The Portland daily press., 1867-07-25
Miscellany.


SShh OF
1t was the oil of divine origin which quick
ell ed the devout heroism of the Maid of Or
leans, and impelled her to clear, by her val
liant arm, the road to Rheims. After the bril-.
liant seige of Orleans, and when the Enplisb
were stunned with the blow, she declared for
an immediate march to the sacred city'o with
Charles VII, that he might be anointed king
with the sacred oil. The English had
made great mistake, when by their early
victories they might have crowned their young
Henry vi at Rheims, in neglectinc to per
form an act of such vital Importance to their
cause. Joan OF Arc, by her valor at Orleans.
mad now the opportunity CT anticipating the
enemy, and this she determined to do.
Her proposition was deemed rash by the
leaders of the French army. Not voice was
1or her. Ihe politicians and the strong heads
OF the council smiled; they were for poinr
slowly and surely, that is to say, that the Emo
lish might have time to resume their COURAGE.
These counselors all gave interested opinions.
Inc Duke OF Alencon Vas Tor marching to
NNorlnanuy 10 reconqueI Aleacon, and others
LUIS IS, or that way, as their interests prompted
Inc advice of the ardent Maid was not
needed until again victorious at Patay: hut
even now objections were urged, and On ar
irving before Iroyes obstacles, which seemed
lnsurmountable, presented themselves. and
gave a momentary triumph to the parfy of
temporizers. The king had no artillery or
provisions, - ~
we can take the town in three days.n de-
clared the resolute Joan of Arc.
I'VE would readily wait sixn sold tho
Onanceiiof, III we were sure of the truth of
what you say.' ~" "
six you shall be there to-morrown ,a-
joined the Maid. iio"' fe
Inc town was taken, and Joan off Are be-
came sun more urgent ior an immediate
march to Rheims. 0'''''''
Inc march began, Joan of Arc, "armed at
an points,, leading the way and Fastening on
!le sung WIN unceasing diligence On arIiv-
M at hneihs, the Maid, who entered the city
Wltn the king and his people. was greatly ra-
garded; and the Dukes OF Bar and Of I'm
raine, and the Lord of Commercy, accompa-
nded by goodly array of warriors, came and
offered their services to her.
I'm the next day, which was Sunday. it
was determined that the conservation should
take place During the night preparations
were made with such diligence that every
thinS, ID trvelous to say, was ready in the
morning. AS the Abhe OF st. Remi, its guar
olan, Is not accustomed to deliver the sacred
ampulia, except with certain form and GER
emony, the KING sent the lord of Rails, mares
cnal OF france, the lord Of Greville, the mas
yer OF the BoWsnen, and the lord of Culant
tue hlgn aoIniral OF France, to get it. After
having r.Ken the.usual oath they would con-
quo. the holy ampulia in safety to the church
and back again to the abbey, the Able, cloth
ed in all his ecclesiastical robes, accompanied
them, bearing it to the door of the Cathedral
Here the Archbishop, with his canons, receiv-
ed the ampulia, and taking it within the great
church laid it upon the high altar
Charles VII. now came clothed in the
proper robes for the service, and was annoint-
ed and consecrated King of France. The
Maid ofOrleans was by his side. holding her
standard in her hand. "She was, in fact.n
says the old chroncler, whose authentic re-
cord is the basis of this description, "the
cause of this conservation, and OF the great
assemblaSe. When the sacred ampulia had
been borne away, to be taken back again to
the abbey OF Saint Remi, all who saw the
Maid embrace the legs OF the kneeling king
and kiss his foot, weeping hot tears. were
moved to pity. She melted many to weep as
she said: "G,ntle king, now the will of God
is done, who caused you to come to Rheims
to receive your conservation, and thereby
show that you are the true king to whom the
kingdom should belong."-TKe Champagne
Country. '''''''