Stuart dynasty

Appendix III. 289
Casket Letters by a subsequent re-arrangement and restoration of the vast
mass of manuscript in the Cottonian Library, British Museum, each suc-
cessive 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 Ruthvens or the King destroyed the documents 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.