The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1902-09-25

surrounding periE, ne saw in frmness
his only salvation and soon forgot
there was suchEsa thing as mercy.
What he covered with his red cassock
to use his own metaphOr--Was we'll
and wisely covered before France was
brought to fateas red as the govern
ment.
The aim of his ministry. he said.
"Was to re-establish the natural limits
of GauI, to identify Gaul with France
and whenever ancient Gaul extended
to establish new one" At the time
of Richelieu's death, England was rent
by revolution, Austria was crushed,
Spain and Portugal separated, while
France, strong and peaceful, was the
owner of three new provinces. Surely
he came very close to realizing his
ideal.
One might suppose that man of his
character would find time for nothing
but state affairs, but history says he
was fond of literature and encouraged
those who made it a profession. He
believed that science and art should
flourish, and that letters be an honor
as we'll as arms. He was accused of
never doing anything but protecting the
foundation of his power and Furnishing
his enemies, yet he found time to create
the botanic gardens and give to the
Royal College code of studies that
still bears the imprint of his strong
mind. He founded the French Academy,
which became an institution and took
its place among the glories of France
and is today the goal upon which every
French writer looks with eager eyes.
He also rebuilt and reorganized Sor-
bonne, now the most famous university
in France. He created the kings press
and was an ardent exponent Of the
drama as means of education, having
himself written some plays of merit.
To institutions like Sorbonne have
been added many more; the drama has
been enriched; botanic gardens have
multiplied; the press has become q
mighty power; all the forces that
Richelieu encouraged have been de-
veloped; his name remains connected
with all the wonders.
To RicheIieu Europe was chess
board, but the time allowed for play
was all too short. His attention to the
game was never relaxed from the
moment when as deputy to the States
General he moved his first pawn by
flattering the young king until death
said, "checkmate," and with half his
schemes still incomplete he laid aside a
power which overawed kingdom and
king. At his death he had laid the
foundation of pure monarchy, the aim
of ali his efforts, the work of his whole
life, but which has all been swept away
by revolution. OF the Cardinal there
remains nothing but the memory of
his great power and the fact that he
was the most effective, the boldest as
we'll as the most prudent servant
France ever had. In spite of all the
criticism, and no one will hesitate to
say that he had his faults, the world
cannot help acknowledging his wonder
full work, boundless energy and industry
and undoubted genius. In the words
of his biographer: sRichslieu died as
he had lived, without scruples of con-
science, absolved by his great aim and
but little concerned about the means
he had employed. The scaffolds he
had erected did not as much as recur
to his memery. Il have loved justice,
not vengeance he said. Il have been
severe toward some in order to be kind
towards all.'" Much that was admirable
in Richelieu's character has been blotted
out by time and prejudice and much
that was evil has been magnified by
the same agency, but even time and
prejudice cannot wholly efface the
memory of the enduring loyalty of this
man who lies in his tomb in the
Sorbonne, unloved in death as in life.
G.S.
Kindergartner- Children, this morn
ing I have surprise for you. I have
L. IL -