"The early death of Magdalene was not only a misfortune to her royal husband, but a serious loss to Scotland, and even to Christendom, on account of the enlightened views she had received on the all-important subject of religion. Brantôme tells us that 'she was very deeply regretted not only by James V. but by all his people, for she was very good, and knew how to make herself truly beloved. She had a great mind, and was most wise and virtuous.' The first general mourning ever known in Scotland was worn for her, and her obsequies were solemnised with the greatest manifestation of sorrow of which that nation had ever been participant. The lamentations for the premature death of this youthful Queen, and the hopes that perished with her of an heir of Scotland, appear to have been of a similar character to the passionate and universal burst of national sorrow which, in the present century, pervaded all hearts in the Britannic empire, for the loss of the noble-minded Princess Charlotte of Wales and her infant. 'How many hopes were borne upon thy bier, O stricken bride of love!' "The epitaph of this lamented Queen was written by Buchanan in elegant Latin verse, of which the following is a translation:-- 'MAGDALENE OF VALOIS, QUEEN OF SCOTLAND, DIED IN THE XVI YEAR OF HER AGE. 'I was a royal wife, from monarchs sprung, A sovereign's daughter, and in hope to be The royal mother of a regal line; But lest my glory should exceed the height Of mortal honour, Death's invidious dart Hath laid me in my morning freshness here. Nature and virtue, glory, life, and death, Strove to express in me their utmost power. Nature gave beauty; virtue made me good; Relentless death o'er life too soon prevail'd. But my fair fame shall flourish evermore, To compensate for that brief mortal span By lasting meed of universal praise.'" Mary of Lorraine, daughter of the great Duke of Guise, and a lineal descendant of Charlemagne, was the second Queen of James V.: she is peculiarly interesting, as her daughter was Queen Mary; and she was the ancestress of our present illustrious sovereign. We have room only, however, for one extract:--