The Irish standard., 1895-06-22
MARY \ QUEEN il l Of SC0lg
The Story Of the Execution Of the
Unfortunate Woman Graph
ically Told. .s.. .::...
Hon. Mrs. naxweH Scott Tells It
in Her Book Entitled .'The
Tragedy Of Fotheringay. Z

Tragedy Of Fotheringay.''
r. p. o,connor Reviews the Vol
ume at Length in the Current
Number Of His Weekly Sun.
gs9s In the story as related by Mrs. Scott
the reader is reminded that in the day OF
that tragedy there was no such thing as
merctful swiftness Then, as now, in
some Of the old countries there was the
slow drag Of red tapeism in every detail.
Here. for instance, is the matter Of her
notification Of her sentence OF death.
The messengers called, and her majesty
informed that she was in bed, but if the
matter were pressing she asked for lit
tie time to make herself presentabls. The
reply was that the occasion was
Of no consequence. Finally she
received them in her chair at the
foot Of her bed, and in the most formal
way she was then and there informed Of
the result OF her trial, and the sentence OF
death was read. OF this she had been
previously informed by the queen, but
it was necessary to submit her to certain
conventionality which hedges royalty
even when it issues it's mandate Of death.
Mary's first request was for priest Of
her own religion The Dean Of Peterbor-
ough was offered, but Mary refused his
ninistrations The commissioners, car"
rying out the wishes Of Elizabeth, insist
cd but Mary refused, and asked that no
one should take any more trouble to per-
suade her. Then with a compliasancy
which has no parallel she asked when siae
was to die. Shrewsbury replied in dat-
tering tones, Tomorrow morning at 8
O'clock" The scene following this an
nouncement is dramatically put by Mrs.
Scots:
The servants Of her majesty, with tears
and cries, declared that the time was too
short for her to put her affairs In order.
Tt was impossible that the night could be
long enough; she was leaving her ser~
wants destitute Of all means. They beg
ged the LORDS to have pity on them, say
Ing 1t appeared by the terms OF their conf
mission they had power to have the exc
c,1tion when they wished, and praying
them to defer 1t for some few hours.
Mary wrote her will which kept her .lrl-
til Q O. clock, and then lay down without
undressing. Then, a little later:
1t ltpresently occurred to the queen that
handkerchief would be required to
bandage her eyes. She told one Of her
women to bring her very fine and beau
tiful one edged with gold embroidery. and
carefully put it aside for the OCCASION
After this she rested on her bed with
closed eyes and hands crossed on her
breast. without was heard the cuninous
sounds Of harnmering. But they did not
disturb the doomed woman. At o'clock
she called her servants and reminded
them that she had only two hours to 1--we.
Then rising she dressed hei'self with
unusa,.l care and magn}hcence, az IN
preparation for some great and solemn
occasion. Her robes the only ones sae
had reserved Of former splendors, were
such as We're worn by queens-dowager.
The skirt aud bodice Of black satin vera
worn over a petticoat of russet brown vel
vet, wli}e the long regal mantle, also ofs
black satin, embroidered with gold ana
trimmed with fur, had long hanging
sleeves and train. The queens head
dress was Of white Grape. from which. fell
a long veil OF the same delicate mater
,ai edged with lace. Round her neck slre
wore a chain of scented beads With a cross
and at her wrist golden rosary. 5
When the hour of 8 o'clock struck Mary
was in her avatory saying her prayers.
There was a,znock on the door, but no re-
sponse. 1t was repeated and the door
opened. The sheriff entered. Mary, sur
rounded by her household, was at prayer.
For moment the sheriff respected her
devotion, and then said: Madam. the
lords have sent me to you To which
Mary replied: Eyes, let us 60" Bourgo~
ing, who supported her, asked IL sha
wished him to give her the Ivory crucihy
from the altar. A sad smile faltered
from her lips as she answered.: You
|havs given me great pleasure BY remind-
ing me. It was ray intention" And sha
A took the cross In her hands, kissed It, ana
then gave 1t to, Annabel Stuart. her valet
de chambre, to carry before her. Then,
preceded by the sheriff, the procession
went forward. Bourgoing. with delicaey
Of feeling which must ever command re~
spect, told her that neither he nor any
otner attendants could bear to offer her
their arm to deliver her to the execution
Il
sist her last breath .You are right
said Mary to the sheriff, MY servants
do not wish to lead me to death. Iscannot
walk without; help let me be assisted 'a ii
Then two soldiers came and supported haaf
|,and the procession moved on. 5sf
The servants OF Mary asked to accom-
|pany her to the execution, and this re~
quest caused q fumult, angry resistance.
|aad tears but the doomed woman said /.
never a word nor did she seem to notice
1T. BIS,
When the queen met Kent and shrsws-
bury on the landing below the great stair
case she asked that her servants be ad-
|mitted 10 the execution that they might
|testify that Sshs had died IN the. atholtc
faith. There was a wrangle over this r..
k4uest but itsWas at last agreed that Iane
Kennedy and Gurle sh ould be present. ssa 4.
he procassion now moved on and eil--
tered tho hall the sheriff ard hde escort
leading the way, followed BY 'aalIatss
prrry, BsaIes and the two earls. s.Hs & gEahll, EheF
qaeen foIIoFed. /. q tended by Bourgc
wants. Meiyille ying
|sher TIL The great hal all of Y cesele95
xas hung enti ths sIblAcl
upper uf thaa { IL eut tlle5 ' i
llaf Was, Il sass 4