nd the peculiar character of Charles, so
strongly inclined to friendship and the tender passions, naturally
rendered him the hero of that sex whose generous minds know no bounds
in their affections. The siege of Orleans, the progress of the English
before that place, the great distress of the garrison and inhabitants,
the importance of saving this city and its brave defenders, had turned
thither the public eye; and Joan, inflamed by the general sentiment,
was seized with a wild desire of bringing relief to her sovereign in
his present distresses. Her unexperienced mind, working day and night
on this favorite object, mistook the impulses of passion for heavenly
inspirations; and she fancied that she saw visions, and heard voices,
exhorting her to reestablish the throne of France, and to expel the
foreign invaders. An uncommon intrepidity of temper made her overlook
all the dangers which might attend her in such a path; and thinking
herself destined by Heaven to this office, she threw aside all that
bashfulness and timidity so natural to her sex, her years, and her low
station. She went to Vaucouleurs; procured admission to Baudricourt, the
governor; informed him of her inspirations and intentions; and conjured
him not to neglect the voice of God, who spoke through her, but to
second those heavenly revelations which impelled her to this glorious
enterprise. Baudricourt treated her at first with some neglect; but on
her frequent returns to him, and importunate solicitations, he began
to remark something extraordinary in the maid, and was inclined, at all
hazards, to make so easy an experiment. It is uncertain whether this
gentleman had discernment enough to perceive, that great use might be
made with the vulgar of so uncommon an engine; or, what is more likely
in that credulous age, was himself a convert to this visionary; but he
adopted at last the schemes of Joan; and he gave her some attendants,
who conducted her to the French court, which at that time resided at
Chinon.

It is the business of history to distinguish between the miraculous and
the marvellous; to reject the first in all narrations merely profane
and human; to doubt the second; and when obliged by unquestionable
testimony, as in the present case, to admit of something extraordinary,
to receive as little of it as is consistent with the known facts and
circumstances. It is pretended, that Joan, immediately on her admission,
knew the king, though she had neve