Mary queen of Scots and her latest English historian. A narrative of the principal events in the life of Mary Stuart; with some remarks on Mr. Froude's History of England

Front matter

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Chapter I. Paqb

Popularity of Mr. Froiule's History. — Impart'ality difficult. — Characteristics of Earlier Volumes. — Treatment of Henry and Elizabeth.— >ome Defects. — His iletiiou. — Psychological School. — A few Libenies 1

CHAPTKR 11.

Historj' of Sixteenth Century. — Mr. Froude's Knowledjje of it. — Tlie Cobhani Case. — Ptine Forte el Dare. — An Instance. — Torture and the liack. — Uack busy under Elizabeth. — Torture approved. — Seulinientality. — I'lionias .More. — Kailierine of Aragon. — Anne Holeyn. — Kaint Priise. — Insinuation. — A Danuij?- ing- Review. — Rea-ous for Judicial Murder. — Optimist or Pessimist V — t)ur Noble Hal. — Poor Laws. — Tiie Inevitable. — Thomas ' loniwell. — People who lotte their \Vd\ . — Henry's Wives.

— Mortality e.xplaiiied. — Case altered. — Fatal Necessity of Mistake. — Au Indictment .11

CHAPTER in.

Au Early Departure — Clever Device. — Sentimentality. — A Perfect Child. — Suppression. — Birth, Parentage, and Education. —A very Little One. — Court of Catherine de Medicis. —Mary Stuart never there. — True Position of Catherine. — Testimony of French Historians. — Mary Stuart's Dependence. — Deep Ploiiting . . 22

CHAPTER IV.

Mary's Educa ion. — ^laniage. — Her Health. — Afr. Fr tide's Views. — Sensual and Devil. sh — .Annoying Aniba.-isadoi-. — Candid Statement. — Mary's I'rec cious Politics. — A Young Girl's Cialt and ] eceit. — Elizaheth refuses Sat'e Comluct. — Mary embarks for Scot and. — Sentimentality vs. Business. — Something well done.

— James Stewart. — His Duplicity ...... 30

CHAPTER V.

Arrival in Scotland. — The Situation — Sciitch Nobles. — Marv's First Public Act. — Interview with John Knox. — St. Paul. — Relentiv TABLE OF CONTENTS. ,

PAQE

less Bigotry. — How to hide a Purpose. — Another Knox Interview.

— Mr. Hosack's Work. — Broken Heads and Bloody Ears. — Religious Toleraiion. — Knox's Denunciations. — Air Drawn Crowns.

— Lesson in History. — Reading Secret Thoughts. — Earl of Hunt-

ly. — Elizabeth. — Murray's Power 40

CHAPTER VL

Quotation Marks. — John Knox's Sermon. — A Fancy Sketch. — Violent Weeping. — Admirable Actress. — A Failure. — Knox and Murray fall out. — The Cause. — Spell of Enchantress. — John Knox looks through a Person. — Cleopatra Tableau. — Queen's Personal Habits. — Graceful Self-indulgence. — Proofs of same . . 54

CHAPTER Vn.

David Riccio. — Purism. — Moray or Murraj' 'i" — Bothwell. —Splendid Passage. — Murra3''s Conduct. — Historian maltreats his Friends. — Suitors for Mary's Hand. — Tone of Philosophic Historian. — The Worthless Leicester. — Plot to imprison Mary. — She marries Lord Darnley. — Tumultuous working of Imagination. — Catholic League. — Question of Toleration. — Question of Sincerity. — Mr. Froude's Trouble. — Uncertain Twilight. — A Silly Storv. — Hearsay. — Murrav's Insurrection. — Murray's Head. — What Mary said. — Mr. Froude's Record not recorded. — What is Treason? — Rebellion crushed. — Eyes that glare, glitter, and flash. — What a Wonderful History! 62

CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Froude explains. — Randolph Letter non est. — Substitute offered. — Bedford Letter. — It has not the Words cited. — Singular Appeal to Prejudice. — Who wrote " She said she could have no Peace? " — Where does Mr. Froude obtain it? — History or Romance. — Randolph about the Court. — " In connection with Bedford." — Who was Bedford ? — Travestie of History. — Appreciation of Difficulty. — Bedford Letter. — Certified Copy. — Imaginative Historian 77

CHAPTER IX.

Murray and Elizabeth. — : Unwelcome Guest. — Randolph. — Treasonable Practices. — Bags of Specie. — Ladv Murray. — Roseate Sketch. — Randolph dismissed. — His Character. — Elizabeth. — What she swears to. — Admirable Actress. — Court Comedy. — Christian Regina Cceli. — The Deadly Coil. — Bond for the Slaughter. — A Swift Messenger. — Conventional Forms. — Objects of the Plot. — General Fast. — John Knox. — Historical Verdict . 90

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X.

