THE GREATEST EVENT IN BRITISH HISTORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1369, 9 April 1881, Page 3

THE GREATEST EVENT IN BRITISH HISTORY.

On the ground floor at the south-east corner of the Grand Parade there^ still exists, unchanged and singularly irregular in form, the room wherein, at 10 o'clock on the morning of the 19th of June, 15*56, was horn James VI., in whose person the rival crowns of Mary and Elizabeth wore to be united. A stone tablet over the arch of the old doorway with a monogram of H and m and the date commemorates this event, unquestionably the greatest in the history of Britain. The Royal arms of Scotland figure on one of the walls, an ornamental design surmounts the rude stone fireplace, and four lines in barbarous doggerel record the birth. The most extravagant joy pervaded the entire city. Public thanksgiving was offered up in St. Giles's and Sir James Melville started on the spur with the news to the English Court, and rode with such speed that he reached London in four days, and spoiled the mirth of the envious Elizabeth for one night at least with the happy news. And an old prophecy, alleged to be made by 1 Thomas the Rhymer, but proved by Lord Hailes to be a forgery, was now Bupposed to be fulfitlled — " However it happen for to fall, The Lyon shall be lord of all • A French Queen shall beare the bonne To rule all Biittaine to the sea. And he from the Bruces blood shall come As near as to the ninth degree." According to the journalist Bannatyne, Knoxs secretary, Mary was delivered with great ease by the necromantic powers of the Countess of John Earl of Athole, who was deemed a sorceress, and who cast the queen's pains upon Lady Rcres, then in the castle. An interesting converse tion between Mary an I Darnley took place in the little bed-room, as lecorded in the "Memoirs" Lord Herries. Darnley came in at two in the afternoon to see his royal spouse and child. "My Lord,' 1 said the Queen, "God has given us a son."Partially uncovering the face of the infant, she added a protest that it was his and no other ''man's Gon. Then turning <to an English gentleman present, she said, "This is the son, who, I hope, shall first unite the two kingdoms of Scotland and England." Sir William Stanley said, "Why, madam, shall he succeed bofore your Majesty and his father? "Alas!" answered Mary, "his father has broken to me," alluding to the conHpiraoy against Rizzio. "Sweet madam," said Darnley, "is this the promise you made — that you would forget and forgire all ?" "I have forgiven all," replied the Queen, "but will nevbr folget. What if Faudonside's (one of the assasins) pistol had shot ? What would have become of both the babe and me?" "Madam," replied Darnley, "these things are past." "Then," said the Queen, "let them go." So ended this conversation. — From OasseH's "Old and New Edinburgh."