[The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2) by Anatole France]@TWC D-Link book
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2)

INTRODUCTION
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A monotonous, conscientious work moderately enthusiastic, it owes its success to its unimpeachable exactitude.[127] If there must be an orthodox Jeanne d'Arc to suit fashionable persons, then for such a purpose, M.Marius Sepet's representation of the Maid would be equally exact and more graceful.[128] [Footnote 127: H.Wallon, _Jeanne d'Arc_, Paris, 1860, 2 vols.

in 8vo.] [Footnote 128: M.Sepet, _Jeanne d'Arc_, with an introduction by Leon Gautier, Tours, 1869, in 8vo.] After the war of 1871, the twofold influence of the patriotic spirit, exalted by defeat, and the revival of Catholicism among the middle class gave a new impetus to admiration of the Maid.

Arts and letters completed the transfiguration of Jeanne.
Catholics, like the learned Canon Dunand,[129] vie in zeal and enthusiasm with free-thinking idealists like M.Joseph Fabre.[130] By reproducing the two trials in a very artistic manner, in modern French and in a direct form of speech, M.Fabre has popularised the most ancient and the most touching impression of the Maid.[131] [Footnote 129: Chanoine Dunand, _Histoire de Jeanne d'Arc_, Toulouse, 1898-1899, 3 vols.

in 8vo.] [Footnote 130: Joseph Fabre, _Jeanne d'Arc liberatrice de la France_, new edition, Paris, 1894, in 12mo.] [Footnote 131: _Proces de condamnation de Jeanne d'Arc...._, translated with commentary by J.Fabre, new edition, Paris, 1895, in 18mo.] From this period date almost innumerable works of erudition, among which must be noted those of Simeon Luce, which henceforth no one who would treat of Jeanne's early years can afford to neglect.[132] [Footnote 132: _Jeanne d'Arc a Domremy_, _op.

cit._; _La France pendant la guerre de Cent Ans_, _op.


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