27 V ' 



Norton also; an Englishman, was detected, on the eve of his depar- 

 ture, in carrying on a clandestine correspondence with Bancroft, and 

 examined by Robert Bruce and some other of the ministers." 



These particulars are referred to in James's letter (No. II.) dated 

 Feb. 19, 1590, from Croneburg, where he passed his time amid conti- 

 nual feasting and amusements, in which both he and his queen took 

 great delight. To these revels, occasioned by the duke's marriage, he 

 alludes in this letter, which is quoted by Calderwood, and in 

 which he confirms the testimony of Shakspeare's Hamlet, that Den- 

 mark was " a drinking country." Mr. Patrick is Patrick Gal- 

 loway. 



On the 4th of April, 1590, James wrote another letter (No. III.) 

 to Bruce from the castle of Croneburg. The proceedings of the 

 General Assembly alluded to in it, relate to Jesuits, seminary priests, 

 and excommunicated persons. ~ Coronell is, I suppose. Lord Co- 

 lonel, mentioned in Bruce's Vindication, 1597, as attending on the 

 king. 



Three days after the date of James's letter, the chancellor wrote to 

 Robert Bruce from Elsineur (No. IV.). He subscribes, John Mait- 

 land, but he was this year created Lord Thyrlstane. He was sou 

 to Sir Bichard Maitland, who, as a lord of session, had the title of 

 Lord Lethington, and brother to Secretary Lethington. In 1584 

 he was appointed Secretary of State, and in the following year, 

 'Lord Chancellor. The Spanish bark, mentioned in this letter, may 

 have been carrying on a treasonable correspondence. It came into 

 Anstruther, in Fifeshire, in distress, was treated with great huma- 

 nity, and dismissed. It appears by this letter, that the crew would 

 not have fared so well had James been at home. By the Brig of 

 Dee, he means an Insurrection of the popish lords, who assembled 

 with 3000 men, at that bridge, but dispersed on the appearance of 



