1536

LADY JANE GREY.

LADY JANE GREY, who in some of the historic annals of England bears the title of queen, was the daughter of Henry, Marquis of Dorset, and a partaker of royal blood, through her mother, Frances Brandon, daughter of the Princess Mary, sister of Henry VIII., and queen dowager of France, at the time of her marriage with the Duke of Suffolk. The subject of this sketch, was therefore, the great grand-daughter of King Henry VII. and Elizabeth of York. She was born in 1536, and distinguished in infancy and childhood by surpassing beauty. To this attraction, she added many accomplishments; such as taste and proficiency in the use of the needle and pen,

skill in music, both instrumental and vocal; perfect grace of manners, and elegance in conversation.

Attainments still more profound were hers, and to a critical knowledge of her own language, she added the French and Italian, Latin and Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, and Arabic. Learned men of that age assert that she wrote in each with facility. These attainments, so far from inspiring self-conceit, were mingled with modesty, and embellished by the charm of a sweet and serene piety.

Domestic education was in those days marked by strictness of discipline; and it is remarkable that her own should have been particularly characterized by sternness and severity. The effect of this, on a humble, amiable nature, was to heighten her devotedness to intellectual pursuits. Depressed by the coldness and bitter chidings of her parents, she turned as a refuge to the lessons and encouragements of her more kind-hearted tutor. Nor did her finely-balanced mind overlook the ultimate gain of even this harsh treatment, or omit to recount among "God's benefits, such

sharp and severe parents, and so gentle a schoolmaster." Doubtless her early and fervent piety thus derived strength. The tender heart, checked in its first unfoldings, and chilled by rigor, where it sought repose, turned to Him who breaketh not the bruised reed, and found consolation. Daily devotion gave her spiritual vigor, and a visible blessing descended upon her mental efforts and enjoyments.

A little incident related in the history of the times, will illustrate her fondness for study. A gay party having gone out to hunt one delightful summer day in her father's park, she was found by her tutor, Sir Roger Ascham, seated alone, intently reading the works of Plato, in the original. On expressing his surprise at seeing her thus employed, she replied that she found more true pleasure in such pursuits than in all the splendor and excitement of fashionable amusement.

Her rank and participation in royal blood, required her occasional attendance at court. There her grace and accomplishments, united to her singular humility, attracted the admira

tion of the young Edward VI., who was himself an example of learning and piety.

At the age of sixteen, she was married to Lord Guilford Dudley, a son of the Duke of Northumberland. The pomp of their nuptials, which were celebrated during the bloom and verdure of the month of May, gave the last gleam of joy to the palace of the declining king. Consumption had fastened upon his vitals a deadly fang, and on the 6th of July following, at the age of sixteen, he ceased to breathe. The religion which had been his guide in health, revealed its sustaining power, under the debility of sickness, and at the approach of death. Knowing his sister Mary, the heir to the crown was an earnest devotee of the Romish faith, and dreading the conflicts and persecutions that might ensue to the realm, he meditated the appointment of Lady Jane Grey as his successor. This was strongly advocated, perhaps originally prompted by the solicitations of the ambitious Duke of Northumberland, and one of the last acts of the enfeebled monarch, was to authorize a deed of settlement, signed by himself, and all the Lords of the

Council, declaring Lady Jane Grey the rightful heir of the throne.

Of this transaction, she who was the most immediately interested, was entirely ignorant. Her father, and the Duke of Northumberland, unexpectedly entering Durham House, where she resided, announced the death of Edward, and her own exaltation. Speechless with astonishment, the color fled from lip and cheek, as they fell upon their knees, and paid homage to their queen. As soon as she could command the power of utterance, she besought them in the most pathetic terms to desist from their design.

"Shall I trespass on the undoubted rights of Mary and Elizabeth? Shall I, who would not steal a shilling, usurp a crown? Even had I the right, how could I consent to accept what was at first unjustly torn from Catherine of Arragon, and then steeped in the blood of Anna Boleyn and Catharine Howard? Shall my blood flow like theirs? Must I be made the third victim from whom that fatal thing has been wrested, with the head that wore it? Oh! if you love me, let me remain in quiet