Murder of Riccio. — Assassin Hero. —Murderer's Testinion}^ — Will be kni>\vii liereafter. — Literary Work-bench. — How Mr. I'miuie manufactures Evidence. — Mosaic of .Malice. — Threat of Murder.

— Postlunnous Prophecy. — One Correct St:iteinent. — Festive Mistoriau ca{,^es a Bird. — Snakes, Birds, and Panthers. — Lsimblike Lords — iMary's Death provided for. — Appalling Wickedness. — Wile elopes with Husband. — The Man just over the Border.—

*' Free and Generous Nature " votes for his Sister's Death. — Mary ' escsipes. — Incojisolable Historian. — Executes Fantasia with " incredible Animosity."— Away, Away! — Mary do-'s not write a Letter. — Picturesque Insanity. — Letter to Elizabeth. — Inventive Historian. — Must History continue to be written in this Way? — Murder of Black. — Invention and Fact. — Ofticial Record. — Letter of Bishop of Norwich to Bullinger 98

CHAPTER XL

Murray all Powerful. — Jedburi;h. — Story of the Queen's Ride. — Buchanan, Robertson, ami Kroude. — Both well and John Elliott. — Desperate Fight.— Elliott slain. —Only " a Scuffle." — Thieves in Elizabeths Pay.— How History is written. — Garbled Citation. — Bothwell's Character. —Alloa Story. — A Letter. — Darnley's Fear of the Lords. — Prurient Insolence. — The Queen's'Retiiuie. — Dying Bed. — Craigniillar. —A Dark Suggestion. — Inverted Commas.

— Infeli-itous Translation. — Hard of Hearing. — Murray's Position. — His Declaration. — Suggestion as to Darnley. — Mary's Last Will.— A Bond. — Historian's Duty. — Belief with the Will. — Mr. Fronde's Dilenuna. — Three Inventi.ms. — Baptism of Prince. — Pardon of Riccio ilurderers. —Darnley dreads Morton's Return . 112

CHAPTER XII.

Blunder and Invention. — Popish Ceremony. — Lords and Ladies. — Curious Infelicity. — Desperation. — Feared for his Life. — Darule,v leaves Court. — His " Wrongs." — Lennox neglected. — Mary to blame. — Pints and Pardons. — Poor Boy ! — Humanity vg Crueltj'. — Darnley's Character. — His Conduct. — Queen's Unhappiness. — A Story about Poison. — How proved. — Cato the Censor.

— Said it was Small-pox. — Bothwell Scandal. — Contenii>orary Evidence. — Is there any? — Reporters and Spies. — Queen's Household. — Queen's High Standing. — Morton returns. — Bothwell and Maitland. — Plot to murder Darnley. — Warrant for his Arrest. — Queen refuses to sign. — Spies and Tale Bearers. — George Douglas. —Morton's Participation. — Queen's Letter. — Not Clever.— Letters to Darnley. — Visits Darnley. — Her Bearing.

— Conduct of Darnley. — His Declaration. — Crawford and Mr. Fronde. — Darnlev's House 1-32

VI TABLE OF COISi TENTS. •

CHAPTER Xill.

PAOB

Certainties of History. — Philosophical Reflections. — Mary goes to Glasgow. — Callander. — Lrawt'ord. — VVliuse Envoj' ? — Rewai ds of .Merit.— Fantastic Sketch.— Psychology.— Odd Glitter.— Skilful Player. — The Casket-letters. — Over Hasty. — Promise broken.

— Place and Plan. — Dai-nley goes to Edimorgli. — i^elson's Deposition. — An Earl}' Supper. — A (Jrand Banquet. — Clernault's Letter. — Murder of Daniley. — Fur Wrapper :ind l-iCly-ninth Fsalm. — Threat of Revenge. — Who is Calderwood? — Correct Ciiation. — A Sound Sleep. — Summing jm. — Scottish Lords. — Queen's Advisers. — Placards. — Proclamation. — Warning from Paris. — Murray's Absence. — Lennox sent for. — Spanish Coldness.

— The. Cause. — A Mystery. — lieports as to the Murder . . 144

CHAPTER XIV. I

Crawford's Testimony. — Tallies exactly. — Coincidence explained. -r- Device of Forger. — Powerful Reasoning. — An Invincible Argument. — Overwhi Iming Exactness. — Deposition of Paris. — How taken. — Why not used. — Incon-istencies. — Contradicted b}' Murray's Diary. — How was Darnley killed '? — Blown up or strangled? — Ihree Plots. — Contemporary Testimony. — Darnley's Papers. — Mr. Caird's Book. — Motives of Murderers. - — Murray's Absence. — His Knowledge of the Plot. — Unable to interfere. — Dying Depositions. — The Witnesses. — They accuse tlie Lords. — Leslie's Challenge. — Other Testimon}'- 157

CHAPTER XV.

