The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-02-09
LAST NIGHT or MARY, QUEEN
OF SCOTS.

drank % them all begging them 70
pledge Der, which they did on their
knees, mihgling their Tears in The cup,
and asking Der forgiveness Il they bad
ever offended her. This she readily
gave them, bidding them farewell with
much tenderness F; eniroaiing 10 her
turn their pardon, and solemnly enloi-
niog them 10 continue firm 10 their re-
ligion, and forget all their liale jealous
les, living in peace and love with each
other. Il would be easier 10 do so
now, she added, since Nau, who bad
been so busy in creating discussions,
was no longer with them. This was
the only subject on which she felt and
expressed herself with something like
keenness : REPEATING more than once,
that he was the cause Of her death, but
adding, that she forgive him. She
next examined her ward robe, and Sc
lecied various dresses as presents TO
her servants, delivering them at the
moment with some kind expression 10
each.-She then wrote to her almoner;
lamenling that the cruelty Of her enc
mics bad refused her the consolation
Of bis presence with her in her last
moments, imploring him to watch and
pray with her that night, and to send
her his dissolution. After this she
made her will and lastly, wrote to the
King Of France. BY this time it was
two in The morning, and finding herself
lat:gued, she lay down, having first
washed her feet, whilst her women
watched and read at her bedside
They observed that, though quite still
and tranquil, she was not asleep, her
lips moving, as If engaged 10 secret
prayer,
ltwas her custom TO have her wom-
en- read TO her at night a portion ofthe
lives Of the Saints, a book she loved
much and this last night would not
omit il, but made Jane Kennedy choose
a portion for their usual devotion. She
selected the life entitled The Good
Thief, which treats Of that beautiful
and affecting example Of dying faith
and divine compassion. ALAS = said
Mary, he was indeed very great sin
ner, but not so great as ! am. May
my Saviour, in memory Of His Pas
sion, have mercy on me, as he bad on
him at the hour of death AT this
moment she recollectsd that she would
require a handkerchief TO bind her
eyes at her execution, and bidding
them bring her several, she selected
one Of the finest, which was embroid-
cred with gold laying it carefully aside.
Early 10 the morning she arose, OBJ
serving, that now she had but two
hours to live; and having finished her
toilet she came into her oratory, and
kneeliog with her women before the al
tar, where they usually said mass, con-
linued long in prayer. Her physician
then, afraid Of her being exhausted
begged her 10 take a little bread and
wine which she did cheerfully, than
king him, at the same time, for giving
her her last meal.
Execution Of Mary, Queen Of Scots.
Followed by her servants, and by
Melyil bearing her train, she entered
the great hall, and walked to the scat
fold, which had been erected at its up
per end. Il was a raised platform,
about two feet in height, and twelve
broad, surrounded by rail, and COW
cred with black. Upon it were pla-
ced low chair and cushion, two other
seats, and the block. The Queen re-
garded it without the least change Of
countenance, cheerfuIly mounted the
steps, and sat down with the same ca
sy grace and dignity with which she
would have occupied her throne. On
her right were seated the Earls Of Kent
and Shrewsbury, on her left the Sher-
ifs, and before her two execulionefs.
The Earl Of Kent, the Dean OF Peters.
borough, Sir Amias Paulet, Sir Drew
DrewFy, Beal, the Clerk Of the Privy
Council, and others stood beside the
scafFold and these, with the guards,
officers, attendants, and some Of the
nsighboring gentry, who bad been per-
miited TO be present, made up an
assembly OF about two hundred in
all. Beal then read the warrant
for her death, which she heard with
apparent attention but those nearher
could see, by the swee; and absent
expression Of her countenanee, that
her thoughts were far of. When it
was finished, she crossed herself,
and addressed a few words 10 the per-
sons round the scafold. She spoke
Of her rights as a Sovereign Princess,
which had been invaded and trampled
on, and Of her l)ng sorrows and i'm.
prisonment; but expressed the deep
est thankfulness to God, that, being
now about to die for her religion, be-
fore this company to testify that she
died Catholic, and innocent Of hav-
ing invented any plot, or consented to