250 



Doron, in this respect, and on other points aheady adverted to, he 

 might have enjoyed a happy reign, and escaped his tragical fate. 

 " I have already," says he, " cautioned you against rashly entering 

 into war : I now warn you against rashly making peace. Before 

 you conclude it, see that by the conditions you receive compen- 

 sation and security for yourself and your people ; else, an honour- 

 able war is to be preferred to an ignominious peace." " Were f," 

 said James, at a later period, " to make such war as the king of 

 France, I would put myself in a monastery all my days after, and 

 repent me that I had brought my subjects to such misery." 



The following quotation is adopted by no incompetent nor partial 

 judge, as a fair enumeration of the blessings resulting from this 

 pacific, though inglorious reign : — " The Scotch feuds quite abo- 

 lished, the schools of the prophets new adorned, all kinds of learn- 

 ing highly improved, manufactures at home daily invented, trading 

 abroad exceedingly multiplied, the borders of Scotland peaceably 

 governed, the north of Ireland religiously planted, the East India 

 well traded, Persia, China, and the Mogul visited ; lastly, all the 

 ports of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America to our red cross freed 

 and opened — are all the actions and true born children of King 

 James his peace."* 



To promote tranquillity at home it was a principle with James to 

 " allure the common people to a common amitie among themselves* 

 by public spectacles; games, and exercises of arms; plays and 

 lawful games in May, and good cheer at Christmas, so that the 

 sabbath be kept holy." 



Another favourite point with James was union. He valued him- 



* Somer's Travels, vol. II, p. 33, third edition ; apud L. Aikin's Memoir on the Court of 

 James I. 



