judicial proceedings. As the forms of proceeding are often so minute, and the letter of the law is so strictly observed, I have not thought fit to have the investigation carried on in Staffordshire, as against private persons, but have consulted the most eminent men and the judges of the kingdom, and confided the conduct of the affair to them. For we Princes, I tell you, are set in a place where the whole world, with reason, observes us. Every spot on our clothes, everything wrong in our actions, is speedily discovered; we must, therefore, take care that our conduct is just and honorable. Even in trifles I do not willingly give a hasty answer, how much less in a matter of such importance; I must rather pray to God to enlighten my understanding, that I may choose and determine what is for the good of the State and of the Church."

This was the substance of her discourse; but, twelve days later, Elizabeth sent a message to the Parliament, desiring it to think seriously of some other means, because that which they proposed did not agree with her inclination. Hereupon all the Members of the Upper and of the Lower House, after a serious deliberation, unanimously declared "that they were unable to discover any other means of securing religion and the tranquillity of the kingdom, as well as the safety of the Queen; for such other means could only be either that Mary

should acknowledge the clemency of the Queen and amend her conduct; or that she should be so strictly confined, that no new intrigues could be feared; or that security be obtained by oaths, guarantees, &c.; or by her banishment. Neither of these four methods, nor all four together were possible, advantageous, or satisfactory. For though Elizabeth had protected Mary against her subjects, had saved her honour, and had for many years refrained from punishing her treacherous enterprises, yet she would never entertain grateful sentiments; the most rigorous imprisonment could not prevent conspiracies, no guarantees could secure Elizabeth's life, and banishment to a Roman Catholic kingdom would not lessen the danger, but increase it. If it was wrong to refuse justice to an individual, it was still more so to deny it to the whole body of the English, who so unanimously, and with one mind, demanded the execution of the sentence."

Elizabeth answered, "never in my life have I more doubted and hesitated whether I should speak or be silent, than on this day. If I speak without complaining, it is called hypocrisy; if I am silent it is construed into contempt of your love and care. If any person believes that I wish, by protracting the matter, to put on an appearance of generosity and clemency, or that the Lords who were summoned to deliberate, did not venture freely to express their opinions for fear of my displeasure, he does

me and them great wrong. You say, only the death of my enemy can give me security for my life. Truly nothing on earth would have given me more pleasure than that some other means had been found. I am not insensible to the danger, to your arguments, and to your affection. I do not condemn your judgment, but do you excuse my doubts; and be content with an answer which is none. I should say, I would not comply with your request, this might, perhaps, be more than I think; if I should say I would do it, this (as you will find, if you consider place, time, and circumstances,) might rather put me in danger, than tend to my safety."

If

However, on the 5th of December, 1586, a public notice was issued in London for the information and satisfaction of the people, of the following tenor: "By the voluntary and unextorted confessions of traitors, and by various documents proceeding immediately from Mary Stuart, it is proved that she participated in the conspiracy against the life of Elizabeth. Six and thirty Lords and Counsellors, the most eminent in the kingdom, personally examined her, seven and forty unanimously declared her guilty, and the Parliament, both the Upper and the Lower House, after examining the proceedings, and the sentence, with one voice confirmed the latter." Now, though nothing was said in this proclamation of a royal confirmation of the sentence, and of Elizabeth's views, it

caused great joy; the bells were rung, bonfires kindled, and psalms sung. But Mary considered herself, with this temper of the people, as devoted to death; which probably, having little hope from the intercession of foreign powers, and of her son James, now became more urgent than ever. First, Henry III. sent M. de Bellievre to London, who represented that what was imputed to Mary as deserving blame in her intercourse with Elizabeth, was rather to be attributed to evil counsellors, and to persons who, unknown to her, acted by their own authority; that the innocent deserved no punishment; that the Queen, as a crowed head, was not liable to it: lastly, that Elizabeth ought to pardon the guilty for her own sake, for the execution of Mary would increase her danger; blood called for blood, and France, Spain, nay, all Christian kings, must condemn and endeavour to revenge such a deed.(23)

Elizabeth replied to the Ambassador, “Mary's transgressions and sins cannot be imputed to others, but to herself. She even now still refuses to renounce her pretensions to the throne, and though I pardoned her in the affair of Norfolk, she has continued so many intrigues that I am not safe in my kingdom, or even in my house, that I am more a prisoner than she is. Every powerful sovereign would surely adopt precautionary measures, how shall I, a weak woman, resist without them? The

principal objects, the security of the government, and the peace of the kingdom, must, in case of need, be maintained by the most rigorous measures; and my duties to my people and to myself are here one and inseparable. If the King of France were in my situation, he would not act otherwise, and history records a great number of similar examples.(24) That my danger will be increased after the death of Mary, is not the opinion of England and of the Parliament. She was justly condemned, and justice ought to be respected. Only innocent blood cries to heaven and leads to misery, as the massacre of St. Bartholomew proves. Of the threats of foreign powers I am not afraid; Henry is not able to maintain tranquillity in France, how then could he secure me against Mary's intrigues? Least of all is the proffered word of the Guises of any value, since they consider it as a merit to murder the protestants, and to get themselves dispensed from the observance of their oaths."

To the King of France himself, Queen Elizabeth wrote the following remarkable letter:(25)

"SIR, MY GOOD BROTHER,

"The old ground on which I have often built my letters, appears to me at present so extremely strange, that I am compelled to change my style, and instead of giving thanks, to complain. Good God! how could you be so possessed (forcené) as