post. I'he scarcity of bread, and other causes, would
sometimes produce riots, which the General of the Interior was
called upon to oppose with the military force. On one occasion,
when Bonaparte was anxiously admonishing the crowd to disperse a
very stout woman exhorted them to keepnheir ground. '
5. "Never mind these coxcombs with the epaulettes," said she •
ihey do not care if we are all starved, so they themselves feed and
get tat. — " Look at me, good noman," said Bonaparte, who was as
Uiin as a shadow, " and tell me which is the fatter of us two "
Ihis turned the laugh against the woman, and the mob dispersed in
good humor. Ihis, if it be not the most celebrated of Napoleon's
victories, is worthy of record, as achieved at the least cost
6. A fine boy, about ten years old, presented himself to the fron-
eral, with a request unusually interesting. He said that his name
was l^ugene Beauharnois, son of Count de Beauharnois, who, although
CLXXXVII. — I. What was the feelm? towards the Convention f Who were failhfu,
i- t ..... What wa3 wanting? Who snpplietl the want? 3. What of iLnap^ifi^
... I.'ici I Ifow was ,1 rewarded ? What of the dillir„ltie.s of his offiro' ." iSa''
THE KEPUBLIC. — 1796
303
ae had fonght bravely for the Republic, had incurred the displeasure
of Robespierre, and had been put to death only four days before the
fall of that tyrant.
7. Eugene was come to ask that his father's sword might be
restored tt> him. The nature of the re(iuest, and engaging manners
of the child, (,'xcited the interest of Napoleon. This led to an ac-
quaintance witli the mother. The beauty of her person, the grace
of her manners, her amiable disposition and inexhaustible fund of
good humor, won the heart of the general, and in March, 1790, they
were married.
8. Josephine, such was her name, acijuired great influence over
her husband, and sh was always found a willing, and often a suc-
cessful advocate in the cause of humanity. She had at all times the
art of iniligatisg his anger, not against herself, for I do not know
that he was ever angry with her. This she did, not by directly
opposing, but by gradually disarming it.
CHAPTER CLXXXVII!.
Another Change in the Constitution of Goveimment. — Com
menjcement of the Campaign in Italy.
1. The National Convention, in whose name so much crime had
been committed, terminated its disgraceful career October 27th, 1795.
A new constitution was now to be tried. In its external form it bore
some resemblance to that of the United States.
2. The legislature consisted of two bodies. One, called " the
Council of Ancients,'' corresponded to our own senate, whilst " tlif.
Council of Five Hundred'''' answered to our house of representatives.
Instead of one president, the executive power was entrusted to five
persons, called " the Directory.'''
3. In the spring of 1796 three great armies took the field. Two,
which were to act in Germany, were under the command of Generals
Moreau and .Tourdan. These were not so successful as the armies
of the republic had hitherto been ; the Archduke ('harles of Austria
compelled them to retreat ; — and the manner m which Moreau
effijcted this gained for him great credit.
4. Bonaparte was appointed to the command of the third army,
and was sent to conquer Italy. Hitherto, others had the credit of
that which he b'ju performed ; but now the praise or the blame would
be his own. The old Austrian generals had little dread of a com-
mander, who, compared in age with themselves, was a mere boy, and
of whose name or family they had never before heard.
■.he ancctJote ahout the stout woman. 6. What of Eueene Beauharnoia ? 7. What wa*
his request ? To what did it lead ? What of his mother? 8. What of her influence?
CLXXXV'III. — 1. When was the National Convention dissolved? What did the new
institution reMPible ? 2. What of the legislature ? What of the executive ? 3. How
Riany armies in 796 ? What the success in Oermany • 1. Who commanded the thi*'
304
THE REPUBLIC — I7y/.
5. But ihey were not on that account the less careful. Thej
posted their troops on the steep hills and precipices of the Alps, to
prevent the French from crossing these mountains, as tney must do
before they could enter Italy.
6. The hostile armies met at Monte Notte on the ISth of April,
1796, and Bonaparte trained the first of a scries of victories which
continued, almost without interruption, for a long course of years.
7. Afterwards, when Napoleon had reached to the height of
power and fame, flattery endeavored to trace the name which he had
made famous into renu>te ages, and researches were made into an-
cient records, to discover that there was one Bonaparte who had
written a hook, — that a female of the name had heen the mother of
a pope.
8. Napoleon justly considered such clai/ns to distinction as un-
worthy of his notice. To a person who made a merit of deducing
his descent from some ancient line of Gothic princes, he caused reply
to be made, that he dated his patent of nobility from the battle cf
Monte Notte.
CHAPTER CLXXXIX.
The Ttaliurt Campaign rnnlinued. — Battle of Lodi. — Taking
nf Areola. — Bonaparte saved hy his Grenadiers.
1. It would takn too lotiir to give you an account of the various
victories, which, following one another in rapid succession, placed
the greater part of Italy in subjection to France. The most cele-
brated achievement was the passage of the bridge over the river
Adda, at Lodi.
2. This bridge was defended by a strong body of Austrians, who,
with twenty or thirty pieces of cannon, threatened with certain death
all who should be hardy enough to attempt to cross it. Exposing
hiinsclf to the most imminent perils, Napoleon in person directed the
position of the cannon which were to sujjport the troops destined to
make the desperate attempt.
3. The Austrians, disheartened by a long series of defeats, could
iiot sustain the attack of the French, inspirited by a long course ol
victory, and led on by otficers who afterwards became almost as
famous as their general.
4. The French soldiers had a mode of amusing themselves, bv
•jonferring an imaginary rank upon their generals when they had
performed some remarkable exploit. They showed their sense of
the bravery displayed by Bonaparte at the battle of Lodi by creating
him a Corporal ; and by this phrase, of the Little Corporal, he was
7 VVhiiher sent ? Whal of the age of llie general ? fi. Where did ihey meet the
!!.L,.X1'^" ^ '^' ^- ^^^^ was Bot>!i|»arte's opinion of hcrediury honors ?
army ?
•nemy? W uen .• /, o. wnai was i5ot>a]»arte's opinion of hcrediury
CLXXAIA - 1 Whal is siiid of the victoriea in Italy? 2, X What of ihe lxnt:ft or
THE REPUBLIC — 1 37.
3(M
aftei wards distinguished in the intrigues carried on both in his tavoi
and against him.
5 Throughout the whole campaign, Bonaparte fearlessly exposed
his own person, where an important object was to be gained. It will
be sufficient to mention one of these occasions. The village of Ar-
eola was in possession of the Austrians, and it was essential to
Bonaparte's operations that he should take it from them.
H. It could only be approached by a long narrow^ causeway, which
traversed the marshes that surround the town. The Austrian troops
were posted-so as to defend this passage. They received the French
with so heavy a fire that they fell back in disorder. The chosen
grenadiers rushed forward, but they too were driven back.
