MR. TYTLER'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF TILE REIGNS OF EDWARD VI. AND

MARY.

Tints work resulted front Mr. TYTLER'S researches amongst the archives of the State Paper Office, to collect materials for his History of Scotland; when a great number of curious or interesting documents came under his inspection, which he deemed too good to be lost, though they had no direct bearing upon Scottish history. The most choice of these documents, consisting chiefly of letters, and conveniently divided into three periods, form a considerable part of the volumes before us. The remainder is furnished by Mr. TYTLER himself; who introduces each division by an historical summary of its principal events, and the general position of affitirs abroad and at home ; gives a brief character, or biographical notice, of each personage when his name turns up for the first time ; and sets most of the letters, after the fashion of a modern reviewer prefacing an extract, either with an explanation of the matter to which it relates, or with a critical exposition of its cha- racter.

To the antiquarian or historical student of a particular period, who uses his leisure to abstract himself from affairs and devote himself heart and soul to some particular section of learning, these volumes will have a considerable interest, provided they fall within his bounds; to the historian, who treats of the period embraced, they will of course be of considerable use and of some value ; and to the biographer they furnish greater assistance than to the histo- rian. But we doubt whether they will have much popular attrac- tion. The reigns they illustrate are not remarkable. No stirring events occurred to excite the reader ; no great advances in know- ledge or philosophy took place ; no large social changes were origi- nated or consummated. he first throes of the Reformation were over, its effects were still to come : the torpor of lassitude or exhaus- tion was upon the nation, at seeing so great a struggle produce such little effects beyond personal loss to the Popish priests and per- sonal gain to the so-called Reformers. It was an sera of contests for place and power through possessing the Sovereign ; and though the rival candidates partook of the greater courage and capacity which the times enforced them to, (for the loser risked his head or his estate,) yet the highest were nothing more than bold or dexterous courtiers : not a man displayed a comprehensively original mind, still less a generous and lofty spirit ; whilst the Government was too weak to allow mere average ability a field fbr its display. The only relief to the meanness of personal struggles, for personal objects, were—the fate of Lady JANE GREY—the per- secution under MARY—and the external coldness but inward warmth of the Queen herself, with her almost tragic conflict, on the indifference of her husband, the hatred of her subjects, the dubious prospects of her religion, and the loss of Calais. Upon the last two points, however, no documents of consequence exist— at all events none are published in these volumes.

The first period of Mr. TYTLER'S division embraces the career of the Protector Sommister (154(h-7-1549); and the great points are,

the trial and execution of his brother the Lord-Admiral, for a real or pretended conspiracy, and a detail of the measures by which SOMERSET himself was overthrown by WARWICK. The most inte- resting subject in the second part is the attempt of WARWICK (cre- ated Duke of Northumberland) upon the crown, the the Lady JANI3 his daughter-in-law, and its tragic failure. The third division em- braces the whole of MARY'S reign ; but it is chiefly confined to the public feelings and the negotiations and ceremonies attendant upon the marriage of the Queen and Pnrue. Intermingled with the

leading historic actions, are many letters throwing light on the in- ferior persons of the drama or the manners of the age, and a great number of despatches from the able ambassadors at foreign courts ; together with a variety of documents, very useful to the biography of Cectre Lord BURLEIGII, which render it at least doubtful whether he was not a complier with the Popish creed, and a traitor to his benefactor SOMERSET to gain favour with NoRTnuMnr:a.LAND,—whom he, in turn, betrayed to MARY, when his power

was waning. The light which the documents throw upon English history is estimated by Mr. TYTLER at a higher value than we are inclined to allow : for we see nothing which shakes the judgment that has been generally formed upon the leading course of events; and though we do not undervalue precision in minor or incidental occurrences, —for truth is always desirable, —yet we think his- tory consists in something more than exactness in dates, or a full, tedious, and circumstantial account of subordinate actions. The

only three points of any importance in the two volumes seem to us — 1. An indication that SOMERSET on the death of limy the Eighth contrived his election to the Protectorship by tam- pering with the Council ; 2. A clearer narrative of the conspiracy by which WARWICK and the confederate Lords overthrew the Protector, and the baseness with which all his followers save one deserted or betrayed him ; 3. The greater fulness with which the intrigues for the elevation and downfall of Lady JANE GREY are exhibited. As domestic or personal pictures of the time, the volumes have their value ; but we have seen letters of greater character and interest, whether as regards their matter or their manner. The best are those from the Ambassadors ; and of these, the accounts of the Court of France are the fullest and most cha- racteristic.

