Thoughyourbodybeconfined，
　　Andsoftloveaprisonerbound，
　　Yetthebeautyofyourmind
　　Neitherchecknorchainhathfound。
　　Lookoutnobly，then，anddare
　　Eventhefettersthatyouwear。
　　FLETCHER。
　　ONAsoftsunnymorninginthegenialmonthofMay，Imadean
　　excursiontoWindsorCastle。Itisaplacefullofstoriedand
　　poeticalassociations。Theveryexternalaspectoftheproudold
　　pileisenoughtoinspirehighthought。Itrearsitsirregularwalls
　　andmassivetowers，likeamuralcrown，roundthebrowofalofty
　　ridge，wavesitsroyalbannerintheclouds，andlooksdown，witha
　　lordlyair，uponthesurroundingworld。
　　Onthismorningtheweatherwasofthatvoluptuousvernalkind，
　　whichcallsforthallthelatentromanceofaman’stemperament，
　　fillinghismindwithmusic，anddisposinghimtoquotepoetryand
　　dreamofbeauty。Inwanderingthroughthemagnificentsaloonsandlong
　　echoinggalleriesofthecastle，Ipassedwithindifferencebywhole
　　rowsofportraitsofwarriorsandstatesmen，butlingeredinthe
　　chamber，wherehangthelikenessesofthebeautieswhichgracedthe
　　gaycourtofCharlestheSecond；andasIgazeduponthem，depicted
　　withamorous，half—dishevelledtresses，andthesleepyeyeoflove，
　　IblessedthepencilofSirPeterLely，whichhadthusenabledmeto
　　baskinthereflectedraysofbeauty。Intraversingalsothe"large
　　greencourts，"withsunshinebeamingonthegraywalls，andglancing
　　alongthevelvetturf，mymindwasengrossedwiththeimageofthe
　　tender，thegallant，buthaplessSurrey，andhisaccountofhis
　　loiteringsabouttheminhisstriplingdays，whenenamoredoftheLady
　　Geraldine—
　　"Witheyescastupuntothemaiden’stower，
　　Witheasiesighs，suchasmendrawinlove。"
　　Inthismoodofmerepoeticalsusceptibility，Ivisitedtheancient
　　KeepoftheCastle，whereJamestheFirstofScotland，theprideand
　　themeofScottishpoetsandhistorians，wasformanyyearsofhis
　　youthdetainedaprisonerofstate。Itisalargegraytower，thathas
　　stoodthebruntofages，andisstillingoodpreservation。It
　　standsonamound，whichelevatesitabovetheotherpartsofthe
　　castle，andagreatflightofstepsleadstotheinterior。Inthe
　　armory，aGothichall，furnishedwithweaponsofvariouskindsand
　　ages，Iwasshownacoatofarmorhangingagainstthewall，which
　　hadoncebelongedtoJames。HenceIwasconductedupastaircaseto
　　asuiteofapartmentsoffadedmagnificence，hungwithstoried
　　tapestry，whichformedhisprison，andthesceneofthatpassionate
　　andfancifulamour，whichhaswovenintothewebofhisstorythe
　　magicalhuesofpoetryandfiction。
　　Thewholehistoryofthisamiablebutunfortunateprinceishighly
　　romantic。Atthetenderageofelevenhewassentfromhomebyhis
　　father，RobertIII。，anddestinedfortheFrenchcourt，tobereared
　　undertheeyeoftheFrenchmonarch，securefromthetreacheryand
　　dangerthatsurroundedtheroyalhouseofScotland。Itwashis
　　mishapinthecourseofhisvoyagetofallintothehandsofthe
　　English，andhewasdetainedprisonerbyHenryIV。，notwithstanding
　　thatatruceexistedbetweenthetwocountries。
　　Theintelligenceofhiscapture，cominginthetrainofmanysorrows
　　anddisasters，provedfataltohisunhappyfather。"Thenews，"we
　　aretold，"wasbroughttohimwhileatsupper，anddidsooverwhelm
　　himwithgrief，thathewasalmostreadytogiveuptheghostintothe
　　handsoftheservantthatattendedhim。Butbeingcarriedtohis
　　bed—chamber，heabstainedfromallfood，andinthreedaysdiedof