7. Areola must be taken, but the fire continued to be tremendous.
At length, to animate his soldiers to a final exertion, Bonaparte
caught a standard, and rushing on to the bridge at the end of the
causeway, planted it there with his own hands.
S. At this moment a fresh body of Austrians arrived, and the fire
blazed more destructively than ever. The French column gave way,
but, still careful of their general, bore him back in their arms through
the dead and dyinir, the fire and the smoke. In the confusion he was
at length nushed into th;' marsh.
0. The Austrians were already betwixt him and his own troops
and he must have perished or been taken, liad not the grenadiers per
ceived his danger. The cry instantly arose, " Forward, forward I —
save the general !" Tlieir love to Bonaparte's person did more than
even his commands and example had been able to accomplish. They
returned to the charge, and the Austrians were driven from the
town !
CHAPTER CXC.
More about Napoleon Bonaparte.
1. Many generals have been indebted for their success to a fortu-
nate accident, or to the valor of their troops, and a victory has caused
them almost as much embarrassment as a defeat. But Bonaparte
attained all his t)bjects by the very means he proposed, and the suc-
cess was improved to the utmost.
2 His irenius had devised new methods of conducting a battle,
itid tne rnpidity of his movements quite disconcerted the old generals,
who thought that defeat must certainly follow any deviation from the
old established principles. Soon after the battle of Lodi, Bonaparte
•lad some conversation with an old Hungarian officer, made prisoner
in one of the actions.
5.
What of Bonaparte's conra.ic ? C
Lodi V 4. Whence the title " Little Corponl ? "
7, 8. 9. W'.iat of the attack on Areola ?
f'Xr:. — 1. What of Bonaparte's plans? 2 What was the opinion of the old ijtjueraiii
26*
hit
#1
m
lf)6
THE REPUBLIC. - 17y:
THE REPUBLIC. - 1797
307
3 The omctT did not know the general, and loniplained vert
much of his method of gaining victories. " Things.'' said he, *' are
ping on very hadly : the French have got a >^)ung general whc
knows nothing of the regular rules of war ; he is sometimes in our
front, sometimes on our rear, sometimes on the flank : there is no
'supporting such a gross violation of rules.'-
4. Con.scious of his own superior ability, Bonaparte did not hesi-
tate to acknowlt'dire merit wherever it existed. He was anxious to
procure for those officers who dislinsruishcd themselves the rewards
which their services entitled them to. In all his despatches he urcres
the promotion of his brethren in arms. ^
5. This conduct was not only just and generous, hut also highh
politic. VVt're hi.s recommendations successful, the general had the
gratitude due for the Ix-ncflt ; and wen^ they not attended to, thanks
equally belonged to him for his good wis^ln's.
6. One of the conditions upon which peace was granted to the
several states of Italy, was the surren<ler of those works of art, the
paintings and statues, which had for so loui? a period been the admi-
ration of the civilized world. These were sent to Paris, and the
national vanity was not a little gratified by this novel species of
tribute.
7. At the same time, Bonaparte treated with the greatest honoi
all who were distinguished for their literary and scientific attain
ments. In a letter addressed publicly to Oriani, a celebrated astrono
iner, he assures him that all men of genius, all who had distinguished
themselves m the republic of letters, were to be accounted "natives
of Trance.
8. " The French people," .said he, " have more pride in enrolling
among their citizens a skilful mathematician, a painter of reputation,
a man eminent in any class of literature, than in adding to their ter*
ritories a large and wealthy city."
CHAPTEf^ CXCI.
Conclusion of the Italian War. — Treaty of Leoben.
1. The eyes of all Eun.pe were now riveted on Napoleon Bona-
parte. He, who a tew months before had been seeking rather for
subsistence than expecting honorable distinction, had become the
.error of empires and the founder of states. Such sudden elevations
have occasionally Kippened amid barbarous people, but were hitherto
unheard of in civilized Europe.
i vvh^J "^ t^'e Hungarian officer? 4. What of Bonaparte's conduct to his officer..
CXCI - I. What is said of fie rise of Napoleon ? 2. VV»m of the means 1 3. H hal
'J. The means which had raised him were equally competent to
make good his greatness. He had infused into the armies which he
commanded the firmest reliance on his genius, and the greatest love
for his person ; so that he could always find agents ready to execute
nis most difficult commands.
3. He had even inspired his troops with a portion of his own inde-
fatigable exertion and commanding intelligence. Under his training
tliey seemed to become the very men he wanted, and to forget, in the
excitation of war and the hope of victory, even the feelings of weari-
ness and exhaustion. When practising the long and severe marches
which were part of his system, be would cheer them by saying. " I
would rather gain victory at the expense of your legs, than at the
price of your blood."
4. Having destroyed five Austrian armies, which in succession had
been sent against him, and reduced Italy to a state of complete sub-
jection to the French republic, Bonaparte now directed his course
towards (fcrmany.
5. The successes of the Archduke (^harles upon the Rhine, and his
high credit with the soldiers, st^enuMJ to point him out as the most fit
person to oppose to the young general of f^ ranee. The opinions of
FiUrope were divided as to the issue of the contest.
f). But the result did not long remain a matter of doubt. In the
space of scarce twenty days Bonaparte defeated the Austrians in ten
combats, in the course of whicii the archduke lost at least one fourth
of his army, and was compelled to retreat, leaving the way to Vien-
na, the capital of Austria, open to the enemy.
7. Bonaparte j)r<»posed to the archduke to make peace, omi-rinii
him very favorable terms. But this was declined by the archduke,
who began a hasty retreat towards Vienna, determined to collect th"
last strength of the empire, and fiffht for the existence, it might be
of his brother's throne, under the walls of his capital.
8. But in that capital a very diflferent spirit prevailed. Terror,
grief, and confusion, filled the minds of all classes. Their alarm be-
gan with the court and royal family, who, packing up the most valu-
able property, determined to take refuge in Hungary. Amongst the
fugitives was the Archduchess Maria Louisa, then between five and
six years old, who fled with terror at the approach of that victorious
general, on whom she was destined, at a future period, to bestow her
hand.
9. The cries of the citizens were for peace. The enemy were
within a few day%' march of their walls. The fears of the govern-
ment prevailed, and ambassadors were sent by the emperor to sue for
peace. Bonaparte granted a suspension of arms for five days, which
was afterwards extended, when the probability of a permanent peace
became evident.
10. The preliminaries were signed at Leoben, April 18, 1797
Tlie Austrian ambassador, in hopes to gain some credit by the admi.^
were the fcelinss of his troops? 1. What of his success? 5. Who was sent aiiHinal
him? 6. Wiiat wa^ the result? 7. What did Prince Eugene do? 8. Wh*t. wa.-i lh»
foiling ?». Viei"ia ? '^ What course dul the emperor adopt? 10. Whep* -v*" i"«a'«
f
308
THK KEPURi.I(J.~|7y7
sion, s» .cH, as a concession of consequence, that the enipen r acknowl-
edfred tne existence of the French republic.
