Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/390

 374 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 66. August. Scotch noblemen to rely upon promises which he knew would not be observed, he sent word to the Earl of Mar, who had applied for advice to Sir Robert Bowes, ' to follow the way of counsel that might be best for bis own safety, without further regard to England.' 1 He was curious to see James however, and form his own impressions about him, while Elizabeth prepared the way by a letter of condescending and contemptuous superiority, w T hich, however truly it might represent the essential relations between herself and the young Prince, was not calculated to make the latter unwilling to quarrel with her. 2 She said she intended to deal as an affectionate sister with him. With how much truth may be inferred from Walsing- ham's unwillingness to go. She intended in fact to tempt him to forsake his new friends, with vague assur- ances which might or might not be realized after her death, but for which he would certainly receive no value till the grave had closed over her. She said she would enlarge his pension if the sum which she had offered appeared too small, but he must replace in office the 1 "Walsingham to Bowes, August 6 1 6 : MSS, Scotland. 2 ' My dear brother and cousin, It moveth me much, to moan you when I behold how diversely sundry wicked spirits distract your mind, and bend your course to crooked paths, and like all evil illusions, wrapped under the cioke of your best safety, endanger your estate. You deal with one whose experience will not take dross for good payment^ and with one who will not easily be beguiled. No, no, I mean to set to school your craftiest councillors. I beseech you proceed no further in this course till you receive an express messenger, a trusty servant of mine, by whom I intend to deal as an affectionate sister with you.' Eliza- beth to James, August 7 17 : MSS. Scotland.