Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 9.djvu/328

 320

NOTES AND QUERIES. [9* s. ix. APRIL 19, 1902.

conveyed thence to the Tower on Palm Sunday, 1654." Does not this involve a begging of the ques- tion, and would it not be better to say the part she was alleged to have taken in Sir Thomas Wyatt's conspiracy? The name Whitehall is, as is pointed out in the opening chapter, in no sense individual- izing, being associated with all the royal palaces in England, with the place of assembly for peers in Parliament, and with many old castles. Of the royal residents in Whitehall, and of those who have died there, a full account is supplied ; a chapter is devoted to the royal Maundy, and one to the pictures and art treasures and the royal library. The celebrated houses within the precincts of Whitehall occupy two chapters. A feature of special interest consists of the illustrations. The photogravures comprise Charles I., Whitehall, Cardinal Wolsey, Princess Elizabeth (daughter of Charles I.), Oliver Cromwell, and Charles II. The other illustrations include very numerous views of the palace at different dates, with portraits of Inigo Jones, Sir John Vanbrugh, King James II., Queen Mary II., and King Henry Vlll. As a record concerning a spot of undying interest and an historical monument of the highest value, and as a veracious chronicle, Dr. Sheppard's book is equally attractive and trustworthy.

History of Scotland. By P. Hume Brown, M.A., LL.D. Vol.11. (Cambridge, University Press.) THE second volume of the ' History of Scotland' of the Eraser Professor in the University of Edinburgh completes the work which he contributes to the "Cambridge Historical Series," issued under the direction of Dr. G. W. Prothero. At 9 th S. iii. 358 we drew attention to the merits of the new work, chief among which are the qualities (indispensable in a history that is to make general appeal) of trustworthiness and veracity. We welcome the appearance of the second volume, which in every respect save one is exactly what we want. It supplies in compendious form a chronicle such as is not elsewhere obtainable. The one defect which goes far to minimize its utility is the absence of an index. The compilation of this would, we grant, add greatly to the expense of the book. It would, however, repay the cost, what- ever this might be. of the work, and we com- mend the undertaking to some of the zealous index - makers who occasionally consult us as to where to bestow to best advantage their energies. Beginning with the accession of Mary Stuart, and ending with the Revolution of 1689, the second volume comprises the most picturesque and romantic, as well as the most humiliating portion of Scottish annals. Eor the first time in history we are shown the full effects of the English raids in 154o under the Earl of Hertford. Not, as is the accepted tradition, to the iconoclastic zeal of the followers of Knox is attributable the ruin of the abbeys of Kelso, Melrose, Dryburgh, Roxburgh, and Coldmgham but to the miscellaneous and irreverent host which, under the conduct of Hert- ford, crossed the border at Wark. Concerning the murder of Cardinal Beaton, Dr. Brown quotes f r ? t 1 ? 6, 'Diurnal of Occurrents' of the Mait- land Club a poem which seems to convev the general impression :

But of a truth, tho' sooth to say, Although the loon was well away The deed was foully done. In the progress of the Reformation in Scotland

Prof. Brown is struck with the singular moderation of the representatives of the old and new religions. The same will not hold true of subsequent attempts to impose episcopacy upon Scotland. The estimate formed concerning Mary is that which all must accept. Prof. Brown attaches comparatively little importance to the famous "Casket" letters, and is reticent concerning the threat against Darnley, said to have been uttered by Mary upon the death of Rizzio, that "a fatter than he" should lie in the same place. Of the "Casket " letters he says that the course of history would not have been greatly altered had the discovery of them never been made. With Mr. Lang he holds that the mystery of these letters is practically insoluble. Of the manner in which in the matter of religion James VI. sat upon a fence, Dr. Brown has much that is worth saying to say. That the second Solomon was the most despicable of his race is apparent throughout, and there was never, probably, a moment when he would not have professed whichever religion seemed most to his advantage. James's letter to the Pope from Holyrood, dated 19 February, 1584, is properly called " an astounding document." James never was, moreover, privy to a plot in 1593 for sending over from Philip II. an army to co-operate with the Catholic earls. Much of interest is said concerning Scottish persecutions for witchcraft. Now and then, but not very often, Dr. Brown falls into the error of picturesque history. When deal- ing with Wishart it is said, " His fate was a foregone conclusion, and on the 1st of March he sealed his testimony in front of Beaton's own castle of St. Andrews." There are some doubtless, though perhaps not many, who, in spite of Knox and Foxe, do not know the manner of Wishart's death, and it would be better simply to say that he was burnt.

Jtotkes txr

We must call special attention to the following notices :

ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately.

To secure insertion of communications corre- spondents must observe the following rules. Let each note, query, or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with the signature of the writer and such address as he wishes to appear. When answer- ing queries, or making notes with regard to previous entries in the paper, contributors are requested to put in parentheses, immediately after the exact heading, the series, volume, and page or pages to which they refer. Correspondents who repeat queries are requested to head the second com- munication " Duplicate."

L. K. ("Droppings of warm tears," &c.). See Mrs. Browning's ' Wine of Cyprus,' stanza 12.

EXQUIRER (" The mill cannot grind with the water that is past"). 'The Lesson of the Water- Mill,' by Sarah Doudney. See 7 th S. iii. 299.

NOTICE.

Editorial communications should be addressed to "The Editor of 'Notes and Queries '"Adver- tisements and Business Letters to " The Pub- lisher "at the Office, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, E.C.