11. "Strike out that clause," said Bonaparte, sternly " thf
brench republic is like the sun in heaven. The misfortune lie^
with those who arc so blind as to be i^niorant of the existence a
either."
THE REPUBLIC -1798.
309
Italy. He took a most affecting leave of his soldiers, the compan-
ions of bis earliest success, who witnessed his departure with soi
row. His own position was a perilous one. He returned to Franct.
in a situation which permitted no middle place. He must rise yet
hig^her, or sink forever.
CHAPTER CXCH.
Life at Montchello. — Peace of Campo Farmio.
1 BoNAPARTK now cujoved an interval of repose, which he passed
with his wit.. :.t the palace of Montebello. This palace is situated a
t.'w miles from Milan, on a jiently sloping hill, commandinT an ex-
tensive prospect (d the fertile plains of Lombardv.
2. The ladies of the hipbest rank, as well a^ those celebrated for
beauty and accomplishments, were daily paying their homage to
Josephi.u'. who received them with as much ease and ^race as if she
luul been born for exercisinir the courtesies which devolved upon the
wife of so disliiiyuished a person as Napoleon.
3. NcfTotiaticuis proc(.eded amid cayety and pleasure. The am-
bassadors of Austria, and of other states of Germany, and of the vari-
ous Italian states— the tbronjr of generals— the bustle of important
business, mingled with festive entertainments, balls, and huntin<r-
parties, gave the appearance of a splendid court.
4. It was such, in point of importance. Many states awaited with
anxiety the result of the deliberations; destined to hear from the
voice of Napoleon the terms on which their national existence was to
be prolonged or terminated.
5. Napoleon had now all that the world considers essential to hap-
piness. He was welcomed on every side as the " Deliverer of Italy "
Honor and power were his beyond that of kings. He was in 'the
flower of his youth. Vet he, himself, in after years would frequently
say that the happiest period of his life was when a young officer of
artillery, without m.mey and without any family influence he wan-
dered about Fans to find a cbeaj) place to dine at"!
6 The negotiations were at length broujTht to a close. I'eace was
finally settled by the irvaty of Cnmpo Formio, October 17, 1797
A large part of Italy was formed into a new republic, called the
(isa/pnir h> puhhr \'enice was given up to the Emperor of Austria.
?>oon afterwards Genoa was fbrmed into the Liiryrian Republic
'• ii«":ip^rie had now finished, for the present, his career in
'm^S^.^^S^^'-'^''''^'^ ^"' '^^ ^"•^*^>"" ^"'•«-«^'J-r make? 11. How
iM.Heliello? 4 V\halofthenegolialion3there? 5. What of Napoleon'- life » 6 Wh^r
CHAPTER CXCHI.
Bonaparte's Reception at Paris. — Description of his Appear*
ance at this Time. — A new Expedition.
1. In a city where all is welcome that can vary the tedium of ordi
nary life, the arrival of any remarkable person is a species of hol-
day ; but such an eminent character as Hon;ij)arte was no every-da*
wonder. His yoiilli, too, added to the marvel.
2. Madame de 8tael, ihv dauirhter of Necker, who was herseif
one of the most distinguished persons in the literary world, has de
scribed his general maimer in society at this period. He was one
she tells us, for whom the admiration which could not be refused ti
him, wijs always mingled with a portion of fear,
3. He w:is diflerent in his manner from other men, was neithei
pleased nor angry, kind nor severe, according to the common fashion
He appean^d to live for the execution of his own plans ; and estima-
ted his fellow-mortals no otherwise than as they could be useful tc
him.
4. Though in general reserved and stiff, few could resist the fas-
cination of his maimers when he exerted himself to please. He was
eareless in his dress, and had already adopted the gray great-coat,
buttoned up to his chin, and the little cocked hat — a costume by which
he was to be distinguished almost ever after.
5. The Directory, whose power rested on a very weak foundation,
were anxious to get rid of the presence of a person so dangerous, from
his talents and popularity. 'J'o him, a state of inactivity was irk-
some, and he, therefore, was glad to accept the command of a very
powerful expedition, fitted out for the conquest of Egypt.
0. To this army, a corps of a novel descrij)tion was attached. No
h'ss than one hundred of the men, most distinguished for their knowl-
edge of the arts and sciences, called by the French, .wrr/n.s, were
selected to accompany the expedition, and to explore the treasures of
a land, which, for so many ages, bad been considered the cradle (»f
kriovvicdoe.
7. Everything connected with the ancient republics of Greece and
liome was very much the fashion in France. As the names and
C/.\«'lll I How wa-' llMiiaparie received al Pari.s ? '.>.:{. VVha does Madame de
■tael say ol him? 4. What cf his die.sd .' ;".. How did the Direclo'v --iew him ? What
xpedilir.n wa-^ prii|K>sed ? () What nmv ror|»! wa.s ait.ultc.l to it '. Whil was Faii'
expedition wa-^ pn ,. .
oflh'"* plan of Bonaparte '
:no
KXPKniTION IX) EGYPT. - 179S
KXPEDITION TO KCJVPT IT'.H
311
ilress, so il • illustrations were borrowed from these heathen. In
reference to his union of war and science, some one said, it was as
if Bonaparte desired that the goddess Minerva should marcli at the
head of his expedition, holding in one hand lur dreadful lance, and
with the other introducing the arts and the muses.
CHAPTER CXCIV.
The Expeditimi to Egypt.
1. TriK expedition sailed from Toulon in June, 1798, and, al'lei
lakinor Malta, landed stife at Alexandria, in Egypt. This city oflerni
hut little resistance, and the army soon advanced towards ('airo.
During the niarch they were constantly annoyed by the Mamelukes,
as the troops of the sovereign of Egypt v/er<^ called.
2. The danger did not abate the French love of the ludicrous.
The sarans had been supplied with asses, the common beasts of
burden in Egypt, to transport their persons and apparatus. The gen-
eral had given orders that their i)ersonal safety should be provided
for. As often as the soldiers wore attacked by a numerous body at
once, the French infantry would form themselves into a square, the
sarans being placed for safety in the centre.
3. But as these civilians had little importance in the eyes of the
Ignorant sold.ers, loud shouts of laughter used to burst from the
raniJd, when^th; commander of a drvision called out with niiiirui
precision, '• Let the asses and the sarans enter within tlu^ s|uare."
NnjiolffHi rntering Cairo.
4. The sandy deserts, through which the course of the French lav
appeared covered with Mamelukes, mounted on the finest Arabiaii
lu.rses, armed with pistids and nuiskets—thfeir plumed turbans wavinn
ni the air, and their rich dresses an<l arms glittering in the sun.
