ould turn up
their titled noses.

But--mark you this!

Several hundred years have passed since those days, and Jean Bart's
name is still remembered. Who remembers the names of any of these
titled nobles who held commissions from his Majesty, the King of
France?

I do not think that any of you do. Certainly I do not.

Therefore, there is a little lesson to be learned, and it is this:

Never sneer at the fellow who accomplishes things, if he be of humble
birth. _His_ name may go down to history. _Yours_ probably will not.

So, the next time that you are tempted to do this, think it over. If
you do, you will not say, "Pish,--the Commoner!" But you will say,

"Well done! The Hero!"

So, good-by, Jean Bart, and may France produce your like again, if she
can!

"Keep these legends, gray with age,
Saved from the crumbling wrecks of yore,
When cheerful conquerors moored their barques
Along the Saxon shore."

--THOMPSON.

DU GUAY-TROUIN

THE GREAT FRENCH "BLUE"

(1673-1736)

"Self trust is the essence of Heroism."--PLUTARCH.

DU GUAY-TROUIN

THE GREAT FRENCH "BLUE"

(1673-1736)

"He's only a scurvy Democrat, his blood is hardly blue,
Oh, Sacre Nom de Dieu! Sapristi! Eet is true!
Yet, he fights like the Maid of Orleans, with dirk and halberd,
too,
Oh, Sacre Nom de Dieu! Sapristi! Eet is true!
Then--what'll you think, good gentlemen, you men of the kingly
pack,
Ye sons of Armand the Terrible, ye whelps of Catouriac,
Shall _he_ gain the royal purple? Shall _he_ sit in the ranks
with us?
Shall _he_ quaff of our golden vintage, shall _he_ ride in the
royal bus?
Nay! Nay! For that would be te-r-r-ible! Nay! Nay! _That ill-born
cuss?_
Par donc! but that is unbearable! 'Twould result in a shameful
fuss!
Pray, let him remain a Democrat--The cream of the fleet for us."

--_Song of the French Royal Marine._--1695.

"You _must_ be a churchman, Renee," said the good Luc Trouin, turning
to his little son. "I have always had a great ambition to have a child
of mine in the church, and I feel that you are in every way qualified
for the position of a prelate."

But little Renee hung his head.

"Look up, boy," continued the amiable Frenchman. "I know that you are
not now pleased with the idea, but--later on--after you have had more
experience,