　　hungerandgriefatRothesay。"**Buchanan。
　　Jameswasdetainedincaptivityabouteighteenyears；butthough
　　deprivedofpersonalliberty，hewastreatedwiththerespectdueto
　　hisrank。Carewastakentoinstructhiminallthebranchesofuseful
　　knowledgecultivatedatthatperiod，andtogivehimthosemental
　　andpersonalaccomplishmentsdeemedproperforaprince。Perhaps，in
　　thisrespect，hisimprisonmentwasanadvantage，asitenabledhim
　　toapplyhimselfthemoreexclusivelytohisimprovement，and
　　quietlytoimbibethatrichfundofknowledge，andtocherishthose
　　eleganttastes，whichhavegivensuchalustretohismemory。The
　　picturedrawnofhiminearlylife，bytheScottishhistorians，is
　　highlycaptivating，andseemsratherthedescriptionofaheroof
　　romance，thanofacharacterinrealhistory。Hewaswelllearnt，we
　　aretold，"tofightwiththesword，tojoust，totournay，to
　　wrestle，tosinganddance；hewasanexpertmediciner，rightcrafty
　　inplayingbothofluteandharp，andsundryotherinstrumentsof
　　music，andwasexpertingrammar，oratory，andpoetry。"**TranslationofHectorBoyce。
　　Withthiscombinationofmanlyanddelicateaccomplishments，fitting
　　himtoshinebothinactiveandelegantlife，andcalculatedtogive
　　himanintenserelishforjoyousexistence，itmusthavebeenasevere
　　trial，inanageofbustleandchivalry，topassthespring—timeof
　　hisyearsinmonotonouscaptivity。ItwasthegoodfortuneofJames，
　　however，tobegiftedwithapowerfulpoeticfancy，andtobe
　　visitedinhisprisonbythechoicestinspirationsofthemuse。Some
　　mindscorrodeandgrowinactive，underthelossofpersonalliberty；
　　othersgrowmorbidandirritable；butitisthenatureofthepoet
　　tobecometenderandimaginativeinthelonelinessofconfinement。
　　Hebanquetsuponthehoneyofhisownthoughts，and，likethe
　　captivebird，poursforthhissoulinmelody。
　　Haveyounotseenthenightingale，
　　Apilgrimcoop’dintoacage，
　　Howdothshechantherwontedtale，
　　Inthatherlonelyhermitage！
　　Eventherehercharmingmelodydothprove
　　Thatallherboughsaretrees，hercageagrove。**RogerL’Estrange。
　　Indeed，itisthedivineattributeoftheimagination，thatitis
　　irrepressible，unconfinable；thatwhentherealworldisshutout，
　　itcancreateaworldforitself，andwithanecromanticpower，can
　　conjureupgloriousshapesandforms，andbrilliantvisions，tomake
　　solitudepopulous，andirradiatethegloomofthedungeon。Suchwas
　　theworldofpompandpageantthatlivedroundTassoinhisdismal
　　cellatFerrara，whenheconceivedthesplendidscenesofhis
　　Jerusalem；andwemayconsiderthe"King’sQuair，"composedby
　　James，duringhiscaptivityatWindsor，asanotherofthose
　　beautifulbreakings—forthofthesoulfromtherestraintandgloom
　　oftheprisonhouse。
　　ThesubjectofthepoemishislovefortheLadyJaneBeaufort，
　　daughteroftheEarlofSomerset，andaprincessofthebloodroyalof
　　England，ofwhomhebecameenamoredinthecourseofhiscaptivity。
　　Whatgivesitapeculiarvalue，isthatitmaybeconsidereda
　　transcriptoftheroyalbard’struefeelings，andthestoryofhis
　　reallovesandfortunes。Itisnotoftenthatsovereignswritepoetry，
　　orthatpoetsdealinfact。Itisgratifyingtotheprideofa
　　commonman，tofindamonarchthussuing，asitwere，foradmission
　　intohiscloset，andseekingtowinhisfavorbyadministeringto
　　hispleasures。Itisaproofofthehonestequalityofintellectual