Ihttitt uf ike Ptjnimuh. Set p. 312
f).
JXCIV. — I. Wlifu tliti the expedition sail for Ej?ypl ' What of Malta? Whore did
•nny hml in Eirypl' 2 !l What of the sn^tms ' 4 r> What i>f the Mamelnkee 1
1 hey riished on, almost with the rapidity of the wind ; and woe
ic any b renchman who had wandered from his company. Stopping
short, t.r wheeling about at full gall.ip, their retreat was as rapid ai
• neir advance.
■lii
^■f
:no
KXPKmno.N ro EGVFr - 179S
KXPKiuriON ret K(;vPi r.is
311
dress, so il illustnilions were borrowed froni these heathen, in
refereiuT to hi8 union of war and science, some one said, it was as
if IJonapartc desired that the <T(»ddcss Minerva sliould march at the
head of his cx|)editi<in, hoidiiiir in one hand licr (h-eadful huicc, and
«*'ah the oilier inlroducin'^ the arts and tlie muses.
CHAf'I'RR CXCIV.
The Ejpf'diffon to Egypt.
1. 'Vtw. expedition sailed from Touhin in June, ITDH, and, iil'ici
lakinu Malta, hmdcd safe at Aii^xandria, in J'^Liypl. This city ollcrcil
liul litth^ resistance, and the army soon advanced towards Cairo.
DuriiiLT the march they w«T(^ constantly annoyed hy the Mamidnkes,
as the troops »»f the sovereijijn of lvirv|)t v.ere called.
2. n^he danLr«'r ilid not abate tlui French love of tin; ludicnms.
The snnuis had been supplied with asses, the common beasts (d'
burden in lv_rypt, to transjiort their p«'rsons and apparatus. The ijen-
eral had tJ^ivcn orders that tluMr personal satetv should be provitled
for. As ot'ten as the soldiers were attackiMl by a numenuis body al
once, the French infantry would form themselves into a S(piare, the
^ardna [)einu: l)laced for safety in the cj'utre.
3. Hut as these <Mvilians had little iniportance in the eyes of the
Ignorant sidd.j*rs, loud shouts of lau«^ liter used to burst from the
'XCIV. - 1. Wli.'ii iliii the ex|)eililiim sail (iir Kifvpt ' What of Malta? Wlipre did
anny l'\iul III Knvpt •' 2 3 What < if i lie s(,i,ni<' A .'i What "(the Mamelukes?
♦>
rariftd, when^th. commander of a dnismn called oiii with niilirui
prRMsion, '• I^-t the asses and the sarans enter withiti the s|u;nc.'
" I|
Nnjinho'i fvttruiif ( nint.
\ The sandy deserts, through which the course of the French lav
appeared covered with Mamelukes, mounted on the finest Arabiail
hi. rses, armed with pistols and muskets— tludr plumed turbans wavi.,.^
Ill the air, and their rich dresses and arnts flittering in the sun.
'^^"^^
liiitut of the P'jiiuiuds. Si.tp.'.lVl
'>. 'I'liey rushed on. alim.st with the rapidity of the wind ; and woe
i'^ tiny V leiichman who had wandered from his company. Stoppin.^
Mori, «»r wheeling about al full nallop, their retreat was as rapid ai
• heir advance
ii\
r;,:
1 1
-.ii> EXPEDITION TO EGYPT. -ITiW.
0. n,e En»li»l, fleet, under Lord Nelson arrived utAlexan-lm
fleet; with the exception of four vessels, was either taken or dt.
""^T^^ri; , ^,„ „fr fw,m receiving any succors from France, Bo-
hecause it took [ilaco in the neighborliood ol those massy
""■I^From Kc-vpt H.-naparto marched into Palestine, l.nt rcttinuj,!
inu-' i'Z to "-^i ve'b mle to a Turkish army, sent by «ater from C^ -
St ntU^onk His splendid and most deeisivc victory „( Abonkir
gaStly -iiil,. U conclud,.d «ona,«ne-s career u, Eg p. He
was everywhere successtul, except in Acre, a siron lo
"vvhicli, though attacked eleven t"-es --^f^ ^
6y the Turkish and Knglish armies, under Sidney Smith
rti
BONAPARTE FIRST CONSUL. — 1799.
3JH
running many risks of being taken by the English ships, he wa»
landed at Frejus, in Frarce, October 9, 1799.
r
CHAPTER CXCV.
Triuniphal Progress of Bormparte through France.-- Is made
First CoTisui.
•1. The Emperor (rf Germany had been induced to make peace with
t ranee only by his fears. The immediate object of terror was now
removed to a distance. The destruction of the French fleet seemed
to cut ofl^ the return of the victorious general and his formidable
army.
2. The emperor, yielding therefore to the solicitations of Enn-
Kmd, seconded by liberal offers of money, renewed the war. Russia
also took up arms against France. Italy was soon recovered by
the Austrians; and the Russian general, Suwarrow, met with ffreai
success. *»
3. The French, accustomed of lute lo be victorious, could ill bear
these reverses. Discontents arose among the people ; and the Direct-
ory, unpopular before, could with difficulty maintain its authority
A speedy change in the government was plainly necessary.
4. 1 he news of the return of Honaparte was received'as the har-
binger of better times. Th. messenger who carried it to Paris wa.*
received as if he had brought news of a great victory. The simple
statement of the fact ot his arrival in France was received in the
council with shouts of victory.
5. His progress from Frejus to Paris was one of triumph. BelK
were everywhere rung and illuminations made. To the Directory hi^
return was a subject <.f alarm and anxiety, which was ill conceal..!
under an appearance o* joy.
6. Bonaparte now led a very retired life, apparently devotina him-
,?f Upii^r^7Jr"'""^'''^"' infact<K..upied in gaining informati<,:.
of the state ol the country. This he could easily do, % all pa,ii,>
courted his assistance, an<l informed him of all their plans
/. At length the time came for him to act. The legislative co, •,
(• Is held iheir se.si<,ns at St. fMoud, about six miles from Paris. ( ).
the l(),h N<»vemb.r 1799 »onapa*te, accompanied by a large numb •,
»» officers, entered th. hall of the Council <,f Five \iuiu\rel His en
trance occasioned a gre-al tumuli, but the appearance of a Ixidy ol
ir'K.ps ••om|...l »(i ,he members to di.spersi^.
«. The lin.ll result of these decisive measures was to almlisli
*a. th^etfecloniliJFrencM Tw^^^^^^^ With whal ...icces.. / .}. Win.
<«« lhr~ e h Frln.'p7 fi Wh . rY''*^ of Bonaparte's return ? .'5. Wliat of his pp..
cn»i i.,r~,ch h ranee? 6^ What of his nuMle of life 7 7. When did he l«^in t., jr. )
•7
:iV2
KXPKDITION TO EGYPF. - ITi^''
BONAPARTE FIRST CONSUL. - 1799.
