The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-07-30
''OUTLINE HISTORY OF ENGLAND''-THE
LATER TUDORS.
for nv

(Report for Glass A. by w. r. S.
Mary queen of England-who succeeded Ed.
ward the vi. upon whose excellent qualities
English historians dwell with pleasure and delight,
and whose early demise in the sixteenth year of
his age and the seventh of his reign such an
apparent blow to the peace and future prosperity
of his country. at that time and for time
previously in the turmoils Of religious discomfort
after reign of five years, died in 1868, leaving
nothing behind her but heritage of bigotry, dis
content poverty and persecution. rarely equaled
in that or any other country. At this period Eng.
land found herself once more turning her face
towards ''favorite of the nation" and expressing
a general and unfeigned Joy when she committed
the scepter of her destiny into the hands of Eliza
beth. And it is few traits of the life and
reign of this virgin queen" her adorers called
her, that l will devote myself in this my first
paper before the Pierian branch of that wide.
spread and excellent organization known as the
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle.
This great queen was born in 1858, assembled the
throne in 1865, and after glorious and unusually
lengthy reign of fortyfve years, during which she
surmounted the preudces of both faction and
bigotry. died in 1908 leaving a name which has
come down to our day bedecked with all the glory
man can bestow. In her early years. when her
country was TORN aSuNQer ny tue StOTmS OIL r6llg
ious animosities which swept with such fury
around her. Elizabeth held aloof from all relig-
ious and political controversies. and devoted
herself to the culture and development of those
mental and physical qualities which in after years
proved beneficial, not only to herself but to the
people over whom she reigned. In study her
mind expanded, her knowledge of the whims and
frailties of human nature increased, her magma
pip itv or vic iui1o md
became such part Of her that when she came to
rule people she brought with her those qualif-
cations of mind and heart which have not been
surpassed by any woman who has filed throne.
As heiress to the monarchical dynasty, her early
career was closly watched by those who envied
her, but naught was found save that which be.
spoke the sagacious maiden on whom the eyes of
a cutedfor.conscience.sake and poverty
stricken people turned. Thus we find her when
the death of Mary called her to the throne. A
few days after that event she entered London
thr ough crowds of people who strove with each
other in giving her the strongest testimony Of
their love and affection On her entrance into the
tower, Hume tells that she could not forbear
refe citing the great difference between her
present fortune and that which a few years
before had attended her when she was conducted
to that place as prisoner and lay there exposed
to all the bitter malignty of her enemies. She
fell on her knees and expressed her thanks to
heaven for the deliverance which the Almighty
had granted her from her enemies. This act of
pious gratitude seems to have been the last cir.
cumstance in which she remembered any past
hardships and injuries. With prudence and
magnanimity truly laudable she received with af.
liability even those who had acted with the great.
est malevolence towards her. From the hour-the
one of her triumph-the prayer for forgiveness
of her enemies went up to heaven from the black
walls of the tower. the sun of Engand's glory be.
gan to shine; and although well nigh three hun.
dred years have passed since that event its brill
fancy never has waned, and she stands to-day un.
rivaled on the seas and foremost among the great
powers of Europe.
Though the education of Elizabeth as well as
her interests led her to favor the Reformation,