The most graphic documents are some which regard the trial of the Lord-Admiral, brother of the Protector, husband of IleNay the Eighth's widow, and before this marriage and after his wife's death a suitor of ELIZABETH. Mr. TYTLER, who leans to SOMER. SET, holds that the Admiral was clearly guilty of treason, and the execution extorted from the Protector by necessity : other histo- rians have considered the charges slight, or at all events not amounting to high treason—the trial, like too many other state trials under the TUDORS, and the execution a piece of unnatural cruelty. That the Admiral was a choleric, sanguine, ambitious man, there is no doubt ; that he indulged in wild dreams, and con- templated stepping into his brother's shoes by fair means or foul, may be granted,—perhaps that he fell within the letter of the law: but that there was any danger in his projects, or that he was really guilty of any thing beyond rash and vague purposes, we do not be- lieve. Certainly there is nothing in the examinations now pub- lished to support the charge of treason, however curiously cha- racteristie of the man.

We will first quote from the examination of the Marquis of Douser, father of Lady JANE GREY, W110111 the Admiral brought up.

" First, Immediately after the King, our late master's death, one Barring- ton, servant to the said Admiral, came to my house at Westminster, and amongst other things showed me that the said Admiral was like to come to great authority; and that, being the King's Majesty's uncle, and placed as he was, he might do me much pleasure ; advising me, therefore, to resort unto him, and to cuter a more friendship and familiarity with !dm. " At the same time and place, the said Harrington advised me to be contented that any daughter Jane might be with the said Admiral; whereunto if' I would agree, he said he durst assure me that the Admiral would find the means she should be placed in marriage roach to my comtbrt. With whom, said I, will he match her ? Marry, quoth Harrington I doubt not but you 510111 sec him

marry her to the King • and fear you not but lie trill bring it to pass, and then shall you be able to help all the friends you have.

" Upon these versuastons of Harrington, I repaired, within sennight after, to the said Admiral's house at Seymour Place ; and there, talking with him in his garden, he used unto me at more length the like persuasions as had hem made by Harrington for the having of my daughter ; wherein he showed him- self so desirous and earnest, and made me such fair promises, that I sent for my daughter, who remained in his house from that time continually unto the death of the Queen."

This scheme might be distasteful to the Duke of SOMERSET, and impracticable or absurd in Lord Suyetoun, but was not high trea- son,—any more than the following opinion, or advice for strength- ening one's country interest ; which, however, relates to a much later-period—such were the notions of evidence in those days:

" The Admiral said unto me in December last past, and at sundry other places and times, that he in nowise liked the doings of my Lord Protector and Council ; and further, he said also to me in the gallery- of his house in London, that lie loved not the Lord Protector, and would have the King have the ho- nour of his own things ; for, said he, of his years he is wise and well learned; and said also to me at the same time, though he could not even then do that he would wish touching this change and alteration ; yet, said he, let site alone ; yu shall see I will bring it to pass within these three years. " When 1 was with the Admiral at Smiley, which was in the end of summer, and also when he was at my house, which was after Michaelnots, the Admiral, devising with me to make Inc strong in my country, advised me to keep a good house, and asked me what friends I had in my country ; to whom I made an- swer, that I had divers servants that were gettllemen, well able to live of them- selves. That is well, said the Admiral, yet trust not too much to the gentle- men, .lbr they have somewhat to lose; but I will rather advise you to make numb of the head yemnen and frankelyns of the country, specially those that he the ringleaders, for they be men that he best able to persuade the multitude, and may best bring the number ; and therefore I will wish you to make mach of Blom and to go to their houses, now to one and now to another, carrying with you a fluxion or two of wine and a pasty ty venison., anti to use a (foul- liarity with them, for so shall you cause them to love you, and be assured to have them at your connnandment ; and this manner, I may tell you, I inteed to use myself, said lie."

As little do we see any thing like treason in the following dra- matic dialogue between Lord thing Lord Privy Seal, and the Admiral, upon a contemplated match of the latter with one of the King's sisters ; though it is impossible not to perceive the wisdom of Russem„ and the headstrong sanguine humour of SEYMOUR. The discourse, it will be seen, is a continuation of the subject of a former one.

"Riding in like sort together, within two or three days following, from my Lord Protector's house unto the Parliament House, my Lord Admiral said unto me ' Father Thrssell,' you arc very suspicious of me : I pray you tell me, who showed you of the marriage that 1 should attempt, whereof' ye brake with me this other day ? " I answered, he should not know the authors of the tale, but that I under- stood it by such an bare him right ; and said therewithal, my Lord, I shall earnestly advise you to make no suit for marriage that way. " He replied, saying, it is convenient for them to marry, and better it were that they were married within the realm than in any foreign place and without the realm. And why might not I, or another, made by the King their father, marry one of them? "1 answered, my Lord, if either you, or any other within this realm, sball match himself in marriage either with my Lady Mary or with my Lady Eliza- beth, undoubtedly, whatsoever he be, shall procure unto himself the occasion of

his utter undoing ; and you especially above all others, being of so near alli- ance to the King's Majesty.

