The English Mail Coach and Joan of Arc

The English Mail Coach and Joan of Arc is a collection of two essays written by Thomas De Quincey, a renowned English essayist and literary critic. The first essay, The English Mail Coach, is a lyrical and nostalgic description of the English mail coach and its role in the transportation of mail and passengers across the country during the early 19th century. De Quincey's prose is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the coach, its passengers, and the changing landscapes through which it travels.The second essay, Joan of Arc, is a biographical sketch of the legendary French heroine who led her country to victory against the English during the Hundred Years' War. De Quincey's portrayal of Joan of Arc is sympathetic and nuanced, emphasizing her bravery, intelligence, and spiritual convictions. He also explores the political and religious context of her life and death, offering insights into the historical forces that shaped her destiny.Overall, The English Mail Coach and Joan of Arc is a masterful work of literary non-fiction that showcases De Quincey's skill as a writer and his deep understanding of history, culture, and human nature. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of transportation, the life of Joan of Arc, or the art of essay writing.What is to be thought of her? What is to be thought of the poor shepherd girl from the hills and forests of Lorraine, that--like the Hebrew shepherd boy from the hills and forests of Judea--rose suddenly out of the quiet, out of the safety, out of the religious inspiration, rooted in deep pastoral solitudes, to a station in the van of armies, and to the more perilous station at the right hand of kings? The Hebrew boy inaugurated his patriotic mission by an act, by a victorious act, such as no man could deny. But so did the girl of Lorraine, if we read her story as it was read by those who saw her nearest. Adverse armies bore witness to the boy as no pretender; but so they did to the gentle girl.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.