l dignity reduced to
that condition, he persevered in his insolent reproofs; and when he
relates this incident, he discovers a visible pride and satisfaction
in his own conduct.[*] The pulpits had become mere scenes of railing
against the vices of the court; among which were always noted as
the principal, feasting, finery, dancing, balls, and whoredom, their
necessary attendant.[**] Some ornaments, which the ladies at that time
wore upon their petticoats, excited mightily the indignation of the
preachers; and they affirmed, that such vanity would provoke God's
vengeance not only against these foolish women, but against the whole
realm.[***]

Mary, whose age, condition, and education, invited her to liberty and
cheerfulness, was curbed in all amusements by the absurd severity of
these reformers; and she found every moment reason to regret her leaving
that country, from whose manners she had in her early youth received
the first impressions.[****] Her two uncles, the duke of Aumale and the
grand prior, with the other French nobility, soon took leave of her: the
marquis of Elbeuf remained some time longer; but after his departure,
she was left to the society of her own subjects; men unacquainted
with the pleasures of conversation, ignorant of arts and civility, and
corrupted, beyond their usual rusticity, by a dismal fanaticism, which
rendered them incapable of all humanity or improvement. Though Mary
had made no attempt to restore the ancient religion, her Popery was a
sufficient crime: though her behavior was hitherto irreproachable, and
her manners sweet and engaging, her gayety and ease were interpreted as
signs of dissolute vanity. And to the harsh and preposterous usage which
this princess met with may, in part, be ascribed those errors of her
subsequent conduct which seemed so little of a piece with the general
tenor of her character.

* Knox, p. 332, 333.

** Knox, p. 322.

*** Knox, p. 330.

**** Knox, p. 294

There happened to the marquis of Elbeuf, before his departure, an
adventure which, though frivolous, might enable him to give Mary's
friends in France a melancholy idea of her situation. This nobleman,
with the earl of Bothwell and some other young courtiers, had been
engaged, after a debauch, to pay a visit to a woman called Alison Craig,
who was known to be liberal of her favors; and because they were denied
admittance, they broke the windows, thrust open the door, and committed