align="center">PHOTOGRAVURE PLATES

Mary Stuart
From the Portrait in the Collection of the Earl of Morton. Frontispiece Mary at Eighteen To face p. 4 Darnley about the Age of Eighteen " 10 The Regent Morton
From the Portrait in the Collection of the Earl of Morton. " 30 Le Deuil Blanc
Sketch by Janet, 1561. " 48 House occupied by Queen Mary at Jedburgh " 94   OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS Bird’s-eye View of Edinburgh " 40 The Old Tower, Whittingham " 116 The Whittingham Tree
After a Drawing by Richard Doyle. " 118 The Whittingham Tree (External View) " 120 Kirk o’ Field Site in 1646, showing Edinburgh University " 126 Key Plan of Kirk o’ Field " 130 Placard of Mary, 1567 (Mary as a Mermaid) " 174 Two Sonnets from the Cambridge MS. (Plate A) " 344 Examples of Mary’s Hand (Plates A B, B A) " 362 Hands of Mary Beaton, Kirkcaldy, Lethington and Mary Fleming (Plate C) " 364 Side of Casket with Arms of Hamilton (Plate D) " 366 Raised Work on Roof of Casket (Plate D) " 366 Casket showing the Lock and Key (Plate E) " 368 Front of Casket showing Place whence the Lock has been ‘stricken up’ (Plate E) " 368 Modern Imitation of Mary’s Hand (Plate F) " 420

 

 

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Errata

Page 38, lines 20-23, the sentence should read: Holyrood is altered by buildings of the Restoration; where now is the chapel where Mary prayed, and the priests at the altar were buffeted?

Page 165, line 21, for Blackadder, read Blackader.

Page 175, line 18, for Mr. James Spens, read Mr. John Spens.

Pages 196-205, 320, 355: Melville was not ‘the bearer,’ as erroneously stated in Bain, ii. 336.

 

 

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THE MYSTERY OF MARY STUART

 

 

I

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

History is apt to be, and some think that it should be, a mere series of dry uncoloured statements. Such an event occurred, such a word was uttered, such a deed was done, at this date or the other. We give references to our authorities, to men who heard of the events, or even saw them when they happened. But we, the writer and the readers, see nothing: we only offer or accept bald and imperfect information. If we try to write history on another method, we become ‘picturesque:’ we are composing a novel, not striving painfully to attain the truth. Yet, when we know not the details;—the aspect of dwellings now ruinous; the hue and cut of garments long wasted into dust; the passing frown, or smile,