　　competition，whichstripsoffallthetrappingsoffactitiousdignity，
　　bringsthecandidatedowntoalevelwithhisfellow—men，and
　　obligeshimtodependonhisownnativepowersfordistinction。It
　　iscurious，too，togetatthehistoryofamonarch’sheart，andto
　　findthesimpleaffectionsofhumannaturethrobbingundertheermine。
　　ButJameshadlearnttobeapoetbeforehewasaking：hewas
　　schooledinadversity，andrearedinthecompanyofhisown
　　thoughts。Monarchshaveseldomtimetoparleywiththeirhearts，orto
　　meditatetheirmindsintopoetry；andhadJamesbeenbroughtupamidst
　　theadulationandgayetyofacourt，weshouldnever，inall
　　probability，havehadsuchapoemastheQuair。
　　Ihavebeenparticularlyinterestedbythosepartsofthepoemwhich
　　breathehisimmediatethoughtsconcerninghissituation，orwhich
　　areconnectedwiththeapartmentinthetower。Theyhavethusa
　　personalandlocalcharm，andaregivenwithsuchcircumstantial
　　truth，astomakethereaderpresentwiththecaptiveinhisprison，
　　andthecompanionofhismeditations。
　　Suchistheaccountwhichhegivesofhiswearinessofspirit，and
　　oftheincidentwhichfirstsuggestedtheideaofwritingthepoem。It
　　wasthestillmidwatchofaclearmoonlightnight；thestars，hesays，
　　weretwinklingasfireinthehighvaultofheaven：and"Cynthia
　　rinsinghergoldenlocksinAquarius。"Helayinbedwakefuland
　　restless，andtookabooktobeguilethetedioushours。Thebookhe
　　chosewasBoetius’ConsolationsofPhilosophy，aworkpopularamong
　　thewritersofthatday，andwhichhadbeentranslatedbyhisgreat
　　prototypeChaucer。Fromthehigheulogiuminwhichheindulges，it
　　isevidentthiswasoneofhisfavoritevolumeswhileinprison：and
　　indeeditisanadmirabletext—bookformeditationunderadversity。It
　　isthelegacyofanobleandenduringspirit，purifiedbysorrowand
　　suffering，bequeathingtoitssuccessorsincalamitythemaximsof
　　sweetmorality，andthetrainsofeloquentbutsimplereasoning，by
　　whichitwasenabledtobearupagainstthevariousillsoflife。It
　　isatalisman，whichtheunfortunatemaytreasureupinhisbosom，or，
　　likethegoodKingJames，layuponhisnightlypillow。
　　Afterclosingthevolume，heturnsitscontentsoverinhismind，
　　andgraduallyfallsintoafitofmusingontheficklenessoffortune，
　　thevicissitudesofhisownlife，andtheevilsthathadovertakenhim
　　eveninhistenderyouth。Suddenlyhehearsthebellringingto
　　matins；butitssound，chiminginwithhismelancholyfancies，seems
　　tohimlikeavoiceexhortinghimtowritehisstory。Inthespiritof
　　poeticerrantryhedeterminestocomplywiththisintimation：he
　　thereforetakespeninhand，makeswithitasignofthecrossto
　　imploreabenediction，andsalliesforthintothefairylandof
　　poetry。Thereissomethingextremelyfancifulinallthis，anditis
　　interestingasfurnishingastrikingandbeautifulinstanceofthe
　　simplemannerinwhichwholetrainsofpoeticalthoughtare
　　sometimesawakened，andliteraryenterprisessuggestedtothemind。
　　Inthecourseofhispoemhemorethanoncebewailsthepeculiar
　　hardnessofhisfate；thusdoomedtolonelyandinactivelife，and
　　shutupfromthefreedomandpleasureoftheworld，inwhichthe
　　meanestanimalindulgesunrestrained。Thereisasweetness，however，
　　inhisverycomplaints；theyarethelamentationsofanamiableand
　　socialspiritatbeingdeniedtheindulgenceofitskindand
　　generouspropensities；thereisnothinginthemharshnorexaggerated；
