munications. The ancient memoirs of this heroine, published by Denys Godefroy, convey a high idea of her sagacity and elevation of mind. When she induced Charles VII. to the bold attempt of procuring his inauguration at Rheims, she described the celestial voice as having said to her, while she was engaged in prayer, Fille, va, va, je seray a ton ayde,

va.

Her unknown historian adds; "Elle "estoit au reste tres-devote, se confessoit "souvent, & recevoit le precieux corps "de N. S. Jesus Christ, estoit de tres"belle et bonne vie, et d'honneste con"versation."

In a very curious letter, written by the Sieur de Laval, we meet with some characteristic anecdotes of the Maid, to whom he was introduced by Charles VII. Et-fit ladite Pucelle tres bonne chere

a mon pere & a moy, estant armeé de

toutes pieces, sauve la tete, et tenant la lance en main; et aprés que fumes de'scendus á selle, j'allay a son logis la voir; et fit venir le vin, et me dit, qu'elle 'm'en feroit bientot boire á Paris; et semble chose toute divine de son fait,

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• et de la voir et de l'ouyr.

veis monter a cheval, armée tout en

blanc, sauf la teste, une petite hache

❝ en sa main, sur un grand coursier noir

'qui a l'huis de son logis se demenoit tres fort, et ne souffroit qu'elle montast; et lors elle dit, menez-le a la croix,

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qui etoit devant l'eglise aupres, au che'min; et lors ell monta sans qu'il se 'meut, comme s'il fut lié; et lors se tourna vers l'huys de l'eglise, qui etoit bien prochain, et dit en assez voix de femme: Vous les Prestres et gens d'eglise, 'faites procession et prieres a Dieu.'

Upon her trial, as it is repeated by Chartier, she spoke with the utmost simplicity and firmness of her visions: Que

souvent alloit a une belle fontaine au pays de Lorraine, laquelle elle nommoit bonne fontaine aux Feés Nostre Seigneur, et en icelluy lieu tous ceulx 'de pays quand ils avoient fiebvre ils 6 alloient pour recouvrer garison; et la 'alloit souvent ladite Jehanne la Pucelle

sous un grand arbre qui la fontaine 'ombroit; et s'apparurent a elle St. • Katerine et Ste. Marguerite qui lui 'dirent qu'elle allast a ung Cappitaine qu'elles lui nommerent, laquelle y alla 'sans prendre congé ni a pere ni a mere; lequel Cappitaine la vestit en guise 'd'homme et l'armoit et lui ceint l'epeé, * et luy bailla un escuyer et quatre var

lets; et en ce point fut monteé sur un bon cheval; et en ce point vint aut Roy de France, et lui dit que du Com• mandement de lui estoit venue a lui, et

qu'elle le feroit le plus grant Seigneur

du Monde, et qu'il lui fut ordonné

que tretou ceulx qui lui desobeiroient 'fussent occis sans mercy, et que St, Mi

'chel et plusieurs anges lui avoient baillé 'une Couronne moult riche pour lui;'

&c.

Unquestionably, the temperament which disposes men to cultivate the higher and graver species of poetry, contributes to render them susceptible of impressions of Such a temperament, ex

this nature. cited by the pathetic circumstances of a story, more interesting than any tale of fiction, produced the vision of Dr. Donne. When residing in Paris, he saw the figure of his wife, then in London, pass through the room, with her hair hanging loose, and carrying a dead child in her arms. After reading the exquisite poem which he wrote, previous to their separation, it is impossible to wonder at an impression of such a nature.

This is, indeed, an instance of that species of ecstasy, which is known, in the North of Scotland, under the name

of 'Second-Sight.' Much has been written on this subject; I shall therefore only mention two instances, which will prove that the spectral impressions certainly take place; of their prophetic nature, there may be different opinions.

A gentleman connected with my family, an officer in the army, and certainly addicted to no superstition, was quartered, early in life, in the middle of the last century, near the castle of a gentleman in the North of Scotland, who was supposed to possess the SecondSight. Strange rumours were afloat, respecting the old chieftain. He had spoken to an apparition, which ran along the battlements of the house, and had never been chearful afterwards. His prophetic visions excited surprize, even in that region of credulity; and his retired habits favoured the popular opinion. My friend assured me, that one day, while he was reading a play to the