The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-03-15

the border lands Of France and Germany
which 90 long have been battle grounds
Il IL for this reason that a sketch ~ the
Dukes character may ftly be placed among
the portraits OF individuals who have striven
10 change the map Of Europe
Charles. Count Of CharOlais, son Of Philip
the Good, sovereign Duke OF Burgundy,
and master Of many principalities, was
born at Dion on November 10, 1888, and
twenty days later was made a knight OF
the GoldenFleece. He was his fathers sole
legal heir, inasmuoh as Philips two former
wives had left no offspring. He was, II
seems, a sturdy child, who developed into
youthful vigor. In complexion, features
and figure he resembled his mothers Por-
tuRuese ancestors rather than the English
Lancastrians, from whom he was equally
descended. His dark hair and his counte-
nance we're very different from the type OF
his Maternal ancestors, the descendants
OF that valois Duke Of Burgundy who
was the favorite son Of King John. Our
author suggests that other characteristics
recalling his Portuguese origin may have
been intensified by close association with
his mother, who supervised his education,
Charles, II his contemporaries may be be-
loved, was a diligent pupil, which ia note
worthy, considering his early taste for
martial pursuits and intense interest in
military operations,
At two years Of age he received his first
Lesson In h~orsemanship on a wooden steed
constructed for his especial Use, His
bioRraphers bear witness 70 his proficiency
In Latin, but our author points out that
most OF the Latin texts accessible 70 him
were not classics. In the inventory OF the
Burgundian libraries Of the period there
are not six Greek and Latin classical texts,
and excepting Sallust, not a single Roman
historian In the original. There was a
translation Of Livy, however, and late
abndgments Of Cesar, Suetonius and
Lncan, with a French version Of Valerius
MaTimus. II was probably from these
versions and a volume called Les Fats
deS Romans that the young Count learned
about the worlds conquerors. There is a
tradition that the bit OF history most en-
joyed by the boy was the narrative OF
Alexander. Books about the conqueror
OF Persia we're easy to come by long before
the invention OF printing, and no single
mar Of the past. with the possible exception
Of Charlemagne, was 30 much written
about in the Middle Ages. The fact, too,
that Alexander was the son OF a Philip
would naturally stimulate the boys hopes
Of oonauering, not indeed the whole world,
but a good slice Of territory which should
enable him to hold his own between the
Emperor and the French King
The period Of Charles's childhood was
n time when his father stood at the very
zenith OF his power. In lASS, two years
, after the boys birth. had been signed the
Treaty Of Arras, the deathblow to the coali-
aion which had long existed between Bur-
Rundy and England 10 the detriment Of
France. With great solemnity Philip the
Good had been reoonoiled to the King,
Charles VII. who in his Dauphin days
had been held accountable for the murder
of John, the late Duke Of Burgundy. The
ipompact made at Arras was almost coin
rident with the death Of the Duke OF Bed
ford, the English Regent Of France, after
which the realm OF Henry vi. south Of the
Channel quickly shrank TO Normandy and
some outlying fortresses In Picardy and
Maine. In return for Philips recognition
of Charles VII. rs lawful sovereign Of
France the latter relinquished various
revenues in Burgundy which had been re-
Iainod by the Crown ever since the junior
branch Of the Valois line had been invested
with the Duohy $3.50, and he also oeded
the counties Of Boulogne, Artois and all
the seigneuries belonging to the French
sovereign on both banks Of the Some, al
though TO the last cesSion was appended
the condition that the towns included in
che clause could be redeemed al the Kings
pleasure for the sum Of 0 1900 gold crowns.
Furthermore Charles exempted Philip from
acts Of homage TO himself, promised TO
demand no aids from the Dukes subjects
In case OF war and TO assist his cousin II
he we're attacked by England. The King
r~enounoed also an alliance lately contracted
with the Emperor 10 Philips disadvantage,
Lastly the treaty provided that in case
Of Charles's failure to observe all the stipu-
lated conditions his own subjects would
be justified In taking arms against him at
che Dukes orders.