claims to the succession. This union of other arms, with those of France, appeared to the Constable Montmorency, unsuitable and unusual, for France had never expressed its numerous pretensions in this manner. When the Guises asked, "Why then Elizabeth called herself Queen of France?" they were answered, "This right is ancient, undisputed, and by no means indicates new, hostile intentions." Of the existence of such intentions in Francis and Mary, Elizabeth had sufficient proofs in her hands, when the Scotch confederates sought her assistance; but, instead of acting with inconsiderate precipitation, we here see, for the first time, the calmness and prudence, the judgment and the perspicuity, with which Elizabeth and her counsellors contemplated a question on all sides, and compared the arguments for and against, before they came to any resolution. (31)

Against supporting the Scotch confederates, it was argued, (32) "It is a dangerous example, and contrary to justice and law, to assist subjects in their rebellion against their legitimate Sovereigns. For though the confederates allege just grounds for many complaints, yet they ought to have had more patience, to have taken a milder course, to have sought for mediation, and not, misconstruing examples in the Bible, and violating all forms, to have removed their adversaries from all participation in public affairs, and arbitrarily deposed the

Queen Regent, whose person was sacred. To join this violent party is no less dangerous than unjust, for secret assistance is not sufficient; and extensive and public aid would break the peace, and France and Scotland, nay, all the Catholic powers, might combine against England, which they hate, and find assistance among the English Catholics, who remain quiet only because they have no support to rest upon."

In conformity with these views, the Scotch received at first a cold answer, declining their overtures; they, however, renewed their application, and the arguments in favour of acceding to them appeared daily to gain ground. It is not contrary to God's law, it was observed, "For a Prince to avert present and future dangers, and it is permitted to use the same means for defence that another employs for attack. The French, contrary to all justice, even now keep an army in Scotland, and that kingdom, formerly subject to the supremacy of England, will, if we are any longer indifferent, and with the already declared assent of Mary, fall entirely into their hands. Nay, after overpowering the Protestants, they will undoubtedly attack England, in order to place Mary Stuart on the throne, and renew the tyranny of Mary Tudor. (33) The state, the church, and the liberty of England depend, therefore, on the turn which things take in Scotland. What is intended is very evident

from the desolating incursions, the new armaments in the French ports, and the constant refusal of Mary to lay aside the title and the arms of England. (34) She, with her relations, has urged the Pope to declare Elizabeth disqualified from succeeding to the throne, and even given occasion to Philip II., though so zealous a Catholic, to warn the Queen of those dangerous plans."

Notwithstanding these weighty arguments, Elizabeth had no mind to meddle with the affairs of Scotland, and thought it improper and offensive to support a party among the people, against the Queen Regent. It was not till confidential persons returned from Scotland, who gave a more accurate account of the state of affairs, and the English Privy Council declared its well-founded opinion, that if this moment for affording support was neglected, the dangers, difficulties, and expense, would be doubled; (35) that, on the 27th of February, 1560, a moderate and equitable convention was entered into with the discontented Scotch, of which the following is the substance: "The ancient rights of the country shall be maintained by assistance from England, and the French mercenaries shall be sent away; on the other hand, the Scotch promise to be in all things faithful and obedient to King Francis and Queen Mary, and never to violate their undeniable rights."

When Elizabeth caused all the above-mentioned grounds of complaint to be alleged at Paris, and offered to maintain peace, if the French mercenaries were withdrawn from Scotland, nothing was done to afford real and just satisfaction to so dangerous an enemy, but an attempt was made to allure her by the promise of restoring Calais, if she would refrain from all interference in the affairs of Scotland. After receiving her answer, "That she would not risk the peace of England for the sake of a fishing town," Francis and Mary endeavoured to attain their object by the mediation of Philip II. But Elizabeth answered on the 8th of April, "That after so many threats and dangers she could not withdraw her army from Scotland till the French left that kingdom, nor ought the Scotch to be declared rebels, since they only defended their national independence, which was confirmed by the laws." However willing Philip might have been to acquire the honour of settling all these disputes by his mediation, he was not disposed to begin a war with Elizabeth, for the sake of France and Scotland. Wherefore, Francis and Mary having only their own insufficient means, gave a commission on the 15th of May, 1560, to the Bishops of Valence and Amiens, and to Monsieur de Brosses, to negociate from Scotland on all the points in dispute. They added, "That what these three

envoys, or two of them, should do, order, or agree upon with Elizabeth, they would execute it without ever acting contrary to it in any manner."

But before the hopes of such remote assistance could be fulfilled, or, with the increasing party-dissensions in France, fresh troops could be brought from that country, the Regent found herself so hard pressed, and vexation and illness so affected her, that she died on the 11th of June, 1560. Understanding, judgment, virtuous conduct, and many other laudable qualities, are almost unanimously allowed her; yet, much as the state of things at that time mitigates the censure, it is evident from the facts that she did not keep clear of the petty, mean arts of politics, and disregarded ancient rights, neglected the natives, missed in religious affairs the just medium, and by slavish compliance with the directions of her brothers, was a great cause of present evils and future sufferings. On the 8th of July, three weeks after the death of the Regent, her representatives and the French envoys were obliged to make a convention at Edinburgh with the confederate Scotch, and Elizabeth, to the following effect. (36) "The French soldiers shall leave Scotland in twenty days, and not return without the consent of Parliament. Foreigners shall be excluded from public offices. No person shall be called to account for what is past. The Parliament, which shall meet in August next, and send a deputy