PREFACE. THE design of the following sheets is to give a fuller and more distinct view of the character of King James the First, than has ever yet been exhibited by any writer. It is readily acknowledged that this character is, in itself, a very mean and despicable subject; but as it was attended with very extensive and important consequences both in his and the succeeding reigns; so it is humbly presumed that an attempt to illustrate that period of English history which falls within the plan of this subject, will meet with a favourable acceptance from the public. There are inserted in these papers a great number of curious and interesting facts, entirely omitted by our historians, who seem to have very little consulted those original writers, and state papers from whence the following account is chiefly compiled. The author does not think it necessary to make any apology for the freedom of his reflections; but only to declare that they were not made for the sake of pleasing or displeasing any sect or party in church or state; but wholly intended to serve the cause of liberty and truth. He professes himself inviolably attached to the civil and religious liberties of mankind; and therefore hopes the reader will indulge him in that warmth of his resentment, that honest indignation, that is naturally raised by every instance of persecution, tyranny, and oppression; provided he has not any where expressed himself in a manner unworthy of the character of a gentleman or a christian. For the rest it is hoped that the curious will find some entertainment, if not information, in this account; and that they will pardon the faults and imperfections of it, for the sake of its general tendency and design. One thing the judicious and impartial reader will, at least, not be displeased with, viz. that as the authorities here quoted are the most authentic in themselves, so the manner of quoting them is the most unexceptionable and just, that is, in the very words, letters and points of the respective authors, by which the reader may be infallibly certain that their sense is rightly represented. AN HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL ACCOUNT · OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JAMES I. KING OF GREAT BRITAIN. JAMES STUART, the sixth of that name in Scotland, and first in England, was born June 19, 1566. He was the son of Henry Lord Darnley (son to Matthew earl of Lennox, by Margaret Dowglas daughter to the widow of James the fourth, who was the eldest daughter to Henry the seventh of England) and Mary queen of Scots, the only child of James the fifth, king of Scots, who was son of James the fourth and Margaret his queen, the said eldest daughter of Henry the seventh of England. The murther of a favourite secretary' when she was great A favourite secretary, &c.] This was the famous "David Rixio, or Riscio, an Italian, a merry fellow and good musician, who was taken notice of |