Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-07-21

"e'S 'h tNc year lDOO. Inc
principal staircase ~ the nor,h.w vest
tower leads up to the qucci's chamber
oil presrncc;--pass. ne through THIS a.
phtment. door open, into Mary's
bedroom where her uw bed vet stands.
although It's furniture is now almost
IN ,atters. IL was IN the small closet
Or cabinet oil her bedroom, containing
one window, and only about twelve
feet square. that Mary sat at sumner
on the OH day of March, two hundred
anu siXty-i,e years ago. Cummuni-
eating with Darnlcy's chamber imne.
d'ately beneath, there was and Is
private passage into Mary's bed room,
by which 1t could b. entered without
previously passing through the pre-
senec-chanber. Tie approach to this
passage from the queens room is con.
ceaied by piece Of wainscot, little
more than yard square, which hangs
upon hinges IN the wall, and opens on
Il trap-stair. IL had been originally
proposed 10 seize Rizzio in his own
apartment; but this plan was abandon
ell. Tor two reasons; first, because il
was less certain. since IL vas often
late before IeiZzio retired for the night,
since he sometimes did not slccp In
his own room at all, but in that Of ano.
Their Italian belonging to the queens
household, named Signor Francis. and
since there were back doors and win
dows, through which hc might have
effected has escape; and. second. be.
cause J. would no, have - much int
Undated Mary. and would have made
~ necessary IL employ another party
TO secure her persOn--the ohicl object
ut the ConspiTatUrs.
10 ascertain whether there was any
! thing Ia hinder the execution of their
design, Darnley about eight O'Clock
went up the private stairs. and enter
ing the small room where his wife was
supping. sat down familiarIy beside
her. lie found, as he expected, his
victim RlZzio in attendance, who in
deed, owing to bad health, and the lit
tie estimation in which he was held nv
the populace. seldom went beyond the
precincts Of the palace. He was dress.
ed this evcnin. IN 4 loose robe de
chambre Of furred damask, with sa.
TIN doublet, and hose of russell vel
vet; and he wore a rich jewel about
his neck, which was never heard OF
alter his death. The conspiiators hav-
ing allowed sufficient time to elapse 10
be satisfied that all was as they wished.
followed the king up the private wav,
winch they chose III order To avoid any
OF the domestics who might have been
IN the presence chamber and given an
alarm. They were headed by the
Lord Ruthven. and George Douglass.
an iileg;timate son Gf the late Earl Of
Angus, and the bastard brother of
Darnley's mother, the Lady Lcnnox :;
person Of the most proiligate habits.
and an apt instrument in the hands of
the Earl at Morton. These men, fol
lowed by as many of their accompliccs
"a could crowd into the room where
Nary sa'. entered abruptly and with
out leave; while the remainder, TO the
number Of nearly two score, collected
in her bedroom. Ruthven, with III.
heavy armour rafting upon his lank
and exhausted frame, and looking a.
grim and fearful as an animated cor psc,
stalked lntO the room first. and threw
himself unceremOniously into n chair.
The queen with Ddignant amaze
ment demanded the meaning of this
intrusion. adding. that he came with
the cOuntcnancc and in the garb Of one
who had no good deed IN his mind.
Turning his hollow eyes upon RizZio,
Ruthyen answered, that lie intended
evil only TO the villain who stood near
her. On hearing these words. RiZzio
saw that his doom was fixed, and lost
all his presence Of mind; but Mary,
through whose veins llowcd the heroic
blood Of James V. and his war.like an
ccsfors. retained her self possess
She turned 10 her husband and called
upon him for prOtec ton but pcrceiVing
that be was disposed TO remain a pas
sive spectator Of the scene. she order.
ed Ruthyen 20 withdraw under. pain
OF treason. promising. that IT Riz1io
was accused 1t any crime, II should be
inquired into by the parliament then
assembled. Ruthven replied only by
heaping upon the unfortunate sccreta-
~ load Of abuse; and 80 conclusion.
declared the determination Of tire con .
spirat0rs 60 make themselves masters
Of RiLZlO's person. RizLio. scarcely
knowing what be did. pressed close
into TIE recess at the window, with his
dagger drawn ~ one hand, and clasp
lng the folds Of Mary's gown with the
ether In spite Of every threat. BE
remained standing hcinnd Lef, add
continually exclaimIng ~ hts native
Language. and IN great agitation. Gius-
tiZid! Mays own person was thUs
lcxpUsed Co considerable danger, aud
+ thc a-ssssins desnrd Darnlcy TO tai =
his wife iu his arms and remove her
out of tie way.