The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-26
DIR. Cummings' Lecture on Queen Mary o.
England.

On Monday evening the Rev. Dr. Cummings de-
livered lecture at Hope Chapel, Broadway, on the
causes that have rendered unpopular the name Of
Mary, Queen of England. The reverend gentleman
commenced his discourse by general observations on
the rrejudiced writers who are regarded as autho-
rites on the matter of history, and whose memoirs
Of Queen Mary in particular, too implicitly relied
on. The popular notions regarding that Queen are
derived from such writer's as Burnett, Fox, and
Hume, who were acrimonious and prejudiced. He
was happy to say however, that there were Italian
historians, living at tie period, who were well
acquainted with all the acts Of Mary, as there was
much intercourse at that time between England and
Rome, and the inquirer after truth is thus enabled to
picture to himself the real character of this abused
lady. The researcher will likewise be assisted by
the documents, letters, and dispatches, brought to
light by Protestant English editors. And then again
there are the official acts and parliamentary records
edited by Drake and others. To these must like
wise be added, the Priyy Purse of Queen Mary"
edited by Sir Frederick Madden, the works of Mr.
Tytler, and other dispatches Of Senior Renard, the
Spanish ambassador who had an antipathy to
Mary, and, therefore, when he speaks favorably Of
her, his remarks are the more worthy Of attention
Arguing from these works, the lecturer commended
that the general bad opinion Of Mary was essentially
wrong and unjust He then entered at large
into the life Of Mary, tracing her career from
NCi soup upWdluS. DciOIc UiOONlux luto WOuidu
wood, she was distinguished by mental qualifications
of a high order and a heart that abounded with
goodness. Benevolence was her striking character
istic. During 1887, she stood sponsor to fifteen
children, and made them presents of money and
clothing, as is shown by the Privy Purse Before
coming to the throne, she was sadly prosecuted by
her father and the regents OF Edward, but was sup
ported by her religion under all her Affections. Her
first acts, after being made Queen, were anything
but bloody, for she pardoned many of her enemies,
and took them into favor. OF twenty-seven rebels,
including the Duke of Northumberland three only
suffered. After some preliminary observations the
lecturer dwelt with particular minuteness the
cuton Of Lady Jane Grey, that deed particular
stress has been laid by prejudiced historians. He
commended that there were many exculpatOry circum
stances connected with that affair From documents
to which he had alluded, it was apparent that Queen
Mary was at first opposed to the execution Of that
unfortunate lady. Parliament prosecuted her. and
had her condemned by the Lord Chief Justice; but
after her committal Queen Mary extended to her the
greatest clemcncy. Three rebellions followed each
other rapidly, aud Mary ran great personal risks.
Her ncillors successfully worked her fears and
thus induced her to sign the warrant for the execu-
ton Of Lady Jane Grey. OF the rebels, however,
many were pardOned. The Rev. gentleman regretted
that he had not time to descend into detail to dis
play the many instances Of generosity shown by
Mary, ard the benefits she rendered to the Holy
Catholic Church, in reviving and sustaining the true
religion ard in giving back to the church establish
ments thoe immuntes of which they had been de-
priyed ty her father; but he hoped a historian
would one day be found willing and able to fear
lesly tell the true history ofary Queen Of England.