have nothing to do with politics, I would centre all my happiness in your kindness. July 11th, 1709. I have had the happiness of yours of the 23d and 24th; by both accounts I find that you are apprehensive that Mr. Vanburgh gives me false accounts of what passes at the building of Woodstock. I do assure you, upon my word, that I have neither received any accounts or any letter from him, since I left England. I approve of all you have done; but for fear of mistakes I desire you will give orders that the stables which are already covered should be finished, so that the horses and servants might be in that building. I believe you can't be too careful of hindering Vanburgh from beginning new foundations, for nothing is so good as the finishing of what is ordered. I am desirous that you would send me the exact measures of the rooms in your house in London, which you desire should be furnished with tapestry. I also desire of you that you would get me the exact measures of the great room, as well as all the others that are between the saloon and the grand cabinet, and that I may have all these measures as soon as possible. It is not to be imagined the ill weather we have, insomuch that the poor soldiers in the trenches are up to their knees in dirt, which gives me the spleen to a degree that makes me very uneasy, and consequently makes me languish for retirement. I do assure you, upon my word and honour, my greatest and earnest desire is to be with you. July the 15th, 1709. We have been so extremely vexed with the wet weather that we think ourselves very happy to see the sunshine. I have none of yours to answer, but as the wind is fair I hope for the happiness of hearing from you tomorrow. Mr. Craggs has brought me a letter from the King of Spain, in answer to mine, in which I gave him my reasons why I desired to be excused from accepting the government of this country. He seems to hope that peace may alter those reasons, and that, for his own sake, he hopes I will take the government upon me. As I am resolved to end my days in quiet I have resolved to send the letter to Lord Treasurer, so that he may show it to the Queen, and from him I may be able to give an answer. I do hope this winter will put an end to this war, and that the peace may last as long as we shall live; and I do assure you I long every day to be more and more with you, to live as happily as our circumstances will permit, not to affect the meddling with public business, by which I hope we may be eased both of envy and trouble. July 30th, 1709. We have at last signed the capitulation for the town of Tournay, so that tomorrow night we shall continue the attack on the citadel. The taking of it we fear will cost us more time and men than that of the town; but what gives me the greatest prospect for the happiness of being with you is that certainly the misery of France increases, which must bring us to a peace. The misery of all the poor people we see is such that one must be a brute not to pity them. May you ever be happy, and I enjoy some few years of quiet with you, is what I daily pray for. Sept. 13th, 1709. Since my last I have had the happiness of yours of the 24th, from Althorp, where, with all my soul, I wish I was myself. Ever since the 11th, I have every minute the account of the killed and wounded, which grieves my heart, the numbers being considerable; for in this battle the French were more obstinate than in any other of this war. I hope and believe it will be the last I shall see; for I think it impossible for the French to continue the war. I have been so extremely heated that all my limbs are sore, which makes me very uneasy. We are now returned back to our camp, in order to make the siege of Mons, so that after tomorrow I shall hope for some rest, and then you will have from me much longer letters. In the meantime let me assure you of being with all my heart and soul yours. Sept. 16th, 1709. I have not yet recovered the fatigue of the battle [of Malplaquet] and the two days and two nights in which I had very little sleep, so that my mouth is very sore, and my blood so heated that I have a continual headache. My Lord Marr is here, and has desired me to write to Lord Treasurer that he may have leave to travel this winter, he believing that this battle will make all things go so easy this winter that he shall not be missed. Though this should not be true, I am so inclined to oblige anybody that I have any esteem for that I hope the Queen will give him leave. The Venetian Ambassador came here yesterday, so that he had the satisfaction of hearing all the cannon and the whole army fire three times for the late victory. My headache will be an excuse for my ending my letter with assuring you that, while I have being in this world, my heart and soul are yours. M M MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS TO BOTHWELL M M The smoke still hangs low over the seemingly inter minable battle between the admirers of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth of England. Flocks of geese have been despoiled of their quills and gallons of ink expended by the champions of these royal ladies. Years ago all discoverable facts were made known, arranged, and rearranged, and nothing was left but contumely and recrimination. The notorious and obscure "casket letters" simply find representation here because the sensibility, if not the sentimentality, of certain readers might be offended by their absence. In quoting them, however, it is proper to say that the originals never were exhibited because they never had been written. We read in English school histories that the youthful widow of Francis II, on being called to the throne of Scotland, conspired to establish Roman Catholicism there and elevate her lovers, of whom there were several; that her treason, both domestic and national, caused the patri |