The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-10-21

qu'sn DOdly innrmlty, moved VIII PROUD
firm step. She was followed by Melville, wht
bore her train, and her two weeping ladies
clad in mourning weeds. The rear WAS brough
up by Bourgoigne, Gourion, and Gervais, bel
three medical attendants.
| A platform twelve feet square and two and &
half high, covered with black cloth, and sur
rounded with q rail, had been erected at tn,
upper end of the great banqueting hall a
Fotheringhay, near the fireplace, in which, OF
account of the coldners of the weather, q large
FIRE was burning. On the scaffold were placed
the block, the axe, q chair, covered also will
black cloth, for the Queen, with cushion O.
crimson velvet before it, and two stools for the
Earls of Kent and Shrewsbury. About one
hundred gentlemen, who had been admitted tc
behold the mournful spectacle, stood at the
lower end of the hall but the scaffold was bar
ricaded, and a strong guard of the sherifss and
earl marshaPs men envirened it, to prevent the
possibility of a rescue.
| The digni6ed composure- and melancholy
| sweetness of her countenance, in which the in
tellectual beauty of reflective middle age had
superseded the charms that in youth had been
celebrated by all the poets of France and Scot
land, her majestic and intrepid demeanor, made
a profound impression upon every one present
when Mary Stuart and her sorrowful followers
L
sable scaffold the block, the axe, the execution
er, and spectators, undauntedly, as she advanced
to the foot of the scaffold. Then she paused, for
she required assistance, and Sir Amyas Paulet
rendered her bis hand, to aid her in ascending the
two steep steps by which it was approached.
Mary accepted the pro1iered attention of her
prosecuting jailor with the queenly courtesy
that was natural to her. Il thank you, sir, -
said she, when he had helped her to mount the
fatal stair; this is the last trouble shall ever
give you"
Having calmly seated herself in the chair
that had been provided for her, with the two
earls standing on either side, and the execu.
| toner in front holdiHg the axe, with the edge
towards her, Beale sprang upon the scaffold
| with unfeeling alacrity, and read the death.
warrant in q loud voice. She listened to
| it with a serene and even smiling coun.
tenance; but, as before, bowed her head and
crossed herself when it was concluded, in token
of her submission to the will Of God.
"Now, madam" said the Earl of Shrews-
bury, "you see what you have to do"
She answered, briefly and emphatically, "Do
your duty" Then she asked for her almoner,
that she might pray with him ; but this being
denied, DR.. Fletcher, the Deanof Peterborough,
standing directly before her without the rails,
and bending his body very low, began to ad-
dress her. Mr.. Dean, trouble not yourself
nor me-" said the Queen, /" for know that am
settled in the ancient Catholic and Roman
faith, in defence whereof, by Gods grace,
mind to spend my blood"
"Msdam," replied the Dean, /" change your
opinion, and repent you of your former wicked
ness"
"Good Mr.. DEAN" rejoined she, trouble
not yourself any more about this matter. was
born in this religion, and am resolved to die in
this religion" The Earls, perceiving her reso-
luton wac not to be shaken, said, madame,
will you pray for your Grace with Mr.. Dean,
that you may have your mind lightened with
the true knowledge of God and His Word ?"
my lords" replied the Queen, " if you will
pray with me, l will even from my heart thank
you; but to pray with you, in your manner,
who are not of the same religion with me, were
a SIM"
The Earls then babe the Dean " say on &C.
cording to his own pleasure" This be did, not
by reciting the beautiful efice for the dying, or
the burial service, frem our Anglican Church,
but in bitter polemic composition of his own,
tending neither to comfort nor edifcation. Mary
needed him not, but began to pray with absorb.
ing and fearful earnestness from her own bre.
wary and the psalter, uniting portions from the
3lst. 5lst, and 9lst Psalms. She prayed in
Latin, in French, and finally in English, for
| God to pardon her sins, and forgive her foes ;
| for Christs afflicted church for the peace and
prosperity of England and Scotland for her
son, and for Queen Elizabeth not with the os.
tentation of a Pharisee, but the holy benevo-
leuce of dying Christian. At the conclusion
OF her last prayer she arose, and, holding up
the crucifx, exclaimed, AS thy arms, Oh,
Christ were extended on the cross, even so re.
| poiva ms ipkn bo Of L l..
out all my sins with Thy most precious blood. !"
Madam" interrupted the Earl of Kent, I" it
were better for you to eschew such Popish
trumpery, and bear Him in your heart"
Can l" she mildly answered, "hold the
representation of the suffsrings of my crucifed
Redeemer in my hand, without bearing him, at
The same time, in my hearth"
The two executioners, seeing her preparing
to make herself ready for the block, knet be.
fore her, and prayed for forgiveness 81 for
give you all and all the world with all nv
heart" she replied, for hope this death will
give an end to all my troubles" They offered
to assis. her in removing her mantle, but she
drew back, and requested them not to touch
her, observing with smile, 4" have not been
accustomed to be served by such pages of hon.
or, nor TO. disrobe before 30 numerous a com.
paDy-" Then reckoning to Jane Kennedy and
fIHLdIftA SuTic, VINO were on their knees IN
tears below, they came to her on the scaffold !:
but when they saw for what purpose they were
required, they began TO scream and cry and
were too much agitated at first to render her
the assistance she required, 30 that she began
70 take out the pins herself thing to which
she was not accustomed. "Do not weep,v said
she, tenderly reproving them !; I" am very hap.
py to leave this world. You ought to rejoice
| TO see me die in go good cause Are YOU not
| ashamed to weep2 Nay, if you do not give
| over these lamentations must send YOU away.
for you know have promised for you.n
Then she took off her gold pomander, chain,
and rosary, which she had previously desire
one of her ladies to convey to the Countess OF
Arundel, as last token of her regard. The
eIecutioner seized it, and secreted it in his
shoe. Jane kennedy, with the resolute spirit
OF brave Scotch lsssie, snatched it from him
and struggle ensued. Mary, mildly interpo
sing, said, Friend, let her have it, she will
give you more than its value in money" but
he su!lenly replied, I" it is my perquisite." 81,
would have been strange, indeed" observes our
authority with sarcastic bitterness, off this
poor Queen had met with courtesy from Al
English hangman, who had experienced 30 LIT
tie from the mobiles of that country-witness the
Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife,
Before Mary proceeded further in her prepa
rations for the block, che took last farewell o
her weeping ladies, kissing, embracing, snt
blessing them, by signing them with the cross
which benediction they received on their knees
Her upper garments being removed, she re
manned in her pettcoat of crimson velvet ant
camisole, which laced behind, and covered he
arms with pair of crimson velvet sleeves
Jane Kennedy now drew from her pocket tn,
gold bordered handkerchief Mary had given he
TO bind her eyes. Within this she placed
CORPUS Christicloth," probably the same il
which the consecrated wafer sent to her by th
| pope had been enveloped lane folded