CHAPTER IX.-BIOGRAPH LESSON XL. I. Memorize:-FROM "VERSES UPON HIS The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd As they draw near to their eternal home. II. Theme:-JEANNE D'ARC, THE MAID OF O Jeanne d'Arc was born in 1412, in the litt of Domrémy near the borders of Lorraine. the child of poor peasants, and from childh was kept busy tending the sheep. She sper a dreamy day with her flocks, and in the eve would creep to the fireside and listen to the t her of fairies and elves, and the legends of th and the saints. When she was thirteen years began to have visions herself, voices whispered ears, bright lights flashed before her eyes, and sh 1 REFERENCE FOR READING. T. De Quincey, "Joan of Miscellaneous Essays. to see the figure of St. Michael, the warrior archangel. When she was eighteen the celestial voices became plainer, and seemed to her to bid her go and deliver France from the rule of the English. The voices bade her go to Charles the Dauphin and promise him she would lead him to Orleans and to Rheims, and there see him crowned King of France. Slowly and in the face of continual opposition she succeeded in gaining an interview with Charles. When she came before him, he was standing undistinguished among the gentlemen of his court, but the simple girl knew him at once, and told him of her voices and of her mission. He believed in her, and placed his troops at her command. She rode at their head, a noble figure, clad all in armor, her consecrated banner in her hand, and by her side a consecrated sword found, as the voices had told her, buried in the old church of St. Catharine of Fierbois. Leading ten thousand men-at-arms, she advanced to the relief of Orleans, which the English were besieging. She inspired her soldiers with her own enthusiasm, and they fought like heroes, In several engagements she displayed real generalship, and the English troops, infected by superstition, thought her a witch and fled when she appeared. The siege was raised and the French entered the city in triumph. Jeanne had her wish, and saw Charles crowned in Rheims, as all the kings of France had been before him. Her work done, Jeanne wanted to return to Domrémy and her sheep. Her mission was accomplished, she said, and the voices would no longer guide her. But the king would not spare her, and she went on, but without confidence, until she was taken prisoner by the Burgundians. They delivered her to the English, who gave her over to an ecclesiastic court at Rouen, before which she was tried and condemned for heresy. In so superstitious an age it is hardly surprising that they thought her success was due to witchcraft, and it seems superhuman to this day. She was burned in the marketplace at Rouen, quiet and gentle and resolute to the last, and the Seine carried her ashes to the sea. On the spot where she was burnt, there stands a statue of "The Maid," as her countrymen still love to call her, and her name is enrolled among the saints of the Church. III. Principles-Correct English. Taste.-Simplicity of language is to be preferred to ornateness. It is a hard lesson learning to trust to what is simple and noble in language, when big words and a parade of erudition seem imposing. And yet it is the simple and noble style that is most effective. Words, like people, have distinctions and associations. The use of words with vulgar associations, or of bombastic words, empty epithets, trite quotations, results in a style that lacks distinction and effect. EXERCISE. Discuss the errors in the following:-(1) He was most dead with the heat. (2) It is up to you to call him down. (3) You will have to hustle if you want to get ahead of Jack. (4) He's the best man I know in that line. (5) George has been making a visit to his parental domicile. (6) He will return in two weeks to the land of liberty and the home of the free. (7) The obliging hotel clerk and the obsequious porter contributed their utmost attention to our every requirement. (8) The citizens of this free and enlightened republic will have an opportunity on Tuesday of exercising their inalienable and God-given birthright of the franchise. (9) The affaire of Monday night came off with great éclat; the Misses Oakes made their début in the beau monde and were "the observed of all observers." (10) It ain't no use, you're apt to make mistakes, and I'd ought to have some one else there. (11) The house was burglarized and the perpetrator, when captured, suicided. (12) I got the book off of John. IV. Composition.-1. Tell the story of Jeanne d'Arc. 2. Tell the story of one of the following:-(1) William Tell. (2) William Wallace. (3) Robert Bruce. (4) St. Francis of Assisi. (5) Palissy the Potter. (6) William Penn. (7) Washington. (8) Lincoln. (9) General Lee. 3. Tell briefly the story of any biography you have read. The train from out the castle drew, But Marmion stopp'd to bid adieu: "Though something I might plain,” he said "Of cold respect to stranger guest, Sent hither by your King's behest, While in Tantallon's towers I stay'd; Part we in friendship from your land, And, noble Earl, receive my hand."But Douglas round him drew his cloak, Folded his arms, and thus he spoke: 2 To each one whom he lists, howe'er Unmeet to be the owner's peer. The hand of such as Marmion clasp."-(Continued |