　　theyflowwithanaturalandtouchingpathos，andareperhapsrendered
　　moretouchingbytheirsimplebrevity。Theycontrastfinelywiththose
　　elaborateanditeratedrepinings，whichwesometimesmeetwithin
　　poetry；—theeffusionsofmorbidmindssickeningundermiseriesof
　　theirowncreating，andventingtheirbitternessuponanunoffending
　　world。Jamesspeaksofhisprivationswithacutesensibility，but
　　havingmentionedthempasseson，asifhismanlyminddisdainedto
　　broodoverunavoidablecalamities。Whensuchaspiritbreaksforth
　　intocomplaint，howeverbrief，weareawarehowgreatmustbethe
　　sufferingthatextortsthemurmur。WesympathizewithJames，a
　　romantic，active，andaccomplishedprince，cutoffinthelustihoodof
　　youthfromalltheenterprise，thenobleuses，andvigorousdelights
　　oflife；aswedowithMilton，alivetoallthebeautiesofnatureand
　　gloriesofart，whenhebreathesforthbrief，butdeep—toned
　　lamentationsoverhisperpetualblindness。
　　HadnotJamesevincedadeficiencyofpoeticartifice，wemight
　　almosthavesuspectedthattheseloweringsofgloomyreflectionwere
　　meantaspreparativetothebrightestsceneofhisstory；andto
　　contrastwiththatrefulgenceoflightandloveliness，that
　　exhilaratingaccompanimentofbirdandsong，andfoliageandflower，
　　andallthereveloftheyear，withwhichheushersintheladyofhis
　　heart。Itisthisscene，inparticular，whichthrowsallthemagic
　　ofromanceabouttheoldCastleKeep。Hehadrisen，hesays，at
　　daybreak，accordingtocustom，toescapefromthedrearymeditations
　　ofasleeplesspillow。"Bewailinginhischamberthusalone，"
　　despairingofalljoyandremedy，"for，tiredofthoughtand
　　wobegone，"hehadwanderedtothewindow，toindulgethecaptive’s
　　miserablesolaceofgazingwistfullyupontheworldfromwhichheis
　　excluded。Thewindowlookedforthuponasmallgardenwhichlayatthe
　　footofthetower。Itwasaquiet，shelteredspot，adornedwitharbors
　　andgreenalleys，andprotectedfromthepassinggazebytreesand
　　hawthornhedges。
　　Nowwastheremade，fastbythetower’swall，
　　Agardenfaire，andinthecornersset
　　Anarbourgreenwithwandislongandsmall
　　Railedabout，andsowithleavesbeset
　　Wasalltheplaceandhawthornhedgesknet，
　　Thatlyf*wasnone，walkyngthereforbye
　　Thatmightwithinscarceanywightespye。
　　Sothickthebranchesandthelevesgrene，
　　Beshadedallthealleysthattherewere，
　　Andmidstofeveryarbourmightbesene
　　Thesharpe，grene，swetejuniper，
　　Growingsofair，withbrancheshereandthere，
　　Thatasitseemedtoalyfwithout，
　　Theboughsdidspreadthearbourallabout。
　　Andonthesmallgrenetwistis*（2）set
　　Thelytelswetenightingales，andsung
　　Soloudandclear，thehymnisconsecrate
　　Oflovisuse，nowsoft，nowloudamong，
　　Thatallthegardenandthewallisrung
　　Rightoftheirsong—
　　*Lyf，Person。
　　*（2）Twistis，smallboughsortwigs。
　　Note。—Thelanguageofthequotationsisgenerallymodernized。
　　ItwasthemonthofMay，wheneverythingwasinbloom；andhe
　　interpretsthesongofthenightingaleintothelanguageofhis
　　enamoredfeeling：
　　Worship，allyethatloversbe，thisMay，
　　Forofyourblissthekalendsarebegun，
　　Andsingwithus，away，winter，away，
　　Come，summer，come，thesweetseasonandsun。
　　Ashegazesonthescene，andlistenstothenotesofthebirds，
　　hegraduallyrelapsesintooneofthosetenderandundefinable
　　reveries，whichfilltheyouthfulbosominthisdeliciousseason。He
