country girl called Joan d'Arc, inspired by the visions of virtuous ene thusiasm, which may justly be termed supernatural, being above our common sluggish nature, appeared on the stage. She dreamed that it was her destiny to save France, and she made it so. Ridicule changed into admiration, and admiration into awe. Clothed in complete armour, and banner in hand, she led the army eighty leagues through the enemy's country, for more than half of France was in the hands of the English, and anointed King Charles at Rheims. Having finished her romantic enterprise, the charm which had guarded her life appeared to be broken. She was wounded and taken by the English, and burnt at Rouen for a sorceress. [A. D. 1431.] "The more generous superstition of the ancients," says Hume, "would have erected altars to this admirable heroine." True: after it had burned her.

The young King of England, in the mean time, was crowned at Paris; while Charles VII., feasting and making love, lost his kingdom with the greatest gayety imaginable. [A. D. 1435.] But the national honour had been really awakened by Joan d'Are. The Duke of Burgundy broke his alliance with the English; Paris opened its gates to its native king, and the strangers evacuated the capital. The soul of Charles VII. awoke from its long lethargy; and his character rose to meet the greatness of his destiny. The English, in fine, were driven out of France, and the king spent the remainder of his reign in restoring order in his harassed country. [A. D. 1451.]

In this reign, the famous Pragmatic Sanction was drawn up by an assembly of the clergy. Its principal object was to curtail the privileges of the pope.

Louis XI. carried on a long war against his nobles, and did much good to the country. He executed it is true, forty thousand of his subjects: but he encouraged the industry of the remainder, established the post, and introduced order and impartiality into the administration of all justice but his own.

After fighting a bloody battle at Montlhéri, which neither party gained, he made peace with his nobles by means of negotiation, for which he possessed a profound genius. [A. D. 1465.] Sometimes, however, it happened that he was overreached. One day, while, in an interview, he was caressing Charles of Burgundy, the chief of his late enemies, that prince was suddenly informed that the emissaries of Louis were engaged in raising the Ligeois against him. Charles immediately took hold of his friend, and compelled him to march against the revolters. [A. D. 1472.] This circumstance involved him in a series of wars and treasons.

The English again renewed their pretensions; and Louis got out of the difficulty by engaging to pay a tribute. He united Anjou to the crown by threats and treaties, and performed successfully a variety of other feats of ingenuity.

This subtle prince, who was as coldly cruel as any of the Roman emperors, was terrified at the thoughts of death in his own person. He shut himself up in a fortress, where he passed his time in a continued agony of fear, suspicion, and superstitious horror, till he died. [A. D. 1483,]

Charles VIII. being only thirteen years of age at his father's death, the regency was contested by his eldest sister and the Duke of Or leans. [A. D. 1484.] The States, convocated at Tours, decided against

the latter; and during the sitting, very extraordinary language was held by a deputy of the nobles. He inquired who it was that should decide, if not the people, who had in the first instance elected their kings, and conferred upon them whatever authority they possessed; and he explained, that by the people, he meant the citizens of all ranks. This must have sounded oddly. Even now, we do not know how to answer the argument implied, or to admit it. Two-thirds of the taxes of Louis XI. were taken off; although afterward the States were far more reasonable. Charles married the heiress of Brittany, and this province was united to France. [A. D. 1491.]

The king then took it into his head to conquer Naples, and he did so. He visited Alexander Borgia, an eminent pope and poisoner, and held many feasts and tournaments. Returning across the Appenines, he beat, with eight thousand men, thirty thousand Italians. [A. D. 1498.] It is true, the conquered kingdom was left behind, and already lost; but glory is every thing. Charles died of an apoplexy, and was succeeded by Louis XII.

Among the beneficial changes which took place in France during this century, [A. D. 1500.] may be reckoned the introduction of a tax to pay the soldiers, who had hitherto eaten up the people at free quarters.

Columbus discovered America, and Gama doubled the Cape of Good Hope; but in the invention of PRINTING, a wider stride was made by mankind towards the greatness of civilization, than by the acquisition of new worlds. Kingdoms have fallen into decay, and populous countries have been turned into wildernesses. This will still continue to be the case; but the mind will no longer perish with the body. Knowledge will never again sink in the ruins of empires. Henceforward, when the political fabric begins to totter, undermined by cowardice and effeminacy, she will merely spread her wings, and remove the seat of her high royalty to some land of the brave and free.

THE MAGIC WAND.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Thy fates open their,hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them.

SHAKSPEARE.