52 Amye Robsart. 
tale we have had several kinds of public spectacles. There was the 
melodrama of “ Amy Robsart,” performed for a whole season before 
thousands upon thousands. It has been, I am told, repeated at the 
Polytechnic, in Dissolving views! ‘There is also a French play, for 
the edification of our neighbours, to teach them, I suppose, the facts 
of English History. Now, spectacles of this kind, got up with 
every sort of effective dramatic scenery, make an impression upon 
the sight-seeing mind which is never forgotten. If 100,000 people 
saw the interview between Amye Robsart and Queen Elizabeth re- 
presented on the London stage, upon the authority of the great 
Sir Walter Scott; well—I am sorry to undeceive them—but most 
certain it is, that they shed their tears, and paid their money, all 
for nothing: for no such interview ever took place. But against 
100,000 who “ saw it and paid for it,’ what chance or opportunity 
has Truth to put in a word ? 
Sir Walter Scott’s gross anachronisms, 7.¢., his confusion and mis- 
placing of dates, events, and persons, were of course immediately 
noticed by critics at the time of the publication of his novel: and 
since that time, several writers, especially Mr. Bartlett, of Abingdon, 
the late Mr. Pettigrew, a well-known archeologist, and still later, 
Mr. Adlard, of New York, have pointed out a great many ex- 
aggerations and false statements in the received account of Amye’s 
death ; and have defended Dudley against the charge of causing her 
to be murdered. But whilst thousands see the false history on the 
stage, not one in a thousand ever hears of the correction. Mr. 
Pettigrew’s paper on the subject was read before the British Archzo- 
logical Society, in 1859, and was printed separately. In his account, 
as well as in the others, are some points, on which I can now supply 
a little information that is quite new. 
I will therefore briefly touch upon a few points in the story, just 
to shew the difference between the current belief and the real facts. 
My proofs are the documents now lying on the table. 
1.—Tue Marrtiace. 
Owing to the confusion of romance and history the real facts are 
scarcely distinct. I have been asked, “ Was Amye the lawful wife 
of Lord Robert Dudley?” Of that there is no doubt. She was 