Killigrew searches the Truth. — Dines with Darnley's Murderers. — Murra}'' pretends to search. — The Clique. — Killigrew Letter. — Two Versions — Suspicions but no Proof. — Atmosphere of Falsehood. — Queen's Seclusion. — Seton. — Drury's Discovery. — Mary desires to go to France. — Murray. — He leaves Scotland.

— His Last Will. — Bothwell's Trial. — English Marshal's Report.

— A Remarkable Photograph. — Mr. Fronde's Coloring. — Bothwell's Judges. — The Parliament. — Murray cared for . . 172

CHAPTER XVL

Ainslie Bond. — "No Supper. — Bothwell's Marriage with Queen recommended by the Nobles. — Did Murray sign? — Foreign Guard.

— Literary Manipulation. — How Jlother tried to poison her Child.

— Mary's Abduction. — Dunbar. — Sir James Melville. — His Account. — Testimony. — The Outrage. — Marriage. — One Hcniest Man. — Tlie Queen's Despair. — Mary's Letter. — Cool Presumption. — More Manipulation 184

TABLE OF CONTEXTS. Vll

CHAPTER XVII.

PAGE

Fresh I'lot of the Lords. — The Rising. — Carbeny. — Bothwell's Flight. — ALiry goes to tht^ Cainp ot the Lords. — Thej' profess Alk'giaiK-e and Respect. — Horrible Scene. — liiutal Conduct. — A Leiter which was not written. — Camden's I'estiinony. — Arrest of C'aptain Cullen. — His Disclosures. — How Darnley was killed. — CiilifU stiangled. — Queen at Lochleven. — Crai^millar Bond. — Bahuur bribed. — Murray's Ailniiiiistration rewards Darnley's Jliirdcrtr-i. — Dares not touch them. — Silver-casket Letters. — Popular Hatred of Murray. — Mary escapes from Lochleven. — The Protestant Nobility. — The Annies. — Fight at Langside. — Mr. Fruuile's Reapers. — Jlary trusts to Elizabeth . . • 195

CHAPTER XVIH.

The Casket-letters. — Opinions and Authorities. — How their Autheinicity is discussed. — Historian weaves the Tainted Papers.

— Desultory Muttering. — tienlus of Shakespeare. — External Histiiiv — Pretended Discovery. — Absence of Contemporary Evidence. — Ca.^ket not heard of till after Death of Dalgleish. — Further Proof. — Balfour and Morton. — Forgery explained. — Botlnvell. — Morton and Murray. — The Juggling Box. — Some Gasket recovered. — Bothwell's rhouglus read. — Another Casket Appear aice. ^Robert Houdiii. — What Balfour really found. — Oil on Fire. — Pure Invention. — Internal Evidence. — Scotch and French Versions. — Buchanans "Detection." — Cecil's Ceriiticate 209

CHAPTER XIX.

After Carberry. — Maitland's Description. — Pulpit on the Queen. — Lords ;ind General Assembly. — John Knox. — Candid Opinion.

— No .Attempt to arrest Bothwell. — Casket-letters not seen in Scotland. — Absurd Pretense of Acquaintance with Jloties. — Mary Stuart's I'artisans sternly rebuked. — Murray's Conduct to Mary. — Mr. Froude's Mild Statement. — Murray is Pious. — But loves Munej'. — French Pension. — The Brutal Lindsay. — Three Sheets of I'aper. — Spanish .Vuthoriy. — Accurate Description. —

A Late Discovery. — De Silva's Letter. — Research at Simancas . 223

CHAPTER XX.

Historinn touches Exact Spot. — Complicity of Cecil and Elizabeth in the Murder. — Elizabeth's Conduct on .Arrest of Morton. — Blaspht-mous Balfour. — His Threatening Letter — The Queen's Jewels — Murray sells his Sister's Pearls — I. ad}' Murray. — Forced to surrender Plunder. — Maiilainl, K.irkaldy, and Morton.

— Picture of Morton. — Sells Earl of Westmoreland to Elizabeth.

— Mr Froude's Account 233

VIU TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXI.

PAGE

Cecil the Statesman. — Pro Regina Scotorum. — Conference at York. — Murray's Device. — Asks Promise to decide in his Favor.