　　wonderswhatthislovemaybe，ofwhichhehassooftenread，and
　　whichthusseemsbreathedforthinthequickeningbreathofMay，and
　　meltingallnatureintoecstasyandsong。Ifitreallybesogreata
　　felicity，andifitbeaboonthusgenerallydispensedtothemost
　　insignificantbeings，whyishealonecutofffromitsenjoyments？
　　OftwouldIthink，OLord，whatmaythisbe，
　　Thatloveisofsuchnoblemyghtandkynde？
　　Lovinghisfolke，andsuchprosperitee
　　Isitofhim，asweinbooksdofind：
　　Mayheourehertessetten*andunbynd：
　　Hathheuponourhertessuchmaistrye？
　　Orisallthisbutfeynitfantasye？
　　Forgiffhebeofsogreteexcellence，
　　Thatheofeverywighthathcareandcharge，
　　WhathaveIgilt*（2）tohim，ordoneoffense，
　　ThatIamthral’d，andbirdisgoatlarge？
　　*Setten，incline。
　　*（2）Gilt，whatinjuryhaveIdone，etc。
　　Inthemidstofhismusing，ashecastshiseyedownward，hebeholds
　　"thefairestandthefreshestyoungfloure"thateverhehadseen。
　　ItisthelovelyLadyJane，walkinginthegardentoenjoythe
　　beautyofthat"freshMaymorrowe。"Breakingthussuddenlyuponhis
　　sight，inthemomentoflonelinessandexcitedsusceptibility，she
　　atoncecaptivatesthefancyoftheromanticprince，andbecomesthe
　　objectofhiswanderingwishes，thesovereignofhisidealworld。
　　Thereis，inthischarmingscene，anevidentresemblancetothe
　　earlypartofChaucer’sKnight’sTale；wherePalamonandArcitefall
　　inlovewithEmilia，whomtheyseewalkinginthegardenoftheir
　　prison。Perhapsthesimilarityoftheactualfacttotheincident
　　whichhehadreadinChaucermayhaveinducedJamestodwellonit
　　inhispoem。HisdescriptionoftheLadyJaneisgiveninthe
　　picturesqueandminutemannerofhismaster；andbeingdoubtlesstaken
　　fromthelife，isaperfectportraitofabeautyofthatday。He
　　dwells，withthefondnessofalover，oneveryarticleofherapparel，
　　fromthenetofpearl，splendentwithemeraldsandsapphires，that
　　confinedhergoldenhair，eventothe"goodlychaineofsmall
　　orfeverye"*aboutherneck，wherebytherehungarubyinshapeofa
　　heart，thatseemed，hesays，likeasparkoffireburninguponher
　　whitebosom。Herdressofwhitetissuewasloopeduptoenableher
　　towalkwithmorefreedom。Shewasaccompaniedbytwofemale
　　attendants，andabouthersportedalittlehounddecoratedwithbells；
　　probablythesmallItalianhoundofexquisitesymmetry，whichwasa
　　parlorfavoriteandpetamongthefashionabledamesofancient
　　times。Jamescloseshisdescriptionbyaburstofgeneraleulogium：*Wroughtgold。
　　Inherwasyouth，beauty，withhumbleport，
　　Bounty，richesse，andwomanlyfeature；
　　Godbetterknowsthenmypencanreport，
　　Wisdom，largesse，*estate，*（2）andcunning*（3）sure，
　　Ineverypointsoguidedhermeasure，
　　Inword，indeed，inshape，incountenance，
　　Thatnaturemightnomoreherchildadvance。
　　*Largesse，bounty。
　　*（2）Estate，dignity。
　　*（3）Cunning，discretion。
　　ThedepartureoftheLadyJanefromthegardenputsanendtothis
　　transientriotoftheheart。Withherdepartstheamorousillusion
　　thathadshedatemporarycharmoverthesceneofhiscaptivity，and
　　herelapsesintoloneliness，nowrenderedtenfoldmoreintolerable
　　bythispassingbeamofunattainablebeauty。Throughthelongand
　　wearydayherepinesathisunhappylot，andwhenevening
　　approaches，andPhoebus，ashebeautifullyexpressesit，had"bade
　　farewelltoeveryleafandflower，"hestilllingersatthewindow，
　　and，layinghisheaduponthecoldstone，givesventtoamingledflow
