vants, who were all busily employed in writing to Scotland; particularly lamenting, that those upon whom she had bestowed the greatest favours, were the first to neglect her.' Of this number were Sir Robert Cecil, and Lord Buckhurst; and as a good understanding subsisted between them, it is most probable, that when they found her Majesty's recovery hopeless, they reciprocally entrusted each other with the secret of their Scottish correspondence. Immediately upon her demise, the former produced her will, and after reading it publicly, proclaimed James I.; the latter at the same time setting off for Scotland, to carry the glad tidings to that Prince, and to secure the renewal of his patent.

Of the interesting circumstances connected with the death of Elizabeth, and the communication of that event to her successor, a detailed account is subjoined from the memoirs of Cary Earl of Monmouth:

"When I came to court, I found the Queen ill disposed, and she kept her inner lodging; yet she, hear ing of my arrival, sent for me. I found her in one of her withdrawing chambers, sitting low upon her cushions. She called me to her; I kissed her hand, and told her 'it was my chiefest happiness to see her in safety and in health, which I wished might long continue.' She took me by the hand, and wrung it hard, and said, "No, Robin, I am not well;" and then discoursed with me of her indisposition, and that her heart had been sad and heavy for ten or twelve days, and in her discourse she fetched not so few as forty or fifty great sighs. I was grieved, at the first, to see her in this plight; for in all my lifetime before I never knew her to fetch a sigh, but when the Queen of Scots was beheaded. Then upon my know

ledge she shed many tears and sighs, manifesting her innocence, that she never gave consent to the death of that Queen.

6

I used the best words I could, to persuade her from this melancholy humour; but I found by her, it was too deep rooted in her heart, and hardly to be removed. This was upon a Saturday night, and she gave command, that the great closet should be prepared for her to go to chapel the next morning. The next day, all things being in a readiness, we long expected her coming. After eleven o'clock, one of the grooms came out, and bade make ready for the private closet, she would not go to the great. There we stayed long for her coming; but at last we had cushions laid for her in the privy chamber, hard by the closet-door, and there she heard service.

From that forward, she grew worse and worse. She remained upon her cushions four days and nights at the least. All about her could not persuade her, either to take any sustenance, or to go to bed.

I hearing that neither the physicians, nor none about her, could persuade her to take any course for her safety, feared her death would soon after ensue. I could not but think, in what a wretched state I should be left, most of my livelihood depending on her life. And hereupon I bethought myself, with what grace and favour I was ever received by the King of Scots, whensoever I was sent to him. I did assure myself, it was neither unjust nor unhonest for me to do for myself, if God at that time should call her to his mercy. Hereupon I wrote to the King of Scots (knowing him to be the right heir to the crown of England) and certified him, in what state her Majesty was. I desired him, 'not to stir from Edin

burgh: if of that sickness she should die, I would be the first man, that should bring him news of it.'

*

The Queen grew worse and worse, because she would be so, none about her being able to persuade her to go to bed. My Lord Admiral was sent for (who by reason of my sister's death, that was his wife, had absented himself some fortnight from court); what by fair means, what by force, he got her to bed. There was no hope of her recovery, because she refused all remedies.

'On Wednesday, the twenty-third of March, she grew speechless. That afternoon, by signs she called for her council, and by putting her hand to her head, when the King of Scots was named to succeed her, they all knew he was the man she desired should reign after her.

About six at night, she made signs for the Archbishop† and the chaplains to come to her; at which time I went in with them, and sat upon my knees, full of tears to see that heavy sight. Her Majesty lay upon her back, with one hand in the bed, and the other without. The Bishop kneeled down by her, and examined her first of her faith; and she so punctually answered all his several questions, by lifting up her eyes and holding up her hand, as it was a comfort to all her beholders. Then the good man told her plainly, 'what she was, and what she was to come to; and though she had been long a great Queen here upon earth, yet shortly she was to yield an account of her stewardship to the King of kings.' After this, he began to pray, and all that were by did answer him. After he had continued long in

* Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham.

↑ Whitgift,

prayer, until the old man's knees were weary, he blessed her, and meant to rise and leave her. The Queen made a sign with her hand. My sister Scroope knowing her meaning, told the Bishop, the Queen desired he would pray still.' He did so for a long half-hour after, and then thought to leave her. The second time, she made sign to have him continue in prayer. He did so for half an hour more, with earnest cries to God for her soul's health; which he uttered with that fervency of spirit, as the Queen to all our sight much rejoiced thereat, and gave testimony to us all of her Christian and comfortable end. By this time it grew late, and every one departed, all but her woman that attended her.

This that I heard with my ears, and did see with my eyes, I thought it my duty to set down, and to affirm it for a truth, upon the faith of a Christian; because I know, there have been many false lies reported of the end and death of that good lady.

'I went to my lodging, and left word with one in the Cofferer's chamber to call me, if that night it was thought she would die, and gave the porter an order to let me in at any time when I called. Between one and two o'clock on Thursday morning, he that I left in the Cofferer's chamber brought me word 'the Queen was dead.'* I rose, and made all the haste to the gate to get in. There I was answered, I could not enter; the Lords of the Council having been with him, and commanded him that none should go in or out, but by warrant from them.' At the

*She died soon after the Primate left her, about three o'clock in the morning.

"

very instant, one of the council (the Comptroller) asked, 'whether I was at the gate?' I said, “Yes.” He said to me, if I pleased, he would let me in.' I desired to know, how the Queen did.' He answered, "Pretty well." I bade him 'good night.' He replied, and said, “Sir, if you will come in, I will give you my word and credit, you shall go out again at your own pleasure." Upon his word I entered the gate, and came up to the Cofferer's chamber, where I found all the ladies weeping bitterly. He led me from thence to the privy chamber, where all the council was assembled; there I was caught hold of, and assured ‘I should not go for Scotland, till their pleasures were farther known.' I told them, 'I came of purpose to that end.' From thence they all went to the Secretary's chamber, and as they went they gave a special command to the porters, that none should go out of the gates, but such servants as they should send to prepare their coaches and horses for London.' There was I left in the midst of the court to think my own thoughts, till they had done coun- cil. I went to my brother's chamber, who was in bed, having being overwatched many nights before. I got him up with all speed, and when the council's men were going out of the gate, my brother thrust to the gate. The porter, knowing him to be a great officer, let him out. I pressed after him, and was staid by the porter. My brother said angrily to the porter, "Let him out, I will answer for him." Whereupon I was suffered to pass, which I was not a little glad of.

* George Lord Hunsdon, Captain of the Band of Pensioners, K. G. &c.