— Casket-letters. — Shows Scotch Copies secretly. — Shows Copies as Originals. — Mr. Froude's Invention. — Duke of Norfolk. — Mak Guid Watch. — Two Letters disappear. — Duke of Sussex. — What he wrote. — The Froude Version. — Suppression and Invention. — Murray's Companions . '. . ■ . . . . 242

CHAPTER XXIL

Part First

Scottish Queen demands to be heard in Person. — Her Commissioners. — Her Declaration. — Elizabeth Declines. — Murray's Accusation. — Mary's Intent to murder her Child. — Elizabeth doubts Strength of Murray's Case. — Mary's Protest. — Cecil's Trick. — Murray proceeds in Absence of Mary's Commissioners. — Book of Articles. — Unwilling to produce Casket. — Produces it. — Morton certifies it. — Nature of the Examination. — Protest of Mary's Commissioners. — Accomplished Experts. — Cecil's Minutes. — Letters showed " bj'' Hap." — Keenest Scrutiny. — English Commissioners hold back. — Cecil Furious. — Mary in a Distant Prison.

— Her Protest. — Accuses Murray and the Lords. — Demands Copies of the Letters.- — Repeated Demand for Copies. — Elizabeth. — Admirable Actress ... .... 251

Part Second

Mar}'^ again demands Copies., — Offers to prove Forgery of the Letters. — Elizabeth promises Copies. — Promises again. — Again Admirable Actress. — Cunning Plot to persuade Mary to abdicate. — Its Details. — How it succeeded. —Will die a Queen of Scotland. — Decision of Commissioners on Letters. — Casket Proofs dismissed as Insufficient. — Another Demand for Copies. — Murray returns to Scotland. — Takes Box and £5,000. — Copies again demanded. — No Result. — At Mary's Request, French Ambassador applies for Copies. — Again promised. — But not furnished. — Elizabeth flies in a Passion. — Reaction in Favor of Mary

CHAPTER XXIII.

Mary's Letter to Elizabeth. — Lady Livingstone. — Scottish Ladies offer to share Mary's Captivity. — Proposition to Mary. — To marry Norfolk. — To be recognized as Heir Apparent. — Mary's Innocence. — We are shown what passes in her Mind. — Asks for Bread and is given a Stone. — Her Prison Life. — Mr. Froude's

TABLE OF CONTEXTS. IX

PAGE

Broad Charity. — Outbursts of Truest Pathos. — False in one false 270 in all

CHAPTER XXIV.

Scotland on ^Murray's Return. — Kirkaldy of Grange. — Murray betniys Norlolk. — Rising of Norlliuuib-rland and Westmoreland. — Murray arrests Northumberland. — Dares not sell him to Elizabeth. — Indignation of the People — iMurray shot at Linlithgow. — His Eulogy. — Elizabeth's Harbarity. — Another Rising. — Lady Lennox. — Darnley's Mother acknowledges Mary's Innocence. — Her Letter. — .Mr. Froude does not see it . . . 277

CHAPTER XXV.

Walsingham's Plot. — Plots to release JIary. — Plot against Elizabeth. — Str\ pe quoted. — Lord Brougham's View. — Walsingham's Guilt — Paulet and Phillips. — Suggestive Correspondence.

— Paulet refuses to execute Plot. — M. Mignet's Opinion. — Deciphered Letiers. — The Work done in Walsingham's Office. — His Devices and Tools. — The Queen's Secretaries. — Babington and Companions executed. — Elizabeth's Humanity. — Testimony of Nau and Curie. — Mary's Papers. — What is Legal Evidence'? — Counsel for Marv. — Leicester suggests Poison. — Mary refuses to appear. — Her Objections. — Why she consented. — The Trial at Fotheringay. — l\Inny Learned Counselors. — None for the Queen.

— Protests her Innocence. — Commission adjourned. — Lord Brougham's Statement of the Case 283

CHAPTER XXVI.

Elizabeth's Equaiiimit}-. — Her Spirit and Moon. — Petition of Parliament. — Puckering. — Piety. — Oracular Answer. — King of France sends Ambassador. — How he was th%varted. — The Stafford Trick. — Forgery. — Accomplished Actress. — Elizabeth's Mendacity. — Secretarv Davison. — r^e Death-warrant. — Amyas Paulet. — Walsingham's Letter. — Paulet refuses to Assassinate. — A Foul Plot. — Elizabeth's Conduct. — Mary Stuart's Letter to Elizabeth 295

CHAPTER XXVIL

The Death Sentence. — Maj;j''s Protest. — A Popish Testament. — Religious Consolation. — Death To-morrow. — Preparation. — The Night before the Execution. — Humanity and Decency. — Andrew Melville. — The Great Hall. — The Scaffold. - An Apostolic Man.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

— Into Tliy Hands. — The Executioner strikes a Blow, end. — Death

■A Sec-

CHAPTEK XXVIir.

Historian and Headsman. — The Ethical Principle. — Human Sympatliy. — Labored Improniptu. — The Historian's Charity. — Where is thj' Victory. — Mr. Froude's Description of the Execution. — Some Remarks upon it

CHAPTER XXIX.

A Theory offered