Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-15

true poetic art-an accomplishment which
in time cost her dear, for sonnet, OBJ
viously from her pen, was the means of
fixing upon her the authorship of the
''casket letters" which contributed to
her final downfall. Nothing was left I'M
done to instill into the mind of this little
Scotch lassie the esprit of what was then
the richest. most refined and most dis
solute court of Europe Be assured that
her religious education was in nowise
neglected. Her uncle. the Cardinal of
Lorraine. had that in charge. and the girl
grew up a confirmed Roman Catholic,
though the queen of later days had often
Tor political reasons to conceal her faith.
AS the childs mind grew in knowledge
and adaptab:lity her beauty became more
and more engaging, until when she was
sixteen it was conceded that in no court
of all Europe was there a woman with
superior attractions of mind and person.
Ihen began the evolution of the little
pawn into the naughty queen. In April
hos, the sixteen-year-Old Queen of Scots
was married 10 the iifteen-year-old Dau-
phin OF France. The stately cathedral
at Rheims was the scene of the cere-
mony. which was made as picturesque
and gorgeous the art-loving and lux
urious court of France could conceive it.
Life must have seemed bright to the
young queen that day. True her mar
riage was an affair of politics, and no:h-
ing has ever shown that she cared for
her husband, who was OF but slender in
lily made up by caring much for multi
plicity of other gallants. But at this
moment one life only stood between her
and the throne of France. and 1t was
scarce year after the marriage when
King Henri III was slain in a tourney and
the young couple ascended the throne
AS for Scotland, it was Mary's at will
Her mother, the queen dowager. was
governing il during her absence, but it's
people We're ready to welcome the child
monarch at any time.
Consider on what slight things the des-
TIMES of nations once hung-perhaps still
do The chance thrust OF a lance in a
friendly joust made Mary Queen of Scots
Queen of France as well. Then came
the ambition. instilled and nurtured by
the international politicians of the French
court. to become Queen of England-.he
ambition that led to her ultimate down
fall. Yet IL was an ambition not wholly
without plausible excuse. According tc
Catholic conviction, Queen Elizabeth. VIII
had now succeeded to the throne of Eng
land. was illegitimate by birth and bar
red from rightful claim to the throne of
England.
1t is proper to note here tina. in deal
ing with the history Of these Kingdoms in
| that day the terms catholic" and prot
estant' must be taken as referring 20 RI
val political factions rather than to re-
| ligious bodies.
The cloud cast on the title of Eliza
| beth to the English throne stirred that
prince Of French politicians Henry of
| Gu!se to persuade King Francis and
| Queen Mary to proclaim themselves King
and Queen of England to quarter the
| arms of England with those Of Scotland
and France. and to prepare to enforce
| their claim. Even a milder woman than
Elizabeth would have resented bitterly
| this affront. To have her position as
Queen of ENGLAND menaced would have
been enou~h but to have 1t questioned on
the ground of legitimacy Of birth. to be
branded a bastard by the frs court
| of continental Europe. was more than the
hot blood OF the Tudors could stand She
met the danger by stirring up revolt
against Mary among the Protestants OF
i Scotland.