Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-03-15
Original aud Seleeted.
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Among the many sovereigns whose
lives are on record, we find none who
has been so often the subject of discus
sion as Mary, Queen of Scots. Diverse
are the opinions regarding her, His
torians are in many instances swayed by
prejudice. Readers must be guided by
the simple statement of facts. The ma
jority seem disposed to consider this ILL
fated Queen black as Erebus in the
atrocity of her deeds The murder of
her husband is laid to her charge, or her
having been accessory to it. Whether
or not she ever committed any of the
fragrant crimes attributed to her can
never be known until that great day
when all secrets are revealed and hidden
things brought to light Before con-
demning any individual, sovereign or
subject, peasant or prince, no matter
what station, it would be well to take
into consideration their early training,
education and associations, for all will
admit, how powerful is the influence and
bearing upon the subsequent life and
character.
Mary was educated in the gay and
voluptuous court of France, and which
then, as it is now, the most polished
court in Europe. Being married in
early girlhood to the Dauphin, she
reigned in an atmosphere of pleasure,
amidst the most brilliant and fascinating
scenes, which must have been a perfect
elysium to one of her sprightly, imagi-
native and poetic temperament. 1t is
generally conceded that she was the
most beautiful and captivating woman of
her time, and, in fact, one of the lovliest
that ever existed at any period. The
death of the Dauphin seemed like the
parting knell to Mary's earthly happi-
ness bright visions fed and gave place
to stern realities. She could not remain
and be subject to the caprices of her
ambitious and unprincipled mother-in-
law, Catherine de Medecis. Her Scot
fish subjects urged her to take possession
of the Scottish throne, which was hers
by inheritance, and repugnant though it
was to her, she had no other resource.
Her excessive grief at leaving France,
country so dear to her and fraught with
all that charms the senses, is most touch
ing and beautifully portrayed in her
exquisite farewell poem, every line of
which breathes refined sentiment and
true pathos,
The Queens trials commenced on her
assuming the royal sceptro in Scotland.
She found that she had a self-willed,
overbearng people to govern. The eli
mate, the country and the inhabitants
were so totally different from those she
had just left, where all was bright and
sunny, and her associates of congenial
tastes, refined and joyous like herself,
that who can wonder at her many bitter
pangs One of more mature years and
greater experience might have acted with
more wisdom, but although widow. she
bad hardly emerged from the freshness
of girlhood.
Mary was truly unfortunate in her
choice of a second consort. Darnley was
a contemplate character, and two low
and depraved in his tastes to appreciate
bis charming young wife. Had she been
blest with kind, affcctionate companion,
one capable of advising her and guiding
her through the ordeals which she had
TO pass, how different might have been
her lot even her half-brother. the Earl
Of Murray, instead Of being her friend
proved TO be her enemy. DarDcly's un-
timely death and her subsequent mar
riage With the Earl Of Boutwell, although
forced upon her yet both events caused
her 10 incur the odium Of her subjects.
1t always seemed matter Of regret
that after her defeat at the battle Of
LaDgsville she did not take the advice
Of her maternal uncle and return 10
France. But, alas nineteen years Of
captivity aud a cruel d"ath we're her
portion. Whatever might have been
her misdeeds she certainly paid terrible
retribution.
Let the mantle Of charity cover her
imperfections and errors. We are all
the creatures Of circumstances. and none
Of US know ourselves or how We might
act 10 perilous or tempting positions.
God is more merciful than man. The
great as well as the lowly have claims
upon our sympathy. and a. We meie 10
shall IL be meted 30 ~ by the great