3i:i
,, VUe Kn.li.l. fleet, under l.ord Nelson arrived .a Alexai.lm
,i, .,, will, the excq.li..n „f r„ur vessc.ls, was .•.Hum ...ku. ..r d,.
■^"7: Ti.„u.h cu, .n-from receiving .uy f'^'^^^J^Z^!^::^:::,^;:
lu-cause it took plarc in the ueiol.lu.rliuod ot tliosi ma^&y
''T'Fnnn K-npt Hcn.aparte nmrched into Fulrstinc, l.nt retunu.d
i,.'; I^' t w^ • l.!mle lo . Turkish arn.y, s<.nt hy ^vuter Irom (em-
it linn . iT.s s,.ln,did and ,nost decisive victory *>^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^S^^^ '^^^ t>.^tlu 17UU, cM.nelnd.'d lionaparle's career m K?>P • U.
p.iniea .1...} >-.mii. , ,^,,.,.,,t ;,, Kcro a stroin'" town on ine
,vas evcrvvvhen' sueeesstul, except " . ^^'J^' "-/"y';'"
eoast, xvhich, thon,rh attacked eleven ^"^f ' ^^^^^^l^ '^^
6y ih .Turkish an.l Kn-lish armies, under Sidney bmith
^.■^tf^m^^
Sn ••' ''I •'''
v.iiV l.ini a few ..f liis favorite and nio^t attdtlud oinctr..
fuimin«r many risks of being: taken by the English yhips, he wa»
landed at Frejus, in France, October 9, 1799.
CHAPTER CXCV.
Triumphal Progress of Boiiajxirte through Frame. - - Is made
First Consul.
•1. Thk Kin[)rr(»r ot ricnnanv ha<l btM'ii induced to make peace with
V ranee only by his fears. The immediate object of terror was now
removed to a distaiuv. The destruction of the French fleet seemed
t(» cut oir the return of th(> victorious rreueral and liis formidable
army.
2 The emp(^ror, yiehliii<r therefore to the sidicitations of Enn-
l.ind, seconded by liberal olFers of money, renewed the war. Russia
also took up arms airainst France. Italv was soon recovered bv
the Austnans; :ind the Kussian ireneral, Suwarrow, met with trreat
sucrcess. ^
.'?. The French, accustomed (.f late lo be victorious, could ill bear
these reverses. Hiscontents arose amon^r the people ; and the Direct-
ory, unpopniar b,;fori^ could with dimcuJtv maintain its authority
A speedy change m the irov.Mnm.Mit w:ls plainly necessary.
I. 1 he news of the return of Honaparte was received'as the bar-
hinirer of betj^i^r time.s. Ph • mcssencrer who carried it to Paris wa^
received as if he had broujiht news of a irreat victory. 'I'he simnle
statement <,f the fact <,f his arrival in France wa.s deceived in the
council with shouts of victory.
5. His proffress fr(Mn Frejus to Paris was one of triumph. Hellv
were everywhere runjr and ilhiminations made. To the Directory hi^
return was a subject ..f alarm and anxiety, which was ill concealed
under an appearance o^ joy.
J]'\ ^^;'"*'''=^'"' ""^v •'"'« /t v«;ry retired life, apparently devoiinir him-
s. I to literary p.irsmts, but in fact occupied in ffainini? informalio.
of the state ol the country. This he conhi easily do, as all parti, .
courted his assistance, and informal him of all their plans
/. At lenirth the time came for him to act. The legislative eo, •,
eils held th.Mr s;>:.s,o,.s at St. Clond, about six miles from Pans. ( ):,
Ihe loth N<,vemb.r IT9«», Honapatfe, aceompanied by a large' n.m.b -.
of officers, entere( th^ hall of the (Council of Five Ilundre.r. H,s en
ranee oeeasione.l a great tumult, but the appearance of a body ol
tr'Mips enni;. 1 .,1 the members to disperse.
H. Thr linal result of ih.'se decisiv(; mea.snres was to abolish
^ ..hhnrue? ^ What ..f his m.-mIh ..f life / 7. When .li.l h,. U-i„ t.. j,-, )
•7
314
PASSAGE OVER THE ALPS - 1800.
the J)irectory, and to vest the executive power in three officers calleo
Consuls, of whom one, called the. First Consuly had the chief author
ity. Bonaparte, Sieyes, and Ducos were appointed consuls, leaving
it to themselves to decide who should he First Consul.
9. Sieyes was an ecclesiastic of great talents and ambition, and
had advocated a chano^e of government to place himself at the head
of affairs. He hoped that Bonaparte would he content with the
direction of all military matters, and would leave to him the conduct
of civil affairs,
10. He had reckoned on the vote of Ducos for giving him the
place of First Consul. But the first meeting of the consuls unde-
ceived him in both respects. "General," said Ducos, "the first
place belongs to you as a matter of right." Bonaparte took it as a
thing of course.
11. In the course of their deliberations, he expressed distinctly
and supported firmly his opinions upon politics and finance, religion
and laws. Sieyes saw at once that his hopes were at an end. On
his return home, he said to the statesmen with whom he usually
acted, " Gentlemen, give yourselves no further concern about the
affairs of state ; you have a master — Bonaparte can and will manage
all at his own pleasure."
PASSAGE OVER TFIK ALPS. - 18(J0
315
CHAPTER CXCVl.
The Passage over Maiint St. Bernard.
1. One of the fii»l acts of the First Consul was to propose peace
to Austria and England. It was declined by both powers. The
proposal was made to England in a letter written by Bonaparte di-
rectly to King George III., and not by means of ministers, as corre-
spondence between two governments is usually conducted.
2. The command of the French army in Germanv was given to
Moreau ; that of Italy, Bonaparte reserved for himself. On the (»th
of May, 1800, he left Paris to place himself at the head of an army
of sixty thousand men, which had been assembled with great secrecy
in Switzerland.
3. For the execution of his plans, it was necessary tbat thif? larf^r
army, with its cannon, its ammunition, and its baggage, shou d march
over the highest chain of mouiiUiins in Europe, by a path scraictdy
wide enough for a goat. An officer of engineers was sent to survey
Mount Bernard, a summit of the Alps.
4. With great difficulty he Jiscended to the top, and then returned
*4» make hi§ r«pprt to the First Consul. " Is the route practicable. ?"
