ter were indebted for their importance to their personal abilities, and to the strength of the castle of Edinburgh, which was in their possession. Maitland's genius delighted in forming schemes that were enterprising and dangerous; and Kirkaldy possessed the intrepidity necessary for putting them in execution. The castle they knew was so situated as to defy all the regent's power, and while Chatelherault and his party came to a reconciliation with the regent, they remained alone in defence of the queen's cause. In process of time, however, the regent, assisted by forces and artillery from England, succeeded in reducing the castle, and Maitland with others surrendered themselves to the English general, who promised, in the name of his mistress, that they should be favourably treated. But Elizabeth, without regarding Drury's honour, or his promises in her name, abandoned them to the regent's disposal, who soon after condemned Kirkaldy and his brother to be hanged at the cross of Edinburgh. Maitland, who did not expect to be treated more favourably, prevented the ignominy of a public execution by a voluntary death," and ended his days," says Melvil, "after the old Roman fashion."

Maitland had early applied to public business, admirable natural talents, improved by an acquaintance with the liberal arts; and at a time of life when his countrymen of the same quality were following the pleasures of the chase, or serving as adventurers in foreign armies, he was admitted into all the secrets of the cabinet, and put upon a level with persons of the most consummate experience in the management of affairs. He possessed in an eminent degree that intrepid spirit which delights in pursuing bold designs, and was no less master of that political art and dexterity which is necessary for carrying them on with success. But these qua

lities were deeply tinctured with the neighbouring vices; his address sometimes degenerated into cunning, his acuteness bordered upon excess of subtlety and refinement; his invention over fertile, suggested to him on some occasions, chimerical systems of policy, little suitable to the genius of the age; and his enterprising spirit engaged him in projects vast and splendid, but beyond his utmost power to execute. All the contemporary writers, to whatever faction they belong, mention him with an admiration which nothing could have excited but the greatest superiority of penetration and abilities.

KIRKALDY OF GRANGE.

THIS celebrated warrior makes his first appearance on the theatre of public affairs in Scotland at the assassination of Cardinal Beatoun. He was one of the determined few who relieved their country from the sway of that insolent man, and gained possession of a castle without noise or tumult, which, in the opinion of the age, had been rendered impregnable. Upon their after-surrender to Strozzi, the French general, Kirkaldy, with his associates, were transported into France; but they were afterwards recalled by the queen-dowager, who retained them for a counterpoise to the archbishop of St. Andrew's and the Hamiltons. When impelled by her devotion to French interests, and to the inclinations of her brother, the queen-dowager departed from her popular forbearance to the reformers, and let loose the engines of persecution against them, Kirkaldy closely adhered to the confederated lords of the congregation, and, by his military skill, rendered them many signal services. Upon the death of the queen-dowager, and the ad

vancement of young Mary to the government, the tide of favour having returned to the reformers, among other popular acts, the attainder of Kirkaldy and his associates was reversed by parliament.

Upon Mary's marriage to Darnly, Kirkaldy adhered to the discontented lords, but, never able to attain sufficient force to meet the queen's army in the field, they were soon after constrained to fly into England. He returned to Scotland immediately on the assassination of Rizio, a measure expressly taken for their relief; but, by the address of the queen, they were detached from the interest of the conspirators to hers. She was sensible that the union of these parties would form a confederacy which might prove formidable to the crown, and Murray and his followers were willing to accept of pardon upon her own terms.

Upon the murder of Darnly, and Mary's marriage with Bothwell, Kirkaldy was one of the heads of that confederacy entered into for the defence of the young prince's person. At the field of Pinkey he makes a distinguished appearance. Bothwell having offered to vindicate his innocence of Darnly's murder in single combat with any of his adversaries, Kirkaldy contended with others for the honour of entering the lists against him. But this challenge proved a mere bravade. Either the consciousness of guilt deprived Bothwell of his wonted courage, or the queen, by her authority, forbade the combat.

After the symptoms of fear discovered by her followers, Mary would have been inexcusable had she hazarded a battle. In this situation, she was under the cruel necessity of putting herself into the hands of those subjects who had taken arms against her. She demanded an interview with Kirkaldy, a brave and generous man, who commanded an advanced body of the enemy. He, with the consent,

and in the name of the leaders of the party, promised, that, on condition she would dismiss Bothwell from her presence, and govern the kingdom by the advice of her nobles, they would honour and obey her as their sovereign. And, as soon as Bothwell had taken his last farewell of the queen, and retired, she surrendered to Kirkaldy.

After the establishment of Murray in the regency, Bothwell, forced by his indigence and wants, having armed a few small ships which had accompanied him from Dunbar, and endeavouring to procure subsistence for himself and followers by piracy, Kirkaldy and Murray of Tullibardin were sent out against him by the confederates. They surprised him while he rode at anchor, scattered his small fleet, took a part of it, and obliged him to fly with a single ship towards Norway.

Upon the escape of Mary from Lochlevin, and her appearance in arms against the regent, Kirkaldy adhered to the latter; and, at the battle of Langside, the success of his party was chiefly owing to his military skill and address. He was afterwards appointed governor of Edinburgh castle, and, when seduced from the interest of the regent to the party of the unfortunate Mary, this important trust enabled him to save the secretary Maitland from the threatened vengeance of Murray, and to be of the most eminent services to the cause he had espoused. When the truce between the queen's party and the regent Lennox had terminated, and hostilities were renewed, Kirkaldy, who had taken care to increase the number of his garrison, and to provide every necessary for a siege, issued a proclamation, declaring Lennox's authority to be unlawful and usurped; and commanding all who favoured his cause to leave the town within six hours; seized the arms belonging to the citizens; placed a battery on the steeple of St. Giles; repaired the

walls, and fortified the gates of the city; and, though the affections of the inhabitants leaned a different way, held out the metropolis against the regent.

The regent's party having called a parliament at Stirling, in midst of that security which confidence in their own numbers, or distance from danger could inspire, they were awakened one morning by the shouts of the enemy in the heart of the town. In a moment, the houses of every person of distinction were surrounded, and before they knew what to think of so strange an event, the regent, the earls of Argyle, Morton, Glencairn, Cassils, Eglinton, Montrose, Buchan, the lords Sempil, Cathcart, Ogilvie, were all made prisoners, and mounted behind troopers, who were ready to carry them to Edinburgh. Kirkaldy was the author of this daring enterprise; and if he had not been induced, by the ill-timed anxiety of his friends about his safety, not to hazard his own person in conducting it, that day would have terminated the contest between the two factions, and have restored peace to his country. By his direction, four hundred men, under the command of Huntly, lord Claud Hamilton, and Scot of Buccleugh, set out from Edinburgh, and the better to conceal their design, marched towards the south. But they soon wheeled to the right, and horses having been provided for the infantry, rode straight to Stirling. By four in the morning they arrived there; not one sentry was posted on the walls, nor a single man was awake about the place. They met with no resistance from any person they had seized, except Morton. He defending his house with obstinate valour, they were obliged to set it on fire, and he did not surrender till forced out of it by the flames, In performing this, some time was consumed; and the private men, unaccustomed to regular disci