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Holyrood Palace-Residence of Mary, Queen of Scots

which befell her; we must likewise add Humanity will draw a veil over this that she was often imprudent. Her pas- part of her character which it cannot apsion for Darnley was rash, youthful and prove, and, may, perhaps, prompt some excessive. And though the sudden tran- to impute her actions to her situation sition to the opposite extreme was the more than to her disposition, and to natural effect of her ill-requited love, and lament the unhappiness of the former of his ingratitude, insolence and brutality, rather than accuse the perverseness of the yet neither these nor Bothwell's artful latter. Mary's sufferings exceed, both in degree and in duration, those tragical dis- He was born in 1552, and began his tresses which fancy has feigned to excite varied career by leaving Oxford and his sorrow and commiseration; and while we studies to join a corps of volunteers, on survive them, we are apt altogether to their way to France to join the ranks of forget their frailties; we think of her the Huguenots. faults with less indignation, and approve The patent obtained by his half-brother, of our tears as if they were shed for a Sir Humphrey Gilbert, drew him into person who had attained much nearer to American colonization, and he shared the pure virtue. trials and disappointments of an attempt With regard to the queen's person, all in 1579. After a campaign in Ireland, contemporary authors agree in ascribing he made his appearance at court, and to Mary the utmost beauty of countenance easily won the favor of Elizabeth. Honors and elegance of shape of which the of every kind were showered on him. In human form is capable. Her hair was 1584 he received full powers, by patent, black, though according to the fashion of to colonize in America, and under his that age, she frequently wore borrowed authority the first settlement was made locks, and of different colors. Her eyes in 1585, in what was then styled Virginia. were a dark gray, her complexion was His subsequent career was varied enough. exquisitely fine, and her hands and arms In 1588 he was fighting the Spanish remarkably delicate, both as to shape and Armada; the next year on an expedition color. Her stature was of a height that to Portugal to place Don Antonio on the rose to the majestic. She danced, she throne; in 1591 pursuing the Spanish walked and rode with equal grace. Her treasure fleet; then a prisoner in the taste for music was just, and she both Tower for displeasing the queen by marsung, and played upon the lute, with un- rying. In 1595 he sailed to Guiana to common skill. Towards the end of her discover and conquer El Dorado, an life she began to grow fat, and her long imaginary land of gold and silver. The confinement, and the coldness of the next year he was rear-admiral, capturing houses in which she had been imprisoned, Cadiz; and in 1597 took Fayal. brought on a rheumatism, which deprived The death of Elizabeth left him exposed her of the use of her limbs. "No man," to the hatred of his former friend, Cecil. He was found guilty of high treason in 1603, as a party to the plot in favor of Lady Arabella Stuart. He was, however reprieved, and confined for thirteen years 66 says Brantome, ever beheld her person without admiration and love, or will read her history without sorrow."