　　ofloveandsorrow，until，graduallylulledbythemutemelancholy
　　ofthetwilighthour，helapses，"halfsleeping，halfswoon，"intoa
　　vision，whichoccupiestheremainderofthepoem，andinwhichis
　　allegoricallyshadowedoutthehistoryofhispassion。
　　Whenhewakesfromhistrance，herisesfromhisstonypillow，
　　and，pacinghisapartment，fullofdrearyreflections，questionshis
　　spirit，whitherithasbeenwandering；whether，indeed，allthathas
　　passedbeforehisdreamingfancyhasbeenconjuredupbypreceding
　　circumstances；orwhetheritisavision，intendedtocomfortand
　　assurehiminhisdespondency。Ifthelatter，hepraysthatsometoken
　　maybesenttoconfirmthepromiseofhappierdays，givenhiminhis
　　slumbers。Suddenly，aturtledove，ofthepurestwhiteness，comes
　　flyinginatthewindow，andalightsuponhishand，bearinginher
　　billabranchofredgilliflower，ontheleavesofwhichiswritten，
　　inlettersofgold，thefollowingsentence：
　　Awake！awake！Ibring，lover，Ibring
　　Thenewisgladthatblissfulis，andsure
　　Ofthycomfort；nowlaugh，andplay，andsing，
　　Forintheheavendecretitisthycure。
　　Hereceivesthebranchwithmingledhopeanddread；readsitwith
　　rapture：andthis，hesays，wasthefirsttokenofhissucceeding
　　happiness。Whetherthisisamerepoeticfiction，orwhetherthe
　　LadyJanedidactuallysendhimatokenofherfavorinthis
　　romanticway，remainstobedeterminedaccordingtothefaithorfancy
　　ofthereader。Heconcludeshispoem，byintimatingthatthepromise
　　conveyedinthevisionandbytheflowerisfulfilled，byhisbeing
　　restoredtoliberty，andmadehappyinthepossessionofthesovereign
　　ofhisheart。
　　SuchisthepoeticalaccountgivenbyJamesofhisloveadventures
　　inWindsorCastle。Howmuchofitisabsolutefact，andhowmuchthe
　　embellishmentoffancy，itisfruitlesstoconjecture：letusnot，
　　however，rejecteveryromanticincidentasincompatiblewithreal
　　life；butletussometimestakeapoetathisword。Ihavenoticed
　　merelythosepartsofthepoemimmediatelyconnectedwiththetower，
　　andhavepassedoveralargepart，writtenintheallegoricalvein，so
　　muchcultivatedatthatday。Thelanguage，ofcourse，isquaintand
　　antiquated，sothatthebeautyofmanyofitsgoldenphraseswill
　　scarcelybeperceivedatthepresentday；butitisimpossiblenot
　　tobecharmedwiththegenuinesentiment，thedelightfulartlessness
　　andurbanity，whichprevailthroughoutit。Thedescriptionsof
　　naturetoo，withwhichitisembellished，aregivenwithatruth，a
　　discrimination，andafreshness，worthyofthemostcultivatedperiods
　　oftheart。
　　Asanamatorypoem，itisedifyinginthesedaysofcoarser
　　thinking，tonoticethenature，refinement，andexquisitedelicacy
　　whichpervadeit；banishingeverygrossthoughtorimmodest
　　expression，andpresentingfemaleloveliness，clothedinallits
　　chivalrousattributesofalmostsupernaturalpurityandgrace。
　　JamesflourishednearlyaboutthetimeofChaucerandGower，andwas
　　evidentlyanadmirerandstudieroftheirwritings。Indeed，inone
　　ofhisstanzasheacknowledgesthemashismasters；and，insomeparts
　　ofhispoem，wefindtracesofsimilaritytotheirproductions，more
　　especiallytothoseofChaucer。Therearealways，however，general
　　featuresofresemblanceintheworksofcontemporaryauthors，which
　　arenotsomuchborrowedfromeachotherasfromthetimes。Writers，
　　likebees，tolltheirsweetsinthewideworld；theyincorporate
