Memoirs of the Life of Mary Queen of Scots (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1823. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. A SKETCH OF MARY'S RESIDENCE IN ENGLAND.* The commencement of Mary's captivity in England was accompanied by some circumstances of mitigation, and even of comparative enjoyment. During her residence at Bolton Castle, she had been exhilarated by agreeable society and smiling prospects; and although the unsatisfactory issue of the conferences destroyed her confidence in Elizabeth's friendship, she discovered resources hitherto unexpected, with which to resist her enmity. In Scotland, her party had gained strength; since, exclusive of the Duke of Chatelherault and the good Lord Herris, the Earl of Huntley in the north, the Earl of Argyle in the west, openly espoused her cause; whilst the genius of Maitland secretly worked for her restoration to the sceptre of her ancestors. For the tergiversation of that able statesman, various motives have been assigned or imagined; but, ab * A minute and compendious account of Mary's domestic life in England, is to be found in Hunter's "History of Hallamshire." stracted from political considerations, his inclination to serve the Queen was cherished by his wife, the amiable Mary Fleming, who had been the companion of her childhood, and could not remain insensible to her unparalleled misfortunes. Disgusted with Morton, and slighted by Murray, who was gradually assuming the insolence of authority, the fertile mind of Lethington * was long occupied in devising a fantastic scheme of coalition between Mary and the infant James; which, without abolishing the regency, was to vest in his mistress the ostensible sovereignty. Even with Maitland, however, the maintenance of the Protestant kirk, and the league with England, took place of every other object; and, effectually to preclude Mary from contracting any foreign alliance, ...