Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 36.djvu/383

Mary Stuart on 25 Oct. Maitland wrote that Elizabeth 'would be able to do much with her in religion' (Cal. State Papers, For. Ser. 1561-2, entry 632). But if Maitland, in common with others, was beguiled by the ' enchantment -whereof men are bewitched ' (, ii. 276), both Mary and Elizabeth were already entangled in Maitland's diplomatic toils.

Perhaps alone of those concerned in the succession negotiations, Mary had no interest except a personal one in the scheme for 'uniting the isles in friendship.' Originally her patriotism was limited to France, but even this patriotism was now dead. If in politics she cherished any interests beyond personal ones, they were those of Catholicism. But she entered into Maitland's projects with fervour, and put forth every artifice to win Elizabeth's recognition. Some have supposed that she blundered in not acknowledging Elizabeth's original rights; but this might have hampered her final purpose, and, at any rate until her own interest in the crown of England had been l put in good order ' (Mary, 5 Jan. 1561-2, Cal. State Papers, For. Ser. entry 784), it would have been folly to recognise Elizabeth's title. She did not adopt the attitude of a suppliant. Elizabeth's gain, Maitland said, was 'assured and present,' Mary's only 'in possibility and altogether uncertain ' (ib. p. 536; Haynes, p. 397).

The indiscretion of Lady Catherine Grey, who was now a prisoner in the Tower, re- moved one of the chief obstacles to Mary's recognition, and the efforts of the Guises to contract a friendly alliance with Elizabeth also for a time told strongly in Mary's favour. While loth to comply with Mary's demands Elizabeth really desired a reconciliation, and proposed an interview in England in July 1562. Mary had all but gained her purpose when the massacre of French protestants by the Guises at Vassy on 1 May suddenly darkened her prospects. Nevertheless Maitland on the 25th left for England to make final arrangements (Diurnal of Oecurmits, p. 72). The hope was held out that Elizabeth might be 'the instrument to convert Mary to Christ and the knowledge of His true word ' (Randolph, 26 May, Cal. State Papers, For. Ser. 1562, entry 34), and Mary, lamenting with tears the ' unadvised enterprise' of her uncles, intimated that even for their friendship she would not sacrifice that of Elizabeth. Notwithstanding the French troubles Elizabeth wished the conference to take place, but in deference to the council it was postponed till August or September (articles, ib. entry 312), and soon afterwards, on account of the resumption of hostilities in France, till the following summer (Instructions in Keith, ii. 145-57). This last postponement drove ' Mary into such a passion that she kept her bed ' a whole day (Sidney, 25 July, Cal. State Papers, For. Ser. 1562, entry 360). To Elizabeth she expressed her great regret that the opportunity for ' a tender and familiar acquaintance ' should be thus frustrated (Keith, ii. 152 ; Labanoff, i. 147-8).

In Scotland the excitement attending Mary's arrival gradually gave place to a tranquil calm, only slightly disturbed by the contumacious harangues of Knox, the vague rumours of catholic intrigues, and the discovery, 26 March 1562, of a mad scheme of Arran, possibly countenanced by Both well [see, fourth ], for carrying off the queen to Dumbarton Castle. Mary won the high esteem of her council by her geniality and her sound discretion, but political cares seemed to sit lightly upou her. Like her father she loved to mingle in the daily life of her people, and nothing delighted her more than an unceremonious visit to the house of a plain burgher. She entered with zest into the outdoor sport s of her nobles, especially hawking and ' shooting at the butts,' and infected their staid and sombre manners with something of the 'joyousitie' of France. Knox grimly remarked that while in the presence of her council ' she kept herself very grave ; ' as soon as ever ' her French fillocks, fiddlers, and others of that band gat the house alone, then might be seen skipping not very comely for honest women' (ii. 294). But her leisure was not all consumed in amusements. She did not neglect her literary studies, and Randolph notes in April 1562 that 'she readeth daily after her dinner, instructed by a learned man, Mr. George Buchanan, somewhat of Livy' (Cal. State Papers, For. Ser. 1561-2, entry 985). By her natural grace and frank amiability she disarmed the hostility of all except extremists, and even they were constrained to be content so long as Lord James Stewart remained at the head of affairs. Of the favour in which she held him she gave practical proof by creating him Earl of Mar, and afterwards by the grant of the earldom of Moray, then held by Huntly informally under the crown. This led to the expedition to the north of Scotland in the autumn of 1562, followed by Huntly's rebellion, defeat, and death. Mary's motives for consenting to the expedition have been variously interpreted. That she was privy to a scheme for the capture of Huntly is improbable, for it would have been then strangely impolitic. Nor, although the ambitious indiscretions of the Gordons, Huntly's kinsmen, were distasteful to her, is it likely