The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-05-25
CoQuETRy OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

/ IL.
| The following account, which is given in
Sir James Melvil's Memoir of his Embassy
from Mary, Queen of Scots. to Queen Eliz-
abeth, conveys an amusing description of fe-
male vanity, and Court artihce, aud illus
trates how far a rivalry of personal charms
and accomplishments entered into the spirit
with which she prosecuted the Scottish
! Princess -
"The queen, my mistress, has instructed
me to leave matters of gravity sometimes,
and cast in merry purposes, lest otherwise !
should be wearied, she being well informed
ofthat Queens snatural temper Therefore,
| in declaring my observations of the customs
of Dutchland, Poland, and Italy, the busk-
ins o. the women was not forgot, and what
country weed thought was best becoming
gentlewoman. The Queen said she had
clothes of every sort, which every day
| thereafter, so long as was there, she chang
ed. One day she had the English weed, a.
neither the Italian, and SO forth. She ask
ed me which of them became her hest? |
answered, in my judgment the Italian dress,
which answer found pleased her well, for
she delighted to show her golden hair, wear
f, ing caul and bonnet as they do in Italy. Her
hair was more reddish than yellow, cuied
| in appearance naturally. She desired to
know of me, what colour was reputed best,
| and whether my Queens hair or hers was
| best. and which of them two was fairest.
| answered, the fairness of them both was not
| the worst faults. But she was earnest with
me to declare which of them Judged fair
est. / said she was the fairest Queen in
| England, and mine the fairest Queen in
Scotland. Yet she appeared earnest. an
swered they were both fairest i'll their coun-
tries; that her majesty was whittier, but my
queen was very lovely. She inquired which
of them was of highest statures said my
queen. Then, saith she, she is too high for
| myself am neither too high nor too low
| Then she asked what kind of exercise she
used? answered, that when received nay
despatch, the queen was lately come from
the highland huuting.-That when her more
serious affairs permitted, she was taken up
with reading of history. That sometimes
she recreated herself in playing upon the
lutte and virginals. She asked if she played
we'll. said reasonably, for queen.
"That same day after dinner, my Lord of
Hunsdean drew me up to quiet gallery, that
| might have some music, but he said he
burst not avow it, where might hear the
queen play upon the virginals. After had
hardened awhile, took by the tapestry that
hung before the door of the chamber, and
seeing her back was towards the door, en-
tered within the chamber, aad stood pref
ty space hearing her play excellently well,
but she quit Immediately, as soon as she turn
ed about and saw me, she was surprised, and
came forward, seeming to strike me with her
hand, alleging she used not to play before
men, but when she was solitary to shun mel
ancholy.--She asked how came there? !
answered, as was walking with my Lord OF
Hunsdean. as we passed by the chamber
door, heard such melody as ravished me,
whereby was drawn in, ere / knew how,
excusng my fault of hoEcliness, as being
brought up in the court of France, where
such freedom was allowed; declaring myself
willing to endure any kind of punishment
her majesty should be pleased to nflict upon
me for so great an offence. Then she safe
down now upon cushion and l upon my
knees by her, but with her own hand she
gave me cushion to lay under my knee,
which at first refused, but she compelled
me to take it. She then called for my lady
Strafford out of the next chamber, tor the
queen was alone. She inquired whether my