Douglas book > Angus memoirs

340 ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, EIGHTH EARL OF ANGUS, ETC.
engaged upon his Arcadia, as yet only in manuscript, but the two friends
were so intimate, that he delighted to read it to the Earl, who in turn was
well pleased to listen. 1
Besides this special friendship, Angus found other pleasures of a congenial
kind during his stay in England. He engaged in the courtly exercises of the
day, tilting, riding, and such like. His chief delight, however, we are told,
was to observe the fashions and policy of the country, the forms of govern-
ment and the management of the State. All these he took note of, mentally
comparing them with his experience in Scotland, and perhaps forming
projects which were not destined to be realised. Godscroft also adds a
glimpse of the Earl's inner life at this time, which indicates that he was more
deeply and sincerely imbued with religious truth than many of his contem-
poraries, a state of mind which miglit well be fostered by the company of the
noble Sidney. 2
While Angus was thus engaged in England, considerable changes were
taking place in Scotland. The administration of Lennox and Arran, who,
in the absence of opposition, carried all before them, had gradually
become the object of general hatred. For a short time, indeed, they
quarrelled, and Arran even entered into communications with Angus. 3
But a reconciliation took place, and the abuses in the kingdom increased.
The nobihty and the burgesses alike felt themselves defrauded of privileges,
while the clergy were persecuted and their policy of Presbyterian church-
government thwarted. To put an end to this state of affairs, the Earls
of Mar and Gowrie determined on a bold stroke, and taking advantage
1 Sidney was a year older than the Earl the MS. Godscroft plainly states he was him-
of Angus. His Arcadia was first published self in attendance upon Angus on this and
in 1590, when he and his friend were both in other occasions, a fact which is omitted in
their graves. the printed edition of his work.
* Godscroft, ed. 1644, pp. 361-363 ; MS. at
Hamilton Palace, Part n. pp. 224, 225. In 3 Calderwood, vol. iii. p. 594.