The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-07
LrncENrrRYocOLLEeE RIDoW.s
me Punishment Of Philippine Hauxoy and
the Conpensltion That Came 20 Her.

frara Ihn tWeUiN 70 iUe HlAteenNu century
-ss one NJ the foremost scholastic institutions
A Europe Not only did students attend
4 from OH NJ The French Provinces. but they
,,re also from Hungary Spain, Lombardy.
canaan England and Scotland and some
.v,n from FAR away Muscovy. Separated by
s,pdrsds II leagues from their families, there
,-sre times when many OF them we're sorely
messed for money. and even food.
purng The reign Of Louis TX OF France a
reh woman. Madeleine HugIet. with the in
,sntIon NJ preventing the disorder and some
times crime common among the students OF
tho university arising from actual need OF
the pecessaries Of life, left by will house and
sur equivalent 20 1000 francs In the money
NJ to-day. 10 be annually paid a respectable
widow. whose duty IL would be 10 feed students
in need. give money 10 the impoverished and
shelter them In emergencies. This widow
Who was appointed for life by the rector OF
the university. was also expected by her
counses and remonstrances IA check dis
orderly incnations OF the students in fact,
10 act toward them In the capacity Of a be-
loved mentor
From time 10 time women Of wealth added
10 the original beauest Of Madeleine Huguet
Increasing income from these sources and
the happy selection OF successive college
widows had contributed largely to suppress
the turbulence excuses aud crimes Of tho
students. In time these widows came to be
looked upon as veritable mothers to scholars.
In fact their role became 80 important that
they took rank with Magistrates and the
higher bourgeoise
IN the fourteenth century one OF these
college widows or mothers was Philippine
Hauyoy. wife OF a deceased physician Of
King John She was a woman OF rare in
telIgence and accomplishments who during
the lie Of her husband had enjoyed the
friendship OF the principal mobiles OF the court.
Time had efaced the frivolities Of her youth
they were replaced by solid and diRni1ed
qualities. She had been handsome and
ostentatious; she became pious and simple
She had been celebrated in the town for her
tNtravs gance and luxury; she became chart
table and kept such good order in the Students
House that II became a show place, which
people visited 10 admire the linen. the plate
Gud the rooms. whose floors we're polished
until they shone like mirrors.
Philippine Hauxoy had inherited money
from her husband, and her ircome was very
large for those days: II amounted TO six hun
dren golden ecus a year. She gave all
this revenue 70 the care Of sick. inirm
and poor students. In addition, she relieved
the poor living about the Students House
Every sunday those who were hungry were
given soup and bread and a small coin. Such
nunidcence had never been equaled
A. the time that Philippine was appointed
mother Of the students she was about 50
years OF age; she did not look IT, Fine eyes,
rosy complexion. tall. beautifully formed
white hands thick hair that time had CON-
menced TO silver and figure Of infinite grace
and Suppleness invested her with seductive
power that few could resist This person.
atty ALMOST regal. this dignihed beauty,
this ease'of manner acquired Ia court circles,
we're OF great assistance in the carrying out
nj her difficult duties. often she employed
the captivating charms with which she was
endowed or used an ahecuonate word to
calm the ri0tous outbreaks OF her proteges.
The most turbulent and the noblest OF them
we're abashed In her presence. They never
addressed her except hat in hand and with
bowed head. she was a queen 20 some. ar
idol TO others, a mother to all: therefore.
according 20 a custom oi the time, TO emphasize
her great wisdom and powerful influence
the students called her the queen Of Sheba.
Philippine. either through love Of science
which az middle age she had studied with
success, OF through veneration for the memory
Of her husband. learned alchemist. botanist
and physician. had stored in a room OF her
house the tlnCtures, herbs and medicinal
fruits that be had collected in all parts OF
the world. Rare manuscripts, animals aid
reptiles preserved In spirits OF wine or stuffed
oncumbered the room she visited every day,
either 10 put up prescriptions for sick stu
dents in her care. or TO study medical manu-
scripts relating to the disease she was called
upon TO treat. The people after a time COM
menced to whisper about that she was a
Sorceress, the students denied, although
believing IT, but as Philippine was devoted
TO one and all. citizens. students. women.
old men, children and clerks, the reputation
for sorcery did not diminish the esteem and
affection in which she was held. She was
respected because she was so unselfsh and
kind. The terror that sorcery inspired in
those days vanished before the tender and
compassionate glance OF her beautiful eyes.
The aiiectiOnate clasp Of her white hand, al
ways extended In acts OF charity and gem
crosby. Notwithstanding this, constant Sc
Cuslon In the former study OF her husband
was destined to bring about her ruin.
The public baths Of those days we're called
sweating houses. Untu the reign OF Louis
Az. they we're places Of general rendezvous
for all classes Of citizens. The better Of these
Establishments we're called barber sweating
houses. One Of this type adioined the resi-
deuCe OF Philippine. IL was conducted BY
barber named Nicaise TTophant. His place
became so notorious for disorderly acts that
SS3,mplaints concerning I we're made 20 the
Of the vicinity were called as witnesses.
Their testimony led 10 the arrest Of Irophant.
To save himself, he asserted that Philippine,
the college widow, not only had encoura ged
vice at bis baths. but had supplied him with
love phlters, which he had sold TO his clients.
court. Her habitual Calmness and dignity
uld not desert her, To the accuse tons OF
the Magistrates she replied that she had no
need OF philteTs or amulets 10 arouse the
affection Of those 20 whom she was helpful:
she had never employed any other means TO
eject this than those indicated by religion:
she had always impressed upon the sinful
or Maynard that their first obligation was
respect Tor God. King and Parliament.
PhMppine without doubt would have been
discharged from custody on the strength OF
her own sta cement and great reputation for
integrity had IL not occurred to the Magts-
ua'rs 10 visit her laboratory, where by
chance they discovered powders or philters
Which rcsembled those found upon TrOphant
Ih That age Of ignorance and prejudice this
evidence was fatal She was condemned
70 Do publicly whipped, TO perpetual Danish
lgeut and TO pay a fine Of 600 golden ecus.
lrophaut was sentenced TO Imprisonment
IoI He, 70 pay the costs OF court, and his
property was Conflscated.
he sentence against Philippine was con-
tlleTr0 so unjust that the rector OF the uni
,'rsly aud the Bishop appealed for Clemency
20 me Ming, who for some unknown reason
Nr victim OF some occult power. She ac-
,eiled the LEGAL condemnation without muir
Mur. ln prison she prepared through PRAYER
ava lasting for the sad ceremony In which
elr was 20 be an actor. al Paris awaited
IN Tear and anxiety the day when this famous
quo beloved woman, celebrated for her
I'aIN and charitable acts, should appear
LaI naked In the streets to receive at the
lauds Of the public eNccutioner the ignomini-
os. whipping hitherto reserved for women
" we town, beggars and magicians.