If the author of the following "Life of Mary Queen of Scots," has been able in any measure, to execute his own wishes, he would trust, that by a careful collation of all the works to which he has referred; he has succeeded, in separating much of the ore from the dross, and in giving a freshness, perhaps in one or two instances, an air of originality to his production. He has affected neither the insipidity of neutrality, nor the bigotry of party zeal. His desire was to concentrate all that could be known of Mary, in the hope that a light might thus be thrown on the obscurer parts of his subject, sufficient to re-animate the most indifferent, and satisfy the most scrupulous. He commenced his readings with an unbiassed mind, and was not aware at the outset, to what conviction they would bring him. But if a conscientious desire to disseminate truth be estimable, it is hoped that this desire will be found to characterize these Memoirs. Little more need be added. The biography of a Queen, who lived two hundred and fifty years ago, cannot be like the biography of a contemporary or immediate predecessor; but the inherent interest of the subject, will excuse many deficiencies. Omissions may, perhaps, be pardoned, if there are no misrepresentations; and the absence of minute cavilling and trifling distinctions, may not be complained of, if the narrative leads, by a lucid arrangement, to satisfactory general deductions. Fidelity is at all times preferable to brilliancy, and a sound conclusion to a plausible hypothesis. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. PAGE INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER I. Scotland and its Troubles during Mary's Infancy 11 CHAPTER II. Scotland and the Scottish Reformers, under the Regency of the Queen Dowager 25 CHAPTER III. Mary's Birth, and subsequent residence at the French Court, with a Sketch of the State of Society and Manners in France, during the sixteenth century 42 CHAPTER IV. Mary's Marriage, Personal Appearance, and Popularity 58 CHAPTER V. Mary the Queen Dauphiness, the Queen, and the Queen Dowager of France 74 CHAPTER VI. Mary's return to Scotland, and previous negociations with Elizabeth 88 CHAPTER VII. Mary's arrival at Holyrood, with Sketches of her Principal Nobility 108 CHAPTER VIII. John Knox, the Reformers, and the turbulent Nobles 126 CHAPTER IX. Mary's Expedition to the North 146