letters and sonnets which had been discovered, were laid before the Parliament, which declared them to be genuine, and her participation in the death of Darnley to be proved. It likewise so far confirmed all the measures that had been adopted, that she lost all hopes of justifying herself in an amicable or legal way, and of recovering the crown. However, with the assistance of young Lord Douglas, a younger half-brother of Murray, who had fallen in love with her, she succeeded in escaping from the Castle of Lochleven on the 2d of May, 1568, and, in a few days, assembled a great number of men, who were dissatisfied at the elevation of Murray, and the triumph of the Protestants, or believed the Queen to be innocent, and pitied her. Prudent persons advised that Mary should proceed with the greatest caution, and above all, strive to gain time; others, seeing that her army was the stronger, insisted on a speedy decision. But the battle of Langside, on the 13th of May, 1568, was completely lost against Murray, and it was now a question very difficult to be decided, whether Mary should deliver herself up to her Scotch enemies, escape to France, or go to England. To go to France would have been the most advisable for her personal safety, but would have given her adversaries free scope for a long time, and appeared very humiliating for one who had been formerly the reigning Queen of France. These and similar objections would probably have been

VOL. I.

Q

overruled had ships been at hand, or had there been any possibility of carrying this plan into effect. The first proposal would lead, according to the Scotch Act of Parliament, if not to certain death, yet to perpetual imprisonment; (76) the third seemed to be easy of execution, and, as Elizabeth had so often declared herself favourable to Mary, held out very great hopes. In vain did some represent that the pretensions, principles, views, religion, way of life, and inclinations of the two Queens were directly opposed to each other, and that Mary could not possibly expect any good from her far more prudent rival. In fact, she was in such an helpless condition, that no alternative was left. On the 17th of May, 1568, she went with a few attendants to Workington, in England, (") and on the same day wrote to Elizabeth, representing her extreme distress, and requesting an interview, as well as assistance and protection against her rebellious subjects.

es

Elizabeth on receiving the news of Mary's cape from Lochleven, had sent fresh instructions to her Ambassador, according to which she was ready to take upon herself the mediation between her and her subjects in an impartial manner, but so that the influence of all other persons in Scotland should be cut off and her own increased. But before any thing could be done, Mary had already been vanquished, and had arrived helpless on

But

English ground. What a change of fortune! But a few years before, Mary had united on her head three splendid crowns, and Elizabeth was, at that time, pronounced unworthy of the throne, or even of life. Now she who had been so highly honoured implored her who had been despised, for protection against the axe of the executioner, which her subjects already held over her. Such had been the natural effect of prudence and moderation on the one part, of passion and crimes on the other. what was Elizabeth to do on such an unexpected event? To what principles and motives should she give ear? This most important question was discussed with that prudence and mature deliberation which distinguish Elizabeth and her ministers. Mary's friends said, no one whose natural feelings are not corrupted, or wholly destroyed by artificial calculations, or impure subordinate motives, can doubt for a moment what is to be done, when a young, beautiful, betrayed, and persecuted Queen, throws herself, full of confidence, into the arms of her nearest relation, of her most powerful friend. On less important occasions, and under circumstances far less urgent, Elizabeth has given her assurances of sincere regard, and now, when all is at stake, would it not be the duty of every individual bravely to venture the utmost for the unhappy sufferer, and that of every sovereign to recognize her cause as his own? Every thing that has, without

Mary's fault, hitherto given occasion for suspicion and dispute, is now of no importance. If Elizabeth, unmindful of the past, follows the impulse of a generous heart, Mary will be bound to eternal gratitude, nay, having naturally a very feeling heart, she will be inspired with enthusiastic veneration for her, who has voluntarily been changed from a rival into a protecting genius. And as the Queens unite with the affection of sisters, the two nations will forget ancient animosities, and live in amicable and happy concord. If, on the other

hand, setting aside all higher principles, and unmindful of future consequences, an attempt should be made to profit by the temporary distress of Mary, such conduct would be followed by Mary's hatred, by the enmity of all the Roman Catholic powers, and of all true Scotchmen, and not merely expose Elizabeth to danger, but draw down upon her the disgrace of unjust hard-heartedness.

To these and similar observations, those of a different opinion replied, (78) "The youth and beauty of Mary are no reason for taking her part; on the contrary, these qualities are dangerous, when we see how weak and passionate minds are dazzled by them, and made incapable of serious examination and decision in so important an affair. Or, should the resolution be different if Mary were older or ugly, or if not a woman but a man applied for

assistance, under similar circumstances? Elizabeth, it is true, is Mary's relation, and was always inclined to act as such; whereas the latter, in her pride, would never acknowledge her to be of equal and honorable birth, nor the lawful Queen. Has Elizabeth no other duties than to decide in such important affairs of state with weak, nay, foolish sensibility? Her rival, it is said, will not be inferior to her in mildness, affection, and eternal gratitude; but granting that Mary personally entertains these sentiments, is she mistress of the great events which now agitate the world? Is the point in question merely the reconciliation between two women who are at variance, and not rather the fate of whole nations, perhaps for many generations? Mary's enemies in Scotland are the old friends of England, and professors of the true faith. Her friends are the partisans of France, promoters of the rebellion in Ireland, and admirers of the persecuting system of Popery. She is herself of the family of the Guises, who are endeavouring to extirpate the Protestants in France by atrocious means. She is supported by Philip II. and the Duke of Alva, those bloodhounds who now fill the beautiful Netherlands with gibbets and funeral piles, and are not withheld by gratitude for important victories, from delivering those most noble men, Egmont and Horn, to the scaffold. Shall Elizabeth, shall England, now the sole prop of the