ecord.

The cathedral of Vannes has a richly-sculptured north porch of Kersanton
stone, and another, facing the Rue des Trois Duchesses. Also, a
Renaissance chapel, called the Chapelle du Saint Sacrament or du Pardon,
with a hideous roof replacing the original. Adjoining are the remains of
the elegant cloisters of the cathedral, with basket-handled arcades of the
fifteenth century. In the cathedral is also the chapel of St. Vincent
Ferrier, the great preacher of the fifteenth century, whose labours
extended over almost every country of Europe--Italy, Germany, France,
Switzerland, and Great Britain. San Vicente Ferrar, a Dominican monk, was
the son of an attorney, originally of Valencia, in Spain, of which city he
is the tutelar saint. In Spain he led the way in preaching a crusade
against the Jews and Moors, who were persecuted by the Inquisition with
the most cruel bigotry. Invited to Brittany by Duke John V., he fixed
himself at Vannes, where, after having evangelised the province, he died
in 1419. He was buried in the cathedral. The Duchess Jeanne de France,
daughter of Charles VI., was present at his deathbed, and insisted on
laying him out. By her own desire, she was buried at his feet. Philip II.,
King of Spain, desired his relics, but did not succeed in obtaining them.
The little house in which St. Vincent Ferrier lived is preserved (No. 13,
Rue des Orfevres). A tiny room, up a narrow staircase, is now converted
into a chapel, in which are shown the stone which served him as a pillow,
his lamp, and other relics.

The Maison du Parlement or Chateau Gaillau is a curious old building, with
its entrance by a stone staircase and turret. Vannes was the usual
residence of Dukes John IV. and V., and had formerly three chateaux: La
Motte, of which the Hotel de la Prefecture occupies the site; Plaisance,
half a mile out of the town, where Duke Francis I. died; and La Hermine,
scene of John IV.'s treacherous imprisonment of the Constable Clisson,
which was razed in 1614. It had two towers--one demolished in 1770, the
other still standing, called the "Tour du Connetable," because it was
within its walls he imprisoned Clisson. The Duke had resolved on his
death, to prevent the marriage of Clisson's daughter Marguerite to Jean de
Bretagne, Count de Penthievre, son of Charles of Blois.(17) The story is
well related by d'Argentre.

The Duke of Brittany summoned his barons and knights to a council at
Vannes, and entertained the