The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-02-09
-AsI'NIGHT 81 MI RY, QUEEN
OF SCOTS.

drank to them all, begging them 70
pledge her, which they did on then
knees. mfngling their Tears IN the cup,
and asking her forgiveness II they had
ever offended her. This she readily
gave them, bidding them farewell with
much tenderness entreaiing in hel
turn their pardon, and soIemnIy enioi-
ming them 10 continue firm 10 their re-
ligion, and forget all their little jealous
les, living in peace and love with each
other. Il would be easier 10 do SO
now, she added, since Nau, who had
been so busy in creating dissensions,
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
lected various dresses as presents TO
her servants, delivering them at the
moment with some kind expression 10
each.-She then wrote to her almoner;
lamenting that the cruelty of her enc
mics had refused her the consolation
of his 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 in secret
prayer.
1t was her custom TO have her wom-
en- read TO her at night portion of the
Lives of the Saints, book she loved
much; and this last night would not
omit ii, but made Jane Kennedy choose
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 sim
ner, but not so great as | am. May
my Saviour, in memory Of His Pas
sion, have mercy on me, as he had on
him at the hour of DEATH At this
moment she recollected 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 in 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
kneeling with her women before the al
tar, where they usually said mass. con-
tinued long in prayer. Her physician
then, afraid OF her being exhausted
begged her to take little bread and
wine which she did cheerfulIy, than
king him, at the same time, for giving
her her last meal.
Execution Of Mary, Queen Of Scots.
by her servants, and by
Melyil bearing her train, she entered
the great hall, and walked 10 the scat
fold, which had been erected at its up
per end. It 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, cheerfully 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 executioneFs.
The Earl Of Kent, the Dean Of Peters
borough, Sir Amias Paulet, Sir Drew
Drewry, Beal, the Clerk of the Privy
and others stood beside the |
scafold and these. with the guards, |
officers, attendants, and some Of the
neighboring gentry, who had been per-
nitted TO be present, made up an /
assembly of ABOUT two hundred in |
Ill. Beal then read the warrant
or Ter death, which she heard with |
apparent attention but those nearher
could see. by the sweet and absent
expression Of her countenance, that
her thoughts were far of. When It
vas finished, she crossed herself,
md addressed few words 10 the per-
sons round the scafold. She spoke
IF her rights as Sovereign Princess,
which bad been invaded and trampIed
%, and Of her l,ng sorrows and i'm.
but expressed the deep
81 thankfulness 20 God, that, being
oWabout to die for her religion, be-
ore this company 10 testify that she
lied Catholic, and innocent of hav-
ng invented any plot, or consented TO
my practices against the Queens life.
Il win here, said she, Elm my last
moments, accuse no one { hnf when Il Il