The "Diurnal of Occurrents in Scotland" was first printed by the Bannatyne Club in 1833 (from a MS. then in the possession of Sir John Maxwell of Pollock). It deals with the history of Scotland from 1513 to 1575. During the period with which we are concerned, it is clearly the diary of an Edinburgh citizen, and it is of great value, especially in fixing dates. The anonymous diarist was not a partisan of the Queen, but his work is more impartial than any other of the period. Another contemporary diary, by Robert Birrell, is published in Dalyell's "Fragments of Scottish History," 1798. GUDE AND GODLY BALLATES. The controversy of the sixteenth century gave rise to many political songs and ballads, which became known to the Protestant party as the "Gude and Godly Ballates." Most of them were aimed against Roman Catholicism in general, but some are invectives against Queen Mary herself. The specimens given are among the best known. They are slightly earlier in date than the arrival of Mary in Scotland; but they serve to illustrate the bitterness of the struggle. (D.) AUTHORITIES. The remaining contemporary authorities are to be found in the letters of ambassadors, and the other diplomatic correspondence of the time. But it must be remembered that a statement can by no means be implicitly believed because it appears in such documents. The circumstances of the writer, his opportunities of obtaining information on the particular topic, his personal prejudices, the impression that he wished to convey to his correspondent, must all be allowed due weight. The correspondence and other information is largely contained in the following books:-- (1.) OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. _Acts of Parliament of Scotland._ _Reports of the Royal Commission upon Historical MSS._ _Register of the Privy Council of Scotland._ _Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland_, preserved in the Public Record Office. _Calendar of Papers relating to Foreign Affairs_, 1542-1587. _Calendar of Papers relating to English Affairs_, preserved in the Archives of Simancas. _Calendar of Papers relating to English Affairs_, preserved in the Archives of Venice. _Calendar of Border Papers._ _The Hamilton Papers._ _Calendar of Papers relating to Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots_, 1898. (2.) BOOKS WHICH CONTAIN ORIGINAL LETTERS, &c. _Fædera, Conventiones, Literæ, &c., inter Reges Angliæ et alios_, ed. by Thomas Rymer. London, 1704-1735. _Queen Elizabeth and her Times_, by Thomas Wright. London, 1838. _History of the Affairs of Church and State in Scotland_, by the Right Rev. Robert Keith, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Edinburgh, 1734 (reprinted by the Spottiswoode Society). _Miscellaneous State Papers from 1501 to 1726_, edited by Philip, Earl of Hardwicke. London, 1778. _The Annals of Aboyne_, edited by George, 11th Marquis of Huntly. (New Spalding Club.) _Life of Queen Mary_, by George Chalmers. London, 1818. _History of Scotland_, by William Robertson, D.D.