Stuart dynasty

454 THE STUART DYNASTY.
Believers in the truth and integrity of the evidence contained
in the silver Casket have however to explain what became of
an alleged warrant from Mary Stuart, requiring the nobles who
attended Ainslie's tavern to sign the " band " for her marriage.
This was alleged by the Lords to be in the Casket, and was
surreptitiously shown at York, but never has been since
heard of.*
Unless unexpected light should be thrown upon this problem
of the Casket Letters by a subsequent re-arrangement and
restoration of the vast mass of manuscript in the Cottonian
Library, British Museum, each successive writer on the subject
(and they will probably be legion) will stand face to face with an
indissoluble mystery ; but nevertheless, owing to the late Mr.
Hosack, judgment will not go by default against Queen Mary
in accordance with the lofty demands of Hume and Froude.
The last tidings of the silver Casket and its contents, after
being in keeping of the several Regents Murray, Lennox,
Mar, and Morton, comes from the Gowrie family, in whose
possession they were before James VI. put the Earl of that
name to death in 1584, and seized all his effects.
But whether the Euthvens or the King destroyed the docu-
ments must remain uncertain for all time.
It was not known until late years that any copies existed,
either at Hatfield or in the Record Office.
* Skelton's ' Maitland of Lethington,' vol. ii. p. 317.