What (lid. he do? S. What was ihe new form of government' 'J. What o/ >;jeve8l
10. Who Iwcifti.t! First ' oiisui / 11. Wha«. of Bonaparte ?
CXCVI. — 1 What wa-s one of the first acts <»f the First Con.siil ? F'.ie .-csult ? Hof»
wa it done? 2. Who coiuniandeil the French armies? When diil B iparte leave Pari«1
wid Bonaparte. '< It is barely possible to pass," ren/ied the Pn»,
neer. " Let u. forward, then," Vaid Napoleon a^d'^the extraord
uary march wat commenced. exiraordi-
5 On the 15ih of May, Bonaparte, at the head of the main hod.
of the army, marched from Lausanne to the little vilWe of St Pierre^
which point everything resembling a road endedL An immeni
ir::nte:S ~^~^ i.sheadam„n«geTerS
(i Precipices, ravines, and a boundless extent of snows which a
breath of air might cause to roll down the sides of the rnourte „ i*
masses capable of burying armies in their descent, seemed to forbd
access to all living things but the chamois, a species of goat
7- But these had no terrors for the First Consul and his army
The cannon were placed in the trunks of trees hollowed ou forTh.:
purpose Each was dragged by a hundred men The carriages
manner. ammunition was transported in the same
8. While one half of the soldiers were thus engaged, the others
were obliged to carry the muskets, cartridge-boxelVkna^ks S
proyis-ons of their ccmrades, as well as their own EacTm^n ^
loaded was estimated to carry from sixty to seventy pounds' wei^h?
^cj precipices where a man entirely uLncumbered'could s^^iy
9. The musical bands played from time to time at the head of the
r«Bimems,and in places of unusual difficulty the drums beat Tchar^e
Itself Probably no tr<K,ps but the French could have endured such
a inarch and no general but Bonaparte would have required H
-irmv U^' ""t alone, excepting his guide, some time after the
army He wore his grey surt.uit and his three-cornered hat In
spite of he weather, which was wet and dismal, he seems to have
preserved his g,«.l-„ature. Shaking the rain-water from h?s ha '
he said, laughingly, to his guide, "There, see what I have done i „'
ZITX:Z~-- '"'''' "" ■"" "•■"• "•'^•«^'^^' I -'" ^«' -'^'-
,l,.ili ^'"" "'" ^"■"'"'•' " """ly "f courageous monks' have fixed iheir
dwelling among the everlasting snows, that they may afford succ lo
Zk^ J'srB''" ","''ff ,''-=«"■•;' vv".tes.'The^yare exiled
1 louks of bt. Bernard. Hitherto the .soldiers had no refreslim™.
sau, „ l„;u they dipp..! a m.,rsel of biscuit an,o„!r.st the snow.
1-. 1 he goijd fathers ol ih.. eouvi^nt, who po.s.s<ss large maeazinet
^oldieTTr' '"'"■"I""''.' -T"' ""' ••'"«^ =""' --^ ""I- of wI^mS
V fii ,1 ** !"'***''•,«■'"«'' "MIS more acceptable, according to on.-
'llr'f'M '''-'' "'"' "'"' '^'■'"-■^ ""= ''="'?"-^' "•»" would have \Z
iV^Jfor^fT'^'M"''''"''^- »• Wliat of the French engineer 7 .'-, When did
•f Ihe .l^iri,. Be^n^aVcn ''IrwlTS^ de^en^.^^ "' '^"^'^"^ ' '' ^^'
**"1
^l
>.'l
316
BATfLK OF MARENGO. — 18(W
PKACE OF AMIENS. - I81I2.
13. The descent on the other side of the mountain was even more
difficult than the ascent had heen. It \v;us, however, accomplished
without any material loss. On the mortiiiifr of the IGtii of May, the
advanced guard of the army took possession of the village of Aosta,
in Piedmont, a country pleasant in itSL-lf, but rendered delightful by
its contrast with the horrors which liad been left behind.
317
CHAPTER CXCVll.
Battles of Marengo and Ihhenlinden. — Peace of Lvne^nUi
and of Amieis.
Battle of Marengo.
1. The appearance of this immense army, drsciMidinir from tJie
Alps by ways hitherto deemed impracticable, seemed liki' ciicbant-
ment to the Austrians. Bonaparte did not allow llicin niucli time to
recover from their surprise. AfttT virions bss-r ciiL'-a^^ciiuMits, on
fhe' nth of June he gained the great l>;itll;; of M ir-'nir<».
2. This decided the fate of Italy. On tbc i>d of July the First
Consul enter 'd Paris, iiaving Ixumi absent 1 'ss tliaii two 'months, in
which short sj)acc of tinu> \w had regained all that tlie French had
lost in Italy during bis absence in Figypt.
3. He now renewed to Austria his oilers of peace. But British
money .igain prevailed, and tlie offer was declined. On the 3d of
December, 1800, the Austrian army was entirely defeated at llohcn-
inden by the French under Moreau.
C'XC nV - ,. What of the bmle of Marer.?o ? 2. What of the First Consul's return ic
fans J V\ hat of Austria? Where was her army again defeated ? When? 4. What
cully wxs at lenirth r.Miim,.,! Ti. . i." i ' '"'^- i'ns ilifli-
■u A,n,e,. h.'^,, ^;l!::: -:,'vcr '• '"•'' "^^ -"^ '^"-^'-'^
an,l'„. 'ecrrelhp'n!"' "''''""' '^"r""" "" "" «^'»''li^hmo„t of or.ler
is 'ptemkT IW) 1. r'''"r "^ ""^ R"vor„me„t. Oa the 18tl, of
of reestaWishiii™ ii.„ f ■ ..1. i- ,. ' "uny airos. i he ceremonv
of KDlmo^inP ''•''■ '■''''"'°" *"* l«rforn.e<l at the H,„rch
fin . ' '" ^^"^.' """'' R™l magnificence.
who h.,1 If P "l ^'^ "■■•^'^ "■'I'"'"'"'' '» preach, bein'ff the v.'rv peS
WI.0 had delivered the sermon upon the coronat on of' Louis X^^T
9. Bonaparte also established the Polytechnic Scl an nstit,,
ion for he education of young men in th, scic-nces: e SHmmo ed"
10 HWso tm"'!"'' ''"""""^'y'"'" »''"scs,a„d corrected them
Tall hirilor; ^„""=''*' ,■•"=««' ind'Tidfres were to be constructed
whidl hrhL&n.rcd''.""'' '''"™'' ^ """' ^""''^ •"" ^'"= "'"^ ^
gre'aVdLus'l^i? ' uf. l^"' P?""^^,'' '"""^ =" ^'"P *'»"'' ^as created
ri.r n jt^ ■, ■ '""'**^'' ''"* soldiers to arrest and brinn- to Paris
!n^ S't^.il^'ter;'"^^ "' '- ""•- "'■ "'-'- "^- -i^-
asil.fiopcs:^ 'H;:!^:jur;;!:;^,:::^em^d'at[.;!::
at "^1.. "Uhe moat of the castle of VinceJines, four mn'sf™™ Paris
■ „ h; 1 . T Se"«™"y believed that the duke was not conceriS
«ne,i,"s aSnr-hf.?lemS".''"™ =" ""^'"^ "^"^'^ "• -™ "»
JfllKrefsublishnentofren.S'^^ Whf ^M".',;' 'I"' ConMllat) 7,8. Wla,
27*
316
HATfLK OF MARK.\GO.-18(Ki
13. Tlie descent on the other side of the mountain wtiS even more
diffKuilt than the :uHi'.('ut liad l»t'en. Jt was, however, tR-couiplished
without any material loss. (Jn the nioruin«r of the IGtIi of May, the
advanced iruard of tiie army took possession of the villajre of Aosta,
in pK'dmont, a country pleasant in itself, but rendered delifjhtful by
its contrast witli tli(.' horrors which had been left behind.
