seum; and although, from the circumstances under which she has been compelled to make her references, it was impossible that she should be able to register the pages to which she has had occasion to refer, she will venture to affirm that authorities are rarely withheld, and that, in general, the particular volume is noted, from whence the quotation is taken. Many inaccuracies must undoubtedly be discovered by an historical reader, if any such should ever honour these pages with perusal; but, as the most intelligent are ever disposed to lenity and indulgence, she has, perhaps, least reason to deprecate severity from those who are most competent to pronounce judgment. It is proper to observe that in one part of Elizabeth's domestic history, namely, her supposed union with Lord William Craven, the author has been unable to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion. Of the marriage, if it ever took place, no document appears to exist; it is unauthenticated by contemporary writers; and is simply one of those popular traditions, of which the existence may be accounted for by the munificent friendship which Lord Craven displayed to the Palatine family. This nobleman was twelve years younger than the Queen of Bohemia: by him her two elder sons were initiated in the art of war; and it was at the entreaty of their mother that he engaged in a perilous, and to him ruinous service. During many succeeding years his kindness was her best resource; for which, at her death, she evinced her gratitude by bequeathing to him all she had to bestow, namely, her books and pictures. That Elizabeth should have submitted to become the mistress of Lord Craven is a suspicion which the purity of her character repels, and which it would betray the grossest ignorance of the moral and religious state of society in Holland at that period to conceive to be possible. To the marriage itself no legitimate objection could have existed: unequal alliances were not unprecedented, and it was unworthy of Elizabeth's character to conceal the union, if it actually took place. But the question is far less important to her character than to that of Lord Craven. Regarded as the husband of Elizabeth, he appears eminently amiable; but as her faithful friend — her generous, disinterested protector he becomes one of the most interesting personages that history has ever presented, or romance produced. In the present day such pretensions to generosity and disinterestedness will probably be rejected with contempt by individuals of his own sex. But let it be recollected that Lord Craven lived in a romantic age, that he had been imbued with the spirit of chivalry, that he was contemporary with the generous Christian of Brunswick, and once served under the great Gustavus. If, however, his claims to disinterestedness be contemned by men, let his cause be referred to female judges, to whose honour be it averred, examples of nobleness, generosity, and magnanimity, are ever delightful, because, to their purer and more susceptible souls, they are not incredible. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. Birth and education of Elizabeth. Residence at Combe Abbey.-Superintendence of Lord and Lady Harrington. Correspondence with her brother Elizabeth's bridal tour through Holland to Cologne. — CHAP. V. Domestic happiness of Frederic and Elizabeth. - His position as Chief of the Union. Juliana's re- treat from court. Garden planted for Elizabeth. CHAP. VI. |