life of Elizabeth, a life so great, so strange and lonely in its greatness, passed quietly away.

3

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J. R. GREEN.

1 Mountjoy, Lord Mountjoy, who defeated Tyrone, the head of the rebellion in Ireland, and reduced that country to submission, in 1603, the year of Elizabeth's death. intriguing, plotting ; scheming. wane, to become gradually less, like the moon after it has passed the full. isolating, causing any person or thing to be alone. 5 tenacity, holding fast; stubbornness; firmness. 6 gorgeous, splendid; magnificent. Cadiz, a seaport on the southwest coast of Spain. assiduous, constant ; untiring; persevering. arras, the tapestry or woven hangings with which walls were formerly covered. It derived its name from Arras, a town in France, famous for the manufacture of this kind of material. 10 Cecil, Sir Robert Cecil, son of Lord Burleigh, the famous chief minister of Queen Elizabeth.

ON Tuesday, the 7th of February, the Earls of Shrewsbury and Kent arrived at Fotheringay, and, demanding access to the Queen, read in her presence the warrant for execution, and required her to prepare to die next morning. Mary heard them to the end without emotion, and, crossing herself in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, "That soul," said she, "is not worthy the joys of heaven, which repines because the body must endure the stroke of the executioner; and though I did not expect that the Queen of England would set the first example of violating the sacred person

of a sovereign prince, I willingly submit to that which Providence has decreed to be my lot:" then, laying her hand on a Bible, which happened to be near her, she solemnly protested that she was innocent of that conspiracy which Babington had carried on against Elizabeth's life. She then mentioned the requests contained in her letter to Elizabeth, but obtained no satisfactory answer. She entreated, with particular earnestness, that now, in her last moments, her 1almoner might be suffered to attend her, and that she might enjoy the consolation of those pious institutions prescribed by her religion. Even this favour, which is usually granted to the vilest criminal, was absolutely denied.

Her attendants, during this conversation, were bathed. in tears, and though overawed by the presence of the two earls, with difficulty suppressed their anguish; but no sooner did Kent and Shrewsbury withdraw, than they ran to their mistress, and burst out into most passionate expressions of tenderness and sorrow. Mary, however, not only retained perfect composure of mind, but endeavoured to moderate their excessive grief; and, falling on her knees, with all her domestics around her, she thanked Heaven that her sufferings were now so near an end, and prayed that she might be enabled to endure what still remained with decency and with fortitude. The greater part of the evening she employed in settling her worldly affairs. She wrote her 2testament with her own hand. Her money, her jewels, and her clothes, she distributed among her servants, according to their rank or merit. She wrote a short letter to the King of France, and another to the Duke of Guise, full of tender but 3magnanimous sentiments, and recommended her soul to their prayers, and her afflicted servants to their protection. At supper she ate temperately, as usual, and conversed

not only with ease but with cheerfulness; she drank to every one of her servants, and asked their forgiveness, if ever she had failed in any part of her duty towards them. At her wonted time she went to bed, and slept calmly a few hours. Early in the morning she retired into her closet, and employed a considerable time in devotion.

In the midst of the great hall of the castle had been raised a scaffold, covered with black serge, and surrounded with a low railing. About seven the doors were thrown open; the gentlemen of the county entered with their attendants, and Paulet's guard augmented the number to between one hundred and fifty and two hundred spectators. Before eight a message was sent to the queen, who replied that she would be ready in half an hour.

At that time, Andrews, the sheriff, entered the 'oratory, and Mary arose, taking the "crucifix from the altar in her right, and carrying her prayer-book in her left hand. Her servants were forbidden to follow; they insisted, but the queen bade them be content, and turning, gave them her blessing. They received it on their knees, some kissing her hands, others her mantle. The door closed, and the burst of lamentation from those within resounded through the hall.

Mary was now joined by the earl and her keepers, and descending the staircase, found at the foot Melville, the steward of her household, who for several weeks had been excluded from her presence. This old and faithful servant threw himself on his knees, and wringing his hands, exclaimed, “Ah, madam, unhappy me! was ever a man on earth the bearer of such sorrow as I shall be, when I report that my good and gracious queen and mistress was beheaded in England!

Here his grief impeded his utterance; and Mary replied, "Good Melville, cease to lament; thou hast rather

cause to joy than mourn, for thou shalt see the end of Mary Stuart's troubles. Know that this world is but vanity, subject to more sorrow than an ocean of tears can bewail. But, I pray thee, report that I die a true woman to my religion, to Scotland, and to France. May God forgive them that have long thirsted for my blood, as the hart doth for brooks of water. O God, Thou art the author of truth, and truth itself. Thou knowest the inward chambers of my thoughts, and that I always wished the union of England and Scotland. Commend me to my son, and tell him that I have done nothing 7prejudicial to the dignity or independence of his crown, or favourable to the pretended superiority of our enemies." Then bursting into tears, she said, "Good Melville, farewell;" and kissing him, "Once again, good Melville, farewell, and pray for thy mistress and thy queen." It was remarked as something extraordinary, that this was the first time in her life that she had ever been known to address a person with the pronoun “thou.”

Drying up her tears, she turned from Melville, and made her last request, that her servants might be present at her death. But the Earl of Kent objected that they would be troublesome by their grief and lamentations ; might practise some superstitious trumpery; perhaps might dip their handkerchiefs in her grace's blood. "My lords," said Mary, "I will give my word for them. They shall deserve no blame. Certainly your mistress, being a maiden queen, will vouchsafe, in regard of womanhood, that I have some of my own women about me at my death."

Receiving no answer, she continued, "You might, I think, grant me a far greater courtesy, were I a woman of lesser calling than the Queen of Scots." Still they were silent; when she asked with vehemence, "Am 1

not the cousin to your queen, a descendant of the blood royal of Henry VII., and the anointed Queen of Scotland?" At these words the fanaticism of the Earl of Kent began to yield; and it was resolved to admit four of her men and two of her women-servants. She selected her steward, physician, apothecary, and surgeon, with her maids Kennedy and Curle.

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Jalmoner, one who distributes charity or alms to the poor. 2 testament, will. 3 magnanimous, belonging to a great or noble soul. oratory, a room used for praying in. crucifix, an image of Christ nailed to the cross. impeded, hindered; prevented. 'prejudicial, hurtful; injurious.

8

fanaticism, very strong and

violent feelings on the subject of religion or any other matter of belief or opinion.

the sheriff and his officers; next followed Paulet and Drury, and the Earls of Shrewsbury and Kent, and lastly came the Scottish queen, with Melville bearing her train. She wore the richest of her dresses-that which was appropriate to the rank of a 'queen-dowager. Her step was firm, and her countenance cheerful. She bore without shrinking the gaze of the spectators, and the sight of the scaffold, the block, and the executioner, and advanced into the hall with that grace and majesty which she had so often displayed in her happier days, and in the palace of her fathers. To aid her as she mounted the scaffold, Paulet offered his arm. "I thank you, sir,"