CHAPTKK CXinil.
Battles of Marengo and llohenlindcn. — Peace of LvnevilU
and of Aniieis.
Battle of Mareuof).
1. Thk appe^irance of this inunense armv, desciidinir from trie
Alj»s by ways hitlirrt*) deemed impracticable, seemed li!<^' euebant-
ment to the Anstrians. IJoiniparte did not aMow th-ni miieb lime to
recover from their surpri.-e. Aft-r various less-r enLniiU'ments, on
the I Itli <d" .lune he LTaiti^d the Lncat batll,' of M ir -01:0.
'J. This deeided the fate of Italy. On tli • -Jd of .lulv the First
C'.insul enter d l*aris, havinu^ b;'en abs-nt I ss than two months, m
which short space of linn* he had rciraini'il all thai ibe l-'reneli had
lost in Italy duriiiu his abs;'n<'e in I'lirypt.
3. He n(tw renewed to Austria his oilers of peace. Hut Ikitish
money .liiaiti prevailed, and the oiler was declined. On the 3d of
Decenfner, IS(M), the Austrian army was entirely defeated at Htdicn-
inden by the French umler Moreau.
CXC nj - .. What of the bittl.i of Mareniro; 2. What of th.^ First Consul's return ic
I ana J What of Aiistri;i ^ Whore w.is her finny ag.iiii dofHated' When? 4. Whai
PKACK OF AiMIL.XS.-isni
•m
i YuntMiit, .ind ^^.,j^ sijrned I'ebruarv i)th, ISOl
.>. l.nirland alone remained at war with France Tbe nn.. •
■riiis iiidi.
Millv «:i,s at lc„.r||, rr„un..,l' ' Tl,','. ' iv"." i' ' '"^^^ ' '"■' ''"'-
(>.,„■ rec-iviiiT Jny Co.rs tVn , .- ""'-■,1" ''fVI"''''" "<r
•u A,„i,.,. ,„r.;„ S;,::;^ :;:l'{;:,^:' -- .-- «- ™..h „
a ,, "'^'"''' '" I^''"s, witli Kroat iiKifrnifionoe.
8. Hnimimrt,. a1i,.,Hl,.,l i,, person, will, ,-,11 il,,; ■,o,„„ „,- ., ),„,„
he AreW„.ho|> of Aix was appointed to preaol,, hein'" I, ^ v rv t,o,^^
«no had dolnere, 11,0 s,.,„,o„ „pon ,|,o ,!oro„al„n of I nil^N'r"""
on for ho clncation of yonng ,ne„ in the soienoos. IIo \,^ „„ ,,od"
if -Ms • '!'"■'■'' '"'.''"""''y """ "1»«'«, a,,.! eorrctol 1^
...en 'of Kr' UP r '"'"""7"' ''i^r'""'^ '"^ "'« ""'■■■""' ""I'^ov
T" I his i L^; I! ''• '"'■'f' ••"" ^""^^'' "■'■"■ '" I"' cnstruole
which hcfhadro!*;;'.''"'" ^'""™'' -■' ""■"' "■'""'>• '"■ "'" -""^ •"
«roaVd,t"slln 'Tl' e'"' ''?»''l"r« ">"l< - -'"P "hioh has created
n,n n I I'l , • '' '^■'"■'"''' '"■- ^"'''"■'••^ "• ■"•'■' --I ""'I hri,i.r to Paris
1.;^ a' Had!.,:: •r'(';;;n,;:,;;;r" '' '"- "- " "-' - '"^^ -'^-
lii. lie w;ls .suspected of bein^r conmrted with a olot for thp
ass:u.snKition of ^apoleon. He wa. hastily tried, co, 1. u e a^[.^
.it url, ,, the moat of the cv.stle of A'inceinH.s, limr miles^im"
3. It s now crenerally b.-lieved that the duke was not concerned
excused this sacrifice of D En^hien a.s beinff necessary to warn hi.
«nonnes anrainst thcnr schemes.* '^^♦-^^ary to warn his
^f^^rJ:lj:;^^,'^'';:;U:^!:^^^^^^ the Co„conlat? 7, ^wZl
provements in France? 11 w Ti iw^.'^.f /u"!'"^.' ''M^:;i'^P''*'-l« d"? 1^' What of im
m.
d
/
f ■.
II, 12. 1.3 What of the Duke (rKnshien '
27*
318 NAPOLEON MAJb EMPKROR - I8f4.
CHAPTER CXCVIII.
Napoleon elected Emperor of the French.
1. The office of consul was orifrinally to be neld only rbr a tein
of years. As a mark of their ffratitmle for his services, tl»e Fren \\
now made Bonaparte consul for lite, witli the right of appointinsr his
successor.
2. Tlie possession of al)sohit{' power did not satisfy the ambition
of Bonaparte ; he wished also for some title wliich mig^ht denote it
In 1804 he was nrratified by beiii«r elected emperor. The ceremony
of the coronation wits performed with circumstances of solemnity
which had not been within the [)ower of any prince for many atjes.
3. Pope IjCo, as you will remember, had placed a ^^ojden crown
upon the head of Charlemaj^^ne. It was determined that Pius YIl.
should take part in the coronation of the successor of that monarch.
But Charlemagne had been obliged to go to Rome ; Napoleon re-
solved that the Pope should now come to France to perform the
ceremony.
