of Plessis he caused a trellis, or iron gate, to be set up, spikes of iron planted in the wall; and a kind of crows'-feet, with several points, to be thrown every where in the ditch, where there was any likelihood that any body might enter; besides which, he caused four watchhouses to be made, all of thick iron, and holes, out of which they might shoot at their pleasure; which were very noble, and cost above twenty thousand francs, in which he placed forty of his cross-bows, who were to be upon the guard night and day, with orders to let fly upon any man that offered to come near, before the gate was ope in the morning."*

These precautions, however, were insufficient to quiet the apprehensions, and remove the gloom, of his mind; and he sought, in the practices of superstition,† a refuge from the scourgings of conscience, and the horrors of

Philip de Comines, 382, 402, et infra.

A singular external mark of his superstition appeared in the decorations of his hat, which, Comines tells us, was" old, and differing from every body's else." This was filled with images, for the most part of lead and pewter, which, whenever any good or evil news arrived, or when the phantasy took him, he

approaching death. From Pope Sextus was sent, by Louis's special request, "the corporal, or vest, which the Apostle St. Peter used when he said mass:-and the holy vial at Rheims (which was never stirred before)" was brought to his chamber at Plessis, to exert its mirific influence on the ulcerated and tortured body of the dying sinner. The stars were consulted on his behalf by the profoundest adepts in judicial astrology; and the monk most renowned in his time for holiness and austerity of life was invited from Calabria, by Louis, to add his personal prayers to the other means used for his recovery. Among men renowned for devotion," says Philip de Comines," he sent into Calabria for one called Friar Robert; whom, for the holiness of his life, the king called the holy man ; and, in honour to him, our present king erected a monastery at Plessis du Parc, in compensation for the chapel near Plessis, at the end of the bridge. This hermit, at the age of twelve

would kiss, throwing himself upon his knees before them, sometimes so suddenly that he appeared deranged.-Claude de Seyssol, Phil. de Comines.

years, was put in a hole in a rock, where he continued three and forty years and upwards,

a man.

till the king sent for him, by the master of his household, in the company of the Prince Tarante, the King of Naples' son. But the said hermit would not stir without leave from his holiness, and from his king, which was great discretion in so inexperienced He built two churches in the place where he lived; he never eat flesh, or fish, or eggs, or milk, or any thing that was fat, since he undertook that austerity of life; and truly, I think, I never saw any man living so holy, nor out of whose mouth the Holy Ghost did more manifestly speak; for he was illiterate and no scholar, and had only his Italian tongue, wherewith he made himself so wonderful. This hermit passed by Naples, where he was respected, and was visited (as he had been a legate from the Pope) both by the King of Naples, and his children, with whom he conversed as if he had been brought up in the court. From thence he passed to Rome, where he was visited by the Cardinals; had audience three times of the Pope, and was every time alone

with him three or four hours, sitting always in a rich chair placed for him on purpose, (which was great honour for so private a man,) and answering so discreetly to every thing that was asked him, that every body admired; and his Holiness granted him leave to erect a new order, called the Hermits of Saint Francis. From Rome he came to our king, who adored him as if he had been the Pope himself; falling down on his knees before him, and begging the prolongation of his life. He replied as a prudent man ought. I have heard him often in discourse with the king that now is, in the presence of all the grandees of the kingdom, and that not above two months ago, and it seemed to me, whatever he said, or remonstrated, was done by inspiration; otherwise he could not have spoken of some things that he discoursed of. He is still living, and may change either to better or worse; and therefore I will hold my peace. Some there were who laughed at the king's sending for this hermit, and called him the holy-man, in derision; but they were not informed of the

thoughts of that wise king, and had not seen what it was that gave him the occasion.*"

All these measures of escape, however, from the inevitable blow, proved ineffectual; and Louis expired on the 30th of August, 1483, but not before he had suffered more severe tortures than those which he had inflicted on any criminal during his reign. The character of this prince is one of the most complicated in history. He obtained the end which he proposed by his policy, but at the expense of his peace and reputation. His life was a jumble of crimes and contradictions. Absolute, without dignity; popular, (because he humbled the great,) without generosity; unjust by system, yet zealous for the administration of justice; living in open violation of the first principles of morals, but resigning himself to the most ridiculous superstition; the tyrant of his subjects, and the timid slave of his physicians;t he debased the regal power, at the

Phil. de Comines, 385.

+ His chief physician was a man called Dr. James Coctier, who had acquired a wonderful influence over the mind of Louis, and appears to have well under