The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-15

Rouen makes an immediate appeal TO the
student OF history even TO the most casual
student as the spot where the English put
joan of Arc to death by nre. But the part
the city plays has many incidents In its an
mails OF equal consequence, u not OF greater
pcturesaueness and pity; and Mr.. Theodore
Andrea Cook has made very good book IN
deed of "The Story of Rouen,' published
tho Medieval Cities series Like London, aud
like nearly every other spot in the world
known to the Romans and suitable for city
Site there are classical remains. scanty but
conclusive, underlying the present town; aud
there is little doubt that its strategic value
made IL subject for consideration dur
ing those years OF fighting in ancient Gaal
OF which hardly tradition survives, But
there is not the slightest question about Its
Importance once the fierce vikings had
s,reamed down from the north and conquered
for themselves home in SUMMER France,
Rouon became their capital and 1t was from
its royal palaces and abbeys and from the
country roundabout that the company gath
cred under william the Conquerer which
was destined to lay England and the Anglo
Saxon under subsection even more thorough
than the Danes had done 10 the centuries
before.
From that time on until England lost all
/ shadow OF real title to the crown of France,
| Pouen was the center OF fierce fighting re-
Moved year after year The English and
French strove around the Norman stronghold
ana It changed hands with frequency which
must have confused the nationality Of its in
habitants to the final degree. But the town
contrived TO do an excellent business in salt
and other commodities, however troubous the
situation, and this, while 1t enabled the c't-
zens to keep alive, also made the richer, and
sc the larger prize to the successful warrior.
There are some pleasant little episodes COM
ing down the centuries In commemoration OF
older days. The great duke of Bedford, for
example took the Celestin monks under his
especial protection and Charles VII of France
Increased their privileges. Among other
things, he took off the taxes which had been
levied on the wine produced in the monas-
tcry's vineyards and this pleasant fact the
coed brethren were accustomed TO show their
gratitude for by sending tho most skilful Of
their number In such matters to dance and
ring before tire juicy barrels every year as
they were trunoled past the house of the
kings representative.
II is to the fact that she wns such bone
OF contention that Rouen owes the existence
o. SO many beautiful churches within her
walls. A victory gained and the victor once
, inside the city gates. what more natural thar
, that he should take a part OF the resulting
treasure trove for the purpose OF erecting
house OF worship TO keep In mind both III,
, victory and his own piety. Yet the city wal
so damaged by repeated beleaguerments tina
Il has been practically reconstructed sine
the year 1875, and most of the ecclesiastioa
structures are OF no great age. st.. Ouen To-
Instance. is the fifth church dedicated to tina
patron on the site II now occupies. who wal
buried In the second structure as long ag,
as ESQ. It's architect finally was Jean d.
Bayeux, whose name recalls the fact tina, tn
, tapestries called Bayeux were largely exc
t cuted in Rouen. St. Ouen's is famous and 81
IS the cathedral church. but st, Maclou'
lacks little or nothing of the reputation &C
: corded these others It seems curious to sc
: the name for II is undoubtedly Scotch an
the first Maelou IN this part OF the world wa
G born In Scotland and died in the odor q
g ganctity In the Saintonge IN SOL st. Vincent
: too. has a church worthy OF his great reputa
y ton for holiness. But the list is almost in
= terminabie.
! One OF the great boulevards in the towr
y one OF the many which now mark the situa
ton Of the massive walls that defended th
town against Henry V. of England, Ia name
a for Joan of Are, and the city will undoubtedl
be one long festival when the decree OF car
l. onization for that remarkable personality
l. III ally granted. For, after all the res
ir through this was the birthplace of the gres
e. Corneile though Pascal here invented his ca
ir eulating machine aud here the great Lol
Of Clarendon died, It is with the maiden warris
lie that the fame Of Rouen is most indissolubl
IL bound.