4. The ceremony took place at the church of Notre Dame, ai
Paris, on the 2d of December, 1804. The emperor took tiie coro-
nation oath as usual on such occasions, repeating it after the Pope.
no doubt, while alyiosl all the testimony that has been since elicited goes to
prove the entire innocence of D'En^jhien. Certain it is ihat the newly estab-
lished peace of France, and of all Europe, was threatened in the person of
Bonaparte His nssassinalion was many times attempted. Heis were made
in London, in January, that the First Consul would not live to see the next
April, A conspiracy was afterwards discovered in Paris, in which fifty per-
sons, some of distinction, were engai^ed. It was also discovered that in these
conspiracies, English money had titen used ; and it was known that the Eng-
lish ministers at Municli and Stulgard were aiding the French emigrants, col-
lected on the frontiers, in their attempts against France. By a combination
of circumstances loo complicated to be detailed here, the duKe. who was re-
siding on the frontier, was helieved to he at the head of the conspirators. He
was arrested hy the French government. At his trial he was accused of hav-
ing l)orne arms against France, and of having offered his services to England;
of having put himself at the head of a bancf of insurgents collected at Baden
and other places, and paid by England, and of having aided in the plots of
that country against the life of the consul. Nothing was proved against him ;
no witnesses were brought forward in support of these allegations. He was
executed the next morning at six o'clock. It is said that a lantern was tied
to his breast to direct the aim of the soldiers. The death of this prince is an
irremovable stain on the character of Napoleon. The excuses mane in his he-
half by his apologists lose their force when we remember thai the duke's gnill
V9S never proved. An example made in the person of an innocent man fails
of elTect U|K)n the real culprits, who are thus Torcibly reminded that justice is
blik'd, and that the guilty esca^wj while the innocent suffer. The duke was a
Bourbon prince, and no doubt felt interested in the rfstoratiou of his family to
Jie throne ; and, probably, if any revolution had I; ken place in the heart of
France, he would nave joined the ranks of the in< irgents. But no evidence
has ever been offered to prove his cooperation in plots which then existed.
CXCVIII. — I. What of the office of consul .' 2. Wha' new honor did Bonapaite do-
•ire? 3. Who assisted at the coronalio; ? 4. When was Naroleon crowned as emperor 1
WAK RENEWED. - 1803.
319
'\
Bu inlhe act of crowning, itself, there was a marked deviaticm froa*
the univ-ersal custom.
5. In all similar solemnities, the crown had lieen placed on the
sovereigti's head by the hijrhest ecclesiastic present, as leprest^nting
the Deity, by whoni princes rule. But not (>ven from the head of
the church would Napoleon receive the symbol of s<»verei«Tntv The
(Town having been blessed by the Pope, Napoleon look it from the
altar, and placed it on his head. He then placed the crown on the
he;id of his empress.
(i. The risalpim; republie was formed into ih(! kingdom of Italy,
of which Na|K)leon was invited to be the sover(>i<r„. "^At Milan on
the 2(;ili of May, 1805, lie placed on his own head the iron crown
s;iid to have been worn by the ancient kings of the Lond)ards.
7. With the crown came back th.; distinction of ranks. The
inemlK'rs o. the imperial family became; prinas of (he blood royal-
the most distinguished of the generals and statesmen were made
princes and dukes.
8. The emigrants accepted with eagerness the invitation to return
which the emperor gave them. The halls of the palace were soon
crowded with the ancient nobles, who courted the smiles of the new
rhief with as much servility as their ancestors had shown to ffain
like favors from the grand tnonarch, Louis XIV.
9. The revolution was now at an end. A firm government was
established, to the great joy of the nation in general, who were
heartily tired of the bloody ferocity of the Jacobins and the weakness
ot the Directory.
CHAPTER CXCIX.
War renewed. — Battle of Austerlitz, — Peace of Preslmrg. —
Column in the Place Vendome.
I. The peace between France and England was of short continu-
ance. I cannot tell you which was most to blame for the renewal of
the war ; England was the first to commence open hostilities. On
the 16th of May, 1803, before any declaration of war, orders were
issued for the seizure of all French vessels, wherever they miffht be
'lund. '' ^
2 Bonaparte resented this by arresting all British subjects found
.r ranee or Holland. Both measures caused great distress to the
oulTeiers. The first brought ruin on the owners of the vessels. The
otlur consigned to prison thousands of persons who had been tempted
by the restoration of peace to travel on the continent of Europe.
H. The beautiful paintings and fine statues which had been broufrhi
5. What of ihc coronation? 6. What of the kingdom of Italy? 7. What of ranks?
T " hat of the emiirrants?
CXCIX - When Wfi-e h'»^iiliiies renewed? What was the first ar'? 2. What * hi'
)|
so
BA'rn.K OF AUSIKRLITZ — l«»6.
HArn.E OF rKAFAL(;AR.-l805.
from Italy and Holland by the victorious armies of the republic, had
tlravin crowds of people of rank and wealth and taste to Paris,
4. All were detained. Many who had left their homes with the
pleasing expectation that a few days would restore them to their
husbands, their wives, or their children, suddenly found themselves
cut off from returninj]^, with a prospect of years (»f separoion l)efore
ihem. Peace alone would brinjr them a release.
5 In May and June, 1803, the French armies took possession of
{[aiiover. On the 4th of February, 1H05, Napoleon addressed a
.s*()nd letter to Georjnre III., in which he urjred him to put an end to
tho war. To this letter Kiufr Geor^je made no reply.
<>. Russia and Austria now declared war aj^ainst France. The
small states of Wirtemberfr and IJavaria joined their forces to those
of Napoleon, and their rulers were rewarded by his conferring on
ihem the title of kings.
7. Austria commenced hostilities by mvading Bavaria. Napoleon
marched to its assistance at the head of the Grand Army, as the
army serving under his innnediate orders was called from this time
forward. The Austrian troops could not stand against him.
8. He entered Germany in October, and on the 13th of November
he took possession of \'ienna, the proud capital of the proud house
of Austria. Napoleon himself occupied the splendid palace of
Schonbruna so lately the residence of the long-descended emperors
of Germnuv
The utght /j^fore the Battk oj Amteihtz,
y On the 27th of November was fought the great battle of A us-
erlitz, in which the Russians and Austrians were completely dc-
L-ated. Napoleon now dictated the terms of peace. His title aa
>Jii|>»leon do? 5. What did Napoleon do lo procure peace? fj. Wh.il oil^r n/tlion?
.<H.k part in the new war] '. What name did the army of .Napi>l'H)n take? S WhaJ
321
ttmperor of the French was acknowledged, as well as the titles of
the kings of Havana and VVirtemberg. This treaty w.is s S " t
. Presburg, December '2(5, 1805. J' « »ii,ncu ai
10. In conmiemonition of this campaign, a lofty stone column wi^
erected m one (d ,he public squareL of Paris. A spira Ib^nd 'f
bronze encircles ,t trom the bottom to the top, upon wlncirart ienre
vnted the pnnc.pal scenes from the departure of tl.e roops fn m
t ranee to the battle of Austerlitz. It is made of the twelve undr "
pieces of cannon taken from the enemy in that battle. Upon le ron
ua3 a huge statue ol the emperor, but it is taken down niw ^
CHAPTER CO.
The Battle of Trafal^a,-.-More Victories of Napolem.
The Peace oj I dsit. - Meeting of Emperor^
(Of 11/ parte at Boulogne.
I. While the French arms were so triumphant o: the land fh.
Kngi.sh remained complete masters of the sea. The Frenc Ish f
Here kept sr.ug within the harbors. Bonaparte caused 
