avert danger from his country and his sovereign. Hẹ declared that he thought it lawful to use the same means of defence which the adversary used in offence. Here, as in other instances, the state policy even of the most upright rulers departs from the plain and simple declarations of Christianity. But France made great use of Scotland to forward political designs against England, before the latter took part in the Scottish civil dissensions, as the only effectual way to meet the adversary. The queen of England then advanced a futile plea of right, as a pretext to interfere in the affairs of Scotland, on the ground of feudal superiority over that kingdom. But if subjects ever have a right to appeal to foreign powers, or if foreign powers ever are justified in interfering with other nations, for defending themselves, the Protestants of Scotland, and the English queen, were fully justified in their union at this period. The French threatened to invade the south of England, but it was plain that the main contest between the two countries would be in Scotland. English troops were sent to assist in compelling the French army to return home. Philip interposed, admitting that the object of Elizabeth was "to have her realm in safety," but urged that her troops should be withdrawn from Scotland. Elizabeth expressed her willingness to do this, if the French troops were withdrawn, whose presence rendered her interference necessary. Leith was besieged, but the French garrison did not surrender till July 6, 1560; terms of peace were then agreed upon. The principal clauses were, that the French soldiers should leave Scotland, and that the fortifications they had erected should be demolished; a council to exercise the government in her absence was to be chosen by queen Mary and the states; all public offices should be filled by Scotsmen; Elizabeth's right to the throne of England was to be recognised, and the royal arms and title of queen of that country were no longer to be borne by Mary. Cecil, who had gone to U Edinburgh, with great difficulty obtained the consent of the French envoy to the latter article. The English troops then returned home; the Scottish parliament met, and established the Reformation. But Mary and Francis refused to ratify the treaty. The designs of the papists against England were not laid aside. The importance which the French government attached to keeping an armed force in Scotland, sufficient to control that kingdom, was shown by a suggestion made to Elizabeth by the French envoy at her court, that Calais might be restored at once to England, if she would withdraw her forces then attacking Leith. Camden states, that “she answered flatly, that she little esteemed Calais, a poor fishing town, in comparison with the safety and security of all Britain." That the designs of France were directed to the English throne, and that the possession of Scotland was regarded as a means thereto, manifestly appears from the refusal of Francis and Mary to ratify the treaty of Edinburgh. Another change soon followed, which weakened the French power over Scotland, and stayed the designs against England. Francis II. died in December, 1560, leaving Mary Stuart a widow, without children. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Charles IX.: they both were under the control of the bigoted princes of Guise, whose designs against the French Protestants were retarded by this change. These plots had proceeded so far that the king of Navarre, the father of Henry IV., and his brother the prince of Condé, were to have been put to death in a few days; but the queen. mother, Catherine de Medicis, needed the support of Navarre, in consequence of the death of Francis, and caused him to be released. She was appointed regent, and for a short time supported the Reformed religion against the princes of Guise; but she was in her heart a bigoted papist, as her conduct soon showed. Mary Stuart felt this change bitterly. Naturally of a lively disposition, she had been brought up in the court of France from the age of six years: a court then, as in later days, distinguished for the pursuit of frivolous and vicious pleasures. Its gaieties were highly pleasing to a character like that of Mary; she was trained in the fashionable accomplishments of the times, but there was no attention to prepare her for discharging the severe duties of her royal station, while her mind was kept in bondage by the degrading superstitions of popery. For a time, all seemed to gratify this vain young female; when only aged seventeen, she found herself queen of two kingdoms, with a claim upon a third, esteemed valid by those around her. But a darker hour was at hand; by the unexpected death of her husband, she was suddenly cast down from what she considered the pinnacle of honour and happiness. She could have exclaimed, "Ye have taken away my gods, (all that I have been taught to value,) and what have I more!" The French queen-mother greatly disliked Mary, so that she had to withdraw from the court where lately all had been subject to her will. Even those she most trusted recommended her to return to Scotland; her best friends also advised her to conciliate the Reformed party there, and to wait with patient hope to succeed to the English throne, if Elizabeth continued unmarried. To Mary, so recently the queen of France, this was a bitter trial; but as one whose ideas of happiness were restricted to the gaieties and frivolities of a polished court, the return to the coarse manners and want of refinement displayed in her native land was still more trying. Mary applied to Elizabeth for a free passage through England. This was offered, if she would ratify the treaty of Edinburgh. Mary was very indignant at this request, and refused to do so till she had consulted with her councillors in Scotland, though it was evident that if Elizabeth treated with her on any other terms, she in some degree sanctioned Mary's claim to the English throne. It was also important, that there should be no appearance on the part of Elizabeth of a change in her friendly disposition towards the Scottish Protestants. But there was no design on the part of Elizabeth to intercept Mary. Had there been any desire to detain the queen of Scots, it would have been easy to have raised some pretext while she was passing through England. Some English ships were then at sea, searching for pirates; they saw Mary's vessels, and being satisfied that she was on board, saluted and dismissed them. This clearly appears from a contemporary authority. Mary left Calais for Scotland, in August, 1561. Brantome, who accompanied her, describes her regret on quitting the land which her fancy depicted as the only place desirable for an earthly residence. Looking towards the shore, as the shades of night came on, she exclaimed, "Adieu, France! farewell, farewell my dear France," with other expressions indicating her affection for that land. She ordered a couch to be spread on deck, desiring to be roused with the early dawn, if the French shores were still in sight. They were visible; she started up, and when the coast at last receded from her view, she said, "Adieu, France: all now is overfarewell France." Mary was a pleasing, and, in some respects, an amiable female, but under bad training she was become the mere slave of morbid feelings and sensations; regretting the loss of past pleasures; a spoiled child of indulgence and frivolity; acting on the impulse of the moment, though constantly planning deep and crafty schemes. She was wholly unfitted for the duties which awaited her, and evidently regarded them with dislike. Such dispositions in the ruler of a kingdom portended evil to herself and her people, with trouble to her neighbours. Mary arrived safely at Edinburgh. The people received her with expressions of joy; but she was not pleased at their rude language, manners, and habits, nor at their rough attempts to welcome her to her native land. Smarting also from recent persecutions, the people could not behold her attachment to popery |
