the Second died at St. Germain's in 1701. Henceforward his sorrowing" widow devoted herself to religion; her sole remaining tie to earth being the hope of one day seeing her son—commonly called the Pretender—restored to his birthright. She lived to witness his failure in 1715, and died on the 7th. of May, 1718, in the sixtieth year of her age, and the thirtieth of her exile. The political events connected with the life of Mary of Modena must be sought for in history. Her personal life is related in a narrative of uncommon interest, in Miss Strickland's "Lives of the English Queens." Mary of Modena played an import-ant, rather than a conspicuous part, in the historic drama of the stirring times in which her lot was cast. She evinced, when called upon, a remarkable aptitude for business; but it is in her domestic character, as a devoted wife and mother, and as a practical Christian, that she chiefly recommends herself to our judgment and sympathies.
MARY DE MEDICI,
Daughter of Francis the First, Grand-duke of Tuscany, and of the Archduchess Joan of Austria, was born at Florence, in 1573, and was married, in 1600, to Henry the Fourth of France. She was handsome, and Henry was, for a time, really attached to her; but she was violent, jealous, and obstinate, and often quarrelled with her husband, so that his affections were soon alienated. But the best historians acquit her of any more serious misconduct, especially of the insinuation thrown out by some writers, that she was privy to the murder of her husband. Mary was weak rather than wicked, and ambitions without corresponding mental powers. After her husband's death, and during the minority of Louis the Thirteenth, she became regent and guardian of her son. Dismissing the great Sully, she allowed herself to be guided by Italian and Spanish favourites. The state lost its respect abroad, and was torn by the dissensions of the nobles at home. A treaty was concluded in 1614, granting to the disaffected all they had required; but this did not bring quiet. Mary's conduct caused universal dissatisfaction, as she permitted the Marshal d'Ancre and his wife to manage the affairs of the kingdom. Louis the Thirteenth was at length persuaded to favour, if not to order, the murder of d'Ancre, the shameless favourite, and Mary was banished for a time; but Cardinal Richelieu, in 1619, reconciled the mother and son. Mary grew dissatisfied, because the terms of the treaty were not fulfilled; another civil war was kindled, but, fortunately for the people, soon subdued. The death of de Euynes, the connétable. who was the enemy of Mary, gave her the ascendency, and she took her place at the head of the council of state. In order to strengthen her authority, she introduced Richelieu into the council; but he proved ungrateful the moment he felt his power secure, and Mary then sought to effect his downfall. This was no easy task. Richelieu had obtained complete ascendency over the weak-minded king, who resisted, all the efforts of his mother to draw him to her party. This contest for the mastery over the king was at length decided in favour of Richelieu, who succeeded in making Louis believe his crown would be lost without the support of the prime-minister. The cardinal roused the apprehensions of the king, and excited him against his mother the queen, by representing that she intended to place her second son, Gaston, on the throne. Mary was therefore
