protection, till her adherents could again rally round her standard. But her evil star was ascendant; and in despite of all the chances of better fortunes which even yet presented themselves, she formed the rash and fatal resolution of flying from Scotland into England, and throwing herself upon the protection of Elizabeth, her bitterest personal enemy; whose heart ne'er distilled "the milk of human kindness;" whose passions were equally violent and mean; with whom policy was religion; and state expedience, the rule of moral action. Thus resolved, in opposition to the intreaties of Lord Herries, Fleming, and her other attendants, who conjured her, on their knees, not to confide in the English queen, Mary, on the 16th of May, 1568, embarked, with about twenty followers, on board a fishingboat; landed at Workington in Cumberland, and was conveyed to the castle of Carlisle; a desperate and irrecoverable step, which resulted in her own legalised murder, and in the everlasting infamy of her malignant, perfidious, and inhuman sister queen.

Biographical Illustrations.

JAMES STUARt,

Prior of St. Andrew's, earl of Murray, and regent of Scotland. The only prominent political characters introduced into the novel of "The Monastery," are this celebrated man, and James Douglas earl of Morton. We extract a slight outline of the lives and diversified fortunes of these two noblemen from a recent work, which, among the many "illustrations" of the novels by the Author of Waverley, that have hitherto appeared, presents, perhaps, the best claim to the encouragement of the public, from the simplicity and conciseness of its plan, the general authenticity of its materials, the beauty of its typo

graphy, and the masterly style and high finish of its engraved representations.*

"This celebrated character was an illegi timate son of James the Fifth, king of Scotland, by Margaret, daughter of Lord Erskins, of Lochleven, the ancestor of the present Earl of Morton. Being, like all James's natural sons, educated for the church, he was, while yet a child, presented to the priory of St. Andrew's, and Dr. Milne, abbot of Cambus Kenneth, was appointed administrator of the affairs of the benefice, as well spiritual as temporal. Notwithstanding his office in the Catholic church, he is said to have been amongst the earliest promoters of the Protestant faith 5 and the queen-regent having peremptorily refused to concur, by her autho rity, in reforming religion, and having, besides, violated some articles of pacification, for which he stood guarantee with the noblemen of that persuasion, he betook himself to the party of

* Illustrations of the Novels and Tales of the Author of Waverley; a Series of Portraits, &c. with biographical notices. London: Baldwyn, Newgate-street: 1823: part 7, price 8s.

the lords of the congregation, protesting that he had no other view or design in what he

did than the advancement of the true reformed religion, and preservation of the endangered liberty of his country."

"When his sister, Mary queen of Scots, became a widow by the death of Francis the Second, the prior was dispatched by the protestant nobility to invite the queen to return to Scotland; and, on her arrival, was appointed one of the members of her privy council. Not long after he was sent with a commission. of lieutenancy to the borders, to suppress an insurrection that was threatened in those parts; and there behaved himself with such courage and fidelity, that upon his return he was rewarded with the earldom of Mar, which he subsequently exchanged for the earldom of Murray.

"From this period he continued uninterruptedly to enjoy the queen's favour, till the year 1565; when her Majesty having declared her resolution of marrying the Earl of Darnley, Murray and many others opposed the match, as equally dangerous to church and

state. Finding, however, that arguments availed not, they made, says Sir James Melville, an essay to take the Lord Darnley in the queen's company at the raid of Baith, and, as they alleged, to have sent him into England; but failing in that enterprize, they were so closely pursued by the queen's troops, that they thought it the safest course for them to flee to England, where they met with a cold reception. After the queen's marriage with Darnley, he was summoned before the parliament, and would undoubtedly have been forefaulted on a charge of treason, had not the murder of David Rizzio thrown the country into confusion. Being innocent of this offence, Mary was easily prevailed upon to pardon, and restore him to her grace and confidence.

Finding the country becoming more and more agitated, he obtained licence to travel, first in England, and afterwards in France; whence he was invited, on Mary's resignation, to the regency of the kingdom under James the Sixth; and after having, in about two years, restored the country from confusion to order,