with regard to the part she herself would act, if their power should grow still more formidable. One of Maitland's attendants was instantly despatched into Scotland with the strongest assurances of her protection.

After the successful issue of this contest to the confederated lords, Maitland formed part of an embassy to queen Elizabeth, which was attended with a very favourable result. Upon the young queen of Scotland's arrival from France, to assume the reins of her native government, conformably to the plan which had been concerted in France, she committed the administration of affairs entirely to protestants. The prior of St. Andrew's and Maitland seemed to hold the first place in her affection, and possessed all the power and reputation of favourite ministers. Her choice could not have fallen upon persons more acceptable to her people; and by their prudent advice the queen conducted herself with so much moderation and deference to the sentiments of the nation, as could not fail of gaining the affection of her subjects, the firmest foundations of a prince's power, and the only genuine source of his happiness and glory. In order to obtain a cordial reconcilement with Elizabeth, Mary sent Maitland to the English court, with many ceremonious expressions of regard for that queen; but, as on each side the expressions of kindness were made with little sincerity, they were listened to with proportional credit. Maitland was at the same time instructed by his mistress to signify her willingness to disclaim any right to the crown of England during the life of Elizabeth, and the lives of her posterity, if, on failure of these,' she were declared next heir by act of parliament; but the proposal was rejected in a peremptory tone, with many expressions of a resolution never to per mit a point of so much delicacy to be touched upon

In the year 1562, a conspiracy by Bothwell and the Hamiltons, to murder Maitland and the other favourites of the queen, was happily discovered, and the conspirators placed in confinement.

During the same year, Mary being desirous of entering into a more intimate correspondence and familiarity with Elizabeth, employed Maitland to desire a personal interview with her. This was accordingly granted; but, from the prudent policy of Elizabeth, never accomplished. Maitland was again despatched to England, to solicit Elizabeth's consent to Mary's marriage with Darnly; but he had only to learn her decided disapprobation of the match. By his sagacity and prudence, however, he prevented that violent rupture, which the indiscreet conduct of Elizabeth, and the natural indignation of Mary, were so very apt to produce.

In the insurrection which took place in Scotland upon the occasion of this marriage, Maitland refu sed to have any concern, although in all former commotions he had been directly united with its leaders. With his usual sagacity he foresaw that Murray's opposition to the match would prove dangerous and ineffectual; but whoever ruled at court, he hoped by his dexterity and talents to render himself necessary and of importance. With many others, however, he was disappointed in his expectations; the king's headstrong temper rendered him incapable of advice. The queen could not help distrusting men who had been so long and so intimately connected with Murray, and gave herself up entirely to those counsellors who complied entirely with all her inclinations. The return of that nobleman and his followers, was therefore the only event which could restore Maitland and his associates to their former ascendant over the queen. For this reason nothing could be more mortifying to them than the resolution which Mary

had taken to treat the exiles with rigour. This they imputed to Rizio, which completed the disgust those nobles had from other reasons conceived against him, and inspired them with thoughts of vengeance, in no wise suitable to justice, to humanity, or to their own dignity. These were followed into action by the well-known assassination of that courtly parasite, which, although it had the effect of restoring Murray to favour, was followed by the ruin of the principal actors in the tragic scene. As Maitland was not directly nor openly implicated in this flagrant breach of the law, he was not under the necessity of accompanying Morton and the rest in their flight into England.

Maitland now closely associated himself with Murray, but both were soon displaced by Bothwell, in the councils of the queen. Upon the murder of the young king, and the odious attachment of Mary to the person too justly suspected of the crime, Maitland joined that association of the nobles, which had for its professed object the protection of the young prince's person, to become master of which repeated attempts had been made by Bothwell, and some rash threatenings thrown out against him. This association at the same time flew to arms, and mustered an army, which, at the field of Pinkey, obtained the surrender of Mary to their guidance, and the expulsion of Bothwell from the kingdom.

The confederated lords, after committing Mary a prisoner to Lochlevin Castle, deliberated with the utmost anxiety concerning the settlement of the nation, and the future disposal of her person. Maitland proposed, that after punishing the murderers of the king, and dissolving the marriage with Bothwell; after providing for the safety of the young prince, and the security of the protestant religion, that the queen should be re-established in the pos

session of her regal authority. But this proposal was rejected for a scheme less moderate, and less to the interest of Maitland; Mary was to resign the crown, the young king was to be crowned, and Murray to be appointed regent. In the execution of this plan, the nobles endeavoured to extort a resignation of the crown from Mary, but at the same time she was informed by Maitland and others, the persons most attentive to her interests, that one extorted through fear, and granted during her imprisonment, was void in law, and might be revoked so soon as she recovered liberty. From deference to their opinion, she accordingly granted all that was required, and Murray was soon afterwards fully confirmed in the government of the kingdom.

Upon Mary's ill-advised submission of her cause to queen Elizabeth, and the order of the latter to the regent to send commissioners on his part to York, Maitland was appointed to attend the commission as an assistant. He owed this distinction to the regent's fear, rather than to his affection; he had warmly remonstrated against this measure; he wished his country to continue in friendship with England, but not to become dependent on that nation. He was desirous of re-establishing the queen in some degree of power, not inconsistent with that which the king possessed; and the regent could not with safety leave behind him a man, whose views were so contrary to his own, and who, by his superior abilities, had acquired an influence in the nation, equal to that which others derived from the antiquity and power of their families.

During the proceedings in England, the fertile and projecting genius of Maitland first conceived the scheme of uniting Mary to the duke of Norfolk in marriage: but like all those concerted for her relief, it ended tragically. During the progress of these negotiations, the queen's partisans

in Scotland, who made no doubt of their issuing in her restoration to the throne, with an increase of authority, were wonderfully elevated. Maitland was the soul of that party, and the person whose activity and ability the regent chiefly dreaded. He continued to foment the spirit of disaffection in Scotland, and had seduced from the regent lord Home, Kirkaldy, and several of his former associates. While he enjoyed liberty, the regent could not reckon his own person secure. For this reason he employed captain Crawford, one of his creatures, to accuse him of being accessory to the murder of the king; and under, that pretence carried him a prisoner to Edinburgh. He would soon have brought him to trial; but he was saved by the friendship of Kirkaldy, governor of the castle, who by pretending a warrant for that purpose from the regent, got him out of the hands of the person to whose care he was committed, and conducted him into the castle, which from that time was entirely under Maitland's command.

Maitland and Kirkaldy still continued to acknowledge the king's authority; but having endeavoured in vain to bring about a reconciliation between the two parties, and the queen's faction increasing in strength, they afterwards openly acceded to it. Maitland was appointed secretary; but upon the elevation of Lennox to the regency he was deprived of the office, and denounced by him a traitor and enemy to his country; and in a parliament held May 14, 1571, he was attainted.

Maitland and Kirkaldy still ardently adhered to the declining interests of the queen. Several overtures were made for a reconciliation of the parties, but without effect. Mary's adherents were now divided into two parties; at the head of the one were Chatelherault and Huntly; Maitland and Kirkaldy were the leaders of the other. The lat