Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

§ I. THE SECRET CORRESPONDENCE 35
In case Babington had resolved on any other plan, e.g. one of
capture and carrying off, as several of the conspirators proposed,
these words of Mary would not at all stand in the way; while the
refusal of her consent, alluded to above, would have strengthened
such a proposal.
No doubt the point is an obscure one : we must not wonder if
some people are unable to take the view here proposed. There
can be no doubt that the puritans of that day considered this, and
indeed every passage in Mary’s letter, as a capital offence.
Mary’s defence turned upon her being an independent queen,
unrightfully kept in duresse. From her point of view even an act
of war was licit, in order to obtain liberty. If she had written in
perfectly plain language on this obscure passage, I fancy she might
have said, 'It is not for me to approve or condemn the assassination.
But if it is done at all, it should be done first.’
From Babington’s own point of view the plot was utterly illicit,
supposing that it was only made on his private authority. Hence
his anxiety to obtain a declaration from' authority ’ through Gilbert
Gifford (Confessions, i. § 9) 'that this action was directly lawful in
every part.’ In this letter also he is asking Mary to assume the
necessary authority, and to persuade her he exaggerates constantly,
as he owns in Confessions, viii. § 1. With the same ill-balanced,
uncertain spirit, he prepared, not long after writing this, to give
up Ballard, whom he here so much praises. Finally, when captured
he laid all the blame on his companion, and surrendered all claim
to defend the goodness of his cause.
Mary’s conduct was very different. She never wavered in the
defence of her cause, which was certainly very much stronger
than that of the rest.
Both Mary and Babington’s letters abound in character strokes.
Babington is youthful and enthusiastic, clever but shallow, and
remarkably credulous. His style is dignified and impressive.
Mary is far more masculine and mature than the English gentle¬
man. Though enthusiastic and rash, she is less so than he. The
exalte tone which pervades Babington’s letter is absent. She is
far-seeing and sensible, and her courage never falters.
§ 8. Contemporaneous Copies.
There are many contemporaneous transcripts of this set of
letters, and they are all so nearly equal in value, that it is not
easy to assign a preference for one rather than another.