10 THE MENDEL JOURNAL 



of the family about whom little is known, or at least 

 nothing is readily obtained. The presumption is that 

 these were mediocre normal and negative persons, 

 who, having neither gifts nor vices, did not interest 

 the gossips of the time. 



The talent in the House of Bourbon also shows an 

 alternative tendency, especially in the capacity found 

 among the relatives of Henry IV. of France, His 

 father was mediocre, but his mother, Jeanne d'Albret, 

 one of the chief supporters of Protestantism, was 

 distinguished for her talents, virtues, and heroic 

 qualities. Her father, Henri d'Albret, was of little 

 account, but her mother was Margaret d'Angouleme, 

 famous for her literary work, and gave chief refuge to 

 the advocates of the reformed doctrine in her time. 

 Among the five children of Henry IV. Henrietta, who 

 married Charles I. of England, seems to have had the 

 brains and spirit, while Louis XIII. and Gaston of 

 Orleans were unusually weak. In the next generation 

 Anne Marie amply represented the genius of her 

 grandfather. She was Duchess of Monpensier — 

 generally known as " Mademoiselle " — and belongs 

 among the few famous military leaders who have been 

 women. The spirit and daring of " Mademoiselle " 

 were indeed remarkable, especially at the capture of 

 the town of Orleans, where she rendered important 

 service. She also wrote memoirs which are interest- 

 ing reading. 



This type of active mentality disappeared in the 

 subsequent generations of the French royal family. 

 I have accounted for this in " Heredity in Royalty," 



