He had only accepted of the regency, when voluntarily proffered him by the nation.

His being admitted to Queen Elizabeth's presence was therefore a very bad foundation for a quarrel, or for breaking off the conference, and was plainly a mere pretence.] [Footnote 12: NOTE L, p.110.We shall not enter into a long discussion concerning the authenticity of these letters.

We shall only remark in general, that the chief objections against them are, that they are supposed to have passed through the earl of Morton's hands, the least scrupulous of all Mary's enemies; and that they are, to the last degree, indecent, and even somewhat inelegant, such as it is not likely she would write.

But to these presumptions we may oppose the following considerations: 1.

Though it be not difficult to counterfeit a subscription, it is very difficult, and almost impossible, to counterfeit several pages, so as to resemble exactly the handwriting of any person.