(1) Sometimes the journeys were set about on horseback in a
large party, with the FOURRIERS sent forward to prepare a
lodging at the next stage. We find almost Gargantuan details
of the provision made by these officers against the duke's
arrival, of eggs and butter and bread, cheese and peas and
chickens, pike and bream and barbel, and wine both white and
red. (2) Sometimes he went by water in a barge, playing
chess or tables with a friend in the pavilion, or watching
other vessels as they went before the wind. (3) Children ran
along the bank, as they do to this day on the Crinan Canal;
and when Charles threw in money, they would dive and bring it
up. (4) As he looked on at their exploits, I wonder whether
that room of gold and silk and worsted came back into his
memory, with the device of little children in a river, and
the sky full of birds?
(1) Lecoy de la Marche, ROI RENE, II. 155, 177.
(2) Champollion-Figeac, chaps. v. and vi.
(3) IBID. 364; Works, i. 172.
(4) Champollion-Figeac, 364: "Jeter de l'argent aux petis
enfans qui estoient au long de Bourbon, pour les faire nonner
en l'eau et aller querre l'argent au fond."
He was a bit of a book-fancier, and had vied with his brother
Angouleme in bringing back the library of their grandfather
Charles V., when Bedford put it up for sale in London.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286