pecunia corrupto, in agro Glascuensi, ubi tum latebat, captus, et Londinum missus, Eduardi jussu fœde laniatus interiit: membra ad aliorum terrorem, in locis celebrioribus Angliæ et Scotia suspensa. Hunc finem vitæ habuit vir sui temporis longe præstantissimus; in suscipiendis periculis animi magnitudine, in rebus gerendis fortitudine et consilio, clarissimis veterum ducibus facile comparandus; caritate in patriam nemini secundus; qui servientibus cæteris solus liber, neque præmiis adduci, neque metu cogi potuit, ut causam publicam semel susceptam desereret: Cujus mors eo miserabilior est visa, quod ab hoste invictus, a quibus minime debuit, fuit proditus."-Ibid.

The EAGLE OF THE SEA from Atlas soars,

Or Teneriffe's hoar peak.-P. 65. l. 19, 20.

This bird, though I have placed her at a distance, is an inhabitant of Scotland.

"This species is found in Ireland, and several parts of Great Britain; the specimen we took our description from, was shot in the county of Galway. Though no uncommon species, it seems at present to be but little known; being generally confounded with the golden eagle, to which it bears some resemblance. The colours of the head, neck, and body, are the same with the latter, but much lighter, the tawny part in this predominating In size it is far superior; the bill is larger, more hooked, and more arched; underneath grow several short, but strong hairs, or bristles, forming a sort of

286 NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF SCOTLAND.

beard. Pliny, with his usual elegance, describes the manner of its fishing: Superest haliæetos, clarissima oculorum acie, librans ex alto sese, visoque in mari pisce, præceps in eo ruens, et discussis pectore aquis rapiens." PENNANT, Vol. II. p. 126—128.

NOTES

ON

MARY STEWART.

Melvil-Francisco.-P. 69.

In vindication of the extravagance of several passages, it need only be said, that such was the fashion of the times,—a medley of gallantry and pedantry. Hyperbole was equally the language of compliment and invective. Francisco, too, was a Spaniard.

And is that form as fair as rumour says?

P. 72. 1. 4.

"The beauties of her person, and graces of her air, combined to make her the most amiable of women, and the charms of her address and conversation aided the impression which her lovely figure made on the hearts of all beholders. Ambitious and active in her temper,

yet inclined to cheerfulness and society; of a lofty spirit; constant and even vehement in her purpose, yet polite and gentle, and affable in her demeanour; she seemed to partake only so much of the male virtues as to render her estimable, without relinquishing those soft graces which compose the proper ornament of her sex."

HUME.

She has a son.-P. 75. l. 16.

"It struck Elizabeth in a sensible manner, and the advantage and superiority which her rival had acquired by the birth of a son, forced tears from her eyes."-Ro

BERTSON.

For an account of her mysterious celibacy, see La Houssaie.

Such peerless charms as yours.-P. 75. l. 24.

"Her self-conceit, with regard to beauty, we know, from other undoubted authority, to have been extravagant. Even when she was a very old woman, she allowed her courtiers to flatter her with regard to her excellent beauties."-HUME.

Knox.-P. 80. 1. 8.

Neither here, nor in any other passage, do I mean to detract from the merit of this eminent, but misguided, assertor of liberty, civil and religious. He was, without doubt, a man of integrity and of talents; and though his zeal against popery led him to the support of measures which tended to the extinction of Scottish inde

pendence, I assent to the justness of the very favourable, yet discriminating, account of his character, given by Dr Robertson:" Soon after the dissolution of this assembly, Knox, the prime instrument of spreading and establishing the reformed religion in Scotland, ended his life in the 67th year of his age. Zeal, intrepidity, disinterestedness, were virtues which he possessed in an eminent degree. He was acquainted too with the learning cultivated among divines in that age, and excelled in that species of eloquence which is calculated to rouse and to inflame. His maxims, however, were often too severe, and the impetuosity of his temper excessive. Rigid and uncomplying himself, he shewed no indulgence to the infirmities of others. Regardless of the distinctions of rank and character, he uttered his admonitions with an acrimony and vehemence more apt to irritate than to reclaim. This often betrayed him into indecent and undutiful expressions with respect to the Queen's person and conduct. Those very qualities, however, which now render his character less amiable, fitted him to be the instrument of Providence for advancing the Reformation among a fierce people, and enabled him to face dangers, and to surmount opposition, from which a person of a more gentle spirit would have been apt to shrink back. By an unwearied application to study and business, as well as by the frequency and fervour of his public discourses, he had worn out a constitution naturally robust. During a lingering illness, he discovered the utmost fortitude, and met the approaches of death with a magnanimity inseparable from