~ 
« 
422 Belsham’s Comparison between Robertson and Tume. [Dec. }, 
equalled the greatest and most opulent 
subjects in richness of dress, and in the 
number of his attendants. It was with 
eke Winds? indignation that the nobles 
beheld®the power, it was with the utmost 
@siculty that they tolerated the arro- 
gance, of this unworthy minion. It was 
Darnley’s misfortune to fall under the 
management of this man, who, by flattery 
andassiduity, easily gained on his vanity 
and inexperience. All Rizzio’s influence 
with the queen was empioyed in his be- 
half, and contributed, without doubt, to- 
wards establishing him more firmly in her 
affections.” Book in. 114-16. 
““ A few months after the marriage of the 
queen with Darnley, their domestic quar- 
rels began to be observed.” p. 146. These 
quarrels Dr. Robertson imputes to the ex- 
travagance of Darnley’s ambition, but 
he acknowledges, that Darnley himself 
inputed the queeén’s coldness to the insi- 
nuations of Rizzio. “‘Mary’s own con- 
duct, (says the historian), confirmed and 
strengthened these suspicions. She treat- 
ed this stranger with a familiarity, and 
admitted him toa share in her confidence, 
to which neither his.first condition, or 
the offices he hadlatelybestowed upon him, 
gave him any title. He was perpetually 
in her presence, intermeddled in every 
business, and, together with a few favou- 
rites, was the companion of all her pn- 
vate amusements. The haughty spirit of 
Darnley could not bear the intrusion of 
such an upstart; and impatient of any 
delay and unrestrained by any scruple, 
he instantly resolved to get rid of him by 
violence.” Book iv. p. 147. 
“Morton, who was inferior to no man 
of that intriguing age im ail the arts of in- 
sinuation and address, took the young 
‘prince under his management. He 
wrought upon his ruling passion, ambi- 
tion to obtain the matrimonial crown. 
He represented Rizzio’s credit with the 
queen to be the chief and only obstacie 
to lis success in that demand. This mi- 
nion alone (he said) possessed her conf~ 
dence; and out of complaisance to him, 
her subjects, her nobility, and even her 
husband, were excluded froin any partici- 
pation of her secret counsels. Under 
the appearance of a confidence merely 
political, he insinuated, and the king per- 
haps believed, that a familiarity of a quite 
different and very criminal nature might 
be concealed. Such various and compli- 
- cated passions raged in the king’s bosom 
with the utmost fary. He became more 
. impatient than ever of any delay, and 
2 
even threatened to strike the intended 
blow with bis own hand.” P, 149-51. 
Dr. Robertson’s relation of the assassi- 
nation scene is as follows: ‘‘ Outhe 9th of 
March, Morton entered the court of the 
palace with an hundred and sixty men; 
and without noise, or meeting with any 
resistance, seized all the gates. While 
the queen was at supper with the Coun- 
tessof Argyle, Rizzio, and a few other 
persons, the king suddenly entered the 
apartments by a private passage. At his 
back was Ruthven, clad in complete ar- 
mour, and with that ghastly and horrid 
Iuok whiph long sickness had given him. 
Three or four of his most trusty accom-~ 
plices followed him. Such an unusual 
appearance alarmed those who were pre- 
sent. Rizzio instantly apprehended that 
he was the victim at whom the blow was 
aimed; and in the utmost consternation, 
retired behind the queen, of whom he laid 
hold; hoping that the reverence due to 
her person, might prove some protec- 
tion to him, ‘Lhe conspirators had pro- 
ceeded too far to be restrained by any 
consideration of that kind. Numbers of 
armed men rushed into the chamber. 
Ruthven, drew his dagger, and with a fu- 
rious mien and voice commanded Rizzio 
to leavea place of which he was unworthy ; 
and which he had occupied too long. 
Mary employed tears, and estreaties, 
avd threatenings, to save her favourite. 
But notwithstanding all these he was torn ~ 
from her by violence, and before hecould _ 
be dragged through the next apartment, 
ihe rage of hisenemies put anendto his — 
life, piercing his body with: fifty-six 
wounds.” P. 152-3._ 
The narrative of Mr. Hume is, in most 
points, analogous to that of Dr. Robert- 
son, with some additional heightenings. 
Mr. Hume observes, vol. v: p. 96, “ that — 
Rizzio had at first employed his credit to 
promote Darnley’s marriage; but, on the 
subsequent change of the queen’s senti- — 
nents, it was easy for Henry’s friends to 
persuade him that Rizzio was the real au- — 
thor of her indifference, and even to 
rouze in his mind jealousies of a more 
dangerous nature.” And he allows, 
« that a suspicious husband could” 
find ro other means of accounting for ~ 
that lavish and imprudent kindness with ~ 
which she honoured him.” Mr. Hume, © 
moreover, takes notice of a report, to 
which the Earl of Morton, chancellor of — 
the kingdom, himself gave credit, “ that — 
Mary intended to appoint Muzzio chan- © 
cellor in his placg, aud to bestow that 
eas mie EN ae 
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