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king he would never see his face again, and immediately departed 

 for London. But, before he had reached the city, he was overtaken 

 by a messenger, informing him that the king had discovered his 

 mistake, and insisted on his return ; for he protested that he would 

 neither eat, drink nor sleep, till he saw his face. " As he came 

 -into the chamber, the king bended down upon his knees before Gib, 

 intreating his pardon, with a sober and grave aspect, protesting he 

 would never rise till Gib had forgiven him ; and though Gib's mo- 

 desty declined it with some humble excuses, yet he could not sa- 

 tisfy the king, till he heard the words of absolution pronounced: 

 so ingenuous was he in this piece of passion !" As to his natural 

 abilities I shall call only two witnesses, but of tlie highest character. 

 When Walsingham was deputed by Elizabeth to sound him at the 

 age of seventeen, he reported that he found him very superior to 

 what he expected. Sir James Melvil says, " he made so good 

 report of his Majesty's virtues and qualities, that it put him in some 

 suspicion at his return to the Court of England." At a later period 

 the Duke de Sullyj embassador from Henry IV. said, " Let me 

 add, that he was upright and conscientious : he had eloquence and 

 even erudition, but less of these than of penetration and of the show 

 of learning " Let me refer to another of a different class. James is 

 one of the few, who have been honoured with panegyrics by Shaks- 

 pcare, who placed him on a level with Queen Elizabeth. See Hen. 

 VIII. Act 5, Scene 4. 



But to return to my original purpose in this discussion. In no 

 point of view does he appear in a better light than as a politician ; 

 whether we contemplate liis principles of government, his discern- 

 ment of the state of parties and foresight of future dangers, or his 

 penetration into personal character. On each of these I shall make 

 a few observations, and then conclude this portion of my memoir. 



