Historical notes on the Lennox or Darnley jewel, the property of the Queen

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compare their state to these emblems, for the instruc-
tion of some one, who is endowed with rare gifts or
virtues :
MY STATE TO THESE, I MAY COMPARE,
FOR YOU, WHO ARE OF BONTES RARE.
There seems to be here little doubt, that this verse
is put into the mouths of the Earl of Lennox and
his Countess, and meant to be addressed by them to
their grandson, the young King of Scots. The em-
blems express great aflfection and severe trials. The
Pelican feeding its little ones, with its own blood,
points not only to the mother's intense tenderness, but
to the affection of her husband the Regent, who shed
his blood in supporting the government of his grand-
son. The Salamander, the Douglas crest, crowned
and lying unconsumed in the midst of its flames,
denotes, very vividly, the fiery afiiictions through
which this noble lady passed : nor were these ideal
sorrows : she survived eight children, her whole
family : she was thrice sent to the Tower, she lived
to see her son murdered, and her husband slain. But