　　withtheirownconceptionstheanecdotesandthoughtscurrentin
　　society；andthuseachgenerationhassomefeaturesincommon，
　　characteristicoftheageinwhichitlived。
　　Jamesbelongstooneofthemostbrillianterasofourliterary
　　history，andestablishestheclaimsofhiscountrytoa
　　participationinitsprimitivehonors。Whilstasmallclusterof
　　Englishwritersareconstantlycitedasthefathersofourverse，
　　thenameoftheirgreatScottishcompeerisapttobepassedoverin
　　silence；butheisevidentlyworthyofbeingenrolledinthatlittle
　　constellationofremotebutnever—failingluminaries，whoshineinthe
　　highestfirmamentofliterature，andwho，likemorningstars，sang
　　togetheratthebrightdawningofBritishpoesy。
　　SuchofmyreadersasmaynotbefamiliarwithScottishhistory
　　（thoughthemannerinwhichithasoflatebeenwovenwithcaptivating
　　fictionhasmadeitauniversalstudy），maybecurioustolearn
　　somethingofthesubsequenthistoryofJames，andthefortunesof
　　hislove。HispassionfortheLadyJane，asitwasthesolaceofhis
　　captivity，soitfacilitatedhisrelease，itbeingimaginedbythe
　　courtthataconnectionwiththebloodroyalofEnglandwouldattach
　　himtoitsowninterests。Hewasultimatelyrestoredtohisliberty
　　andcrown，havingpreviouslyespousedtheLadyJane，whoaccompanied
　　himtoScotland，andmadehimamosttenderanddevotedwife。
　　Hefoundhiskingdomingreatconfusion，thefeudalchieftains
　　havingtakenadvantageofthetroublesandirregularitiesofalong
　　interregnumtostrengthenthemselvesintheirpossessions，andplace
　　themselvesabovethepowerofthelaws。Jamessoughttofoundthe
　　basisofhispowerintheaffectionsofhispeople。Heattachedthe
　　lowerorderstohimbythereformationofabuses，thetemperateand
　　equableadministrationofjustice，theencouragementoftheartsof
　　peace，andthepromotionofeverythingthatcoulddiffusecomfort，
　　competency，andinnocentenjoymentthroughthehumblestranksof
　　society。Hemingledoccasionallyamongthecommonpeoplein
　　disguise；visitedtheirfiresides；enteredintotheircares，their
　　pursuits，andtheiramusements；informedhimselfofthemechanical
　　arts，andhowtheycouldbestbepatronizedandimproved；andwasthus
　　anall—pervadingspirit，watchingwithabenevolenteyeoverthe
　　meanestofhissubjects。Havinginthisgenerousmannermadehimself
　　strongintheheartsofthecommonpeople，heturnedhimselftocurb
　　thepowerofthefactiousnobility；tostripthemofthosedangerous
　　immunitieswhichtheyhadusurped；topunishsuchashadbeenguilty
　　offlagrantoffences；andtobringthewholeintoproperobedience
　　tothecrown。Forsometimetheyborethiswithoutwardsubmission，
　　butwithsecretimpatienceandbroodingresentment。Aconspiracywas
　　atlengthformedagainsthislife，attheheadofwhichwashisown
　　uncle，RobertStewart，EarlofAthol，who，beingtoooldhimselffor
　　theperpetrationofthedeedofblood，instigatedhisgrandsonSir
　　RobertStewart，togetherwithSirRobertGraham，andothersofless
　　note，tocommitthedeed。Theybrokeintohisbedchamberatthe
　　DominicanConventnearPerth，wherehewasresiding，andbarbarously
　　murderedhimbyoft—repeatedwounds。Hisfaithfulqueen，rushingto
　　throwhertenderbodybetweenhimandthesword，wastwicewounded
　　intheineffectualattempttoshieldhimfromtheassassin；anditwas
　　notuntilshehadbeenforciblytornfromhisperson，thatthe
　　murderwasaccomplished。