(3) Solemn affairs would interest Charles and his
courtiers from their trivial side. The duke perhaps cared
less for the deliverance of Guyenne and Normandy than for his
own verses on the occasion; just as Dr. Russell's
correspondence in THE TIMES was among the most material parts
of the Crimean War for that talented correspondent. And I
think it scarcely cynical to suppose that religion as well as
patriotism was principally cultivated as a means of filling
up the day.
(1) Champollion-Figeac, 368.
(2) Works, i. 115.
(3) D'Hericault's MEMOIR, xlv.
It was not only messengers fiery red with haste and charged
with the destiny of nations, who were made welcome at the
gates of Blois. If any man of accomplishment came that way,
he was sure of an audience, and something for his pocket.
The courtiers would have received Ben Jonson like Drummond of
Hawthornden, and a good pugilist like Captain Barclay. They
were catholic, as none but the entirely idle can be catholic.
It might be Pierre, called Dieu d'amours, the juggler; or it
might be three high English minstrels; or the two men,
players of ghitterns, from the kingdom of Scotland, who sang
the destruction of the Turks; or again Jehan Rognelet, player
of instruments of music, who played and danced with his wife
and two children; they would each be called into the castle
to give a taste of his proficiency before my lord the duke.
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