The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-24

from the legend with which she is envel-
oped, and what the companions OF the war
rior maiden could not understand will never
be explained to US.
All explanations seem insufficient, and
the most we can do is to accept this marvel
Gus recital, and humbly acknowledge that it
is beyond our comprehension.
A celebrated soldier says Joan was
great strategist" But if she were the first
general of her time, strategy can be learned
without a master; it is not in guarding
flocks that one learns the art of taking cities.
Some one has written work to prove
that Joan was, like Cesar and Napoleon,
great captain, and that the greatest war
rior could not conduct himself with more
skill, prudence and wisdom than did this
shepherdess, transformed into leader. The
discussion will continue, for in
JOAN OF ARC
Each one finds heroine who reflects his
own opinions. 1t is rather difficult, how
ever, to make a Republican Madonna" OF
this patriot, who died alter having crowned
king.
No one has done more for the memory OF
Joan than Monse igueur Pagis, Bishop OF
Verdun. His religious propaganda is re-
markable, and Monseigneur Pagis has
great hope of triumphing. From the Pope
Monseigneur Pagis has received brief-a
brief that has greater value because the
Holy Father has always been unwilling to
give more than verbal encouragement 10
any work whatever.
The Jealous preate Is an Auvergnat, and
although so years old, might readily pass
for man much younger. He is tall and
robust; his broad forehead denotes great
intelligence, and his features, which might
otherwise seem severe, are sOftened by an
expression of chlldlike sweetness. Mon
stigneur Pagis has never had The slightest
difficulty with the religious functloDarieS
that surround him, for his tact is marvellous.
If we remember that he is an orator Of
the first rank-an orator with musical
voice and graceful gestnres-we can under,
stand how he conquered Pope Leo XIII
last November, when, with the Archbishop
of Rheims. he accompanied 10000 French
workmen on a pilgrimage to Rome. He
says: 81 shall take the staff OF pilgrim
and go from city to city, so that at last
Joan, the glorious one, may have monu-
ment worthy of her heroism."
Vaucouleurs has beer chosen by Mon
seigneur Pagis for the site of Joan's statue,
because here was the first stage of her
journey whep she Obeyed the voices that
ordered her to save France, and because at
Vanconleurs began the magnificent drama
that was to terminate at the old market
place at Rouen. But MonSeigneur Pagis does
not propose to erect an ordinary statue
rather colossal structure on one OF the
hills overlooking the valley of Vaucouleurs.
The pedestal will be castle in the style OF
-
The thick walls, guarded by massive towers,
will have battlements, drawbr1dge, port
cullis, all that was necessary in ancient
military architecture.
Above THE CASTLE
Will be donjon, 40 feet high, aud at the
summit will be placed the statue. or rather.
the gigantic group. IS feet in height, where
the Maid of Orleans will be persOnifled.
The scheme of the Bishop of Verdun is
an audacious one, for millions Of francs
will be required to carry IL into execution,
but he has so much faith in himself and so
much faith in the French people, that 1t is
a pleasure to hear him talk of his plans.
While waiting for this crowning glory to
the name of Joan the city of Nancy has un-
yelled statue of this heroic maid On tie
Place Stanislas.
Emanuel Fremet. the sculptor, who made
the Joan of Arc in the Place des Pyramides,
Paris, is the author of this new work.
Fremet has never been satisfied with the
Paris Joan of Arc, and every time he
passed the Rue de Rivoli with impatience
he looked at his work.
"The woman is too small and the horse
too large. Those who say l have made
statue of Joan's horse and not of herself
are right"
1t is not strange that the horse had the
greatest place in the sculptOr's work, Tor
he is a sculptor of animals and several times
each week lie goes to the Jardin des Plantes
in order to teach drawing and modelling OF
animals there confined.
At last, wearied of seeing work unwor-
thy of his talents in the most conspicuous
quarter of Paris, he decided to recommence
and substitute his new statue for the one
he has condemned.
"How shall carry my plan into execu,
tion?" was his constant thought II VIII
cost me at least 10000 francs to cast the
statue after the model has been made. -,
However, he made an arrangement with
the founder that the work should be paid
by instalments, and, WORKING IN secret,
salon. After the salon he intended to have
it cast and replace the Joan of Arc at the
Place DIES Pyramides, thus repairing his
error. But a rich Frenchman thought that
Fremiet's new statue would be a very ap-
propria,e gift for his native city, Nancy,
and that is why We still have in the Rue de
Rivoi frail young CIR, mounted on an
immense work-horse transformed into a
battle-charger.
BARONESS AIrHFA SALVADOR.