" And he being desirous to know the cause, I alleged this reason : you know, my Lord, that although the King's Majesty's father was a prince of much wisdom and knowledge, yet was he very suspicious and much given to suspect. His grandfather also, King Henry the Seventh, was a very noble and a wise prince, yet was he also very suspicious. Wherefore it may be possible, yea, and it is not unlikely but that the King's Majesty, following therein the nature of his father and grandfather, may be also suspicious. Which if it shall so prove, this may follow, that in case you, being of alliance to his Highness, shall also marry with one of the heirs of the crown by succession, his Highness may perhaps take occasion thereof to have you hereafter in great suspect, and, as often as he shall see you, to think that you gape and wish for his death ; which thought if it be once rooted in his head, much displeasure may ensue unto you thereupon. I added also, and I pray you, my Lord, what shall you have with

any of them? " He answered, that who married one of them should have three thousand

a year.

"I answered, my Lord, it is not so ; for ye may be well assured that be shall have no more than only ten thousand pounds in money, plate, and goods, and no land. And therewithal I asked him what that should be to maintain his charges and estate, matching himself there. "Ile answered, they must have the three thousand pounds a year also. "I answered, by G—d ! but they may not.

"He answered, by G—d none of you all dare say nay to it. "I answered, by G—d for my part I will say nay to it ; for it is clean against the King's will. * 4 * * "Riding together another time, in like sort together, toward the Parliament House, my Lord Admiral said unto me, what will you say, my Lord Privy Seal, if I go above you shortly ? I answered, I would be very glad of his pre- ferment ; and, concerning going above me, I did not care, so that lie took nothing from me."

The examination of Sir GEORGE BLAGGE contains as little proof of treason as any of the others. At the same time, it is a pretty strong proof of the arbitrary power exercised by SOMERSET, if he were likely to commit a nobleman to " ward" for " misliking his pro- ceedings," or for proposing to introduce a bill into the " nether House" to have the Sovereign " better ordered,"—a strictly re- gular course in the olden time, whatever it may be now.

"The Lord Admiral, talking of sundry matters which now I remember not, among other things said unto me, here is gear shall come amongst you, may masters of the nether House, shortly ; wagging a paper which he held in his hand. What is that, my Lord ? said L Marry, said he, requests to have the King better ordered, and not kept close that no man may see him: and so en- tered with sundry mislikings of my Laid Protector's proceedings touching the bringing up of the King's Majesty, liker that way to grow a.fhol. than other- 169C ; Whereby I perceived him not brotherly affected towards my Lord Pro- tector's Grace ; and I said, who shall put this into the House ? Myself, said he. Why then, said i, you make no longer reckoning of your brother's friend- ship if you purpose to go this way to work. Well, said Ile, for that 1 care not ; I will do nothing but that I may abide by. " I then, in as much as was in me, dissuaded him from attempting any such matter; objecting, as I then thought, the dowers which might ensue ; and seeing my words likely to take small effect, said, what an my Lord Protector, understanding your mind, commit you to ward ? No; by G—it's precious soul! said he, lie will not commit me to ward. No, no, I warrant you. But if lie do, said I, how will you conic out ? Well, as for that, said he, I care not ; but who shall have me to prison ? Your brother, said I. Which way, said he ? Marry, well enow, said I; even semi ,j iii ; niiia 1 pray you, who shall let him ? If the Commit send for me, said he, I will go ; he will not be so hasty to send me to prison. No ; but when you are there, said how will you come out ? I asked him that question so often that he seemed not contented, and always answered me, care not for that. This was the sum of our communication ; which I so misliked, as since that time I never talked with him."

We will close our extracts with a remarkable passage from a letter by Sir JOHN MASON E, Ambassador at the French Court ; in which, as Mr. TYT LER truly remarks, the doctrine of free trade was laid down with as much neatness as it has ever been done by modern political economists. The Council hail made a proclamation fixing the price of commodities—a usual practice in those days.

" I hear here a great bruit of the discontentation of our people upon a lute proclamation touchingeheese and butter : of a little thing we make here a great matter. And surely, if there be no other thing titan I do see in the thing, the matter might even as well have been spared. 1 have seen so many experiences of such ordinances ; and ever the end is dearth, and lack of the thing that we seek to make good cheap.* Nature will have her course, etiam si furea. expel- latur ; and never shall you drive her to consent that a penny-worth of new shall be sold for a thrilling. If good cheap follow this device, then hereafter will I think it were good the like were still used; but this I ant sure, the thing shall not be so plentiful as it was, and then I report Inc to you whether it will lie better cheap. For who will keep a cow that may not sell the milk for so much as the merchant and he can agree upon ?"

* " A boil marehi!: " A Gallicism.