In the beginning of October, the Queen returned to Edinburgh, and on the day appointed she was received in the Castle. Great preparations were made for her entrance to the town. In farces, in masking, and in other prodigalities, fools would fain have counterfeited France. Whatsoever might set forth her glory, that she heard and gladly beheld. The keys were delivered to her by a pretty boy, descending as it were from a cloud. The verses in her own praises she heard, and smiled. But when the Bible was presented, and its praise declared, she began to frown: for shame she could not refuse it. But she did no better, for immediately she gave it to the most pestilent Papist within the realm, to wit, to Arthur Erskine. Since that day, the people of Edinburgh have reaped as they sowed. They gave her some taste of their prodigality; and because the liquor was sweet, she has licked of that buist[184] oftener than twice since. All men know what we mean: the Queen cannot lack and the subjects have. [184] Brewing. [Sidenote: The Magistrates of Edinburgh are imprisoned and deposed.] It hath been an ancient and a laudable custom in Edinburgh that the Provost, Bailies, and Council, after their election at Michaelmas, cause public proclamation of the statutes and ordinances of the town. Therefore Archibald Douglas, Provost, Edward Hope, Adam Fullerton, Mr. James Watson, and David Somer, Bailies, made proclamation, according to the former statutes of the town, that no adulterer, no fornicator, no noted drunkard, no mass-monger, no obstinate Papists that corrupted the people, such as priests, friars, and others of that sort, should be found within the town within forty-eight hours thereafter, under the pains contained in the statutes. This blown in the Queen's ears, pride and maliciousness began to show themselves; for, without further intimation, the Provost and Bailies were charged to ward in the Castle; and immediately commandment was given that another Provost and other Bailies should be elected. Some gainstood the new election for a while, alleging that the Provost and Bailies whom they had chosen, and to whom they had given their oath, had committed no offence for which they ought justly to be deprived. But charge was doubled upon charge, and, no man being found to oppose the iniquity, Jezebel's letter and wicked will were obeyed as law. So Mr. Thomas M'Calzean was chosen. The man, no doubt, was both discreet and sufficient for that charge; but the deposition of the other was against all law. God be merciful to some of our own; for they were not all blameless that her wicked will was so far obeyed.