royal sanction; nay, much was done in the same spirit without any direction and general law."

Though Mary, yielding to the importunities of zealous Roman Catholics, would willingly have ordered things to be restored to their former condition, and have disregarded the urgent objections of her half-brother, she had not sufficient power to effect this, and the continued differences with Elizabeth added to her embarrassments. Throckmorton, the English ambassador, had stated to Mary, that his Queen was inclined to all good services, cordial reconciliation, and friendly cooperation, as soon as Mary executed the treaty of Edinburgh, to which she was besides bound, as her ambassadors had had unlimited power to conclude it. But Mary replied, "That she must take the matter into more mature consideration, and wait till she received from Scotland the opinion of her friends." When Throckmorton observed, "That as the intercourse between the two kingdoms was so frequent, this might and ought to have been done long before;" new evasions and delays were sought, so that Elizabeth plainly perceived what point, in that treaty, was the real cause of offence, and that it was contemplated to give a very different turn to the affairs of Scotland, if necessary, with the assistance of a greater French force. Her friends, in that country, were equally apprehensive, and were more strongly impressed with a conviction, that even for the sake of religion,

England and Scotland ought now to enter into a closer alliance."

Such was the state of affairs when King Francis II. died, unexpectedly, on the 5th of December, 1560. This was so far a loss to Elizabeth, as Philip II. had no longer any reason to dread the union of the British and French crowns on one head; and if he followed his own opinions, must be inclined to her enemies: but it was a still greater misfortune to Mary, for the reigning Queen of a great kingdom had become a widow, ill treated by her mother-inlaw, (43) and could the less depend upon French assistance to promote her views in Scotland, as Catharine de Medicis was afraid she would marry Philip, or Don Carlos. But Mary's predilection for France was so great that she had no mind to go to Scotland. Many of her friends, too, reminded her of the dangers of the voyage; of the doubtful sentiments of Elizabeth, and of the rude manners of the Scotch people, who were impatient, even under the government of a male sovereign. James, her half-brother, who visited her in Lorraine, declared decidedly, on the contrary, that her presence in Scotland was absolutely necessary, and that if Mary governed with moderation, and confirmed the new religious institutions, she would have nothing to apprehend. Lastly, her uncles were of opinion that she ought to appear in Scotland as Queen, to hold the reins of government with a firm hand,

check heresy, and acquire greater power and effectual support by a second marriage.

At this moment it was, above all things, important to satisfy Elizabeth. Accordingly, Mary wrote to her on the 5th of January, 1561, a month after the death of her husband, a letter, in which she says, "That she would not recur to any thing that had passed, nor enquire whether those who signed the treaty of Edinburgh were authorised to do so. But the passage in it which related to the right of succession was too disadvantageous to her, and was, at all events, drawn up in an equivocal and obscure manner; that Elizabeth might herself examine and decide; Mary required no more than what she would grant to her under similar circumstances." That Mary would not enter on the question respecting the extent of the full powers of the envoys, was deciding it in her own favour. The words, too, respecting the renunciation of the arms and title of England were anything but equivocal, only the question respecting the future right of succession was not so accurately developed and decided."

This correspondence was succeeded by an application from Mary, that Elizabeth would grant her a safe conduct for her voyage to Scotland. She received for answer, "That she should have not only safe conduct, but the most friendly reception wherever she appeared, if she ratified the

VOL. I.

N

Yet

treaty of Edinburgh. That a longer delay to comply with this just demand, or declining to pass through England, must necessarily be considered by Elizabeth as an affront." Mary, angry at this intimation, said to the English ambassador, Throckmorton, “I do not want the permission and consent of Elizabeth, and can and will go to Scotland without it. I intended to pay her a friendly visit, and the more so as she so frequently speaks of the necessity of friendship between England and Scotland; but, indeed, it seems to me, that these words are not very seriously meant, and that Elizabeth is more favourable to the rebels than to me. I well know that there are many discontented persons in England also, but I will not interfere in the internal concerns of that kingdom, and though I have had no long experience, I am old enough to know what justice, friendship, and equity require. With these sentiments, and as a Queen, I may boldly meet Elizabeth; in obedience to my husband I did not ratify the treaty of Edinburgh, but since his death I have laid aside the arms and title of England, and as soon as I have made myself sufficiently acquainted in Scotland with the state of affairs, I shall be able to come to a satisfactory decision on the other points also. Everything is prepared for my voyage, - I will not delay it, and hope that the wind will be

so favorable that I shall not be obliged to touch

upon the English coast. But should I fall into the hands of Elizabeth, she may do to me according to her will, and if she is so hard-hearted as to wish for my death, she may sacrifice me as a victim, which, perhaps, might be better for me than a longer life."

Elizabeth conjectured from this passionate declaration, that Mary was by no means so easy with respect to the affairs of Scotland, or so free from design with regard to her claims upon England, as she pretended to be. She received too, from Catharine de Medicis, (who was averse to the union of the crowns of England and Scotland on Mary's head, from personal dislike and solid reasons,) secret communications relative to the projects in favour of Mary. Elizabeth, however, who was not disposed to carry the matter any further at present, affected not to believe it. While, on the other side, some suspicious persons thought that Mary's brother James had wished that she should go by way of England, and be there detained till the religious innovations in Scotland should be completed. (44)

Agitated by such thoughts, with the most melancholy feelings, in fear of being captured by English cruisers, Mary went on board the ship that was to carry her to her native kingdom. When the coasts of France vanished from her sight she thought that the happiness of her life had vanished