crificed to those of a foreign and hostile
nation: that notwithstanding these great inconveniences, discovered by
past experience, the house of Burgundy, it must be confessed, was more
popular in the nation than the family of France; and, what was of chief
moment, Philip was of the same communion with Mary, and was connected
with her by this great band of interest and affection: and that however
the queen might remain childless, even though old age should grow upon
her, the singular felicity and glory of her reign would preserve her
from contempt; the affections of her subjects, and those of all the
Protestants in Europe, would defend her from danger; and her own
prudence, without other aid or assistance, would baffle all the efforts
of her most malignant enemies.[*]

* Letters of the Sidneys, vol i. p. 287, et seq. Cabala, p.
363

{1582.} These reflections kept the queen in great anxiety and
irresolution; and she was observed to pass several nights without any
sleep or repose. At last her settled habits of prudence and ambition
prevailed over her temporary inclination; and having sent for the duke
of Anjou, she had a long conference with him in private, where she was
supposed to have made him apologies for breaking her former engagements.
He expressed great disgust on his leaving her; threw away the ring which
she had given him; and uttered many curses on the mutability of women
and of islanders.[*] Soon after, he went over to his government of the
Netherlands; lost the confidence of the states by a rash and violent
attempt on their liberties; was expelled that country; retired into
France; and there died. The queen, by timely reflection, saved herself
from the numerous mischiefs which must have attended so imprudent a
marriage: and the distracted state of the French monarchy prevented
her from feeling any effects of that resentment which she had reason to
dread from the affront so wantonly put upon that royal family.

The anxiety of the queen from the attempts of the English Catholics
never ceased during the whole course of her reign; but the variety of
revolutions which happened in all the neighboring kingdoms, were the
source, sometimes of her hopes, sometimes of her apprehensions. This
year the affairs of Scotland strongly engaged her attention. The
influence which the earl of Lenox, and James Stuart, who now assumed
the title of earl of Arran, had acquired over the young king, was but a
slender founda