The royal line of Stuart was as steadily unfortunate as any ever
recorded in history. Their misfortunes continued with unabated
succession, during three hundred and ninety years.
Robert III. broke his heart, because his eldest son Robert was starved
to death, and his youngest, James, was made a captive.
James I., after having beheaded three of his nearest kindred, was
assassinated by his own uncle, who was tortured to death for it.
James II. was slain by the bursting of a piece of ordnance.
James III., when flying from the field of battle, was thrown from his
horse, and murdered in a cottage, into which he had been carried for
assistance.
James IV. fell in Flodden field.
James V. died of grief for the wilful ruin of his army at Solway Moss.
Henry Stuart, lord Darnley, was assassinated, and then blown up in his
palace.
Mary Stuart was beheaded in England.
James I. (and VI. of Scotland) died, not without suspicion of being
poisoned by lord Buckingham.
Charles I. was beheaded at Whitehall.
Charles II. was exiled for many years; and when he ascended the throne
became a slave to his pleasures: he lived a sensualist, and died
miserably.
James II. abdicated the crown, and died in banishment.
Anne, after a reign, which though glorious, was rendered unhappy by
party disputes, died of a broken heart, occasioned by the quarrels of
her favoured servants.
The posterity of James II. remain proscribed and exiled.
* * * * *
~Original Poetry.~
_For the Table Book._