LUCUS A NON LUCENDO.
THAT sort of practical jocosity which made the Romans call a place lielsome because it was darksome, often animates men in the judgment on their own characters, or, rice versa, makes their very profession of some quality the provocative to its opposite ; as NERO gave a zest to his atrocities by the preliminary affectation of
cultivating sentiment. The Queen's tour in Scotland has brought to present light two curious records of regal resolves prevented or
abandoned. VICTORIA and her consort were asked to write their
names in the Guildry-books of Perth, and they did so; the Queen displaying her caligraphy in the usual motto of the Sovereign ;
Prince ALBERT setting forth his autograph in a German phrase, the opportune motto of his house, or one adupted by the faithful cavalier—each happening to suggest no glaring impropriety. They were shown the signature of two royal personages who had pre- ceded them—very different people, and hay ng a very different fate even in youth—JAMES the Sixth of Scot!and and CHARLES the First. The autograph of the minion-ridden despot-pedagogue standa thus—
"1601. Parcere !abjectly et debellare superbot.
JAMES R.* are the cast-down, saith the executioner of RALEIGH who bore a rope round his neck for years ; and war against the proud, saith the plaything of BUCKINGHAM' whose courage was equivocal enough to originate the story of his turning away his head when be knighted a man, because he dared not eye a sword !
The other bitter self-sarcasm is so written-
" Nemo me impune lamed.
July 24, 1650. CHARLES R."
one shall hurt me with impunity, saith the man that was be- headed at Whitehall!
How differently might subsequent events have gone, had JAMES and CHAELEs had the good fortune to read the most instructive chapters in the history of the world, which began with Csraimes's own blunders and are still barely finished ; a reflection to be prized by monarchs who have had the advantage of reading the purpose of the STUARTS recorded in the Perth Guildry-books, and their actual achievements, by the light of later days.
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