A story is told of this reverend _curé_ by Bonaventure Déperriers, in his _Joyeux Devis_, which, if not authentic, is characteristic of the times. A certain popular actor and head of a wandering dramatic company, one Jean de l'Espine, called _Pont-Allais_, was one day beating his drum near the church, to announce the commencement of his entertainment. Within the church the _curé_ was preaching, but alas, his voice could not be heard above the rattle outside. Exit the preacher from his pulpit. He hurries out, and addresses the comedian upon the stage of his booth: "How can you dare to strum while I am preaching?" "And how can you dare to preach while I am drumming?" retorted the actor. The _curé_, enraged at this impudent reply, broke the drum; but Jean _Pont-Allais_, with the swiftness of a man of action, seized the priest, and popping the drum upon his head, pushed him into the church. Whether the discourse was continued, with or without the _coiffure_, history does not relate. Jean Lecoq died in 1568. René Benoist, born at Angers, and a member of the school of theologians calling itself the Société Royale de Navarre, was, when quite young, the confessor of Marie Stuart, whom he followed to Scotland. Upon the death of the queen he became _curé_ of St. Pierre-des-Arcis, and afterwards of S. Eustache. At the commencement of his career he was a _Ligueur_, and by reason of his great influence was nicknamed _le roi des Halles_. In 1588 he pronounced a funeral oration upon the assassinated Guises at Blois: